A Simple Guide to Cataract

 A Simple Guide to Cataract
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What is a Catarct?
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A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural transparent lens, which helps us to focus on the objects we see.
The lens is mostly made of water and protein.
Due to age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.


How are Cataract Classified?
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Cataracts are classified as one of three types:
1.A nuclear cataract is most commonly seen as it forms.
This cataract forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, and is due to natural aging changes.


2.A cortical cataract, which forms in the outer lens cortex, gradually extends its spokes from the outside of the lens to the center. Many diabetics develop cortical cataracts.


3.A subcapsular cataract begins at the back of the lens. 
People with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa or those taking high doses of steroids may develop a subcapsular cataract.


How Do You Diagnose a Cataract ?
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A cataract begins slowly and at first has little effect on your vision.
There may some blurring of vision .
Light from the sun or a lamp may seem too bright or glaring.
Colors may not appear as bright as they once did.

What are the causes of Cataracts?
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The eye's lens changes as we age, forming cataracts.
1. exposure to ultraviolet light may be a cause of cataract development, so eye specialist recommend wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.


2.Other types of radiation such as from TV or PC monitors may also be causes.
Airline pilots may be exposed to cosmic radiation.


3.People with diabetes are at risk for developing a cataract.
The same goes for users of steroids and diuretics.


4.Other risk factors include cigarette smoke, air pollution and heavy alcohol consumption


What is the treatment of Cataract?
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Symptomatic treatment:
When symptoms begin to appear, you may be able to improve your vision for a while using new glasses, strong bifocals, magnification, appropriate lighting or other visual aids.

Some eye care practitioners believe that a diet high in antioxidants, such as beta-carotene (vitamin A), selenium and vitamins C may slow down cataract development.


Eye drops such as Catalin and Quinax has been prescribed to slow down the development of cataract.


Surgical treatment:
An intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted in the eye in place of the patient's clouded natural lens.
During surgery, the surgeon will remove your clouded lens, and in most cases replace it with a clear, plastic intraocular lens (IOL).


What is the prognosis of Cataract?
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Cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision.

How do you Prevent Cataract?
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The most important prevention for cataracts is to avoid direct sun rays and other forms of radiation from TV or PC monitors, polluted air and smoking.

A Simple Guide to Corneal Ulcer

A Simple Guide to Corneal Ulcer
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What is Corneal ulcer?
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Corneal ulcer is a inflammatory disease of the surface of the cornea which causes local destruction of the superficial layer of the cornea resulting in ulcers.

Corneal ulcers can be infectious(due to infection) or non infectious(due to injury or autoimmune disease)


Who is affected by corneal ulcer?
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Corneal ulcers may be present more frequently in patients with :
Vitamin A deficiency

autoimmune disease

neurological disorders like facial palsy

What is the Cause of corneal ulcer?
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The causes of Corneal ulcers can divided into 2 type:
Infections:
1. Bacterial infection such as Streptococci, Staphhylococci, pneumococci, pseudomonas

2. Viral infections such as herpes simplex, herpes zoster,

3. Fungal infection

Non-infection:
1.Injury due to hard contact lens, abrasions from trauma, accidental scratch

2.autoimmune disease

3.Systemic disease

What are the Symptoms and signs of corneal ulcer?
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Symptoms varies from mild to severe:

1.Severe pain in the eye or around the eye and eyebrow especially with infectious causes. Non-infectious causes may not give rise to pain.

2.Red eye - increased blood flow through inflamed eye shows up the blood vessels

3.Tearing -excess tears from inflammation

4.Discharge -may be pus discharge from eyes especially in the morning

5.Light sensitivity - sensitive to bright lights

Signs:

1.White spot on the cornea, that depending on the severity of the ulcer, may not be visible with the naked eye

2.increased dilated blood vessels present due to inflammation


How do you make the Diagnosis of corneal ulcer?
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The presence of a corneal ulcer can be seen using a slit lamp microscope.
Sometimes a dye fluorescein may be dropped into the eye making it more visible and easier to detect.

What investigation are necessary in Corneal ulcer?
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If the patient is suspected to have infection(pus discharge from the eyes), a tissue culture of the corneal cells(gently scraped from the ulcer) may be necessary to determine the type of micro-organism infecting the eye.


What are the complications of corneal ulcer?
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The complication is always the risk of :

1.Severe infection of the eye especially with pseudomonas infection causing infection of the anterior chamber of the eye and then spreading to the rest of eye resulting in loss of an eye.

2.Scarring of the corneal ulcer resulting in partial loss of vision

What is the treatment of corneal ulcer?
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Treatment depends on the type of corneal ulcer:

Infection:
1.Bacterial infection requires more intense treatment with oral antibiotics and antibiotic eye drops (given every 15 minutes)

2.Viral infections are usually treated with acyclovir tablets orally and acyclovir eye cream

3.Fungal infections are less common but are usually treated with antifungal medicine and eye drops.

In all infection cases, corticosteroid medications are not given.
Painkillers such as paracetamol can be given for pain

Non-infection:
1.Corticosteroid eye drops are usually given to reduce the inflammation

2.Antibiotic are also given to prevent infections of the ulcer.

In all cases the eye should be covered with eye pad until the epithelium of the ulcer heals about 10-14 days.

What is the prognosis of corneal ulcer?
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The prognosis depends on the severity of the disease

Most cases can be healed if detected early.

There may be minimum scarring of the cornea with possible loss of some vision.

Rarely the eye may be lost if there is severe infection and no treatment.


What are preventive measures in corneal ulcer?
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1. A nutritious diet with vitamin supplements can strengthen the body resistance against illness.

2.Avoid the use of infected contact lens lotion

3.A soft lens are more prone to eye infection. Always wash the hands before using any contact lens.

4.Avoid rubbing the eyes with dirty hands or tissues

5.A healthy lifestyle with less stress and mild exercise is always good for the body.

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 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.