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Glaucoma Treatment in Kolkata: Check These FAQs On Diet and Glaucoma

In general, it is important to have a varied and healthy diet for maintaining good eye health.  But those who are at the risk of developing glaucoma must include certain foods in their diet. It has been found that leafy green vegetable intake helps in reducing risk of developing glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. Those who are diagnosed with the disease can ease symptoms and slow progression by eating the right diet. 

In this blog, our experienced doctors answer some of the most frequently asked questions on diet and glaucoma: 

Question 1: Does your diet affect glaucoma?

Certain fruits and vegetables that have higher vitamin A and C can help either reduce glaucoma risk or reduce glaucoma related damage. Antioxidants present in certain fruits and vegetables reduce the oxidative stress that is associated with damage to the optic nerve in glaucoma. 

Question 2: What to eat when you have glaucoma?

1. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables brightly colored ones like sweet potatoes, spinach, melons, bell peppers, and berries are good sources of vitamins A, C, and antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin. They together protect against oxidative stress, which is linked to the optic nerve.

2. Leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables:  Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, collards, and lettuce and cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and brussels sprouts are good sources of vitamin A and C which help in improving the blood flow and regulating pressure inside the eye. 

3. Low-fat dairy products: Dairy foods such as milk and cheese are good for eye health. However, glaucoma patients should go for low-fat versions. 

Question 3: What foods should glaucoma patients avoid?

Those who have glaucoma should avoid having food items that are loaded with trans fatty acids which are linked with high cholesterol levels. High blood pressure means more damage to blood vessels in the body. This damage can occur in the eyes and can further damage the optic nerve. Any damage to this optic nerve is irreversible and therefore, glaucoma patients should avoid eating following items 

1. Food items laden with sugar such as cookies, cakes and donuts 

2. Fried items 

Question 4: Is caffeine bad for you if you have glaucoma?

Caffeine increases the eye pressure. While consuming a cup (or even two) of coffee every day is still fine, glaucoma patients should avoid drinking copious amounts of coffee. 

Question 5: Can drinking water lower eye pressure?

Staying hydrated is good for not just eye health but overall health. But when it comes to glaucoma, patients should not chug a lot of water at one go. They should sip water throughout the day as having too much  at one go can lead to elevated eye pressure.

Glaucoma cannot be cured. The lost vision caused due to it cannot be restored. As damage to the optic nerve cannot be reversed, the aim of the glaucoma treatment is to reduce further damage to the optic nerve. If detected early, a combination of laser treatment, eye drops and medication can be used to treat it. 

Looking for glaucoma treatment in Kolkata? 

As one of the leading eye hospitals in Kolkata, we, at Disha Eye Hospitals, offer affordable glaucoma treatment in Kolkata. We have some of the best eye specialists who can help diagnose and treat glaucoma. Our highly experienced eye doctors and staff ensure that you receive the best possible patient care.

 

 

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What should glaucoma patients avoid?

Glaucoma is a group of progressive optic neuropathies that damage the eye’s optic nerve which can result in vision loss and blindness. Visual problems are often a late symptom of glaucoma when the disease is already very advanced. However, with early detection and treatment, you can protect your eyesight from deteriorating. Glaucoma can occur in any population, however, those most at risk include people who 

  • are aged 40 and above
  • have diabetes 
  • have a family history of glaucoma 
  • have eye injuries

Here is a useful read on the risk factors for glaucoma. 

glaucoma treatment

Treating patients with glaucoma – glaucoma treatment in Kolkata 

The damage caused by glaucoma is irreversible but with regular eye exams and the right treatment, you can reduce the risk of glaucoma worsening at a rapid rate over time. Once detected, there are different types of treatment options for glaucoma patients. In addition to prescription eye drops, medication, laser treatment and surgery, there are several lifestyle factors that can help you manage the symptoms.

What should glaucoma patients avoid? 

1. Avoid activities that increase eye pressure:

It is recommended for patients with glaucoma to have an active lifestyle. However exercises such as bungee jumping or inverted yoga poses that put the head below the heart may cause an increase in the intraocular pressure- hence they should be avoided. You can do brisk walking and regular exercise at a moderate pace – as they can lower eye pressure. If you lift heavy weights, ask a qualified trainer to show you how to breathe properly during the exercise. 

Note: A study found that when glaucoma patients performed head-down yoga poses, the IOP rose within one minute of doing each pose.

2. Avoid unhealthy foods:

The following food items can raise intraocular pressure and can damage the optic nerve – hence, it is important for you to reduce their consumption: 

  • Trans-fats raise your “bad” cholesterol and also lower your “good” cholesterol. A diet laden with trans fats can damage blood vessels which can harm the optic nerve. Avoid food items high in trans-fats such as cakes, cookies, biscuits, rolls, french fries, and fried chicken. 
  • Saturated fats such as butter, cheese, coconut oil, biscuits, sausages, bacon, and fatty cuts of meat cause the Body Mass Index (BMI) to increase. A high BMI is associated with high intraocular. 

Note: Instead of food items high on trans-fats and saturated fats, choose foods rich in complex carbohydrates such as oats, legumes, brown rice, whole grain pasta, broccoli, leafy greens, apples and berries. They take longer to digest and cause the blood sugar levels to rise slowly which is important because fluctuations in blood sugar levels in those with glaucoma can cause IOP to increase. 

3. Avoid sleeping with your eye against the pillow

If you are suffering from glaucoma, sleep in the right position. Do not sleep in a position where your eyes are against the pillow or your arms. 

Schedule your eye appointment today 

At Disha Eye Hospitals, our eye doctors are here to guide you and help you maintain good vision and healthy eyes. To know more about glaucoma treatment in Kolkata and other branches, visit here 

 

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Angle Recession Glaucoma: check out these insights curated by some of the best doctors in Kolkata

 

Angle Recession Glaucoma develops after an injury or trauma to the eye. In this type of glaucoma, the tissue in the eye’s angle is damaged, resulting in elevated pressure within the eye. This elevated eye pressure eventually damages the optic nerve resulting in angle recession glaucoma. Though this condition cannot be cured, there are many treatment options available to prevent loss of vision, if the condition is diagnosed early. Glaucoma can cause irreversible damage to your vision. Here are useful insights curated by some of the best eye doctors in Kolkata on angle recession glaucoma and what can be done to treat the condition: 

Glaucoma

 

Insight 1: An eye injury can lead to angle recession glaucoma 

When the eyes are healthy, clear fluid in them flows around the front part and drains through tiny canals near the outer edge of the iris. This spot is called the ‘drainage angle’. This continuous drainage of fluid keeps the pressure inside your eye at a healthy level. However, an eye injury can cause the fluid to build up – as a result, there is an increase in pressure inside the eye. This increasing pressure can damage the optic nerve causing blurry vision and light sensitivity.  However, not every injury leads to angle recession glaucoma. 

Insight 2: A blunt trauma is the most common cause of angle recession glaucoma 

A blunt trauma is the most common cause of angle recession glaucoma. Some of the most common types are: 

  • Sports injuries such as getting punched or elbowed in the eye or hit with an object in the eye
  • Car accidents that cause facial trauma
  • Physical assault
  • Severe falls
  • Industrial injuries

Insight 3: There may not be early warning signs 

There are no early signs of glaucoma. And, it is the same with angle recession glaucoma. The high eye pressure slowly damages the fibres in the optic nerve. By the time you will notice any change in vision, the condition would have worsened. Loss of peripheral vision is one of the most common symptoms of angle recession glaucoma. 

Angle recession glaucoma can develop even years after the injury. Some people even forget about the injury by the time glaucoma develops. It is, therefore, important to schedule annual eye exams with an ophthalmologist. This is all the more important if you have suffered an eye injury. You will be screened for angle recession and timely treatment can be started to protect your vision.  

Insight 4: For diagnosis, eye pressure and drainage angle needs to be checked 

The two most common tests that your ophthalmologist will conduct to check for glaucoma are — tonometry and gonioscopy. Tonometry is done to determine the pressure inside the eye while gonioscopy helps to check the drainage angle of the eye. The eye doctor may also ask you to get 

a visual field test to check the peripheral vision for losses you may not have noticed yourself. 

Insight 5: Glaucoma damage cannot be reversed but more vision loss can be prevented

The damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed. However, by seeking  timely treatment, further damage can be slowed. The severity of the eye injury will decide the course of treatment. Some of the treatment options are: 

  • Medication: Prescription eye drops medications lowers the amount of fluid and, thus, lower eye pressure. Usually, eye doctors prescribe the medications and monitor the eye pressure every month. 
  • Laser treatment: Laser treatment may be recommended when the medications are not effective at lowering excessive eye pressure. 
  • Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be suggested. During the surgery, a new opening in the white of your eye is created. This opening allows fluid to drain and this reduces eye pressure. 

Insight 6: To prevent angle recession glaucoma, protect your eyes from injuries 

Angle recession glaucoma may not be entirely preventable in every case. But you can reduce the risk by taking certain precautions such as wearing safety glasses when working with tools or when you play sports. 

 

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Eye Diseases and Eye Laser Treatment: A Useful Guide

India has one of the highest number of visual impairment cases in the world. In a recent study conducted by AIIMS New Delhi, it was found that nearly 25 per cent of people above the age of 60 years suffered from visual impairment. In addition to cataract, a number of other eye diseases are becoming increasingly common in India.

Certain eye diseases occur with age whereas others are hereditary. Over here we discuss how different eye diseases can be treated with eye laser treatment.

1.Cataract – When the clear lens located behind the pupil and iris get clouded, one complains of blurred vision. If left untreated, the lens will turn opaque, which means the patient can go blind. Symptoms of cataracts include: hazy vision, double vision, increased sensitivity to light and glare, trouble seeing at night and frequent changes in the glasses/lenses prescription. Cataracts can normally be cured with a surgery where the cloudy lens is replaced with an artificial plastic lens.

eye laser treatment

The latest and one of the most smooth ways of treating Cataracts is through the Femto laser cataract removal, which is a blameless and higher precision surgery. At Disha Eye Hospitals, we offer femtosecond laser cataract treatment with the most cutting-edge technology.

Glaucoma – It’s a group of diseases which damage the optic nerve at the back of the eyes. There are several types of glaucoma and amongst them open- angle glaucoma is themost common glaucoma type. There are usually no early warning signs of open-angle glaucoma. It starts slowly and gradually damages the optic nerve. The loss of sight caused due to this type of glaucoma is gradual. It can be controlled using eye drops and medications. When medications do not work, open-angle glaucoma is treated by laser. In many cases, where eye drops can’t be used, the laser treatment is often the first mode of therapy. With the laser surgery, Intraocular pressure can be reduced.

2.Refractive errors: They are one of the most common types of vision problems. They are caused by irregularity in the size and shape of the eyes. The main types of refractive errors are myopia, hypermetropia, presbyopia and astigmatism. Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is the inability to see distant objects clearly. Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, occurs when one can see the distant objects clearly but find it difficult to see the nearby objects. In astigmatism, people have problems seeing objects that are near and far away. In presbyopia, you find it difficult to focus up close. At Disha Eye Hospitals, we offer femto laser for refractive surgery – it’s also known as bladeless lasik as it uses laser for splitting the corneal layer. To know more about our laser eye treatment, visit here

 

How do you know whether laser surgery is right for you or not?

 

Well, there are several conditions that your eye doctor or eye surgeon will talk to you about. Some of these conditions are:

 

  • You should not be pregnant or nursing
  • Your eye prescription should be stable
  • Your overall health condition should be good
  • You should not be on certain prescription medicines

 

When you select Disha Eye Hospitals for laser eye treatment, you can rest assured that you or your loved one will receive the best quality treatment and care, https://buyzolpideminsomnia.com. We use advanced laser equipment to provide supreme accuracy in our eye treatments. With 15+ branches, 90+ doctors and 1,000,000+ successful surgeries we pride ourselves on delivering the best experience and treatment results when it comes to eye health care.

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Managing Depression And Anxiety In Glaucoma Patients

Glaucoma is often referred to as the silent thief of vision as it would not signal any warning. In India, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness. At least 12 million people in India are affected by glaucoma and nearly 1.2 million people, left blinded. The most alarming fact about glaucoma is that more than 90 percent of the cases remain undiagnosed. Which is why regular eye examinations are considered essential in order to detect the condition early, and begin the treatment before it matures. Following the diagnosis, patients are often overcome with difficult emotions; ranging from fear, anxiety to hopelessness. We shall discuss a few points for the family members and caregivers of glaucoma patients to keep in mind:

glaucoma treatment in Kolkata

1. Choose your words with empathy

It is crucial for the caregivers and family members to stand as beacons of wellness and positivity. The patients are already in a state of shock, and are extremely sensitive to their surroundings. Therefore, whatever is to be said will have to be carefully chosen. It obviously does not mean that you should provide them with a false sense of hope, but keep reminding them that with proper treatment and obedience to the instruction, glaucoma could be managed. This approach might help them to remain strong, and take their medications diligently, coping with the situation in an efficient manner.

2. Help them to learn more about the condition

Learning more about their condition could help them deal with the situation in a better way. You may start by discussing more with your eye doctor, or getting in touch with other patients regarding glaucoma and learn their mechanisms of coping.

3. Therapeutic counselling

When you are aware of a blinding condition, it is only natural to feel helpless, anxious, and depressed. If nothing seems to aid, it is best to seek professional help. Encourage family members suffering from glaucoma to try therapeutic counselling from a specialist. The counselling sessions are based on individual needs and address specific issues faced by individual patients.

4. Adjustment classes

If your loved one has reached an advanced stage of glaucoma, engaging in simple activities such as changing clothes, or eating meals may seem challenging. There are many associations and training centres in India that assist people with visual impairment develop necessary skills to work competitively and live independently. Such classes also impart teaching by using different tools to help them in gaining confidence, and pursuing their professional and personal goals.

There are a number of low vision tools that can help the patient improve their vision. These are:

  • Reading Prisms
  • Magnifying glasses
  • Telescopic glasses
  • Hand magnifiers
  • Lenses that can filter lamp

All these tools are stronger than regular eyeglasses. These devices are handheld and are easy to use. Non-optical aids include clocks and watches with high contrast, phones and watches with enlarged numbers, and text reading software installed on phone or computer.

5. Reach out to people:

Glaucoma patients suffering from depression tend to detach themselves from others. Reaching out to them, or simply put, affection from friends and family could help them overcome depression, visit https://www.pharmacybc.com/xanax-alprazolam/. Families need to be more inclusive, affectionate, considerate and encouraging. Encourage them to take part in social activities, adventures, and do all the things that they used to, before the diagnosis. Do not let Glaucoma consume their past self, or curb their activities.

6. Regular visits to the eye hospital

Regular visits to the eye hospital are important to check the Intraocular pressure (IOP) and monitor the extent of the nerve damage.

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Living With Glaucoma: Do’s And Don’ts

Glaucoma is a common eye disorder that could damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness if left untreated. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, there are several things to do and several things to avoid in order to keep your eyes healthy. Besides following your prescription, we would suggest you abide by certain rules, to effectively manage glaucoma.

Glaucoma Treatment in Kolkata

Do’s

1. Movement

Daily physical activity and regular exercise could help to keep the blood flowing into the nerves of your eyes and also lower the eye pressure. You should consult your eye doctor before starting a physical routine as certain exercises might increase pressure.

2. Eat healthy

Add healthy food items to your diet. Maintaining a healthy diet will prevent your glaucoma from getting worse and keep your eyes and body healthy. Add food items that are rich in high antioxidants to your diet to manage the condition.

3. Protect your eyes

When playing contact sports or working outside, put on protective eyeglasses. Wear goggles while swimming. Use non-allergic hypoallergenic cosmetics. Make sure to avoid cosmetics that have expired. Your eyes could be sensitive to glare when you have glaucoma. Make sure you use anti-glare glasses.

4. Drink fluids slowly

Do choose your beverages carefully. Do not drink fluids a lot at once. It may strain your eyes. Have less than a quarter at once and sip small amounts.

Don’ts

1. Smoke

You need to keep your health in check as nicotine can worsen your glaucoma. Smoking raises eye inflammation and blood pressure. This, in turn, may increase the chances of cataracts and diabetes.

 2. Follow a sedentary lifestyle

To increase the blood circulation in your eyes, you need to maintain a healthy exercise routine. Therefore, do not give in to a sedentary lifestyle that may worsen the pressure and fluid volume inside your eyes. Proper exercises could help to manage eye pressure and regulate the fluid volume in your eyes, preventing the progression of the disorder. Engaging in physical activities helps to prevent the development of the advanced stages of glaucoma, to an extent.

3. Rub your eyes

The medicine of glaucoma and its effects may make your eyes itchy but you need to fight the urge to rub your eyes. Avoid scratching and rubbing your eyes as it could make things worse.

4. Eat trans fatty acid rich foods

Eating foods that are high in trans fatty acids may cause damage to your optic nerve. Keep away from foods like cakes, cookies, French fries, donuts and other baked and fried items which may worsen your glaucoma. Look for foods rich in “partially hydrogenated oils” to identify foods rich in trans fatty acids when shopping for groceries.

Glaucoma cannot be fully cured, however, it can be managed effectively. You are required to embrace a healthy lifestyle to prevent the disease from getting worse. Disha Eye Hospitals, one of the best eye hospitals in Kolkata, is dedicated to providing quality eye care, with a team of best eye specialists on board, specialised in treating eye conditions such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and corneal diseases. Visit http://www.dishaeye.org/ to know about Disha’s cataract surgery cost in Kolkata.

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Risk Factors For Glaucoma

Everybody runs at a certain risk of glaucoma, irrespective of their age, gender, and health. However, there are several factors that put you at an increased risk of developing eye condition. While it is not possible to entirely prevent glaucoma, you could lower the risk by identifying and avoiding these major factors:

glucoma-symptoms

1) Being over 40 and above
Touching the age of 40 significantly increases your risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma as well as primary angle-closure glaucoma. With age, the drainage pathways of the eye fluids weaken, which cause eye pressure to increase and lead to the onset of primary open-angle glaucoma. Older age increases the risk of primary angle-closure glaucoma as the lens thickens with age and increases eye pressure by narrowing the angle between the cornea and iris.

If you are 40 or above, you must get your eyes checked on a regular basis as glaucoma doesn’t show early symptoms, and it could be hard to detect during the early stages. A visit to an eye doctor would mean that your eyes will be thoroughly examined which would help to identify the early symptoms.

If you live in Kolkata and want to consult with a well-qualified eye doctor in the city, visit one of Disha’s eye hospital branches in Behala, Barrackpore, Gariahat, Sinthi, or VIP Road. As one of the leading eye hospitals, Dishaboasts of some of the best eye specialists in Kolkata who are well-versed with advanced diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and other serious eye conditions. To book an appointment online, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/organic/.

2) Family history of glaucoma
If you have a family history of glaucoma, you stand at an elevated chance of primary angle-closure glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma, ocular hypertension, and pigmentary glaucoma. However, having a history also means that an eye doctor can assess your family’s glaucoma history information and detect the early onset of the glaucoma type.

3) Physical eye injuries
Physical injury to the eye is another crucial risk factor for glaucoma. Physical injuries (e.g. being hit in the eye) could narrow the drainage angle and increase pressure in the eyes. Physical trauma could also cause internal bleeding in the eyes which can contribute to an increase in intraocular pressure. If you are suffering from a physical injury in your eye, be sure to seek medical help from an eye doctor.

4) Eye-related problems
Central corneal thickness is one of the major risk factors of glaucoma. Thickening of the cornea causes ocular hypertension which increases the risk of glaucoma. Other eye problems that increase the risk of glaucoma include eye inflammation, eye tumors, and retinal detachment. Consulting with an eye specialist at the earliest can help you control and treat your eye condition and lower the risk of complications, including glaucoma.

5) Poorly-managed diabetes
Diabetes that isn’t well-managed, causes diabetic retinopathy which increases the risk of glaucoma. Diabetic Retinopathy involves abnormal blood vessel growth impairing the fluid drainage function and increasing eye pressure. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, get an early diagnosis at Disha to lower the risk of diabetic retinopathy. You can consult Disha’s retina specialists in the city.

Visit one of Disha’s eye hospital branches in Kolkata for advanced eye care
Disha Eye Hospitals are committed to providing proper eye care through advanced medical technologies. Its affordable eye care services help people from different economic groups to avail of high-quality eye care. Learn more about Disha’s eye care services at http://www.dishaeye.org/.

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Tests That May Detect Age-Related Eye Problems

As you age, so do your eyes. If you above 50 years old, then an annual eye examination should be part of overall health checkup. Those of you who have high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of eye diseases, should see an eye doctor twice in a year. Vision problems can develop due to age-related issues as well as medical conditions. The best way to save your eyes is to detect issues early with regular eye examinations before the eye conditions reach an advanced stage. In between examinations, if you notice any change in your vision, contact an eye specialist at the earliest.

eye test

Keep your eyes healthy in your golden years with Disha Eye Hospitals

Untreated age-related eye changes can harm vision and eventually, adversely affect the quality of life. A delay in eye examination may end in unfortunate consequences. If you are above 50, it’s better to get a regular eye examination done before an eye disease sneaks up on you. For test and treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy in Kolkata, consult eye doctors at Disha Eye Hospitals, best eye hospital in West Bengal. Early detection of an eye disease means timely medical attention. Visit http://www.dishaeye.org/contact-us to schedule an appointment.

Eye tests that the elderly need:

As you age, it’s time to be proactive about your eye health and monitor any changes in your vision. Read on to learn about common eye tests that the elderly people should get to keep track of their eye health:

  1. Eye pressure testing (tonometry): This test checks the pressure inside your eyes. High pressure inside your eyes can damage the optic nerve of the eyes. This test helps the doctor see if you have Glaucoma or you are you’re at risk for glaucoma. As the symptoms of Glaucoma only show up once the disease has reached an advanced age, it’s important to detect the disease early. Early detection can help you slow down vision loss.

  2. Dilated retinal examination: A dilated retinal examination can help spot many eye health problems and diseases like Diabetic Retinopathy and Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Pupil dilation is very important at revealing the status of your optic nerve and the health of the retina. The test is critical to detecting retinal diseases that could be potentially dangerous. It is recommended that people above the age of 50 years should have an annual, comprehensive, dilated eye examination. If left untreated, both Diabetic Retinopathy and Age-Related Macular Degeneration can cause severe vision loss in elderly people.

  3. Slit lamp (microscope): A slit lamp test uses a high-power biomicroscope to give the doctor a 3D view of different structures in the eye. It offers the doctor a magnified view of the retina and other structures in the back of the eye. It helps to detect a range of eye diseases like retinal detachment, cataracts, macular degeneration, and bleeding in the eye. It can also spot eyelid disease, cancerous changes and other problems in the eyes.

  4. Refraction: Refraction is part of a routine eye examination. It helps the doctors determine the prescription for eyeglasses you need to see properly. The test helps to detect refractive errors astigmatism, farsightedness, nearsightedness and presbyopia. Changes in your prescription can also help the doctors to detect conditions like diabetes and cataracts.

Everyone who is over 50 years of age should visit an eye specialist for a comprehensive dilated eye exam every year. Even if you aren’t experiencing any vision problems, you should get an annual eye checkup done as many eye diseases have no early warning signs or symptoms. Schedule an eye exam with highly experienced eye specialists at Disha Eye Hospitals. Our eye specialists and eye surgeons make sure that you and your family members receive the best eye care possible. Learn more about the eye hospital at http://www.dishaeye.org/history.