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29Sep

Cataract is the clouding of clear lenses in our eyes. These develop slowly and then eventually start interfering with the vision. The only way to treat this condition is by Cataract Surgery. As the name suggests, cataract surgery is done to remove the cataract from the eyes and replace it with an artificial lens.

There are different types of cataract. Depending on the types, the suitable surgery is decided to be performed by the doctor. There are different types of the artificial lens. The doctor will discuss and inform about the options, before surgery.

Cataract surgeries usually take less than an hour. The patient will be awake during the whole procedure. Medications will be given by the doctor to numb the pain. So, you won’t feel any pain throughout the surgery. In case the patient has cataract in both the eyes, separate surgeries will be performed, a few weeks apart.

Let’s look at some post cataract surgery care advice.

Cataract Surgery After Care

Once the surgery is done, the patient will be discharged on the same day after observation. You might need someone to drive you back home. After Surgery, eyes  feel itchy or sore for a few days. There can be times when the eye starts tearing up or gets sensitive to bright lights. But these discomforts will last for a few days and will get better with the recovery.

The doctor will prescribe eye drops to apply after surgery, in order to avoid eye infections. Eye shields are recommended by doctors for the first week while sleeping. The doctor may also suggest you to wear an eye patch or protective shield after surgery. This is done to ensure the eye is protected and takes its time to heal properly. Usually, it takes a few weeks for vision to return back properly.

Follow up eye check ups will be scheduled on a regular basis. The patient will need to visit the doctor after one or two days of the surgery and then weekly. Gradually the follow ups will be shifted to monthly check ups. This will be done to ensure there are no complications from the surgery.

Post cataract surgery precautions

Post Surgery, the patient can resume their daily life activities after 24 hours. But there are some precautionary measures that should be followed. 

  • Avoid Strenuous activities for a week. Consult your doctor before planning for any dangerous activity in future.
  • Do not go swimming or other water sports activities.
  • Do not partake in any heavy lifting activities.
  • Avoid wearing makeup or fragrances.
  • Refrain from rubbing or scratching your eyes.
  • Wear eye shield while sleeping as prescribed by your doctor
  • Avoid driving after the surgery. Ask your doctor, from when you can resume driving.
  • Use eye drops as instructed by the doctor.
  • Always wear sunglasses before going outside to protect your eyes.
  • Avoid cleaning or dusting and stay away from the irritants. 

These are some important tips to follow after the surgery. While any kind of complication is very rare in cataract surgeries, be alert of any kind of problem. Look out for following symptoms after the surgery:

  • Loss in vision
  • Obstruction of Vision
  • Severe pain despite taking over-the-counter pain medications
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Redness in the eye
  • Flashes of lights or floaters in the eye

If you notice any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.

Recovery time for cataract

The discomforts will go away in a few days. Sometimes, people can see clearly immediately after the surgery. But generally it takes a few weeks before you get back your vision. The patient may return to work in a few days after surgery but it is strictly recommended to not do any strenuous activities right after. Doctors suggest taking rest for a few days to let the eye heal.

After 8 weeks of the surgery, your eye should be completely healed and your vision will be recovered. But the vision will not be fully perfect.  You will need to visit the doctor and discuss the further steps. Generally, glasses or contact lenses will be prescribed by the doctor.

Post cataract surgery it’s very important to follow all the precautions advised by the doctor. Never miss out on any follow up check ups.

29Sep

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve of the eye and can worsen over time. This is generally linked with the pressure build up inside the eye. Damage of the optic nerve can further lead to loss of vision. While it is most common in elderly people, it can also occur at any age.

People with glaucoma do not experience any symptoms to indicate this condition. It occurs gradually and can only be diagnosed by a doctor.

Causes of Glaucoma

The back of our eye makes a clear fluid called aqueous humor. This fluid leaves the eye through a mesh like channels in the cornea and iris. In case the channels get blocked, the liquid builds up and increases the natural pressure present in the eye, called Intraocular Pressure (IOL). Increased IOL further damages the optic nerve.

There can be more than one reason for the increase in IOL. Some of them include-

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Dilating Eye Drops
  • Reduced blood flow to the optic nerve
  • Intake of certain medications

While these can be some reasons for increase in IOL but Glaucoma can be hereditary too. This condition tends to run in families.

Risk Factors 

One can be at high risk for glaucoma, if they –

  • Are above 40 years of age
  • Have a family history of Glaucoma
  • Have Diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease
  • Have poor vision or high eye pressure
  • Had an eye injury
  • Intake certain medications
  • Have thinner cornea
  • Are far sighted or near sighted

Be alert if you fall into any of these categories and get your eyes checked immediately.

Types of glaucoma

Mainly, there are two types of Glaucoma-

  • Open-Angle Glaucoma

It is also known as wide angle glaucoma. Open angle glaucoma has no signs except for gradual vision loss. This is the most common type of glaucoma.

  • Angle-Closure Glaucoma

It is also known as acute angle closure glaucoma. This happens when the iris bulges forward or blocks the drainage and obstructs the flow of the fluid. Now, this increases the pressure inside your eye and damages the optic nerve.

There can be cases when the passage between iris and cornea is narrow. This will result in further build up of pressure in the eye.

Other types of Glaucoma

  • Secondary Glaucoma

This is caused due to an injury or another condition like Cataracts. Diabetes can also add pressure in the eye.

  • Normal- tension Glaucoma

In this condition,the optic nerve gets damaged even when the eye pressure is normal. There is no exact reason for this type of condition, but sensitive optic nerve or lack of blood supply to the optic nerve can be a reason.

  • Pigmentary Glaucoma

This is when tiny granules of coloured parts from Iris build up in the drainage, which in turn, slows down or blocks the drainage channel. This builds up pressure in the eye and causes optic nerve damage.

  • Glaucoma in Children

Glaucoma can occur in children due to congenital reasons. It may be present from birth or can develop later in life. Some symptoms for this can be- Cloudy vision, excessive tearing of the eye or sensitivity to light.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

It can be difficult to determine Glaucoma at early stages because it occurs gradually but reaches the advanced stages quickly. But there are a few symptoms that can indicate Glaucoma. They are-

  • Severe Headache
  • Throbbing Eye pain
  • Dilated Pupil
  • Halos around lights
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Blurry Vision.
  • Redness in the eye

If you face any of these symptoms, consult a doctor at the earliest.

Glaucoma Diagnosis

If you are facing any of the severe complications in your eye, schedule an eye check-up immediately. The doctor will perform tests for Glaucoma. First, the doctor will collect your medical history and general health assessment.

Then your doctor will perform several tests, like:

  • Tonometry: Check the Intraocular Pressure
  • Pachymetry: To check the thickness of cornea
  • Gonioscopy: Inspect the drainage angle
  • Perimetry: A visual field test to check areas of vision loss
  • Dilated Eye Examination: To test for optic nerve damage

The doctor might then take photographs of the optic nerve to have a side-by-side comparison later.

How is Glaucoma treated?

After all the required tests have been done, then the treatment options for Glaucoma are discussed. The doctor will suggest the following treatment options, based on the test results and severity-

  • Eye Drops

The treatment of Glaucoma starts with the prescription for eye drops. These help in decreasing the pressure of the eye either by lowering the production of fluid or improving its flow.

  • Oral Medications

The doctor may also prescribe oral medications such as a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. These can improve the drainage or slow down the formation of the fluid. 

  • Laser Surgery

Laser surgeries can help in improving the drainage of fluid within the eye. It can raise the flow of the fluid, in case of open-angle glaucoma and stop the blockage of fluid, in case of angle-closure glaucoma. This includes the following procedures:

  • Trabeculoplasty: This procedure opens the drainage area.
  • Iridotomy: A tiny hole is made in the Iris to let the fluid flow more easily.
  • Cyclophotocoagulation: In this, the areas of the middle layer of the eye are treated to lessen the fluid production.  
  • Microsurgery

In this, a procedure called trabeculectomy is performed. The doctor creates a new channel to drain out the fluid and help ease the pressure.

Precautions

After the surgery, there are certain precautionary measures that can also be taken to avoid high pressure, including:

  • Eat Healthy
  • Limit Caffeine intake
  • Elevate your head while sleeping
  • Protect your eyes
  • Avoid rubbing or scratching your eye
  • Exercise Carefully

Follow Up

You will need to have continual follow-ups with the doctor after surgery. This is to ensure that no further complications arise in the eye.

Glaucoma can get dangerous, if not treated at the earliest. Make sure to schedule your eye check-ups at regular intervals and consult your doctor immediately in case of any problem.

29Sep

Cataract is an eye condition, wherein the clear eye lens gets clouded resulting in blurry vision. There is a common misconception that this occurs only in elderly people. But cataract problems can arise in children and babies.

Children can develop cataracts in one or two eyes. Some cataracts are small in size and do not cause any hindrance in the vision. But, if the cataract is large or gets dense, it can cause blurry vision or blocked vision in children.

Types of Cataracts

 Cataracts in adults generally occur because of aging. Whereas, cataracts in children can be caused due to various reasons. Based on these reasons, they are categorized into the following types-

Congenital Cataracts

These cataracts occur when lenses are not formed properly in the babies, during pregnancy. Congenital cataracts can also be caused by genital or chromosomal problems like Down’s Syndrome. This may or may not affect the child’s vision.

Secondary Cataracts

Secondary Cataracts develop due to another disease, like in case of diabetes or complications from eye problems. It can also be caused due to steroids in medicines.

Traumatic Cataracts

Some cataracts can be a result of an eye injury. These cataracts occur from the trauma induced during an eye injury. Traumatic Cataracts may occur right after the injury or years later.

Radiation Cataracts

This type of cataract occurs due to exposure to some type of radiation. This can be a possibility in children who survived cancer.

Causes of Cataract in Children

A baby can be born with a cataract (congenital cataract). Or can develop it later in life. Following are some situations that may contribute to development of cataract in children-

  • An eye injury
  • Diabetes
  • Steroids in Medicines
  • Complications from eye problems
  • Radiation Treatment
  • Other illness such as rheumatoid arthritis

But, is it possible for me to identify if my child has cataract at the earliest?

Let’s look at some signs or symptoms of cataract.

Cataract Symptoms in Children

Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine cataract in children at the early stages. But you can look out for following symptoms in your child-

  • Cloudy or blurry vision
  • Misaligned Eyes
  • Double Vision
  • Decreased Vision
  • Lights may appear too bright
  • Rapid uncontrolled Eye movements
  • Colours may appear faded

If your child complains of any of these symptoms, it’s better to get their eyes checked. But if a child is very young then they might not be able to explain or complain about these. In this case, shine a flashlight into their eyes. If cataract is present, it may cause the pupils to appear white. Be cautious about these signs and symptoms to identify cataract in children at early stages.

Cataract Treatment for Children

Treatment of cataract varies on how severe it is and the only way to treat it is to remove it. If it is small in size and does not affect the child’s vision, then there’s no need to remove it. But if it affects the vision, then it should be removed at the earliest. Cataract, if not removed, can cause blurry and blocked vision in children.

What to expect in the surgery?

For the surgical procedure, the child is given general anaesthesia by the paediatrician. The child won’t be awake or feel any kind of pain during surgery. Doctors use special instruments for the surgery since a child’s eye is much smaller & sensitive than the adults. They use the tools to break the lens and remove it through a small incision. It is a very delicate procedure but is very safe. 

Post- Surgery

After the surgery, treatments will be done to help and restore the brain-eye coordination in children. The doctor will use one of the following options to restore focussing power in the eyes-

  • Contact Lenses
  • Artificial Lenses (this might not be an option for very young children)
  • Eye Glasses

In case, cataract in one eye is worse than the other then they may develop a condition called amblyopia. Amblyopia is a condition in which one eye is stronger than the other. This can be treated by the doctor.

 The child can go home on the same day, after some observation. It will be easier for the younger children to recover quickly after surgery while adult children might feel uncomfortable for a few days.

The doctor will prescribe some eye drops, make sure to follow the instructions for applying them. If the surgery is done for one eye, then the child may have to wear an eye patch on the other eye. This is to help the operated eye strengthen its vision.

Follow- Up

Once the surgery is done, it’s very crucial to schedule your child’s eye appointment at regular intervals. Discuss about the precautions and measures that can be taken to help the child’s vision heal properly.

Cataract problems in children can create a lot of struggles for them in their daily lives. It can affect their education and learning pace. Look out for the above mentioned signs to detect cataract at early stages in your child. It can be treated very safely and help your child lead a happy life.

29Sep

Cornea is the clear outermost layer of the eye which focuses on light to help us see better. Unlike other tissues, it does not have blood vessels. Cornea can get damaged due to various infections or eye injuries. Those infections are treatable with medications but severe cornea damage can lead to corneal scarring. In this case, corneal transplant is considered to be the best option.

 These might sound a little complex. So, let’s talk about a few things you should know about Corneal Transplant.

What is Corneal Transplant Surgery?

As the name suggests, corneal transplant involves replacing the damaged cornea with a healthy one from a deceased donor. The doctor might need to remove all or a part of the cornea, depending on the damage, and replace it with a healthy tissue layer.

Another name for cornea transplant is called Keratoplasty. The three most important things it is great at, are- 

  • Can bring back vision
  • Helps to lessen the pain
  • Improve the appearance of the cornea

TYPES OF SURGERY PROCEDURE

There are mainly three types of surgery procedure for corneal transplant. They are:-

  • Full Thickness Corneal Transplant

When both the inner and outer layers of the cornea are damaged, one might need to go through the Full Thickness Corneal Transplant. In this Surgery, the whole cornea is replaced with the healthy one from the donor.

  • Partial Thickness Corneal Transplant

If the cornea is only partially affected, then the Partial Thickness Corneal Transplant surgery is recommended.in this, only the damaged layers are removed and replaced with the healthy ones. The healing time for this surgery is relatively less and has minimal chances of eye infections.

  • Endothelial Keratoplasty

Endothelium is the innermost layer of the cornea. Endothelial Keratoplasty is performed when the innermost layer of cornea is damaged.

Depending on the damage level of the cornea, the doctor prescribes the suitable surgery procedure.

Who needs Corneal Transplant Surgery?

Corneal Transplant Surgery is mainly performed when the cornea is damaged or for an unhealthy cornea. However, there are certain medical conditions that can require corneal transplant.

  • KERATOCONUS

This is a condition where the cornea weakens, gets thinner and also changes shape. Keratoconus is one of the most common conditions among younger patients to opt for corneal transplant.

  • Degenerative Conditions

Some conditions can affect eyes to slowly develop problems over a long period of time. These happen faster when one gets old. One of the examples for this can be a genetic condition, called, Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy. 

Some other conditions that require corneal transplant surgery are-

  • Corneal Infection
  • Scarring of the Cornea due to any injury
  • Thinning, clouding or swelling of the Cornea
  • Problems caused by previous eye operation

These conditions can be treated with the help of glasses or lenses. But if there is no progress, Cataract Transplant will remain the only option.

How to prepare for the surgery?

A thorough eye exam has to be conducted before scheduling for the Corneal Transplant. The doctor will take all the necessary information related to your eye, including its measurements or details about any previous eye operation. There are a few things that you need to remember before the surgery day. Like-

  • Wear loose and comfortable clothing to the surgery
  • Refrain from using makeup or fragrances 
  • Ask someone to accompany you for the surgery

Since, the cornea will have to be replaced with that of a healthy cornea, a healthy donor cornea is then found for the procedure. Before the surgery, inform your doctor about all the supplements or medications that you are taking. Those medications will be reviewed and you might need to stop taking them. In case of any eye problems, those will be treated before the surgery. You might need to use antibiotic eye drops the day before to prevent any kind of infection.

What to expect during the Surgery?

During the surgery, the doctor will sedate you with local anaesthesia. You might be awake for the whole procedure but will be unable to feel any pain during the surgery. This surgery usually takes around 30 minutes to an hour.

The doctor will look through a microscope during the whole procedure. An instrument called lid speculum will be used to keep the eyelids open. Depending on the damage of the cornea, the damaged parts will be removed and replaced. This surgery is done on one eye at a time.

POST SURGERY PRECAUTIONS

After the transplant has been done, the patient is kept for observation. An eye patch or shield will be attached by the doctor after the surgery. The doctor will inform you about the after care required. One will need to follow the following precautions-

  • Prescribed eye drops should be used as suggested.
  • Avoid rubbing or scratching your eyes.
  • Wear the eye shield to protect eyes from any infection.
  • Do not return to your regular activities without consulting your doctor.
  • In case of any complications, inform immediately.

Rejection of the donor cornea

The Corneal Transplant Surgery is considered to be a safe procedure. But in some cases, the immune system might attack the transplanted cornea or tissues. This is the body’s rejection of the donor cornea. While the chances are as low as 20%, watch out for the following signs-

  • Decrease in the vision
  • Increase of redness in the eye
  • Severe Pain 
  • Watering of the eyes
  • Increased sensitivity to light.

If you notice any of these signs, consult your doctor immediately.

Corneal Transplant Success Rate

Corneal Transplant Life Expectancy

The Corneal Transplant can last for at least 10 years without any complications. Make sure to have your eyes checked frequently, in order to avoid any kind of complication.

Follow-Up

Schedule frequent eye check-ups after the surgery. You will need to visit your opthamologist on regular intervals for a year.

The success rate of corneal transplant is relatively higher with around 80%-90% of successful transplants.

The recovery time for corneal transplant depends on the success of the surgery. In case of a successful transplant, you can expect to start your regular activities in about one to two weeks.

Every surgery has risks associated with it. But they are treatable. Remember to get your eyes checked at the earliest to avoid any further damage.

19Aug

Many people in this world have desk jobs and spend many hours a day, if not the whole day staring at a mobile or computer device. They usually do the same without realizing all the adverse side effects a wrong monitors configuration or a lack of protective gear can put on their bodies. Using a handheld device or computer for an extended time can cause extensive stress on your body due to positioning improperness, such as sitting without foot support or slouching. If you overextend your wrists or strain your eyes, you will find them in pain later.

Individuals who look at mobile screens and computers for extended periods can develop computer vision syndrome. This syndrome can place enormous stress on your visual system and create fatigue and headaches, neck aches, and shoulder or back pain. You can also witness dry eyes between all these symptoms as a result.

Here are a few tricks for people who use mobile and computers for a long time to protect eyes from laptop screen. It will also reduce eye strain, risk of potential injury, and discomfort from prolonged use.

1.  Take significant breaks between work hours

Your eyes begin their work since you wake up, and sometimes it can be essential to provide breaks to them. Since your eyes have more than one group of muscles to work with, you can relieve the strain by regularly focusing on them near to far. You should apply the prominent rule of Pomodoro that states a twenty-minute break between twenty minutes of work. This system can help you bring a reliable routine into your life while relieving focus strain. Another strain relief trick is to roll your eyes clockwise and counterclockwise in minor sequences. If you wonder how to protect your eyes from laptop screen, then this sequence might just be the right thing for you.

2.  Position your monitor in the correct manner

You should ensure that your screen or the top of your display remains slightly below eye level, and this will allow you to view the screen without significantly bending your neck and create less computer eye strain. If you fail to adjust the screen height properly, you can adjust the chair height to achieve this position, but you should definitely use a footrest to prevent your foot from dangling.

3.  Try reducing the glare on your screen

Glare is the prime cause of strain on your eyes, and so you should use curtains and blinds to control how much light enters your room. If the glare on your screen occurs because of lights over your head, you can replace the bright lights inside your home with bulbs that consume less power to protect eyes from laptop screen. Sometimes you do not really have to control your lighting if you work inside an office. You can purchase an anti-glare screen and equip it on the top of your monitor to reduce light reflection on the screen of your monitor.

4.  Make regular blinking a habit

You should make conscious efforts to keep frequently blinking to prevent your eye from drying out. If your vision is dry, it can create an issue when you are viewing the screen for an extended time because the blinking rate decreases when you focus on the net. This fact is particularly very applicable if you are wearing contact lenses. If you feel blinking is not reducing the dryness in your eyes, you can try artificial tears from over the counter and consult your eye specialist. A specialist can help you find the eye drop that will work best for you compared to others.

5.  Try taking a rest from powerful lights

You should try a recommendation of experienced practitioners and place your palms on your eyes for thirty seconds to rest them from bright lights. Either way, keeping your eyes closed for more extended periods can be highly comforting once in a while.

6.  Ensure your glass fit the screen perfectly

If you wear glasses for reading that are multifocal or bifocal, then you should get a frame that allows you to look at the monitor without significantly tilting your head back. If this is not the case, you should adjust the glasses to look at the screen comfortably.

7.  Consider getting special glasses for your computer

Computer glasses have specific designs for extensive use of computers. If you are speculating how to protect your eyes from laptop screen, then using a computer lens can be helpful too. Lens power helps to relax the accommodation amount that you need to focus on objects at a certain distance from the monitor. It helps provide an expansive field of view. You should express to a doctor who will show you the best way to explore this option of vision protection. Some eye doctors also recommend using coating on lenses for computer use. For example, the blue blocker lens can have layers to protect your eyes from High Energy Visible light.

8.Keep moving

Sitting too long on your computers is not only harmful as computer eye strain, but it can also make the rest of your body stiff with pain. Avoid this by moving around and getting up from the chair regularly.