Ways to Protect Your Eyes This Summer

Ways to Protect Your Eyes This Summer

Here are a few ways to keep your eyes safe this summer:

1. Don’t forget your shades:-

The sunlight reflecting off the water, reflective surfaces, and sand into your eyes, can result in photokeratitis. This is a painful condition and is caused when the UV rays of the sun not only burns your skin but also burns the surface of your eye. It causes redness, pain, blurriness and may even cause temporary blindness are some of the symptoms of this condition. Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection for avoiding photokeratitis.

Even if you are wearing sunglasses, wear a hat to protect your eyelids and eyes. Sunglasses have gaps on the sides and top. The sun rays may reach your eyes through the gaps. Wearing a hat will help reduce the exposure.

2. Avoid getting a Swimmer’s Eye:-

Pools – the name sounds so refreshing and brings a feeling of relief during hot summer days. But the pool water can be really tough on your eyes. The chemicals that are used for keeping the water clean affect the tear film in your eyes. As a result, you suffer from redness and blurry vision. Wear swimming goggles to protect your eyes. If the pool water gets into your eyes, splash your eyes with fresh water once you get out of the pool.

3. Protect your eyes from dryness:-

Spending time outside during summers can be tough for your eyes. As the wind is hot and dry and can cause a common issue called Dry Eyes. The hot and dry weather affect the tear film in your eyes and make them dry. Protect your eyes by wearing wrap-around glasses. Use artificial tears to keep your eyes moist. If you are suffering from dry eye consult the eye specialist in south Kolkata.

4. Be Safe from Home/DIY Projects:-

Protecting your eyes doesn’t only mean wearing sunglasses. Take care of them while doing DIY projects at home. Buy professional quality goggles to avoid injury while gardening. In case anything hits your eyes, put some ice on the affected eyes and immediately rush to the doctor.

5. Wash Your Hands:-

Do this before touching your eyes. Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes while you are out. In case you wear contact lenses, take care. Dirty hands may cause eye infections.

6. Eat healthily and Stay Hydrated:-

Fruits and veggies contain lutein and zeaxanthin. These are antioxidants that can help in resisting cataract, and macular degeneration. Additionally, you get easily dehydrated during summers. And this can affect your eyes. Serious dehydration makes it tough for the eyes to produce tears and as a result, you may suffer from dry eye symptoms and other vision issues. Drink plenty of water. This helps in reversing the negative effects of dehydration.

Protect your eyes. Visit professional and experienced eye specialists in Kolkata at Disha Eye Hospital:-

Apart from taking these precautions for protecting your eyes during summers, it’s important that you regularly visit your eye doctor. Do not ignore any eye issue (even the smallest one).

At Disha, our experts take the utmost care to protect your vision. We have the most sophisticated technology to provide you with the best eye care.

To get in touch with our eye specialists across West Bengal, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/appointment

13 Eye Health Related FAQs

13 Eye Health Related FAQs

Have doubts about eye health? Check out the FAQs below:

1) How do cataracts develop and what are the treatment options?

There are two risk factors for the development of cataracts; age and exposure to ultraviolet rays.

Age-related cataracts occur when proteins in the eyes form clumps and restrict the amount of light that enters the retina. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays is another cause of cataracts. Other causes of cataracts include eye diseases and eye injuries.

Cataracts can be treated with an eye surgery in which the surgeon replaces the cloudy lens with a clear, artificial lens. But the surgery should be done from the best eye hospital in West Bengal.

2) How is cataract diagnosed?

Cataract can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam, including dilated eye exam and visual acuity test.

In a dilated eye exam, the doctor dilates the pupils using eye drops. By doing this, the doctor can determine cataracts’ opacity and impact on vision. The doctor is able to determine the extent of vision impairment through the visual acuity test.

3) Can I get a cataract surgery done during summers?

Yes. You can undergo a cataract surgery during summers. In fact, you can undergo a cataract surgery during any time of the year. Cataract surgery not being feasible during summers is just a myth.

4) What is diabetic retinopathy and what are its symptoms?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes; the eye condition is one of the leading causes of blindness. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina.

The early symptoms of diabetic retinopathy go almost undetected, but can gradually worsen over time, leading to vision loss. Some of the common symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include eye pain, double vision, eye floaters and spots, and blurred vision.

5) Who are at the risk of diabetic retinopathy?

People suffering from diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, stand at the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Pregnant women with diabetes are at the equal risk. Disha Eye Care Hospital is the best among the top ten hospitals for retina treatment in Kolkata.

6) Can diabetic retinopathy be prevented? If yes, how?

There are several steps to lowering the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Managing diabetes is the first step to minimising the risk of onset of the eye condition. Other steps involve regularly checking blood sugar levels, testing urine for ketone levels, and undergoing an annual comprehensive eye exam.

7) Can eye injuries affect vision?

Yes, but it totally depends upon the severity of the eye injuries. Minor injuries can cause eye pain and temporary blurred vision while major injuries can have serious implications such as eye infection and vision impairment.

8) How to protect the eyes from diseases?

There are several ways how you can lower the risk of development of eye diseases. First off, maintain a healthy diet by choosing fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, meat, and fish over unhealthy food items such as deep-fried snacks and frozen meat items.

Exercise regularly, drink plenty of water, and get your eyes checked every year. These steps help you maintain an overall good health and keep the risks of eye diseases at bay.

9) What is glaucoma and what are its symptoms?

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can cause vision loss by damaging the eyes’ optic nerve. The eye disease is linked to the build-up of pressure (intraocular pressure) inside the eyes

Some of the common symptoms of glaucoma include eye pain, narrowed vision, nausea, vomiting, eye redness, vision loss, and seeing halos around the light.

10) What are the treatment options for glaucoma?

Your doctor may plan the treatment depending upon the severity of the condition. Eye drops for Glaucoma can either increase fluid flow or reduce its formation in the eyes.

Laser surgery is another treatment option for glaucoma. This procedure can help increase fluid flow in the eye. A surgery known as Trabeculoplasty involves opening a new channel to drain the fluid and lower eye pressure.

11) Why is it not safe to wear contact lenses past expiry/recommended date?

Contact lenses (as the name suggest) get into direct contact with the eyes when worn. Therefore, it’s crucial that you follow safety precautions to avoid serious implications. Wearing contact lenses past their expiry date can increase the risk of eye infections, which, in turn, can worsen and cause vision impairment.

The same applies to the cleaning solution. Make sure that you replace it after reaching the expiry date.

12) Will reading in dim light damage my eyes?

Reading is a precision activity, and when you do it under dim lighting, you increase strain to your eyes. As a result, you can suffer from symptoms such as eye redness, itchiness, pain, and dryness. The best practice is to read under bright lighting.

13) How to avoid eye injuries?

Eye injuries cannot be completely avoided. However, you can take steps to drastically lower the risks. For example, wear a protective eyewear when working at the workshop or travelling outdoors.

Choose quality eye treatment at Disha Eye Hospital – one of the best eye hospitals in Kolkata.

Our specialised team of eye experts at Disha Eye Hospital can help you maintain a good eye health through comprehensive eye check-up and quality treatment. For more information, visit us.

Tips for Living With Glaucoma

 

Tips for Living With Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the most common eye diseases as it affects millions of people worldwide. The eye disease is common in older adults. It involves build-up of pressure in the eyes and impairment of vision.

Glaucoma can affect the quality of life as patients face discomfort and difficulty in doing regular activities with deteriorating vision.

Do you have Glaucoma? Here are the essential tips for living with the eye disease:

Coping with changing vision:-

As Glaucoma starts to worsen, it affects the vision. Low vision is one of the most common symptoms of the eye disease. Low vision can hamper the quality of life as it can cause difficulty in doing everyday work such as reading, working on a computer, driving, cooking, etc. In most cases, patients aren’t able to cope with low vision caused by Glaucoma even by wearing prescription glasses or contact lenses.

The best way to cope with low vision is to use visual aids or visit the best eye care hospitals in Kolkata for glaucoma treatment. There are a number of visual aids available including colours lenses, magnifiers, and computer text enlargers. Talk with your doctor to choose the visual aid that best suits you.

Getting organized:-

Getting organised is the key to dealing with vision changes caused by Glaucoma. It’s important to designate a specific place for every item. For instance, keep the keys, medicines, and your purse in a specific place where you have no difficulty reaching for them. It’s highly important that other members of the family respect and maintain the organisation system.

Marking and labeling items:-

Glaucoma patients with low vision face a great deal of difficulty working with specific items such as washing machine, microwave oven, etc. If you are on the same track, use a dimensional fabric paint to mark everyday items to feel the correct positions with your fingers.

Label your medicines with a highlighter to properly store them and have no difficulty finding them.

Improving lighting:-

One of the most important changes to make for dealing with low vision caused by glaucoma is to improve lighting in the home. Make sure that your home is properly illuminated. Use additional lights while working on a specific task. Also, improve lighting in rooms such as kitchen, hallway, and bathroom where there are risks hazards. When your home is properly illuminated, dealing with low vision becomes much easier.

Increasing contrast:-

Increasing contrast in every item helps you to better cope with low vision. For instance, use a white cup for your tea and coffee, use white chop boards for dark coloured vegetables. Increasing contrast is the key to effectively dealing with vision changes.

Listening to audiobooks:-

Googling all of your concerns can be a difficult task when you have low vision caused by glaucoma. This is where Audiobooks come as a great help as you don’t have to rely on your vision while taking in information.

Choose Glaucoma treatment in Kolkata at a reputed eye hospital:-

Do you or your loved ones suffer from Glaucoma? Opt for a professional treatment at Disha Eye Hospital as it is one of the best eye hospitals in India. The team of eye care experts provides meticulous care when it comes to addressing proper treatment not just for Glaucoma but for other major eye diseases as well.

Learn more about Disha Eye Hospital at http://www.dishaeye.org.

8 Questions on Cataract Surgery

8 Questions on Cataract Surgery

Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss all over the world. Fortunately with, advances in medical science, the eye disease can be treated through a specialised surgery known as cataract surgery.

Although cataract surgery is the sole treatment option for the eye disease, there are confusions and misconceptions about it. Here, we seek to clarify them by these 8 commonly asked questions:

1)  How is cataract surgery performed?

Before the surgery day, the doctor will give you medicines to relax you and numb your eyes. The doctor uses a local anaesthetic which makes the surgery virtually painless. The first part of the surgery involves removing the clouded lens. To do this, the surgeon, with the help of precision tools, makes a small incision in the eye to remove the natural lens. The surgeon will use the same incision to place the artificial (intraocular) lens. To get the best cataract surgery in Kolkata, contact Disha – Best Eye Hospital in West Bengal.

2) What is the success rate of cataract surgery?

Cataract surgeries have a high success rate. In fact, cataract surgeries are one of the most successful surgeries performed the world over. It’s because of the high success rate of cataract surgery that it is chosen as the sole treatment option for cataracts.

3) How do I determine whether cataract surgery will benefit me?

There are several ways how you can benefit from a cataract surgery. First, the eye surgery is a quick procedure and can be completed within 2 hours. Plus, you don’t have to get admitted to the hospital as it’s required with other surgeries.

By undergoing a cataract surgery, not only is your eye disease treated but you also have your vision corrected. Lastly, the recovery period for a cataract surgery is quite short. It may take you as less as a week to fully recover.

4) Are there any side effects of a cataract surgery? 

After the surgery, you may experience itchiness, slight discomfort, and redness. But these effects only last for a couple of hours and eventually subside. Your eye doctor may suggest you tips to fully take care of the operated eye(s) post-surgery.

5) What is phaco?

Phaco, or Phacolemulsification is a technique used during a cataract surgery. In this technique, the eye surgeon makes a small incision to insert a tiny ultrasonic probe. The doctor uses the probe to break cataracts into tiny pieces. The next step involves removing the tiny pieces using a suction. After the cataracts are completely removed, the doctor inserts the intraocular lens.

6) What is an intraocular lens?

Intraocular lens is a small convex-shaped lens and is harmless to the eyes. Apart from being an alternative to the natural, clouded lens, intraocular lens also helps correct vision. Once the intraocular lens is placed during the cataract surgery, it does not move and remains in the eye permanently. There are several types of intraocular lens and your eye doctor can choose the best lens for you.

7) Is it true that I have to wait for my cataract to become ripe in order to undergo a cataract surgery?

Previous cataract removal methods involved heavy sedation and making large incisions so that the entire affected lens could be wholly removed from the capsular bag. As such, ripe cataracts would make the removal process easier.

But with technological advancements, modern-day cataract surgeries require a small incision and minimal sedation as the lens is suctioned out. In other words, you don’t have to wait for your cataracts to become ripe for undergoing a cataract surgery.

8) Where can I opt for a safe and quality cataract surgery in West Bengal?

If you or someone in your family is planning to undergo a cataract surgery, then our advice would be to get a precise diagnosis at Disha Eye Hospital, one of the best eye hospitals in West Bengal.

After a comprehensive diagnosis, our eye specialists will plan the surgery based on your overall eye health. At Disha Eye Hospital, we use advanced cataract surgery techniques such as Phacoemulsification to ensure that patients who choose us with trust get the best and safest treatment.

We believe quality eye treatments don’t have to come at higher prices. At Disha, we are aimed at offering the best eye treatments at affordable prices. For more information about our cataract treatment, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/cataract

7 Eye Care Tips for Your Kid

Eye care Tips

Kids are reckless when it comes to taking care of the eyes. You, as a concerned parent, must take the necessary steps to protect your kid’s eye health.

Here’s a small initiative from us to help you get going:

1. Healthy diet
Taking proper care of your kid’s eye starts with insist him/her to follow a healthy diet. Kids often abstain from eating healthy food items such as fresh vegetables. However, this should not be the case in your family if you are concerned about promoting good eye health.

Include healthy food items such as green vegetables, fresh eggs, lean fish and meat, and colourful fruits into your kid’s diet. Insist him/her to follow the diet. You can, later on, reward your kid with a tasty treat (probably a chocolate bar).

2. Staying hydrated
Proper hydration is another important factor that contributes to a good eye health. Insist your child to drink at least 3 to 4 full glasses of water every day. If your kid abstains from drinking water (which normally most kids do) add water flavour enhancer. Doing this can encourage your little one to drink more water than he/she normally does.

Make sure you insist your kid to take a water bottle along with him/her to school.

3. Proper use of eyeglasses and contact lens
Kids are usually reckless with their eyeglass or contact lens. You, as a concerned parent, should make sure that your kid isn’t. If your kid wears an eyeglass, make sure he/she wears it all the time and removes it while playing as it can cause injuries.

Also, make sure that you change your kid’s prescription eyeglass as per the doctor’s recommendation.

4. Limiting computer and smartphone time
Kids tend to be obsessive about computers and other electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, tablets, etc. Most kids spend time on computers and smartphones playing games. They end up hours playing games and straining their eyes. This can have damaging effects on the eyes as it can lead to irritation and even dry eyes over time.

Limiting computer and smartphone time is a crucial step to taking care of your kid’s eyes. Instead, encourage your kid to spend time outdoors on recreational games.

5. Wearing eye protection when necessary
Kids aren’t careful when it comes to protecting their eyes. And as they are curious, energetic, and playful, they stand at a high risk of eye injuries more than any other age group.

Kids are most vulnerable to eye injuries when they are playing outdoors. Moreover, serious eye injuries can impair vision. Therefore, it’s a must to teach your kid about the importance of wearing eye protection.

6. Avoiding eye rubbing
You must teach your kid to avoid eye rubbing as it can cause the germs from the hands to spread to the eyes and increase the risk of infection.
In instances when a foreign particle gets stuck in your kid’s eyes, instruct him/her not to touch or rub the eyes. Instead, wash the eyes with cold water. You may apply a warm compress for relieving pain.

7. Get rid of unsafe toys
Kids, especially toddlers, are at the increased risk of eye injuries from unsafe toys. Toys that are jagged and the ones that have sharp edges pose injury hazards.

Make sure that you get rid of such toys. Remember to read the recommended age group in toys’ packets when buying new ones for your kid.

Concerned about your kid’s eye health? Opt for quality eye care at Disha Eye Hospital

Get your kid’s eye checked from professional eye care specialists at Disha Eye Hospital – a leading multispecialty eye care hospital. Learn more about Disha Eye Hospital at http://www.dishaeye.org.

Eye Do’s and Don’ts

eye hospital in south Kolkata, cataract eye operation costs
From computers and smartphones to walking out in the sun without sunglasses, there are a number of things that can affect your eyes and vision. So, always ask yourself whether you are doing what’s best for your eyes. Are you eating right? Are you doing exercises for relaxing your eyes? Here are a few do’s and don’ts for takings care of your eyes: Continue reading “Eye Do’s and Don’ts”

Eye Care Insights to Know

Not all eye diseases can be prevented completely. But you sure can lower the risks if you practise some essential eye care habits every day. Luckily, it’s not as difficult as it sounds. Here are a few eye care insights that are practical and easy to accomplish:

1. Avoid rubbing your eyes


This is a common eye care mistake that everyone makes. The hands are exposed to a lot of bacteria, dust and dirt. And each time you rub your eyes or touch them, it is transferred to your eyes.

Avoid putting hands in your eyes frequently. This helps in preventing any infection and another type of irritation. Get rid of this habit soon. Also, wash your hands regularly to keep infections at bay. Follow this religiously with your eyeglasses or contact lenses.

2. Stop overstraining your eyes

If you work in front of the computer for long hours, then your eyes are subject to a lot of pressure. Often, you are so absorbed in the work that you keep on staring at the screen for a longer stretch and forget to blink. This can make your eyes dry and increase the risk of Dry Eyes Syndrome.

Blink often; this not only keeps the ocular surface clean but also keeps it moisturised, healthy, and nourished. Also, use anti-glare screen protectors for reducing the glare levels and overstraining your eyes.

3. Sleep Well


If you are a night owl then you might be risking your eye health by staying awake till late night. Just like your body, your eyes too need enough rest and sleep so that it can function properly without appearing red, puffy, and tired.

4. Avoid over-the-counter eye medicines

It’s a natural tendency for people to buy over-the-counter eye drops and ointments to treat small eye infections and allergies. This can turn fatal for your vision. Avoid doing this. Wash your eyes with cold water. And in case the irritation continues, immediately consult an eye care specialist.

5. Protect your eyes in the Sun

Sunglasses are not just for making a fashion statement but also for protecting your eyes from the harmful UV rays. Whenever you are going out in the sun, avoid looking directly at the strong sun rays. Wear good quality sunglasses. These should be UV protected. It will protect the eyes from the damaging effect of the sun.

6. Eat for your Eyes

Eat right to maintain your vision. It’s a crucial step in your daily eye care routine. Vitamin deficiency affects your retinal function. Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables such as beetroot, carrots, and a variety of green leafy vegetables in your diet. These contain eye-healthy nutrients such as Vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA and DHA. These help in lowering the risks of a number of serious eye issues.

7. Avoid Tobacco

Smoking tobacco is linked to many ill health effects but it also impacts your vision. Smoking increases your vulnerability to cataracts, Age-related Macular Degeneration, and other eye issues.

Follow these easy-to-implement steps to keep your eyes healthy.

Get your Eyes checked at a reputed Eye Care Centre in Kolkata

Are you looking for treatments for eye disease such as cataract and glaucoma in Kolkata? It’s best to review the hospitals beforehand to ensure that you are getting the best eye care service.

When it comes to opting for a good eye care in Kolkata, Disha Eye Hospital is a name to be reckoned with. We have near about two decades of history in successfully treating eye issues and addressing all specialities of ophthalmic treatment. For any further details, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/home

20 Facts on 20/20 Vision

You have probably heard the term “20/20 vision” a number of times. If you have ever tested your vision, you must remember that the doctor made you read a chart with some letters printed on them.

If you were told that you have a 20/20 vision that means, your visual acuity is normal. In other words, your eyesight is perfect!

But, is this true? Does a 20/20 vision mean that you have a perfect vision?
Want to know? Check these 20 surprising facts on 20/20 vision:

1.    20/20 is just a measurement of how clearly you are able to see at a particular distance.  If your visual acuity report says that you have a 20/20 vision then that means you can clearly see objects at a distance of 20 feet 1. If you have a 20/40 vision then that means you need to stand at 20 feet to see anything that a person with normal vision can see from 40 feet. This determines your visual clarity under standard circumstances and doesn’t determine the quality of your vision under any type of circumstances.

2.    Don’t think that 20/20 vision is the perfect vision. You may even have a 20/15 vision and can see sharper than average images.  A 20/15 vision means that you can read the eye chart standing at 20 feet while any other person needs to stand at a distance of 15 feet to easily see the chart. Usually, vision correction glasses and processes aim at giving you a 20/20 vision. A special eye chart is used for measuring your visual acuity or the clarity of your vision.

3.    Generally, doctors use the Snellen chart for measuring your visual acuity. The chart contains a total of 11 rows of capital letters. The topmost line of the chart contains a single but very large letter. In the lines following the first line, the number-letter keeps increasing and the size of the letter keeps decreasing. The doctor will make you stand at a distance of 20 feet from the chart and read all the letters without contact lenses or glasses.

You may have to cover one eye and then read the smallest line of letters that are visible to you. The doctor will perform the test in both of your eyes. In some cases, the doctor may make you read the chart using a mirror. In this case, the test can also be done from a distance that’s less than 20 feet. The Snellen Chart was developed by Dr Hermann Snellen, a Dutch Doctor, in the 1860s. Hermann Snellen was the colleague of Dr Fransiscus Donders. It was Donders who first started to diagnose vision-related issues in people by making them look at a chart and ask what they can see.

4.    There is nothing called a “perfect vision.” Vision might defer depending on the circumstances. For instance, if you are out on the road on a sunny day, you may enjoy a clear vision but your friend who doesn’t have a 20/20 vision and has low visual clarity compared to you, may too enjoy a clear vision under the same circumstance just because he or she is wearing a  UV protected polarised glasses that has anti-reflective coating for that improved the contrast and also blocks glare.

There is a difference between visual acuity, vision, eyesight. Before we proceed further, let’s understand the difference:

5.    Visual acuity refers to the sharpness of your vision. This is measured by your ability to read the letter in the Snellen Chart from a particular viewing distance as prescribed.

6.    Visual acuity is an invariable measurement. It’s because you are either sitting or standing during the test and the objects (the letters and the chart in this case) that you are viewing are also static.

7.    The doctor also tests your visual acuity under high contrast conditions. In such case, the letters on the chart are written in black and the background is white.

8.    Visual acuity test helps in determining your eye clarity under standard conditions. This doesn’t determine the quality of your vision under various circumstances. For instance, this test cannot predict how well you may see coloured and moving objects and objects that have similar brightness levels as their background.

9.    There are certain neurological and physical factors that determine your visual acuity. These are:
•    How well your eye lens and cornea can focus light on the retina.
•     The sensitivity of the nerves in your retina and the visual centres in the brain.
•    How your brain interprets the information that it received from the eyes

The light that is focused on the macula (the central part of the retina) determines your visual acuity results during the eye examination.

10.    Eyesight can be defined in many ways. It can be referred to as your vision or the ability to see or your range of sight. Often the term “eyesight” is used interchangeably with “visual acuity.”

11.    Vision is a much wider term than eyesight and visual acuity. Vision is not just seeing but also includes a number of your visual abilities such as tracking moving objects, your depth perception, contrast sensitivity, focusing speed and accuracy.

12.    Often, your 20/20 vision may not be sharp enough. This means that your eyes may have Higher-Order Aberrations or HOA. This cannot be corrected using contact lenses or vision correcting eyeglasses. The eye doctor may use wavefront technology for checking the aberrations.

In case the aberrations are caused by minor irregularities occurring on the front surface of your eye, then it can be corrected by fitting Gas Permeable (GP) contact lenses. This often improves the visual acuity better than soft contact lenses and glasses. It’s because the GP lenses are rigid. These lenses replace the irregular front area of your eye, making them perfectly smooth and curved surface that can focus light more accurately.

13.    Custom wavefront LASIK is another option. This is a laser vision correction surgery can provide you sharp vision (that you get with the rigid gas permeable contact lenses). The visual acuity achieved by LASIK eliminates the daily hassle of wearing glasses or contact lens care.

What can you do to keep your eyes healthy?


Here is the guide to maintain a 20/20 vision naturally:

14.    Eat healthily
Eating well and maintaining a healthy weight can benefit your eyes tremendously. There are a number of food items that can protect your eyes against a number of eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, and cataracts.

These are caused due to the lack of certain nutrients known as zeaxanthin and lutein found in a variety of vegetables and fruits such as spinach, broccoli, mango, and green beans. Eating fresh and seasonal vegetables, dairy products, fish (especially cold water fish rich in Omega-3 fats) save you from vision impairment.

15.    Avoid smoking
It’s because smoking restricts the flow of blood to your eyes thus, decreasing the amount of oxygen in your eyes. This causes oxidative stress to your eyes and can damage your retina causing the death of cells in that area and a number of other visually impairing eye conditions.

16.    Never ignore any vision-related symptoms
Whenever you notice any changes in your vision, get in touch with your eye specialist. Ignoring these symptoms (howsoever minor it may be) is the biggest mistakes that you will be making. Often, minor symptoms may trigger major issues and cause progressive vision loss.

People usually ignore these symptoms thinking of them as a minor issue. And when they realise, the harm is already done. So, never ignore any symptoms. Get in touch with your eye care specialist today and get a comprehensive eye examination done.

Also, always wear quality sunglasses whenever going out in the sun. Be careful when selecting a sunglass. It’s because not all sunglasses can protect you from the harmful UV rays that damage your eyes. Ensure that the sunglass that you are buying blocks at least 95% to 99% UV rays (if it’s 100% then better).

17.    Let your eyes rest for a while in between work

Overstressing your eyes can harmful. So, whenever you are working in front of your computer for long periods, give them a break in between your work. Take frequent screen breaks and look to any distant object for a brief period.

You may try the 20-20-20 rule. Try looking at an object located at a distance of 20 feet for 20 seconds. Do this every 20 minutes while you work. This relaxes the eye muscles and adjusts their focusing ability.

Eye strain is mainly caused by muscle strain and when your eyes dry out.  Try setting up your computer at the corner of your room. You may try setting it up near a window. You may look out of the window. This not only refreshes your mind but also keeps your eyesight healthy. Also, keep your hands clean. Knowingly or unknowingly you are always touching your eyes. This increases the risk of eye infection. This is particularly true when you are wearing contact lenses.

Foods for a healthy eyesight and 20/20 Vision
Include these food items in your diet for a 20/20 vision or healthy vision:

18.    Kale and Spinach: Dark green leafy vegetables such as Spinach and Kale are excellent for your eyesight. These contain high amounts of antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin. These two nutrients are found in your eyes and help in lowering the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

People who eat a high amount of lutein and zeaxanthin are less likely to develop eye conditions such as cataracts. If you do not like eating Kale and Spinach then you may eat other leafy veggies such as Collards, Romaine Lettuce, and Turnip Greens.

These also contain high amounts of Zeaxanthin and Lutein. Other vegetables that contain these two anti-oxidants include corn, peas, and broccoli. Also, eggs are a good source of Lutein and Zeaxanthin.

19.    Black-eyed peas and Legumes: Any and all kind of legumes are good for your eyes. Be it black-eyed peas, lima beans, and kidney beans- these contain high levels of zinc. This is an essential trace mineral that is also found in your eyes. Zinc helps in safeguarding your eyes from the light. Other foods items that contain high levels of zinc include lean red meat, oysters, fortified cereals, and poultry.

20.    Salmon: A diet rich in Omega-3 fats is extremely good for your eyes. Coldwater fishes such as Sardine, Salmon, Tuna, and Halibut are rich in Omega-3 fats. These help in preventing the risk of eye issues later in your life. People who eat a diet high in omega-3 fatty acid are less likely to develop Age-related Macular Degeneration than people who don’t.

Also, eat plenty of citrus fruits such as tangerines, oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. These contain high levels of vitamin C, an antioxidant that’s crucial for your eye health. Your eyes need a steady supply of Vitamin C for functioning properly and high levels of antioxidants for preventing or delaying the development of AMD and cataract. Other food items containing Vitamin C include tomatoes, strawberries, peaches, red peppers, and oranges.

Get in touch with the Experts
If you think you have refractive errors, it’s better to get in touch with the eye specialists for evaluation of your vision. If you have a minor refractive error, you may undergo LASIK Eye Surgery in Kolkata to improve your visual acuity.

Vision errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism can be corrected with glasses and contact lenses. However, if you want to get rid of the glasses and do not enjoy wearing a contact lens, you can undergo a LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK eye surgery doesn’t cost much and is a matter of only a few minutes. If you want more information on LASIK or want to undergo LASIK eye surgery in Kolkata, get in touch with the experts at Disha Eye Hospital. Contact us today at http://www.dishaeye.org/appointment.

Reasons you Have Puffy Eyes

eye hospital in Kolkata

Waking up every morning with puffy eyes is a real bummer. Especially when you have to have to leave for work early and are expected to look fresh and bright. Even worse is when the puffiness comes with dark circles and under eye bags. If you have been wondering about your blowfish look every morning, we have got the answers.

Let’s dig deeper.

Why your eyes are puffy just after you wake up?

It’s because while you are asleep, you do not blink. When the eyelids are idle for long hours, it develops swelling. As soon as you wake up and start blinking, the puffiness vanishes in an hour or so.

This is also determined by your sleeping position. If you lie flat on your back, it can result in fluid build-up under your eye. What you can do is, put an extra pillow under your head to tilt it up a bit. In this way, the gravitational forces pull the fluid away from the area around your eyes. Even the duration of your sleep is also a factor behind puffy eyes.

If you had a sleepless night or if you haven’t slept well, then it reflects in your eyes. It not only becomes puffy and swollen but you’ll also get dark circles. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for reducing inflammation in your body, https://www.pharmacybc.com/ambien-zolpidem/. When you do not get enough rest, the blood vessels under your eyes are dilated. They come closer to the skin surface making the area swell and appear blue or blackish.

Puffy Eyes may indicate medical conditions

If your eyes are puffy for no apparent reason and occur unexpectedly, it might indicate an underlying medical problem. People with thyroid eye disease develop swelling of the tissues and muscles around the eyes. Bulging eyes may also result from Graves ’ disease, a type of thyroid disorder.

Your eyes may appear swollen and puffy if you have hay fever. This is an allergic disorder and is caused by allergens such as pollen grains. Any other type of allergies, chemical and food reactions can also cause swollen eyelids. When you get an allergic reaction, there are certain cells in your body that release a chemical called histamine. This chemical affects various tissues in your body including leakage from the blood vessels. The surrounding tissues trap this fluid and cause oedema.

Conjunctivitis or Pinkeye also gives you puffy and swollen eyes along with dark circles. The infection causes inflammation of the adjoining area, making your eyes swell. Even if you have dry eyes your eyes may appear puffy and swollen.

Often, systematic diseases such as kidney failure result in swelling throughout the body, including the area around your eyes.

http://www.allaboutvision.com/cosmetic/puffy-eyes.htm

Consult an eye doctor and get your eyes examined in case you experience unusual puffiness and swelling in and around your eyes. However, there are certain things that you may try to reduce puffiness.

How to reduce puffiness?

Here are 10 secrets of avoiding that blowfish-look:

1. Cut down Salt

Excessive salt intake makes your body retain water and appears bloated. The skin under your eyes is extremely thin and when your body starts retaining water, they appear swollen and puffy.

2. Take care of your allergies

Allergy seasons are always accompanied by a runny nose and water and swollen eyes. But, the good news is, medicines for allergies and sinus infection can help you get rid of those swollen eyes along with your runny nose.

3. Try using a Neti Pot

This might sound a bit weird to you but using a neti pot can help you get rid of swollen eyes. A neti pot looks like a small teapot. Put salt water in it and pour it into one nostril and let it run out of the other. This helps in flushing out all that additional moisture in your sinuses that you get from cold and allergic reactions.

4. Change your sleeping position

Try adding an extra pillow under your head and sleep on your back to avoid waking up with those pesky swollen eyes.

5. Clean your makeup before retiring for the day

Always remove each and every trace of eye makeup before going to sleep. It makes the eyes watery and may result in puffiness in the morning.

6. Lower alcohol consumption

A glass or two is fine but not more than that. Why? Because alcohol draws water out of your skin and weakens it. Since the area around the eyes is delicate, it tends to sink into a pouch. Try drinking water before going to bed and use a moisturiser around eyes.

7. Protect the area around the eye from UV rays

Take care of the area around your eyes. Too much exposure to the sun results in wrinkles around your eyes. Always use sunglasses and sunscreen when you go out in the sun. Add an extra layer of protection with a hat.

8. Avoid Smoking

Here’s another reason to kick the butt. Smoking is not only bad for your health but it also makes the skin on your face dry and weak. Say goodbye to the smokes to avoid wrinkled and droopy eyes.

9. Let your eyes chill

A cold compress is the best remedy for puffy eyes. You may try chilled spoons, tea bags, and cucumber slices to reduce puffiness.

10. Try an Eye Cream

Eye creams with retinol are good for skin around your eyes.

Source: https://www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshow-banish-the-bags-under-your-eyes

Disha Eye Hospital

You can inherit the puffiness from your parents as well. In such cases, there’s no other way to get rid of puffiness but cosmetic options. But before opting for any solution, get your eyes checked. Consult an eye expert and find out the exact cause of your condition- whether it’s due to an eye issue or not. If you are looking for eye hospitals in Kolkata then you may consult the experts at Disha Eye Hospital.

Kitchen Eye Safety Tips

eye hospital in Kolkata

Apart from workshops and playgrounds, the kitchen is where you stand at a greater risk of getting your eye injured. There are a number of potential threats in the kitchen such as sharp objects and irritants that pose a risk of eye injury. So, you need to work safely when in the kitchen to prevent eye injuries.

Here is an interesting read about tips for eye safety while in the kitchen.

1) Wash your hands after every task

When in the kitchen, you have to handle a number of items such as cooking oil, spices, cleaning chemicals, etc. If you touch your eyes after handling any one of these items, you will irritate your eyes. As a result, you may experience pain, tearing, redness, and even temporary vision blurriness.

Spices such as peppers contain a fiery oil known as capsaicin (which is used to make pepper spray). To avoid this, make sure that you wash your hands with soap or cleaning lotion every time you finish cutting down veggies and spices or after preparing any food.

Also, avoid rubbing the eyes further if you have already caused irritation by touching them with your hands. Instead, splash water into the eyes to flush out the irritants. Wearing gloves while working with foods and other items that pose eye irritation risk is another good way to ensure the safety of your eyes.

2) Hot oil and other cooking liquids in the eyes

You are always at the risk of eye injury while preparing food. For instance, hot cooking oil or cooking liquids such as gravy may splatter onto your eyes while cooking a meal. Such hot liquids can blister or burn the eyes, and as a result, you may experience extreme pain, vision blurriness, and redness.

In case of such scenario, wash your eyes to flush out the oil or cooking liquid. Don’t use anti-irritation eye drops as they can cause more redness and/or irritation. If the pain and irritation persists, see an eye care professional immediately.

Wearing safety glasses while cooking would be uncommon, but is definitely helpful in ensuring the safety of your eyes. One good way to avoid hot oils getting into your eyes is to cover the dishes with the pan lid.

3) Eye injury risks with sharp culinary tools

Culinary tools such as knives, forks, sporks, scissors, corkscrew, and can openers pose the risk of eye injuries. So, you should be extra careful while working with these culinary tools. Your children are at more risk of eye injuries from these culinary tools as they can be playful in the kitchen.

Eye injuries caused by such culinary tools can involve serious cuts, bruises, eye inflammation, vision blurriness, irritation, and redness. To take safety precautions, consider covering such culinary tools, or make sure that you buy the ones that come with safety covers. You can even store these culinary items in a specific area in the kitchen and mark them as hazardous. This way, you can prevent your kids from playing with these tools.

4) Don’t use any food as medicines

According to age-old myths, there are some foods which you can use as medicines to treat your eyes from several problems. From a scientific point of view, this is not true and instead, is risky for the eyes.

Such myths include curing pinkeye with tea and changing the eye colour with honey. These practices are harmful to the eyes as introducing any foreign substance into the eyes can create a number of problems such as irritation, redness, blurry vision, infection, and even allergy.

If you use food products for cosmetic purpose on the skin around your eyes, make sure that you don’t get them in your eyes.

5) Falls and eye injuries

When in the kitchen you’re at risk of falls and you may end up with eye injuries. Items in the kitchen such as open cabinets, liquid spills on the floor, and loose rugs pose tripping hazard.

Young children and the elderly are at a greater risk of eye injuries from falls. There are instances when you rush in the kitchen while cooking for the guests in the home. In such case, you may trip and fall and cause injury to your eyes. To avoid this, make sure that you make your kitchen a safe environment before you start working not just for yourself, but also for the elderly and children in your home.

Make sure that you keep the kitchen floor clutter-free, wipe off oil spills immediately, and don’t keep rugs in the kitchen or even if you do, make sure that it’s not loose or slippery.

6) Take precautions while cutting onions

It’s a common scenario in the kitchen to cause irritation to the eyes while cutting onions. Fortunately, there are several ways how you can avoid this. First off, make sure that you chill or freeze the onions prior to cutting them. The compounds that irritate the eyes release into the air at a warm temperature. The release of these tear-inducing chemicals can be lowered by keeping the onions at a lower temperature.

Another way to avoid irritation in your eyes cost by onions is to store them in water for at least 3 to 4 hours prior to cutting them. The tear-inducing compounds will get mixed with water and thus will not release when you cut them. You can also be extra careful by putting on safety glasses while cutting onions.

7) Risk of eye injuries from sleep deprivation and alcohol abuse

There are people who enjoy drinking while preparing food in the kitchen. If you are one of those, then you are at a greater risk of getting your eyes injured by being reckless while working with sharp utensils and culinary tools. When you drink and cook, you can also put others at risk.

Similarly, you can put yourself at a greater risk of eye injuries when you’re spending time in the kitchen while being sleep deprived. Your response time to accidents such as hitting your head in an open cabinet or slipping on the floor can get delayed when you are sleep deprived.

8) Steak and black eyes

There is a myth that you should put a raw steak take on a black eye to cure it. This is totally not safe for your eyes as raw meat contains organisms which can cause severe infection. In case you have a black eye, use ice packs to relieve the pain. Or if it’s severe, consult an eye care professional.

9) Risk of eye injuries with cleaning products

Cleaning products such as chemical cleaners, bleaches, and varnishes can cause serious injuries such as inflammation, irritation, redness, blurry vision, and even blindness in some cases. Such cleaning products contain harmful chemicals and pose a great risk of serious eye injuries.

In case cleaning products get into your eyes and cause irritation, rinse your eyes with water thoroughly. Apart from you, your children are also at a high risk of getting their eyes injured from cleaning products. To avoid this, make sure that you are extra careful while working with it. Also, keep the cleaning products out of reach of children.

10) Label all the items in your kitchen

One of the best ways to avoid eye and other injuries with the elderly and children in your kitchen is to label items as safe and hazardous. For instance, label cleaning products, spices, and sharp culinary tools as risky (probably with a warning sign). This way, the elderly and children can stay safe from eye and other injuries.

11) Use durable and leak-proof food containers

There may be a scenario where you might drop spices or other food items in your face and eyes while reaching out to a container on the top shelf. To avoid such cases, make sure that you always store spices and other food items in containers that are durable, leak-proof, and have lids that are sealable.

12) Risk of eye injuries from steam

Steam can cause severe eye injuries such as irritation, redness, blurry vision, and inflammation. You stand at a higher risk of getting your eyes injured from steam while preparing dishes such as rice and dal.
Make sure that you keep a distance while letting out the steam. You can even wear safety glasses while doing so. Avoid staying near to the cooking pot while letting the steam out.

13) Risk of eye injuries from insect repellent

Most people keep repellents such as sprays to ward off mouse and insects from the kitchen premises. Although this is good hygiene practice, insect and mouse repellents pose risks of eye injuries.

Such repellents contain harmful chemicals which, if comes in contact with the eyes, can cause serious injuries such as irritation, blurry vision, inflammation, redness, and even infection. Make sure that you wear protection such as gloves, masks, and safety eyeglasses while using the repellents. Also, wash your hands thoroughly after using repellents as you don’t want to touch your eyes with the contaminated hands.

Get your eye health checked

Are you concerned regarding your eye health? If yes, then get your eyes checked thoroughly with our eye care experts at Disha Eye Hospital.