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Are Sunglasses Good for Children?

If there’s one activity that children love to do, it’s playing out in the sun. Outdoor activities are essential during the formative years of a child. Alas, being exposed to the sun for a long period has its disadvantages. Overexposure increases the risk of eye complications such as pterygium (surfer’s eye) and photokeratitis (snow blindness). Wearing sunglasses could protect their eyes against the harmful rays of the sun.

Here’s why sunglasses are good for children:

Children are more susceptible to ultraviolet eye damage

Compared to adults, children stand at a greater risk of eye damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays present in sunlight. The fluids, lens and cornea are clearer in children’s eyes, as a result of which, they permit more sunlight.

Are sunglasses good for children

Prolonged exposure to the UV rays increases the risk of a number of eye complications in adults as well as children. They are:

  • Pterygium: Is a benign growth of a fleshy, pinkish tissue in the conjunctiva, the outer white part of the eyes. If left untreated, Pterygium can worsen, cover the pupils, and lead to vision impairment

  • Pinguecula: A couple of small non-cancerous growths develop on the conjunctiva. The growths have a yellowish appearance and look like raised patches

  • Photokeratitis: This eye complication arises when UV rays damage the outer surface of the cornea. Some of the symptoms of Photokeratitis include redness, sensitivity to bright light, frequent tearing, and swelling of the eyes

  • Cataract: Cataracts occur when protein in the lens starts forming clumps. With time, the protein clumps grow in size and cloud the lens which, in turn, leads to vision impairment. Disha Eye Hospitals has won acclaim for performing high-quality cataract surgeries in Kolkata.

How to choose the right sunglasses for your children?

While choosing sunglasses for your little ones, it’s best not to restrict your choice to shape/ colour alone. Always search for the pair that come with UVA and UVB protection. Your eye doctor could guide you in choosing the right pair for yourself and your children.

Other important eye safety tips:-

Apart from advising your children to wear sunglasses, you could take other measures to ensure more safety from the harmful UV rays:

  • Wearing sun hats: Prolonged exposure to UV rays increases the risk of eyelid cancer. Although UV sunglasses protect the eyes, they do not sufficiently cover the skin surrounding the eyes. You could encourage your little ones to wear sun hats for an extra cover.

  • Drinking plenty of water: Another very important precaution would be to urge your children to drink plenty of water. Tears can evaporate quicker than usual in the sun, leading to a feeling of grittiness or even dry eyes. Drinking water is a good habit that would keep the eyes hydrated.

Schedule an eye checkup for you and your family

You can now consult with one of the best eye doctors in Kolkata at Disha Eye Hospitals if you’re interested in planning an eye safety routine for yourself and your children. Schedule an appointment online at http://www.dishaeye.org/organic/.

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Eye Floaters: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Small spots of irregular shapes seen floating in our field of vision, especially when looking at a bright source, such as a clear blue sky or a white paper are identified as floaters.

Although eye floaters are not a grave matter, they indicate the presence of an underlying eye condition that could prove to be direful. Frequent appearances of unusual shapes call for immediate attention.

Our eye care team at Disha Eye Hospital, one of the top eye hospitals in Kolkata, would assist you in receiving a genuine diagnosis of your eye health (general or otherwise) and take the right actions to improve it. Book an appointment online with one of our best eye specialists at http://www.dishaeye.org/organic/.

Eye floaters: causes, symptoms and treatment

Types of eye floaters:

Eye floaters could be of various shapes, including:

  • Rings
  • Cobwebs
  • Thread-like strands
  • Squiggly lines
  • Gray or black dots

Eye floaters could be a symptom preceding a number of eye problems. These include:

  • Eye tumours
  • Inflammation of the retina
  • Inflammation of the vitreous
  • Torn retina
  • Detached retina
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
  • Trauma to the eye
  • Crystal-like deposits in the vitreous

Causes of eye floaters:

In most cases, eye floaters occur with age. Eye floaters are small protein flecks (collagen) that are a part of the vitreous, a gel-like layer in the back of the eye. With age, the protein flecks in the vitreous start forming clumps as they begin to shrink and shred. Gradually, they form shadows in the retina which are named floaters.

Factors that increase the risk of eye floaters:

There are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing eye floaters. The usual ones are:

  • Age– In most cases, people start seeing floaters in their vision as they age. If you are aged 50 and above, it’s important to take proper care of your eyes and visit an eye doctor every 6 months to lower the risk of complications.

  • Eye injury – Sustaining a serious eye injury early or later in life increases the risk of eye floaters. If you have suffered an eye injury, make sure you get it properly treated by an eye doctor to lower the possibilities of eye floaters and infections.

  • Refractive error– You stand at a higher risk of developing eye floaters if you have nearsightedness. Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is a refractive error in which distant objects appear blurry while close objects appear clear.

If you are encountering difficulty in seeing distant objects with clarity, you may have myopia. Our eye care team could carry out an accurate diagnosis of your refractive error through a simple refractive test and help you correct your vision, either through prescribed eyeglasses/contact lenses or through LASIK surgery.

Equipped with advanced technology, Disha Eye Hospital offers affordable eye treatments for cataract, corneal eye diseases, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, squint, and uveitis.

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8 Common Signs of Vision Problems

Are you suffering from severe or sudden eye pain? Are you having a blurred or hazy vision? If yes, then you may ignore these signs as they may indicate that you have vision problems. Many people often live with poor vision without realising that they would benefit from vision correction. By putting off a visit to the doctor, you are putting your vision at risk. As soon as you notice any change in your vision or your eyes are paining, it’s time to see an eye doctor. Just like an annual physical examination, it’s equally important to have regular eye examinations. If you are suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and have a family history of eye diseases, then you should get your eyes checked twice in a year.

Book an appointment online with the best eye doctors in Kolkata to keep your eyes healthy

If you are suffering from dizziness and headaches, don’t ignore them. Consult the best eye doctors in Kolkata at Disha Eye Hospitals, to know if the symptoms you are experiencing are not signs of underlying eye diseases. It is advisable to get your eyes checked at least once a year. To book an appointment online with the best eye doctors in Kolkata, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/contact-us.  You can also book an appointment through WhatsApp (9433311111).

8 common signs of vision problems

Here are a few common signs of vision problems that you must watch out for:

  1. Blurred vision: If you are you finding it difficult to get a clear view, then you must visit an eye doctor. The blurred vision can be a sign of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Prescription glasses can help you see better. However, sudden blurriness is a cause of concern. It can be a sign of underlying eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma that show symptoms only after the diseases have advanced.

  2. Pain in the eye: Often people experience pain in the eye. In some cases, it can be harmless as it can be due to tiredness. In some cases, it’s an indication of problems like corneal abrasion, conjunctivitis, and dry eyes. All these can be cured with the right treatment. However, eye pain caused due to glaucoma and optic neuritis should not be ignored.

  3. Difficulty seeing at night: If you are not comfortable driving at night or you need extra light to read at night, let your doctor know about this. Difficulty seeing at night can be caused by a variety of reasons. From sun exposure to cataracts, a wide range of issues can make it hard to see at night.

  4. Frequent headaches: Frequent headaches: A headache can sometimes be a sign that your vision is changing. Eye strain, farsightedness and Presbyopia can cause severe headache or frequent headaches. Therefore, recurring headaches should always be taken seriously.

  5. Double vision: Double vision can happen for many reasons. While drinking too much alcohol can also cause short-term double vision,  double vision that keeps coming back is of grave concern. Cataract, corneal irregularities and eye conditions can cause double vision.

  6. Eye fatigue: Spending too much time on a computer, smartphone, or game console can cause eye fatigue, also called digital eye strain. This quite common among adults and children who spend a lot of time either working on a computer and other digital devices.

  7. Seeing halos and glare: If you are seeing halos and glares, then you must see a doctor at the earliest. Halos and glares indicate that vision problems are preventing light from correctly on the retina.

  8. Floaters and specks: It’s common to see floaters and specks when you are exposed to too much sunlight and you suddenly enter a dark place. However, if you frequently see floaters and specks especially on blank surfaces like a white wall or the sky, then it may be a symptom of a vision problem.

If you fear that you have an eye problem, schedule an eye exam with us as soon as you can. At Disha Eye Hospitals, we have highly experienced ophthalmologists who can help you with the right treatment for different kinds of eye problems. Disha Eye Hospitals are the best for cataract surgery in Kolkata. To know more about us, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/.

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Difference Between Cataracts and Glaucoma

Difference between cataracts and glaucoma

Cataracts and Glaucoma are two of the most serious eye complications. Both the degenerative eye diseases occur as the natural part of the aging process and cause vision impairment. However, the eye diseases have stark differences in between them.

Let’s uncover the key differences between these two serious eye complications to get a clear picture: 

1) Symptoms: While symptoms including eye pain and vision blurriness are common in both eye complications, the other symptoms that are different:

Cataracts:

  • Double vision in the single eye
  • Yellowing of colours
  • Clouded vision
  • Appearance of cloudy formation on eyes’ lens area
  • Lowered vision in dimly lit areas

Glaucoma:

  • Seeing coloured rings around lights
  • Sudden disturbances in vision
  • Eye redness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Book an eye test online:

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make sure to seek medical advice. We, at Disha Eye Hospital, have a team of some of the best eye specialists in Kolkata. Book an appointment online at http://www.dishaeye.org/appointment and get a proper diagnosis of your eye health.

2) Causes:- 

The way Cataracts and Glaucoma cause vision loss are completely different from each other, and so are the factors that cause them.

Cataracts: The eye complication occurs when the eye lenses become stiffer, start breaking down, and form clumps as you age. As the eye disease progresses, the clumps become denser and start clouding the lens. This, in turn, obstructs light to completely pass through and reach the retina which results in blurred vision. Cataracts can either develop in one eye or both eyes. In cases where cataracts form in both eyes, the clouding of the lens is not even.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma occurs when the intraocular pressure (IOP) increases above normal levels and damages the optic nerve. The IOP increases when the fluid (aqueous humour) in the front of the eye builds up when it is not drained as properly as it should.

As the IOP increases with time, more damage is done to the optic nerve, which, in turn, leads to gradual vision impairment.

3) Vision loss restoration:-
As discussed above, both the eye diseases cause vision loss. However, vision loss can be restored and reversed only in Cataracts and not in Glaucoma.

Cataract: Cataract surgery, the go-to treatment option for cataracts, involves replacing the clouded lens with an artificial lens. Before the surgery, the doctor takes into account the refractive error of the patient to choose an artificial lens accordingly to correct the vision.

Glaucoma: The goal of treatment options for Glaucoma, including eye drops and surgery, is to reduce and stop vision loss from worsening by lowering IOP. Depending on the severity of your Glaucoma, the eye doctor may start treatment by prescribing eye drops or schedule a surgery.

4) Prevention

Both Cataracts and Glaucoma cannot be entirely prevented. However, you can take certain steps to lower the risks. Some of these include:

  • A healthy and balanced diet:

    Eating healthily is key to maintaining good eye health and lowering the risk of complications. Add green vegetables, colourful fruits, fresh eggs, and lean fish and meat to your diet to make sure you get proper nutrition intake.

  • Regular exercise: 

Exercising regularly helps improve blood circulation in the eyes. Another key benefit of regular exercise is it helps you maintain healthy body weight. Being overweight and obese increases the risk of diabetes which, in turn, can cause a vision-threatening eye disease known as Diabetic Retinopathy.

Consult best retina specialists in Kolkata

If you are suffering from diabetes, you are at an increased risk of Diabetic Retinopathy. Our team of some of the best retina specialists in Kolkata can guide you on taking important steps to lower the risk.

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Cataract Facts: You Must Know Them for an Effective Treatment

Cataract facts: You must know them for an effective treatment

After going through the facts listed below, you’ll have more understanding of the eye complications related to cataract and learn about ways to get it properly treated.

1. There’s not just one but different types of cataracts.

The different types of cataracts include:

Age-related: the type of cataract which is common amongst older people.

Traumatic: the type of cataract that form after an eye injury.

Congenital: the type of cataract that is common in newborn babies. Poor development in the womb, injury, and infection are some of the common causes.

Secondary: the type of cataract that results from other medical conditions like diabetes and other factors such as radiation and ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.

2. Common symptoms of cataracts:-

Some of the common symptoms of cataracts include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Seeing halo around lights
  • Double vision
  • Impaired distance vision
  • Poor night vision
  • Glare

3. Symptoms not typical of cataracts:-

It’s common to misidentify symptoms and think that you have cataracts. But in reality, you might have some other vision problems. This can result in the delay in diagnosis or wrong self-care measures. Symptoms that are unlikely to be associated with cataracts include:

  • Eye discharge
  • Eye redness
  • Eye irritation
  • Excess mucus
  • Eye pain
  • Tearing

4. Advanced age is one of the most important risk factors:-

People who are aged 60 and above are at the highest risk of developing cataracts. With age, the protein fibres in the eyes form clumps and start clouding lens, affecting vision.

5. Eye exam is the go-to diagnosis procedure for doctors:-

Eye doctors conduct a comprehensive eye exam to get a proper diagnosis of the eye condition. The eye exam involves a thorough check of the lens; the doctors do this by dilating the pupils.

6. Can cataracts be prevented?

There’s no proven way to prevent cataracts. However, since the eye condition is common in older adults, it’s crucial to have an annual eye exam for early diagnosis and treatment.

7. You can lower your risk of cataracts:-

Avoiding risks factors such as prolonged exposure to UV rays, smoking, and excessive drinking can help you lower your risk of cataracts.

8. Cataract does not spread from one eye to the other:

There’s a common misconception according to which cataracts can spread from one eye to the other.

9. Your sunglass can be your best friend in lowering cataract risk:-

Choose a pair of sunglasses that has UV protection and wear it whenever you spend time outdoors, in the sunlight.

10. The single-best treatment for cataracts:-

Cataract Surgery is the most effective way to treat the eye condition. The eye surgery involves removal of the natural, clouded lens and replacing them with an artificial one.

11. There may be chances of your refractive error improving after cataract surgery:-

Prior to conducting the surgery, the surgeon will conduct a refraction test to choose an intraocular lens of the right power to give you the best possible vision.

Want to do cataract surgery? Visit Disha Eye Hospital and consult our experienced eye specialists

Do you have cataract? Or are you concerned about your loved one who’s suffering from the eye condition? Get a quality treatment for cataract at Disha Eye Hospital. Our eye specialists can conduct a precise diagnosis and conduct a surgery.

At Disha Eye Hospital, we are committed to providing the best eye care solutions at affordable rates. Learn more about our cataract treatment service at a http://www.dishaeye.org/cataract

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What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Identifying the symptoms of cataracts can help you alter your lifestyle and lower the risks of worsening of the eye disease. Diagnosis of symptoms at early stages can be more helpful in treating the eye condition

Below are the common symptoms of cataracts:

1) Vision blurriness:-

Cataracts may have a little effect on your vision during early stages. As the eye disease gradually progresses, you may start to experience blurriness in vision. The symptom can worsen over time, causing your vision to become cloudy.  Consult with the best eye hospital in West Bengal for treating the Cataracts.

2) Visible bulges, bumps in or around the pupil, cornea:-

As cataracts progress, they become visible in and around the pupil and cornea. In most cases, cataracts appear milky white and can cover the entire pupil and cornea area.

3) Dim vision:-

Cataracts can restrict the amount of light that enters the eye as they worsen. This can, in turn, result in the dimming of vision which leads to a poor quality of life.

4) Seeing small spots, dots:-

As cataracts progress, you may notice small spots or dots in your peripheral vision. These small spots can be similar to floaters. Not only can they impair vision but also cause annoyance.

5) Seeing halos around light sources:-

The clouding of the lens involved in the progression of cataracts can result in diffraction of light entering the eyes. As a result, you may see halos around light sources. This symptom can make it challenging for you to drive, especially during nighttime.

6) Sensitivity to light:-

Light sensitivity is commonly experienced by almost all people who suffer from cataract. People who have posterior subcapsular cataracts may experience pain due to the glare of bright lights.

7) Poor night vision:-

One of the serious implications of worsening of cataracts is low night vision. As cataracts advance, they darken with a brown or yellow tinge which lower night vision and make certain nighttime activities such as walking and driving more difficult.

8) Double vision:-

Diffraction of light from the lens can lead to double vision; i.e. seeing two or more images of a single object. This can cause difficulty in doing precision work such as reading, writing, driving, etc.

9) Yellowing of vision:-

The clumps of protein that cloud the lens can turn darker into yellowish or brownish as cataracts worsen. As a result, the light entering the eyes can have a yellow tint and it can make it difficult for you to tell the difference between colours.

10) Frequent changes in eyeglass and contact lens prescription:-

As cataracts can alter the positioning of the lens or the way light enters through, it is likely that your visual acuity will get affected. In other words, you may have to frequently change your eyeglass or contact lens prescription to correct bad vision.

Get proper treatment of cataract at Disha Eye Hospital – one of the best eye hospitals in Kolkata:-

Do you or your loved ones suffer from cataract? Or are you experiencing changes in vision which you think might be early symptoms? If yes, then get your or your loved ones’ eyes diagnosed and properly treated.

Our team of eye specialists at Disha Eye Hospital are dedicated to improving eye health of patients. Be it cataract or other serious eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or corneal diseases, we offer a wide range of quality eye treatment.

At Disha Eye Hospital, we believe quality eye treatment doesn’t have to come at high prices. The eye treatments we provide are affordable. This helps us improve the lives of people from all walks of life. Learn more about our cataract treatment at http://www.dishaeye.org/cataract.

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13 Eye Health Related FAQs

13 Eye Health Related FAQs

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

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

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

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

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

2) How is cataract diagnosed?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5) Who are at the risk of diabetic retinopathy?

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

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

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

7) Can eye injuries affect vision?

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

8) How to protect the eyes from diseases?

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

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

9) What is glaucoma and what are its symptoms?

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

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

10) What are the treatment options for glaucoma?

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

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

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

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

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

12) Will reading in dim light damage my eyes?

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

13) How to avoid eye injuries?

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

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

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

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8 Questions on Cataract Surgery

8 Questions on Cataract Surgery

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

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

1)  How is cataract surgery performed?

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

2) What is the success rate of cataract surgery?

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

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

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

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

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

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

5) What is phaco?

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

6) What is an intraocular lens?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Common Eye Problems that Aged Ones Suffer From

You will notice a change in your vision once you are in your 40s. You might notice that you are having a tough time seeing distant or nearby objects, reading books, or having trouble adjusting to the glare. These problems worsen with age.

Just like grey hairs and wrinkles on your skin indicate ageing, your eyes too are affected by age and therefore show symptoms of the ageing process. Some of these changes are normal and are age-related developments.

However, certain conditions may indicate the vision-threatening condition. And this is the reason why it’s important to visit an ophthalmologist regularly for monitoring your eye health and to ensure an early diagnosis and timely treatment.

The eye undergoes a number of changes with age. The eye lens begins to stiffen. This makes focusing on close objects tough. The eye lens also becomes denser and makes seeing in dim light harder. Even the pupil reacts slowly to the changes in light. You will also notice that the lens becomes yellow and changes the way you perceive colours. With age, the number of nerve cells in your eyes decreases. This impairs the depth perception. Moreover, your eyes produce less fluid, making them dry.
These changes in your eyes often contribute to serious eye conditions. This includes:

1. Presbyopia

All over the world, about 1.3 billion people have this condition (as of 2011) and it is estimated that by 2020, the number will reach 2.1 billion. The condition involves the eyes to lose the ability to focus light properly.

It’s impossible to prevent presbyopia, even if you have maintained eye health all your life. If you are nearsighted, you will see that your near vision is hazy even when you are wearing your usual glasses and lenses.

Symptoms

If you have presbyopia, you will notice that:

  • You have to hold your books and smartphone far away from your eyes to see clearly.
  • Even if you can see well up close, Presbyopia will cause eye strain, headaches, and fatigues. You will notice that near vision tasks become more tiring.

Causes

This is an age-related process. It is believed that it is caused by the gradual thickening of the lens and due to the loss of flexibility of the eye’s natural lens. The age-related changes occur mainly within the protein in the eye lens making the eye lens hard and inflexible with time. Age-related changes also occur in the muscle fibres surrounding the eye lens. As elasticity diminishes, the eye has a tough time focusing up close.

Treating Presbyopia

The most popular treatment for Presbyopia is using glasses with Progressive Lens. This is a common solution for people over 40. Another option is using bifocal lenses. However, this is less popular as it offers a limited range of vision. The doctor may also prescribe reading glasses. Unlike bifocals and progressive lenses, you cannot wear reading glasses all day long. These are worn only when you need to see smaller prints.

2. Dry Eyes

This is a condition where your eyes do not get enough lubrication due to an insufficient amount of tears. This is a very common and chronic problem, especially in older adults.

Causes

  • Age: Dry eyes are a part of the ageing process. Most of the people who are over 65 years experience dry eyes.
  • Gender: Women are more prone to this condition. It’s due to the hormonal changes that occur in them after pregnancy, menopause, and/or use of oral contraceptives.
  • Medications: Certain medicines including medicines for blood pressure, antihistamines, antidepressants, and decongestants may affect tear production, https://www.cdhfinechemical.com/cdh_data/ambien-zolpidem/.
  • Medical conditions: If you have diabetes, thyroid issues, and rheumatoid arthritis, you are more likely to have dry eyes. Also, conditions such as blepharitis, inflammation of the eye surfaces, can cause dry eyes.
  • Environmental conditions: Excessive exposure to dry climate, wind, and smoke increase tear evaporation causing dry eyes. Often, staring at the computer screen for a sustained period of time makes the eyes dry.

Treatment

Treatment options include:

1. Lubricant eye treatments

If you have mild to moderate level of dry eye syndrome, the doctor usually treats this condition using ointments, eye drops, and gels.

2. Preservative-free drops

Many eye drops contain preservatives to prevent bacterial growth in the bottle. However, if you need to use the drops more than six times a day, it’s better to choose preservative-free eye drops.

3. Special tear eye drops

Many eye drops that restore the oily part of the tear film and prevent evaporation are also used widely. These medications include liposomal sprays.

4. Anti-inflammatory medicines

Anti-inflammatory medicines such as Corticosteroids can be used as ointments and eye drops in severe cases.

5. Serum eye drops

These are needed in very rare cases where all other options have failed.

3. Cataract

This is the clouding of the natural eye lens that makes your vision blurry and hazy.

Symptoms

The common symptoms of Cataract include:

  • Cloudy or blurry vision
  • Colours appearing faded
  • Light sensitivity. You may also see a halo around lights.
  • Poor night vision
  • Double vision (This happens when the cataract gets larger.)

Causes

The eye lenses lie just behind the iris and the pupil. It is mainly composed of water and protein. As you age, the protein may clump together forming a cloud in a small area of the lens. This is called a cataract. Diabetes and smoking are several causes of cataract. It may be also caused by the changes in the protein due to years of wear and tear of the eye lens.

Treatment

You have to undergo a Cataract surgery for removing cataracts from the eyes.

4. Glaucoma

This is a condition that damages the eye’s optic nerve. It gets worse with time. Glaucoma is caused by the pressure build-up inside your eye.
Most of the people do not show early symptoms or pain. A comprehensive eye examination is the only way to diagnose glaucoma.

Causes

Normally, the fluid in your eye (also known as aqueous humour), flows out of your eye through a channel. When this channel is blocked, the liquid accumulates in your eyes increasing the pressure. That’s what causes glaucoma. The reason for the blockage is not known but experts believe that this condition can be inherited.

Treatment

Your doctor may recommend prescription eye drops, microsurgery, or laser surgery depending on the condition. The eye drops may either reduce the fluid build-up or increase its flow.

5. Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a problem that affects your retina. It is caused when the macula, the central part of your retina is damaged. AMD affects your central vision.

Symptoms

The first sign that you may notice is a sudden or a gradual change in your vision. Straight lines may appear distorted to you. The situation might escalate quickly causing a dramatic loss of central vision.

Other symptoms may include:

  • Dark areas in your line of vision or whiteout appearing in your central vision
  • In rare cases, you may also notice a change in colour perception

Causes

The exact cause of AMD is not yet clear but this condition develops as you get old.

Treatment

There’s no cure for AMD, however, treatment will slow down the disease and prevent severe vision loss. Treatment options include:

Anti-angiogenic drugs: This medicine is injected into your eyes and is used for stopping the formation of new blood vessels. This also blocks the leakage from the abnormal blood vessels.

Laser therapy: Doctor may also recommend treating your condition with high-energy laser light. This often destroys abnormal blood vessels that are growing actively.

Photodynamic laser therapy: This is a two-step treatment using a light-sensitive drug for damaging the abnormal blood vessels.

Submacular surgery: In this surgery, the surgeon removes the scar tissue, abnormal blood vessels, and blood.

Retinal translocation: In this procedure, the doctor destroys the abnormal blood vessels in your eye that are located just under the centre of the macula. This is a spot where the doctors cannot reach safely using a laser beam.

6. Diabetic Retinopathy

People who have diabetes can get this condition. Diabetic Retinopathy is caused when high sugar levels in your body damage the blood vessels in your retina. These blood vessels often swell and leak. Or they may get blocked completely. Sometimes abnormal blood vessels also grow on your retina. All of these changes can cause vision loss.

Symptoms

You can notice symptoms only when the disease advances. Typical symptoms include:

  • Sudden changes in vision
  • Hazy vision
  • Floaters in your vision
  • Double vision
  • Pain in the eye

Causes

Diabetic retinopathy is caused due to high blood glucose levels over a period of time. High sugar levels weaken and damage the blood vessels in the retina. This causes haemorrhages and retinal swelling. This also blocks the flow of oxygen to the retina, causing abnormal growth of blood vessels. Controlling your blood sugar levels lowers your risk of getting retinopathy.

Treatment

Diabetic retinopathy affects your vision, Treatment options include:

  • Laser treatment: This is for treating the growth of new blood vessels in the retina in cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Laser treatment is also used for stabilising some cases of maculopathy.
  • Eye injections: The doctor may administer eye injections for treating severe maculopathy.
  • Eye surgery: This surgery is done for removing scar tissue or from the eye. Surgery is only done if laser treatment isn’t possible due to the advanced stage of retinopathy.

7. Arcus Senilis

This is an age-related eye issue where you will see grey, white, or blue ring in the margin of the cornea (peripheral corneal opacity), or white ring in front of the periphery of the iris.

It is present in infants at birth but gradually, it fades; however, these rings can be commonly seen in the eyes of the elderly. Arcus senilis is generally harmless, although it can sometimes be a sign of high cholesterol in people under 45 years of age.

Symptoms

  • A white, grey, or blue circle or arc around the cornea of the eye.
  • The circle or arc will have a sharp outer border but a blurred inner border.
  • If someone has an arc, the lines could grow to form a complete circle in front of the iris.

Causes

Arcus senilis is a condition affecting only older adults. It occurs due to fat deposits or a lipid that forms in the outer part of the cornea. These fat deposits in your blood come from the fatty foods in your diet. The liver also produces fat.

Cholesterol is a type of fat that’s found in the blood. However, if Arcus Senilis occurs, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have high cholesterol. The blood vessels in your eyes widen with age. When you age, your blood vessels allow cholesterol build-up in your eye. In case Arcus Senilis occurs in people under 40, the doctor will do tests for checking high cholesterol.

Treatment

There is no cure for arcus senilis. Once you get it, it won’t disappear. If you got this condition due to high cholesterol, the doctor may recommend a diet low in saturated fats. Exercise and quitting smoking may also help.

Medicines that are used for lowering cholesterol levels include:

  • Statin drugs: These medicines block a particular substance that the liver uses for making cholesterol. The doctor may prescribe medicines such as pravastatin (Pravachol), atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin, and fluvastatin.
  • Resins for binding Bile acid: These resins prompt your liver to use the cholesterol for producing more bile acids. This lowers the amount of cholesterol in your blood. The doctor may prescribe cholestyramine, colestipol, and colesevelam.
  • Inhibitors for Cholesterol absorption: These helps in reducing the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed by your body. The doctor may prescribe ezetimibe to you.

Cataract Surgery in Kolkata

Do not let cataracts affect your vision and your quality of life. Cataract surgery costs in Kolkata are quite reasonable. If you are looking for a good hospital for the surgery, get in touch with Disha Eye Hospital today.

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Cataract Surgery Do’s and Don’ts

Cataract surgery in Kolkata

Being a myopic since childhood, Mr Bose started experiencing vision problems for the past few months. At 65, he thought he might need to change his glasses and need a new prescription. But gradually, his eyesight became so blurry that he didn’t have clear vision even when looking across the room.

A visit to the eye specialist revealed that he had a cataract in both the eyes. The left eye needed immediate operation while the cataract in the right eye was still at its initial stage. The doctor immediately recommended surgery for cataract removal on the left eye. The operation didn’t take much time but Mr Bose was worried about the recovery process. Since it was a matter of his vision and he didn’t want to take any risk.

The recovery process for cataract is short and usually do not cause any major issues as long as you don’t have any other serious eye issues. In most of the cases, the patients experience improved vision shortly after the surgery.

Usually, a cataract surgery does not take more than 10 minutes. Immediately after the surgery, you will need to rest for about half an hour as it takes a bit time to recover from the effect of anaesthesia.

Almost everyone who has undergone cataract surgery is provided with Intraocular Lens (IOL). These lenses help in focusing the light properly on the retina. This lens becomes a part of your eye permanently and needs no additional care.

There is a wide range of IOLs available and it’s the eye specialist who decides which lens will work the best for you. However, before the surgery, the eye specialist usually discusses the options with you and then decides which lens will best suit your lifestyle.

IOLs are made of various materials such as silicone, acrylic or plastic. Some IOLs can block UV rays. Some lenses are made of rigid plastic. These plastic lenses are usually implanted through an incision which needs stitches for closing them. However, some IOLs are extremely flexible and need a small incision that requires just a few or no sutures at all. During the surgery, the eye surgeon folds such lenses and put them into the empty capsule, replaces the natural eye lens. Once inside, the folded IOL unfolds and takes the empty place.

Types of IOLs include:

  • Fixed-focus monofocal: This lens has single focus strength for distance vision. For precision activities such as reading, you will need to use reading glasses.
  • Accommodating-focus monofocal: This lens has a single focusing strength but they can adjust with the movement of the eye muscle and can shift focus as needed.
  • Multifocal: This type of lens is similar to progressive lenses or bifocal glasses. The lens has multiple focusing strengths that allow near, medium, and far vision.
  • Toric Lenses: This lens is mainly used for correcting astigmatism.

What to Expect During the Surgery?

Cataract surgery usually doesn’t take much time to perform. It takes less than an hour for the surgery. The doctor first puts eye drops in your eye for dilating the pupil. You will be given local anaesthetics for numbing the area. The doctor may even give you a sedative to help you relax. If you’re given a sedative, you will remain awake throughout the procedure but a bit groggy.

The doctor will then remove the clouded lens, and replace it with a clear artificial lens. In some cases, the cataract is also removed without implanting an IOL.

The surgical processes involved in Cataract surgery include:

  • Using ultrasound probe: Often, an ultrasound probe is used for breaking and removing the lens. The process is usually called Phacoemulsification. Here, the surgeon makes a small incision in the cornea. He/she will insert a thin needle-like probe into the lens where the cataract has formed. The probe transmits ultrasound waves for breaking the cataract. Using the probe, the doctor suctions out the broken lens fragments. The lens capsule is left intact. It is here where the artificial lens rests. The doctor may or may not put stitches for closing the small incision in the cornea after completing the process.
  • Using advanced laser technique: Laser-assisted cataract surgery is another technique for cataract removal. The surgeon uses a laser for making incisions and then softens the cataract before removal.
  • Extracapsular Cataract Extraction: This is a less frequent process where the doctor removes the lens without breaking it. This needs a larger incision than that is made for phacoemulsification. Through this incision, the surgeon removes the front capsule of the lens with the surgical tools along with the cloudy part of the lens containing the cataract. The back capsule of the lens is left in place for holding the artificial lens. This procedure is only performed when you have certain eye complications. The incisions are stitched up after the surgery.

After Cataract Surgery

After cataract surgery, you will see that your vision has started to improve within a few days. Don’t be alarmed if you see that your vision is blurry or wavy. It’s normal for the eyes to adjust to the new vision. It takes time to heal and then adjust. After that, you will be able to see clearly. The colours will appear brighter as you are seeing through a new lens after the surgery. A cataract is usually brownish or yellowish tinted and that’s why you see muted colours.

You need to follow up with your eye doctor a day or two after the surgery. Visit him or her as per the schedule. This is important as the doctor needs to monitor your healing process.

Do not be sceptical if your eye feels itchy. It’s absolutely normal to feel mild discomfort along with itching for a few days post-surgery. Avoid touching your eye. You may even develop bloodshot eyes. Don’t worry. This happens as the blood vessels in the eye surface (the white part) are temporarily damaged due to the surgery. It takes a few days for the vessels to heal completely. As your eye heals, you will see that the redness has vanished within a few days.

If, before the surgery, the doctor has given you an injection of anaesthesia just in the lower portion of your eye, you will also notice a small bruise that’s similar to black eye. This also fades within a few days.

You may need to wear an eye patch after the surgery. The doctor might suggest you wear it for a few days after the surgery. You have to wear it even when you sleep. This is just to make sure that you do not accidentally touch the eye.

The doctor usually prescribes eye drops or any other medication for preventing infection, reducing inflammation, and for controlling the eye pressure, http://www.papsociety.org/prednisone/. Sometimes, he or she may inject steroid medications into the eye during the surgery so as to avoid inflammation.

Your eyes might feel dry or you may experience scratchiness after the surgery. These sensations go away as your eyes heal unless you already have dry eyes prior to the surgery. After a couple of weeks, most of the problems subside. In majority of the cases, complete healing occurs within 8 weeks. In case you experience these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately:

  • Vision loss
  • A persisting pain despite using over-the-counter medications
  • Increased redness in the eye
  • Light flashes
  • Multiple floaters in the line of vision

Usually, after cataract surgery, you have to wear glasses, at least for some time. Your doctor will examine the eye and let you know whether they have healed enough to get a final prescription for glasses or not. This is usually between one and three months after surgery.

If you have cataracts in both eyes, the doctor never operates on both the eyes at the same time. You will undergo the second surgery only after the first eye has healed completely.

Ensure the Best Recovery: Dos and Don’ts during the Recovery Period

You will be surprised to see that you are able to resume normal activities just a day after the surgery. However, everyone should observe a few precautions during the first week after the surgery. This is a must for avoiding any infection or to avoid sustaining an injury to the eye while it heals.

The doctor will give you an antibiotic eye drop for preventing infection and anti-inflammatory eye drop to reduce any internal inflammation. Depending on the post-operative inflammation that you have, you may need to apply the drops for a few weeks or about a month. Ensure that you are applying the drops as recommended by the doctor. The doctor may also prescribe oral painkillers (acetaminophen), if necessary.

Here are a few dos and don’ts that will ensure the best recovery:

Dos

  1. Apply the eye drops as per the schedule provided by the ophthalmologist. In any case, you have to strictly adhere to the routine provided by the doctor. Eye drop needs to be applied daily for a few weeks after the surgery.
  2. You may resume light day-to-day activities such as watching TV, reading, writing and walking. Always keep your physical activities light.
  3. Wear your protective eye cover always, even when you are sleeping. And always sleep on the side that hasn’t been operated on.
  4. When taking a shower, keep your eyes closed. Make sure that water or soap doesn’t enter your eyes.
  5. On the day of surgery, as well as the next day after the surgery, it is important that you rest and relax properly. This promotes healing.
  6. After the surgery, the doctor will provide you with a protective shield, and you have to wear it on your operated eye until the doctor says that your eyes are fit enough to go without the shield. The doctor will also give you special eye shades in case you have to go out.

Don’ts

  1. Never rub your eye or apply anything to your eyes, even water. This will increase the chance of infection.
  2. Immediately after the surgery, avoid bending. This prevents putting extra pressure on your eye.
  3. Never swim or use a hot tub, at least for two weeks after the surgery. Even a small drop of water makes your eyes vulnerable to infection.
  4. Do not drive for 24 hours after cataract surgery.
  5. Do not indulge in any strenuous activity, such as strenuous exercise, lifting weights etc. This should be followed for at least the first week following the surgery. Your eyes need about a month to fully recover. So it’s safe to avoid strenuous activity during this time.
  6. Do not wear any eye makeup until your ophthalmologist allows.
  7. Avoid any activity that exposes your eyes to dirt or dust. Patients who stay in dry and dusty environment should avoid going outdoors. When going out, you must wear a special protective eyewear provided by the doctor. Dust and sand particles may scratch your eye surface making the eye prone to infection.
  8. Be careful when walking around after surgery. Try not to bump into doors or any other objects.

Usually, after a cataract surgery, you should be able to perform these activities within a few hours:

  • Working on a computer
  • Watching TV (not for long hours)
  • Showering

Following the doctor’s suggestion is the best way to ensure a fast recovery. Follow the post-operative instructions as provided by your doctor as he or she is the best person to evaluate your condition and suggest the best possible way. The points discussed here is a handy guide to give you an overview of the things that you should follow during your recovery process.

Cataract surgery in Kolkata

Blurry vision? Do not ignore because it might be a symptom of cataract. Consult an eye specialist immediately. If you are looking for a good hospital where you can undergo cataract surgery or want to know cataract surgery cost in Kolkata, get in touch with us today at http://www.dishaeye.org/contact-us.