Dr. Ravi Thadani

If health is lost, everything is lost and your eyes are one of the most essential parts of your health. Good eyesight is the key to a happy life. But in order to maintain good eyesight, it is important to keep a few things in mind. However, aging causes several disorders related to eyes.

Here’s what you should do to continue life till the fullest with healthy eyes even in your sixties:

1. Check your diet: For healthy eyes, you should take care of your diet first. Include foods rich in vitamins A and C, such as green leafy vegetables and fish in your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are also necessary for good vision as they improve the health of Macula, which is responsible for central vision. Alcohol and unsaturated fats are harmful for the macula. High-fat levels in the body obstruct proper flow of blood through arteries. Thus, eyes also suffer due to low oxygen supply.

2. Quit smoking at the earliest: Smoking poses great threat to your eyes. It increases the level of oxidative stress. This is harmful for the eyes.

3. Exercise: Regular exercise improves the blood circulation in our body. Thus, sufficient blood reaches the eyes which further aids sufficient supply of oxygen.

4. Use sunglasses: Protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays. Wear sunglasses when you are travelling outdoors as UV rays are extremely y harmful for the eyes.

5. Don’t overstrain your eyes: Avoid sitting in front of the television and computer for too long. Keep the computer below the eye level. Keep the screen at a distance. Remember to blink frequently and keep the colour format not too bright or saturated.

6. Rinse your eyes: Wash and rinse your eyes regularly with cold water to get rid of dust particles.

7. Be alert: In case of any injury related to the eye, seek immediate medical help. Don’t ignore the injury.

8. Visit your doctor: It is important to get your eyes checked by a professional at least once in every two years. The doctor should watch and examine your pupil by dilating it. He must assess the fact that whether you are vulnerable to any eye disease or not and take necessary steps.

9. Check your spectacles or lenses: It is important that you keep the spectacles or lenses up to date. Visit your doctor to check the power of your lens. Keep a tab on the changing power.

10. Rubbing your eyes: Avoid rubbing your eyes if any particle gets into it. You should rather splash water to keep it intact.

This is a condition which can be caused in the delicate folds of the skin over the eye called the eyelid. The eyelids usually protect us from extreme light, and the entrance of other debris as well as against injuries to the delicate interiors of the eyes. The eyelid may get irritated or experience varied sensations like prickling, burning or itching, with a dull ache or sharp pain due to many reasons. This discomfort and irritation is usually caused by inflammation. Let us learn more about this condition.

Eyelid Inflammation: Blepharitis or eye inflammation is a condition that causes eyelid irritation because of allergic reactions as well as infections, dandruff in the eyelashes and eyebrows, pollutants and varied other causes. Also, poor hygiene can lead to the growth of eyelash lice which can also enter the eyes and lead to inflammation and irritation of the eyelids. A malfunctioning oil gland can also cause this kind of problem along with side effects of certain kinds of medication.

Types of Inflammation: This condition can be of two types :- anterior and posterior. Anterior eye inflammation causes irritation in that part of the eyelids which are outside the eyes where the eyelashes are situated. Dandruff and allergic reactions can also cause this kind of irritation. Posterior eyelid inflammation is a condition that can be found in the inner rims and corners of the eyes where malfunctioning oil glands found in the follicles of the eyelashes can cause this problem leading to blurry or cloudy vision as well.

Symptoms: Apart from irritation and not being able to close the eyes properly, there are many other symptoms of this condition. These symptoms include sensitivity to glares of light, oily eyelids, burning and itching sensation, and a feeling that some particles have entered your eyes and formed a crust on your eyelashes.

Checking for an Infection: Many of these symptoms can point at the presence of an infection, especially when accompanied by fever and headaches. Yet, irritation can also just be a cause of simple inflammation or due to the entry of a foreign body into the eye. Still, it is always best to get the symptoms checked by an ophthalmologist who will conduct a detailed eye exam along with lab tests based on blood samples in order to ensure that there is no bacterium or virus infecting the body.

Treatment: Steroids and antibiotics will be used only when there is an infection. As a home remedy for this condition, you can apply a warm wash cloth and clean your eyes frequently.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Bloodshot eyes aren't exactly the best feature of a person! When a person's eyes are bloodshot, it is quite easy to 'see' that something is wrong! Eyes are possibly the most delicate organs of the body, and are all the more vulnerable to infections such as 'subconjunctival haemorrhage'. However, as dour as such terms may sound, there is a lot which really should be known about them!

The eye has a thin layer which goes by the name of the conjunctiva, which covers a part called the sclera. Many a times, especially in the case of children, if an injury unfortunately occurs in the eye, there are chances that it may form subconjunctival haemorrhage.

The reason why this occurs is that there are some of the very small blood vessels in a person's eye break. The reason for this, apart from an injury could also be on account of a sudden increase in the blood pressure of the person. This usually takes place due to some very strenuous lifting exercise but also can occur due to laughing or sneezing!

The occurrence of a subconjunctival haemorrhage can also be closely linked to the consumption of pills which thin the blood such as aspirin.

Treating Subconjunctival Haemorrhage

Now, considering the fact that such a haemorrhage has the potential to look quite scary, it may be natural for a person to react proactively. However, in many cases this is not required at all. As a matter of fact, the issue clears up within a couple of weeks at the maximum and a week and a half, on average. If this does not happen to be the case, it is a signal that a medical professional should take a look at the patient's eye.

In many instances, a person may not even get to know that he or she is suffering from a subconjunctival haemorrhage as there is no effect on the vision of the person and he or she would probably get to know that this is the case by taking a look in the mirror or being informed of his or her eye looking red.

In order to treat a subconjunctival haemorrhage in an effective manner, the first thing to be done by a person is to avoid any medication which could be causing it. Also, it is quite important not to rub one's eye as this really does slow down the healing process.

Artificial tears help soothe the eye but they do not hasten the rate of repair. A subconjunctival haemorrhage may occur, but if a person follows the right steps, his or her vision can consistently remain 20/20!

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Cataracts are a common eye problem experienced by the elderly. In some cases, babies may also be born with cataract as a congenital defect or it may develop as a result of conditions such as diabetes. Cataracts can affect one or both eyes and is characterized by the clouding of the lens in the eye. This can make it difficult to see clearly and if not treated in time can lead to blindness.

Common symptoms of cataract include:

1. Blurred vision
2. Nearsightedness
3. Changes in the perception of colour
4. Night blindness
5. Increased sensitivity to glares
6. Double vision

An eye examination is the first step to diagnosing cataracts. To confirm a diagnosis the doctor will also dilate the pupil to check the lens. Most cataracts can be easily treated with surgery. This surgery involves the separation of the cataract from the lens and its removal after which an intraocular lens implant is placed in the eye. In cases where this cannot be used, corrective contact lenses or glasses will need to be used. One of the most popular methods of cataract surgery is known as phaco surgery or phacoemulsification.

This surgery involves making two, small incisions on the eye where the cornea meets the sclera. This is then used to create a circular opening in the lens through which a probe is inserted into the eye. Sound waves or laser is then used to break the cataract into small pieces. This is then removed from the eyes and an intraocular lens implant is put in its place. Stitches are rarely required for this surgery and it is usually performed as an outpatient procedure while the patient is under local anaesthesia. When treating cataract, both eyes are usually not addressed simultaneously.

This surgery is usually pain free. The operated eye may be bandaged overnight and the patient will be given a protective eye shield to be worn for a week. The doctor will ask you to get a check up 2-3 days after the surgery where they can evaluate the clarity of the lens, overall health of the eye, eye pressure and visual acuity.

Cataract surgery is generally considered to be a safe surgery but like any other surgery there are risks involved. Some of the possible complications of this type of surgery include:

1. Pain and redness of the eye
2. Vision problems
3. Swelling of the eye
4. Discharge from the eye
5. Flashes or floaters in the patient’s vision

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

If you suffer from vision loss and have to wear spectacles in order to see clearly you may be considering lasik surgery. Lasik surgery can be used to treat near sightedness, far sightedness and astigmatism. It involves reshaping the cornea with the help of a laser beam. This is an outpatient procedure where you can get back to work in a day or two.

To be able to undergo a lasik surgery, you must be:

1. Aged 18 or more
2. Suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism
3. Lead an active lifestyle
4. Be in general good health
5. Have strong tear production
6. Have thick corneas

Before the surgery begins, numbing eye drops are applied to prevent any discomfort during the procedure. The surgery itself involves the creation of a thin flap in the cornea. This is the folded back to reveal the corneal tissue below. If you suffer from nearsightedness, an excimer laser is used to flatten the cornea while if you suffer from nearsightedness, it creates a steeper cornea. In cases of astigmatism, the cornea is smoothened into a normal shape. Once this has been done, the flap is laid back in place and the cornea is allowed to heal naturally. An uncomplicated lasik surgery for one eye usually takes less than five minutes. You may feel some pressure on your eyes and hear a steady clicking sound while the laser is in use.

You may feel temporary burning or itching immediately after the procedure. Do not in any condition rub your eyes to relieve this sensation. Also, do not attempt to drive and have somebody else drive you home. The blurred vision and haziness will clear by the next morning. You may also experience heightened sensitivity to light and may see halos around lights. The whites of your eyes may also look bloodshot for a few days. In most cases, vision improves immediately but in a few rare cases, it could take several weeks or longer.

Though you can return to work the next day, it is a good idea to take a few days off. Also refrain from strenuous activities of any sort for a week after the surgery. Take the medication prescribed by the doctor regularly and do not change the eye drops without consulting him first. Avoid using makeup or cream around the eye for up to two weeks after the surgery to minimize the risk of infection. You should also avoid using swimming pools or hot tubs for 1-2 months after the surgery. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Hi friends, I am doctor Ravi Shankar Thandani from V.I. Foundation.Today, we will be discussing some points regarding the cataract. Cataract is a very common problem in India and it is one of the very common causes of reversible blindness in our country and there are millions of cases pending of cataract surgery. The main causes of cataract seem to be demographic which is very common in India and in tropical countries and some systemic diseases like diabetes, smoking, malnutrition and some deficiencies and some other systemic diseases may cause cataract in many patients. Sometimes it can be seen in very young newborn patients which are called congenital cataract. There are different types of the cataract which are seen in many patients, main common types of the cataracts are the nuclear type of the cataract and cortical type of the cataract. Which can cause symptoms of the cataract mostly is blurring of the vision frequent change of the glasses and sometimes coloured hazels are seen at the night types when the patient is moving out or driving mainly now it is cataract is really a very safe and sort of OPD procedure walk in and walk out type and the latest procedure for the cataract is called Phaco, in which we just use a very small dick and go through a needle inside the eye and remove the cataract with very high power ultrasonic sound waves and then we plant the lens through the same pro inside the eye and even beyond the latest technique of cataract removal has been introduced which is called flags in which we use femtosecond laser to fragment the cataract cells. And then we remove through the same seco machine, the outcome of the cataract surgery is very good, success rate is very-very high more than 99.9% cases are doing good and rate of complication is very low, rate of infection has been lowered with the help of latest medication, latest sterilisation techniques and latest antibiotics. So nowadays cataract is very safe and comfortable surgery.

If there are any queries regarding the cataract and cataract surgery you can contact me through Lybrate or you can contact me at my clinic. Thank you very much.

One of the most contagious infections to affect children and adults is conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. This makes the blood vessels of the eye more visible and turns the white part of the eye pinkish. This condition can be caused by a number of factors such as exposure to bacteria or viruses, allergens and irritants. Treatment for conjunctivitis depends on the cause of the condition.

The first step towards treating this disease is to correctly diagnose it. Some of the symptoms that can be noticed are:

1. Redness in the white of the eye
2. Itchiness and burning in the eye
3. Discharge from the eye
4. Crusting of the eyelids
5. Increased sensitivity to light

If you notice any of these symptoms persisting for over a few days, consult a doctor immediately. There are two aspects to dealing with conjunctivitis; preventing the infection from spreading and reducing the infection. Here are a few tips to help stop the infection from spreading.

1. Stop wearing contact lenses. While the infection persists, wear spectacles instead. Once your eyes have healed, dispose of the old contacts lenses and solution and get yourself a new pair.
2. Wash your hands often. This is especially important if you have touched your eyes and will prevent the infection from spreading.
3. Avoid sharing contact lenses, eye makeup and other forms of makeup along with makeup brushes.
4. Avoid rubbing your eyes. Often conjunctivitis can affect only one eye at a time. Keeping yourself from rubbing or touching the infected eye will keep the infection from spreading to the other eye.
5. Remove the discharge from around your eye every few hours with a clean cotton swab. Throw the swab away after it has been used once and wash your hands with soap and water before touching anything else.
6. Avoid using swimming pools and hot tubs.
7. Wash towels. Pillow cases, sheets and other things that come in regular contact with your eyes every few days with hot water to disinfect them.

In most cases of infective conjunctivitis, antibiotics are not needed. Instead lubricant eye drops are prescribed that are available over the counter. This can help ease soreness and stickiness in the eye. When using lubricant eye drops, do not let the dropper touch the infected eye and do not use the same eye drops for both eyes. Untreated conjunctivitis can be treated with antibiotics such as chloramphenicol and fusidic acid. These antibiotics can have a few side effects such as blurred vision and hence you must avoid driving and operating heavy machinery after using them. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an Ophthalmologist.

Some parts of our body like our eye lids are ignored until we face a problem related to it. One such ailment that affects our eye lids is the swelling of the eyelid. This can affect both the upper and lower eye lid and may or may not be painful. This is triggered by the inflammation of fluid in the connective tissues around the eye as a result of eye infections, injuries and allergies. It could also be a sign of a more serious health condition such as Graves disease, orbital cellulitis or ocular herpes.

Some of the symptoms you may notice with swollen eye lids are:

1. Itchiness in and around the eye
2. Excessive tearing
3. Redness of the eye lid and white part of the eye
4. Dry, scaly skin on the eye lid
5. Obstructed vision depending on the extent of swelling

As mentioned above, these symptoms can be triggered by a number of factors. Allergic reactions to pollen, dust, dander, makeup and certain eye drops are the most common causes of swollen eyelids. The swelling of blood vessels in and around eyes is a common effect of histamines. Conjunctivitis or the inflammation of the inner lining of the eye can also result in swollen eyelids along with making the eyes water and itch. Bacterial infection or the inflammation of the meibomian gland in the form of styes can also make the entire eye lid swell. In such cases, the eyelid is also very tender to the touch. A blocked meibomian gland can also trigger the formation of a chalazion. This later develops into a hard sebaceous cyst which makes the eyelid swell.

An injury to the eye can also trigger inflammation and make the eye look swollen. Another common cause of eye infections is improper use of contact lenses such as not keeping them clean or swimming with lenses on.

The form of treatment best suited to you will depend on the underlying factors triggering the condition. In cases of allergic reactions being the trigger, antihistamine drops or lubricating ‘artificial tears’ could help relieve the symptoms. In more serious cases, your doctor may also prescribe mild steroid drops. Infections caused by conjunctivitis or ocular herpes usually responds well to anti viral and anti inflammatory medication in the form of eye drops or ointments.

To prevent further aggravation of the condition, avoid rubbing your eyes and minimize touch to the area. Applying a cool compress over the eyes can also help relieve the itchiness and swelling. In addition to this, splash your face with cold water as many times a day as possible. Lastly, avoid wearing contact lenses for the duration of the infection. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an Ophthalmologist.

Excessive blinking or the urge to rub your eyes is most often caused by foreign objects in your eyes. This foreign object can be anything from your own eye lash to dust or a shard of metal. The area these foreign objects affect is the cornea or the conjunctiva. It can scratch the cornea causing an infection of affecting your vision if not treated in time. A foreign object usually enters your eye as a result of a high impact collision or force like wind etc. Some of the symptoms of having a foreign object in your eye include:

1. Pressure or discomfort in the eye
2. Pain in the eye
3. Excessive tearing and clear or bloody discharge from the eye
4. Increased sensitivity to light
5. Redness in the eye

Blinking continuously a few times can dislodge some types of foreign objects. If it affects your vision or causes constant tearing consult a doctor. Do not attempt to rub your eyes in an effort to remove the object. Instead restrict the movement of your eye until a doctor can remove the irritant. To avoid further injury to the eye, bandage the eye with a clean cloth. If the object does not allow you to close your eye, cover it with a paper cup and bandage it. Do not use anything, such as tweezers or cotton directly on the eye.

In some cases, the irritants can be seen with the naked eye. If you think something is stuck in your eye, wash your hands and look at your eye under a bright light. Pulling the lower lid down and flipping the upper eye lid can allow you to see the eye more clearly. To remove a foreign object under the upper eyelid submerge the eye in a flat bowl of water and rapidly open and close it a few times. This can help flush the object out of your eye. Alternatively pour a glass of warm water over your eye while keeping them open. Washing the eye can help get rid of irritants stuck under the lower eyelid.

In more serious cases, anesthetic drops are used to numb the eye. The eye will then be observed under a magnifying glass to see the extent of the injury. Your doctor may use several methods to remove the irritant depending on its size and extent of penetration. You may also be given medication to help deal with the pain caused by the object. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an Ophthalmologist.