What is a cataract?

What is a cataract? Why did I get a cataract?

The human eye has a lens which focuses light on to the retina. A cataract is an opacity of this lens. It scatters the light going into the eye and blurs vision.

There are different types of cataract.

CORTICAL This type of cataract causes increasing blurring of vision and patients generally come to us in time.

POSTERIOR SUBCAPSULAR This type of cataract causes glare from headlights and difficulty seeing in bright light.

NUCLEAR SCLEROSIS This type of cataract causes a decrease in the reading glasses number and patients can actually read better for some time. It then causes difficulty in differentiating colours and a decrease in contrast. Patients can still see things with high contrast like the letters on our reading charts. As the patients do not have serious visual disturbances, they tend to come to us late and the cataract becomes ‘hard’ and the surgery challenging.

We do not know yet what exactly causes these cataracts.

Age is the most common cause. Lens proteins denature and degrade over time. This process is accelerated by diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Environmental factors such as toxins, radiation and ultraviolet light also hasten the process.

Injury to the eye and steroids eyedrops or systemic steroids are also known causes of cataract.

-Dr. Jagruti Desai
Oculus Eye Hospital,
Tel. 26202369, 9819983158 

Comprehensive eye check-up at Oculus Eye Hospital

This is what we will do when you come to us for a routine eye check-up.

Besides treating the complaints you have at present, we will advise you about how to take care of your eyes.

I will  examine the anterior parts of your eyes with a microscope called the slit-lamp. We will then do your vision test and eye glasses check-up. After that, we will dilate your pupil with eye drops so that i can see inside your eye and check your retina and optic nerve. You will not be able to see clearly for about 5-6 hours because of this. We also put some anaesthetic eye drops and check your eye pressure.

We record the  details of all your eye problems until now, health problems like diabetes or hypertension and whether you have any hereditary eye diseases in your family. We also inquire about your profession and whether you are putting any undue stress on your eyes.

Based on your age, the condition of your eye and your history, I will evaluate your risk of having certain eye problems which are common in the Indian population and will advise when you need your next check-up. Please see us at the recommended time and help us keep your eyes healthy for life.

-Dr. Jagruti Desai

Why you need an eye checkup, if you are diabetic?

People with DIABETES are advised to have their eyes checked frequently .

Do you know why ?

If you have diabetes , you are more likely to develop cataract and glaucoma. You also need to be aware of a condition called DIABETIC RETINOPATHY. Diabetes weakens the blood vessels in your body. In the eye , we can directly see the blood vessels in your retina and detect early signs of damage like small haemorrhages and exudates.This can worsen to a condition called proliferativediabetic retinopathy which is very difficult to treat and can lead to blindness.

The wise thing to do is have regular check-ups so that this is detected in the early stages. If it is detected early, it can easily be kept under control with laser therapy.

Your physician would also like to know whether you have retinopathy as it gives him valuable information about the condition of your blood vessels.

WASHING EYES WITH WATER – GOOD OR BAD ?

We have been often advised by our peers to splash water on our faces while we sit on computer or hook on to a television for longer hours. The reason, they say, is to get fresh and give a rest to our eyes and we have just held on to that advice as if it were a bible.

But has one ever wondered that washing the eyes by splashing water on them is actually asking for an eye trouble?

Many of our ancient traditions like yoga seem to advocate frequent washing of eyes. But, a detailed study on the activity by doctors has revealed that routinely washing your eyes with tap water is NOT a good idea. What it actually does is it washes away the tear film which covers the surface of the eye. The tears are not just water; they have lipids to lubricate the surface, electrolytes to maintain the pH and immune proteins to protect against infection, etc.

The optical surface is optimized to clean itself. The normal protection mechanism of the eye is for the dust etc. to collect at the base of the eye lashes. Hence, doctors often advice their patients to wash their eyes with their eyes closed. So if you have been out in a dusty atmosphere, close your eyes and wash the outside of the eyes especially the roots of the eye lashes.

The only time washing is indicated is when an irritating chemical gets into the eye .If an acid or alkali gets into the eye , wash the eyes continuously for about 10 minutes and then seek the help of an eye doctor.

So, if a particle has gone in the eye, blink a lot – this will dislodge it .If it doesn’t, try splashing water for a few minutes. If this too doesn’t help, go to an eye doctor. It is not a good idea to try and remove it with a wet cloth – you will ultimately dislodge a lot of epithelium and eye infection can occur.

In Monsoons, Prevent Red Eye

In Monsoons, Prevent Red Eye

With the onset of monsoons comes a host of viral diseases that one needs to be cautious of and definitely not the one to missed is the ‘Conjuctivitis’, also known as the ‘pink eye’. ‘Conjuctivitis’, most of the times is viral in nature and causes irritation in the eye. Eyes also tend to turn red due to the disease though it is better to check with the doctor before forming a conclusion.

It is extremely important to study the cause of the disease in order to avoid it.

HOW IS CONJUNCTIVITIS CAUSED and HOW DOES IT SPREAD?

Conjunctivitis is generally caused when a person comes in contact with the virus. It spreads by what are called ‘fomites’ objects, which when handled by the patient causes the virus to be transferred. .When that object is handled by another person he gets the virus on his hand and then transfers it to his eye .Common ways of spread are by the viruses on objects like pens etc. exchanged with the patient or sitting on a chair vacated by a patient and touching the handrest touched by the patient etc. It does not spread through the air.

As we commonly say, prevention is better than cure, lets see how we can avoid them.

PRECAUTIONS:

Its important to keep your hands clean, especially if you come across somebody with red eyes.
It is quite possible that the virus may come in contact with your eyes.
Wash your hands with soap. Make sure your child washes his hand after he comes from school or playground.

WHAT IF I GET RED EYES?

Do not use eye drops advised by chemists .They have a tendency to dispense a steroid called ‘pyrimon’ which can be harmful in certain cases.
Visit your eye doctor to make sure it is conjunctivitis (there are many other causes of red eyes )
Make sure that your ‘cornea the transparent front portion of your eye’ is not involved .
The doctor will then provide the appropriate medicines.