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Rubbing Your Eyes: Is It Bad?

Most people rub their eyes inadvertently. Though it may seem harmless, rubbing eyes can be dangerous and can even damage the cornea. If you find yourself constantly rubbing your eyes due to dryness, you should consult an eye doctor. 

What makes you rub your eyes?

Rubbing the eyes can be an after-effect of  eye conditions such as:

  1. Eye infections: There are many kinds of eye infections that make our eyes itchy. Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye infections that causes redness or pinkness in the eyes and makes them itchy. Usually, eye infections are caused due to bacteria and viruses. Touching eyes with dirty hands can easily transmit the virus or bacteria to the eyes. Conjunctivitis is contagious and easily spreads to one another. 
  2. Allergies: According to a study, when you have an allergy-causing virus/ bacteria in the eyes and you rub them, you will feel like rubbing the eyes more. Allergies make your eyes itchier. Itching can be accompanied by a stuffy nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. Some people can also be allergic to food, insect stings, or medications.
  3. Prolonged use of contact lenses: Wearing contact lenses too can also cause eyes to itch. 
  4. Additional causes for rubbing of eyes could include dry eyes, eye strain, and blepharitis.

What rubbing your eyes can lead to.

  • Hands are generally dirtier than any other part of the body. When the hands touch the eyes it leads to the transfer of germs. 
  • If there is already something foreign material in the eyes, rubbing at that point can make the situation worse.
  •  Many people suffer from conditions such as myopia, glaucoma, and many other conditions. Excessive rubbing may lead to worsening of the eyesight by damaging blood vessels. 
  • Excessive rubbing may lead to thinning of the cornea. This condition is known as keratoconus.

Tips to stop rubbing your eyes

The best way to stop rubbing your eyes is to treat the underlying cause that is making them itch. Your doctor will guide you through the practices that may prevent you from rubbing your eyes. He can also prescribe some medication at https://xanaxtreatanxiety.com to relieve anxiety and the itchiness. Saline and eye drop prescribed by your doctor can be used for relieving the irritation. You may also apply a warm compress to your eye but it should be done only after consulting an eye doctor.

Sometimes rubbing is due to habit and because of any medical condition causing itching. In this case, the following methods can be used to stop this:

  • Be conscious of what you are doing using your hands. Resist the urge and try to deviate your mind to not rub your eyes.
  • Wear gloves when you are finding it hard to keep your fingers from your face. Covered fingers make rubbing difficult.
  • Try to engage your hands in some other task. Squeezing a stress ball or rubbing a smooth rock might be useful.

Are you looking for an eye doctor in Kolkata?

Disha Eye Hospitals is a leading eye hospital in West Bengal. Our eye doctors of different caliber are on board. Our doctors are well-versed in the latest medical technology and our hospitals have all the modern equipment to support our doctors in providing the best patient care possible. 

 

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Diabetes and Eye Surgery FAQs

Diabetes and eye health are closely interlinked. Those with diabetes should make it a point to see an eye doctor at least once a year. Those with high blood sugar are at high risk of developing blurry vision, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Some of these eye conditions may require surgery. If you or any of your family members have diabetes, you are bound to have questions regarding surgery. 

As one of the leading eye hospitals in Kolkata,  we answer some of the frequently asked questions on diabetes and eye surgery: 

Question 1: Can diabetics have eye surgery?

Yes, diabetics can undergo any type of eye surgery. However, the type of eye surgery depends on your general health and the eye condition that you have. In some cases, you may have to wait until your general health has improved. An eye doctor can advise you on whether eye surgery is suitable for you and if yes, when is the most suitable time. 

Question 2: Do I need to keep sugar levels under control before surgery?

Yes, doctors will recommend you keep your sugar levels under control. High sugar levels increase the risk of complications after surgery such as: 

  • Slow healing 
  • Infection
  • Heart problems

Your eye doctor and endocrinologist will help control your diabetes. This may mean that your average sugar level reading or the three-monthly HbA1c reading needs to be in a particular range. 

Question 3: Do I need to fast before eye surgery?

For all types of eye surgeries, patients are instructed to not eat or drink 12 hours before eye surgery. This is because before the surgery muscle relaxing medications are given. If the stomach has food and drinks inside it, the chances of vomiting are there. If that happens, the food could enter the lungs and affect breathing. 

Question 4: Do I need to stop diabetes medicine before eye surgery? 

Usually, you will be advised not to take diabetes medicine before eye surgery to reduce the chances of lactic acidosis. The condition can be a medical emergency.  It is best to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking and follow his or her instructions if you need to stop any drug before surgery. 

Question 5: I have diabetes, how do I prepare for eye surgery? 

The best way to prepare for eye surgery is to follow the advice given to you by your eye doctor and general practitioner or endocrinologist. Remember, the longer your sugar levels are under control, the outcomes of the surgery will be better and the recovery period will go well.

Question 6: What to expect after the surgery? 

After surgery, you will need to see your ophthalmologist frequently, so that he or she can monitor any effect that your diabetes may be having on the eyes. 

 

Question 7: How long is the recovery for diabetics after surgery? 

The recovery from eye surgery varies from one person to another. It is important that you follow post-operative instructions given to you by the doctor regarding eye drops and eye hygiene. 

 

Looking for an eye hospital in Kolkata? 

One of the best ways to lower the risk of diabetic eye diseases is to get your eyes checked once every year. Diabetic eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataract show no symptoms during their early stages. From diagnosis to eye surgery, you will find all eye care facilities at Disha Eye Hospitals, a leading eye hospital in Kolkata. 

 

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Ageing And Vision Loss: Check These Useful Insights

Ageing causes a few changes in vision which mostly can be corrected by using corrective eyeglasses and improved lighting. However, some issues are serious and warrant medical attention. Ageing can cause many eye complications such as 

  • Losing the ability to see clearly.
  • Difficulty in differentiating between colours.
  • Taking time to adjust to different levels of light.
  • Dry eyes 
  • Tearing 

Ageing can cause some or other eye issues and the best way to prevent or handle them is to get eyes examined regularly.  The reason being there are many eye diseases that do not show any early symptoms. By the time a change in vision becomes noticeable, the disease would have progressed. Regular eye exams can spot the problems in their early stage.

Some of the age-related eye diseases are

  • Cataracts: It is a medical condition in which a person’s lens becomes cloudy and appears like frosted ice. Lenses of the eyes become hard and cloudy and do not allow all the coming light rays to pass through it and reach to the back of the eye to form an image on the retina. Some of the light gets scattered in different directions by the cloudy lens. It may also cause redness, tearing, blurriness, a halo around the objects in the eye. For the removal of the cloudy lens, surgery is the best option. During the surgery, the damaged natural lens is replaced with a new artificial lens. 
  • Glaucoma: It is an eye condition that affects the optic nerve by excessive pressure in the eye. The optic nerve is an important part of the eye that helps in transferring the sensory information to the brain in the electrical impulses. If it is not treated on time then it may cause permanent vision loss. To identify glaucoma, the doctor will inspect the eyes to see the condition of the optic nerve, measure the pressure and test the visual field. Glaucoma treatment includes a combination of eye drops, oral prescriptions, laser treatment or medical procedures.
  • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can affect the central vision needed to see objects clearly and to do common activities such as driving and reading. Though there’s no cure for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with timely treatment the disease can be slowed down and vision loss can be prevented.  
  • Diabetic retinopathy: This problem occurs when the blood vessels in the retina get damaged. In diabetic retinopathy, the blood vessels leak and release fluid, causing blurred vision. As the condition progresses, the patient may see floaters and dark spots. Advanced cases of diabetic retinopathy need laser surgery but mild cases can be managed by controlling diabetes. 
  • Conjunctivitis: It causes redness, itching, burning or tearing in the eyes. It can happen in all age groups but elderly people are more prone to irritants or allergies. It can be caused by bacteria or viral infection.

Ageing causes many eye-related issues. Some of these issues are difficult to spot. The best way to timely detect eye conditions is to get your eyes examined once a year. If you are looking for an eye hospital in Kolkata, visit Disha Eye Hospitals. We provide the best possible patient care at affordable rates. 

 

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What causes melanoma of the eye?

You must have heard of melanoma. However, you must have heard about it in the context of skin cancer. Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that develops in the pigment that gives colour to the skin, eyes and hair. But do you know melanoma can also form in the eye? Just like skin cancer, eye melanoma also develops in the pigment-producing cells that lend eyes their colour. If the melanoma starts in the eye, it is called primary eye cancer. If melanoma begins elsewhere in the body and spreads to the eye, it is called secondary eye cancer.

Symptoms of eye melanoma 

Eye melanomas often form in that part of the eye that is easily visible. This makes eye melanoma difficult to detect. Moreover, there are early warning signs or symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they include 

  • Floaters 
  • Growing dark spot on the iris
  • Change in the shape of the pupil
  • Blurry vision in one eye
  • Loss of peripheral vision

Causes of eye melanoma 

The exact cause of eye melanoma is still not known. It occurs when errors develop in the DNA of healthy eye cells. What causes cells to grow and multiply out of control is not known. 

Here are some risk factors for melanoma 

Some people are at higher risk of developing eye melanoma than others and the risk factors include: 

  • Light eye colour. People with light coloured eyes are at higher risk of developing eye melanoma. 
  • Age: With age the risk of eye melanoma increases. 
  • Certain skin disorders: People who suffer from dysplastic nevus syndrome are at risk of developing melanoma on the skin and eye. People with abnormal skin pigmentation around the eyelids are also at risk.
  • UV exposure: It is not conclusive but ultraviolet exposure to UV light, may increase the risk of eye melanoma.
  • Genetic factors. Certain genes passed from parents to children may increase the risk of eye melanoma.

 

Complications related to eye melanoma include

  • Glaucoma: A growing eye melanoma may cause glaucoma by increasing the ocular pressure within the eye. 
  • Vision loss. Growing eye melanomas can lead to vision loss. In some cases, they may cause retinal detachment, which if not treated in time can lead to irreversible vision loss. While small eye melanomas can cause partial vision loss, advanced eye melanomas can cause complete vision loss.
  • Affect other organs: Eye melanoma can spread beyond the eye and can even spread to the liver, lungs and bones.

How to diagnose melanoma of the eyes? 

Early detection of melanoma of the eye can help increase the chances of better treatment. The best way to detect melanoma early is to get the eye checked annually. A comprehensive eye check up involves the examination of the outer part of the eye as well as the inside of the eye. 

Looking for an eye doctor in Kolkata? 

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor if there’s any symptom or sudden changes in vision. From routine eye tests to critical surgical interventions, Disha Eye Hospitals offer holistic care and treatment for your eyes. We offer a wide range of surgeries – LASIK, refractive surgeries and cataract surgery. To book an online consultation with our eye doctor in Kolkata or visit the nearest branch.  

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FAQs on Inherited and Genetic Eye Diseases

There are many factors that play an important role in determining overall eye health. Genetics is one of the most significant ones. Many eye diseases, including those that cause blindness among infants, children and adults, are inherited. In some cases, early diagnosis and effective treatment for inherited eye disorders can help prevent the conditions from worsening. Therefore, it is important to know about these conditions. We have some of the best eye specialists in Kolkata. These eye specialists will answer some of the frequently asked questions on inherited and genetic eye diseases 

Question 1: What eye problems are genetic?

There are over 350 eye diseases that are genetic. A genetic eye disorder occurs when a child inherits a disease from one or both patients. Some of the genetic eye disorders are: 

  • Congenital cataracts
  • Congenital glaucoma
  • Retinal degeneration
  • Colour blindness 
  • Corneal dystrophies
  • Keratoconus

Note: In adults, glaucoma and macular degeneration are among the leading causes of blindness. Both seem to be hereditary.

Question 2: Can common vision problems be inherited?

Yes, common refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are also inherited. The risk of developing these conditions is higher if both the parents have the eye disorder. Strabismus and amblyopia can also be inherited. 

Question 3: Can genetic eye disorders be cured?

Early diagnosis and effective treatment of inherited eye disorders can help prevent the worsening of vision. For instance, congenital cataracts can be treated by removal as soon after the diagnosis. The surgery can be performed on an infant as young as 6 to 8 weeks. 

Question 4: What are the symptoms of inherited eye diseases? 

Symptoms vary depending on the type of eye disease. Some of the general symptoms include:

  • Abnormal appearance
  • Fluid in eyes
  • Impaired vision  

Question 5: How can genetic eye problems be diagnosed? 

The best way to protect a baby’s eyes from congenital or hereditary eye disease is through regular eye examinations. Certain eye diseases are present at the time of birth while some develop shortly thereafter. Therefore, it is important that the baby’s eyes are regularly examined by an ophthalmologist or paediatric ophthalmologist. When diagnosed early, the chances of treatment can be better and the impact of the disease can be minimised. 

Looking for the best eye specialist in Kolkata for children? 

We, at Disha Eye Hospitals, have a dedicated Paediatric Ophthalmology unit with some of the best eye specialists in Kolkata on board. We conduct various eye tests for infants, toddlers, pre-school children and verbal children. We work closely with parents and children to integrate ophthalmologic treatment into the patient’s total care plan.

Question 6: What to expect during the evaluation? 

The paediatric ophthalmologist or eye doctor will completely review the test results. The parents will be asked about their family medical history, with particular attention given to signs and symptoms of genetic disorders. The child will have to undergo a comprehensive eye checkup. For this, the pupils will be dilated. Some of the common tests for diagnosing genetic eye disorders are: 

  • Electroretinography
  • Visual evoked potential testing
  • Optical coherence tomography
  • Fundus autofluorescence
  • Visual fields

 

Note: Additional tests may be recommended depending on the symptoms. 

 

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Children’s Eye Health: Important Insights Curated By Some of The Best Eye Doctors in Kolkata

Did you know a newborn’s eyesight is between 20/200 and 20/400 at birth? Their eyes are so sensitive to bright light after their birth that they are more likely to open their eyes in low light. 

Children learn through their eyes. To read, to write, and to play – kids need healthy vision. Therefore, you should pay attention to your child’s eye health and look for signs that you may think can cause problems. 

Experts say the best ways to monitor a child’s eye health are:

  • Looking for symptoms
  • Make your child undergo regular eye exams 
  • Provide appropriate diet

Here we share with you important insights on children’s eye health: curated by some of the best eye doctors in Kolkata

1. Infants can see when they are born but they cannot focus accurately: Babies’ vision at birth is abuzz with visual stimulations. Their eyes don’t always focus accurately in the beginning. It is only by the time they are two months old, a baby can easily focus on the people or objects close to them.

Fact: Smoking when pregnant can harm a baby’s vision. It increases the risk for premature births, and further leads to higher refractive errors and problems with the retina of the baby.
2. Far and short-sightedness: Easily treated with prescription spectacles, , far and short-sightedness conditions often run in families.

Far-sightedness: People with farsightedness have a difficult time focusing their eyes on objects that are close. For instance, people with farsightedness may find it difficult to read words written in a book.

Short-sightedness: Short-sightedness is a common eye condition that causes faraway objects to appear blurred. Objects that are near can be seen clearly. 

Did you know? Myopia or nearsightedness has a higher incidence in school going children in India, especially in urban school-going children from  11 to 15 years of age. 

3. Lazy eye and squint: A fairly common eye problem in India, lazy eye condition is clinically known as amblyopia. It is when one of the eyes of the child does not develop as it should. If the child is treated sooner, it is more likely that they have a good vision.

4. Colour blindness: You would be surprised to know that 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women have colour vision problems. They find it difficult to distinguish between red, green and yellow. If you suspect your kid to have colour deficiency vision, or if there is any family history related to it, take your child to the optometrist. Although there is no way to cure or prevent this condition, knowing about the problem can help you teach your child to use colours appropriately.

When should parents take their children for a full eye examination? 

An eye test is important when:  

  • A child has any special needs
  • There is a history of eye problems such as colour blindness or lazy eye in the family 
  • The family member wore spectacles when they were children 

What are the signs of eye problems you should look for in your child?

Look for the following signs of eye problems in your child: 

  • They rub their eyes a lot
  • They have watery eyes
  • They have poor hand and eye coordination
  • The child avoids reading, writing or drawing
  • They complain about blurred vision
  • They sit very close to the TV

 

Looking for the best eye doctor in Kolkata?

To consult the best eye doctor in Kolkata for children, visit Disha Eye Hospitals or book online consultation. We have a dedicated paediatric ophthalmology department that takes care of all the paediatric eye problems, be it squint, strabismus or amblyopia. From visual acuity tests to surgical procedures, Disha Eye Hospitals offer affordable eye care.  

 

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Useful insights on blue light

Blue light is a part of the visible light spectrum; it can come from digital devices, fluorescent lighting solutions, and of course, the sun. Researchers have found that exposure to blue light at night from phones can disrupt your ability to fall asleep as blue light suppresses the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that tells us when it is time to sleep. In addition to disrupting sleep, blue light can lead to retinal stress, which can cause an early onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  As one of the best eye hospitals in Kolkata,  we have curated a list of useful insights on blue light and its effect on our health: 

Useful insights on blue light

  1. Blue light affects sleep cycle: Exposure to artificial blue light closer to bedtime can disrupt the circadian rhythm —- internal process that regulates the sleep–wake cycle. During the day, blue light from the sun has been found to help people stay focused and alert. It also boosts memory and cognitive functions. However, when a person is exposed to blue light in the evening hours, the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone, is suppressed. Harvard researchers conducted an experiment where they compared the effects in people who were exposed to 6.5 hours of blue light versus 6,5 hours of green light. It was found that blue light suppresses melatonin for about twice as long as the green light.
  2. Blue light may cause eye strain: Often many people experience discomfort after looking at digital screens. This is called digital eye strain. When looking at screens, people often blink less. Blinking keeps the eyes moistened and cleans the surface of the eyes of any debris or dirt. When one blinks less, the eyes dry up which can lead to irritated and dry eyes. The best way to protect the eyes against digital strain is to take frequent breaks and blink more often.
  3. Use devices on night mode:  Digital devices come with a night mode that reduces screen brightness, which can reduce eye strain. The night mode reduces glare and helps your eyes adjust to the surrounding light.
  4. You get more blue light exposure from the sun than any other source: People often associate blue light with digital devices whereas the largest source of harmful blue light is sunlight. A study found that higher levels of  sun exposure in teenage and early adult years were associated with early age related macular degeneration. To protect your eyes from the harmful effects of the blue light, wear sunglasses that block 100% of both UVA and UVB light. Also, it is important to wear sunglasses throughout the year , even during winters. Here is a useful read on choosing the right types of sunglasses for your eyes. 

If despite cutting back on your screen time and exposure to bright light the eye strain persists, see an eye doctor to find out the causes and the solutions to protect your vision. If you are searching for the best eye hospital in Kolkata and other cities in West Bengal, visit the nearest branch of Disha Eye Hospitals. You can also book an online consultation. 

 

 

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Retinal diseases in children: things to know

Often when people talk about retinal diseases, they assume that they are common only in adults. However, children too can suffer from retinal disorders. It is important to note here that retinal diseases in children are different from those in adults. Early diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases may help slow or stop the progression of retinal diseases that affect children. Our retina specialists in Kolkata and other branches are experts at identifying retinal diseases and they work closely with paediatric ophthalmologists to help children get the best medical and surgical care when needed. 

Retinal diseases in children

As one of the leading hospitals in Kolkata, we share with you some important things that you should know about retinal diseases: 

1. Retinopathy of prematurity: This retinal disorder primarily affects premature infants. The smaller the baby at the time of the birth, the more likely that infant is likely to develop the condition. In premature babies, the normal growth of blood vessels is disrupted because of early birth. 

Note: Any child who has retinopathy of prematurity and has undergone treatment should have regular annual eye exams even during adulthood. 

 

2. Retinal detachment: Though rare in children, retinal detachment requires immediate medical care. It usually happens when there’s a tear in the retina. The most common cause of retinal detachment is an eye or head injury.

3. Juvenile macular degeneration: Juvenile macular degeneration causes central vision loss in children and young adults. As of now, there is no treatment for juvenile macular degeneration. 

4. Retinoblastoma: Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer that starts in the retina. In rare cases, it can affect adults. 

5. Uveitis: Uveitis is a form of eye inflammation. It affects the middle layer of tissue in the eyewall. The warning signs often show up suddenly and get worse quickly. 

How are retinal diseases diagnosed in children? 

Advances in imaging technology have made it possible for children with retinal diseases to be diagnosed early. This ensures that children receive immediate and proper treatment. There are different kinds of diagnostic tests that are recommended for young children. For some tests, children may be sedated so that diagnoses can be made

Common tests that we conduct at our hospital to diagnose retinal diseases in children:  

  • Fluorescein angiography: In this procedure, a dye is injected into the bloodstream. The dye causes the blood vessels in the back of the eye to shine while a camera-like device takes images. 
  • Electroretinography: Electroretinography is a test to measure the electrical response of the eye’s light-sensitive cells. This is mostly used to check the macula which is responsible for the central vision. 
  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): This is a noninvasive imaging technology used to obtain 3D images of the retina. It gives retinal specialists a detailed 3D view of the inside of the eye. 
  • Visual field testing: A visual field test measures how much the eyes can see out of the corners. Basically, it checks for blind spots and other vision defects caused by retinal diseases.

Looking for a retina specialist in Kolkata?

We have a dedicated paediatric ophthalmology unit. To book an appointment, contact us. 

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8 Causes of Peripheral Vision Loss

Peripheral vision loss is the loss of side vision. Peripheral vision helps you see the surrounding objects without turning your head or moving your eyes. It also helps you sense motion and lets you carry various activities such as running, walking, and driving without crashing into anything. To understand more about peripheral vision, let us first give you a brief insight on the retina. 

8 Causes of Peripheral Vision Loss

2 types of cells in the retina 

There are 2 types of light-sensitive cells in the retina: rods and cones. The cones help us see colour and are concentrated in a small central area of the retina called the macula. Rods are responsible for peripheral and night vision. Loss of peripheral vision or tunnel vision typically results from eye conditions that inhibit the normal functioning of the rods. 

Symptoms of peripheral vision loss – when to see an eye specialist? 

When people suffer from moderate to severe peripheral vision loss, they feel as if they are looking down a narrow tube. Some of the other symptoms of peripheral vision loss include: 

  1. Poor night vision
  2. Blind spots
  3. Eye pain
  4. Headaches 
  5. Nausea
  6. Increased or decreased light sensitivity
  7. Change in the size of the pupils 
  8. Seeing glare around lights

If you are noticing any of these symptoms, book an appointment with an eye doctor in Kolkata. 

What causes peripheral vision loss?

Loss of peripheral vision may be the result of:

  1. Glaucoma: It is one of the most common causes of peripheral vision loss. Glaucoma causes elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Extremely high IOP results in optic nerve damage, which leads to a loss of side vision. People suffering from diabetes are at an increased risk of suffering from Glaucoma. Hence, it is important for Diabetics to visit their eye doctors regularly. If you are a diabetic and searching for the best eye doctor in Kolkata,  check our list of eye doctors – they are some of the best names in Kolkata. From reputed eye surgeons to the best retina specialist doctors in Kolkata, we have some of the leading names in our team. 
  2. Eye Stroke or Retinal Artery Occlusion: Eye strokes are caused by clots or narrowing of your retina’s blood vessels. When the blood flow to the retina is interrupted, it can result in various vision problems, including peripheral vision loss and even total vision loss. 
  3. Retinitis pigmentosa: It refers to a group of rare eye conditions caused by genetic mutations. These conditions are inherited genetically and affect the retina, resulting in night blindness, tunnel vision, and other vision problems.
  4. Cataracts:  It is a buildup of proteins in the lens, forming protein clumps. In many cases, cataract starts damaging the lens from the edges leading to peripheral vision loss. 
  5. Optic Nerve Atrophy: When the optic nerve is damaged it can affect your central vision, peripheral vision, and color vision. 
  6. Retinal Detachment: It is a painless yet serious condition that occurs when the retina separates from the back of your eye. It can be caused by tears or holes in the retina, an inflammatory disorder, Coats’ disease, or the contraction of scar tissue on the retina’s surface. Over time a detached retina can cause loss of peripheral vision. 
  7. Ocular Migraine: They happen when the blood flow to the eye is restricted. Someone who is suffering from ocular migraines can experience peripheral vision loss and other visual disturbances for a short period of time. 
  8. Papilledema: Swelling of the optic disc, called papilledema, can lead to vision problems including loss of side vision. 

How to test peripheral vision? 

Your eye doctor will perform a visual field test to check how much you can see out of the corners of your eyes. This is a simple, painless, and non-invasive procedure. 

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Everyday Habits That Are Hurting Your Vision

The eyes are major organs and they need proper care and attention. However, often people take their vision for granted – they do things that might be damaging their vision. As one of the top eye hospitals in Kolkata, we discuss with you a few everyday habits that can hurt your vision and cause eye discomfort, pain, and even eye infection. 

Everyday Habits That Are Hurting Your Vision

Habit 1: Rubbing your eyes: 

  • This may seem like a harmless thing to do, but rubbing your eyes vigorously can actually affect your eye health.
  • When you rub your eyes, there is a chance of keratoconus – which can weaken the structure of the cornea. 
  • Every day your hands come in contact with many bacteria and germs. When you rub your hands with dirty hands, you increase the risk of transferring the germs into your eyes, thus increasing the risk of eye infection.

Habit 2: Too much screen time:

  • Staring at digital screens all day can cause eye discomfort.
  • During the  Covid-19 pandemic, the digital screen timings have increased as education, work and entertainment have moved online.
  • According to a study, nearly 23% of the Indian population saw their eyesight weakening due to the increased screen time during the pandemic. The study found that in 2020, the average Indian spent around 6 hours 36 minutes staring at a digital screen. 
  • When you are spending too much time on TV, browsing the internet, or staring at your phone, you’re less likely to blink, which means your eyes can get dry, red and itchy. 
  • To avoid dry and itchy eyes, follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. 

Habit 3: Not wearing sunglasses outside

  • Extensive exposure to UV rays damages the retina, putting the eyes at the risk for eye conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, pterygium, and photokeratitis. 
  • Always buy sunglasses with UV protection.

Habit 4: Wearing old contact lenses or not storing them properly 

  • Wearing old contact lenses increases one’s risk of suffering from eye infections. 
  • Other reasons for eye infections include sharing contacts with others, sleeping in your contacts, and wearing ill-fitting contact lenses.
  • Store and keep your contact lenses in a hygienic way. Keep the case clean and replace the case every 3 months. 
  • Wearing contact lenses while showering or swimming can cause eye infections.

Habit 5: Using expired eye makeup

  • Discard expired eye makeup. Using expired or old eye makeup can lead to eye irritation and infection. 
  • Before applying an eye makeup product, always check its expiry date.

Habit 6: Skipping regular eye exams

  • Regular eye checkups can help in the early detection of eye conditions. Some eye conditions do not show any early signs and they can be detected only through comprehensive eye exams.

Note: If you are looking for a top eye hospital in Kolkata for an eye check-up, visit or book an online appointment with Disha Eye Hospitals.

Habit 7: Uncontrolled smoking

  • Smoking is injurious to health. It can cause health problems such as cancer or lung disease and can also harm your eye health. 
  • A few of the eye conditions related to smoking are glaucoma, cataracts, dry eye, and macular degeneration. Gradually quitting smoking can help save your vision as well as your overall physical health.