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6 FAQs on Eye Floaters and Their Answers

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Are you one of the millions of people who experience eye floaters? If so, you may have a lot of questions about them. This blog post will answer six common questions about eye floaters. Keep reading!

1. Why do you get floaters in your eyes?

Floaters are tiny specks or strings that float in your field of vision. They’re usually harmless and don’t require treatment. Floaters are more common as you age, but they can also occur if you have certain eye conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or uveitis. 

Most of the time, floaters are nothing to worry about. However, if you experience a sudden increase in the number of floaters or see flashes of light, you should see an eye doctor immediately.

2. How do you know if an eye floater is serious?

In some cases, eye floaters can be a sign of a serious underlying condition, such as retinal detachment. If you experience any sudden onset or change in your eye floaters, it’s important to see an ophthalmologist right away and get the right eye treatment. 

In addition to eye floaters, if you’re  experiencing symptoms such as vision loss and flashes of light, you may be suffering from a serious eye condition.

3. Can floaters affect vision?

Floaters are tiny clumps of gel or cells that float in the vitreous, the clear jelly-like substance that fills your eye. Although they may be annoying, floaters usually don’t affect vision. 

In some cases, however, floaters can interfere with vision. In such cases, consult an eye doctor immediately. The best way to treat floaters depends on the cause. If a tear in the retina causes them, surgery may be necessary.

Note:  In most cases, no treatment is necessary. If floaters are caused by debris in the vitreous, they will eventually settle at the bottom of your eye.

4. Can eye floaters go on their own?

When you first notice eye floaters, it can be a bit alarming. But rest assured, they are completely harmless in most cases and will eventually go away on their own. In fact, many people never even notice them after a while.

If you’re concerned about your eye floaters, the best thing to do is see an eye doctor. They can determine if there’s anything serious going on, and if not, they can offer some advice on how to best deal with them. In the meantime, here are a few things that may help you cope:

– Try to relax. Remember that eye floaters are usually harmless and will eventually go away on their own.

– Avoid staring at them. This can actually make them appear more prominent. Instead, try to look at something else.

– Blink frequently. This can help to break up the floaters, so they’re less noticeable.

5. Can floaters cause blindness?

Floaters are usually harmless and do not cause any problems. However, in some rare cases, they can be a sign of a more serious condition such as retinal detachment and glaucoma.

6. Can floaters appear suddenly?

Yes, floaters can appear suddenly. However, they are usually not a cause for concern. If you experience a sudden onset of floaters, you should see an eye doctor to rule out any underlying conditions. 

Disha Eye Hospitals – One of the leading names in offering the best eye treatment in Kolkata and other cities of West Bengal 

Our team of specialists has the experience and expertise to provide you with the best possible care. We use the latest technology and techniques to help you regain your vision. Some of our services include cataract treatment, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma treatment in Kolkata and other cities of West Bengal. 

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Things to know about an eye strain headache

People often experience eye strain. The term is often used by people to describe symptoms such as mild pain or discomfort in the eye. Usually, eye strain occurs when your eyes get tired due to overuse, such as driving for a long period of time or staring at the computer or mobile screen for too long. This can cause discomfort.  Eye strain is also known as asthenopia or ocular fatigue. Eye strain can sometimes also trigger headaches, the severity of which depends on the cause. They are known as eyestrain headaches. 

Eye strain headaches are basically the pain behind one’s eyes. Below we share a few signs of eye strain headache:

eye strain headache

What are the signs of eye strain headache?

  • Dry eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurry vision
  • Sour eyes
  • Watery eyes
  • Neck, shoulder, or back pain

What causes eye strain?

  • Continuous use of the digital screen: Staring at a digital screen for a long period of time is the most common cause of eye strain. When you focus on the screen, you blink less often, which can lead to dry eyes and cause irritation
  • Prolonged focus on a single task: Your eyes get tired when you continually focus on a single activity for a long time, for instance, driving, reading a book or even drawing.
  • Vision problems:  You may experience eye strain if you have vision problems. When you have problems such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, your eyes work harder to see things, making the eyes tired and leading to an eyestrain headache. 
  • Bright or dim lights: If the light is too bright or too dim, it is difficult to see clearly. Trying to focus in such situations is tough, making your eyes tired and strained. 

How to prevent eye strain?

  • Follow the 20-20-20 rule:  Try to take frequent breaks when using digital screens. According to this rule, look at something at least 20 feet away for around 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
  • Avoid using digital screens in the dark: Your eyes need to do extra work when you stare at a digital screen in the dark, making your eyes tired sooner than they should. Therefore, avoid using a digital screen in the dark.
  • Blink often: Blink more than you do now.  Blinking moistens your eyes, keeping the risk of dry eyes away.
  • Keep your screen at a distance: Always your screen at least 25 inches away from your eyes and position it slightly below eye level.
  • Do not wear eye contact lenses for a longer period of time: Wearing contact lenses for a long time can cause eye irritation and strain your eyes. 
  • Adjust the brightness of your digital screen: Make sure that your screen is bright enough to not have shadows, and also not too bright that it’s hard to discern contrast.
  • Keep your surroundings clean: Keep your surroundings free from dust, which can disturb your tear ducts and lead to dry eyes.
  • Get enough sleep: Try to get around 6-8  hours of sleep. Stay hydrated and drink up liquids to avoid dry eye discomfort.
  • Wear anti-reflective lenses: The best way to save your sensitive eyes from eye strain from digital screens is to wear anti-reflective glasses. 
  • Get regular eye checkups: Weak vision can cause headaches, eye strain, and blurred vision. So, even if you don’t have any eye problems, you should visit an eye specialist and have your eyes examined at least once a year.

Looking for an experienced eye specialist? 

Getting your eyes checked by an eye specialist regularly can help stop vision problems from getting worse. As one of the reputed eye hospitals in West Bengal, we have some of the best eye specialists on board.  Our eye specialists are highly experienced and well-versed with the latest medical procedures. You can consult our eye specialist either in person or opt for online consultation. 

 

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Paediatric Refractive Errors: what you need to know as parents?

If you notice your child having trouble reading or sitting too close to the television, you should consider taking him or her to an eye doctor. These along with eye rubbing, squinting and lack of interest in school are often seen in children with refractive errors. Poor vision in one or both eyes during childhood can lead to the condition known as lazy eye that can cause long-term problems with your child’s vision. Here are some important things that you as parents should know about pediatric refractive errors and how they can be corrected:

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Importance of healthy eyes for children 

Healthy eyes and vision are extremely crucial for children. Good vision not only aids in reading, but is equally important for performance in co-curricular activities in school.

What are refractive errors?

A type of vision problem, refractive errors cause blurred vision in children as the shape of the eyes keep the light from focusing images on the retina. The most common type of refractive errors are: 

  • Farsightedness (hyperopia)
  • Nearsightedness (myopia)
  • Astigmatism

If these conditions are not corrected, they can have harmful consequences for your children.

Here we discuss in detail the common refractive errors:

Farsightedness or hyperopia

Children with hyperopia find it difficult to focus on objects close to them. However, they can clearly see faraway objects.

Symptoms: 

  • Trouble seeing objects up close 
  • Squinting the eyes a lot

Nearsightedness or myopia

Children with myopia cannot focus clearly on distant objects. Nearsightedness is the most common refractive error that is seen in children. Parents should know that young children may not be able to tell that they cannot see properly or may be they are unaware.  It is therefore important for parents to observe children and take them to an eye doctor if they are sitting too close to the TV or holding books up close in the face. 

Symptoms

  • Rubbing eyes
  • Sitting too close to the TV
  • Excess watering of eyes
  • Squinting

Causes

The length of the eyeball grows longer than usual. 

  • The cornea is too curved. 

Astigmatism

Astigmatism causes blurred distance and near vision.  In many cases, astigmatism begins in early childhood.

Symptoms 

  • Distorted vision
  • Eye strain
  • Difficulty with night vision
  • Eye rubbing
  • Trouble reading

Causes

  • Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or the lens of the eyes have an irregular curve.

How to correct the refractive errors?

Treatment for refractive errors include 

  • Prescription eyeglasses 
  • Prescription contact lenses
  • Refractive laser eye surgery

Looking for the best eye treatment in Kolkata for children?

Disha Eye Hospitals has a dedicated unit for Paediatric Ophthalmology and squint. Paediatric Ophthalmology deals with problems common to or seen in children. Our team of paediatric ophthalmologists offer the best care possible to children of all ages. 

Some of the eye conditions that our paediatric ophthalmologists and strabismologist treat include: 

  1. Paediatric strabismus
  2. Paediatric cataract
  3. Amblyopia
  4. Adult Strabismus
  5. Allergic disorders (red eye)
  6. Retinopathy of prematurity
  7. Paediatric glaucoma
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Eye Health FAQs

One of the most complex organs of the human body, your eyes are an important part of your health. They take in information and directly connect it with your brain, helping you to understand the world around you. Well, did you know that human eyes are made up of 2 million moving parts? Or the six muscles in each of the human eyes move faster than any other muscle in the body? As a leading eye hospital in Kolkata, we often receive a myriad of questions on eyes and eye health. Here we have curated a list of FAQs and their answers.

Eye health FAQs

1.What precautions should you take for the health of your eyes?

Keeping your eyes healthy is as important as keeping your body healthy. Here are a few steps you need to follow to keep your eyes healthy:

  • Eat healthy
  • Wear sunglasses under the sun
  • Wear safety eyewear while gardening, working in a factory or playing certain sports. 
  • Do not stare at computer or phone screen for too long.
  • Visit your eye doctor on regular intervals.

2. What health problems affect your eyes?

You would be surprised to know that there are a few health conditions that have no connection with your eyes per se, but can lead to eye problems. A few of them are: 

  • Diabetes: High blood sugar level can lead to several eye problems like blurry vision, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. These eye conditions can cause vision loss or blindness in people. 
  • High Blood Pressure:  High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the eyes. It can cause damage to your retina, build up fluid under it, and can also damage your optic nerve. 
  • Measles: A highly contagious virus, measles can harm the front or back of the eye, which can lead to vision loss or blindness. It can lead to conjunctivitis, keratitis, retinopathy, optic neuritis, and corneal scarring. 
  • Liver Disease: The whites of a person’s eyes become jaundiced or yellow when they have any liver disease. Most of the common symptoms of liver cirrhosis can be felt in the eyes like itchiness and dryness. 

3. How to get the best eye treatment in Kolkata?

You can visit Disha Eye Hospitals in Kolkata to consult the best eye doctors. We are committed to providing our patients with the highest possible standard of ophthalmic care in an affordable manner. Our services include cataract surgery, lasik & refractive surgery, glaucoma treatment, diagnostic and imaging services.

4. What is an eye stroke?

An eye stroke is when blood flow is blocked in the retina due to blood clot. Without proper blood flow, the retina does not get sufficient oxygen, which may lead to serious consequences. An eye stroke should be treated immediately as any delay can damage one’s vision permanently.

5. What are the symptoms if you have a cold in your eye?

The symptoms if a person has an eye cold are:

  • Reddening of eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurry vision
  • Itchiness or burning sensation
  • Watery eyes
  • Cold or flu-like symptoms

6. Which fruit is the best for the eyes?

Fruits rich in antioxidants can protect your eyes such as guava, kiwi, red berries, orange, and grapefruit.

7. How can I clean my eyes daily?

Always rinse your eyes with clean cool water for at least 15 minutes. Wash your hands before cleaning your eyes. You can do this while you are in the shower or over a sink. Finally, wipe your eyes with a clean cloth. 

8. Why do I have so many tears in my eyes?

There are several possible reasons to have watery eyes:

  • Due to allergies
  • Blocked tear ducts
  • Conjunctivitis 
  • Dry eyes
  • Problems with cornea

9. When should you see a doctor for watery eyes?

Although watery eyes clear up on their own sometimes, it may lead to serious consequences in a few cases. Seek medical help immediately if you have watery eyes with:

  • Pain or bruising around your eyes
  • Bleeding from eye
  • Severe headache
  • Reduced vision
  • Foreign particle stuck in your eyes

10. How do you stop a watery eye?

A few of the common remedies to stop a watery eye are: rinsing your eyes with water, using eye drops, removing eye irritation elements like dust and makeup from the eyes. If these don’t work, see your eye doctor who can diagnose the condition better with tests and treatment.

11. What is the best medicine for watery eyes?

Consult your eye doctor. He/she will prescribe you the right eye drops for watery eyes. If you have watery eyes due to any allergy, treat the allergies first. Your doctor may prescribe you antibiotics for infection or a surgery to clear your blocked tear ducts.

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FAQs On Eye Treatment in Kolkata

Our eye specialists are often asked questions such as why an annual eye examination is important or how diabetes affects eye health or how to avail the best eye treatment in kolkata. Here we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions on eye treatment that you might find useful:

  • Why are annual eye examinations important? Eye conditions such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma do not show any early symptoms. During a comprehensive annual eye exam, an eye doctor evaluates the health and condition of the eyes, giving you a better chance at getting the treatment at the right time. Certain conditions cannot be reversed but their progress can be slowed down with the right treatment. People suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure are often recommended to undergo frequent eye tests.
  • What is the most common eye treatment for refractive errors? Refractive errors are the most common type of vision problem. Refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and presbyopia occur when there is a problem with the shape of the cornea and it cannot focus light accurately on the retina. Eyeglasses are the simplest and safest way to correct refractive errors. Some people also get refractive surgery like LASIK surgery done to change the shape of the cornea and reduce dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses.
  • What is diabetic eye damage and can it be reversed? High blood sugar levels are not good for your overall health and your eyes are no exception. High blood sugar can lead to eye conditions such as blurry vision, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. According to a study, diabetes is the primary cause of blindness in adults. Diabetes damages the blood vessels in the retina. The damage cannot be reversed but by seeking timely treatment the condition can be slowed down.
  • How to prevent diabetic eye conditions? If you are diabetic, get a comprehensive dilated eye examination at least once a year. Control your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Try to quit smoking. If you smoke, your risk of diabetes-related eye diseases is higher. Exercising regularly is good for your eyes as it helps you keep your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check.
  • How often should a child get his/her eyes tested? Infants should have their first eye exam at six months. Young children should have their eye tests latest by age three. Here’s a useful guide for parents on scheduling paediatric eye exams. In our Kolkata branch and other branches in West Bengal, we have highly experienced paediatric ophthalmologists who can help you ensure that your child’s eyes are developing normally.
  • What are cataracts and is surgery the best treatment option? Cataract forms when the proteins in the eyes clump together causing them to cloud the lens of the eye. As the condition advances, you may have problems with reading and driving at night. Cataract surgery is the best way to remove cataracts. During the surgery, the damaged lens is replaced by an artificial one.
  • Is there a treatment for glaucoma? Glaucoma is a condition that damages the eye’s optic nerve due to increased eye pressure. The condition worsens over time and can even lead to loss of vision. Though the damage caused can’t be reversed, treatment such as prescription eye drops, oral medications, laser treatment and surgery can help slow or prevent vision loss, particularly when the condition is detected in its early stages.

If you have any doubts or concerns about your eye health, get in touch with our eye specialists at Disha Eye Hospitals. They can help you maintain good eye health by advising you the right eye treatment plan.

 

 

 

 

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Avoid digital eye strain while working from home

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people working from home has increased significantly since last year. However, this has resulted in people spending too much time in front of their digital devices, which in turn has led to an increase in complaints of eye strain and dry eyes. Staring at a screen for too long can also cause headaches, eye fatigue, shoulder pain and in some cases, deteriorated vision.

If you are working from home and are looking for useful tips to protect your eyes from too much screen time, here’s a useful read. These tips are curated by our eye doctors in Kolkata:

Avoid digital eye strain while working from home

Tip 1: Adjust the position of your screen:

The positioning of the screen of your digital device has a significant impact on your eyes. When working, make sure that the screen of your computer or laptop is just below your eye level.

Tip 2: Check the lighting of your room: 

Insufficient lighting as well as excessive lighting can put pressure on your eyes – which can cause discomfort and in some cases, vision problems. Usually lower ambient light levels are right for screen- intensive jobs. For paper-related work ( especially when the characters are small) , higher ambient light levels are recommended.

Tip 3: Don’t place the digital device too close to the eyes: 

By keeping the device close to your eyes, your eyes have to work hard to see the content. Ideally, you should keep your digital screen at least 50-100 cm away from your eyes.

Tip 4: Take frequent breaks: 

When working from home, frequent breaks are necessary as working continuously for a long period of time can affect your eyes and health. Also, taking short breaks enhances work productivity.

Tip 5: Wear computer eyeglasses: 

Computer glasses with anti-glare coating and blue light filtering can help you get relief from digital eye strain.

Tip 6: Follow the 20-20-20 rule: 

Your eyes, like the rest of the body, need regular exercise. The 20-20-20 rule is an easy exercise that you can do when working from home. After every 20 minutes, look away from your digital screen and focus on an object within 20 feet of you for 20 seconds.

Tip 7: Get your eyes examined annually:

A comprehensive eye exam is a must as it helps detect eye problems at an early age. Even if you don’t experience any change in your vision, make it a point to get your eyes checked at least once a year. Here’s a useful read on why you should be going for regular eye exams.

At Disha Eye Hospitals, we are passionate about providing world-class eye care affordable to all sections of the society. From vision correction surgery and cataract surgery to the treatment of very complex conditions, we offer a comprehensive range of services that meets everyone’s needs.

 

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Colour Blindness : Important things to know

Colour blindness is an inability to differentiate between certain colours. The condition occurs when the colour-sensitive cells in the eyes are either absent or not working the way they should. 

Colour blindness : Important things to know

As one of the leading eye hospitals in Kolkata, we share with you some useful insights on the diagnosis and treatment of colour blindness:

  • Causes of colour blindness:  When the light-sensitive cells in the retina fail to respond properly to the changes in light wavelengths, people are unable distinguish between certain colours. The lack of cones or malfunction of particular types of cones is also linked with hereditary forms of colour blindness. Besides genetics, other factors that cause colour blindness are – cataracts, eye injury, age, certain medications, optic nerve damage and exposure to harmful chemicals. . 
  • Signs and symptoms: Some people may be colour blind and still be unaware of it. If they have trouble distinguishing colours, such as traffic lights, or when reading colour-coded messages or reading materials, they become aware of the fact that they are colour blind. 
  • What does a colour blind person see? Most people with a moderate form of colour blindness are able to accurately identify 5 colours. They may have either deuteranopia (green color blindness) or protanopia (red color blindness) or tritanopia (blue-yellow color blindness).
  • Risk factors of colour blindness:                                                 The risk factors that increase the chances of colour blindness are mentioned below:
  1. Macular Degeneration
  2. Diabetes
  3. Leukaemia
  4. Glaucoma
  5. Alzheimer’s Disease
  6. Sickle Cell Anaemia
  7. Parkinson’s Disease and
  8. Regular consumption of alcohol. 
  • Diagnosis and treatment:

An eye doctor will start the diagnosis by performing a series of tests for detecting your eye condition and if or not you are suffering from colour blindness. He or she will most likely perform a thorough eye examination using specially created pictures consisting of coloured dots with different shapes or numbers hidden in them in a contrasting shade. If you’re colour blind, it’ll be difficult for you to see or identify the shapes or dots clearly. There are no definitive remedies for colour blindness unless it is due to other eye disorders or the use of certain medicines. It may be possible to improve colour vision by treating the underlying eye disease or discontinuing the use of certain medications. Contact lenses or eyewear with built-in filters are some common treatment options that the eye doctors recommend.

Consult an eye doctor if you think you’re having trouble identifying colours or if your colour vision is changing. The signs and symptoms can also be an indication of something more serious and complicated. To seek medical help at the earliest, consult the doctors of Disha Eye Hospitals. We are committed to delivering the best eye treatment in Kolkata to our patients. To book an appointment, contact us. 

Living with colour blindness: 

If you have someone in your family who has colour blindness, the following tips may help: 

  • Appropriate learning material for children:  If a child is suffering from colour blindness, the school should be informed so that appropriate learning material can be provided. 
  • Provide help: Those suffering from colour blindness should be helped tasks such as choosing clothes and choosing food items that are safe to eat. 
  • Ensure good lighting  at home: install good-quality lighting in your home to help you distinguish colours.  
  • Use technology: There many mobile phone apps available that can help identify colours.  
  • Try special tinted lenses: These lenses are worn in 1 or both eyes to help you distinguish between certain colours. They only seem to work for some people. 

 

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When is LASIK not for me?

LASIK surgery offers many benefits including improved vision, reduced dependency on eyeglasses or contact lenses and short recovery time. It is one of the most widely performed surgeries to treat refractive errors such as nearsightedness, astigmatism, and/or farsightedness. It has a high success rate. However, LASIK is not for everyone. It is for your ophthalmologist and eye surgeon to decide whether LASIK eye surgery is the right treatment for you. Generally, in order to be the right candidate for laser eye surgery, you should meet some criteria.

best eye treatment in kolkata

Over here our doctors at Disha Eye Hospitals, one of the leading eye hospitals offering the best eye treatment in Kolkata, have shared insights on when LASIK eye surgery ihttp://www.dishaeye.org/#undefineds not appropriate for an individual:

 

  • Age: If you are not an adult, you cannot undergo LASIK eye surgery. The results of LASIK surgery are permanent. However, a person’s vision changes throughout life. During the adolescent years, vision can change dramatically. LASIK is, therefore, not recommended for anyone under the age of 18.

 

  • Refractive instability: You are not a good LASIK candidate if your contact lens or glasses prescription is fluctuating. Most doctors prefer your prescription to be stable for longer than one year. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, individuals with hormonal imbalance and those who are taking medications that may cause fluctuations in vision are not advised to undergo LASIK eye surgery. A steady eye prescription for at least one year is a must.

 

  • Certain medications: Certain prescription drugs can interfere with LASIK results. For instance, certain medications for acne can cause dry eyes that are likely to increase the chances of corneal scarring, visit http://www.papsociety.org/accutane-isotretinoin/. Do let your doctor know if you are taking any prescription drugs.

 

  • General health: LASIK candidates must be in good general health. Certain health conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune disease or vein-related disease or any condition that compromises the immune response can affect the way the body heals after surgery. People with such conditions are not good LASIK candidates.

 

  • Thin cornea: During the LASIK surgery, the eye’s focusing power is changed by reshaping the cornea. A thin cornea may result in complications.

 

  • Eye diseases: LASIK eye surgery is not for you if you are suffering from eye diseases such as dry eyes, keratoconus, glaucoma, cataracts, corneal disease and retinal and optic nerve diseases. A person with dry eyes or any other eye disease has an increased risk for significant post-LASIK discomfort.

 

  • High-contact sports: Those who participate in high-contact sports such as boxing, wrestling, martial arts or other activities are often advised against undergoing LASIK. In these sports, blows to the face and eyes are a normal occurrence. Non-contact sports persons can benefit from an improved vision that LASIK surgery offers.

 

If you wish to know whether or not you are the right candidate for LASIK eye surgery, book an appointment at Disha Eye Hospital offering the best eye treatment in Kolkata. Our well-experienced doctors have performed over 1,000,000 successful surgeries.

 

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Retinopathy of prematurity: 6 things parents should know about the eye condition

Usually, eye problems become more common with age. However, there are many many eye conditions that are present from birth and can affect a child’s eyesight. One such eye condition is retinopathy of prematurity. It is a disorder that 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. As it is one of the most common causes of loss of vision in children, it is important that parents are well aware of the disease

 

 

As of one of the leading eye hospitals in Kolkata having a dedicated Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit  we share with you 6 things that you should know about retinopathy of prematurity: 

 

  1. What happens when retinopathy of prematurity occurs? The eye condition makes blood vessels grow abnormally. These vessels tend to leak or bleed, which scars the retina and cause retinal detachment  — this can cause loss of vision. 
  2. What are the causes of retinopathy of prematurity? During the normal course of pregnancy, the blood vessels start growing in the retina and by the 8th month, they fully develop. However, in the case of premature babies, the normal growth of vessels is disrupted, leading to abnormal growth. This can cause the vessels to leak and bleed and thus affecting the vision. 
  3. How is retinopathy of prematurity diagnosed? As there are no early symptoms of the eye condition, the only way to diagnose the problem is through an eye examination. 
  4. Are there different stages of retinopathy of prematurity? Yes, retinopathy of prematurity affects infants differently. The condition has been classified into 5 stages — the first stage is the mildest and the fifth stage is the most severe condition where the retina is completely detached. The infant can have a severe visual impairment and even blindness if no treatment is sought. 
  5. Can the retinopathy of prematurity cause other complications? Yes, infants born with the condition are at higher risk for developing eye problems, such as retinal detachment, myopia, amblyopia (lazy eye) and glaucoma. 
  6. What are the treatment options for retinopathy of prematurity? How the eye condition is treated depends on its severity. Some of the treatment options are: 
  • Laser surgery: This is one of the most preferred treatment options for retinopathy of prematurity. This is used for burning away the area around the edge of the retina, which has no normal blood vessels. This saves the sight in the main visual field. 
  • Injection: A medicine is injected into the eye. This might be done as an alternative to, or along with, laser surgery. This allows the blood vessels to grow more normally. 
  • Vitrectomy: For advanced cases of retinopathy of prematurity, vitrectomy is done. This complex surgery removes the vitreous (the clear gel in the eye) and replaces it with a saline solution. This prevents retinal detachment. This surgery is complex and takes several hours.

 

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

 

For paediatric eye conditions like retinopathy of prematurity, paediatric strabismus, paediatric cataract, amblyopia, and paediatric glaucoma, book an appointment with one of our eye consultants. 

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A Useful Guide To Your Child’s Eyes

Mrs Anita Banerjee had begun noticing that for several weeks now her 7-year old son was sitting too close to the TV. Her repeated scolding changed nothing and just as she was beginning to get frustrated, one day she noticed him holding a book too close to his eyes. She realised something is not right. She observed her son for a few more days only to find him struggling to do activities that needed near vision. She finally took him to Disha Eye Hospital Teghoria VIP Road. The eye doctor confirmed that her son indeed needed eyeglasses.

 

Children often find it difficult to articulate the exact difficulty they are facing, and many parents like Mrs Banerjee do not realise that just like an adult a child also needs an annual eye examination. Even though several parents make the effort to visit their paediatrician regularly, they fail to realise that visiting a paediatrician for a general checkup is not the same as visiting an eye specialist. Be it reading, writing or playing games, a child needs good eyesight to succeed and feel confident. It is, therefore, important to get your child’s eyes checked by an eye doctor regularly.

Here’s a useful guide that will help you understand better whether your kid has an  eye problem or not

 

  • Infants

The first couple of years are the most crucial in ensuring that your baby faces least vision problems as they grow. Babies are not born with all the visual abilities and they develop them as they grow older.

For the first few months of their life, they do not have very good vision. They are more sensitive to bolder colours like black and white. By the time they are 5 to 6 months, they should be able to focus their eyes on particular objects. They should also be able to track moving objects. Usually, infants are born with healthy vision but sometimes there can be problems. Till your baby turns one, he or she should be routinely screened for eye health during checkups with the paediatrician. Infants born premature and those with a family history of eye problems should get their eyes examined by a specialist. .

 

Some of the common symptoms of eye problems can be:

  • Misaligned eyes
  • White glimmer in the eyes (this can be spotted in photos)
  • Watery eyes
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Eyes not following you around in the room
  • Not tracking moving objects

 

  • 2 to 5 years

As children start going to school, they face increasing demands on their visual abilities. It is best to have your child’s vision tested before they start kindergarten or preschool. This is all the more important if the child’s siblings have vision issues. Common symptoms of eye problems:

  • Sitting close to the TV or holding a book too close
  • Squinting
  • Covering an eye
  • Frequently rubbing their eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Poor eye-hand coordination
  • Avoiding colouring activities and detailed activities

 

Even if no serious problems are identified in the child’s eyes at this stage, kids should have eye exams at least once every two years going forward. With increasing screen time, early exposure of children to mobiles, laptops and television, it is important that parents notice the small signs and act towards preventive care of their child’s eyes.

 

If you think your child is facing any of the above-mentioned problems, consult the eye doctors at  Disha Eye Hospitals and seek the best eye treatment in Kolkata. Students with eye problems often struggle with learning. Regular eye checkup will give your child a better chance at treatment. The hospital has a dedicated paediatric unit that deals with eye diseases, vision care and visual development of children.