Cataract Removal Surgery: All that you need to know

Cataract removal is a completely safe procedure which is done on an outpatient basis which takes about an hour or less to perform. In this procedure, eye drops are put inside the eye to dilate the pupil and numb the area around. Post this, the clouded lens from the patient's eye is removed which is replaced with an intraocular lens. Once the surgery is done, the patient can get back home. But it is advised that the patient shouldn't drive, or perform activities like bending, lifting etc. for about one week after the surgery. 

 

Eye Protection during Summer

We are just in the mid of April, but the temperature is going higher and higher. With the ‪summer‬ heat at its peak, special care needs to be taken in order to prevent oneself becoming a victim of it. Enclosed below is a story of mine that appeared in yesterday's Rajasthan Patrika on how to take care of your ‪eyes‬ in Summer.

Over indulgence in Smartphones can cause Myopia

Smart phones have inevitably become a part of our life. We spend a large amount of our time sticking to our smart phones, holding just a few inches away from our eyes. What we don't realise is that by doing this we are pressurising our eyes to focus harder than the normal. And unfortunately due to lack of Eye Exercises in our routine, our eyes are increasingly becoming more prone to the problem of Myopia. This problem is more found in kids these days.

Eye Care for Diabetes Patients

For anyone who's having diabetes, there are some telltale signs like Blurred Vision, seeing dark spots or spotty vision, sudden weakening of eyesight, difficulty in recognizing colors and seeing darkness at some places that can help in identifying Diabetic Retinopathy. In case you witness any of these symptoms, don’t ignore and get yourself examined by an Eye Specialist.

 

This World Health Day, protect your eyes from Diabetic Retinopathy

It is saddening to read that on the occasion of ‪#‎WorldHealthDay‬, a story got published in Indian Express stating 'India among the top 3 countries with high diabetic population'. ‪#‎Diabetes‬ is a ‪#‎LifestyleDisease‬ that affects one's overall ‪#‎health‬. In fact, people who suffer from this disease are at a great risk of developing serious eye problems, ‪#‎DiabeticRetinopathy‬ being the most threatening of them.

Diabetic Retinopathy is a disease in which the blood vessels reaching the ‪#‎retina‬ are constricted and the flow of blood is hampered due to which ‪#‎eyesight‬ starts becoming weak. Most dangerous part is that in the initial stage, it is extremely difficult to identify it. And till the time it is discerned, the condition is usually very serious and holds a grave risk of complete ‪#‎vision‬ loss as well.

Protect your eyes in summers

Summer season is here and so is the rising temperature. Just before the start of the season, we start getting worried about skin problems associated with summers. But hardly, we pay any heed to our eyes. Our eyes, being the most sensitive organ of our body, are highly prone to developing various eye problems, especially in summer.

 

Summers are marked with high level of humidity. Such weather conditions are usually most suitable for different allergies to grow. Apart from humidity, dust and pollution too adds to the factors causing eye allergies. Often in summers, we complain about redness and itchiness in the eyes followed by a burning sensation. All these are common symptoms of an allergy, which should not be ignored. Several bacterial eye infections also spread in summers.

Another common eye problem in summers is dry eye syndrome. In this, the tear film of our eyes starts getting dry due to increased temperature, which causes itchiness in the eyes. 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.

Also in summer season, cases of Conjunctivitis rise rapidly. Redness, pricking sensation in 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. Take immediate medical supervision and use antibiotic eye drops suggested by the doctor. Also, don’t share your personal belongings like towel or handkerchief, if you are suffering from conjunctivitis.

It isn’t that in summers, our eyes needs protection only from the above mentioned eye problems. General eye care is also necessary to keeps eye problems away. When out in the sun, always wear dark sunglasses which are UV protected, as they shield our eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Make sure to wash your eyes with tap water 2-3 times daily, especially if your routine involves travelling or any other outdoor activities.  Try to stay away from dust as exposure to dust and dirt can is one of the major causes of eye injuries and subsequent problems. In case, there is any irritation in the eyes, never rub them; instead wash your eye quickly with water. If sitting in an AC room, avoid direct contact with the eyes. While swimming, always wear protective glasses.

Further having a proper sleep of minimum 8 hours is very important for healthy eyes. Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily in order to keep both your body and eyes hydrated. Make exercise a part of your daily routine as it helps in maintaining proper blood circulation in the body. 

Following these simple tips can go a long way in keeping your eyes healthy even in demanding summer season.

A new research: Aimed at helping people with injured retina

Technology has come a long way...

Enclosed below, is a research report presented by German researchers on a way to grow 3D mini #retina via stem cells which can be helpful in repairing injured retina.

#EyeCare #SaveSightCentre
https://www.facebook.com/savesightcentre/

Corneal Injuries: Causes, symptoms and treatment

Our eyes are considered as the most sensitive part of the body. Inside it lays an equally sensitive tissue, called Cornea that covers the front part of the eye. The cornea is a very delicate part of the eye and any injury to it can be very serious that calls for immediate medical attention.

Cornea helps in focusing images on the retina. It acts as a shield in protecting the eyes from external elements like dust, dirt particles etc. Sometimes, dirt particles can get stuck in the eyelids which can cause corneal scratches. These scratches/ abrasions can result in discomfort and pain in the eyes. The first thing one should do is to wash it off with cold water rather than rubbing the eyes. If the discomfort persists, visit an eye specialist without any delay.

Symptoms of Corneal injury include Blurred vision, burning or stinging sensation in the eyes along with pain, red eyes, swollen eyes, irritation and  scratchy feeling  in your eye and watering. 

Injuries like Corneal scratches also known as corneal abrasions require immediate attention and should never be ignored. Corneal abrasions are considered as the most common corneal injury. But, there are few other injuries too about which one should know about. Injuries caused by chemicals are one of these. These injuries happen due to accidents while working in labs or those whose work involves working with hazardous chemicals. It can cause burning in the eye along with redness or swelling. These chemicals cause most severe injury caused to the cornea and one should seek immediate medical help in case of such injury. The best way to prevent these injuries is to wear safety glasses while working with chemicals. 

Overuse or incorrect use of contact lenses too can cause corneal injury. Apart from this, poor fitted lenses or sensitivity to the contact lens solution, can also injure the cornea. It is advised that one should not wear lens for more than 8-10hours a day. Also, always remove your lens before sleeping. Follow proper hygiene and wash your hands properly with soap and dry them completely with a clean towel, before putting or removing lens. Wear contact lenses only as per the advice of your doctor. 

Corneal injuries by ultraviolet radiation can also be caused by activities such as snowboarding, scuba diving or welding. So, it is recommended to wear protective glasses while doing such activities, in order to prevent any damage caused to the eye.

People who work in dusty environment or who work with artificial UV lights are more prone to developing corneal injury.  Apart from this, people suffering from dry eye syndrome too can develop corneal injuries easily.

Treatment

Initial line of treatment towards corneal injury is not to remove any object stuck in the eye on your own and immediately seek a medical help. Generally, doctors advices the use of an eye patch or temporary bandage. Besides, certain eye drops, ointments and pain killers too are prescribed by the doctor depending upon the severity of the case. If your wear contact lenses, it is advised not to wear contact lenses till the time eye is completely healed. 

Injuries that affect only the outer surface of cornea are quicker to heal and generally take 2-3 days to heal. Whereas those injuries that penetrates inside the cornea and takes time to heal depending upon the severity. 

Precaution is always better than cure. So, it is advised to always be alert when it comes to the eyes.

On a step towards creating Eye Care Awareness!

The number of cancer patients in India is increasing day by day, but hardly people know about Cancer of the Eye. 

Eye Cancer generally affects the outer surface of the eye, i.e. eyelid. But in some cases, the cancer can also affect the eyeball, which can cause Intraocular Cancer. 

Melanoma and Lymphoma are the types of Intraocular Cancer which is found in adults. In children, the cancer mostly affects the retinal cells, a disease also known as Retinoblastoma.