Human eyes are capable of amazing acts. They absorb information and communicate directly with your brain via a complicated mechanism, enabling you to visually analyze the reality around you. Some of the most common eye disorders are asymptomatic in their early stages, so having a clear vision does not automatically guarantee your eyes are healthy. People who don’t believe they have a visual problem will commonly skip routine eye exams with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Although if you don’t require corrective vision treatment, periodic tests are necessary to keep track of your general eye health and well-being. As a result, it’s critical to schedule regular eye checkups to protect your vision. Take a look at the infographic below to get a better understanding of the significance of eye care.
Why Is Eye Care Necessary?
The eyes are vital sensory organs. A poor condition of one’s eyes has a substantial impact on one’s quality of life. There would be terrible consequences for the family, society, and country as a whole if the individual went blind due to an eye injury or eye disease. The individual should receive sufficient eye care, which aids the eyes in combating common ocular disorders such as glaucoma and cataract. Eye care not only improves and preserves our eyesight, but it can also reveal underlying medical issues like diabetes or high blood pressure.
The following are specific reasons why eye care is critical!
Decreasing the number of certain diseases:
Appropriate eye care and frequent analysis can help a person lower their chance of developing a variety of illnesses. Your doctor will examine the eye thoroughly and provide therapy depending on the patient’s medical history and current state. Antioxidant-rich diets, including certain omega-3 fats, Zeaxanthin, Zinc, and Vitamin C as well as E, can postpone or prevent visual disorders in the aged, including Age-related Macular Degeneration and cataracts.
Lower chance of eye injury:
You may avoid over 90percent of overall eye injuries by using the proper eyewear. Utilizing the proper glasses or contacts allows you to see well and prevents ocular or other health ailments. When participating in physical activities, youngsters should wear sports safety goggles to protect their eyes from harm.
Accurate intervention in case of any eye disorders:
For the management and therapy of any visual abnormalities, regular eye care is essential. Additionally, alterations in vision may suggest that it is time to either modify the prescription or change the glasses. Constant squinting to see well and aberrant vision at varying distances are two signs that your glasses need to be replaced.
Identifying the underlying medical condition:
In the beginning, certain underlying medical issues have an effect on the eyes. Diabetes and hypertension are examples of these disorders. Therefore, eye care aids in the early detection of such disorders.
What Is The Best Way To Take Care Of Your Eyes?
When you understand the significance of eye care, the following concern is how to get the best eye care. Eye care can be done in a variety of ways, including:
How to Care for Contact Lenses:
One of the most common causes of eye infection and inflammation is the use of contact lenses. Keep your contact lenses in good condition. Wash your lenses every day with a high-quality contact lens solution. Use daily wear lenses if you will be unable to maintain good cleanliness.
Appropriate eyewear for the situation:
Your eyes should perform in accordance with the ambient circumstances, and so should your eyewear. Always use blue-light glasses when using a computer or mobile device, and UV protection eyewear when going outside.
Ocular examinations on a regular basis:
To detect any changes in your vision, you should arrange at least one full eye test every year. It will assist you in maintaining the health of your eyes.
Taking a break:
Your eyes should be rested depending on your degree of activity and age. Watching your phone in low or no light is not a good idea. You must take regular pauses from the screen in addition to getting enough rest.
HUDSON OPHTHALMOLOGY can quickly supply you with high-quality vision healthcare while ensuring a seamless and dependable experience with their services.
After the 50s, most people develop cataracts in their eyes. A Cataract is clouding on the lens present inside the eye, leading to blurriness or loss of vision. This eye problem can’t be corrected with the help of contact lenses or glasses.
But don’t get frightened because modern cataract surgery can easily restore the vision loss and minimizing your dependence in glassses.
In most cases, cataracts are associated with aging and are commonly found in older adults. According to a recent survey, 68.3 % of the population over the age of 80 has cataracts, and it is expected to grow significantly in the coming time. Roughly 24.4 million people in America had cataracts, and this number is expected to grow by 50.2 million by the year 2050.
Fortunately, Modern cataract surgery has come up as one of the most effective and safest surgical procedures. Over 3 million cataract surgeries take place in the United States. Even though these surgeries are performed at a vast level, their outcome is unaffected and produces an excellent visual result.
Basic cataract surgery
In this surgery, a lens inside your eyes becomes cloudy; therefore, it is removed and replaced with an artificial lens that restores the proper vision.
This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and the patient doesn’t need to stay in the hospital or any care facility for the observation.
In modern cataract procedures, high-frequency ultrasound devices are used to breaks up the cloudy lens into a small piece; it later removes from the eye with the help of suction. This procedure is known as phaco and phacoemulsification; it can be performed by making a small incision compared to traditional surgical techniques for cataract removal. It promotes faster healing and reduces the chances of complications due to surgery like retinal detachment.
Laser Cataract surgery
Femtosecond lasers are quite similar to lasers that are used to create the corneal flap in all-laser LASIK. The FDA approved it for use in Cataract Surgery in the USA.
With the effective use of femtosecond lasers, the requirement of different types of handheld tools and surgical blades is reduced. This is the reason why it is approved for performing the following steps:-
·For creating a corneal incision that allows the surgeon quick access to the lens
·Remove anterior lens capsule.
·Cataract Fragmentation(less phaco energy is needed to break and remove it)
·When required, it helps in creating peripheral corneal incisions to lessen estimation.
Laser cataract surgery is fairly new, but it has increased the cost of cataract surgery. The primary use of a laser can range from $300,000 to $500,000 for the surgeon to purchase. Besides, there is some significant cost connected with the maintenance and use of this technology.
Studies reflect that lasers have improved the accuracy in certain steps of the surgery.
Recovery from Cataract Surgery
An uncomplicated surgery typically lasts about 15 minutes. But you need to be at the surgical center for 90 mins or longer because some extra time is required to prepare a patient for surgery and the brief post-opt instruction and evaluation about the surgery before you leave.
You must have a companion with you to drive you home as it is not recommended to drive until eye doctors confirm that it is safe.
Hudson Eye Physician/s & Surgeons William Constad, M.D., Scott Walsman, M.D. & Venkatesh Brahma, M.D. typically perform the lens implant and cataract surgery outpatient, which offers convenient and comfortable same-day surgery. Depending on your requirement and procedure outcome, our eye doctors will give you some recommendations and instructions for your quick recovery. We make sure that you will return to your normal routine as soon as possible.
Cataract surgery is one of the more renowned procedures when it comes to treating weakening eyesight. A laser cataract surgery is performed to treat cataracts that are causing blurry vision and increased glares from sunlight and other lights as well. A laser cataract surgery is a common procedure that would be suggested by your ophthalmologist when the cataract is hindering one’s ability to function properly. If the individual is over 50 years of age, then there is a 50% chance the sooner or later they would have to have cataract surgery done in their lifetime.
The procedure usually takes around an hour, but there are risks involves that the person undergoing treatment should be made aware of. Complications after Cataract surgery are extremely rare, and most of the complications, if they happen, can be treated easily.
Complications After the Surgery
Bleeding
Swelling
Inflammation
Infection
Retinal Detachment
Glaucoma
Dropping Eyelid
Dislocation of Artificial lens
Secondary Cataract
Loss of Vision
Risks of complications are significantly increased if the individual already has an underlying eye condition or any other serious medical condition. If the individual already has a severe health condition, then cataract surgery might fail to improve the vision. In such cases, the patient is highly advised to evaluate and treat other eye-related issues before opting for cataract surgery.
Dry eyes and autoimmune diseases are also associated with lessening vision of the eye; Rheumatoid Arthritis is one such example.
Before the surgery:
Lid Hygiene is imperative for a successful surgery.
There is a serious risk of infection after the surgery if any lid infection and abnormalities are ignored before the procedure. The most prominent of them are blepharitis, entropion, trichiasis, styes & chalazion.
How To Prepare for The Surgery?
Food and medication
The patient would be asked to forgo any food and drink for at least 12 hours before the surgery, and the patient is on any medication, the surgeon would usually advise the same for that as well, especially if the drug can increase the possibility of bleeding during the procedure. It is highly recommended that the patients explain in detail if they have any underlying condition and the medication they are taking because of it.
Antibiotic eyedrops are also prescribed to be used two days before the procedure is about to happen.
Other precautions one should take
Since the patient won’t be able to drive after the surgery, it would be best if the arrangements are made for the patient to travel as it is highly likely that the discharge would happen on the same day.
Before The Procedure
The doctor will perform an ultrasound test a week before the surgery to measure the shape and size of the eye. The primary purpose of this procedure is to determine the right type lens implant, intraocular lens or IOL.
These IOLs are used to improve the vision of the eye and required no special care and maintenance. These IOLs will become a part of the patient’s eye permanently.
There are different types of IOLs, and one should have a deep discussion with their doctor regarding which one would be best suited for them.
During The Procedure
The very first thing the surgeon would do is dilate the eye of the patient with eyedrops. A local anesthetic is given to numb the surrounding area and a sedative if required.
In the surgery, the clouded lens is replaced with a clear artificial lens. But in some cases, only the clouded lens is removed during the procedure.
Surgical Method to remove cataracts
By the use of an ultrasound probe to break the lens that is to be removed.
By making an incision in the eye and removing the lens.
After The Procedure
After the surgery, the vision would gradually improve, and it would take some time for the patient to get used to it. Regular checkups with the doctor are highly advised at least for a month after the surgery.
Itching and mild comfort would be expected for at least a couple of days after the surgery. If the patient is experiencing any of the effects mentioned earlier, contact the doctor immediately.
Diabetes & The Eye Check-up: Why It’s Important to Get Eyes Checked
If someone is diabetic, one cannot overstate the importance of Routine Eye Exams. According to CDC, Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among people under the age of 74; that is why it is recommended for diabetic patients to schedule a yearly dilated exam with their ophthalmologist. Eyes are often the most overlook part of the body, which really should not be the case. Start taking better care of them so that they can take better care of you!
Eyes are often the most overlooked part when it comes to one’s health care, which really should not be the case. If one takes great care of their eyes, their eyes take care of them. Think of the role eyes play in one’s life. Without them, the individual could not see the beauty that is the world they live in. And if one does not take good care of their eyes, they would not be able to participate in the activities that they so enjoy with an impaired vision.
It is also a sad fact that as we grow older, the age takes a toll on the eye resulting in weakening vision, which might require laser cataract surgery, and infections like styes & chalazion become a common occurrence.
Common issues that arise as we age:
Blurry vision
Difficulty seeing at night
Flashes of light
Red, dry eyes
Double vision
Near-impaired vision
Dry eyes and autoimmune diseases are also associated with lessening eye vision; Rheumatoid Arthritis is one such example.
Here are some ways one could take better care of their eyes:
1. Regular Check-ups
The importance of regular eye checkups cannot be understated. Most ophthalmologists recommend the one should have a comprehensive eye exam every year or two. And if the person has an existing condition like diabetes, they should book an annual dilated eye exam with their ophthalmologist.
According to CDC, the leading cause of blindness under the age of 74 is diabetes.
2. Avoid Rubbing Eyes
Our hands are exposed to a lot on a daily basis, dust, dirt, and all kinds of different bacteria that can be easily transferred from hands to the exposed eyes. The easiest solution for this is to avoid rubbing eyes, but if it is an impossible task, one should wash their hands as often as possible.
3. Protect The Eyes from The Sun
Exposure to UV rays can easily cause cornea sunburn and even increase the chances of someone contracting age-related macular degeneration. Sunglasses are an easy and inexpensive way for one to protect their eyes from UV rays, and if that is not possible, then UV-protected contact lenses and eyeglasses are also suitable options.
4. Stay Hydrated
Regular fluid intact is not only essential for one’s health, but it plays a critical part in the eye’s wellbeing as well. Dry eyes are one of the most common problems one would face daily; to keep their eyes healthy, sufficient fluid intake is highly recommended.
5. Stay Away from Smoking
Smoking is injurious to health, not just for one’s lungs but also for their eye as well. Smoking could easily result in severe eye conditions such as cataracts and make the individual’s eyes more susceptible to age-related macular degeneration.
6. A Balanced Diet is the Way to Go!
A balanced diet is essential for good health and for healthy eyes as well. Sufficient intake of Beta-carotene, Omega 3, Lycopene, Vitamin A, C and E and Lutein are vital for healthy eyes.
7. Maintain A Proper Distance from Room Lighting and Monitor
One of the leading causes of retina damage in the current times is due to the improper distance between a screen and lightings. The screen should be at least an arm’s length away from the eyes as well as 20 degrees below eye level. Similarly, focused and too bright lights are also the reason for severe damages to the eye. One should make sure that the lighting in their room should be sufficient and diffused.
8. Observe The 20-20-20 Rule
The secret for one to keep their health for a long time is to observe the 20-20-20 rule on a daily basis.
After every 20 minutes, one should look away from their computer screen and fix their gaze on an object that is approximately 20 feet away in the distance.
To prevent eye dryness, one must blink 20 times successively.
After every 20 minutes, get up and take 20 steps.
9. Sleep Cycle Is Crucial
It is often the easiest but also the most neglected way one could take care of their eyes. Just like the body, the eyes need sufficient time to recharge too and sleeping time is the only time it can happen. So, one should make taking sufficient sleep a priority for their eye care.
10. Only Use Eye-friendly Make-up
Make-up might look good on a face, but it can severely damage the wearer’s eye as well. So, one should only use make-up products that are eye-friendly and would not cause an allergic reaction. One should not forget to remove make-up before going to bed as well!
These are ten simple ways one can easily take better care of their eyes.
Cataract surgery technique has changed after two years of conventional phaco-emulsification technique . With the help of the Lens Femtosecond Laser and live OCT-guided imaging, an Ophthalmologist in Westchester may do the hardest steps of cataract operation with ease and precision. The laser so provides patients with a blade-free, exceptionally secure and a much better alternative.
Benefits of Femto-Second (Bladeless) Laser Surgery vs Traditional (Blade) Surgery
High Definition Unmatched by Human Hands:
The laser ushers in a new age of automation, improving the skills of the surgeon, which makes the most troublesome steps of Phaco surgery easy and 100% true, thereby enhancing the safety and visual results of cataract surgery. Imagine drawing a circle ( on of the modtbimporyant steps of cataract surgery is to cut a precise circular opening in the lens) using a computer-guided printer, compared to a human hand, and you can understand the difference.
It is Bladeless Surgery
Since the laser is the cutting tool during the whole surgery, no knives or blades are used during the process, also making it the nomenclature of bladeless cataract operation. A computer-controlled laser is a more exact and a precise cutting instrument than hand-held blades, working on such a delicate eye tissue.
Enhances Vision -Astigmatism Traditional Phaco-emulsification only addresses the issue of cataract, with no effect on preexisting astigmatism (cylindrical power) because of abnormal corneal curvature. Femto-Second laser also corrects the preexisting cylinder in a patient’s eye, with its astigmatic correction module (LRI) thereby leading to a better visusl results when compared with conventional cataract surgery. Best Eye Doctor in Westchester. Henceforth, cataract surgery isn’t only a process of visual rehabilitation, but an experience of this improved outcome.
Safety
Phaco-emulsification ( Traditional Blade Catatact Surgery) is regarded as a reasonably secure surgery. However, the Femto-Second laser system further enhances the security by enhancing the performance of the surgeon and lessening the odds of human error. The computer-controlled incisions created by the laser are more accurate and precise than manual incisions, regarding architecture and depth. For this reason, wounds seal better and there are fewer odds of leaks and infection.
A fundamental Platform for Advanced Technology (AT) IOLs:
Premium Intra-ocular lenses (IOLs) requires a totally centered, round and fixed sized capsular opening for best centering of the lens inside the eye. This is easily accomplished by Femto Second Laser Cataract Surgery
Safer Surgery in Complicated Eyes
There are patients that have anatomic issues or problems with their eyes that make their surgery particularly challenging. This can occur in many instances: uveitis, iritis, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, previous eye trauma, history of prostate or bladder medication usuage, advanced diabetes, advanced glaucoma and very short eyes, … to name a few . In eyes that are more challenging the Femto Second Laser is an extremely beneficial tool to facilitate the surgery. This issue to the fact that the laser techniques allows surgeons to bypass some of the most delicate steps of the surgery and minimize time spent in the eye and manipulating tissue.
How the Laser is performed
The Femtosecond laser is docked on the eye by means of a decorative Interface (PI) and a gentle specially designed contact lens. This platform is the same used for LASIK Corrective vision surgery.
The surgeon inputs the patient’s eye measurements and calculations into the laser. Then live-time 3-D ultrasound OCT images of the patients eye are streamed on to the monitor screen. The Laser calculates precise positioning of all incisions to be made . Main incision, side port incision, and Capsular opening are indicated on the monitor. Incisions to correct Astigmatism are calculated too. Once surgeon and laser calculations are complete, the laser comes in contact with the eye. Once the eye is stabilized in position incisions are then constructed with the laser. The laser not only makes the incisions but also divides the lens with precise cuts (The traditional phaco cataract surgery requires sound energy to shatter the lens and the lens pieces are manually broken apart with a digging or a chopping technique. )
After incisions are produced the laser then cuts the lens into precise pieces. The laser completes all these steps in microseconds (Femto-Seconds). Once completed, the patient is bought into the operating room . The laser wounds are then opened by the surgeon to remove the pre-cut cataract lens particules and for placement of the artificial lens implant.
Please note that despite the benefits the Femto- Laser Cataract surgery, it is considered as enhanced surgery . Being that the surgery can be stilll completed with scalpels snd blades it is more cost -effective for insurance plans and Medicare to cover its cost for everyone. Insurance plans do not cover the cost of the laser surgery. The cost of the laser usuage is covered by the patient . The cost typically ranges from $1200-2500 ( prices may vary) pending on geographic location , surgeon upfront cost and surgeon educational training . Despite the cost more increasing number of patients are selecting Laser Cataract Surgery as the anticipation for this modern technology had been in the works for decades and patients have always desired a less invasive bladeless alternatives.
It is important to note that at present the immediate results and healing is more rapid with the laser technique( due to minimal steps performed and minimal extraneous handling of tissue ) however long term visual results 6mos / 1 year out is the same.
Ask your Surgeon about your cataract surgery options and what is the best technique for both surgeon and yourself.
At a certain point, many individuals developed red, irritated eyes and swollen or red eyelids (blepharitis) maybe after hiking on a windy day or being subjected to dry indoor heating, etc. . Dry eye discomfort also results from blockages around the edge of the eyelids in the small oil glands. Such meibomian glands lend your tears a defensive fatty coating called sebum. Sebum and mucous prevents the tears from evaporating from the surface of your eye and keeps a nice slick oily coating of tears onto your the surface of your cornea and eyes. This coating is called the tear film. This coating has many benefits, keeps your vision crystal and crisp , provides protection from your eyelids scraping your eyes when you blink , and has anti microbial properties to prevent inflammation and infection .
However in many people, these tiny eyelid oil glands in may become clogged. This can cause many problems
1) dry irritated eyes 2) eyelid pimples and styes and 3) red inflamed or infected eyelids and eyes.
Such blockages are generally handled by 1)lubricating artificial tear eye drops 2) hot compresses of the eyelids and 3) daily washing of eyelids with baby shampoo. or 4) inserting tiny microscopic “stoppers”’or plugs in the tear ducts named “punctual plugs” for resulting dried out eyes or in severe situations… 4) antibiotic eye medication and steroids or oral antibiotics used in treating acne.
There are many reasons why these glands may clog with sebum resulting in dry eyes and styes
To list a few:
-aging
– blinking less from staring at computer or phone screens
-poor hygiene of eyelids ( not washing eyelids aggressively ) or poor health
– chronc eye drop medication usuage and residue build-up
– other skin ailments such as eczema , rosacea, or dermatitis
-chronic oily skin
– diseases slowing blinking frequency ( Alzeheimers, Parkinsons, etc)
– dehydration
What is ILux Therapy?
Recently there are now device-based treatments that help address the root causes of drying.
ILux is a portable system intended to heat the eyelids and administer gentle pressure to unlock the blocked meibomian oil glands. This makes it easy for the glands to release their oil onto the eye surface where it is vitally needed.
How ILux therapy works?
ILux is a handheld medicinal system that heats your eyelids softly and securely to a comfortable, therapeutic temperature. This softens the contents of your glands. Once the contents are softened, manual pressure is added to your eyelids to unclog, wipe out, and clean out the sludging of your glands.
What is the ILux treatment procedure?
The ILux system has a specially built smart tip for the eyelid that softly provides care to the blocked glands directly while shielding the eye surface.
Once the blocked areas are identified. Then, the eyelid is held by iLUX device’s soft pads. Thereupeutic light- based heat is applied to the eyelids at a constant warming temperature to soften the backed up oil glands
ILux treatments express the oil and get your eyelid oil system working again before they become permanently permanently clogged
This heat compression is especially beneficial in treating styes, a red bump that appears on the outer edge of the eyelid, much like a pimple, occurs due to the blockage of oil glands. Dirt and dust may clog the oil glands of the eyelids and lead to growing bacteria inside causing a stye to develop.
The aim of an ILux procedure is to internally clean the eyelid and soothe it. The ILux system therapy for most typical lids is beneficial for 6 months. However this depends on the severity of damage done to your oil glands from constant sludging. The ILux therapy will assist and flush out your eyelids for approximately 6 months . But this treatment must be maintained by the patient with proper eyelid hygiene, care and hydration.
What is the major advancement of ILux Therapy?
For maybe the first time ever, for a healthier tear film and recovery from symptoms, iLux sustel gets down to the route of the problem by treating the actual eye glands themselves and preventing the effects of dry eye , styes and blepharitis. Imagine a system working to treat and prevent a problem instead of chasing after the problem. helps eye professionals to interfere to return natural activity to the glands. This is a real breakthrough.
ILux does not merely treat dry eye condition signs, it tackles the core: meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which accounts for around 86% of diagnosis and is the primary cause of dry eye disease.
ILux offers crucial, permanent relief and liberation from dry, itchy skin, distorted vision, light sensitivity and the sensation of getting something caught in your eye rather than temporarily easing the effects of dry eye (as done by artificial tears). Actually, with iLux, symptom relief will last for 6 !
Why ILux Therapy?
Treatment of iLux is a non-drug, non-surgical procedure that can be administered while on an office appointment. The handheld iLux device is non-intrusive and compact. It easily and efficiently applies medicinal heat to the meibomian glands when placed over the eyelids to loosen the thickened oils; then, the unit applies steady pressure to manually convey the blocked oils. The whole procedure takes about 8 minutes and has already been characterized as a warm eye massage.
What are the precautions?
In patients with the preceding complications, the use of the iLux Device is cautioned: mild to serious allergic, vernal or giant papillary conjunctivitis; extreme inflammation of the eyelid; in patients taking oral drugs suspected to trigger dryness; or patients with previous eyelid surgery or eye lid scarring
What are the potential side effects?
Possible side effects often include eyelid/eye irritation needing cessation of treatment, discomfort or inflammation of the eyelid, transient reddening of the skin, irritation of the eye surface or the skin and ocular signs (e.g. burning, stinging, tearing etc.). You doctor will assist you better if any of the side effects occur after treatment.
How Hudson Ophthalmology can help you?
You will not have to live with the stress of persistent dry eyes, unsightly styes or red itchy inflamed eyelids ! If you are searching for a suitable and efficient approach to the symptoms of dry eyes, styes or chronic blepharitis than ILux may well be appropriate for you.
Please note that iLux treatment is a premium service that is not covered by medical insurance. The cost for services range $325-500/ session ( usually averaging 2 sessions /year ).
Call us today with any questions or to make your appointment for your consultation with Dr Kerline Marcelin or our medical associates.
To achieve our goals, finding a good eye care doctor is of prime importance. Although, a bit difficult task, proper care and research can help you choose a good eye doctor. Following are certain important factors which one should consider before setting out to locate a good ophthalmologist near me on search engines for suiting his needs.
Finding and selecting the right type of eye doctor
Eye doctors are of two types namely Ophthalmologists and Optometrists. The former ones help in treating eye diseases and prescribing medicines, they are also eligible for performing eye surgeries. As for the latter eye doctors, Optometrists, performing eye surgery is not in their scope of treatment and they are known to treat specific kinds of eye problems and address all visual aid needs ( glasses, contacts , etc) .
( here can you discuss the difference in the training between the 2 types of doctors — medical school vs non medical schools
Now, having known the difference, next step for you is, to decide as to which of the two eye doctors will suit your purpose. In case of visual eye care, both, ophthalmologist as well as optometrist will be suitable enough. But, for specialized kind of eye disease, opting for an ophthalmologist maybe a wise decision. Optometrists can prove to be of great help when it comes to attending to problems like fitting of contact lenses, queries related to spectacles and glasses or lenses.
Experience
Prior to selecting any eye doctor, ensure to research about his background and work credentials. It is very much essential for your eye doctor to be skilled and experienced enough, to be able to gauge your problems and tend to them accordingly. More the years of experience your eye doctor has, better the quality of services you will be assured of.
References
Instead of experimenting with a new eye surgeon or eye physician, it is advisable that, you should always opt for the one which has been recommended or referred by, one of your friends or relatives. Opting for a tried and tested eye doctor is always a wise decision.
Location
Location of your eye surgeon will play an instrumental role in the overall scheme of things. There are high chances that, you may need to visit the eye doctor’s clinic time and again, for follow-ups and checkups. Finding an eye doctor located close by to your area will save you from the troubles of having to travel to and fro regularly.
Services
Make sure to check out the facilities and services offered by your eye doctor’s clinic. A reputed and reliable eye doctor will be always be backed by efficient and skilled staff apart from right equipment and machinery needed for eye treatment procedures.
With the sudden outburst of the pandemic at the beginning of this year, everything from our work to our daily lifestyle is hampered. We couldn’t go out for a walk in the morning, let alone the fear of visiting an ophthalmologist for a routine eye checkup. But if things continue to be in this sense, this could be problematic for the health of people who are staying inside their four walls.
How can your eye health get affected during Covid?
Long office hours
In the Covid-19 pandemic, where maintaining hygiene and practicing distance has come into play, many of the offices are being shut down to eliminate the chances of spreading the virus. And to cope with the work, our nine to five office hours have been converted into work from home hours, with the only change of sitting in front of your computer or laptop LED screens for hours. From business meetings on Google meet to file submission, your eye is taking up a load of exposure to the computer screen lights for more than ten hours every day.
More TV time for kids
With every school getting shut down, kids get to stay at home all the time. And when you couldn’t take your kids anywhere on their summer holidays, watching TV and playing their video games is the only thing they can do to be entertained. Spending more hours in front of TV screens is harmful to their eyes as it could cause a decrease in their eyesight or maybe redness or any other severe eye disorder.
Not getting your eyesight checked
If you already have low eyesight and you are wearing corrective power lenses or glasses, then you must already know the importance of regular eye checkups. Even if your eye power is shifted by points, getting the right power corrective lenses is necessary. Wearing high or low power glasses can cause irritation to the eyes, leading to redness, itching, or even more problematic eye condition.
However, blurry eye vision is something you need to schedule an appointment with an eye clinic as soon as possible but if you have any other serious issues such as the following mentioned below, contact your ophthalmologist quickly.
If you have redness in your eyes, irritation, or having eye pain associated with symptoms like headache, vomiting, dizziness, and nausea.
If you have injured your eyes especially from a sharp object, you must see a specialist. Even if the injury looks minor, it is adviced to consult an ophthalmologist in advance.
If you can see new floaters or flash in your vision
If you have diabetic retinopathy or any other condition for which you need to get regular eye injections
Can coronavirus spread through your eyes?
Yes, just like your nose and mouth, coronavirus can spread through your eyes if they are exposed to the virus. If you are maintaining social distancing to avoid getting in direct contact with the virus from the sneeze or cough of an infected person, it is not necessary that you will be prevented from the spread. Touching or rubbing your eyes after touching any object contaminated with the virus will expose your eyes to the infection as well.
How to protect your eyes during the Covid-19 pandemic
Choosing glasses over the contact lens
People who wear contact lenses tend to touch their eyes more often, increasing the chance of contamination. Although wearing contact lenses directly doesn’t pose any threat to your health, but maintaining proper hygiene care of your eyes as well as the contact lenses can prevent the risk of getting infected.
Cover your eyes as much as possible
We all follow the hygiene safety and social distancing rule to prevent ourselves and our family from the infection of coronavirus. But wearing a mask whenever you are stepping out of your house is not the only thing you can do. Wearing an extra layer of protection for your eyes can shield them from getting exposed to the contaminated droplets from an infected person or contaminated object.
Schedule your treatment
If you have a serious condition such as diabetic retinopathy and need to get your regular dose of eye injection, then schedule your appointments with your ophthalmologist in advance.
Pile up the stock of your eye medicines
As things are not like before, expecting that you will get your medication anytime at your nearby pharmacy will be foolish. Try to pile up a stock of at least two months in advance, and don’t wait for the last minute to contact a pharmacy for your eye medicine or eye drops.
Get enough sleep
Working all day long and binge-watching all night long will not do any help for your poor eyes. Not only your vision may get affected by this tiresome schedule, but your eye muscles will also get tired from the excess stress, so the least you can do to take good care of your eyes is to get at least seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Practice safe hygiene
Avoid touching your eyes unnecessarily and practice regular hand washing as your eyes are one of the few parts of your body that are naked and are exposed to the environment directly. If you are feeling intense itching in your eyes, contact an eye specialist, and use clean tissue wipes to clean your eyes. If you have a habit of touching your eyes, try wearing simple glasses regularly, and you will let go of that habit.
Things to consider if you are visiting an eye clinic during the pandemic:
Wear your mask to the appointment all the time; some clinics may not also allow you to go inside without a mask.
To avoid crowd gathering, you may be asked to wait outside in your car instead of the waiting room of the clinic.
You will be provided with hand sanitizer or maybe a head and show cover (also, mask in case you are not carrying one).
Safe distancing will be practiced, and the doctor and other health professionals will be wearing a face shield.
You may be asked to return and come after a few days if you have a high temperature along with a cough or any other covid symptoms.
Hudson Ophthalmology is one of the best eye care center in New York, attending to all your eye health needs with specialized professionals and the most advanced equipment and surgical techniques.Feel free to contact us for your eye checkup or any other eye health need in this time of pandemic as we are dedicated to providing the best eye care to all our patients while using all the necessary preventive measures to decrease the risk of spread of coronavirus.
With Covid-19 remaining the most pertinent issue today, our whole lifestyle has been altered accordingly. Not just this but other health issues are also prevailing with time, equally putting human health at risk. But with Covid-19 not going anywhere soon, the work from home hubbub has started and is gone good globally. But there debate on how work from home creates distress amongst people as not everybody is accustomed to working 8 – 9 hours straight looking on computer screens. Even jobs like teachers or retailers are trying to manage their professions online. Most people who are newly starting to do their work from home are experiencing a lot of issues of eye strain. Even people who had to experience working for such a long time in front of screens reported a gradual increase in feeling their eye strain. This is because earlier only work had to be on screens, now there are no designated breaks between office time and leisure time, no breaks to give the eyes a rest. Before you start to ponder, let us answer the question that would have come to your mind:
What is eye strain?
It is the condition where your eyes feel tired from being overused. It can be due to driving long distances or glaring at screens too much. Eye strain is only a consequence of an extended visual activity, and there are many ways we can follow to avoid it. Some of these tips are:
~ Follow the 20-20-20 rule:
This is one rule that everyone must gain familiarity with. One thing to do here is to look every 20 minutes away from your screen for 20 seconds and at least 20 feet away.
~ Blink away:
Remember to at least blink 10-15 times each minute. This helps in keeping your eyes moist.
~ Control the brightness:
Always keep the brightness up to the level of your surroundings, not too low or bright.
~ Avoid excessive glare:
Use an anti-glare shield that will help protect your eyes from excessive glare that the screen may provide.
~ Always note the computer screen’s position:
It is crucial to keep your desktop at a lower eye level and an arm’s distance.
~ Well-intended break:
For your vision, it is essential to take a 15-minute break for every two hours that you spend on your computer.
It is important to note that not keeping care of our eyes in times like this where screen time has just doubled can lead us to more significant problems like dry eyes. Let us explain what you can do if you face a dry eye syndrome since it is also becoming prevalent with time.
What to do about your Dry Eyes?
Having a dry eye is like having a rash in your eye, like your actual eye! Sounds hurtful, doesn’t it? Dry eye can be a temporary situation or a chronic one depending on its severity; it happens when your tear glands don’t produce enough tears or when your tears evaporate quickly. It causes a lot of complications, like double vision or infections. It is a blessing that its relief is available. But before we begin with what to do about your dry eyes, let’s understand what dry eyes are, how it is caused, its symptoms, and how it can be treated.
So, what are dry eyes?
Dry eyes are caused when your tear glands do not produce enough tears that can lubricate your eyes. This situation is very uncomfortable or painful to the patient and can be caused by medical or environmental factors. It is usually called having a dry eye syndrome and can be caused due to inadequate quality tears or diminished tear production.
Our eyes are producing tears all the time, not just when we feel hysterical or yawning because healthy eyes are always covered in a healthy fluid because of the tear film. It is between each blink and prevents the eyes from becoming dry and enables a clear vision. When tear glands produce fewer tears than required, then tear film tends to become unstable, leading it to break down quickly, and the creation of dry spots on your eye’s surface.
Contrary to popular belief that tears are just salty water droplets, tears are made of water to provide moisture, oils for providing lubrication, mucus to spread evenly, antibodies, and unique proteins that keep infection at bay.
Having dry eye syndrome is a chronic and gradually developing condition over time, but it all depends on its severity. Sometimes, it is not curable. Most cases are managed successfully by resulting in greater comfort, only a few dry eye symptoms, and sometimes a sharper vision.
What are the common symptoms of dry eye syndrome?
Some of the common symptoms of dry eye are:
~ A dry, burning, scratchy, and painful feeling in both the eyes
~ redness
~ having difficulty in keeping eyes open
~ double vision
~ A constant sense of something in the eye
~ sensitivity to light
~ mucus in or around your eyes
~ eyes feeling fatigued
~ blurred vision
~ eyelids stuck and difficulty to open them while waking up
What are the medications provided for dry eye syndrome?
Medicines prescribed for dry eye syndrome are:
~ Artificial Tears or Lubricating eye drops:
Artificial tears lubricate your eyes and help them maintain moisture on the outer surface. This is one of the best ways to help moisten your eyes, very effective and convenient, that your doctor might suggest mostly for dry eyes unless more severe methods need incorporation.
~ Medication to reduce eyelid inflammation:
Inflammation that is seen along the edge of your eyelids can keep the oil glands from secreting oil into your tears. Your doctor can recommend antibiotics to reduce it. The medication can be in the form of eye drops, eye ointments, and antibiotic pills. Also, regular cleaning of the eyelids is strongly recommended, for that you can use a non-eye irritating soap, like baby shampoo, etc.
~ Eye drops to control cornea from getting inflamed:
Inflammation can occur on the cornea of the eye (surface) that can be controlled with eye drops prescribed by the doctor. Those eye drops contain an immune-suppressing medication called cyclosporine (Restasis) or corticosteroids. However, corticosteroids are not ideal long term usage.
~ Moisturizing punctual tear duct plugs:
Those who have moderate to severe dry eye symptoms and artificial tears don’t help much when the other option can be to put the tiny eye insert that looks like a string can be placed in your tear duct. Some are made of permanent material, and some from dissolving collagen or collagen-like material.
~ Eye Inserts:
In this, you have to set the hydroxypropyl cellulose or Lacrisert between your lower eyelid and your eye. This is dissolved slowly and releases a substance that’s used in eye drops to lubricate eyes.
~ Eye drops from your blood:
Also called autologous blood serum drops, they are used when no other treatment is responding, and the condition is severe. These eye drops are then used by removing the red blood cells, and then it’s mixed with a salt solution.
What is Macular Degeneration?
Another disease growing common and is Macular Degeneration is a chronic disease that can last for years or stay lifelong. It causes vision loss that too in the center of the field of vision. But the question here arises what is Macular Degeneration, and is there some way we can prevent it?
Macular degeneration is a disease where the macula (central position of the retina), the light-sensitive layer of the tissue found at the back of the eye, responsible for the central vision, starts to deteriorate. It is one of the conditions that mostly occurs after 60 years and is often called an age-related macular generation (AMD). It is not painful but causes vision loss in both the eyes; the degree can vary but occurs in both. Two types of Macular Degeneration or AMD: first is dry AMD and wet AMD. The two types are explained below:
~ Dry AMD:
In dry, people have yellow deposits (drusen) in their macula. The small macula may not affect your vision, but it may affect your vision by making it dim or distorted if they get bigger and more. The condition worsens when the cells in your macula die by getting thinner progressively. It then turns into having blind spots in the center of your vision and eventually losing central vision.
~ Wet AMD:
It occurs when blood vessels grow from underneath your macula. Blood and fluids are leaked through these blood vessels. The straight lines might look wavy to you, some blind spots may appear, and there would be a loss of central vision. A scar is formed due to these blood vessels bleeding, which can lead to a permanent loss of central vision.
How can we prevent Macular Degeneration?
Some tips to help with this are:
~ A healthy lifestyle and weight should be maintained
~ Smoking should be prohibited
~ Diet should include green leafy vegetables, citrus, and bright colored fruits, fish, and whole grains
~ Exercise should be given the main priority
~ Eye exam should be done annually if a condition detected than as per doctor’s recommendation
~ Blood pressure and cholesterol levels should be maintained
~ Keep testing your Amsler grid; it means to check if you can stare at a paper grid and see it normally, contact your doctor if you see them wavy or disproportionate
~ Refined carbohydrates should be removed from your diet
~ Multivitamin should be added to your diet which is specially made for AMD called AREDS
It is very important to pay attention to eye health as it is the most important and delicate body part. You must visit the eye care professionals to avoid or lessen the vision or other eye-related issues. Sometimes, negligence may become a major issue, so take care of your eyes. Let’s talk more about it.
The common issues of eyes are blurred vision, blind spots, floaters or halos.
Blurred vision is meant to the loss of vision’s sharpness or unable to see small details.
Blind spot referred to as scotoma which is something like a dark hole in the visual area in which you can’t see anything.
Small bits of protein or other particles that flow in the clear gel-like part in the eye are floaters.
These issues could be caused by a damaged eye itself or the condition of the body like ageing or diabetes or due to a medicine.
You shouldn’t take your eyes for granted. You could take some of these steps to maintain proper health of your eyes:
Some eye care tips:
Good eating habits:
Good health of the eye is related to the food you take. The nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, vitamins C and E could prevent age-related issues of the vision such as macular degeneration and cataracts. You could add foods like green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and fishes such as salmon, tuna or other oily fish, eggs, beans, nuts, oranges, oysters and other healthy and rich foods in your diet. A good and healthy diet could help to maintain proper weight. It can reduce the odds of obesity and another associated disease like type 2 diabetes that could lead to blindness in adults.
Wear sunglasses:
Protecting your eyes with ultraviolet rays of the sun by choosing the right pair of shades can be the right way to take care of your eyes. If you have too much exposure to UV rays it could lead to cataracts and macular degeneration. You could opt for a pair of shades that could block the UVA and UVB rays up to 99-100%. Also, polarized lenses help to reduce glare while driving.
Try to look away from the computer screen:
Looking constantly at a computer or phone screen could cause strain in eyes, blurry vision, and dryness in eyes, headache and other issues. To prevent your eyes, you need to ensure your glasses or contact prescription is up to date and good for looking at a computer screen. If eyestrain persists, you should consult your doctor about the glasses. Adjust your screen that the top of the monitor is in the level of the eyes. To reduce the glare from lights and the window, you should use the anti-glare screen. If you feel dryness in the eyes, then try to blink more. Give rest to the eyes every 20 minutes by looking here and there.
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