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FAQs and their Answers on Vitrectomy

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If you or your family member is suffering from a retinal disease, you may have heard about vitrectomy from your eye doctor. But what exactly is vitrectomy? Is it safe? These are some of the questions that may be bothering you. To help you, our eye surgeons in Kolkata, have answered some of the frequently asked questions: 

Question 1: What is vitrectomy?

Vitreous is the gel-like substance that fills the central portion of the eye. Vitrectomy is an eye surgery that is performed to treat the vitreous in the eye and other problems related to the retina. In this surgery, the damaged vitreous is replaced with another solution. 

Question 2: When might I need a vitrectomy?

 Vitrectomy is recommended in the case of: 

  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Retinal detachment
  • Vitreous haemorrhage
  • To take biopsy to detect a serious Infection in the eye
  • Fatal eye injury

When these eye conditions are left unchecked, they may lead to complete loss of vision. Hence, vitrectomy is performed. 

Question 3: What happens at a pre-assessment appointment?

The doctor will explain the details of the surgery. You may be asked to get some necessary tests done such as ECG and blood tests. The doctor will ask you to provide information on your general health and the medications you are currently taking. 

Question 4: How do I prepare for a vitrectomy?

You can prepare for a vitrectomy by: 

  1. By asking your doctor whether you need to stop taking any medication before the surgery
  2. By avoiding eating after midnight before the surgery

Question 5: What happens during a vitrectomy?

Normally during a vitrectomy surgery:

  • Vitrectomy is usually performed under general anaesthesia. However, in some cases, the surgery is performed under local anaesthesia.
  • The surgeon will make small cuts in the sclera, that is the white part of the eye.
  • The vitreous is gently taken out along with any scar tissue present or any foreign material present from the eye.
  • The vitreous is then replaced with fluids such as silicone oil or saline.
  • For diabetes, any leaking blood vessels are sealed using laser treatment.
  • The surgical incisions are now covered with stitches.
  • An antibiotic ointment is then placed on your eye to prevent infection.
  • At the end, a patch is used to cover the eye.

Question 6: What are some important  things to take into consideration after surgery? 

  • On the day of operation, wear loose fitting clothes to avoid contact with the eye when getting dressed.
  • You will be prescribed different eye drops. Use them as advised.
  • In some cases, you may be advised to keep your head tilted downwards for 4-14 days. 

Question 7: What are the risks of vitrectomy?

Vitrectomy is mostly a safe and common eye surgery. However, just like any other surgery, there are some risks involved.  Some people may experience:

  • Infection
  • Excess bleeding
  • High pressure in the eye
  • Retinal detachment caused by the surgery
  • Lens damage
  • Increase in the formation of cataracts
  • Limited eye movement
  • Change in refractive error

Note:  The risks may depend on your age, your medical conditions, and your eye problem.

Question 7: Where can I find a good eye surgeon in kolkata?

Visit Disha Eye Hospitals. We have some of the best eye surgeons in Kolkata on board. Our retina specialist and eye surgeons will work together to recommend the appropriate course of treatment. You can also book an online consultation. 

 

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Why are dry eyes an increasing problem?

If you’ve ever experienced irritation, itching, or scratching sensation in your eyes,  you are not alone. These are the symptoms of dry eyes. Dry eyes is an eye syndrome that occurs when tears fail to provide adequate lubrication to the eyes. 

Why are dry eyes an increasing problem

Dry eyes may sting or burn. In some cases, dry eyes are uncomfortable, disrupting day-to-day activities. Dry eye syndrome is on the rise, affecting around 344 million people across the globe. 

Note: We, at Disha Eye Hospitals, are equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to help diagnose and treat dry eye syndrome. We have some of the best doctors, ophthalmologists, and eye surgeons in Kolkata on board .

Causes of dry eye: 

  • Weather conditions: Different weather conditions, such as cold climate and exposure to winds can result in tears evaporating too quickly, further leading to dryness in the eyes. Dry air can also lead to dry eyes. 

 

  • Air conditioning: Today, air conditioners have become a part of homes and offices, especially in areas with high humidity. While air-conditioned homes and offices make your indoor environment more pleasant, it also drains the humidity from the air, resulting in loss of moisture in the eyes. This can result in dry eyes. 

 

 

Extended screen time: One of the noticeable and recent effects on eye health is extended screen time. Blinking helps in keeping the eyes lubricated. When people look at a screen for extended periods, they tend to blink less. This causes faster evaporation of the film of tears that protects the surface of the eye, leading to dry eyes. 

 

Wearing contact lenses: Contact lenses can also put one at risk of dry eyes. Wearing contact lenses for more than the recommended hours per day can increase the risk of developing dry eyes.   Not handling contact lenses properly can result in dry eye issues and can also exacerbate dry eye symptoms for those who are already suffering from the condition. 

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What You Should Know About Fuchs’ Dystrophy: insights curated by the best eye doctors in Kolkata

Fuchs’ dystrophy, also called Fuchs’ disease, is found within the cornea of the eye. Many people in their 30s and 40s may have Fuchs’ dystrophy but do not know it. Vision problems might not appear until age 50 or later. As Fuchs’ dystrophy is a relatively common condition affecting people, our eye surgeons in Kolkata have curated a list of important things you should know about the disease:

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What is Fuchs’ Dystrophy? 

Fuchs’ Dystrophy is a corneal disease. It occurs when endothelium cells in the corneal layer gradually die or do not work well. These cells are responsible for pumping the fluid and keeping the cornea clear. When these cells do not function well, fluid builds up and the cornea gets swollen, causing vision to get cloudy.

Symptoms of Fuchs’ Dystrophy

There are two stages of Fuchs’ dystrophy. The condition is progressive which means the symptoms worsen gradually.

First stage symptoms 

  • Vision may be blurry when in the morning but improve throughout the day. 

Second stage symptoms

  • The blurry vision will not get better as the day goes on. 
  • Increased sensitivity to light
  • Difficulty seeing at night
  • Seeing small dots, stars, or shapes throughout the day
  • Eye swelling and pain
  • Eye problems get worse in humid areas
  • A gritty-like feeling in both eyes

Causes of Fuchs’ dystrophy

The condition is caused when endothelial cells in the cornea die. The precise cause of this cellular destruction is not known. The endothelial cells are responsible for balancing fluids in the cornea. Without them, the cornea swells because of the fluid buildup. As the cornea swells up, the vision is affected.

Who is at the risk of getting Fuchs’ dystrophy ?

  • Fuchs’ dystrophy affects more women than men. 
  • Those with diabetes are also at a greater risk. 
  • Smoking is also a risk factor.
  • Having a family history of Fuchs’ Dystrophy increases the risk.

How is Fuchs’ dystrophy diagnosed?

  1. Fuchs’ dystrophy is diagnosed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. During the eye exam, they’ll look for signs of changes in the cornea.
  2. To check the thickness of the cornea, the eye doctor may suggest a few tests including pachymetry. These tests will give the eye doctors images of the cornea. Using these images, the doctor will count the endothelial cells. 
  3. An eye pressure test may also be suggested to rule out other eye diseases, such as glaucoma.

Fuchs’ dystrophy and cataracts

Some people can develop cataracts and have Fuchs’ Dystrophy. In this case, the person will need to undergo two types of surgeries at once: one for cataract removal and the other for a corneal transplant.

Treatment for Fuchs’ Dystrophy

  • Eye drops or ointments:  The early stage of Fuchs’ Dystrophy is treated with prescription eye drops or ointments. 
  • Corneal transplant: In case of significant corneal scarring, a transplant surgery may be done. There are two options
  1. Full corneal transplant: The damaged cornea will be replaced by the cornea of a donor. 
  2.  Endothelial keratoplasty: This involves transplanting endothelial cells in the cornea to replace the damaged ones.

Looking for an eye surgeon in Kolkata?  

If you are looking for eye surgeons in Kolkata, visit our Disha Eye Hospitals. Our eye surgeons in Kolkata specialise in treating several eye conditions including glaucoma, corneal diseases, retinal conditions and  cataract.

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Driving after laser eye surgery: What you need to know

One of the most common questions that our eye surgeons in Kolkata are asked about laser eye surgery is how soon one can resume driving after having the treatment. On the day of the surgery, you definitely cannot drive. Therefore, you will have to arrange for someone to drive you home. You may feel well immediately after the surgery but your eyes may feel sore and your vision may be blurry, thus making it unsafe for you to drive. 

eye surgeon in kolkata

To help you prepare for your laser eye surgery, we have answered a few important questions that you may have in mind regarding driving after the laser eye surgery: 

 

  • Can I drive home after laser eye surgery? No. After scheduling your eye surgery, the first thing you should do is to arrange for someone to drive you home. Laser eye surgery is an outpatient treatment. While many patients may experience improved vision after surgery, some may have blurry vision. Moreover, in addition to having blurry vision, patients may feel drowsy because of the local anaesthesia or medicines administered during the surgery. As a result,  it is not safe for you to drive home immediately after surgery. 
  • What mode of transport to go for? It is prudent to avoid the crowds on public transport immediately following surgery. If you have a long  way to travel to and public transport is the only option, have someone to accompany you. 
  • When can I drive again? After having your laser eye surgery, you should only resume driving when your eye surgeon gives you a go-ahead. Usually, after a laser eye surgery, the eye surgeon will call you for a follow-up appointment.  Ask a family member or friend to drive you to and from the eye hospital. During this followup appointment, your eye surgeon will let you know whether you should resume driving or not after assessing the health status of your eyes. Most people are able to drive within a couple of days after the surgery. However, the recovery rate of each patient differs. 
  • My eye surgeon has cleared me to drive. Are there any precautions to follow? Despite having clearance from your eye surgeon, there are still a few things to keep in mind. Most patients after having undergone eye surgery may find it difficult to drive at night because of the bright lights of the oncoming vehicles. It is advisable to avoid driving alone at night especially during the first few weeks after the surgery. Though the aim of laser surgery is to reduce dependence on spectacles, still there are certain tasks such as reading and driving that may require you to wear glasses. Check with your eye doctor whether or not you need glasses for driving. 

 

Laser vision correction surgery is an effective way to improve poor eyesight. We, at Disha Eye Hospitals, have some of the best eye surgeons in Kolkata on board who use the  laser to perform retinal, cataract and glaucoma surgery. Laser eye surgery not only gives you long-lasting results but also involves a quick recovery period as there is no need for stitches. If you want to know about the many benefits of laser eye surgery and whether you are the right candidate for it, schedule an appointment with our well-experienced doctors.

 

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Orbit and Oculoplasty: 8 things that patients should know

Orbit and oculoplasty deal with plastic and reconstructive surgery around the eyeball. But why does one’s eye need plastic surgery? Well, ophthalmic plastic surgery needs to be performed to improve eye’s function, fixing eye-related medical conditions and one’s appearance.

 

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As one of the leading eye hospitals in West Bengal, we share 8 things that patients should know about orbit and oculoplasty:

Common conditions that need oculoplasty: An oculoplastic procedure is a type of surgery done around the eyes. Those suffering from conditions like

  • droopy upper eyelids
  • inward or outward eyelids
  • eye problems caused by thyroid disease
  • skin cancers or other growths in or around the eyes and injuries to the eye

can benefit from oculoplastic procedures. Those who have lost an eye can also get oculoplasty done. An ocularist will make a customised artificial eye shell to restore the face’s normal appearance.

Types of surgeries: There are different types of oculoplastic procedures meant to correct different medical situations and cosmetic problems. Here are some of the commonly performed oculoplastic procedures:

  • Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery): As people age, the shape of the eyelids often sag. Genetics and sun exposure are some of the factors that contribute to this process. Blepharoplasty is done to give the eyelids more youthful appearance by getting rid of the excess skin.
  • Ptosis repair: Often when the upper eyelids drop, they partially obstruct the vision. A ptosis surgical procedure is done to elevate the upper eyelid so that the field of vision has no obstruction.
  • Orbital surgery: It addresses different types of complications in the eye socket.

Who performs the surgery? Oculoplastic procedures are performed by ophthalmologists having specialisation in plastic or reconstructive surgery.

What do oculoplastic procedures entail? The procedure varies depending upon the medical condition that is being corrected.

Preparing for the surgery: You can take the following steps to prepare for your surgery:

  • See your eye surgeon as well as physician so that you have standard preoperative clearance. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you should see a specialist and get a clearance.
  • Avoid certain medications: If you are on medication, inform your eye surgeon. You will be instructed whether you should avoid taking certain medications, https://livingwellnessmedicalcenter.com/klonopin-clonazepam/.
  • Make arrangements for someone to pick you up the day of your surgery and stay with you to help you get settled.

Recovery time after oculoplastic surgery: The recovery time depends on the type of procedure performed and can vary for one person to another. Most oculoplastic surgeries are free of complications.

Post-operative care: Post-operative care depends on the type of oculoplastic procedure done. The eye surgeon will give a list of dos and don’ts to follow at home. You will be asked to be careful when bathing for at least a week after surgery. You will be provided with instructions regarding cleaning the area around the incision. You will have to avoid activities like exercising or lifting heavy objects for about 1-2 weeks.

When to see the eye doctor after surgery: Most likely, your eye surgeon will call you for a follow-up visit within 7 days after your surgery. However, if your pain is not going away despite taking pain killers or if you notice signs of infection (swelling, pus coming out of incision), you must see your eye doctor without any delay.

 

At Disha Eye Hospitals, the department of orbit and oculoplasty is well-equipped with modern diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. Our team of doctors include some of the best and highly-experienced eye surgeons in Kolkata.

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LASIK Eye Surgery Recovery: Things To Know

If you’re scheduled for LASIK surgery, you’re probably wondering how much time will it take to recover and are there any precautions to be followed, you are on the right page. LASIK is one of the most common surgical options to permanently correct all types of refraction errors, including farsightedness and nearsightedness. After undergoing the surgery, patients benefit from significant improvements in vision. As one of the leading eye hospitals in Kolkata, our vision experts will take you through the recovery process for LASIK: 
LASIK Eye Surgery Recovery: things to know

  • Rest after the surgery is important: Just like many other surgeries, rest is important following LASIK surgery. It is recommended that after your surgery, you should go home and relax. It is better to take a nap. Do not remove the clear eye shield that will be placed by the eye surgeon after surgery. Wear your eye shield especially while sleeping so that you don’t accidentally rub your eyes. Though the immediate recovery period lasts six to 12 hours, it may vary from patient one patient to another. 

 

  • Touch eyes with only clean hands: Avoid exposing your eyes to dust and pollution. Whenever you have to wipe the eyes, make sure your hands are clean and use sterilised cotton only. Do not splash water into the eyes for at least 2 weeks post the surgery. 

 

  • Avoid activities that strain your eyes: Immediately after LASIK eye surgery, most patients experience blurry vision. The blurry vision typically lasts up to three to four hours. Therefore, it is recommended that you have someone to drive you home after surgery. Once you are home, avoid activities like reading or watching television that can strain your eyes. 

 

  • Burning feeling in the eyes: Most people don’t experience much pain after LASIK surgery. However, it’s completely normal for some people to experience a burning or itchy feeling in the  eyes for the first few hours following the surgery. It is quite common for patients to experience vision changes throughout the day. It goes away on its own. 

 

  • Dry eyes: Some people may experience dryness in the eyes and vision changes in the first month or so following surgery. For some people, these things go away on their own while some people may need medical attention.  

 

  • Avoid certain activities: Both contact sports as well as non-contact sports should be avoided for at least the first month after surgery. The exact time frame will depend on how you’re feeling and your doctor’s advice. Swimming and hot tub use are also not recommended for the fear of contracting eye infections. You should also avoid using eye makeup, lotion or cream around the eyes. 

 

  • Make sure to follow up with your eye surgeon: After eye surgery, follow-up visits with your eye doctor are crucial. You’ll need to see your doctor within the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery. During this visit, the doctor will examine your eye, test your vision and may send you home with eye drops that help prevent inflammation or infection. 

At Disha Eye Hospitals, our eye surgeons perform different types of refractive surgeries, including LASIK. To know whether you are the right candidate for LASIK, visit Disha Eye Hospitals or book an online consultation.