A Simple Guide to Astigmatism

A Simple Guide to Astigmatism
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What is Astigmatism?
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Astigmatism is a condition in which the cornea of the eye is curved differently leading to blurred and distorted at all distances.

The eyeball is flattened usually from above downwards or sometimes sideways or along an oblique axis.

It is different from short or long sightedness.
It is therefore important to recognise Astigmatism and seek the correct treatment for it.

What causes Astigmatism?
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Astigmatism is generally an inherited condition where the curvature of the cornea of the eye is different from a normal person.
Because of the curvature, the eye is seeing the objects in front of it at a different angle. Light is entering the eye at a different angle which cast shadows and cause blurring of vision.
Besides inheritance it is also possible to get Astigmatism from eye surgery or sport injuries.

What are the symptoms of Astigmatism?
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1.Blurred and distorted vision of near and distant objects

2.blurring of vertical, horizontal and diagnonal lines

3.eyestrain & fatigue

4.sensitivity to light

5.Tired and dry eyes

6.Headaches

How is Astigmatism treated?
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Astigmatism can be diagnosed easily by your optometrist or eye specialist.

A eye examination followed by vision tests and computerised testing of the curvature of eye, short sightness, long sightness and any other abnormality of eye vision.

Prescription spectacles and contact lens can be prescribed to correct the Astigmatism.

Other methods of treatment include LASIK, wavefront eye surgery, lens implants especially in older patients

A Simple Guide to Nasopharyngeal Cancer

A Simple Guide to Nasopharyngeal Cancer
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What is Nasopharyngeal Cancer ?
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Nasopharyngeal cancer, commonly referred to as NPC, occurs when the cells lining the nasopharynx(area behind the nose and above the back of the throat) become abnormal and proliferates giving rise to cancer cells.
It affects more men than women.

What are the causes of Nasopharyngeal Cancer?
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Various causes may be involved:
1.Genes. -males between the ages of 20-50 from southern China and Southeast Asia are at higher risk.

2.Diet. such as preserved foods ( salted fish, vegetables and meat) can cause a higher risk of NPC. Cooking of such food releases toxic substances called nitrosamines into the fumes that we breathe.
Many NPC patients consumed much less fresh fruit and vegetables.

3.Virus. There is evidence that NPC patients have higher levels of the Epstein-Barr virus in their blood. The Epstein-Barr virus activating substances have been detected in a number of these preserved foods.

4.Smoking. People who smokes have a higher risk

What are the signs and symptoms of Nasopharyngeal Cancer?
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The following are symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer:

1.A painless lump in the neck-usually a lymph node infiltrated by cancer cells

2.Nosebleed or blood stained sputum

3.Blocking of one or both nostrils

4.Loss of hearing, or ringing in the ear

5.Discharge from the ear

6.Blurred or double vision

7.Difficulty in breathing or speaking

8.Persistant Sore throat

9.Paralysis of one side of the face

10.Headaches

How can Nasopharyngeal Cancer be detected?
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Examination of the upper part of the nose for swelling or lumps.
An endoscope is inserted into the nose. The ENT specialist may extract tissue(biopsy) which can be sent for testing, to confirm if there is a cancerous growth.

If a tumour is found, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to assess its size.

Patients may also be tested for the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus in their systems. This is used to indicate the likelihood of contracting NPC.

How can NPC be prevented?
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No one can be fully protected from NPC.
However, you can modify your lifestyle practices to reduce your chances of contracting NPC.
Avoid preserved foods at an early age.
Eat fresh fruit and vegetables. Studies ave found that citrus fruits (rich in Vitamin C) and orange-coloured vegetables (eg, carrots and sweet potatoes), tomatoes, and dark green vegetables (all rich in carotenoids) also help lower the chances of contracting NPC.
Don't smoke. Smoking increases the risk of NPC by two to four times. Those who smoke, can still lower their risk by cutting down on the number of cigarettes smoked a day. Better still, quit smoking.

How can Nasopharyngeal Cancer be treated?
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Radiotherapy.
This is the most common treatment. This involves the use of radiation to attack cancer cells, stopping them from growing or multiplying.

Chemotherapy.
This involves the use of anti-cancer medication to treat the cancer.
For both methods, the patient may experience side-effects such as tiredness and nausea.

Surgery
Surgery is seldom used because of the danger of cutting tissues too close to the brain.

Early treatment is recommended as it increases the patient's chances of survival.
Delayed action could result in the cancer spreading to other parts of the body, making it more difficult to treat.

A Simple Guide to Uveitis

A Simple Guide to Uveitis
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What is Uveitis?
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Uveitis is inflammation of the eye's uvea. The uvea is the eye's middle layer that consists of the iris, ciliary body and choroid.

What are different types of Uveitis?
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Uveitis is classified by the part of the uvea it affects.

1. Anterior uveitis refers to inflammation of the iris alone (called iritis) or the iris and ciliary body. Anterior uveitis is the most common form.

2.Intermediate uveitis refers to inflammation of the ciliary body.

3. Posterior uveitis is inflammation of the choroid.

Diffuse uveitis is inflammation in all areas of the uvea.

What are the dangers of Uveitis?
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Many cases of uveitis are chronic.
They can produce numerous possible complications, including clouding of the lens (cataract) or cornea, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma, and retinal problems (such as swelling of the retina or retinal detachment).
These complications can lead to loss of vision.

Who are affected by Uveitis?
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Uveitis occurs most frequently in people ages 20 to 50.
It is more common in women and more likely to develop with age.

What are the Complications of Uveitis?
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Uveitis complications:
secondary cataracts,
secondary glaucoma,
high intraocular pressure,
retinal detachment

What are the Symptoms and Signs of Uveitis?
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With anterior uveitis, the symptoms usually affect only one eye.
There may be
mild to strong pain
redness and
light sensitivity.
Your vision may also be blurred.
Eye is tender to palpation

Both intermediate and posterior uveitis are usually painless.
Symptoms are blurred vision and floaters, typically in both eyes.

Diffuse uveitis has a combination of symptoms of all types of uveitis.

What Causes Uveitis?
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Uveitis has dozens of causes, including viral, fungal, and bacterial infections.
But, in many cases, the cause is unknown (idiopathic).
Eye doctors can sometimes identify the cause if there has been trauma to the eye, such as from surgery or a blow, or if there is a history of an infectious or immunological systemic disorder.
Some of the many different systemic disorders that can cause uveitis include:
acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy
ankylosing spondylitis
Behçet's disease
birdshot retinochoroidopathy
brucellosis
herpes simplex
herpes zoster
inflammatory bowel disease
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Kawasaki's disease
leptospirosis
Lyme disease
multiple sclerosis
presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome
psoriatic arthritis
Reiter's syndrome
sarcoidosis
syphilis
systemic lupus erythematosus
toxocariasis
toxoplasmosis
tuberculosis
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome

What is the Treatment of Uveitis?
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Non-drug:
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warm water
pads to cover eyes for rest and avoid sun

Drugs:
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Your doctor will likely prescribe a steroid to reduce the inflammation in your eye.
Whether the steroid is in eye drop, pill, or injection form depends on the type of uveitis you have.
Because anterior uveitis affects the front of the eye, it's easy to treat with eye drops.
Intermediate uveitis can go either way, and
posterior uveitis usually requires tablets or injections.

Steroids and other immunosuppressants can produce many serious side effects:
such as
kidney damage,
high blood sugar,
high blood pressure,
osteoporosis, and
glaucoma.

In April 2005 the drug Retisert was approved by FDA for chronic non-infectious posterior uveitis. Retisert is a drug implant and is the first of its kind for treatment of uveitis. It consists of a drug reservoir that delivers sustained amounts of fluocinolone acetonide, an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, for about two and a half years. It is implanted into the back of the eye. During clinical trials the incidence of reccurent uveitis fell from 40%-54% to 7%-14%. The most common side effects noted during those studies were cataract progression, increased intraocular pressure, procedural complications, and eye pain.

If you have anterior uveitis, your doctor will likely prescribe, in addition to the steroids, pupil-dilating eye drops to reduce pain.
You may also need eye drops to lower your intraocular pressure if it's elevated.

A Simple Guide to Conjunctivitis

A Simple Guide to Conjunctivitis
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What is Conjunctivitis?
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Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva(the white of the eye and inner lining of eyelids).
It is one of the most common and treatable eye infections in children and adults.

What causes Conjunctivitis?
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Conjunctivitis can be caused by a
virus
bacteria
irritating substances (shampoos, dirt, smoke, and especially pool chlorine)
allergens (substances that cause allergies).

Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria, viruses can spread easily from person to person, but is not a serious health risk if diagnosed promptly.

What are the symptoms of Conjunctivitis?
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1.Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid

2.tears overflowing

3.yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes, especially after sleep
Other discharge from your eye (green or white) .

4.Pain in the eye

5.Itchy eyes (especially in conjunctivitis caused by allergies)

6.Burning eyes (especially in conjunctivitis caused by chemicals and irritants)

7.Blurred vision

8.sensitivity to light

How is Conjunctivitis spread?
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Bacterial or viral Conjunctivitis can also be spread through hand contact when rubbing the eyes or touching contact lenses after touching infected skin.

Being around a person who has conjunctivitis and wearing contact lenses may increase your risk of getting conjunctivitis, but the outcome is usually very good with treatment.

How is Conjunctivitis treated?
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Bacteria:Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics.
The antibiotic can be given as eye drops, ointments, or pills.
Eye drops or ointments may need to be applied to the inside of the eyelid three to four times a day for five to seven days.

Virus: No Medicine can treat conjunctivitis caused by a virus.
This type of conjunctivitis often results from a common cold.
You may, however, help relieve symptoms by applying a cold compress.

Irritating substance:For this type of conjunctivitis, use warm water for five minutes to wash the irritating substance from the eye.

Allergies:Allergy-associated conjunctivitis is treated with antihistamines or when the allergen is determined and removed.

How to relieve symptoms of Conjunctivitis?
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1.Protect your eyes from dirt and other irritating substances.

2.Do not use contact lenses, if you wear them.

3.Place cold compresses on your eyes.

4.Wash your face and eyelids with mild soap or baby shampoo and rinse with water to remove irritating substances.

5.Do not rub your eyes with hands that are not washed.

6. Do not use the same bottle of drops in the other eye if it is not infected.

How to prevent spreading Conjunctivitis?
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1.Do not touch or rub the infected eye(s).

2.Wash your hands often with soap and warm water.

3.Wash any discharge from your eyes twice a day using a fresh cotton ball or paper towel. Afterwards, discard the cotton ball and wash your hands with soap and warm water.

4.Wash your bed linens, pillowcases, and towels in hot water and detergent.

5.Avoid wearing eye makeup.
Don’t share eye makeup with anyone else.

6.Do not wear another person’s contact lens.

7.Wear glasses instead of contact lenses.
Throw away disposable lenses or be sure to clean extended wear lenses and all eyewear cases.

8.Avoid sharing common articles such as unwashed towels, cups, and glasses.

9.Wash your hands after applying the eye drops or ointment to your eye or your child’s eye.

10.Do not use eye drops in a non-infected eye that were used for an infected one.