Chalazion

Chalazion is also known as a meibomian gland lipogranuloma, is a cyst in the eyelid that is caused by inflammation of a blocked meibomian gland, usually on the upper eyelid. Chalazia differ from styes (hordeola) in that they are subacute and usually painless nodules. They may become acutely inflamed but, unlike a stye, chalazia usually point inside the lid rather than on the lid margin. There is no role of bacteria in causing Chalazion. But the site affected by Chalazion can get bacterial infections. This lump is small but in some people this lump is quite large and that can give them blurred vision or distorted vision. It can give sharp pain along with inflammation. When the lump gets drainage on its own, then one gets relief from this condition. But in some rare cases Chalazion becomes chronic and patients want to remove it.

For treating the Chalazion, eye specialists will give warm compresses so as to cause the spontaneous drainage. The antibiotics are of use when it is infected. Doctors can also perform surgical operation to make the lump open and drain it manually. It is not a major operation though. In people suffering from rosacea, uncorrected refractive errors are more prone to get Chalazion again and again. There are some common causes behind the occurrence of Chalazion.

Causes of Chalazion

1. Blockage in the oil gland.
2. Viral infections
3. Low immunity levels
4. Rosacea
5. Blockage of the sebaceous glands.
6. Uncorrected refractive error.

Symptoms of Chalazion

1. Swelling on the eyelid
2. Eyelid tenderness
3. Sensitivity to light
4. Increased tearing
5. Heaviness of the eyelid

Treatment of Chalazion

1. Place warm and wet compresses on the affected eyelid for about 15 minutes. Repeat this procedure several times in a day. 
2. Put some antibiotic drops in the eye. Make sure that you have doctor's prescription for the antibiotic eye drops. 
3. Avoid rubbing or touching the Chalazion, as this could make the Chalazion lump bigger. Make sure that your children also are well advised to do so, in case they have got Chalazion. 
4. Before touching your eyelids wash your hands with soap, so as to avoid any kind of bacterial infection to the eyes. 
5. Your eye doctor might give you steroid injection in the nodule to help resolve it faster.
6. In case of chronic Chalazion, your doctors will advise you to undergo surgery.

Chalazion will take few weeks time to get cured completely. Hence your main duty is to take care that the affected eyelid doesn’t get any other kind of secondary bacterial infection. For this you should try to maintain good hygiene while cleaning your face and eyes. Clean your eyes softly so that the lump doesn't get rubbed. This is not a contagious condition; hence there is no need to worry. If your child has got Chalazion, then assure them that it will go after few weeks. Tell them not to touch the affected eyelid. 

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Amblyopia

Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is an eye disorder characterized by an impaired(decreased) vision in an eye that otherwise appears normal, or out of proportion to associated structural abnormalities of the eye. It has been estimated to affect 1-5% of the population.

In amblyopia, visual stimulation either fails to transmit or is poorly transmitted through the optic nerve to the brain for a continuous period of time. It can also occur when the brain "turns off" the visual processing of one eye to prevent double-vision, for example in strabismus (squint/crossed-eyes). It often occurs during early childhood, resulting in poor or blurry vision. Amblyopia normally affects only one eye in most patients. However, it is possible, though rare, to be amblyopic in both eyes, if both fail to receive clear visual images.

Detecting the condition in early childhood increases the chance of successful treatment, especially if detected before the age of five. The earlier it is detected, and the underlying cause corrected with spectacles or surgery, the more successful the treatment in equalizing vision between the two eyes.

Mechanism of Amblyopia

Amblyopia is a developmental problem in the brain. The part of the brain receiving images from the affected eye is not stimulated properly and does not develop to its full visual potential. The critical period of visual development in humans is up to 2 years of age.

Facts of Amblyopia

If not got detected in its early stage, Amblyopia can cause marked decrease of vision along with decreased depth perception. 

In recent research on this condition, it is been found that it is easier to correct this condition in children than in adults. 

Without doing a complete eye check this condition will never get detected. Infants and pre-school going children should go for complete eye checkup to rule out this condition. 

Symptoms of Amblyopia

Many people with amblyopia, especially those who only have a mild form, are not even aware they have the condition until tested at older ages, since the vision in their stronger eye is normal. However, people who have severe amblyopia may experience related visual disorders, most notably poor depth perception. Amblyopes may suffer from poor spatial acuity, low sensitivity to contrast and some "higher-level" deficits to vision such as reduced sensitivity to motion. These deficits are usually specific to the amblyopic eye. Amblyopes also suffer from problems of  binocular vision such as limited stereoscopic depth perception and usually have difficulty seeing the three-dimensional images in hidden stereoscopic displays such as autostereograms. However, perception of depth from monocular cues such as size, perspective, and motion parallax remains normal.

Types of Amblyopia

Amblyopia has three main causes:

1. Strabismic: by squint/strabismus (misaligned eyes)
2. Refractive: by anisometropia (high degrees of myopia/nearsightedness ,hyperopia/farsightedness, or astigmatism in one or both eyes)
3. Deprivational: by deprivation of vision early in life by vision-obstructing disorders such as congenital cataract 

Treatment of Amblyopia

Treatment of strabismic or anisometropic amblyopia consists of correcting the optical deficit (wearing the necessary spectacle prescription) and often forcing use of the amblyopic eye, either by patching the good eye, or by instilling topical atropine in the good eye.

Eye patching is usually applied on a part-time schedule that is about 4-6 hours a day. Treatment is continued as long as vision improves. It is not worthwhile continuing to patch for more than 6 months if there is no improvement.

Deprivation amblyopia is treated by removing the opacity as soon as possible followed by patching or penalizing the good eye to encourage use of the amblyopic eye. The earlier treatment is initiated, the easier and faster the treatment is and the less psychologically damaging. There is also a greater chance of achieving 20/20 vision if treatment is initiated as early as possible.

Early diagnosis increases the chance for a complete recovery. This is one reason why we recommend that children have a comprehensive eye examination by the age of 6 months and again at age 3. Lazy eye will not go away on its own. If not diagnosed until the pre-teen, teen or adult years, treatment takes longer and is often less effective.

Book an Appointment today for complete eye checkup at Diveeksha Eye Clinic an ISO 9001:2008 certified eye clinic located in Sector- 20, Noida.

How to use eye drops and ointments

How to apply eye drops?

• Wash hands
• Tilt your head back and look at the ceiling
• Gently pull the lower eyelid down until it forms a small pocket, or pouch.
• Squeeze the bottle or the dropper to release a single drop into the eye. Take care not to touch the eye or eyelid with the nozzle of the bottle.
• Release the lower lid and close eyelid for 30 seconds. Dab excess with tissue.

Special precautions:

• In order to keep the eye drops clean: 
• do not allow the nozzle to touch the eye or anything else
• do not allow other people to use your eye drops
• replace the cap of the eye drops immediately after use
• discard the eye drops four weeks after first opening
• If you are using more than one kind of eye drop in the same eye, wait five minutes between drops.
• If you are using both drops & ointment in the same eye, always use the drops first and wait five minutes before applying the ointment.
• If you wear contact lenses, you should stop wearing them for the duration of your treatment unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

How to apply eye ointment?

• Wash hands.
• Tilt head back and look at ceiling.
• Gently pull the lower eyelid down until it forms a small pocket, or pouch.
• Hold the tube parallel to the eye to avoid injury. Squeeze a line of approximately ½ cm (¼ inch) of ointment into the pouch without touching the eye, lid or lashes.
• Release the lower lid and allow to blink. Wipe away the excess ointment with a tissue.

Post operative care after Cataract Surgery

Precautions to be taken after surgery:

1. Use the eye drops and medicines as prescribed by the doctor. 
2. Avoid rubbing or squeezing your eye.

Protection: As advised by your doctor, you may wear the protective eye shield at night for first week. Dark eyeglasses may be worn during the daytime, especially outdoors, to avoid any discomfort that you may have from bright light and also to prevent any injury to eye.

Face wash: For the first few days, avoid splashing water directly into the eye. You may use a clean, soft, wet towel to wipe your face.

Shaving: Shaving of the beard is permitted after the operation.

Bathing: Body bath (below the neck) may be resumed after the first day, but avoids taking a shower or a bath in the bathtub for the first week after surgery.

Head bath: One may wash the hair with the head tilted backwards to avoid any water splashing into the eye.

Games: Normal daily activities including walking, reading and watching television may be resumed soon after the operation. However avoid strenuous activities like jogging, lifting weights, swimming, gardening, aerobics, contact sports etc. for 1-2 months.

Sex: You can resume your sex life a week or two after the operation after consulting your doctor.

Makeup: Avoid eye makeup for 6 weeks.

Diet: There are no dietary restrictions and you may take your routine diet. However, the restrictions as per you pre-existing medical problems, if any, are to continue. Avoid constipation by taking high fiber diet and plenty of fluids. Avoid excessively oily and spicy food.

Driving: Avoid driving unless the surgeon permits you.

Job: You may get back to your job in 1-4 weeks after surgery depending on your profession. Ask your surgeon about this.

Normal symptoms: The following symptoms are normal and are not a cause for alarm. These are slight redness, mild watering, mild irritation, glare and slight drooping of upper eyelid. These will remain to some extent for 6-8 weeks.

Alarming symptoms: In case of any pain, injury, decrease in vision or flashes of light in the operated eye, contact your surgeon immediately.

Procedure for cleaning the eye:

1. The operated eye needs to be cleaned at least twice a day.
2. The attendant performing this task should wash the hands with soap and water and dry them with a clean towel.
3. You may use the disposable tissue supplied at the hospital for this purpose. Alternately you may place cotton in a clean vessel cover it with a lid for 10 minutes, let it cool down, take the cotton out, squeeze the excess water and use the same to clean.
4. Cleaning the lower lid is done by asking the patient to look up and wiping all the secretions sticking to the lower lid margin.
5. Cleaning the upper lid is done by asking the patient to look down and doing similar procedure.
6. Similarly the outer and inner corners of the eye are cleaned.
7. Once the margins and corners are cleaned, the eye drops can be instilled and then the surrounding areas can also be cleaned.

General instructions for instilling medicines in the eye:

1. Always instill drops before ointment.
2. Leave a gap of 5 minutes between two medications.
3. Keep the eye closed for 5 minutes after applying the medication.
4. Once opened the eye drops are discarded after 10 days.
5. Replace the cap of the bottle immediately after use.
6. Make sure that the right drops are being used for the right number of times.
7. If similar medication is advised for both eyes, it is advisable to have separate bottles for the two eyes.
8. Unused eye medication, once opened is discarded and never used for other persons.

General instructions:

1. Do not rub the eyes
2. Do not lift heavy weights
3. Do not allow the eye to get injured- the eye shield is meant to protect the eye from physical hurt.
4. Avoid too many visitors for fear of contacting infection- especially avoids visitors with conjunctivitis, cold etc.
5. Do not play with children since there is possibility of getting hurt in the eye.
6. Do not strain at toilet. If needed please take laxative.
7. Avoid use of snuff.
8. Cigarette smoking should be avoided.
9. Alcoholic beverages are best avoided.
10. Avoid using handkerchief to mop the eye. Use sterile tissue only.

Conjunctivitis - Eye Flu or Pink Eye

What is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis (also called pink eye) is the most common eye infection. It causes soreness and swelling (inflammation) of the skin that lines the eyelid and the white part of eyeball (the conjunctiva). When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva becomes inflamed, they are more visible. This is what makes the eye appear reddish or pink.

Infectious conjunctivitis can be highly contagious and spread from one eye to the other and all around the family if precautions are not taken.

Types of Conjunctivitis

The four main types of conjunctivitis are:

1. Bacterial conjunctivitis usually infects both eyes and produces a heavy discharge of pus and mucus.
2. Viral conjunctivitis typically begins with one eye and causes lots of tears and a watery discharge.This is probably the most contagious form of pink eye.
3. Allergic conjunctivitis produces tearing, itching and redness in both eyes and sometimes an itchy, runny nose.
4. Giant papillary conjunctivitis is another form of pink eye. It is most frequently associated with the long term use of contact lenses.

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis?

1. Eye redness
2. Something in the eye
3. Drainage from the eye
4. Swollen , red eyelids
5. Itchy or burning eyes
6. Crusty eyelids
7. Lots of tears
8. Sensitivity to light 

What you should not do—Don’ts

1. People with conjunctivitis should avoid public places and handshakes, sharing their clothing, bedding or sunglasses.
2. Do not rub your eyes
3. Temporarily avoid the usage of contact lenses.
4. Do not share your eye drops- it can cause cross contamination.
5. Do not use steroid eye drops or over the counter medicines from the chemist without consulting an ophthalmologist.

What you should do—Do’s

1. Frequent washing of hands with soap and water or sanitizer should be ensured by patient and everybody else around them.
2. Frequent eye wash with cold filter water and cold compresses with ice packs helps in relieving the symptoms.
3. To wipe eyes, use tissue paper and dispose it properly in the dustbin.
4. Wear sunglasses to avoid glare and accidental eye contact with fingers.
5. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to be used as prescribed by the eye specialist preferably have a separate set of eye drops for each eye. 

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Trachoma

Trachoma is one of the oldest infectious diseases known to mankind. It is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis – a microorganism which spreads through contact with eye discharge from the infected person (on towels, handkerchiefs, fingers, etc.) and through transmission by eye-seeking flies. After years of repeated infection, the inside of the eyelid may be scarred so severely that the eyelid turns inward and the lashes rub on the eyeball, scarring the cornea (the front of the eye). If untreated, this condition leads to the formation of irreversible corneal opacities and blindness.

It is responsible, at present, for more than 3% of the world’s blindness. Trachoma continues to be hyper endemic in many of the poorest and most remote poor rural areas of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Australia and the Middle East. The sequels of active trachoma appear in young adulthood and in middle-aged persons. In hyper endemic areas active disease is most common in pre-school children with prevalence rates as high as 60-90%. It often strikes the most vulnerable members of communities-women and children. Adult women are at much greater risk of developing the blinding complication of trachoma than are adult men. This increased risk has been explained by the fact that women generally spend a greater time in close contact with small children, who are the main reservoir of infection.

The development of trachoma is quite slow and there are five stages of this development that are designed by the World Health Organization.

1. Follicular Inflammation – It is the first stage of the trachoma condition in which five or more than five follicles become visible in the inner surface of the upper eyelids.
2. Intense Inflammation – In this second phase of the development of trachoma, the irritation of the eyes beings and the eye becomes highly infectious. The swelling of the upper eyelids also begins in the second phase.
3. Scarring of the eyelids – Due to the infectious eyes the inner eyelids show scars on it. These scars appear like white lines and this will distort the eyelids.
4. Ingrown eyelashes – Due to the scarring of the inner lining of the eyelids, the eyelashes starts turning in and touches the transparent outer surface of the cornea. But only one among 100 affected people shows this painful symptom.
5. Clouding of the cornea – Due to the inflammation of the upper eyelids, the cornea gets affected severally. The ingrown eyelashes lead to clouding of the cornea. This can also result in ulcers on cornea and thus causes partial or complete blindness. 

Prevention and Treatment of Trachoma

Environmental risk factors are water shortage, flies, poor hygiene conditions, and crowded households. A prolonged exposure to infection throughout childhood and young adulthood appears to be necessary to produce the complications seen in later life. A single episode of acute Chlamydia conjunctivitis is not considered sight threatening as there is virtually no risk of prolonged inflammation or blinding complications.

It is easily treatable , all that is required is awareness, hygiene and a good eye checkup.

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फिट दिल्‍ली: कैसे दें गर्मी की उमस को मात: AAJ TAK: Fit Delhi

फिट दिल्‍ली: कैसे दें गर्मी की उमस को मात: AAJ TAK: Fit Delhi

Age related macular degeneration ARMD (AMD)

ARMD stands for Age Related Macular Degeneration. These are aging changes occurring in the macular area, which affects our vision. Since macula is the area responsible for main or central vision, even small changes can cause major visual problem. It affects one eye followed by the involvement of the second eye.

Symptoms of Age related macular degeneration

• Blurry distance and/or reading vision
• Dark areas or distorted central vision ----straight lines will appear bent, crooked or irregular
• Need for increasingly bright light to see up close
• Colors appear less vivid or bright
• Hazy vision
• Difficulty seeing when going from bright light to low light (such as entering a dimly lit room from the bright outdoors)
• Trouble or inability to recognize people's faces
• Dark gray spots or blank spots in your vision
• Loss of central vision
• Size of objects may appear different for each eye

You may not notice vision changes if only one eye is affected, as your unaffected eye will compensate for vision loss in the other eye.
  
If you think you are suffering from Age related macular degeneration (ARMD), Meet our eye specialist today for a free consultation and eye checkup. - Click here Book an appointment now (it's FREE)!

Risk factors for macular degeneration

• Genetic predisposition-family history present in closely related family members.
• Aging-Incidence increases from2% in 50’s to 30% in 70’s.
• Approximately 1 in 3 Caucasians have genetic changes that make them more prone to damage from oxidative stress, which can lead to macular degeneration.
• Smoking and high blood pressure are associated with the wet form of macular degeneration.
• There may be a link between being obese and having early or intermediate-stage macular degeneration develop into the advanced (wet) form.
• Another risk factor for developing macular degeneration may include having abnormal cholesterol levels.
• An overactive immune system with its associated inflammation may be a risk factor for macular degeneration.

Diagnosis of Age related macular degeneration

• Complete eye check up with dilated fundus examination by a eye specialist.
• Amsler Grid test for each eye with near correction/glasses, where patients suffering from ARMD see lines as wavy, dark or blur.
• Fundus fluorsceine angiography (F.F.A)
• Optical coherence tomography (O.C.T)

Types of macular degeneration

Dry macular degeneration
With dry macular degeneration, vision loss is usually gradual. People who develop dry macular degeneration must carefully and constantly monitor their central vision. If you notice any changes in your vision, you should tell your ophthalmologist right away, as the dry form can change into the more damaging form of macular degeneration called wet (exudative) macular degeneration. While there is no treatment for dry macular degeneration some people may benefit from a vitamin and antioxidant therapy regimen.

Wet (exudative) macular degeneration also called neovascular macular degeneration
About 10-15 percent of people who have macular degeneration have the wet form, but it can cause more damage to your central or detail vision than the dry form.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels begin to grow underneath the retina. This blood vessel growth is called choroidal neovascularization (CNV) because these vessels grow from the layer under the retina called the choroid. These new blood vessels may leak fluid or blood, blurring or distorting central vision. Vision loss from this form of macular degeneration may be faster and more noticeable than that from dry macular degeneration.

The longer these abnormal vessels leak or grow, the more risk you have of losing more of your detailed vision. Also, if abnormal blood vessel growth happens in one eye, there is a risk that it will occur in the other eye. The earlier that wet macular degeneration is diagnosed and treated, the better chance you have of preserving some or much of your central vision. That is why it is so important that you and your ophthalmologist monitor your vision in each eye carefully.

Treatment for Age related macular degeneration

The AREDS –age related eye disease study that among people at high risk for developing late-stage, or wet, macular degeneration (such as those who have large amounts of drusen or who have significant vision loss in at least one eye), taking a dietary supplement of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene, along with zinc, lowered the risk of macular degeneration progressing to advanced stages by about 25 percent. The daily supplements also reduced the risk of vision loss for those at risk by about 19 percent. The supplements did not appear to provide a benefit for people with minimal macular degeneration or people without evidence of the disease during the course of the study.

Following is the nutrient supplementation shown to be beneficial in lowering the risk of macular degeneration progressing to advanced stages:

• Vitamin C – 500 mg
• Vitamin E – 400 IU
• Beta carotene – 15 mg (25,000 IU)
• Zinc oxide – 80 mg
• Copper (as cupric oxide) – 2 mg (to prevent copper deficiency, which may be associated with taking high amounts of zinc)

Another large study in women showed a benefit from taking folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12. And a large study evaluating the possible benefits of lutein and fish oil (omega-3) is ongoing. Other studies have shown that eating dark leafy greens, and yellow, orange and other colorful fruits and vegetables, rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, may reduce your risk for developing macular degeneration.

Beta carotene has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers or recent past smokers, so this supplement should not be used by people who currently smoke or recently quit smoking.

It is very important to remember that vitamin supplements are not a cure for neither macular degeneration, nor will they give you back vision that you may have already lost from the disease. However, specific amounts of these supplements do play a key role in helping some people at high risk for developing advanced (wet) AMD to maintain their vision.

Talk with your ophthalmologist to find out if you are at risk for developing advanced macular degeneration, and to learn if supplements are recommended for you.

Wet macular degeneration treatment

Treating the wet form of macular degeneration may involve the use of anti-VEGF treatment, thermal laser treatment or photodynamic therapy (PDT).There are many effective anti-VEGF drugs available in market, but mostly multiple injections are required. Thermal laser treatment and PDT too may require multiple sittings. All of them can be performed as outpatient procedure. It is very important to monitor your vision on Amsler grid routinely. Treatment of wet macular degeneration generally reduces—but does not eliminate-- the risk of severe vision loss.

People with wet or dry ARMD who cannot be treated will not become blind, as they will still have peripheral, or side, vision.

If you have untreatable macular degeneration, you can make the most of remaining vision by learning to “see again” with the vision you do have and with the help of special low-vision rehabilitation, devices and services. People with low vision can learn new strategies to accomplish daily activities. These skills, including mastering new techniques and devices, help people with advanced AMD regain their confidence and live independently despite loss of central vision.

While there is little that can be done to improve the eyesight of someone who has AMD, with early detection, the rate of vision loss can be slowed. The keys to slowing vision loss are to understand macular degeneration, monitor your symptoms and visit your ophthalmologist regularly to test your vision. Even with macular degeneration, you can still maintain an enjoyable lifestyle. 

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Eye Care Tips for Diabetics

Diabetic is a very well known disease and everyone knows that the diabetic patients have high blood sugar levels. Insulin present in the body converts the sugar level in blood into energy that is required for day-to-day work. This insulin reduces the blood sugar levels but with diabetic people there is either low insulin or lack of insulin that prevents the sugar in blood from getting converted into energy. Diabetic patients are prone to getting various eye diseases.

Eye care is especially important for people with diabetes, because they are at increased risk of developing eye complications from the disease. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults age 20 to 74.

All people with diabetes should take precautions to help reduce their risk of developing eye problems. Various presentations of diabetes in eyes are given in the previous article. Here are some eye care tips:

1. Schedule regular appointments with your eye doctor so that any eye problem can be detected early and treated.
2. Maintain control of your blood glucose levels.
3. Keep your blood pressure under control. High blood pressure by itself can lead to eye disease, so if you have high blood pressure as well as diabetes, it is especially important that you take steps to control both conditions.
4. Get your blood cholesterol levels under control.
5. Eat a healthy diet.
6. Avoid smoking.
7. Exercise regularly.

When should I see eye doctor?

When you are diagnosed with diabetes one complete eye check up is advisable. You should make an appointment to see your eye doctor if you experience any visual problems or notice any changes in your vision. You should seek medical care for your eyes immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Blurring of vision
• Black spots
• Flashes of light
• Partial or complete loss of vision, in one or both eyes.

What are diabetes problems?

Too much glucose in the blood for a long time can cause diabetes problems. This high blood glucose, also called blood sugar, can damage many parts of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys. Heart and blood vessel disease can lead to heart attacks and strokes. You can do a lot to prevent or slow down diabetes problems.

High blood glucose can cause eye problems.

What should I do each day to stay healthy with diabetes?

1. Follow the healthy eating plan that you and your doctor or dietician have worked out. Antioxidant rich diet can slow down diabetic damage in the eye.
2. Be active a total of 30 minutes most days. Ask your doctor what activities are best for you.
3. Take your medicines as directed.
4. Check your blood glucose every day. Each time you check your blood glucose, write the number in your record book.
5. Control your blood pressure and cholesterol.
6. Don't smoke.

Go for regular and complete eye checkups with eye doctor.

What can I do to prevent diabetes eye problems?

You can do a lot to prevent diabetes eye problems.

Keep your blood glucose and blood pressure as close to normal as you can.

Have an eye care professional examine your eyes once a year. Have this exam even if your vision is OK. The eye care professional will use drops to make the black part of your eyes-pupils-bigger. This process is called dilating your pupil, which allows the eye care professional to see the back of your eye. You experience mild blurring of vision as eye dilates; it recovers back to normal as the effect of eye drops wears out. Finding eye problems early and getting treatment right away will help prevent more serious problems later on.

Ask your eye care professional to check for signs of cataract and glaucoma. See what other eye problems can happen to people with diabetes see article eye presentations in Diabetes? Learn more about cataracts and glaucoma.

If you are planning to get pregnant soon, ask your doctor if you should have an eye exam.

If you are pregnant and have diabetes, see an eye care professional during your first 3 months of pregnancy.

Don't smoke.

How can diabetes hurt my eyes?

High blood glucose and high blood pressure from diabetes can hurt four parts of your eye:

1. Retina - The retina is the lining at the back of the eye. The retina's job is to sense light coming into the eye.
2. Vitreous - The vitreous is a jelly-like fluid that fills the back of the eye.
3. Lens - The lens is at the front of the eye. The lens focuses light on the retina.
4. Optic nerve - The optic nerve is the eye's main nerve to the brain.

A side view of the eye. Antioxidant rich diet or supplements can help slow down diabetic damage, as guided by your doctor.

More about Eye presentation in Diabetes

How can diabetes hurt the retina of my eyes?

Retina damage happens slowly. Your retinas have tiny blood vessels that are easy to damage. Having high blood glucose and high blood pressure for a long time can damage these tiny blood vessels.

First, these tiny blood vessels swell and weaken. Some blood vessels then become clogged and do not let enough blood through. At first, you might not have any loss of sight from these changes. Have a dilated eye exam once a year even if your sight seems fine.

One of your eyes may be damaged more than the other. Or both eyes may have the same amount of damage.

Diabetic retinopathy is the medical term for the most common diabetes eye problem.

What happens as diabetes retina problems get worse?

As diabetes retina problems get worse, new blood vessels grow. These new blood vessels are weak. They break easily and leak blood into the vitreous of your eye. The leaking blood keeps light from reaching the retina.

You may see floating spots or almost total darkness. Sometimes the blood will clear out by itself. But you might need surgery to remove it.

Over the years, the swollen and weak blood vessels can form scar tissue and pull the retina away from the back of the eye. If the retina becomes detached, you may see floating spots or flashing lights.

You may feel as if a curtain has been pulled over part of what you are looking at. A detached retina can cause loss of sight or blindness if you don't take care of it right away.

Call our eye care professional right away if you are having any vision problems or if you have had a sudden change in your vision.

Eye Presentations in Diabetes

Ocular (eye) involvement in diabetes is very common. Since diabetes is a very common condition found in every part of world.
Structure-wise eye lesions with symptoms & presentations (simplified) are as follows:

1. Lids. Xanthelasma (yellow whitish lesion found most commonly on upper eyelid) and recurrent  style (small lid nodules) or internal hordeolum.
2. Conjunctiva. Telangiectasia, sludging of the blood in conjunctival vessels (pink or bleary eyes) and subconjunctival hemorrhage (fresh bloody red irregular spots noted in the white area of eye).
3. Cornea. Pigment dispersal at back of cornea, decreased corneal sensations (due to trigeminal neuropathy), punctate kerotapathy, Descemet’s folds, higher incidence of infective corneal ulcers and delayed epithelial healing due to abnormality in epithelial basement membrane (presenting as watering , pain and blurring of vision)
4. Iris. Rubeosis iridis (neovascularization i.e new leaky vessels of iris)
5. Lens. Snow-flake cataract in patients with IDDM (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus). Posterior sub capsular cataract.  Early onset and early maturation of senile cataract.
6. Vitreous. Vitreous haemorrhage (sudden dimension of vision, multiple floaters) and fibre- vascular proliferation secondary to diabetic retinopathy.
7. Retina. Diabetic retinopathy and lipaemia retinalis (painless progressive visual loss).
8. Intraocular pressure. Increased incidence of POAG (primary open angle glaucoma), neovascular glaucoma. Hypotony(low Intraocular pressure IOP) in diabetic ketoacidosis (due to increased plasma bicarbonate levels)
9. Optic nerve. Optic neuritis(sudden decrease of vision over few days).
10. Extraocular muscles. Ophthalmoplegia(weakness or paralysis of eye muscles) due to diabetic neuropathy(visual doubling, lid drop, pupil dilatation & squint).
11. Changes in refraction. Hypermetropic (increased plus number in glasses) shift in hypoglycemia(low blood sugar levels), myopic shift(increased minus number in glasses) in hyperglycemia(high blood sugar level) and decreased accommodation(difficulty in near work or  reading).

Regular & complete eye check up by an ophthalmologist is sincerely advised to all diabetic patients.

Glaucoma and your eyes

Glaucoma week is being celebrated from 8th-16th March this year, so lets us know about it. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that causes damage to your eye's optic nerve. It  gets worse over time if proper treatment is not taken timely & can eventually lead to blindness. It's often associated with a build-up of pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma tends to be inherited and may not show up until later in life.

One of the major risk factors is increased pressure (inside the eyeball), called intra-ocular pressure, can damage the optic nerve, which transmits images to the brain. Without treatment, glaucoma can cause total permanent blindness within a few years, usually starting with peripheral, or side vision loss. There is a condition known as (NTG) Normal Tension Glaucoma, where glaucoma changes progress despite normal pressures.

Because most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain from this increased pressure, it is important to see your eye doctor regularly so that glaucoma can be diagnosed and treated before long-term visual loss occurs.

If you are over the age of 40 and if you have a family history of glaucoma, you should have a complete eye exam with an eye doctor every one to two years. If you have health problems such as diabetes or a family history of glaucoma or are at risk for other eye diseases, you may need to visit your eye doctor more frequently.

Who is at risk?

Although anyone can get glaucoma, some people are at higher risk than others.

1. Age - One per cent of people over the age of 40 may be affected. 5 per cent of people over the age of 65 may be affected.
2. Race - If you are of African origin you are more at risk of chronic glaucoma and it may come on earlier and be more serious. Ensure you have regular eye checks.
3. Family History - If you have a mother, father, brother or sister who has glaucoma, then you should have an eye test regularly, especially if you are over 40.
4. Short Sighted - People who are short sighted are more prone to glaucoma.
5. Diabetes - Diabetes is believed to increase the risk of developing this condition

Glaucoma types & symptoms-

Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG)/Chronic Glaucoma – The most common, when the drainage channels become blocked slowly over many years. The eye pressure rises very slowly and there is no pain to show there is a problem. But the field of vision gradually becomes impaired. Once damage is done it cannot be repaired. However with early diagnoses and regular eye checkups and treatment, damage can be kept to minimum

Angle Closure Glaucoma/ Acute Glaucoma - This happens when there is a sudden and more complete blockage to the flow of the fluid to the eye. This is because the narrow angle closes to prevent fluid getting to the drainage channel. The eye becomes red, vision deteriorates .You may also experience nausea and vomiting. In the early stages you may see colored rings around white lights. This can be very painful and will cause permanent damage if not treated promptly. In some cases Acute Glaucoma does not always cause sudden pain. You can have a series of mild attacks, often in the evening. There may be some discomfort in the eye, colored lights around a white light, and hazy vision. If you experience either of these systems you should contact your Doctor.

Congenital glaucoma (Buphthalmos) – Over 80% of cases are diagnosed in the first three months of life. Due to an abnormality of the angle of the anterior chamber, blocking drainage.

Secondary Glaucoma - Two other main types of glaucoma occur when a rise in eye pressure is caused by another eye condition. This is known as secondary glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma can develop as a complication of other medical conditions. They are sometimes associated with eye surgery or advanced cataracts, eye injuries, certain eye tumours, or uveitis (eye inflammation). Pigmentary Glaucoma occurs when pigment from the iris flakes off and blocks the meshwork, slowing fluid drainage. Neovascular Glaucaoma is linked to diabetes.

How is glaucoma Diagnosed?
To diagnose glaucoma, an eye doctor will test your vision and examine your eyes through dilated pupils. The eye exam typically focuses on the optic nerve which has a particular appearance in glaucoma. In fact, photographs of the optic nerve can also be helpful to follow over time as the optic nerve appearance changes as glaucoma progresses. The doctor will also perform a procedure called tonometry to check for eye pressure,CCT(central corneal Thickness) and a visual field test, if necessary, to determine if there is loss of side vision. Glaucoma tests are painless and take very little time

How is glaucoma Treated ?

Glaucoma treatment may include prescription eye drops, laser surgery, or microsurgery.

Eye drops for glaucoma. These either reduce the formation of fluid in the front of the eye or increase its outflow. Side effects of glaucoma drops may include allergy, redness of the eyes, brief stinging, blurred vision, and irritated eyes. Some glaucoma drugs may affect the heart and lungs. Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you are currently taking or are allergic to.

Laser surgery for glaucoma. Laser surgery for glaucoma slightly increases the outflow of the fluid from the eye in open-angle glaucoma or eliminates fluid blockage in angle-closure glaucoma. Types of laser surgery for glaucoma include trabeculoplasty, in which a laser is used to pull open the trabecular meshwork drainage area; iridotomy, in which a tiny hole is made in the iris, allowing the fluid to flow more freely; and cyclophotocoagulation, in which a laser beam treats areas of the middle layer of the eye, reducing the production of fluid.

Microsurgery for glaucoma. In an operation called a trabeculectomy, a new channel is created to drain the fluid, thereby reducing intraocular pressure that causes glaucoma. Sometimes this form of glaucoma surgery fails and must be redone. For some patients, a glaucoma implant is the best option. Other complications of microsurgery for glaucoma include some temporary or permanent loss of vision, as well as bleeding or infection.

Open-angle glaucoma is most commonly treated with various combinations of eye drops, laser trabeculoplasty, and microsurgery. Traditionally in the U.S., medications are used first, but there is increasing evidence that some people with glaucoma may respond better with early laser surgery or microsurgery.

Infant or congenital glaucoma -- meaning you are born with it -- is primarily treated with surgery since the cause of the problem is a very distorted drainage system.

Talk to your eye doctor to find out which glaucoma treatment is right for you.

Preventing Glaucoma -

Take care of your eyes by all means. Eat good balanced and nutritious food. Increase the intake of food that will give you vitamin A, C, E and zinc. These things can reduce the risk of glaucoma. Apart from these things there is nothing that you can do to prevent glaucoma.

Would I Be Able To Drive?

If the loss of visual field is not advanced, most people can still drive. To assess damage to peripheral vision a field test will be carried out. You will be given a field test. You will be shown a sequence of spot lights on a screen and asked to say which you can see. This will enable the specialist to identify if you have any blind spots and see whether your sight meets the standard set out by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority. Ask your specialist about this.

What Happens If My Sight Cannot Be Fully Restored?

Early detection and prompt treatment usually prevents or slows further damage by glaucoma. There are many aids and equipment to help you utilize your remaining vision. You should ask your specialist or optician about Low Vision Aids and whether you are eligible to register as partially sighted or blind. Registration enables you to get expert help and sometimes financial benefits.

What Is the Outlook for People With Glaucoma?

At this time, loss of vision caused by glaucoma is irreversible and cannot be restored. However, successfully lowering eye pressure can help prevent further visual loss from glaucoma. Most people with glaucoma do not go blind as long as they follow their treatment plan and have regular eye exams.

What is Cataract?

What is Cataract?
Cataract is clouding of the natural (clear) lens, so light rays are not able to reach & properly focus on the posterior part of the eye (retina). A normally clear lens allows light to pass through to the back of the eye, so that the patient can see well-defined images. If a part of the lens becomes opaque light does not pass through easily and the patient's vision becomes blurry - like looking through cloudy water or a fogged-up window. The more opaque (cloudier) the lens becomes, the worse the person's vision will be. Cataract can be found at any age as there are many reasons for cataract to form. Cataract is most commonly found with aging. Cataract can occur in one or both eyes but it does not spread from one eye to another.

Cataract is the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40 and is the principal cause of blindness in the world. In fact, there are more cases of cataracts worldwide than there are of glaucoma macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy combined.

What Causes Cataract?
Lens is made up of water and protein and hence it is very clear and pure. But with growing age, this protein starts clumping together and this can cloud some area of the lens. This is what is known as cataract and if you will not get it treated then it will spoil the entire lens by clouding it more and more. Neglected eye with cataract hyper maturation can have other associated eye problems like inflammation & glaucoma. This can worsen the visual outcomes of cataract surgery, even permanent blindness. Smoking and diabetes are also responsible for causing cataract. People can have cataract in their forties and fifties also. But by the age of 60 the clouding of the lens is more and thus many people get diagnosed with cataract in this age.

Factors that may speed up cataract formation are:

• Diabetes
• Eye inflammation
• Eye injury
• Family history of cataracts
• Long-term use of corticosteroids (taken by mouth) or certain other medications
• Radiation exposure
• Smoking
• Surgery for another eye problem
• Too much exposure to ultraviolet light (sunlight)

In many cases, the cause of cataract is unknown.

Types of Cataract
Secondary cataract – when you get treated for any other eye problems like glaucoma, you have some chances of getting this type of cataract. It is also a common condition in people with diabetes.

Congenital cataract – Some infants are born with cataract or may develop it in their early childhood. This happens in both the eyes. This cataract will be quite small and hence it will not affect the vision of your child. This condition can be treated if the cataract starts affecting the normal vision. Replacing the lens can cure this.

Traumatic cataract – when you get some eye injury then there are chances of you getting this kind of cataract.

Radiation cataract – Due to some kind of exposure to some types of radiation this kind of cataract can affect you.

Symptoms of Cataract
Adult cataracts develop slowly and painlessly. Vision in the affected eye or eyes slowly gets worse.

• Mild clouding of the lens often occurs after age 60, but it may not cause any vision problems.
• By age 75, most people have cataracts that affect their vision.

Visual problems may include the following changes:

• Being sensitive to glare
• Cloudy, fuzzy, foggy, or filmy vision
• Difficulty seeing at night or in dim light
• Double vision
• Loss of color intensity
• Problems seeing shapes against a background or the difference between shades of colors
• Seeing halos around lights

Cataracts generally lead to decreased vision, even in daylight. Most people with cataracts have similar changes in both eyes, although one eye may be worse than the other. Many people with this condition have only mild vision changes.

Other symptoms may include:

• Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription

Detection of Cataract

A Visual acuity test, complete eye examination on slit lamp with retina examination is sufficient for cataract assessment. Other diagnostic tests are rarely needed, except to rule out other possible causes of poor vision.

Treatment of Cataract

The following may help people who have an early cataract:

• Better eyeglasses
• Better lighting
• Magnifying lenses
• Sunglasses

As vision gets worse, you may need to make changes around the home to avoid falls and injuries.

The only treatment for a cataract is surgery to remove it. Surgery is done if you cannot perform normal activities, such as driving, reading, or looking at computer or video screens, even with glasses.

If a cataract is not bothersome, surgery is usually not necessary. Cataracts usually do not harm your eye, so you can have surgery when it is convenient for you.

However, some people may have additional eye problems, such as diabetic retinopathy, that cannot be treated without first having cataract surgery.

Prognosis of Cataract

Cataract surgery usually gives a good visual outcome, except in cases where there is other condition of retina such as macular degeneration present.

Ophthalmologists can usually, but not always, determine this in advance.

Complications

Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing permanent vision problems.

Although rare, a cataract that goes on to an advanced stage (called a hypermature cataract) can begin to leak into other parts of the eye. This may cause a painful form of glaucoma and inflammation inside the eye.

Eye check up

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have:

• Decreased night vision
• Problems with glare
• Vision loss

Prevention

The best prevention involves controlling diseases that increase the risk of a cataract, and avoiding exposure to factors known to promote cataract formation.

Wearing sunglasses when you are outside during the day can reduce the amount of ultraviolet (UV) light your eyes are exposed to. Some sunglasses do not filter out the harmful UV. An optician should be able to tell you which sunglasses filter out the most UV. For patients who smoke cigarettes, quitting will decrease the risk of cataract.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, unrefined carbohydrates, good quality fats (avocado, olive oil, omega oils), and either plant sourced proteins or lean animal sourced proteins. Sleep well for seven hours at night, exercise, control obesity & diabetes.

Do you have Myopia (Nearsightedness)?

Do I need glasses? …is a question which crosses our mind at some point of time. This realization may come at any age. We may realize it when we are unable to see the blackboard or a projector slide clearly, or unable to read the small headline on the T.V screen. In some cases it presents with headaches which are increasing in frequency & severity. Presentations may vary from tiredness, exhaustion, not feeling like opening your eyes, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, frequent migraine attacks or recurrent eye or lid infections. Now cause can be …

MYOPIA
Myopia or nearsightedness is one of the common problems of eyesight. The statistics show that almost one third of the population is suffering from myopia. As the name suggests, it is a condition in which the person cannot see distant objects clearly but are able to see near objects clearly.

In the people suffering from myopia the eyeball is slightly longer from front to the back (axial length) or cornea has more curvature and this is why the light rays don’t focus properly on the surface of the retina. There can be increase in myopia with time. Regular yearly complete eye check-up is required.

Myopia has various classifications... mild, moderate or severe / axial or refractive (curvature, index)/ simple, degenerative, nocturnal, pseudo or induced myopia/congenital, youth or adult onset myopia. Some cases the eyeballs are very elongated ones and thus the myopia is considered as severe. This condition is known as pathologic myopia or degenerative myopia. People suffering from high myopia may experience floaters, flashes of lights, poor vision even after correction with glasses & have a higher tendency of retinal detachment. They should avoid body sports, direct blow injury to eye & heavy weight lifting. Regular eye checkups & retina examination is must for early detection & treatment of various associated eye diseases in all myopias. Uncontrolled diabetics may experience an increase in myopia. Some patients with cataract also experience increase in myopia due to hardening of lens. Myopia can run in families, so myopic parents should get their children eye check-up regularly. There are various treatments by which myopia can be corrected. Among all other ways of correcting myopia, using minus or concave eyeglasses and contact lenses is the most popular way of treating myopia.

For some individuals, contact lenses can offer better vision than eyeglasses. They may provide clearer vision and a wider field of view. However, since contact lenses are worn directly on the eyes, they require appropriate fitting, regular cleaning & care to safeguard eye health.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-k), also known as corneal refractive therapy, involves the fitting of a series of rigid contact lenses to reshape the cornea, the front outer surface of the eye. The contact lenses are worn daily for limited periods, such as overnight, and then removed. Persons with moderate amounts of nearsightedness may be able to temporarily obtain clear vision for most of their daily activities.

Nearsightedness can also be corrected by reshaping the cornea using a laser beam of light. Two commonly used procedures are photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

In PRK, a laser is used to remove a thin layer of tissue from the surface of the cornea in order to change its shape and refocus light entering the eye. There is a limit to how much tissue can safely be removed and therefore the amount of nearsightedness that can be corrected.

LASIK does not remove tissue from the surface of the cornea, but from its inner layers. To do this, a section of the outer corneal surface is cut and folded back to expose the inner tissue. Then a laser is used to remove the precise amount of corneal tissue needed to reshape the eye, and then the flap of outer tissue is placed back in position to heal. The amount of nearsightedness that LASIK can correct is limited by the amount of corneal tissue that can be removed in a safe manner. LASIK does not change the inner structure of eye; hence yearly complete eye checkup is advised.

People who are highly nearsighted or whose corneas are too thin to allow the use of laser procedures now have another option. They may be able to have their nearsightedness surgically corrected by implanting small lenses (phakic IOL) in their eyes. These intraocular lenses provide the needed optical correction directly inside the eye.

Vision therapy is an option for people whose blurred distance vision is caused by a spasm of the muscles which control eye focusing. Various eye exercises can be used to improve poor eye focusing ability and regain clear distance vision.

People with nearsightedness have a variety of options to correct their vision problem. In consultation with your eye specialist, you can select the treatment that best meets your  visual and lifestyle needs.

Eye Care Tips for Women

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) almost two thirds of blind people worldwide are women and girls. Women are also prone to develop dry eye problems more than men. There are several ways to keep the eyes healthy to prevent serious eye problems from developing.

Hereditary eye problems
An important thing to know is family history of any eye diseases. It is helpful to know which eye problems run in the family and whether these are hereditary. This will give a clear idea if one is at higher risk of developing a certain eye condition. Certain steps can then be taken to prevent its occurrence or minimize the complications that may be associated with it. To stay on the safe side, continue to consult your family ophthalmologist for regularly. Better safe than sorry, right?

Eating Right
Eating right can help protect eyesight. Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, peas, and broccoli are rich in lutein, an antioxidant that protects cells against damage. Lutein was found to be concentrated in the macula, a part of the retina of the eye responsible for central vision. Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness. Lutein acts as a natural eye shade that may protect the retina against sun damage.

Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E can likewise help reduce the progression of age related macular degeneration. These antioxidants play a significant role in maintaining healthy cell membranes and other cell processes. A deficiency in Vitamin E has also been pointed to as one of the causes of dry eye syndrome, a condition that can lead to scarring of the cornea and vision loss.

Eat protein rich food:
When we’re discussing eating habits, we can’t rule meat proteins, can we? Research has also shown that eating fish high in omega 3 fatty acids can be beneficial to the eyes. Several studies suggest that omega 3 fatty acids may help protect the eyes from dry eye syndrome. Dry eye is a common complaint among middle aged women and this can cause severe eye irritation because of insufficient tear production. Dry eye in itself does not lead to blindness but it can increase the risk for eye infection. Fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids include salmon, tuna, and halibut. The retina has one of the highest concentrations of omega 3 fatty acids in the body and by simply increasing the dietary intake of omega 3, there is almost 50% decrease in the severity of retinopathy or damage to the retina. Vegetarians have an option of omega 3 fatty acid derived from algae.

Across some regions, religions, socioeconomic strata, & level of education, girl child is neglected. Children are otherwise also prone to malnourishments because of their food preferences and frequent cough colds & post measles .Supplements of vitamin A & C is good when required.

Contact lenses
Studies show that women wear contact lenses more, compared to men because of the fact that glasses tend to hide the natural (beautiful) look of the eye. Generally, more women than men wear contact lenses because of aesthetic reasons. Make sure that your contacts are appropriately fitting (on your corneal base curve) for your cornea, clean and disinfected so that no external body enters the eyes. When there is poor eye hygiene or extended wear of contact lenses, the eyes can become infected. The cornea is at risk of scarring and this can lead to blindness.  Clean the lens case & change lens solution every day, if you are not wearing daily disposable contact lenses. Do not over wear your contact lenses, have a smart well corrected glasses option always with you. Those using colored contacts lenses, kindly ensure that they are of good quality & fitting. A routine visit to your eye specialist to ensure the health of your eyes is a must for all contacts users to check for eye infections, allergies, contacts intolerance & cornea changes (Remove contacts at least 24 -48 hours before an eye checkup)

Cosmetics
Don’t mess up with your eyes by applying expired make-up! When eye cosmetics are not properly removed, makeup and dirt can become trapped at the base of the eyelashes. This is another cause of eye infection among women. Proper application and complete removal of eye makeup at the end of the day can help prevent the eye infections and eye damage. Some area have deep seated misbelieve that application of kajal, surma, kohl enhances eye beauty & enlarges the eye. This often leads to frequent chronic eye infections, scaring leading to lid deformities. Your eyes if properly taken care of can greatly enhance your overall beauty and can enable you to see the world in the clearest way possible.

Sunglasses
When going outdoors, one must wear protective sunglasses. Constant and excessive exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun can damage the eyes. Common eye diseases like pterygium,macular degeneration have been linked to too much sun exposure. Choose sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation. Women and girls who are active in sports should also consider wearing protective eyewear, which can be easily bought at sporting goods stores. 

Post refractive surgery (post Lasik/PRK)
Glasses removal by surgery is far more common in females than males. Glasses removal surgery does not change the configuration of your eye, so regular checkup of eye and retina once a year with your eye specialist is a must. Post surgery problems like dryness, decreased sensitivity and glare is commonly experienced for which you can consult your eye specialist. Be on look out, if you observe some floaters or increase in there number.

Computer use and office eye syndrome -dry eye disease is found in higher prevalance among women office workers working on visual display terminal(VDT) users.

Pregnancy
Pregnancy is associated with lots of hormonal changes. This leads to water retention & some experience it as change in refractive error (glasses). Many patients become intolerant to contacts. Some pregnancies are associated with raised blood pressure & blood sugar levels; they too may affect pregnant lady’s vision. A good eye checkup with proper glasses correction during the second or third trimester is advised.

Computer users
Proper correction, posture, lubrication, lighting should be taken care...…Helpful eye care tips for computer users.

Systemic Diseases (Diabetes/Thyroid/Hypertension/Arthritis/Autoimmune diseases/obesity)
Women are prone to become overweight, especially with advancing age. This increases the risk for developing diseases such as diabetes. High blood sugar causes the lens of the eye to swell, impairing normal vision. Diabetes also increases the risk of developing other eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Maintain a healthy weight and have regular blood tests if diabetes runs in the family. Thyroid & arthritis too affect women more commonly, presenting with dryness, grittiness, foregn body sensation. Thyroid may be associated with raised intraocular pressure, or limitation of eye movements. Women are eight times more prone to suffer from various auto immune diseases and they too have associated eye symptoms.

Oral contraceptives also are associated with increased incidence of dry eye symptoms.

Smoking
Smoking has been linked to an increased risk of developing dryness,cataracts, macular degeneration, and optic nerve damage. Girls should never start smoking and women who smoke should quit right away decreasing the risk of developing these eye conditions.

Menopausal

Women entering menopause too suffer from various hormonal changes/imbalances .This can affect eye by presenting as dryness, foreign body sensation, redness, heaviness.

Age associated diseases

Cataract, Age related macular degeneration (ARMD), glaucoma prevalence of many diseases increases with age. Women over age of sixty should go for a comprehensive eye check up at least once a year. Early detection leads to better management.

Suffering from eye problem? Book an appointment today!