Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) : The biggest reason behind Vision Loss post the age of 50

Weakening of ‪Eyesight‬ or loss of vision is a factor synonymous to aging. As one crosses the age of 50, problems like ‪‎Blurred Vision‬, ‪Weakening Of Eyesight‬ etc. becomes a common phenomenon. Though, there can be a lot of reasons behind this, but one of the most common cause of ‪Vision Loss‬ while ‪aging‬ is ‪‎Age Related Macular Degeneration‬ (ARMD). To know more about this disease, read the below enclosed article of mine that appeared in today's Dainik Jagran.

Tips to reduce Computer Eye Strain

EyeStrain‬ often is caused by excessively bright light either from outdoor sunlight coming in through a window or from harsh interior lighting. Glare on walls and finished surfaces, as well as reflections on your computer screen also can cause computer eye strain so, it is best advised to minimize glare. You can also replace your old tube-style monitor (called a cathode ray tube or CRT) with a flat-panel liquid crystal display (LCD). Adjusting the display settings of your computer can help in reducing eye strain and fatigue. Adjust the brightness of the display so it is approximately the same as the brightness of your surroundings. Adjust the text size and contrast for comfort, especially when reading or composing long documents. Usually, black print on a white background is the best combination for comfort. Reducing the color temperature of your display, lowers the amount of blue light emitted by a color display which ultimately, helps in long-term viewing comfort.

Tips to prevent eye strain

Most people find it more comfortable to view a computer when the ‪eyes‬ are looking downward. But, ideally, the computer screen should be 15 to 20 degrees below eye level (about 4 or 5 inches) as measured from the center of the screen and 20 to 28 inches from the eyes. Any reference materials should be located above the keyboard and below the monitor. If this is not possible, a document holder can be used beside the monitor. The goal is to position the documents so you do not need to move your head to look from the document to the screen. Chairs should be comfortably padded and conforms to the body. Chair height should be adjusted so your feet rest flat on the floor. 

By following these measure, ‎Eye Strain‬ can be minimised to a large extent.

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

Many individuals experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing a computer screen for extended periods. This is known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). It can result in eye strains, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain. These symptoms may be caused by poor lighting, glare on the computer screen, improper viewing distances, poor seating posture, uncorrected vision problems and a combination of these factors. Regular eye examinations and proper viewing habits can help to prevent or reduce the development of the symptoms associated with Computer Vision Syndrome.

Eye Problems in Summer

Another common ‪Eye Problem‬ during ‪summers‬ is ‪‎Conjunctivitis‬. Redness, pricking sensation in the ‪‎eyes‬ along with watery discharge from the eyes are the symptoms to identify conjunctivitis. So, if you notice any such symptoms, never ignore them as that may worsen the infection. Seeking medical attention is best advised. Use antibiotic eye drops as suggested by the doctor. Also, don’t share your personal belongings like a towel or handkerchief, if you are suffering from conjunctivitis.

This Summer, Prevent your Eyes from Dry Eye Syndrome

A very common ‪Eye Problem‬ faced by many during ‪summer‬ is ‪‎Dry Eye Syndrome‬. In this problem, the tear film of our eyes starts getting dry due to increased temperature, which causes itchiness in the eyes. Many people along with itchiness also observes problems like ‪‎Red Eye‬, scratchy and burning sensation in the eye. The best way to protect your eyes from dry eye syndrome is to keep them hydrated. Use of lubricating ‪eye drops‬ prescribed by the doctor can be very helpful in soothing the ‪‎eyes‬ and keeping them moisturised. In addition to this, avoid direct contact with the AC and use sunglasses while going out in the sun, to prevent worsening of situation.

Interesting Eye Facts about Eyes defence mechanism

Did you know, our ‪eyes‬ have their own defense mechanism. In order to protect themselves, our eyes are naturally positioned in a hollow socket where, the eyebrows present at the top, prevent sweat drops entering our eyes and the eye lashes help in keeping the dust and dirt away from our eyes.

Swimming in unclean water can cause Bacterial Eye Infection, be careful

Beware of ‪Bacterial Eye Infections‬ while enjoying ‪Swimming‬ this ‪Summer‬. Read more about it in an article of mine that appeared in Punjab Kesari.

This Summer follow these quick tips to Protect your Eyes from Allergy

Summer is at its peak and with the temperature crossing 46 degrees, care needs to be taken in order to protect yourself from becoming a victim of summer heat. Just like our skin, our eyes too need some special care, as they are highly prone to developing various eye problem in summers. Humidity along with dust, dirt and pollution can cause problems like eye allergies and bacterial eye infection. So, if you observe redness or itchiness in the eyes followed by burning sensation, then don't ignore these symptoms as they are an indication of an eye allergy.

The best way out to protect your eyes from allergy is to keep your body hydrated. Drink minimum 8-10 glasses of water. Also, whenever going out in the sun, wear sunglasses which not just act as a shield from harmful UV rays of the sun, but also from the dust and dirt present in the air. 

 

Glaucoma: A silent vision killer. How to prevent oneself from becoming a victim of this disease

It is true that ‪Glaucoma‬ can be a silent killer for your ‪‎eyes‬ but awareness and early detection can help prevent ‪Vision Loss‬. So, if you experiencing symptoms of Glaucoma, get yourself diagnosed at the earliest. Also, even if your eyes are healthy, then also undergo ‪regular eye checkups‬ to ‪stay healthy‬.

Treating Glaucoma

There are times when primary course of ‪treatment for Glaucoma‬, i.e. medicine (eye drops) and laser surgery is not possible. In that case, the conventional surgery is the only option. In this method, a new opening is made in the eye to ease the flow of fluids which consequently lowers the pressure. Depending upon the condition, the doctor may use one or combination of method to cure ‪‎Glaucoma‬. 

Detecting Glaucoma in the Early Stage can help in Better Treatment

If detected timely, ‪Glaucoma‬ can be treated using medicine, ‪‎Laser Surgery‬ or the conventional ‪Glaucoma Surgery‬. In early stages, Glaucoma can be treated through eye drops which helps in lowering the pressure. The other way to cure this disease is laser surgery in which the fluid built up is eased by draining it out.

Diagnosing Glaucoma

Glaucoma‬ is usually more common in people above 40 years of age, but can also affect people in young age. People having family history of Glaucoma are at a much higher risk of developing this disease. Also, people with problems like ‪High Blood Pressure‬ and ‪‎diabetes‬ or who have been taking steroids for a long time are prone to it.

The best way to protect our ‎eyes‬ from this dangerous disease is ‎Regular Eye Examination‬. During diagnosis, an ophthalmologist examines the eyes and optic nerves to see their condition. Doctor may also perform a procedure called tonometry to check the pressure in eyes. Other than that, ‪Eyesight Checkup‬ and visual field test are done to check for any loss of ‪vision‬.

Identifying symptoms of Glaucoma early, can help preventing complete loss of vision

Glaucoma‬, often referred as ‘sneak thief of vision’, does not show any clear sign till the patient is on verge of losing ‪‎eyesight‬. In the initial phase, there is no pain or difficulty is seeing. But as the condition progresses, the patient gradually starts losing peripheral ‪vision‬. Some symptoms that may be pointing towards Glaucoma are difficulty in seeing in dark places, frequent changes in eye power, narrowing of field of vision, blurred vision, seeing halos around light, pain and redness in eyes, nausea, change in the color of iris, watery eyes, double vision etc.

Take Care of Your Eyes while Swimming

Who doesn't like to soak in the cool blue water inside a swimming pool on a hot summer. But while enjoying ‪swimming‬ there are few things that one should keep in mind in order to avoid any kind of harm to the ‪eyes‬. Enclosed below is an article of mine on how to take care of your eyes while swimming that appeared in Himachal Dastak.

Why do one develop Glaucoma?

The main reason behind development of ‎Glaucoma‬ is increase in intra-ocular pressure (the pressure of fluid in our eyes). Excessive rise in pressure strangles the nerve fibres, due to which they start dying. As a result, progressive damage occurs which may lead to permanent blindness.

But it is not the sole reason; Glaucoma can occur even if the intraocular pressure is normal. This is called Low-Tension or ‎Normal Tension Glaucoma‬, in which optic nerve damage may occur due to other reasons. Though rare, Glaucoma can also be caused due to a chemical or blunt injury, eye infections, severe eye inflammation or blockage of blood vessels in eyes. 

Glaucoma can cause permanent blindness: Know about it

Glaucoma‬ is one of the leading causes of ‪blindness‬ all over the world. Though people of every age group are equally susceptible to developing Glaucoma, for elderly, the chances are even higher.
 
Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve, which transmits the images formed on retina to the brain, starts getting damaged. Once it is completely impaired, the brain stops receiving the images. As a result, the affected person loses his/her ability to see. 

Pregnant Women are at the greatest risk of developing Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy is most common in pregnant women with diabetes. In fact, many women develop diabetes during their pregnancy. The reason being, often during pregnancy, the hormones inside the  mother to-be goes through various changes, which increases the chances of developing problems like hypertension and diabetes. That is why during pregnancy, doctors recommend some additional tests as pregnancy may worsen diabetic retinopathy.

 

Treating Diabetic Retinopathy

Managing your blood sugar level carefully is the first step towards ‪Preventing Diabetic Retinopathy‬. Indulge in a ‪‎healthy diet‬ and religiously spend at least 1 and a half hour daily on physical ‪#exercises‬ like walk, aerobics or yoga. Take you medicines on time. If you smoke, quit it, as it is an additional hazard. Twice a year, go for a hemoglobin A1C test and get it checked by your doctor. Ideally, your A1C should be under 7 percent. Contact an eye doctor if sudden changes in ‪vision‬ are observed by you, or you are facing blurred or spotty vision. The damage caused can’t be retrieved back but progress can be checked by surgeries like Focal Laser treatment, Scatter Laser treatment, Vasectomy.

If you have already lost some of your vision due to ‪‎Diabetic Retinopathy‬, then ask your doctor for low vision services and devices. This can help you greatly in maintaining your remaining vision.

Lastly, remember if you are diagnosed with ‪‎Diabetes‬, then don't panic. Just start living a better ‪‎lifestyle‬. 

Retinal Detachment can lead to Vision Loss, Know about it

Retinal Detachment‬ is a condition in which the ‪retina‬ detaches or peels away from the back wall of the ‎eye‬. This leads to reduction of blood supply along with source of nutrition to the retina, resulting in degeneration. Retina if remains detached can cause permanent ‪vision loss‬. Read more about this problem in the accompanied article of mine that appeared in today's Nai Duniya.
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Types of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy is more common in type II (life style diabetes) as compared to Type I cases (from early childhood).  In some rare cases the symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy are seen in the initial stages but generally only basic symptoms are visible such as dark spots floating in your vision, blurred and fluctuating vision, vision loss, difficulty with color perception; and dark or empty areas in vision.

There are majorly 3 types of Diabetic Retinopathy:

1. Clinically significant macular edema (CSME)- Usually characterised by swelling of macula, it is more common in people with type 2 diabetes. Patient suffering from this type faces problems like distorted or reduced vision.

2. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR)- It is the first or early stage of Diabetic Retinopathy and can occur anytime after diabetes being diagnosed. In patients with type 1 diabetes, symptoms are rarewly seen even after diagnosis of the disease, whereas, in type 2 diabetes its symptoms are visible during diagnosis.

3. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)- Patients suffering from this type has the maximum risk of vision loss along with problems like retinal detachment or glaucoma.

The best antidote is patients diagnosed with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam once every year as the chances of having Diabetic Retinopathy increases with the time.  If diagnosed in time, your doctor can help you in preventing its progression. Remember the key is early detection and timely treatment as only this can prevent vision loss.

 

If you have diabetes, don't ignore these symptoms

Often in the initial years after being diagnosed with ‪Diabetes‬, the symptoms of ‪Diabetic Retinopathy‬ are not clearly visible, only mild ‪vision problems‬ are witnessed. And this is the gravest risk. Even a physician is unable to diagnose it easily. Diabetic Retinopathy is a silent killer whose damage cannot be stopped. This disease if not diagnosed timely, can even lead to permanent ‪‎vision loss‬.
 
If you have Diabetes, it becomes very important to undergo complete eye examination every year. In addition to this if you are observing ‪Central Vision Loss‬ while reading or driving, or ‪blurred vision‬ accompanied by problems such as ‪‎spotty vision‬ and ‪floaters‬, please don't ignore them and visit an ‪Eye Specialist‬ at the earliest.

Understanding Diabetic Retinopthy

Nearly half of India’s population is suffering from ‪Diabetes‬. And we all are aware of the fact that diabetes collectively cause damage to all our body organs, but the damage it does to our ‪eyesight‬ is just irreparable and can’t be set right by anything. According to a recent study, the cause of ‪blindness‬ in approximately 70 percent of adults above 40 years of age is due to ‎Diabetic Retinopathy‬.

Diabetic Retinopathy is a condition in which the blood vessels of the ‪retina‬ get damaged or blocked. When blood vessels get blocked, the blood supply to retina gets stopped, which ultimately leads to ‪vision loss‬. 

Tips to Prevent Weakening of Eyesight among Children

Being well worse with the digitized world, has become the need of the hour. And the way world is moving, we cannot keep kids away from electronic gadgets, but we can always moderate their use. Spending huge amount of time over mobile phones, laptops etc. is one of the primary reasons behind increasing cases of weak eyesight among children. Studying in dim light and genetic factors are among the few other reasons behind children wearing spectacles at a young age. Appropriate distance must be maintained while working on computers. Screen guards can be used on the computer screens to protect children from its harmful rays. Further, if this (spending time with gadgets) is interspersed with kids spending time outdoors, the eye’s will get time rejuvenate limiting the damage caused by these gadgets.