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.

 

Keeping A Watchful Eye On Cataracts

A very common condition that affects millions of people nationwide and in Dubai is Cataract, explains an Eye Surgeon Dubai. As  the population continues to age, the numbers keep increasing. Despite these escalating numbers of patients suffering from cataract, it is often manageable and treatable.

Here are some facts that everyone should know so that it can help you recognize Cataracts in Dubai and prevent permanent vision loss.

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye, which restrains the passage of light into the eye and results in blurred or dimmed vision.  The lens is what helps to focus an image onto the retina, which transmits the images to the brain.

Cataracts usually develop as a natural result of the aging process and can occur in one or both eyes. Apart from aging, there are other risk factors for developing cataracts, which include,  long-term exposure to UV rays from the sun, certain health conditions such as diabetes, genetic predisposition, eye injuries, eye inflammation, long-term steroid use, smoking and long term use of other long term medications.

Research shows that cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among adults who are 55 years and older.  Over half the population above the age 65 has some degree of cataract development. By the time people turn 80years of age,  it is likely that most people will have developed a cataract or had Cataract Surgery in Dubai to remove it.

When a person is diagnosed with cataract and at the early stages of cataract development, the patient can use stronger lighting and glasses.  Special lens coatings can also reduce glare, at some point, however, on the long run cataract surgery is required to improve a patient's vision. 

Cataract surgery is very common and involves the removal of the clouded lens and in most cases replaces it with a clear lens made from plastic, called an intraocular lens (IOL). New developments in IOLs are constantly being researched to perform the surgery, even less complicated and more successful in helping to restore vision in patients of all ages.

Cataract surgery has a very high success rate and most people who have the surgery regain their complete vision. Consult with your Eye Clinic in Dubai to get information about the pros and cons, alternatives and expected results of cataract surgery.

And the most important fact to remember is that to prevent permanent vision loss, regular eye exams and checkups are the solution. Therefore, if you are 65 years, you should have a yearly eye exam, even if you feel you have perfect vision.

Eventhough, cataracts are a natural part of aging, it is important to make sure that you care for your eyes your entire life. Don't forget to make sure to have a dilated exam at least once a year. This will ensure you are examined for the early stages of cataract development and for other types of eye and vision related problems and will also help to maintain your overall health.

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UV Light and Cataract Formation

UV light is not only a problem for your skin, Eye Surgeon in Dubai says that UV rays can be just as damaging to your eyes as well.

UV rays has been a suspect for a long time in the formation of cataracts. Cataracts are formed when the material in the viscose lens of the eye becomes cloudy, blocking light from reaching the retina and the sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. Cataracts are often associated with aging, but there are youngsters too who undergo Cataract Surgery in Dubai. Cataract in youngsters is present from birth and while the exact cause of this is unknown, many are hereditary.

Eventhough, UV light is accused of playing an important role in the creation of cataracts, the mechanism whereby it achieves this is vague and is a little bit of a mystery. However, a new study, just may, have the answer to this.

Oxidative Stress - Oxidative stress occurs in the normal process of cell function. As cells take in oxygen and other elements for the production of energy, harmful chemical reactions can happen as a consequence. The damage these chemical process causes to the body, contributes largely to the aging process and the occurrence of age-related health problems such as cataracts. Cataracts in Dubai are one of the most common causes of age-related vision disorders, as well as the most common reason for corrective surgical procedures. Oxidative stress has been considered a prime suspect of cataract formation.

Lens Cells - Normal cells are made of up proteins and water. The smaller structures inside these cells are called organelles and is vital to sustaining the processes that keeps these cells alive and healthy. But the cells within the eyes’ lenses lack these organelles, as the lens is not clear, allowing sunlight to pass through them.Therefore, these special lens cells do not receive oxygen.

Cataracts form when the oxidative stress damages the cells of the lens, disarranging the configurations of proteins that allow light to pass through them, and damaging the cells, causing them to clump together, producing obstacles to the transmission of light.

Researchers have shown that in the absence of oxygen, UV light can damage the proteins of the cells of the eye lens by a process called glycation, the damage is something similar to what is caused by oxidative stress. Therefore, eyes can suffer both the normal ageing process and damage caused by UV rays. The elements in the research report can certainly give a new perspective on how cataracts are formed and could lead to the discovery of medications that could one day eliminate them.

However, for the moment, the research report makes it evident that UV rays are harmful and therefore people should take steps to protect their eyes from UV light more than ever. Most Eye Clinic in Dubai can help people look for the best way to protect their eyes from UV light and harmful elements that cause damage to the eyes and assist in the formation of cataracts.

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Cataract Surgery in Dubai

Cataract Surgery in Dubai is one of the safest and most common forms of surgery that is performed. Today with the advances in technology, cataract treatment is less invasive, has a quick recovery period and enhances the quality of vision of a patient after the procedure.

Statistics show that cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in adults over 45years. Cataracts occur when a person's natural lens of the eyes becomes cloudy over time. Surgery is needed to remove and replace imperfect lenses.

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure. At the Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center, it only takes  short time to complete the treatment.  If  both eyes require Cataracts Dubai surgery, Dr. Hani Sakla will make arrangement to arrange the surgeries between a week or two apart.

The surgery process includes, firstly, dilating the eyes with special drops and thereafter a topical anesthesia is administered to numb the area and prepare for the surgery. Some patient's are given a sedative in addition to the anesthesia to make the patient feel relaxed during the procedure.

There are two types of cataract surgery performed. One uses the standard incision made with a knife, while HD cataract surgery uses the femtosecond laser. Cataract surgery typically consists of two elements such as,

Removal of the cataract- The Eye Surgeon in Dubai will make a small incision in the cornea. This is done manually or by advanced imaging systems. During the laser procedure, a precise 3D map is made of the eye, which guides the laser as it makes the incision. Thereafter, once the incision has been made in the cornea, a special probe is inserted into the cataract mass. Using sound waves, the cloudy matter is broken up and the  emulsified substance is then removed from the eye. The back part of the lens, called the lens capsule, and is left intact and in place to serve as a basis for a new lens.

Replacement of the lens - Once the cataract has been removed, a new lens is inserted into the eye. The lens that is fitted is a an IOL (intraocular lens) which comes in a variety of forms and materials and can be tailor-made to suit the patient's needs.

Once the surgery is completed, patients may experience some mild discomfort and itching that may last a few days after surgery. Vision will also be blurry for a few days as the eye heals and adjusts to the new lens. The patient will need to wear an eye shield to protect the eye during the post surgery  healing process. The Eye Clinic in Dubai may also prescribe eye drops to help with inflammation and to prevent post operative infections.

A  follow up visit is scheduled a day after the surgery to monitor healing, thereafter the patient will need to see the surgeon a week and then a month to ensure the eye is recovering properly. Once the surgery has healed and the eye is back to normal the surgeon will check the patient's eyesight again. Sometimes, the patient may need some form of glasses to aid vision.

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If you look at any eye clinic in Dubai you tend to see more elderly patients than young.This has raised the concern that will everyone with age be at risk of an eye condition. As with all things in life, change is unavoidable when it comes to health related factors as well. Many of the best lasik in Dubai are sought after by the elderly population who are in need of cataract surgery in Dubai at one time or the other.

While proper eye care can help towards maintaining your vision without much deterioration with age, but some level of deterioration is to be expected. Opticians recommend regular check-ups to monitor eye conditions and will also be able to advice you on preventative steps towards any possible eye conditions and early treatment methods. It is not advised to delay regular eye check-ups or to wait till an eye condition worsens to visit the eye clinic as it can lead to more expensive and uncomfortable procedures if the vision is greatly affected. Treatments in the early stages are comparatively far easier for the patient. Cataracts in Dubai are one of the most common eye conditions that can be treated easily if diagnosed early. 

Our vision in the first 3 decades of our life will be at its best. Any common eye conditions at this age are also easily treatable with corrective glasses or lenses as the eyes are very healthy in the early years. It is best to start taking care of the eyes from these early days by protecting it from various hazardous conditions. Cigarette Smoke, UV Rays and long strain to the eyes can all lead to macular degeneration as we age. Sunglasses can help towards protecting your eyes from environmental hazards and by eating healthy and avoiding hazardous environments and smoke can help to preserve the eyes in their best possible condition for many years to come. 

By the time we reach the age of 40 – 50, it is common to start experiencing difficulties in carrying out simple tasks like reading and working at the computer. The eye lenses tend to start hardening by this age which affects the ability to focus on items as well as it was able to in the early years. As the years pass on various other eye conditions including cataracts and glaucoma will be experienced.

It is never too late to get your eyes checked and obtain the eye specialist advice on any corrective measures you need to take.

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lazy Eye Treatment

Lazy eye is present in children at birth, when the vision in one eye, does not develop as well as the other. Amblyopia is treatable if caught early, but the symptoms of which may not be apparent immediately. When the brain receives two distinguishable images from the eyes, it learns to ignore one over the other; favouring the clearer unobstructed image. This phenomenon causes one eye to move incoherently with other.
There are varying causes for amblyopia, which obstruct vision in one eye. One can develop extremely near or farsightedness, while the other provides a 20/20 sight. Another cause is Strabismus, where one eye physically, moves either outward or inwards, relating two different images back to the brain. Astigmatism or early childhood cataracts also leads to lazy eye syndrome.
The brain is programmed to receive identical images from both eyes. When one eye sends a different image from the other, the brain disregards one image in an attempt to make sense of what it is seeing. The neglected eye will stop functioning, and partial or complete blindness will result if proper treatment is delayed.
In the case of strabismus or a squint, a diagnosis is as easy as noticing the different eye movements. However, in many cases, the lazy eye takes time to develop and diagnosis and treatment may take place too late. It is the general recommendation that all babies have their vision tested by a paediatric doctor or general physician who will perform eye tests at three months and then two years.
Your children eye doctor will screen the eyes and vision to ensure that light travels to the back of the eye unobstructed, that both eyes see equally well, and the screening will ensure that both eyes moves together properly.
In the case of Strabismus, and vision obstruction like a blood clot, lazy eye is treated by forcing the weak eye to work, while the normal eye is closed for a set period, usually from a few weeks to a few months. A patch re-trains the brain to use the images from the lazy eye, strengthening the eye muscles, and sharpening the vision. The period of treatment can vary for each patient depending on the severity of the condition and how far along the condition has progressed at the time of diagnosis. For cataracts and astigmatism, an eye patch is combined with prescription glasses or contacts lenses, until the patient is old enough for surgery if desired.
Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center is experienced in lazy eye treatment Dubai since its inception. Our highly experienced ophthalmologist Dubai Dr. Hani Sakla heads our Clinic specializing in eye care and vision loss prevention in Dubai. Contact us today to have your child's eyes tested early on and prevent the onset of lazy eye.

Good Nutrition for the Eyes

When we talk about our health in Dubai, we concern ourselves with good nutrition for the body, but pay minimum attention to the health of the eyes. We must understand, that although, the heart, brain and bones is what does keep up well, our main objective to remain healthy is to enjoy life and not become the responsibility of other people, prematurely. Having healthy vision fits into this objective more prominently than we realize.

The eyes like all the other parts of the body, has its own requirements for good nutrition and exercise.

Here are the most important nutrients and minerals that your eyes require for great vision throughout your life.

Chromium – contributes to controlling intraocular pressure when focusing on near or far objects. The muscles used the most are those in the eye, and chromium helps with muscular contraction in the eye. Good sources of Chromium are greens like spinach, peppers and green apples, meat and eggs, and especially seafood like oysters.

Vitamin C – we cannot stress any further importance on the value of vitamin c on the correlation between the prevention of many visual diseases and illness like Cataract, and reduces intraocular pressure in Glaucoma patients. Even though, we are naturally inclined to think that only citric fruits and juices are good sources of vitamins C, you would be surprised to know that green vegetables like Broccoli, parleys, collards and chili pepper are richer in vitamin C than citric fruits.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin – types of carotenoids help protect the retina of the eye, responsible for distinguishing colours. These two nutrients, act like natural sunglasses that protects the inner eyes from severe UV radiation. Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which helps form a yellow covering over the retina, and are found in similar color, yellow peppers, pumpkin, corn, carrots, and yellow tomatoes. Other rich sources are fruits like papaya, mangos, and oranges.

Zinc – helps convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is an important nutrient that helps to maintain good vision. The highest level of zinc is found in the eyes of the human body and constant replenishment can be achieved by eating foods like oysters or oyster sauce and spinach. Artificial sources like good multivitamins should contain high amounts of zinc sufficient for the eye.

Selenium - an anti-oxidant that helps in the prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration by neutralizing free radicals in the eye. Selenium found in the same foods as chromium and additionally in foods like garlic, fish, and brewer’s yeast.

Glutathione – a type of amino acid linked to the prevention of retinal disease, glaucoma, cataracts, and blindness due to diabetes. Foods rich in glutathione are sulfur-based foods such as asparagus, onions and garlic and fruits like watermelon and grapefruits.

Ginkgo – another powerful anti-oxidant is one of the oldest species of trees in the world that has existed for over 150 million years. It helps in maintaining healthy retinas if taken throughout your lifetime.