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Do Not Ignore These Dry Eye Symptoms – Consult An Eye Specialist In Kolkata

Dry eye may cause more damage than the already known experiences of redness, itchiness, and pain. Sometimes, it could result in permanent damage of the eyes.  Reasons like age, prolonged computer usage, and regular use of contact lenses could cause dry eyes. 

A few symptoms of dry eyes that you must not ignore:

1. Redness in the eyes 

As the blood vessels in the white part of your eyes swell, a reddish hue can be observed in the eye. In case you do not suffer from any type of eye allergy, or infection, the redness signals that your eyes are dry. When your eyes are deficient of tears, the cells on the eye surface become inflamed; the chemicals released thereof, cause inflammation and redness.

2. Gritty feeling in eyes 

When you sense a dry, scratchy feeling in your eyes, often described as the sensation of a foreign body stuck in the eyes. 

Do not Ignore These Dry Eye Symptoms

3. Sensitivity to Light

If the tears are lacking, there could be no lubrication or nourishment of the eyes, because of which, you may experience light sensitivity or photophobia. This might be a lingering issue or may occur only during a certain period. People who experience light sensitivity squint or shut their eyes when exposed to light. In some instances, photophobia is accompanied by extreme eye pain.

4. Sensitivity to irritants 

Irritants such as dry air, smoke, cleaning product fumes, and exposure to strong wind can cause dry eyes. Without a proper tear film, the nerve endings of the eyes are exposed to irritants. The dry eye symptoms might worsen in enclosed spaces such as air-conditioned office or home. 

5. Burning sensation in the eye 

Your eyes need proper lubrication to stay healthy. Blinking plays an important role in providing lubrication for the eyes. Meibum, an oily substance that prevents film and helps to keep your eyes lubricated, is released whenever you blink. Activities that demand a good deal of focusing, often makes one forget to blink enough, or if you do not close your eyes properly while blinking, you may experience a burning sensation in your eyes. 

6. Mucus in the eye 

The condition is common in people who are suffering from moderate to severe dry eye condition. This may occur in combination with dry eyes and an eye allergy or an eye infection. If you do not have enough watery layer on your eye surface, then your eye surface will experience friction when you blink, forcing the tear film to release excess mucus.

7. Excessive tearing

Patients with dry eyes syndrome often complain of excessive tearing. If you experience excessive tearing, that may be a symptom of evaporative dry eye syndrome.

8. Blurred vision 

Blurred vision is pretty common in people suffering from dry eyes. This is not a constant issue, but it occurs in intervals. Your vision may be clear in the morning. But when it gets dry during the day, you may experience foggy vision. In case you experience such symptoms, do not ignore. 

We would advise you to avoid self-medication and rush to the nearest eye hospital if you’re going through any of the aforementioned problems.

Disha Eye Hospitals – Receive eyecare from the best in Kolkata 

Get in touch with us. Our team includes some of the best eye specialists in Kolkata who can guide you with the right treatment option. To know more about our services, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/

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Do Carrots Really Improve Eyesight?

We have been told since childhood that eating carrots improves our vision. But is it true that eating the root vegetable will do wonders to our eyes?

The notion that eating carrots improve vision dates back to World War II when the British Air Force gunned down German aircraft in the dead of night. It is believed that the British Air Force popularised the carrot myth to keep its radar technology a secret.

Do carrots really improve eyesight?

1. Carrots are good for the eyes: There’s no doubt that carrots are indeed good for the eyes as it contains beta carotene. The body uses beta carotene to make Vitamin A which are antioxidant compounds essential to good vision. According to the World Health Organisation, Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most common causes of preventable blindness in children.

2. Eating carrots alone will not help you maintain overall good eye health: Although carrots are a rich source of beta carotene, relying only on the root vegetable will not help you maintain good overall eye health. A randomised trial of US physicians found out that long-term intake of beta carotene did not decrease or increase the risk of Age-related Macular Degeneration.

3. Combine carrots with other nutritional vegetables and fruits in your diet: The best way to ensure good eye health for yourself and your loved ones is to eat a diet that contains all the essential nutrients. Make sure to include fresh vegetables, fruits, farm-fresh eggs, nuts, and lean fish and meat in your diet.

4. Here are some of the food items, apart from carrots, that are beneficial for the eyes:

●Almonds: Almonds are a rich source of Vitamin E which maintains eye tissue health. Apart from being a great source of snack, almonds are also a nutritional addition to breakfast cereal and salads. Soak a handful of almonds in water overnight and consume them in the morning the way you want to.

●Salmon: Salmon is a storehouse of omega-3 fatty acids, or better known as healthy fats. Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to vision development. To get the most out of these healthy fats, include salmon in your meal plan for 2 to 3 days a week.

●Eggs: Eggs are another rich source of Vitamin A; it also contains zinc, zeaxanthin, and lutein, all of which improve eye health. The best part? Eggs are a versatile food item; you can eat them for your breakfast and in your lunch and dinner.

●Oranges: Oranges are loaded with Vitamin C which promotes eye blood vessel health. Eat oranges as snacks, or juice them for breakfast. Adding them to your fruit salad is also a great option.

  • Kale: Kale is hailed as one of the best eye superfoods. The carotenoids, lutein, and zeaxanthin, found in kale promote retina health and vision. You can prepare kale as a side dish or as snack chips.

See through the myth and get your eyes checked every year

Every step you take to improve your eye health goes a long way in maintaining proper vision in the long run. If you notice any changes in your vision and overall eye health, do not neglect it as it can be symptoms of serious eye complications.

Consult with one of our eye specialists at Disha Eye Hospital, one of the best eye hospitals in West Bengal. We provide high-quality and affordable treatment for serious eye complications, including Cataracts, Glaucoma, Corneal diseases, Squint, Uveitis, and Diabetic Retinopathy in Kolkata.

We have a team of experienced eye specialists who are well-versed with leading medical tools and technology. Book an appointment online at http://www.dishaeye.org/appointment.

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Why You Should Go for Routine Eye Check Ups?

 

Why you should go for routine eye check ups?
Getting an annual eye exam is a crucial part of ensuring good eye health for yourself and your loved ones. The benefits of regular eye checkups go beyond preventing eye-related complication as it also helps in diagnosis underlying health conditions at early stages. This way, you can start early treatments and lower the risks of complications.

Consult best eye specialists in Kolkata

Book an appointment at Disha Eye Hospital to get a comprehensive eye exam from one of the best eye specialists in Kolkata. Visit http://www.dishaeye.org/appointment to book your appointment online.

Here are some of the important reasons for getting regular eye checkups:

1) Diagnosis of diabetes:

Blurry vision is usually one of the first warning signs of high blood sugar levels. When your body doesn’t produce enough insulin that helps break down sugar in the body, the blood vessels swell up. This swelling can cause the fluid to leak into the lens of your eye, making it difficult for eyes to focus. An early comprehensive eye exam conducted can not only lead to early detection of diabetes, but the eye doctor diabetes specialist can help you manage diabetes better.

2) Diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy:-

Diabetic retinopathy, as its name implies, is one of the complications of diabetes. As discussed above, diabetes causes damage to the blood vessels in the eyes, causing them to leak and swell. This can also cause the eyes to grow new, weak blood vessels which leak blood in the vitreous gel of the eye and lead to vision blurriness. The bleeding can form scars over time and detach the retina from the eye.

The only way to detect the presence of diabetic retinopathy during early stages is through a comprehensive eye exam. This is because the eye disease does not cause any symptom during the initial stages. The eye doctor may conduct various eye tests, including a dilated eye exam (for a detailed examination of the eyes), and optical coherence tomography (to examine retina) to confirm the presence of the eye complication.

3) Keep your children’s eyes healthy:-

There’s no doubt that good vision helps your children learn better at school. However, children these days spend longer time using phones, tablets, and laptops which can take a toll on their vision.

The best way to ensure your children have a good vision is by taking them to annual eye checkups. The eye doctor can diagnose if your children have a refractive error and can suggest treatments and visual aids such as eyeglasses and contact lens accordingly.

4) Diagnosis of glaucoma:-

Glaucoma, apart from being one of the leading causes of vision loss, is also one of the most common eye complications. Glaucoma occurs when the passages in the eyes clog and prevent eye fluids from draining. As a result, the eye fluids accumulate and increase intraocular pressure in the eyes. This. in turn, causes damage to the retina and optic nerve, and leads to vision impairment.

By visiting an eye doctor every year, you can get the eye complication detected at early stages. As such, you can start early treatment to lower the risks of complications. To detect the presence of glaucoma, an eye doctor may perform several eye tests, including tonometry (for measuring pressure in the eyes), ophthalmoscopy (to examine the topic nerve), and perimetry (to examine the field of vision).

5) Diagnosis of cataracts:-

Common in older adults, cataracts is one of the most serious eye complications and leads to permanent vision loss. The eye complication occurs when protein builds up in the lens of the eyes and start forming clumps. As such, the protein build-up clouds the lens and obstruct light from fully entering into the retina.

Apart from older age, diabetes, family history of the eye disease, and physical injury to the eyes can also increase the risk of cataracts. During your annual eye exam, your eye doctor can detect early cataract symptoms such as abnormal changes in the lens area, nearsightedness, double vision, and sensitivity to glare. To confirm the presence of the eye disease, your eye doctor may conduct the three important tests, including visual acuity test, retinal exam, and slit-lamp exam.

Consult best retina specialists in Kolkata

If you are having blurry vision or you are diabetic, consult best retina specialists in Kolkata at Disha Eye Hospital. Our retina specialists can help diagnose problems like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma etc. At Disha Eye Hospital, we use industry-leading medical technologies and equipment to provide high-quality eye care. To learn more about our eye care services, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/.

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Common Kid’s Eye Disorders

Common Kid's Eye Disorders

It is important to take your children for annual eye check-up to start early treatment of eye problems (if diagnosed any) and avoid further complications.

Over here we have discussed a list of common eye disorders in children. If your kid shows any of the symptoms mentioned below, consult our eye specialists.

1) Excessive tears (Epiphora):-

Watery eyes are common in babies. However, it if doesn’t pass by itself, the condition can mean serious eye complications. There are several causes of excessive tearing in babies.

The most common cause is overproduction of tears mainly due to irritation of the eyes by irritants such as dirt, pollen, and dust. Make sure that your baby doesn’t rub his/her eyes to avoid worsening of the irritation. Other causes include problems with tear ducts and eye infections such as pink eye.

One of the basic home remedies is to clean your baby’s eyelids to prevent accumulation of infection-causing discharges with filtered water and cotton.

If you stay in Kolkata, and your kid suffers from persistent watery eyes, then visit the best eye specialist in Kolkata at Disha Hospitals. At Disha Eye Hospital, our team comprises of some of the best eye specialists in Kolkata. Visit our eye hospital for a proper eye diagnosis for your kid. Learn more about us at http://www.dishaeye.org/history.

2) Dry eyes:-

Dry eye occurs when there’s insufficient lubrication in the surface of the eyes. As a result, the condition can cause irritation, burning sensation, and itchiness. Dry eyes is becoming increasingly common in kids as they spend too much time on smartphones or playing video games.

The eye condition can make it challenging for your child to play sports, read books, use a computer, and even perform well at school. If you notice symptoms such as frequent eye rubbing, and soreness and redness in the eyes, make sure to consult an eye doctor.

3) Strabismus:-

Strabismus is when the eyes are misaligned. In other words, both eyes are unable to aim at the same subject. In strabismus, one or both the eyes may turn inward, outward, up, or down. Kids can either develop the condition in childhood or be born with it.

Strabismus is linked to problems with the eye muscles. In other cases, the condition can also be caused by the brain’s control centre that directs eye movements, or the nerves that transmit information to the muscles.

Like most children, your kid may not notice changes in their vision or complain about the problem. If you notice your kid’s eyes don’t consistently look in the same direction, make sure to take medical help. Treatment options for the condition include eye patching, eye drops, eyeglasses, and eye muscle surgery.

4) Lazy Eye:-

Lazy eye, also called Amblyopia, is a condition in which one of the eyes doesn’t fully develop, causing vision impairment. As the condition affects one of the eyes, your kid may not notice changes in vision right away.

However, as a concerned parent, you can look out for several signs of the eye condition. When your child focuses on an object, notice if one eye stays focused while the other one tends to wander. If this happens, then it could be an indication of the eye condition.

5) Refractive errors:-

Refractive error (hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism) happens when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing directly on the retina, thus leading to blurred vision. As vision develops in the early years of life, the eye condition could be serious for your child.

Refractive errors cannot be prevented but can be treated upon early diagnosis. Some of the signs of the eye condition to watch out for in your kids include holding objects too close to the eyes and inability to read distant letters.

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Dry Eye: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Has it ever occurred to you that your eyes become dry and irritated to the extent that you find it discomforting to look at an object continuously? If yes, you may have experienced one of the symptoms of Dry eye.

Dry Eye, or Dry Eye Syndrome is one of the most common eye problems faced by people all over the world. Cut some slack if you suffer from the condition as you are not the only one.

Here’s everything you should know about Dry Eyes:

A Simple Understanding of the eye Condition

Dry Eyes, as the name suggests, is a condition in which the eyes become irritated due to lack of sufficient lubrication on the surface of the eyes. Some of the alternative medical terms of eye condition include:

  • Dysfunctional tear syndrome
  • Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
  • Keratitis sicca

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Causes Dry Eyes?

One of the fundamental elements of healthy eyes is tears; a uniform layer of tears on the surface of the eyes is important for lubrication and preventing infections which might be caused by microscopic foreign particles.

When there’s insufficient amount of tears on the surface of the eyes, the cornea can be irritated and damaged by dust particles and microorganisms. Moreover, the cornea can be susceptible to infection.

The tear is a special fluid as it consists of three components:

  • Mucin – a mucous-like component which helps tear film to adhere to eye surface
  • Aqueous – a watery component that gives a watery nature to tear film
  • Lipid – an oily component which delays the evaporation of the tear film

The critical functioning of these components makes tears. If there’s a problem in any of these components, then it can cause tear instability which can escalate to cause Dry Eyes.

Now here’s the most interesting part; there are different types of Dry Eyes which are determined on the basis of the part of tear film that’s affected. For instance, insufficient secretion of meibum causes the tear film to evaporate quickly which leads to a condition called ‘Evaporative Dry Eye.’

As for the common type of Dry Eye, the Lacrimal Glands fail to produce sufficient aqueous fluid to moisten the eyes.  

Risk Factors

Did you know that the activities that we do every day increase the risk of developing Dry Eyes? Well, if you didn’t think of so, here are some of the common risk factors:

  • Ageing– although anybody can develop Dry Eyes, people aged 50 years and above stand at twice the risk of the condition.
  • Computer use– have you noticed that we tend to blink less whenever we’re engaged in using our computer, smartphone, or any other electronic gadget? Blinking infrequently causes tear to evaporate quickly and trigger the symptoms.
  • Outdoor environment– windy weather and arid climates are some of the environmental conditions that increase the risk of Dry Eyes.
  • Contact lens -although contact lens might not be the sole reason for Dry Eyes, most people discontinue wearing lenses as they experience dry eye discomfort.
  • Eyelid problem – it is possible for the eyelids to fail in closing completely while blinking or sleeping. This condition, known as Lagophthalmos, can lead to severe Dry Eyes.
  • Indoor environment– air heating systems, ceiling fans, and air conditioning can lower indoor humidity and quicken tear evaporation.
  • Medication– prescription as well as non-prescription medicines can increase the risk of Dry Eyes.
  • Smoking– smoking not just causes Dry Eye but also is the cause of a number of other eye conditions.
  • Frequent flying – people who frequently travel by flight experience Dry Eyes as the air inside the aeroplane cabins are dry.

Symptoms of Dry Eyes

Dry eyes involve a number of symptoms with which it can be diagnosed. Some of the common symptoms include:

  • Eye redness
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Scratching, stinging, burning sensation
  • Eye fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Low night vision
  • Foreign object sensation
  • Watery eyes
  • Discomfort while wearing contact lenses
  • Itchy eyes
  • Heavy eyes
  • Dryness sensation
  • Sore eyes.

Complications of Dry Eyes

Although Dry Eyes may not bother you much, you need to address it with proper treatment if it persists. If you don’t, then you might stand at the following risks:

  • Difficulty in everyday activities – with irritated eyes, it becomes difficult to perform everyday tasks such as reading books, driving, working on a computer, etc.
  • Damage to the eye surface– recklessness in treating the condition can lead to corneal abrasion, eye inflammation, corneal ulcer, and even vision problems.
  • Eye infections– insufficient tears in the eyes can lead to eye infection.

Treatment

Here’s a good news for you, Dry Eyes can be treated. However, there are a variety of treatment options to address the different causes of the condition.

Below, we have listed the most common treatment options used by doctors worldwide:

  • Artificial tears

Artificial tears, aka lubricating eye drops, is one of the most common treatment options prescribed by eye care specialists. The basic purpose of the eye drop is to ‘artificially’ lubricate the eyes.

With the number of brands available, lubricating eye drops vary in thickness and formulation. Patients who use artificial tears experience quick relief from it. However, the soothing effect fades quickly and patients might need to use it frequently.

  • Steroid eye drops 

Inflammation during Dry Eyes is what causes redness and burning sensation. Your doctor might prescribe you steroid eye drops to better manage the inflammation.

Steroid eye drops are used with artificial tears and for a short period of time. Often, doctors start the course with steroid drops of mild potency. However, if the symptoms are severe, the doctor may prescribe more potent steroid drop for a short term.

  • Nutritional supplements

Your doctor may recommend you nutritional supplement to lower the symptoms. Such supplements generally contain omega-3 fatty acids.

Food items such as cold water fish including herring, salmon, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

  • Punctal plugs

A punctal plug is a small medical device that is inserted on puncta (tear drainage ducts) on both the eyelids to prevent the tears from draining.

  • Warm compresses

Warm compresses are an excellent way to unclog meibomian glands to relive the symptoms.  Simply applying a warm compress to the closed eyelids will soften the hardened glands.

  • Meibomian Gland Expression

Meibomian Gland Expression is a procedure in which the doctor uses a forceps-type device to remove the clogged contents from the meibomian glands. Prior to performing the procedure, the doctor may apply warm compresses to unclog the pores or soften the clogging content.

  • Lacrisert

Unlike conventional eye drops, Lacrisert is a solid insert which slowly releases preservative-free lubricating agent to provide an all-day moistening effect. Lacrisert is meant to be placed under the lower eye.

Prevention

As now we know that Dry Eyes is largely caused by our surrounding environment and daily activities, the condition can be prevented. Here are some helpful tips for preventing Dry Eyes:

  • Take breaks when working or studying – it’s important to take periodic breaks when we are visually concentrating.
  • Avoid direct air blow to the eyes – fan, air conditioner, hairdryer, etc can pose the risk of direct air blow to your eyes. Use them mindfully.
  • Be alert to the surrounding environment – going out for a picnic? Carry sunglasses. Wear contact lenses? Use them carefully.  Going out on a windy day? Stay inside or wear wraparound eyeglasses.  No humidity inside the room? Use a humidifier.
  • Drink plenty of water– replenishing your body by drinking plenty of water is a good way to lower the risk.
  • Get sufficient sleep – good sleep is important for a good eye health.

Facts about Dry Eyes

Want to treat yourself more? Here are some of the interesting facts about Dry Eyes.

  1. Cold winters of Dry Eyes
    In a large number of cases, Dry Eyes is prevalent during winters as the air is dry.
  2. Eye drops’ effectiveness differ with brands   
    Different brands have a different formulation for their eye drops. The next time you plan on buying one, consult with a doctor.
  3. Blinking is more important than you might have thought
    When you blink, the moisture in your eyes gets replenished as the tear film is spread across the eyes. Blink more when you experience Dry Eye symptoms.
  4. Levels of Dry Eyes
    There are 4 levels of Dry Eyes. Symptoms of level 1 and 2 can be relieved with OTC eye drops while level 2 to 4 require comprehensive treatment.
  5. Medication that causes Dry Eyes
    Sleeping pills, diuretics, birth control pills, antidepressants, and antihistamines are some of the medication that causes Dry Eyes.
  6. Blame pollution for your Dry Eyes
    The prevalence of Dry Eyes is high in cities as there pollution in the air. Polluted air contains allergens and chemical compounds that can easily irritate the eyes or interfere with tear production.
  7. Don’t make assumptions based on the symptoms
    Although symptoms are a good way to diagnose Dry Eyes, you shouldn’t fully rely on it. Instead, see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
  8. Dry Eyes can be acute or chronic
    We all have experienced some form of Dry Eyes in our lives. However, some people experience it periodically.
  9. Contact lenses are helpful but can lead to Dry Eyes
    Long-term contact lens use can cause loss of sensation in the cornea which can lead to Dry Eyes.
  10. Pregnant women can develop Dry Eyes

Take care of your eyes

The key to preventing Dry Eyes and ever other eye disease and condition is to have a regular eye check-up. Consult with the eye experts at Disha Eye Hospital.

Disha Eye Hospital is a leading eye speciality hospital in Kolkata. We have highly trained and experienced eye care professionals and offer comprehensive treatment to major eye diseases such as Cataracts, Glaucoma, Corneal Diseases, Diabetic Retinopathy, etc.    

Here’s an Infographic for a quick recap

Guide to Dry Eyes