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Know Your Risk Of Developing Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that affects the eyes. This condition occurs in people suffering from type1 and type 2 diabetes. In this condition, the blood vessels in the retina get damaged.  The retina senses the light and sends images to the brain, helping the eyes to see. However, if not timely treated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss. Those with uncontrolled diabetes are at high risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. 

Symptoms 

 In the beginning, you might not experience any symptoms or only mild vision issues. With time you may experience symptoms such as:

  • Dark floaters in the vision
  • Blurred and fluctuating vision
  • Dark areas in the vision
  • Vision loss during advanced stages

Risk factors: 

Diabetic retinopathy can occur in any person suffering from diabetes. Other risk factors that may lead to this condition are: 

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Tobacco use
  • Pregnant women with gestational diabetes 

Prevention:

You can’t completely prevent diabetic retinopathy. But visual loss from diabetic retinopathy is preventable and can be treated. Medical management of diabetes, early detection of the condition, and timely treatment can reduce the risk of visual loss.

If  you have diabetes, reduce the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy by doing the following:

  • Make a healthy diet part of your daily routine.
  • Attempt to get something like 150 minutes of light to moderate, exercise such as walking, yoga, or aerobics every week.
  • Take diabetes medicines as prescribed.
  • Screen your glucose level regularly. You may have to check and record your glucose level a few times each day.
  • Quit smoking. Smoking increases the risk of diabetes-related complications, including diabetic retinopathy.

Taking an active role in diabetes management can go a long way toward preventing eye complications. If you have diabetes or you know someone who is suffering from diabetes, it is important to get regular eye exams. 

Looking for the best eye doctor in Kolkata? 

At Disha Eye Hospitals, we have some of the best retina specialists who can help treat diabetic retinopathy, retinal tear, and retinal detachment. If you are looking for the best eye doctor in Kolkata, book an online consultation or visit our eye hospital. 

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Rubbing Your Eyes: Is It Bad?

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

What makes you rub your eyes?

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

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

What rubbing your eyes can lead to.

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

Tips to stop rubbing your eyes

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

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

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

Are you looking for an eye doctor in Kolkata?

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

 

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Diabetes and Eye Surgery FAQs

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

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

Question 1: Can diabetics have eye surgery?

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

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

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

  • Slow healing 
  • Infection
  • Heart problems

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question 6: What to expect after the surgery? 

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

 

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

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

 

Looking for an eye hospital in Kolkata? 

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

 

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Ageing And Vision Loss: Check These Useful Insights

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

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

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

Some of the age-related eye diseases are

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

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

 

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Useful insights on blue light

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

Useful insights on blue light

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

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

 

 

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Everyday Habits That Are Hurting Your Vision

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

Everyday Habits That Are Hurting Your Vision

Habit 1: Rubbing your eyes: 

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

Habit 2: Too much screen time:

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

Habit 3: Not wearing sunglasses outside

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

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

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

Habit 5: Using expired eye makeup

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

Habit 6: Skipping regular eye exams

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

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

Habit 7: Uncontrolled smoking

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

Eye strain headaches are basically the pain behind one’s eyes. Below we share a few signs of 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 moisten 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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Why should you not ignore blurry vision?

Does your vision sometimes appear blurry? Often, people do not take blurry vision seriously. However, the fact remains that blurred vision can be an indication of an eye problem.

blurry vision

As one of the leading eye hospitals in West Bengal, we do not take complaints of headaches and blurry vision lightly. We advise our patients to get an eye examination if they experience any changes in their vision, be it a blurry vision, double vision or seeing spots.

Blurry vision: Why should you visit an eye hospital?

Well, not all causes of blurry vision are a reason to worry. Many vision problems are treatable with medications and eye drops or prescription eyeglasses. However, in some cases, blurry vision can be a sign of a serious eye condition and if left untreated for long, it may cause irreversible damage to your eyes.

 

Here we discuss some of the eye problems that can cause blurry vision:

Blurry vision can be a sign of the following vision problems:

  • Refractive errors: Refractive errors, such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism are some of the most common causes of blurry vision. It occurs due to a change in the shape of the eye that causes vision to become blurred. If corrective measures are not taken, these eye problems can deteriorate your eyesight slowly. Using eyeglasses or contact lenses prescribed by an eye doctor can correct refractive errors.
  • Glaucoma: One of the many symptoms of glaucoma is blurred vision. It is a common age-related vision condition that usually affects people over 60. The eye condition damages the optic nerve by causing abnormally high pressure in the eye. Diabetic people are twice as likely to develop glaucoma than non-diabetics. High blood sugar levels cause the blood vessels to bulge. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness after cataracts and trachoma. As glaucoma doesn’t show any early signs of vision problems, it is important to get your eyes checked regularly. Treatment includes prescription eye drops, medications, laser treatment, or surgery, depending on the severity of the condition, https://medfitnetwork.org/public/ambien-zolpidem-info/.
  • Cataracts: Blurry vision is the most common symptom of cataracts. People with cataracts usually find it difficult to read or drive at night. If left untreated for a long time, cataracts can cause blindness. Cataracts can be removed with surgery – where the damaged lens is replaced with an artificial lens. Here are some frequently asked questions on cataracts that will help you understand the condition better.
  • Eye infections: Blurry vision can be caused due to eye infections – which also cause redness, itching, and swelling. Though not all eye infections are serious, seeking early treatment is the best to prevent any risk of irreversible vision damage.
  • Diabetes-related eye conditions: Diabetes can lead to blurry vision in many ways. If you have diabetes, you’re at an increased risk of suffering from diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, cataract, and glaucoma. High blood sugar levels cause the lens of the eye to swell. This makes it difficult for the eyes to focus, so things may look blurred.

Consult the best eye doctors in Kolkata at Disha Eye Hospitals

If you suddenly start to feel any change in your vision, get your eyes checked for correct diagnosis and treatment. We offer diagnosis and advanced treatment for patients with a wide range of vision problems. Book an online consultation or call for an in-person visit.

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Ocular migraine: What causes it and how is it diagnosed ?

Ocular migraine or retinal migraine is an eye condition. It causes temporary loss of vision in one eye or visual problems like blurry vision and flashing lights. Although these temporary visual disturbances can be alarming, in most cases they are harmless and the symptoms usually disappear on their own after around 20-30 mins. Most people don’t need any treatment. However, if you have any concerns, visit an eye hospital near you. 

Ocular migraine

Want to know more on ocular migraine? 

Check this read where we discuss ocular migraine in a detailed manner: 

 

  • Causes of ocular migraine:

 

When the blood vessels to the eye suddenly narrow, the blood flow to the eye is reduced which causes ocular migraine. Here are a few triggers that can cause the condition:

  • High blood pressure 
  • A family history of migraines
  • Stress 
  • Low blood sugar
  • Dehydration
  • Excessive heat 
  • Oral contraceptive pill 
  • High altitude 

 

  • Signs and symptoms:

 

An ocular migraine does not affect everyone in the same way. As a result, the signs and symptoms vary from person to person. The following are some of the most common ones:

  • Partial or total loss of vision in one eye – this can last anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes. And then the vision gradually returns to normal. 
  • Headache during or after vision less 

In most cases, the same eye is affected every time. 

 

  • Diagnosis and treatment:

 

An eye doctor will examine your eyes and will ask you a few questions related to your symptoms to rule out other conditions that could cause similar problems, such as:

  • Blockage in the artery that leads to the eye
  • Spasms in the artery that carries blood to the retina 
  •  Inflammation in blood vessels
  • Stroke 
  • Blood vessel disorders related to autoimmune diseases
  • Drug abuse

Once diagnosed, your eye doctor will give you medical advice. Normally, treatment isn’t required for ocular migraines as symptoms usually go away on their own after sometime. However, when the attacks happen, we would recommend you to rest your eyes until the symptoms pass. Your doctor may advise you to take painkillers to get relief from headaches. If you are worried about the frequency of the attacks, consult your eye doctor. 

Looking for an eye hospital in Kolkata? 

Visit Disha Eye Hospitals – we provide the best eye care services at affordable costs. We offer the latest technology in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of eye diseases including glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy. 

 

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Paediatric Eye Exams: A Useful Guide For Parents

Since a child is born, he or she develops and learns about the world around them through their sense of sight. A good vision is key to a child’s development. Reading, writing and using a computer are among the visual tasks that children perform daily.  As learning in the classroom is mainly visual, if your child is having difficulty seeing clearly, his or her learning can be adversely affected. As parents, you must ensure that your child’s eyes are healthy by getting them checked at certain development stages. An eye examination is recommended as early as when your child is 6 months old.

eye hospital

 As a leading eye hospital in West Bengal, we share with you a useful guide that will help you ensure that your child’s eyes are developing normally:

 

  • First test at 6 months: An infant’s visual system starts developing over the first few months of life. Crucial milestones such as crawling, hand-eye coordination and walking are all dependent on the development of eyesight. Infants should have their first eye exam at 6 months of age. At this stage, the eye specialist will check whether  the eyes are developing at the right pace or not.  The doctor may also check the eyes for paediatric eye conditions such as strabismus, farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. If an infant is born premature or showing signs of developmental delay, more frequent visits to an eye hospital are required. 

 

  • Preschool to 5 years: As toddlers are about to start preschool, they learn to colour, draw, cut paper and play games. Fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination are essential for them to read, write and take part in several activities.   Schedule an eye test when your child is about to start preschool. If you notice your child rubbing his or her eyes too much, squinting or sitting very close to the TV, you should see an eye doctor immediately. An eye doctor may recommend a series of tests such as a visual acuity test, colour vision test and ocular exam to check how well your child sees objects both near and distant.

 

  • Age 6 to 18: Poor vision can cause children and teens to suffer academically, socially and personally. If your child is having trouble in school or in other activities, get his or her eyes checked as there could be an underlying vision problem. Children who find it difficult to read or coordinate their hands and eyes may exhibit behavioural problems out of frustration. They may be facing problems in seeing things properly but may not know how to express themselves. An eye doctor will check near vision, distance vision, binocular vision (ability to use both eyes together for depth perception) and peripheral vision. 

 

Common eye tests for children include  

  • LEA symbols test: This test is just like regular eye tests. For children and toddlers, instead of alphabets, there are symbols. This test is one of the most common vision screening tests in preschool and school age.
  • Retinoscopy: This test is done to detect refractive errors in children. The test is done by shining a light into the eye and observing the back of the eye. This helps the eye doctor to determine if your child needs eyeglasses or not. The eye prescription is determined by this test. 
  • Random dot stereopsis: This test is done to measure how well a child’s eyes work together. The test has a high success rate in the preschool age. It can be carried out easily to detect strabismus and amblyopia. 

 

Common eye problems among children

When it comes to vision, children face many problems. Some of them include: 

  • Eye allergies: Eye allergies can affect everyone, including children. Allergies caused by pet dander, pollen and mold can cause eyes to water or become red.
  • Conjunctivitis: Though easily treatable, conjunctivitis is highly contagious. 
  • Amblyopia or lazy eye: This disorder typically appears during infancy and early childhood. It affects the development of vision and should be treated without any delay. If left untreated, it can cause long-term vision problems. 
  • Refractive errors: Farsightedness and nearsightedness are very common among toddlers and children. These errors can be corrected with prescribed eyeglasses.
  • Strabismus or crossed eyes: This eye condition occurs when the eyes do not work as a team or are misaligned. Early treatment options such as special eyewear or the use of an eye patch can help in correcting the condition. 

 

Signs that your child is struggling with an eye problem 

  • Delayed motor development 
  • Squinting 
  • Frequent eye rubbing 
  • Not maintaining eye contact 
  • Misalignment of the eyes 
  • Not tracking objects 
  • Short attention span
  • Headaches 
  • Constant blinking 
  • Avoiding activities that require visual attention 
  • Tilting the head to one side
  • Watching TV closely or reading a book too close 

 

When to see an eye doctor? 

During childhood, vision changes frequently. Your child should receive an eye examination every year or more frequently if specific problems have been detected. Most vision problems are treated properly if they are detected and corrected as early as possible. Do inform the eye doctor if you have a family history of eye diseases. 

 

If you are looking for an eye hospital with a dedicated Paediatric Ophthalmology unit, visit Disha Eye Hospitals. We conduct various eye tests for toddlers, pre-school children and verbal children. Our paediatric ophthalmologist & strabismologist are experienced in treating paediatric strabismus, paediatric cataract, amblyopia, allergic disorders (red eye) and paediatric glaucoma.