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Dos and don’ts of contact lens wear

Rohan Basu, a 36-year-old from Kolkata, is a regular contact lens wearer. He was experiencing problems such as itching, burning or stinging sensation and watery eyes for quite some time. Finally, he decided to visit an eye hospital. Upon seeing an eye doctor he realised the mistakes that he had been making while using contact lenses. From wearing contact lenses to bed to wearing them to swimming pools, he had been using the contact lenses in the wrong way.

Dos and don'ts of contact lens wear

If you too are a contact lens wearer, it is important to know the dos and don’ts so that you do not put yourself at risk of developing eye infections. As a leading eye hospital in West Bengal, we share with you a few Do’s and Don’ts you must follow if you wear contact lenses. 

DO’s:

  • Do keep your hands clean. Your hands may be covered with germs, so always wash and rinse them thoroughly before touching the contact lenses. 
  • Do clean the lenses. Also, clean the lenses after removal as instructed by the eye care professional using the recommended solution. Also, keep the lens case clean. 
  • Discard all the lens solutions after the expiry date, even if there is any solution remaining.
  • Do carry your lens storage case and solution at all times if possible.
  • Keep your spectacles up to date. You can immediately use them if you lose your contact lenses. Or in case your doctor advises you to not wear contact lenses.
  • Wear swimming goggles while swimming with contact lenses. Also, wear protective glasses if you are dealing with dust, sand grit, or other foreign material. 
  • Always remove lenses before removing your eye make-up. Remove make-up with a good oil-free hypo-allergenic remover.
  • Clean your lenses immediately if you get any make-up on your contact lenses.

DON’Ts:

  • Don’t use tap or running water to rinse or soak your lenses.
  • Don’t rub your eyes vigorously while wearing contact lenses.
  • Don’t mix up your lenses. Always keep the right eye contact lens away from the left lens. This is especially important if the prescription numbers of both eyes are different. 
  • Don’t expose your contact lenses to sunlight.
  • Don’t apply any eye cosmetic products if you have swollen or red eyes or eye infections.
  • Don’t allow make-up to come in contact with your contact lenses. 
  • Do not share your contact lenses, even if they are zero power.

See an eye doctor if you experience an eye problem 

Contact lenses are convenient. However, improper use of contact lenses can raise the risk of an eye infection. If you experience any itchiness, redness, swelling or any other symptom in the eye, visit an eye hospital to get your eyes checked. Being one of the leading eye hospitals, we at Disha Eye Hospitals, have some of the best and highly experienced doctors, who will attend to your problem.

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Things to know about an eye strain headache

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

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

eye strain headache

What are the signs of eye strain headache?

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

What causes eye strain?

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

How to prevent eye strain?

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

Looking for an experienced eye specialist? 

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

 

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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:

best eye doctors

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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Eye Health FAQs

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

Eye health FAQs

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

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

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

2. What health problems affect your eyes?

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

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

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

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

4. What is an eye stroke?

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

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

The symptoms if a person has an eye cold are:

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

6. Which fruit is the best for the eyes?

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

7. How can I clean my eyes daily?

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

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

There are several possible reasons to have watery eyes:

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

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

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

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

10. How do you stop a watery eye?

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

11. What is the best medicine for watery eyes?

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

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FAQs On Eye Treatment in Kolkata

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

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Colour Blindness : Important things to know

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

Colour blindness : Important things to know

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

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

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

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

Living with colour blindness: 

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

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

 

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When is LASIK not for me?

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

best eye treatment in kolkata

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Usually, eye problems become more common with age. However, there are many many eye conditions that are present from birth and can affect a child’s eyesight. One such eye condition is retinopathy of prematurity. It is a disorder that primarily affects premature infants. The smaller the baby at the time of the birth, the more likely that infant is likely to develop the condition. As it is one of the most common causes of loss of vision in children, it is important that parents are well aware of the disease

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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Risk Factors For Glaucoma

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

glucoma-symptoms

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ocular Melanoma: 10 Important Things to Know

Cancer can develop in any part of the body, including the eyes. Among several types of eye cancers, Ocular Melanoma is one of the most serious ones. Ocular Melanoma occurs when cancer develops in the melanin, the cells that produce pigment in the iris.

Here are a few of the important things to know about Ocular Melanoma:

1) Ocular Melanoma is common in adults

Your risk of Ocular Melanoma increases as you age. If you fall under the age group of 50 and above, it’s important to visit an eye doctor every year. Our team of eye specialists at Disha Eye Hospitals, one of the top eye hospitals in Kolkata, use advanced medical tools and technology for precise diagnosis and treatment. Book an appointment online at http://www.dishaeye.org/organic/.

Also, another important reason to visit an eye doctor every year is Ocular Melanoma causes little or no symptoms during the early stages, and, therefore, usually goes undetected until it worsens.

Ocular melanoma 10 important things to know

2) Look out for a dark spot in the eyes

As Ocular Melanoma develops and starts progressing, it can cause a dark spot to develop in the iris or the conjunctiva, the front white part of the eyes. If the development of a dark spot is accompanied by a change in the shape of the pupils, it could be an indication of eye cancer. Make sure not to neglect the symptoms and instead consult with an eye doctor.

3) Prolonged exposure to sunlight increases Ocular Melanoma risk

While you may enjoy basking in the sun, you are putting yourself at the risk of Ocular Melanoma. This is because prolonged exposure to UV (ultraviolet) rays increases the risk of eye cancer.  Take proper safety precaution by wearing a pair of sunglasses when spending time outdoors. Choose a pair of sunglasses that has UVA and UVB protection.

4) A major risk factor of Glaucoma

As Ocular Melanoma progresses, it can increase the risk of a vision-threatening eye complication called Glaucoma. The eye complication occurs when the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) increases.

If the progression of Ocular Melanoma leads to the onset of Glaucoma, you may experience several symptoms such as persisting eye pain, blurriness in vision, and seeing halos around the light.

5) Ocular Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body

One of the main reasons why Ocular Melanoma is a highly serious eye complication is the fact that the eye cancer can spread to other parts of the body, including the skin, bones, lungs, and liver. When any type of cancer spreads to other parts of the body, the process is called metastasis.

6) Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome increases your Ocular Melanoma risk

If you have Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome, you stand at an increased risk of Ocular Melanoma. Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome is an inherited skin disorder that causes abnormal moles. The skin disorder also increases the risk of Melanoma of the skin.

7) Radiation is one of the most common treatment options

Although Ocular Melanoma is a serious form of eye cancer, it can be successfully treated.  Radiation is one of the commonly-preferred treatment options; it involves deteriorating the cancerous tumour by exposing it to radioactive particles. This treatment can take 4 to 5 days.

8) Laser treatment is another effective option

Another way to successfully treat Ocular Melanoma is by using laser treatment.  Eye specialists choose this treatment option if the cancerous tumour in your eye is small. The treatment involves using a precisely-targeted infrared light to kill the tumour. Eye doctor adjusts the intensity of the infrared light in such a way that it can kill the cancer cells without causing damage to other parts of the affected eye.

9) Exercise regularly to reduce your risk of Ocular Melanoma

Physical inactivity is one of the general risk factors of cancer. Exercising regularly is a good way to reduce your risk of Ocular Melanoma. Depending on your age, you may choose low to moderate-intensity exercises such as jogging, running, swimming, and brisk walking.

If you are suffering from another health complication, make sure to consult with your eye doctor and plan your exercise regime accordingly.

10) Maintain a healthy and balanced diet

Although eating regime and Ocular Melanoma may not have a direct correlation, keeping your eyes healthy by eating a nutritious diet is a good way to reduce your risk of eye cancer.

At Disha Eye Hospitals, we have a team to have highly experienced ophthalmologists and eye specialists. We provide treatment for Cataracts, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, and many other eye problems. To know about Cataract surgery cost in Kolkata, visit our hospitals. To know more about us, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/.