Eye Infections
Think
eye infections and 'sore eyes' or 'Conjunctivitis' immediately comes to
mind. One of the most common infections in our city, it seems to have
thousands of victims in its grip, particularly in the beginning of
summer (which is now!) and towards the end of the monsoons.
Conjunctivitis can be either bacterial or viral and symptoms include
redness of the eyes which may or may not be accompanied by itching.
Treatment
Contrary
to popular belief, home remedies aren't the most viable way to treat
this problem. Under the supervision of a doctor, antibiotics and
steroids (in some cases), may be prescribed.
Corneal Diseases
The
term encompasses several conditions. However, one of the most common
diseases of this nature is corneal opacity. Here, vision is compromised
as the cornea becomes opaque following injury. Injury in most cases
could come in the form of minute dust particles or infections that get
aggravated due to self-medication.
Treatment
The use of eye-drops alone could alleviate this problem altogether. However, in
extreme cases surgery may be required.
Retinal Detachment
If
you were sleeping when your eighth standard science teacher was
introducing you to the human eye, here's how it works: light first
enters the cornea and is projected onto the retina (the light-sensitive
tissue that lies against the inside back wall of your eye). The retina
in turn sends messages via the optic nerve to your brain, where it is
interpreted.
The
retina gets its supply of oxygen and nutrients from a thin layer of
blood vessels called the choroid, which lie directly beneath the
retina. A retinal detachment occurs when the retina gets separated from
the choroid. This condition is more likely to occur in near sighted
individuals, those who have undergone a cataract removal procedure,
people with a family history of detachment or those with other retinal
degenerative conditions.
Symptoms
• The
sudden appearance of many floaters in your field of vision that look
like spots, hair or strings that seem to float before your eyes
• Sudden flashes of light in one or both eyes
• A shadow or curtain over a portion of your visual field
• A sudden blurring of vision.
Treatment
Surgery
is the only effective therapy for a retinal tear, hole or detachment.
If treated before the central part of the retina (macula) detaches,
you'll probably retain much of your vision. If left untreated, it can
cause permanent loss of vision in the affected eye.
Diabetic retinopathy
If
you've got diabetes, always be on the guard for this condition that
affects both eyes at once. Diabetic retinopathy results from damage to
the blood vessels of the retina and can strike just about anyone who
has type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The longer you have diabetes, the higher
is your risk factor.
Early diabetic retinopathy may be symptomless. As the disease progresses
symptoms include:
• Spots floating in your line of vision
• Dark streaks or a red film that blocks vision
• Poor night vision
• Blurred vision or vision loss
Treatment
Start
by controlling your blood sugar levels and scheduling yearly eye
exams. If detected early you may need only laser to correct your
vision. But in advanced cases, surgery may your best option.
Age-related macular degeneration
In this chronic condition, the tissue of the macula (the part of the retina
responsible for central vision) deteriorates.
Symptoms
• The need for increasingly bright illumination when reading or doing close
work
• Increasing difficulty adapting to low levels of illumination, such as when
entering a dimly lit restaurant
• Increasing blurriness of printed words
• A decrease in the intensity or brightness of colours
• Difficulty recognising faces
• Gradual increase in the haziness of your overall vision
• Blurred or blind spot in the centre of your visual field combined with a
profound drop in your central vision acuity
• Visual
distortions, such as straight lines appearing wavy or crooked, a
doorway or street sign that seems out of whack, or objects appearing
smaller or farther away than they should.
Treatment
Treatment options largely aim
at stopping the progress of the disease. The damage already caused by
macular degeneration can't be reversed. The sooner it is detected, the
better your chances of preserving what's left of your central vision.
In some cases anti-oxidants may be prescribed and in other cases
outpatient procedures can be performed.
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