What You Need to Know About Lazy Eye

Amblyopia, is a condition that is known as lazy eye. It is a common eye condition or a developmental disorder where the eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity. This condition cannot be corrected by eyeglasses or contact lenses. When lazy eyes are not treated appropriately, it can result in severe visual disability, which could even lead to blindness in the affected eye.

Lazy eye is the most common cause of sight impairment in infancy, and since it develops in infancy its difficult to detect. Therefore, early detection and the quicker the diagnosis is made, the patient can start on treatment, which increases the chances of vision correction and restoration. Also, treatment that is administered early usually works faster and more effectively for young patients.

Therefore, the Eye Clinic in Dubai recommends that parents should have their child’s vision checked early on in development, and that should receive a complete eye examination at six months and again once the child turns three years.

Amblyopia or lazy eye develops when the eyes and the visual system do not function in unison. The Eye Surgery in Dubai identifies the most common cause as, an imbalance in the location of the eyes (strabismus). This condition causes the eyes to cross in or turn out, making it impossible to work together. Lazy eye can also be caused by a condition where one eye is more nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic than the other eye. This is the result of a condition called anisometropia. Sometimes, lazy eye is a result of other optical diseases such as cataracts or other conditions of vision impairment.

What are the treatment options for Amblyopia?

Amblyopia is treated by restoring optimal vision in both eyes. Therefore, the best option is to use prescription lenses, which is the most common approach that is used to strengthen the weaker eye. There are a number of treatments that can be used to  by restraining the use of the stronger eye. There are a number of options to obstruct the better eye, and treatment is prescribed depending on the patient's situation and the decision of the Eye Surgeon.

Most often the good eye is patched and the patient will wear something similar to a 'pirate patch'. The patient is then required to use the weak eye, which promotes good sight in the underdeveloped eye and helps the visual system in the brain develop more completely. However, the success of this treatment with patching will depend on compliance of the patient to wear the patch, something that is not very easily accomplished with younger patients.

Sometimes the eye surgeon will use atropine, where the eye drops will be used on the good eye to temporarily impair the vision and encourage the patient to use the weak eye.

There are instances, in rare cases  where the patient's vision can be improved by vision aides only, such as prescription glasses or contact lenses that will restore vision to each eye. Also, vision therapy to train the eyes to work together may also require certain surgical procedures.

Since, lazy eye is a consequence of a disruption in the visual process, the younger the patient is treated the higher the success rate of the treatment. However, there are many success stories, where teenage patients complete a successful treatment.

Some of the symptoms and signs of lazy eye in children include, crossed eyes or some other apparent eye misalignment and crying or  fussing when one eye is covered.  Therefore, if you suspect that your child has amblyopia, make sure to schedule an appointment for testing and treatment for lazy eye.

Watch that makeup! When can make-up become hazardous to your eyes?

The Eye Surgeon in Dubai, explains that makeup and beauty products have the power to transform a person into a fashion model or a celebrity, while drawing extra attention to the eyes with eye makeup. Most beauty products are very safe and manufactured using the best ingredients and years of testing. However, when eye makeup is used in a careless manner it can cause permanent eye damage or blindness. Eye makeup, no matter how safe, they are can cause dangerous allergic reactions or infections such as conjunctivitis in certain individuals.

 

In order to avoid these unnecessary eye infections the Eye Surgery Center in Dubai provides the following tips,

 

·         Make sure all tools and equipment used in the application of eye makeup is clean and hygienic. Make sure no one else uses them, other than you. Make sure to change and wash brushes and sponges regularly in warm water to remove any residue and eliminate the presence of harmful germs. Change applicators and brushes when you change your makeup.

 

·         Avoid using old and expired eye makeup -  When makeup products are opened and its protective seal is removed, it attracts  airborne bacteria. When eye makeup is applied the product is further contaminated, when it's touched. So  make sure to use eye makeup for a maximum of three months before they are disposed and replaced.

 

·         Don't use other people's makeup or share yours - We often have a habit of sharing our eye makeup with family and friends. However, no matter how hygienic they are, you should not share your earmark. However, there are situations that you cannot avoid and you must share your eye makeup with a close friend when you're together at a party or at a night out, then make sure to discard the shared makeup products, as soon as possible.

 

·         Keep away from testers - Often its tempting or even a must to use testers and try out those vibrant new products and colors. Beware as they are a cesspool for eye disease, explains the Eye Surgery in UAE. Never ever use them. Some cosmetic stores offer a disposable applicator to try eye makeup, this is somewhat safe, but there is a big risk. If it's a store that you regularly visit and buy products and know and trust the staff then it's safe. Make sure to check how long ago the product was opened.

 

·         Avoid allergies - This is a common occurrence, especially when using eye makeup for the first time. Often users may encounter  temporary discomfort and redness.However, in severe cases it can cause serious damage to the eye and surrounding skin and also affect a person's vision. Eye allergies are hard to predict, but use your discretion when using these products. Never use eye makeup that is scented as eyes are very sensitive to perfume, so it may sting, so stick with natural based eye makeup.

 

·         Safe Ingredients - The Eye Clinic in Dubai, says that most countries have regulations that all cosmetics should clearly list the ingredients that are used, therefore, if the eye makeup you're using does not have a list of ingredients then it's not a good product and may contain ingredients that are harmful to the eyes.

A vitamin a day keeps cataracts away

Age-related cataract is one of the primary causes of blindness in both men and women in the world today.  There is no scarcity of naysayers who often criticize and downplay the many benefits of vitamin and dietary supplements, but clinical testing tells them otherwise. The same is applicable to those suffering from cataracts in Dubai. Studies and research suggest that vitamin supplements can boost an individual's eye health, drastically, and is just not a complete waste of money as the experts say.

 

Today, the most effective treatment for cataracts is to surgically remove the cloudy lens, and an artificial lens or an intraocular lens (IOL) is placed during the cataract surgery. No one knows the exact cause of cataracts, but researchers believe that it either hereditary as with certain infants and it mainly develops in older citizens due to oxidative stress, which damages certain enzymes and proteins in the eye's natural lens, causing the lens to take on a cloudy effect. Therefore, eating a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, every day will reduce the risk of cataract development, proves a recent study, says the Eye Surgeon in Dubai.

 

Individuals who are conscious of what they put in their mouth and religiously follow a healthy diet that includes colorful fruits, vegetables and whole grains can say goodbye to the development of cataracts. Antioxidant vitamins and phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of cataracts, especially the intake of vitamins A, C and E, lutein and zeaxanthin, on a daily basis. Therefore, make sure to include a healthy serving of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet to reduce the risk of cataracts developing at a later stage. Make sure to include fish, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids in your diet as well, as its associated with reducing the risk of cataracts or their progression.

 

Also, make sure to prevent Oxidative stress, which is a result of an imbalance between damaging free radicals roaming the body and the antioxidants that keep them at bay. In relation to eye health, oxidation affects proteins and fats in the lens to an extent where the lens becomes damaged and cloudy, leading to cataract. This damage to an otherwise healthy eye and development of cataracts can also be prevented by the consumption of healthy foods, particularly those containing antioxidants.

 

Recent research suggests that a healthy diet and vitamins is beneficial to boost eye health and may prevent cataracts. Some of their findings concluded the following,

 

·         Women and men whose diet contained the highest total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were less likely to develop cataracts as opposed to those with a diet that is low in antioxidants.

 

·         A diet that is extremely high in carbohydrates can increase the risk of cataracts.

 

·         Consuming food that is rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals can reduce the development of cataracts.

 

·         An increased intake of multiple antioxidants reduces the risk of cataracts.

 

·         A diet high in lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E from food and supplements can significantly reduce the risk of cataract. 

·         Cut down on sodium intake as salt may increase the risks of cataract formation.

 

·         Avoid fried or processed foods and sugary snacks and drinks.