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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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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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Abnormal eye discharge: causes, diagnosis and treatment

You may observe a liquid-like discharge or crustiness around the edges of your eyes  after waking up in the morning. It’s quite normal – as everyone has this kind of eye discharge in the mornings.  The discharge is usually a combination of debris, mucus, oil and skin cells, which get accumulated in the corner of your eyes.   Waking up with eye discharge is considered normal. However, an eye discharge that is either yellow or green and is accompanied by eye pain and blurry vision, warrants a visit to an eye hospital.  

Abnormal eye discharge

Here, we share with you a few things that you should know about abnormal eye discharge: 

Causes of abnormal eye discharge:

  • Conjunctivitis: Eye discharge is one of the common symptoms of conjunctivitis or pink eye. In addition to  green, yellow or white eye discharge, conjunctivitis causes redness, eye pain, itchy eyes and swollen eyes. If treatment is not sought on time, it can even cause eye damage. 
  • Dry eyes: Dry eyes occur when the surface of the eyes is not lubricated properly, thus causing inflammation and irritation. At times, dry eyes can also be the reason for watery eye discharge.
  • Eye injury: Dirt, chemical substance or debris or an eye injury can cause watery discharge. See an eye doctor immediately if you notice pus or blood in the eyes after the injury. 
  • Blepharitis: Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. It causes clumpiness and stickiness around the eyelashes. 
  • Eye infections: Eye infections such as eye herpes, fungal keratitis and acanthamoeba keratitis can also cause abnormal eye discharge that could either be thick and sticky or watery and clear. 
  • Corneal ulcer: It is usually caused by an untreated eye infection or trauma to the eye. Thick eye discharge accompanied by swollen eyelids, redness and eye pain is the characteristic of this eye condition. If left untreated, a corneal ulcer can cause complete vision loss. 

Signs accompanied with abnormal discharge

  •  In addition to thick, green, or yellow-coloured discharge in the corner of the eyes, spreading across the eyelid, you might notice other symptoms like Burning eyes
  • Dry eyes
  • Blurry vision
  • Itchy eyes
  • Eye pain
  • Light sensitivity
  • Red eyes
  • Inability to open the eyes fully
  • Flu-like symptoms

Diagnosis and treatment:

Timely consultation can help eye doctors rule out the underlying cause of the abnormal eye discharge. The eye doctors will diagnose your condition and prescribe necessary medications like ointments, antibiotics and  eye drops, https://www.pittsburgheyeassociates.com/amoxil-treat-infections/.

Management of abnormal eye discharge:

Do not rub your eyes to remove the crusts or the discharge – as it can increase the risk of infection. Always keep your hands clean before applying eye ointments. You can soak a clean washcloth in warm water and then wipe the area around your eyes – it removes the discharge and also feels relaxing.

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Common Eye Infections: Causes & Symptoms

Eye infections are one of the most common eye conditions in the world. While some occur in mild forms and disappear on their own, others might worsen and lead to complications such as blurry vision and light sensitivity.

Below is a list of common eye infections one should be aware of:

1) Uveitis

Uveitis is the swelling of uvea; the middle layer of the eyes. In most cases, uveitis occurs from infection. The eye condition may occur due to other causes as well.

Uveitis occurs in a mild form, in most cases, and is not serious. Even then, it is essential to get it treated in order to lower the chances of visual blurriness. Some of the common symptoms of uveitis include eye pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, redness, and seeing floaters.

Eye Infection

If you are experiencing one or more of the above symptoms, do not neglect them, quickly get them diagnosed by an eye doctor. If you are located in Kolkata, visit your closest Disha Eye Hospital. Our eye care team is proud to have some of the best eye doctors in Kolkata. To book an appointment online, visit http://www.dishaeye.org

2) Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye) occurs when the conjunctiva suffers from swelling or inflammation. The conjunctiva is the thin membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid and the white part of the eyeball.  Viruses of common cold also cause conjunctivitis. It may occur from allergy, caused by wearing contact lenses. Other causes of conjunctivitis include reaction to eye drops, coming in contact with irritants (swimming pool chlorine, smoke, and shampoo), an allergic reaction to smoke or pollen. Apart from eye redness, excessive tearing, itchiness, and light sensitivity are some of the common symptoms of conjunctivitis.

3) Blepharitis

Blepharitis is the inflammation of the oil glands present in the eyelids. Bacterial growth on the eyelids, and the skin surrounding the eyelids, is one of the most common causes of blepharitis. Dandruff is one of the major risk factors of the eye condition.

Some of the common symptoms of blepharitis include crusty eyelashes, irritation (the feeling that something is stuck in the eye), burning sensation, eye redness, and sensitivity to light.

4) Keratitis

Keratitis occurs when there’s an inflammation on the cornea, the outer layer of the front part of the eyes. Keratitis primarily occurs from an infection; it can also result from a physical injury to the cornea. Infection-related keratitis is called infectious keratitis and non-infection related keratitis is called non-infectious keratitis.

Improper cleaning of contact lenses, and wearing contact lenses through the night could increase the risk of keratitis. Eye pain is the primary symptom of keratitis. Other keratitis symptoms include a feeling of something stuck in the eye, blurriness of vision, and sensitivity to light.

5) Sty

Sty occurs when the bacterium staphylococcus causes infection in the oil glands present in the eyelids. Sties are painful lumps that look red and form near the edge of the eyelids. In most cases, sties develop on the outside of the eyelids.  However, they may gather on the inside area of the eyelids as well.

Some of the common symptoms of sties include a red lump that looks similar to a boil or a pimple, excessive tearing, swelling of the eyelids, and pain in the eyelids.

Visit Disha Eye Hospitals for advanced eye care and treatment

The eye specialists at Disha Eye Hospitals are well trained in advanced eye diagnostic procedures. Disha offers a range of eye treatments such as laser surgery, LASIK surgery, and cataract surgery in Kolkata. Learn more at http://www.dishaeye.org/