Prevent yourself from Conjunctivitis this monsoon

Monsoon though welcome brings with it a lot of seasonal diseases and eye infections. Conjunctivitis is one of them. With proper precaution this can be avoided. Here is an article of mine which appeared in Mail Today on this topic. Hope it helps. In case of any query, you can always call on Save Sight Centre's landline number.

Take care of you eyes while swimming

In this sweltering heat of Summers, spending time in a swimming pool seems to be a bliss. Although, swimming is considered to be a great exercise but cleanliness of the pool is equally important to avoid any sort of disease, especially, for our eyes. In Summers, humidity and moisture combined prove to be the most favourable time for bacterial infections to develop.

Another important thing that should be kept in mind while swimming is usage of swimming glasses. Wearing swimming glasses helps protecting your eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sun and also acts as a shield against dirty water getting in contact with your eyes.

If water gets inside your eyes which causes irritation or burning sensation in the eyes, immediately wash your eyes with fresh water. Of any problem persists, consult an eye specialist without any delay.

Our eyes are way too sensitive for self medication, so don't do that

Self medication is very popular in India. Whatever ailment it may be, we always try home remedies or take medicines on our own to treat it. And the same principle is applied to eyes too. When ever a person feels irritation or some other problem in their eyes, he or she puts some eye drops available at home. But remember, this can do more harm than good, as, our eyes are way too sensitive. If you observe any problem in your eyes, don't delay and get your eyes checked with a doctor.

Wash your hands for your eyes and overall health

Washing hands is a very good habit as this helps in preventing germ attack on our immune system. But do you know, it is equally important for our eyes health. Most eye infections are a result of dirty hands touching eyes. So, make sure that you don't touch your frequently. Wash you hands before and after meal, and after coming home from outside to prevent eye infections.

It is safe to undergo Catract surgery during rainy season.

Lot of people have this apprehension that Cataract surgery needs to be avoided during rainy season as sweat due to humidity can impact the sight.Its not true.It is laser surgery which is absolutely safe.And it can be done in all types of weather.
This belief has been developed when bandages used to be put and surgery used to be done in traditional methods.Now a days no such fears should be entertained.
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Smoking can be injurious for your eyes too

Smoking can be hazardous for your eyes

A lot has been said and written about the ill-effects of smoking and how this habit leads to various diseases like lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases. But the harm it causes to our eyes is no less.

We are all well verse about the fact that smoking and use of tobacco leads to heart and lung diseases, but we are completely unaware about the effect it can have on our eyes. Many eye diseases like conjunctivitis, early age cataract, glaucoma, open angle glaucoma, age related macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome and tobacco amblyopia etc are caused as a result of excessive tobacco consumption.

Consuming tobacco in any form can lead to open angle glaucoma. Primary open angle glaucoma is generally found in people aged above 40, but use of tobacco increases the possibility of its occurrence. Generally, no symptoms or signals are seen in the initial stage of this disease, and till the time it is detected, a lot of damage is already caused to the vision. Smoking also results in formation of glaucoma at an early age, caused as a result of change in the eye metabolism.

As one crosses the age of 50, age related macular degeneration becomes one of the leading factor behind vision loss. This disease can cause irreparable loss to the vision. As compared to a non smoker, an active smoker has chances of developing age related macular degeneration 5-10 years before. That’s not a all, a person who smoke has a greater probability (about 2-3 times) of developing this disease. Smoking causes adverse affect on anti-oxidant metabolism, which is necessary for a healthy eye film and the macula.

Smokers and tobacco users have higher chances of developing Tobacco Amblyopia. In this disorder, the affected person’s central vision slowly decreases in both the eyes. This also creates blurred vision and the person faces difficulty in doing regular chores, especially those which requires focus on nearby objects. Tobacco Amblyopia is found more in those people, who are involved in chain smoking or those whose diet contains either extra or very low quantities of Protein and Vitamin B complex. This disease is also found in people who consume tobacco along with alcohol.

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is another eye disorder caused due to smoking. This is a medical condition in which the optic nerve gets damaged due to insufficient blood supply. It is a painless condition which often causes loss of vision.

Most patients suffering from diabetes looses vision due to development of Diabetic retinopathy. If you are a smoker, than your chances of developing Diabetic retinopathy is quite high. As smoking makes managing diabetes more difficult for those who already have it. Also, smoking worsens the complications caused by diabetes.

The problem of dry eye syndrome also known as dry eyes, impact smokers more than non smokers. Even cases of conjunctivitis are found more in smokers as they suffer from burning and itchiness in the eyes.

Prevention is always better than cure. The first and foremost step to protect your eyes from developing these eye diseases is to quit smoking. Smoking is an unhealthy habit which not just affects the one who smokes but also those who surrounding the smokers. So, in order to live a healthy and disease free life, leave the habit of smoking.

Dr Rajeev Jain

Eye Surgeon

Director

Save Sight Centre

Experiencing floating strand or flashes in your vision, consult an eye specialist immediately

Have you ever noticed certain dark spots or floating strands in your vision, especially while looking at the sky? These floating strands aren’t your imagination but an eye problem called floaters.

 

Floaters are dark specks, strands, spots, dots or cobwebs moving in the field of vision.  These are more apparent while looking at a plain background or sky. Although floaters seem to be in front of the eye, they are in fact opacities floating inside the eye.

Our eye contains a jelly like substance, called Vitreous, which fills the central cavity of the eye. As one ages, the vitreous shrinks, thicken or become more fluid which leads to the formation of clumps or strands inside the eye called floaters. Apart from aging another factor which leads to occurrence of floaters is Posterior Vitreous Detachment also called PVD. PVD is a condition in which the vitreous gel pulls away from the retina. Floaters can also be related with eye diseases like vitreous hemorrhage or conditions like migraine.

Floaters are often seen along with flashing lights. These flashing lights experienced in the vision are flashes which are seen going on and off, especially on one side of the field of vision. Similar to floaters, flashes too occurs as a result of vitreous gel pulling the retina (PVD). If you ever see jagged lines of light in your vision that lasts for 10 to 20 minutes, this is apparently a migraine caused by blood vessels’ spasm in the brain. This can happen in one or both the eyes.

Although, Floaters and Flashes alone are harmless but the changes they bring inside the eye, can be potentially damaging. These if remain untreated may lead to loss of vision. In most cases, the vitreous separates from the retina (PVD) without showing any symptom. But sometimes, if the shrinking vitreous gel pulls away from the eye wall, then it might lead to retinal tear. A retinal tear if not treated can lead to retinal detachment in future.

 In few cases, there is a sudden occurrence of flashing lights with new floaters or a blackout in a part of field of vision. If this happens, make no delay and visit a corneal specialist immediately and to check if you have a retinal tear or detachment.

In the initial examinations, 5-15% of the patients with acute symptoms of PVD have been found to have a retinal tear, whereas, patients with acute PVD, who have no retinal breaks may have 2-5% chances of developing it in the weeks that follow. People suffering from Vitreous Hemorrhage have 70% chances of having retinal tear.

Depending upon the condition, the treatment of floaters and flashes is decided. Though, in most cases they are not harmful but it is very important to get your eyes examined, to make sure there has been no damage to the retina.

With time, most floaters fade away and become less bothersome. However, if you are not able to cope up with your daily chores due to floaters, then floater correction surgery can be considered. In this surgery, vitrectomy is removed from the eyes. In case, retinal tear is found, laser surgery or cryotherapy can be suggested by the doctor.

Not much can be done to prevent the occurrence of flashes and floaters. But having a healthy diet rich in Vitamin A and C can definitely act as a preventive shield against any eye disease. Also, have a disciplined lifestyle and include exercise, especially eye exercises as a part of your daily routine.

Tips for eye care in Monsoon

Rainy season is round the corner.Where it provides relief from scorching heat,it in its wake brings host of viral infections like corneal ulcers, dry eyes and conjunctivitis.These have potential to cause permanent damage to your eyes.
By following basic hygiene like not rubbing eyes with dirty hands,not sharing towels,washing eyes repeatedly with water are some of the basic tips which can go a long way in preventing outbreak of these infections.
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Want to prevent the risk of developing Cataract?- Than opt for Citrus Fruits and Berries

Citrus fruits and berries are most beneficial for our eyes. They are a good source of Vitamin C which helps in minimising the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataract.

Diabetic Retinopathy is turning into biggest risk for Diabetic

In our practice,we have been observing an unhealthy trend of patients having vision problems because of Diabetic Retinopathy.This is a result of uncontrolled Diabetes.The damage it causes to eye vision is almost irreversible.Maximum we can do is to contain the damage.The best course is the moment one is diagnosed with Diabetes,is to alter the lifestyle and try and keep diabetes in check.Besides get your eyes examined regularly with a physician.The problem with diabetic retinopathy is that it affects without giving any clue and by the time one realises,one is suffering,damage is already done.So the moment you are diagnosed with diabetes, be cautious and alert,to the risk of Diabetes retinopathy,

Caring for your little one's eye

Our eyes are the most delicate part of our body and demand special care. When it comes to children, the care and attention required is even higher. A child’s eyes are much more sensitive than an adult’s eyes. Therefore, the chances of developing problems are also much higher. It is very important for parents to be extra careful about their kid’s eyesight right from the tender age.

Childhood is an extremely important period in a human’s lifecycle. A healthy beginning of life is the key to overall health for the rest of the life. This is applicable to the eye health too. If not looked after properly in childhood, even a little problem can turn into a serious one. Often parents don’t pay much attention to eye care until a child complains of being unable to see distant things or some other problem. This negligence can be harmful for your child’s eyes, as many a times some problems may develop and stay undetected before turning into a severe one.

The most common problem found in kids is weakening of eyesight. It is not unusual to see small children wearing spectacles these days. The main reason behind this rising problem is excessive exposure to electronic gadgets like computers, television, smart phones etc. It is essential to limit the child’s usage of such things to protect their eyesight from getting weak. Apart from this, healthy diet and regular checkups are extremely important and should never be ignored.

Sometimes, a child may face a problem of reoccurring headache or difficulty in seeing text written on blackboard from far benches. This puts a lot of strain on eyes and over the time, worsens the eyesight. It is important for parents to take any such complain made by the kid seriously and get their eyes examined immediately. Earlier a problem is detected; easier it is to prevent it from harming the eyes.

Another important thing is that if a child is prescribed to wear specs by a doctor, he/she should wear the right powered specs. And remember, during the period of childhood, a kids body goes through continuous changes. So, a number prescribed once cannot be used for too long. So, yearly checkups and wearing the perfect powered spectacle is important to keep eyes fine.

Many a times, a child can have some eye problem since the birth. It is necessary to detect it at the earliest in order to save the eye from any severe damage. Therefore, it is recommended that parents should get their child’s eyes checked, few days after the birth or at least before his/her school begins. This can be very helpful in identifying any potential problem and stopping it at the initial stage itself. It has been found in several cases that little carelessness during this stage results in long term impacts on the child’s eyes.

Other than this, another serious eye ailment that may affect your kid’s eye is corneal infection. Continuous tearing from eyes, sticking of eyes, swelling on the eyelids, redness etc are the main symptoms of this disease. If such problem occurs frequently, doctor consultation is a must. Apart from that, medication or some infection to a woman during pregnancy can also affect the baby’s eye health. In such cases, a new born child may have signs of cataract or glaucoma, which may go undetected, if a diagnosis is not done. So, this implies how crucial it is to get their eyes examined. Especially if you notice anything unusual, don’t ever delay in seeing an eye specialist.

Now, just like regular examinations and proper treatment are essential for keeping a child’s eye healthy. Right nutrition and sufficient care is equally important. When it comes to food and nutrition, it is necessary to know that Vitamin A is a medicinal nutrient for the eyes and it’s deficiency can cause severe problem in eyes. Always make sure to feed your child with Vitamin A rich food like carrots, sweet potatoes, milk, green vegetables, seasonal fruits etc or if the child is too small, give it in form of medical doses but only on a doctor’s prescription.

In case of any problem in eyes, do not use any medicine or eye drops without consulting from an eye specialist. Self medication is strictly prohibited in case of children. Use only drops prescribed by the doctor and once the drop is opened, it should not be used after one month’s duration. Also, many people put excessive kohl on small child’s eye.  It is important to understand that these products contain carbon and other chemicals that can harm your little one’s eyes. 

A child may not understand how severe an eye problem can be on a long run, but it is a parent’s responsibility to take care of their kid’s eyes. A little care can help in keeping your child’s precious eyes healthy and problem free.

Redness in eyes persists even after physicians medicine,check with the eye specialist

In summers bit of redness in eyes is common place.On regular washing of eyes with fresh water,this redness subsides on its own.But if the same redness persists,say lasts longer than a week, then this must be immediately attended.Check with the physician and follow the advise attentively.But even after all these steps,you are not getting any relief,then you must check with an eye specialist.
There can be variety of reasons for redness but what affects an individual can only be said after thorough examination. 

Need for healthy eye sight in kids

We are these days seeing the trend of lot of school going kids wearing spectacles.Though there is nothing to be embarrassed in wearing spectacles and one should not avoid wearing spectacles if one has been advised to wear by a Doctor but still it points towards a one very unhealthy trend.
Some corrective action is definitely required.Firstly give kids a right diet,there food should have plenty of green vegetables,seasonal fruits.Avoid junk food as far as possible.Eating pizza,burger,Maggi once in a while is ok but it should remain once in a while only and not become a regular habit.TV watching should not exceed more than an hour.Internet surfing should be allowed only if school work demands it.Child must play an outdoor game atleast for an hour on daily basis.
Now all this that has been mentioned above,some will find as impractical and can't be followed.To them the answer is, it is not impractical,it can be followed easily,provided we bring bit of discipline in kids life from the early stages.This will not only help the kid in having healthy eyes but will also help the kid in being successful in what ever he/she does as a grown up.

Need for quality eye care centres in small towns and villages

To a large extent our urban population has reached a stage where they know of the risk associated with Cataract.They know how delaying it can even cause blindness.Thanks to this awareness,there are hardly any cases of somebody getting blind because of cataract in cities.But same can not be said about the rural population,there we still have high percentage of people losing sight because of the cataract.Wish we could replicate the success reached in cities to small towns and villages.If we can do it at the level of small town and village,we can easily bring down the overall cases of blindness in the country.The government is doing its bit but private sector should complement it.Solution to this lies in PPP model ,if adopted it can do wonders.
PPP model has been explored in infrastructure  sector ,on similar lines it can be tried in the health sector as well.What has been seen is that in cities there is high number of eye clinics offering cataract surgeries,leading to high competition.Where as in small towns and rural towns there is any good eye centres leading to these people flocking to cities for these minor procedures.Now the private sector does not go to the rural centres as people their lack the capacity to pay and general infrastructure required is lacking.If private sector can bring their costs down to reasonable level and government can subsidise the balance,to a large extent the underserving of the people in the rural sector can be checked. Quality eye care will reach the ones who need it the most and incidence of the blindness in the country can be brought down drastically.

Don't let your eyes dry

Major reasons behind dry eyes are over usage of digital devices and extreme warm weather. Controlling weather conditions is obviously not in our hands but we can always limit the use of digital gadgets. Spending long hours in front of electronic screens creates ripe condition for dry eyes. Taking regular breaks and blinking can mitigate the impact to a large extent.

Know about Photophobia

Photophobia is an eye disease in which a person cannot tolerate bright lights as it causes acute discomfort in the eyes. There are multiple reasons behind development of this disease like infection, cataract, retinal or optic nerve disorder, vitamin deficiency, corneal ulcer or migraine etc. If not attended well in time, the condition might get worse. It is best advised that you consult a doctor at the earliest. As if treated on time, it is completely curable.

Summer Eye Problems and how to avoid it

Summer is the most conducive time for eye problems to develop. To know more about it, read the accompanying article of mine that appeared in Hindi daily HariBhoomi.

Taking Care of your Eyes

Being a little more careful for your eyes can help you in keeping away from a number of eye problems and especially from weakening of eye sight. For this, in addition to your regular workout, performing small eye exercises for 15-20 minutes can be really beneficial. Also, try to avoid spending excess time on gadgets like computer and cellphones as they reflect light which is not good for eyes and can even lead to Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

Know more about the new Blade-less laser cataract surgery

Blade-less laser cataract surgery is the most advanced technique to treat cataract. As the name suggest, in this treatment laser (femtosecond laser technology) is used to make small incisions and with the help of laser pattern scanning technology, the cataract is evaporated. In comparison with the traditional surgery, the margin of error while using this technique is minimal and the healing process is quicker. In fact, after this surgery, the patient is allowed to go back home the same hour and from the very next day can get back to his/her routine which includes traveling too.

Why does the cost of Cataract surgery varies?

A lot of people ask this question that why does the cost of cataract operation varies. Actually, the cost of surgery is the same for everyone, what varies is the cost of the lens used. Depending upon the quality of lens, the total cost of surgery differs.

Get you BP exmined before undergoing cataract surgery

One basic precaution that needs to be taken before undergoing cataract surgery is to get your Blood Pressure (BP) examined. In the event of blood pressure not being normal, try to stabilize it before undertaking this procedure.

Drive Less Walk More

This World Environment Day, lets take a pledge to keep environment clean. As clean environment means healthy body and a healthy body means healthy eyes. Question arises what we at our own level can do to save and protect environment. Small things like not using car to commute a walkable distance, switching off the power appliances when not in use, can go a long way in keeping our environment clean. Remember we exist within the environment and if that environment is polluted, we can never be healthy.

Putting lens in eyes with unclean hands can increase the risk of getting eye infection

Those who use contact lens needs to be extra careful. According to a latest research lens can increase the risk of infection in the eyes. So make sure to wash your hands properly before putting lens in your eyes. This simple precaution can help in preventing any infection.

Your eyes like natural greenery

Green food and greenery around you are your eyes best friends. Waking up early and spending time among greens is not just good for your overall body but does a lot of good to your eyes too. Best is, if can develop this habit in kids.

Generally before lasik surgery what examinations are recommended?

Before Lasik surgery is conducted, proper examination of the eyes is a must. Besides, doing Pentacam topography and testing the suitability of retina for Lasik surgery is mandatory.