Symptoms of Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Symptoms of Acanthamoeba Keratitis include Red Eyes and Eye Pain after removing your Contact Lenses, Tearing, Light Sensitivity, Blurred Vision and a feeling that something is in your eye, similar to those of Pink Eye and other Eye Infections.
Diagnosis of Keratitis often occurs once, it is determined that the condition is resistant to antibiotics used to manage other infections. A "ring-like" ulceration of your corneal tissue may also occur.
Causes that increase the risk of contracting Acanthamoeba Keratitis include using contaminated tap or well water on Contact Lenses, using homemade solutions to store and clean Contacts, wearing Contact Lenses in a hot tub and swimming or showering while wearing lenses. A dirty lens case also can be a source of Acanthamoeba Infection. Acanthamoeba can be killed easily, especially when rubbed off the lens surface during cleaning. In the end, good contact lens hygiene is the best way to prevent Acanthamoeba Keratitis. Acanthamoeba Keratitis can also cause permanent vision loss or require a corneal transplant to recover lost vision.

Conjunctivitis - A very common eye ailment found during summer and rainy season.

The inside of our eye lid and the covering of our eye ball have a thin delicate membrane called conjunctiva. When our eyes are exposed to the pollen or mold spores or any kind of dust, animal dander, chemical scents, abrasions chemical reactions, irritants, virus or bacteria, it results into redness, itchiness and swelling of the conjunctiva, which leads to allergic reaction called Conjunctivitis. There are two types of conjunctivitis. First, Acute Conjunctivitis which can be infective or  seasonal in nature. Eye lids swell, itching and burning sensation is experienced accompanied with watery nose mostly in specific times of the year. Second  is Chronic Conjunctivitis, which is mostly allergic but can occur whole year around.

 

Are you a contact lens user, make sure that they are handled with care..

Acanthamoeba Keratitis‬ is a rare disease in which Amoebae‬ invade the cornea of the eye and it can lead to permanent visual impairment or blindness. The condition was first diagnosed in 1973, with about 90 percent of cases involving ‪Contact Lens‬ wearers. ‪Acanthamoeba‬ are naturally occurring ‪Amoeba‬ (tiny, one-celled animals) commonly found in water sources, such as tap water, well water, hot tubs, and soil and sewage systems. If these tiny parasites infect the eye, Acanthamoeba Keratitis can be caused. Acanthamoeba Keratitis is extremely difficult to treat; in fact, sometimes these infections require a ‪Corneal Transplant‬, which is a serious surgical procedure. To avoid Acanthamoeba Keratitis, be sure to carefully follow the ‪Lens Care‬, handling and wearing instructions you receive from your eye doctor. Proper Contact Lens care greatly reduces the risk of all contact lens-related eye infections, including those caused by Acanthamoeba.

Any experience of blur vision in low light must not be avoided, it could be Night Blindness

Changes in vision should never be taken lightly. So any experience of blur vision in low light must be registered to an Ophthalmologist. Night Blindness can be diagnosed and treated by an Eye Specialist. Persons who experience night blindness should not drive during evening or at night. Since night blindness can also be caused by vitamin A deficiency, supplementation with vitamin A, or eating foods rich in vitamin A, can be beneficial. Vitamin A is abundantly found in fruits and vegetables like apricots, carrots, cherries, kale, lettuce, mango, mustard greens, papaya, peaches, pumpkin, red cabbage, seaweed, spinach, sweet potatoes, watermelon, winter squash, and yams.

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Don't ignore blurs in dim light conditions, it could be Night Blindness

Night blindness‬ is the inability or reduced ability to see in dim light or darkness. It implies to a condition in which the time taken by the eyes to adapt to darkness is prolonged. It also called ‪Nyctalopia‬. Night blindness is caused as a result of a disorder of the cells in the retina, responsible for vision in dim light. It has numerous factors, including, ‪‎Short-Sightedness‬, ‪Glaucoma medications‬ which could constrict the pupil, ‪Cataracts‬, ‪Retinitis pigmentosa‬ and ‪‎Vitamin A‬ deficiency.
In order to determine the cause behind night blindness, an Eye specialist can perform a thorough eye examination.

Sheilding Eyes This Summer

Now that the summer heat is soaring, it is time to ensure proper eye care. Our eyes are prone to UV exposure and other dangers which you may not be aware of. So, whenever you are outside under the sun always wear sunglasses which offers proper UV protection. Whether swimming, water skiing or scuba diving, it’s important that you wear goggles to protect your eyes. Drink adequate water (min of 2 litres) a day in order to keep your eyes and body hydrated. During afternoons the sunlight is harsh on the eyes thus, it is advised stay inside. If in case, you need to go outside then wear polarized lenses since they reduce the glare. Such glasses are also good to wear while driving or cycling.
Read an article of mine on the same subject, that appeared in today's The Hindu.

Age Related Macular Degeneration may cause irrepairable Vision Loss

Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) also known as Macular Degeneration or AMD is a disease that can cause irreparable vision loss. This problem occurs when the central part of the retina, known as Macula degenerates. The macula is responsible for central vision of the eye and when it deteriorates, the affected person starts facing problems while reading, driving or recognising faces, as these activities involves central vision. Although, a person suffering from this disease doesn’t completely loses his/her vision in the early stage itself, but the damage caused is quite significant.