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7 Eye Care Tips That Are Travel-Friendly

Planning a trip could be a very demanding experience. Chalking an itinerary, booking tickets, searching for accommodation, and packing medicines are some of the elementary details that you have to keep in mind. While you are at it, you might even neglect your health; proper eye care being one of the most essential aspects people tend to ignore during, or when planning their travel. The following suggestions might help you in keeping your eyes healthy when travelling:

1) Get your eyes checked before travelling

Before commencing on a journey, it’s always recommended that you get your eyes checked. The diagnosis will ensure the detection of early symptoms, you would otherwise have missed, and will help you in beginning early treatment.

7 Eye Care Tips That Are Travel Friendly

If you are a resident of West Bengal, get your eyes treated at Disha Eye Hospitals. Disha has several branches across the state, for you to choose according to your convenience. Recognized as the top eye hospital in Kolkata, Disha houses a team of the best eye specialists offering expert ophthalmic care. In addition to that, Disha also provides a state-of-the-art ophthalmic infrastructure to accommodate high-quality care.

2) Carry a pair of sunglasses with UV protection

Sunglasses are an essential part of your travel kit. During the journey, your eyes may frequently be exposed to direct sunlight. You might believe that there is no harm in this, but they’re actually is. Exposure to direct sunlight over a long period of time could increase the risk of cataract.

3) Check and carry contact lens care essentials

For prescribed contact lenses, it’s important to carry the cleaning kit along with you. In between your trip, make sure to clean your contact lenses properly. Use contact lens solution as recommended by the pharmacist. Avoid using cleaning solution alternatives such as water or distilled water.

4) Drink water throughout the journey

While travelling, it’s important to stay hydrated. Do carry a water bottle along with you. If you wear contact lenses during the travel, you may experience dry eyes. Drinking 6 to 7 glasses of water will help you keep your eyes hydrated during your trip. Limit your caffeine intake and eat watery fruits such as pineapple, watermelon, and oranges when travelling.

5) Carry all the medicines prescribed by the eye doctor

If you are undergoing an eye treatment course, make sure to carry all the medicines prescribed by the doctor, http://affectivebrain.com/?attachment_id=5774. Remember to carry the medicines on your trip. One simple trick is to set reminders/alerts on your phone.

6) Wear minimal eye makeup as they attract and retain dust

Eye make-up is a bad idea when travelling. This is especially true if you are on your way to a dry and polluted place, as eye make-up attracts and retains dust. To avoid risking an eye infection that may occur due to the accumulation of dust in the eyes, wear minimal eye make-up.

7) Carry an extra pair of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses

What if you lose your prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses or they are damaged during the course of travel? Preventing such misfortunes is not in your control. In that case, carrying an extra pair will prevent discomfort in your eyes.

Learn more about eye care from one of our eye doctors

Our eye specialists can guide you, by providing some valuable information about eye care when you are home or travelling. Disha Eye Hospitals, offer modern treatment such as laser eye surgery, corneal transplant, cataract surgery, and Lasik eye surgery at a low cost.

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Important Facts You Need To Know About Blindness

You may have the misconception that a person with blindness has no vision at all. However, that is not true. So, how much is a person with blindness able to see? A person is considered to be blind if they cannot see at all, whereas a person with partial blindness may experience blurry vision. A person is legally blind if they have a 20/200, meaning that they can see from only 20 feet away. However, legal blindness is not a medical term. Medically, blindness can range from mild to severe. An eye specialist is the best person to know whether a person is affected by blindness or not.

Here are some important facts that will broaden your understanding of blindness:

1. Blindness varies from mild to severe: A person with complete blindness will not be able to see anything. However, a person who is partially blind may experience cloudy vision, difficulty in differentiating shapes, and poor night vision among many other symptoms.

2. Eye diseases can also cause blindness: Glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration are among the few eye diseases that could cause conditions leading to blindness. Seeking immediate medical attention could help in preventing the complete loss of vision. A stroke might also lead to blindness while optic neuritis may result in temporary or permanent loss of vision.

Important facts You Need to Know About Blindness

3. Babies can also have vision impairment at the time of birth: Though a child’s visual system starts developing in the womb, it is not until the age of two, that a child’s vision is fully developed. A child may have vision impairment at birth as a result of a medical condition. Neurological conditions, genetic conditions, and illness at the time of birth may cause partial or complete blindness in children.

4. Eye infections and other medical conditions can cause blindness in infants: Infections like conjunctivitis or medical conditions such as cataracts, congenital glaucoma, and strabismus might hinder a child’s visual system to develop fully. A child with vision impairment may possess normal-looking eyes. However, if they are not focusing on objects by the age of 4 weeks or 5 weeks, or not smiling at familiar faces by 6 to 8 weeks, then the parents should seek doctor’s advice. An older child may hold objects very close to his or her eyes, and exhibit clumsy behavior.

5. Blindness can be treated in some cases: In some cases, partial blindness can be restored with the help of surgery, medications, and eyeglasses. In cases where vision cannot be restored, the doctors help patients to adapt a sustainable lifestyle, to help them function with limited vision. In the case of people with complete blindness, the doctor may suggest the use of braille, audio clocks, audiobooks, and other aids.

6. Blindness can be prevented in some cases: Early detection of eye diseases could help patients seek timely treatment and medication, visit https://neurofitnessfoundation.org/ambien-zolpidem/. This can prevent vision loss. It is important to get your eyes examined regularly to keep track of the general health of your eyes. It is recommended that the eyes of a child should be examined at the age of 6 months, and 3 years. After a child turns 6, the eye examination should be carried out every year. However, if there’s any change in the vision, then you should see an eye doctor immediately.

Preventive care is important for the health of your eyes

As much as annual physical examinations are an important part of healthcare routines, regular comprehensive eye examinations are equally important and form a part of general healthcare. An annual eye examination is the best way to make sure that your eyes are healthy. If you experience any changes in your vision, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at one of the best eye hospitals in Kolkata, visit Disha Eye Hospitals. Our services include treatment for eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. To know more about our services, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/ We also offer LASIK eye surgery. To know the LASIK eye surgery cost and other details, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/lasik-refractive-surgery

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Visual Disturbances: Causes Treatment

Vision is considered clear and normal as long as the eyes are healthy. Changes may occur in vision if the eye health deteriorates. One of the most common eye health issues is difficulty in being able to see clearly.

One might experience blurred vision, double vision, sensitivity to light, or see halos around light sources as a symptom of an eye condition. If you notice any such changes in your vision, it is time to consult an eye specialist.

Visual disturbances: causes treatment

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Disha Eye Hospitals are a family of a highly-qualified eye care team, dedicated to ensuring the best eye care for patients. Schedule an appointment with one of our eye specialists at http://www.dishaeye.org/organic/ and get your vision-related symptoms accurately diagnosed.

Here’s a list of eye complications that commonly cause visual disturbances:

1) Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration occurs when the macula, the central part of the retina, starts deteriorating. Macular Degeneration commonly causes different types of visual disturbances such as blurriness in central vision, difficulty in making out fine details, and impaired colour perception.

This eye condition has two forms; wet form and dry form. Dry Macular Degeneration occurs when tiny yellow deposits form in the macula. Wet Macular Degeneration occurs when there is an abnormal growth of blood vessels underneath the macula. In most cases, eye doctors choose nutritional therapy as a treatment option for Dry Macular Degeneration, and anti-VEGF and laser photocoagulation for Wet Macular Degeneration.

2) Cataract

Cataract is another common eye complication that causes different types of visual disturbances such as blurred vision, yellowing of vision and sensitivity to glare. Cataracts occur when there’s a build-up of protein clumps in the eyes. With time, the build-up of these clumps becomes denser, obstructing light from entering into the retina.

Cataract surgery is the go-to treatment option for Cataract. The surgery involves replacing the clouded lens with an artificial one called intraocular lens.

3) Glaucoma

The pressure in the eye, called intraocular pressure, increases and damages the optic nerve causing glaucoma. Loss of vision, seeing halos around light sources, and hazy vision are some of the common visual disturbances associated with Glaucoma.

In mild cases of Glaucoma, eye doctors prescribe eye drops that lower the eye pressure. For severe cases, eye doctors choose advanced treatment options such as laser surgery and microsurgery to improve fluid flow in eyes and lower intraocular pressure.

4) Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy, as its name implies, is a diabetes-related eye condition. It occurs when blood vessels in the retina swell and leak. Diabetic Retinopathy causes different types of visual disturbances such as vision blurriness, floaters in vision, black spots in vision, and impaired colour vision.

Some of the commonly-preferred treatment options for Diabetic Retinopathy include Anti-VEGF therapy, vitrectomy, corticosteroids and focal/grid macular laser therapy.

5) Refractive errors

Refractive errors originate when an abnormal shape of the eyeball prevents light from accurately focusing on the retina. Refractive errors also occur when the shape of the cornea changes. Visual disturbance associated with refractive error varies with the eye condition type.

Hyperopia (farsightedness) causes blurriness in near vision while Myopia (nearsightedness) causes blurriness in distant vision. The treatment options available are the correction of vision either temporarily or permanently.

Doctors prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses for temporary correction. For permanent vision correction, LASIK eye surgery is recommended.

Visit Disha Eye Hospital for affordable LASIK surgery

Disha Eye Hospitals, provide the finest-quality of LASIK eye surgery at an affordable price. This is one of the many achievements of the hospital in their path of making eye care affordable to people. To learn more regarding LASIK eye surgery, visit your nearest centre of Disha.

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The First Signals of Ocular Migraine

Have you been experiencing temporary loss of vision or temporary blindness in one eye? In case you are, then chances are that you might be suffering from an ocular migraine. Ocular migraine must not be confused with other types of migraine; although regular migraine, along with recurring headaches could affect your vision, that would involve flashing light sensations and blind spots.

The first signals of ocular migraine

How could this condition be described and what are the determining factors?

To put it plainly, ocular migraine is a type of migraine that causes visual disturbances. Unlike other types of migraine, ocular migraine may not cause any pain but it may typically create a blind spot in your field of vision.

The causes of this condition are not known. However, a family history of migraines could multiply its chances. Excess estrogen in the body and changes in the nerve cells of the retina are two of the many risks that could lead to an ocular migraine. Spasms in the blood vessels of the retina are believed to increase the possibility of this condition.

Symptoms

Everyone does not experience ocular migraine in the same way. As such, the symptoms of migraine can differ from person to person. Below are some of the most common symptoms:

  • A blind spot that gradually moves around the visual field
  • A coloured ring of zigzag shape that surrounds the blind spot
  • A blind spot on the centre of vision that flickers every minute
  • Persistent headaches that could last from 4 hours to 72 hours
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • A feeling of nausea
  • Impaired smell, taste, and touch
  • Tingling sensation and/or numbness in the face or hands

Some of these symptoms, such as the perception of flashing lights and zigzag shapes, can either affect both the eyes or just one eye. If you detect any of the above symptoms, make sure to consult an eye doctor soon. You could get your eyes diagnosed by one of our best eye specialists in Kolkata at Disha Eye Hospitals. To know more about our hospitals, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/.

List of triggers

Triggers could prompt the onset of an ocular migraine. Similar to symptoms, triggers of an ocular migraine can vary from person to person. Below is a list of triggers of an ocular migraine:

  • Bright lights
  • Specific tastes
  • Strong odours
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • Increased caffeine intake
  • Withdrawal from caffeine
  • Increased alcohol intake/binge drinking
  • Food items containing tyramine (fava beans, soy beans, sausages, and aged cheese)
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Sudden changes in weather

Choose excellent standard of service and affordable eye care at Disha Eye Hospitals

At Disha Eye Hospitals, we make sure our patients receive the best care at budget-friendly rates. With advanced diagnostic and treatment procedures, our eye doctors are an assurance of the high-quality eye care that we provide. As one of the top eye hospitals in West Bengal, we offer treatment for Cataract, Glaucoma and other eye conditions. To enquire about the expenses of LASIK eye surgery, get in touch with us at http://www.dishaeye.org/organic/.

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10 Things to Know about Photophobia

Most eye complications give off signals when they occur and start worsening. Photophobia is one of the major signals among other symptoms such as eye redness and eye pain. It causes the eyes to become sensitive to light.

If the onset of an eye complication has caused photophobia to develop in your eyes, you will experience discomfort and pain when looking at bright light sources. It’s crucial to get your eyes screened for the eye complication that has caused the symptom to occur.

As one of the top eye hospitals in Kolkata, we, at Disha Eye Hospitals, provide quality and affordable treatment for a number of eye complications. Our team of eye doctors use advanced diagnostic procedures to get a precise diagnosis of your eye complication and choose the right treatment options. Book an appointment online at http://www.dishaeye.org/organic/ .

Here’s what worth knowing about photophobia

1) Photophobia is a common symptom of migraine

Migraine is one of the common causes of light sensitivity. In fact, bright light sources such as the sun and fluorescent light bulbs are some of the biggest triggers in many migraine cases. If you have a migraine, it’s best to avoid direct exposure to bright light sources. Also, if you are experiencing a migraine attack, shift to a dark and cool room to relieve the pain.

2) A symptom of age-related eye complications

Photophobia is one of the primary symptoms of serious age-related eye complications, including Age-related Macular Degeneration, Cataracts, and Glaucoma. As these age-related eye complications progress, your photophobia can worsen to cause hypersensitivity to light.

3) Common in people with mental health disorders

People with mental health are more prone to having photophobia. You may stand at a risk of light sensitivity, if you are suffering from any of the mental health problems like depression, anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and bipolar disorder, https://www.cdhfinechemical.com/cdh_data/xanax-alprazolam/.

4) Photophobia is linked with brain disorders

People with mental health are more prone to having photophobia. You may stand at a risk of light sensitivity if you are suffering from any of the mental health problems like depression, anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and bipolar disorder.

5) Certain medicines can cause photophobia

Photophobia can occur as a result of using certain medicines such as Quinine (Qualaquin), Furosemide, Tetracycline, Belladonna, and Antibiotics. It’s important to consult with an eye doctor if you are taking any of these medicines and experiencing sensitivity to light.

6) Manage photophobia the easy way

If you have light sensitivity, one simple way to deal with it is to wear a pair of eyeglasses with photochromic lenses. This type of lens is designed to automatically darken when exposed to bright light. Also, wearing a wide-brimmed hat is helpful in blocking more light when spending time outdoors.

7) Photophobia can occur in one or both eyes

Yes, you read it right. Light sensitivity can occur in one or both eyes. As mentioned above, photophobia occurs as a symptom of several eye complications such as Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Age-related Macular Degeneration, and Uveitis. These eye complications can occur in one or both eyes.

8) Eye injuries are a major cause

Physical eye injuries such as Corneal Abrasion (also called Scratched Cornea), Traumatic Iritis, and Hyphema are leading causes of light sensitivity. Physical eye injuries are medical emergencies. If you meet with an accident that injures your eyes, make sure to immediately consult with an eye doctor to reduce the risk of complications such as infections and vision impairment.

9) Photophobia can occur from eye infections

Light sensitivity is one of the primary symptoms of a number of serious eye infections such as Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), Fungal Keratitis, Trachoma, Acanthamoeba Keratitis, Endophthalmitis, and Viral Keratitis.

10) Treatment for photophobia

In most cases, photophobia disappears after the underlying cause is treated or managed. For example, if your refraction error is causing light sensitivity, correcting it can cause the symptom to disappear, or at the least, lower in intensity.

We provide advanced refractive error correction treatment options, including LASIK eye surgery. Learn more at http://www.dishaeye.org/lasik-refractive-surgery.

Ensure good eye health for yourself and your loved ones at Disha Eye Hospitals

At Disha Eye Hospitals, we are aimed at providing high-quality and affordable eye care using advanced diagnostic and treatment procedures. Our biggest focus is to make it possible for people from all walks of life to have access to high-quality eye care through affordable eye treatment prices.

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Eye Diseases Associated with Smoking

If you smoke, you’re well acquainted with the guilty pleasure of lighting up another cigarette, despite having smoked one a couple of minutes before. But do you know the damage the smoke entering inside your lungs is causing?

Apart from leading to a number of health complications such as lung cancer, constricted blood vessels, strokes, loss of appetite, infertility, etc, smoking also increases the risk of a number of eye diseases which can lead to blindness.

Eye Diseases Associated with Smoking

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Quitting smoking is the best step you can take to reduce the damage the chemicals in cigarette smoke has already done. To further lower the risks of eye complications, make sure to visit an eye doctor every year. Get your eye health diagnosed from one of our eye specialists at Disha Eye Hospital, one of the top eye hospitals in Kolkata. Book your appointment online at http://www.dishaeye.org/appointment.

Here are some of the serious eye diseases associated with smoking:

1.Cataracts: Cataract is one of the most common eye diseases linked to regular smoking. The eye complication occurs when the eye lenses start breaking down and form clumps. Over time, the clumps cloud the lens and obstruct light. This, in turn, leads to vision loss which gradually worsens as the clumps become denser. Smoking causes heavy metals like cadmium to accumulate in the lens and contribute to cataract formation. Also, regular smoking can alter the cells in the eye lenses through oxidation.

Cataracts treatment at Disha Eye Hospital

2.Dry Eyes: People who smoke regularly are at higher risk of developing dry eyes than those who don’t smoke. Also, cigarette smoke is an eye irritant; it worsens dry eyes in smokers as well as in non-smokers. Dry eyes occur when either the tear glands cannot produce sufficient/quality tears for lubrication or when the produced tears get evaporated quickly.


3.Diabetic Retinopathy: Diabetic Retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels of the retina get damaged and lead to vision loss. Regular smoking causes blood sugar levels to spike up, especially in people with diabetes. As a result, the increased blood sugar levels cause more damage to the blood vessels and worsen Diabetic Retinopathy. People who have been recently diagnosed with diabetes stand at an increased risk of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy


4.Uveitis: The onset of Uveitis is commonly linked to regular smoking. The eye complication occurs when the eye’s middle layer, the uvea, gets inflamed. If left untreated, the eye complication can damage the vital structures of the eyes, including the retina and the iris. Smoking speeds up the development of Uveitis. As such, regular smokers stand at an increased risk of the complication than non-smokers.

Uveitis

5.Macular Degeneration: Macular Degeneration is one of the leading causes of central vision loss. The eye complication is more common in smokers than in non-smokers. Macular Degeneration occurs when the macula (a part of the retina) is damaged. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors of Macular Degeneration.

Macular Degeneration

6.Tips to quit smoking:

Most people struggle to let go of the habit of smoking. However, making small changes to your lifestyle can go a long way in lowering the temptation to light one up. Here are some tips to help you quit the habit:

●Fight your cravings:

Like every other smoker, you may get cravings to smoke at specific times in a day. For eg, most smokers get a strong craving to light one up after a meal. When you get such cravings, try to fight them by eating a healthy snack, drinking water, and talking with somebody.

●Take help:

Do whatever it takes to get help in quitting the habit. Taking therapies and using mobile apps that help kick the butt is a good option.

●Hang out with non-smokers often:

You may tend to smoke frequently when spending time with other smokers. One simple and effective way to reduce smoking and quit eventually is to hang out more with non-smokers.

We at Disha Eye Hospital are committed to providing affordable eye care treatment so that people can have a healthy vision. Our services include LASIK, refractive surgery, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. To know more about our services, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/.

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How to Know if LASIK is Right for You?

How to Know if LASIK is Right for You?

Your friend got a LASIK eye surgery done last month and she looks fabulous without her eyeglasses. Now, you are thinking of getting a LASIK eye surgery done for yourself to reduce the need of wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses. But you don’t know whether you are a good candidate for it. The best way to know if you a good candidate for a LASIK is to take an appointment with an eye specialist.

For a LASIK surgery consult best eye specialists in top eye hospital in Kolkata

If you are in Kolkata and planning to get a LASIK surgery done, then look nowhere but at Disha Eye Hospital, one of the top eye hospitals in Kolkata. Besides LASIK, we offer a range of ophthalmic services like refractive surgeries and cataract surgery. To check our eye treatments that are available at affordable prices, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/.

A LASIK (Laser Intra-stromal Kerato mileusis) surgery is a common eye procedure that helps correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism. It is an outpatient surgical procedure where the laser is used to make a small flap in the cornea and removes some of the tissue exposed by the flap. The operation takes around 10 to 15 minutes on one eye. Here’s some more information that can help you understand LASIK eye surgery and what it entails. However, only an eye specialist after a comprehensive analysis of your vision can tell you if LASIK eye surgery is right for you:

1. Are you above 18? You must be above 18 to qualify for the procedure. A person’s vision can change anytime during their lifetime and during adolescence, it changes dramatically. As the LASIK surgery is permanent, it is not recommended for anyone who is not an adult. Even those in their mid-20s are often encouraged to wait until their prescription may be more stable. In your early 20s, your prescription may change.

2. Does your eyeglass prescription qualify for a LASIK? After a thorough eye examination, an eye specialist will determine if your eyeglass prescription requires a LASIK. An experienced optometrist or ophthalmologist can evaluate your vision, your lifestyle needs and then tell you whether you are a good candidate for LASIK or not.

3. Do you have healthy corneas? A LASIK surgery involves the creation of a LASIK flap. To support this LASIK flap, you must have thick cornea. If your corneas are not thick enough, you are likely to experience some complications.

4. Do you have a stable vision? Your refractive errors need to be stable for at least a year before undergoing LASIK or other refractive surgery. Your eye specialist can tell you whether your prescription is stable or not.

5. Do you have cataracts? A LASIK surgery is generally not recommended for those who have cataracts.

6. Are you pregnant? It is not recommended for you to get LASIK done just before or after pregnancy. You may have to wait sometime. Women go through a lot of hormonal changes during and after pregnancy that can cause changes to a woman’s vision corrective prescription during pregnancy. A LASIK surgery during pregnancy can make the operations outcomes less predictable. Several prescription and non-prescription medications are given for a LASIK surgery and they may pose threat to the foetus.

7. Do you have any serious medical condition?

If you have no eye problems like active corneal disease, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, or glaucoma, you can be considered for a LASIK surgery.

8. Do you have realistic expectations? A lot of people think that getting a LASIK eye surgery means never ever having to wear your eyeglasses. The idea of a LASIK surgery is to reduce your dependency on eyeglasses and contact lenses. But it cannot completely eliminate the need of eyeglasses. Many people don’t eyeglasses even years after the surgery but some do. The need for wearing eyeglasses totally depends on the health of your vision.

Choose Disha Eye Hospital for LASIK eye surgery at affordable cost

Our LASIK surgery department is the most researched one. We have the best technology, the Wavelight Allegretto AG (German) technology. The state-of-the-art technology screens out risk cases. Now, to book an appointment at Disha Eye Hospitals through WhatsApp, send an SMS or WhatsApp text on 9433311111.

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7 Facts on Low Vision

 

7 Facts on Low Vision


People suffering from low vision may not only face difficulty seeing things around them but also stand at an increased risk of serious vision complications. Over here we discuss useful facts to help you know more about low vision:

1)  Different types of low vision:-

There are different types of low vision. The common ones include:

  • Blurred vision – lack of clarity in near and distant vision.


  • Night blindness – difficulty in seeing during nighttime and in poorly lit places such as theatres.


  • Hazy vision – dim field of vision.


  • Loss of peripheral vision – loss of vision on either sides and above and below the eye level.


  • Loss of central vision – a blind spot in the centre of the field of vision.


2)  Low vision is the result of a variety of eye conditions and/or injuries:-

People suffering from eye conditions such as Glaucoma, Cancer of the eye, Macular Degeneration, Cataracts, Diabetes, and Eye trauma can develop low vision as their condition progresses over time.

3) Knowing when to get an eye exam:-

If you notice changes in your vision and experience symptoms such as nearsightedness, or farsightedness, it’s best to consult an eye doctor to start early treatment and lower the risk of further vision complications.

One of the ways to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness is getting a LASIK surgery done. Know more about Disha’s LASIK surgery department visit http://www.dishaeye.org/lasik-refractive-surgery

4) “Low vision” is a term used by eye care professionals:-

“Low vision” is a term widely used by eye care professionals to describe visual impairment which cannot be corrected by eye surgery, medicine, contact lenses, and standard glasses.

5) Living with low vision:-

Although low vision creates difficulties in doing everyday tasks, people suffering from the eye condition can maintain or regain their quality of life by taking different measures such as regularly following up with the doctor, joining support groups, using the visual aid(s) prescribed by the eye doctor.

6) The degree of sight loss in low vision can vary:-

The degree of sight loss in a person with low vision can depend upon the nature and severity of the existing eye condition. Age can be another important determining factor.

7) Diagnosis of low vision:-

Eye doctors conduct a comprehensive eye exam to diagnose the eye condition. During eye check-up for low vision, the eye doctor may test your visual fields, depth perception, and visual acuity using special charts and magnifiers.

Get your eyes diagnosed & start early treatment at Disha Eye Hospital for a better tomorrow

At Disha Eye Hospital, we use modern medical technologies and equipment to ensure precise diagnosis and effective treatment. What separates us apart from others is our zest to provide affordable eye treatment to ensure better eye health of people from all walks of life. Learn more about our services at http://www.dishaeye.org.

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20 Facts on 20/20 Vision

You have probably heard the term “20/20 vision” a number of times. If you have ever tested your vision, you must remember that the doctor made you read a chart with some letters printed on them.

If you were told that you have a 20/20 vision that means, your visual acuity is normal. In other words, your eyesight is perfect!

But, is this true? Does a 20/20 vision mean that you have a perfect vision?
Want to know? Check these 20 surprising facts on 20/20 vision:

1.    20/20 is just a measurement of how clearly you are able to see at a particular distance.  If your visual acuity report says that you have a 20/20 vision then that means you can clearly see objects at a distance of 20 feet 1. If you have a 20/40 vision then that means you need to stand at 20 feet to see anything that a person with normal vision can see from 40 feet. This determines your visual clarity under standard circumstances and doesn’t determine the quality of your vision under any type of circumstances.

2.    Don’t think that 20/20 vision is the perfect vision. You may even have a 20/15 vision and can see sharper than average images.  A 20/15 vision means that you can read the eye chart standing at 20 feet while any other person needs to stand at a distance of 15 feet to easily see the chart. Usually, vision correction glasses and processes aim at giving you a 20/20 vision. A special eye chart is used for measuring your visual acuity or the clarity of your vision.

3.    Generally, doctors use the Snellen chart for measuring your visual acuity. The chart contains a total of 11 rows of capital letters. The topmost line of the chart contains a single but very large letter. In the lines following the first line, the number-letter keeps increasing and the size of the letter keeps decreasing. The doctor will make you stand at a distance of 20 feet from the chart and read all the letters without contact lenses or glasses.

You may have to cover one eye and then read the smallest line of letters that are visible to you. The doctor will perform the test in both of your eyes. In some cases, the doctor may make you read the chart using a mirror. In this case, the test can also be done from a distance that’s less than 20 feet. The Snellen Chart was developed by Dr Hermann Snellen, a Dutch Doctor, in the 1860s. Hermann Snellen was the colleague of Dr Fransiscus Donders. It was Donders who first started to diagnose vision-related issues in people by making them look at a chart and ask what they can see.

4.    There is nothing called a “perfect vision.” Vision might defer depending on the circumstances. For instance, if you are out on the road on a sunny day, you may enjoy a clear vision but your friend who doesn’t have a 20/20 vision and has low visual clarity compared to you, may too enjoy a clear vision under the same circumstance just because he or she is wearing a  UV protected polarised glasses that has anti-reflective coating for that improved the contrast and also blocks glare.

There is a difference between visual acuity, vision, eyesight. Before we proceed further, let’s understand the difference:

5.    Visual acuity refers to the sharpness of your vision. This is measured by your ability to read the letter in the Snellen Chart from a particular viewing distance as prescribed.

6.    Visual acuity is an invariable measurement. It’s because you are either sitting or standing during the test and the objects (the letters and the chart in this case) that you are viewing are also static.

7.    The doctor also tests your visual acuity under high contrast conditions. In such case, the letters on the chart are written in black and the background is white.

8.    Visual acuity test helps in determining your eye clarity under standard conditions. This doesn’t determine the quality of your vision under various circumstances. For instance, this test cannot predict how well you may see coloured and moving objects and objects that have similar brightness levels as their background.

9.    There are certain neurological and physical factors that determine your visual acuity. These are:
•    How well your eye lens and cornea can focus light on the retina.
•     The sensitivity of the nerves in your retina and the visual centres in the brain.
•    How your brain interprets the information that it received from the eyes

The light that is focused on the macula (the central part of the retina) determines your visual acuity results during the eye examination.

10.    Eyesight can be defined in many ways. It can be referred to as your vision or the ability to see or your range of sight. Often the term “eyesight” is used interchangeably with “visual acuity.”

11.    Vision is a much wider term than eyesight and visual acuity. Vision is not just seeing but also includes a number of your visual abilities such as tracking moving objects, your depth perception, contrast sensitivity, focusing speed and accuracy.

12.    Often, your 20/20 vision may not be sharp enough. This means that your eyes may have Higher-Order Aberrations or HOA. This cannot be corrected using contact lenses or vision correcting eyeglasses. The eye doctor may use wavefront technology for checking the aberrations.

In case the aberrations are caused by minor irregularities occurring on the front surface of your eye, then it can be corrected by fitting Gas Permeable (GP) contact lenses. This often improves the visual acuity better than soft contact lenses and glasses. It’s because the GP lenses are rigid. These lenses replace the irregular front area of your eye, making them perfectly smooth and curved surface that can focus light more accurately.

13.    Custom wavefront LASIK is another option. This is a laser vision correction surgery can provide you sharp vision (that you get with the rigid gas permeable contact lenses). The visual acuity achieved by LASIK eliminates the daily hassle of wearing glasses or contact lens care.

What can you do to keep your eyes healthy?


Here is the guide to maintain a 20/20 vision naturally:

14.    Eat healthily
Eating well and maintaining a healthy weight can benefit your eyes tremendously. There are a number of food items that can protect your eyes against a number of eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, and cataracts.

These are caused due to the lack of certain nutrients known as zeaxanthin and lutein found in a variety of vegetables and fruits such as spinach, broccoli, mango, and green beans. Eating fresh and seasonal vegetables, dairy products, fish (especially cold water fish rich in Omega-3 fats) save you from vision impairment.

15.    Avoid smoking
It’s because smoking restricts the flow of blood to your eyes thus, decreasing the amount of oxygen in your eyes. This causes oxidative stress to your eyes and can damage your retina causing the death of cells in that area and a number of other visually impairing eye conditions.

16.    Never ignore any vision-related symptoms
Whenever you notice any changes in your vision, get in touch with your eye specialist. Ignoring these symptoms (howsoever minor it may be) is the biggest mistakes that you will be making. Often, minor symptoms may trigger major issues and cause progressive vision loss.

People usually ignore these symptoms thinking of them as a minor issue. And when they realise, the harm is already done. So, never ignore any symptoms. Get in touch with your eye care specialist today and get a comprehensive eye examination done.

Also, always wear quality sunglasses whenever going out in the sun. Be careful when selecting a sunglass. It’s because not all sunglasses can protect you from the harmful UV rays that damage your eyes. Ensure that the sunglass that you are buying blocks at least 95% to 99% UV rays (if it’s 100% then better).

17.    Let your eyes rest for a while in between work

Overstressing your eyes can harmful. So, whenever you are working in front of your computer for long periods, give them a break in between your work. Take frequent screen breaks and look to any distant object for a brief period.

You may try the 20-20-20 rule. Try looking at an object located at a distance of 20 feet for 20 seconds. Do this every 20 minutes while you work. This relaxes the eye muscles and adjusts their focusing ability.

Eye strain is mainly caused by muscle strain and when your eyes dry out.  Try setting up your computer at the corner of your room. You may try setting it up near a window. You may look out of the window. This not only refreshes your mind but also keeps your eyesight healthy. Also, keep your hands clean. Knowingly or unknowingly you are always touching your eyes. This increases the risk of eye infection. This is particularly true when you are wearing contact lenses.

Foods for a healthy eyesight and 20/20 Vision
Include these food items in your diet for a 20/20 vision or healthy vision:

18.    Kale and Spinach: Dark green leafy vegetables such as Spinach and Kale are excellent for your eyesight. These contain high amounts of antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin. These two nutrients are found in your eyes and help in lowering the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

People who eat a high amount of lutein and zeaxanthin are less likely to develop eye conditions such as cataracts. If you do not like eating Kale and Spinach then you may eat other leafy veggies such as Collards, Romaine Lettuce, and Turnip Greens.

These also contain high amounts of Zeaxanthin and Lutein. Other vegetables that contain these two anti-oxidants include corn, peas, and broccoli. Also, eggs are a good source of Lutein and Zeaxanthin.

19.    Black-eyed peas and Legumes: Any and all kind of legumes are good for your eyes. Be it black-eyed peas, lima beans, and kidney beans- these contain high levels of zinc. This is an essential trace mineral that is also found in your eyes. Zinc helps in safeguarding your eyes from the light. Other foods items that contain high levels of zinc include lean red meat, oysters, fortified cereals, and poultry.

20.    Salmon: A diet rich in Omega-3 fats is extremely good for your eyes. Coldwater fishes such as Sardine, Salmon, Tuna, and Halibut are rich in Omega-3 fats. These help in preventing the risk of eye issues later in your life. People who eat a diet high in omega-3 fatty acid are less likely to develop Age-related Macular Degeneration than people who don’t.

Also, eat plenty of citrus fruits such as tangerines, oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. These contain high levels of vitamin C, an antioxidant that’s crucial for your eye health. Your eyes need a steady supply of Vitamin C for functioning properly and high levels of antioxidants for preventing or delaying the development of AMD and cataract. Other food items containing Vitamin C include tomatoes, strawberries, peaches, red peppers, and oranges.

Get in touch with the Experts
If you think you have refractive errors, it’s better to get in touch with the eye specialists for evaluation of your vision. If you have a minor refractive error, you may undergo LASIK Eye Surgery in Kolkata to improve your visual acuity.

Vision errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism can be corrected with glasses and contact lenses. However, if you want to get rid of the glasses and do not enjoy wearing a contact lens, you can undergo a LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK eye surgery doesn’t cost much and is a matter of only a few minutes. If you want more information on LASIK or want to undergo LASIK eye surgery in Kolkata, get in touch with the experts at Disha Eye Hospital. Contact us today at http://www.dishaeye.org/appointment.

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Lasik in Kolkata

lasik eye surgery in Kolkata

Somdatta was 5 years old when she got her first prescription glasses. She faced difficulty in seeing the blackboard across the classroom and other activities became difficult as well. With the help of the glasses, she was able to get a clear vision.

However, as she grew up, her prescription started getting worse. It was a gradual process but now that Somdutta entered college, she quickly moved to contact lenses. She was fed up with her glasses and contact lenses seemed like a breather to her.

However, soon she got a very bad dry eye. It was when she first heard about LASIK eye surgery. She was a bit sceptical in the beginning but after consulting her ophthalmologist, she decided to undergo the procedure. The surgery was pretty quick. Immediately after the operation, Somdutta’s vision was blurry. When she woke up the next day, she was able to read the printed ads on the billboard for the first time, that too without glasses. She noticed her world became more vibrant.

LASIK eye surgery is the most common surgery for correcting refractive errors. Like Somdutta, thousands of people across the country have been benefitted by this surgery. It eliminates the need for glasses and contact lenses.

When is LASIK eye surgery performed?

You may undergo LASIK eye surgery if you have the following condition:

  • Myopia: You are myopic when your eyeball is slightly elongated or longer than usual and as a result, the distant objects appear blurry to you. Your vision is also affected if the cornea bends the light too sharply and the light focuses in front of the retina. As a result, you cannot see distant objects clearly.
  • Hyperopia: You have farsightedness when you cannot see the nearby objects clearly. This happens when your eyeballs are shorter than usual or if your cornea is so flat that the light doesn’t bend properly and focuses behind the retina. As a result, you cannot see nearby objects clearly.
  • Astigmatism: This is a condition that causes overall blurred vision. It happens when the cornea has uneven surface it affects both near and far vision. Usually, Astigmatism can be corrected with contact lenses and glasses. However, with LASIK, the corneal surface is reshaped, and the light that enters your eyes focuses just on the retina.

Are your Eyes Fit for LASIK?

LASIK eye surgery is good for people who have a mild or moderate degree of refractive error and do not have any other serious vision-related issues.

Before LASIK is performed, the doctors will first evaluate your eyes to see if your eyes are healthy enough for the surgery or not. He or she will evaluate whether you have any conditions that might complicate the procedure or result in a poor surgical outcome. The doctor will evaluate if you have:

  • Any eye disease that might cause progressive deterioration of eyesight and thinning of the cornea (known as keratoconus). In case keratoconus runs in your family, and even if you do not have the condition at that time, the doctor may not recommend LASIK eye surgery for you.
  • Uveitis, keratitis, and herpes simplex affecting your eyes, and any other type of eye infections.
  • Eye injuries or eyelid disorders
  • Severe dry eyes. The doctor will evaluate the moisture in your eyes. If you have dry eyes, LASIK surgery can worsen the condition. In such cases, the doctors either would not recommend LASIK or may recommend it along with a precautionary treatment to reduce the risk.
  • Large pupils. If your pupils are large, especially in low light, then LASIK eye surgery isn’t appropriate for you. It’s because the surgery may cause symptoms such as halos, light sensitivity, ghost images, and starbursts.
  • Glaucoma. LASIK eye surgery can increase your eye pressure and this can worsen your glaucoma.
  • Cataracts
    Even some medical conditions that are not related to the eye can make LASIK risky for you and the outcome less predictable. The doctor may not suggest LASIK in case you:
  • Have any medical condition affecting your immune system. It’s because it will impair your ability to heal, making you prone to infections, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune disorders.
  • Are taking any immunosuppressive medication
  • Have diabetes.
  • Suffer from depression or any particular chronic pain conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, and fibromyalgia. If you have one or more of these conditions, you may face problems with postoperative pain and dry eyes than any other people. The reasons for this are still not clear. It might be related to how you perceive pain.

Rethink your decision of having LASIK surgery if:

  • You suffer from severe nearsightedness or if you have been diagnosed with any severe refractive error.
  • You suffer from any age-related eye conditions that give you presbyopia.
  • You are actively involved in any kind of contact sports such as boxing, martial arts where you are at risk of eye injuries. LASIK surgery isn’t a good choice for you.

How LASIK Eye Surgery is performed?

Before the surgery, the doctor will apply eye drops to numb your eyes. This is for preventing any discomfort during the surgery. The doctor may also give you some medicines (maybe sedatives) to help you relax during the process, visit https://medfitnetwork.org/public/valium-diazepam-oral/.

After that, the doctor will position your eye under the laser. He or she will use a lid speculum for keeping your eyelids wide open during the surgery.

During the surgery, the first thing that the surgeon will do is cut a thin flap in your cornea using a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. He or she will then fold the flap to access the stroma. Using the excimer laser, the doctor will remove corneal tissue. This laser is a highly specialized laser that uses a cool ultraviolet light beam for removing corneal tissue in microscopic amounts and reshapes it in a way that the light can properly focus on the retina.

If you are nearsighted, the doctor will flatten the cornea and if you are farsighted, then he or she will make the cornea steeper. The excimer laser is also used for correcting astigmatism by smoothing the irregular cornea and give it a regular shape.

Once the cornea is reshaped, the flap is put back in place. The cornea is then left to heal naturally. LASIK or any other laser eye surgery is done with topical anaesthetic drops. It doesn’t involve bandages and stitches.

What to expect immediately After the Surgery?

Once the procedure is over, you may feel an itching or burning sensation in your eye. Don’t worry, this is temporary. The doctor will then conduct a brief post-operative examination before releasing you. You cannot drive immediately after the surgery until the doctor gives you the clearance as your eye will be recovering. It’s better to bring someone to drive you back home.

Following the procedure, you will experience a hazy and blurry vision. However, from the following day, your vision will start improving. The vision takes some time to adjust and stabilise. Usually, this happens in just a few days. In very rare cases, the vision takes several weeks or longer to stabilise.

It is highly recommended that you stay away from strenuous exercise for at least a week following the surgery. This can cause trauma to the eyes and hamper the healing process.

You have to come for a routine checkup after the surgery. The doctor needs to monitor your eyes and how they are healing. During the routine check-up, the doctor will check your vision.

Follow the doctor’s instructions and ensure that you are taking the prescribed medications properly. Also, avoid touching or rubbing your eye as it might dislodge the corneal flap.

Benefits of LASIK eye surgery

LASIK eye surgery has numerous benefits. These include:

  • LASIK has 96% success rate. In most of the cases, those who have undergone LASIK eye surgery have experienced improvements in vision. You will see a dramatic improvement in your vision after the day of your surgery or after a few days.
  • This is a painless process. It also doesn’t take much time but less than an hour to perform the surgery.
  • Recovery is extremely quick as it doesn’t require any stitches after the surgery.
  • In some cases, you may need a second surgery (if your vision changes with age) to correct your vision further.
  • After having LASIK eye surgery, most patients do not need glasses or lenses.

Preparing For LASIK Eye Surgery: Things to Consider

Before the surgery, you need to keep a few things in mind:

1. You cannot wear contact lenses for a long period. Before you undergo the procedure, you have to stop wearing contact lenses (if you wear). Do this at least several weeks prior to the surgery. It’s because the lenses will affect the shape of your eye lens and affect the outcome of the surgery.

2. Bring someone along with you to accompany you. It’s because your vision won’t be clear immediately after the procedure.

Once the surgery is over, follow these tips to ensure a fast recovery:

  1. Protect your eyes. Always wear protective goggle for covering your eyes after the surgery. Immediately after the surgery, the eye shouldn’t be exposed to light and dust and also, you need to avoid touching it. Sleep in your protective eye gear to avoid touching your eyes.
  2. Never rub the eyes. The corneal flap is still not secure and can dislodge if you rub or press your eyes. Even if you feel an itching sensation in your eyes, avoid touching it. Follow this for at least a week after the surgery.
  3. Apply the eye drops that are provided to you by the doctor. It’s an important part of the healing process and also minimises the risk of eye infection.
  4. Give your eyes rest. Plenty of rest is crucial for healing. Sleep. It’s because your body repairs itself while you are asleep.

Other Options

If you are not fit for LASIK, you have plenty of other options:

  • Epithelial laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis or epi-LASIK: In this procedure, the surgeon first separates the corneal surface or the epithelium from the Stroma (the middle part of the cornea). The doctor uses an Epikeratome, a mechanized blunt blade device for reshaping the cornea using a laser. This procedure is very similar to LASEK.
  • Photorefractive keratectomy or PRK: Here, instead of cutting a flap, the surface of the cornea is scraped away. You may initially feel moderate pain in the eyes and blurry vision but this corneal abrasion heals within 3-4 days. However, compared to PRK, LASIK is a better option for correcting severe myopia.
  • Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy or LASEK: This surgery is very similar to LASIK. The only difference is the flap is created with a microkeratome and exposing the cornea to ethanol. In this surgery, the surgeon can remove very less amount of corneal tissue. LASEK is a good option for those who have thin cornea and cannot undergo LASIK eye surgery.
  • Corrective lenses: The lenses can be surgically implanted in your eye for improving your vision. This is usually done for cataract surgery where implantable lenses are put in place of the cloudy natural lens. This may also be an alternative for LASIK for elderly who may need cataract surgery in the future. People who have severe nearsightedness which cannot be corrected with corrective lenses are also given implantable lenses. However, this procedure is usually not followed for everyone.
  • Bioptics: This procedure involves several techniques such as LASIK, implantable lenses for correcting nearsightedness or farsightedness. Like the above procedure, this is not followed for everyone who seeks vision correction through LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK Eye surgery in Kolkata

LASIK eye surgery cost in Kolkata depends on the severity of your condition. If you want to consult a specialist before the procedure, get in touch with us at http://www.dishaeye.org/contact-us.