Eye Problems and Eye Treatment by Dr Somdutt Prasad

There are a large number of ways that eyes can become damaged and therefore be in need of treatment. There are different treatments available for the eyes and your eye doctor will make sure that you receive the correct treatment based on the condition that you suffer from. The stage of the condition will also effect treatment. For example a condition that is only in the early stages will not necessarily require surgery, whereas something that is causing partial blindness because of its stage may require surgery immediately. This article acts as a guide to the different treatments available.

Treatment for eyes can come in the form of simple lifestyle changes. Sometimes a patient can keep problems at bay with just a few simple eye exercises and an improvement to their diet. Cataracts for example are very slow to form, and a diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals as well as regular eye exercises can slow down the onset of cataracts even more. Healthy lifestyle treatment however will only work if the condition is caught early. If it has developed to the point where eye sight is being seriously affected then other treatment will be needed.

Another common treatment given to patients with eye problems is eye drops. This can work well for a number of conditions. In particular the early stages of glaucoma can be successfully treated with eye drops. Because eye glaucoma occurs when the drainage canals in the eye become blocked, the eye drops can be used to unblock the channels. This can help relieve the build up of pressure in the eye and slow down the onset of glaucoma. This can be a very effective treatment although the condition needs to be in the relatively early stages for it to work.

Eye surgery is often a last resort, but it is extremely effective and can instantly remove an eye problem altogether. There are a few different types of surgery available. Advanced surface ablation can be done to reshape the surface of the cornea without making an incision and lifting a flap to get to it. Recovery periods for this type of surgery are a few weeks as opposed to a few days so it is only resorted to if absolutely necessary. Blended vision is another type of laser eye surgery that treats both eyes – one for longsightedness and the other for longsightedness. Intralasik surgery is also available which uses a laser instead to make the initial flap to life back in order to reach the cornea. There is also wavefront lasik surgery available which is a custom type of laser eye surgery. For this surgery each patient receives a customised treatment plan for their unique eye condition.

There is also lasek surgery available which is similar to lasik eye surgery but is for less serious conditions or for patients being affected by just the early stages of a condition. Your eye doctor will be able to explain each and every treatment in more detail if you feel that one of these sounds like something you would like to proceed with. If you want more information about these treatments you should visit your nearest eye hospital and speak to a doctor there. Surgery is often a last resort but works excellently to restore sight lost through illness and conditions such as cataracts.

Wet macular degeneration is a very serious condition that can lead to partial or total blindness eye treatment for this condition tends to involve specific drugs rather than surgery. Cataract removal is another common reason people undertake surgery. This too is effective and very simple. There is little recovery period required for cataract removal.

Dr Somdutt Prasad Cataract Symptoms and Surgery Procedure

To understand Cataract symptoms and its surgery procedure first we need the answer of the question “what is Cataract?”

Cataract – The lens of eyes acts like the lens of camera and focuses the light on the retina and makes the things visible to you. Sometimes after the age of around 45 years the lens begin starts cloudy due to the breaking of proteins of the lens and the vision becomes blurry, fuzzy and cloudy, this cloudy lens is referred to as cataract. The only way of removing cataract or cataract treatment is getting through an eye surgery procedure which is referred as cataract surgery.

Generally, the process of cataract formation is very slow and painless but due to some reasons the cataract formation may speed up.

Below are the situations when the cataract formation may speed up:

1. Due to diabetes
2. Eye Inflammation or any eye injury like trauma
3. Long term use of steroids
4. Smoking
5. Eye Surgery for another reason
6. Radiation Exposure
7. Too much exposure to sunlight (Ultraviolet Light)
8. Eye diseases like uveitis

Symptoms of Cataract

Cataract formation affects the vision very slowly and painlessly but with the time vision gets worse.

1. If the lens is covered with mild clouding, the vision is not affected that much, often it occurs after the age of 60 years.

2. But by the age of 75, most people have cataracts that may badly affect the eye vision. The following changes can be noticed as the effects of cataract:

– Loss of color intensity
– Fuzzy, Cloudy, or foggy vision
– Glare sensitivity
– Frequent change in glasses number
– Night time or dim light vision problem
– Double vision (Seeing more than one thing or colors)
– Feeling difference between same shapes and colors
– Seeing halos around lights

In advanced cases the pain, redness and watering due to inflammation or secondary glaucoma may be considered as symptoms of cataract.

Even in daylight the cataract patient feel decreased vision, generally cataract is formed in both the eyes and both are affected with same decreased vision, but sometime one eye may be worse than another.

Treatment of Cataract or Cataract Surgery

A detailed eye checkup is required to detect the presence of cataract and the need of cataract surgery. Cataract Surgery results in the removal of cataract from the eyes. After cataract is treated you will be able to see the things much clearly and perform well in your daily activities. Although the modern day medical technology has reduced the risks of any type of treatment, but like every surgery cataract surgery also has some exceptions like after going through the surgery you might not be able to get a 20/20 vision if you have some other eye problem, but if you are getting the cataract treatment from any reputed ophthalmologist, he/she usually determine this problem in advance and let you know about it.

If the cataract symptoms are not bothering you too much then cataract surgery may not be needed, a small change in the eyeglasses may be adequate

Dr Somdutt Prasad is an eye and retinal specialist in Kolkata. A famous ophthalmologist in India, he is adept in treatment of all eye conditions.

Carotenoids in Carrots Can Prevent Age-related Macular Degeneration

Researchers have found that carotenoids in carrots can prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is one of the most common reasons of vision loss among the elderly and can cause central blurry vision. A Harvard University-led study used statistics from a survey that tracked over 100,000 people over 50 for more than 25 years. The study found that people who consumed the highest level of lutein, carotenoids and zeaxanthin had 40% less chances of developing the advanced form of AMD.

The eye’s macula contains high levels of zeaxanthin and lutein. They protect it by interacting with free radicals to prevent cell damage and also filter out the toxic blue light. During their study, researchers also found that people consuming the highest levels of some other forms of carotenoids (beta-cryptoxanthin, beta-carotene and alpha-carotene) had nearly 25 to 35% less chances of developing advanced AMD. The findings of the study were published in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Eye Exercises: Do They Actually Work?

Eyes are one of the most necessary sense organs, which let us enjoy the outer world, see and experience the everyday events. Eyesight is vital for everyday activities and thus caring for the eyes is a matter of supreme importance. But many are born with eye problems, or develop them at a later stage. These eye problems can be refractive vision problems like myopia, presbyopia, astigmatism and many more. Some even face cataracts, corneal ulcers and problems. Many people around the world depend on spectacles, contact lenses and other vision correcting systems for optimal vision. But, recently many people are preaching the goodness of eye exercises and claiming that these exercises, when administered in the right way and followed through, can reduce and even heal eye problems. Many people are spending their hard-earned money on these eye exercise programs and books that claim to help you lose your spectacles and heal your eyes naturally. Today, we spill the beans on these eye exercises and let you know if they’re really worth your hard-earned money.

Many believe that eyeglasses make them dependent on it and can make eyes weaker, but it’s not actually the truth. It’s common fact that most people wait a significant amount of time and tolerate a good amount of blurriness till they finally settle in for vision correction. So after using the eyeglasses and getting the corrected vision, people find it hard to tolerate the blurriness without the glasses and they feel that they are getting dependent on the glasses. Also for nearsighted people who have worn eyeglasses since a younger age might have felt the same while they had to go from strong to an even stronger lens while their age progressed, but it’s not because of your eyeglasses.

Common & easy to practice eye care tips by Dr Somdutt Prasad

Good eye care is not just about visiting an eye doctor. A lot of it depends on our daily habits and actions. Noted ophthalmologist and retinal specialist Dr Somdutt Prasad discusses some common and easy to practice eye care tips.

Eat healthy food

The first step that you can take to protect your vision is to eat healthy foods. Have a diet rich containing Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and lutein. These nutrients will help prevent diseases such as macular degeneration and cataract. Eat a lot of green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, nuts, beans, etc.

Avoid fiddling too much with digital gadgets

Digital gadgets such as smartphones, pads, tablets, etc. emit blue-violet rays that are extremely harmful to our eyes. Continuous use of these gadgets puts excessive pressure on our eyes and resulting in strain and fatigue.  Hence, one must avoid fiddling too much with these gadgets.

Take frequent breaks while working in front of computers

Today, most of us work for long hours in front of computers. Staring at long hours can cause eyestrain, blurry vision, dryness, etc. Hence, it is vital to take frequent breaks and follow the 20-20 rule to protect vision. When you do these, you blink more often and this brings tears to the corneal surface keeping them moist.

In case you face any difficulty in your vision, you must visit an eye specialist at the earliest.

Computer Eye Strain Relief Tips

The infographic presents few effective computer eye strain relief tips for users sitting for long hours in front of computers.

Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery by Dr Somdutt Prasad

Refractive lens exchange surgery is recommended for patients suffering from presbyopia and high hyperopia. Noted ophthalmologist and retinal specialist Dr Somdutt Prasad presents an insight about this surgery.

In this surgery, the clear natural lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial IOL lens to correct the refractive error. It helps in achieving sharper focus thereby eliminating the need for reading glasses. If somebody is suffering from presbyopia along with severe hyperopia, then refractive lens exchange is the only option.

Procedure similar to cataract surgery

The process of refractive lens exchange surgery is identical to cataract surgery. Similar to cataract surgery, there are three types of IOLs that can replace the eye’s natural lens. They are:

• Multifocal IOLs
• Accommodating IOLs
• Monofocal fixed-focus IOLs

The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and is completed within 15 to 20 minutes. If both eyes are to be operated, then there is a gap of about 7 days. As anesthetic drops are used, patients do not feel any discomfort during the surgery. There is a vision improvement after the surgery. Initial recovery from the surgery may take about a week and the final outcome can take several weeks.

Vision after the surgery

Depending on the type of IOL used, your doctor will tell you whether you will need eyeglasses or contact lenses. Since the surgery is performed essentially in a similar manner as that of cataract surgery, the complications and risks are similar to that of cataract surgery.

Tips for preventing the risk of macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness among the elderly. There are various ways through which it can be prevented or its progression can be slowed. In this article, Dr Somdutt Prasad discusses few such tips.

Quit smoking

Studies have found that smokers are more vulnerable to macular degeneration than non-smokers. Hence, it is vital to quit smoking at the earliest to prevent the situation. Smoking also affects the body’s circulatory, respiratory and immune system.

Eat green leafy vegetables

Eating green leafy vegetables help in the prevention of macular degeneration. Raw spinach, collard greens and kale that are rich in carotenoids help in the prevention of the condition. Researchers have found that large intake of spinach lowers the risk of macular degeneration considerably.

Consumption of fish

Research has also shown that macular degeneration can be prevented by consuming fish. Researches and studies have shown that people eating fish once in a week stand 40% less chance of development of the condition in the beginning stage than those not eating fish at all.

Regular exercise

Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of macular degeneration. People leading a healthy lifestyle are less likely to develop the condition than those leading an unhealthy lifestyle.

It is important to have a regular eye examination from a eye specialist doctor to check for signs of macular degeneration. An early diagnosis will help your doctor to treat you in a better way in case you are suffering from the condition.

UV Radiation and Eyes by Dr Somdutt Prasad

The eyes are the sole organs that allow penetration of light into the human body. However, too much exposure to ultra-violet rays raises risks of several eye diseases. In this article, Dr Somdutt Prasad talks about the harmful effect of UV radiation on eyes.

Diseases due to UV exposure

Too much exposure to UV rays increases the risks of diseases such as cataracts, eye cancer and growths such as pterygium. Though cataracts and eye cancer can take years to develop, yet each time we expose our eyes to the sun without taking adequate protection the risks for these disorders increase. People of all age groups, especially children, should take adequate protection while going outdoors.

Protection against UV rays

To protect eyes from the harmful effects of UV rays, you must wear sunglasses that block 100% of these rays and absorb the high-energy visible (HEV) radiation. It is important to choose fitting wraparound-style frames as they limit stray sunlight reaching the eyes.

UV levels are high at higher altitudes and near the equator. The levels are also high particularly from 10 am to 2 pm. Hence, it is even more important take care of the eyes at that time. Children are more vulnerable to retinal damage from UV rays as the lens inside a child’s eye is clearer than adults. Thus, more UV rays penetrate the eyes of children than adults. Therefore, it is important for children to wear hats and good quality sunglasses.

Wear the right eye gear and move freely in the sun.

Food for healthy eyes

Nutrients are important to keep our eyes healthy. Many pieces of research have shown that antioxidants and other vital nutrients reduce the risk of macular degeneration, cataracts and several other eye diseases. In this article, Dr Somdutt Prasad talks about the foods required for keeping our eyes healthy.

Green leafy vegetables

Dark green leafy vegetables should be an important part of our diet as they help protect against diseases such as macular degeneration. Vegetables such as spinach, kale and lettuce contain zeaxanthin and lutein. These two important nutrients help prevent cell damage and have antioxidant functions.

Fatty and oily fish

Oily fishes such as tuna, sardines and salmon contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3-fatty acids help protect against dry eye syndrome and age-related macular degeneration. Omega-3 fatty acids help modulate inflammation which can result in dry eyes.

Wheat Germ

Wheat Germ is a rich source of Vitamin E, another vital antioxidant. Vitamin E protects eyes from free-radical damages and decreases progression of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. These germs can be easily sprinkled on salads, yogurt and oatmeal.

Beans

Beans and legumes are rich sources of zinc that help release Vitamin A from the liver. Deficiency of zinc deteriorates the macula. Pumpkin seeds, poultry and oysters are also rich sources of zinc.

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits are rich sources of Vitamin C. Vitamin C help reduce risks of cataracts and macular degeneration.

It is vital to have all the essential nutrients through a healthy diet that includes a lot of fruits and vegetables.