What does Crossed Eyes or Lazy Eye mean?

When one eye focuses on a different spot than the other, it is called the lazy eye or a squint. Strabismus is the scientific term for eye turn, which has two variations; if the eye turns outwards away from the nose, the condition is referred to as exotropia, and inwards is called esotropia, if one of the eyes turns upwards, the condition is called hypertropia.

The squint eye condition may be constant or occasional. The misalignment of the eyes causes the person to either experience double vision, where both eyes transmit two separate images to the brain; person has trouble with depth perception, or is unable to see objects in 3D; and the person develops abnormal binocular vision. For constant eye turn, glasses with different prescription are worn, one for closer vision and the other further away. Usually, one eye will be able to see objects clearly, and with one or two dimension, where the other struggles and sees blurred objects. If this happens, the eye with the blurred vision will prevent it from developing normally, turning it into the lazy eye, or Amblyopia.

For normal vision to develop both eyes are meant to focus on the same image equally. The brain requires both signals from each eye to be identical in order to create an image. If one of the images received is blurred, or misaligned due to astigmatism or strabismus, the brain works to shut one eye’s function down, as it finds it difficult to workout depth and shape. The good eye is therefore preferred by the brain, which will use it all the time, ignoring the weak or affected one. This will cause one eye to be strong and the other to weaken as time goes on. Glasses are worn from early age, to prevent or slow the progress of the lazy eye, as it will be some time, before the brain does write off the affected eye. However, the eye causing blurred or misaligned vision will not have its vision restored to 20/20. The first step to treatment is to correct the alignment of both eyes, so they work together. Correcting blurred vision will be the second step after strabismus has been cured. Once your child has obtained their new prescription glasses to correct alignment issues, the visual acuity should be checked at home or in the office.

It is most affective to treat strabismus and amblyopia as early as possible to have the highest chances of reversing or preventing eye turn. However, we have been able to correct amblyopia and strabismus in older children and adults. Surgery is an option for treatment of severe strabismus and amblyopia, and mechanical alignment is not necessary early on. Treatment includes exercises, eye patches used to cover the good eye, forcing the affected eye to work properly, eye glasses and regular prescription changes, and other types of visual therapy which helps by exercising the muscles, works the lenses, and nerves in the eyes. Therapy to fix blurred or misalignment of the eye includes reeducating the eyes to function properly. Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center Vision Correction Solutions, founded and lead by Internationally Acclaimed eye surgeon Dr. Hani Sakla has seen many young and older patients with visual problems and pertaining to strabismus and amblyopia. With over 30 years of global experience as eye specialists, Dr. Sakla and his team, is able to offer you the best eye care in Dubai. 

Dry Eyes Dubai

Dry eyes are a result of inadequate tears to moisturize the eyes and protect them from dust and foreign particles. There are many reasons for inadequate tears, this could be because your tears are thick in consistency or is insufficient. Most people blink every few seconds and this helps wash away dust and moisturizes the area. Dry eyes symptoms are itchiness, redness, soreness when closing, and opening the eyelids and individuals who suffer from dry eyes have a constant need to rub them to remove foreign particles.

Dry eyes cause constant irritation and a stinging burn in the eyes. Most people experience dry eyes while in airplanes, riding a bike or cycling, or by being in an air-conditioned room for long durations, where the tears in your eyes dry off due to friction or cold air. Situational dry eyes are temporary and last only as long as your eyes are subject to those conditions. Most people wear protective eyewear to prevent the onset of dry eyes in these situations. Eye drops that act as false tears helps reduce the irritation caused due to cold air, riding a bike, and air travel. However, if your eyes feel dry for most parts of the day, depending on the cause of the symptoms, your doctor will suggest the appropriate treatment. Your ophthalmologist will first ask you to make lifestyle and diet changes along with prescribed eye drops and medication. If these treatment options do not resolve or reduce the symptoms, surgery may be considered for severe cases.

Symptoms of dryness in both eyes:

• Burning or stinging sensation in both eyes, which cause you to rub them often
• Tears are of a thick consistency, causing itchiness
• Harsh wind speeds cause severe stinging and burning especially while riding a bicycle or motorbike without protective eye gear
• Constant need to wash eyes due to fatigue and redness
• Light sensitivity
• Dried up tears and mucus blobs found on the surface of the eye
• Unable to wear contact lenses
• Excessive tearing caused by irritation
• Vision becomes blurred and distorted

You will need to visit your Dubai eye doctor, when these symptoms prolong for long durations causing difficulty in your normal routines.

Dry eyes are a result of two main reasons: Inadequate production of tears to lubricate the eyelid while it blinks or the wrong tear composition. Tears are made up fatty oils, water, and mucus, which combine perfectly to keep your eyes clean and smooth. If the ratios of the compositions are not balanced, a person may suffer from dry eyes. External factors like the environment, medication, and eye surgery also cause symptoms of dry eyes.

If left untreated, dry eyes may cause mild or severe infection and swelling of the eyelids. Scars and redness may become permanent and you may suffer visual difficulties later on in life.

Should you experience dry eyes for prolonged periods, make an appointment with Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center and have your dry eyes treated medically. Your ophthalmologist will need a lifestyle medical history to determine the exact cause of your eye and it may help to have the following listed down before your appointment with our Dubai eye doctors.

• List of medications taken within the last month
• Types of food enjoyed daily and specially anything you may have had that is not normally included in your diet.
• Lifestyle changes – This might be an insignificant change

Once you have these listed down, it will be easier for your doctor to establish the cause of your dry eye and prescribe an appropriate treatment plan for the symptoms.

Conjunctivitis Dubai

A common problem with the eyes is an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a thin transparent covering on the inside surface of the eyelid. Conjunctivitis is common amongst many individuals and is usually seen as a pinkish effect around the eyelids and can spread to many individuals in the same vicinity. Conjunctivitis is common in schools and offices, where individuals remain in closed spaces for long durations.

Conjunctivitis is not a serious, however if left untreated develops into serious visual problems. Conjunctivitis is a bacterial, viral, or chemical infection that affects the eye, either airborne or caused through chemical pollutants in the air. Bad eye makeup with chemical irritants is also sometimes responsible for conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is sometimes a symptom of sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Always consult your Dubai Eye Doctor for any type of eye infection to ensure your eyes are safe from danger.  

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

• Itchy warm sensation in one or both eyes
• Swelling on the eyelids
• White discharge from one or both eyes with excessive tearing
• Redness in the infected eye
• Irritability to light

What are the causes of conjunctivitis?

There are a few reasons that could cause conjunctivitis in the eye. This could be due to seasonal allergies, infectious or chemically induced redness in the eye.

Conjunctivitis caused by Allergies

Conjunctivitis brought on by allergies is common among people living near farms and fields where the air contains dust and pores. Giant papillary conjunctivitis is another form of allergic conjunctivitis in which a large particle finds its way into the eye causing irritability and redness. This happens mainly to people who touch or rub their eyes often or wear contact lenses for a long time.

Conjunctivitis caused by infections

There are three types of infectious conjunctivitis:

Bacterial conjunctivitis caused by two types of bacteria streptococcal and staphylococcal. These two types of bacteria are found on the skin and respiratory systems of humans. It is therefore, easily transmitted through physical contact or air. Infectious conjunctivitis easily spreads among individuals in closed spaces or when in contact with an already infected person. You can be infected with Bacterial conjunctivitis by using contaminated make-up and eyewear.

Viral Conjunctivitis is associated with the common cold and could be a symptom of the flu. Viral infections of the lungs contaminates your respiratory tract, nose and eventually the connected tear ducts and throat. Viral conjunctivitis is a airborne disease as well.

Ophthalmia Neonatorum is a bacterial conjunctivitis that affects newborn babies. Newborns are at risk of contracting a bacterial infection when passing through a birth canal affected by Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. This type of infection is immediately treated to prevent serious visual problems in the future.

Chemical Conjunctivitis

Chemical Conjunctivitis is caused by chemical pollutants in the air, a type of redness and swelling can occur in the eye. High concentrations of chlorine, or chemical sprays like hair sprays and insect spray can seriously harm your eyes.  

How is conjunctivitis treated?

Each strain of conjunctivitis is treated differently and your doctor at Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center – vision correction solutions will examine the cause of your conjunctivitis before administering the right course of medication.

• Allergic conjunctivitis – Conjunctivitis caused be allergies is better prevented, as it is best to avoid the irritant or wear protective glasses during seasonal changes. Cool compresses will bring the swelling down. Artificial teardrops will relieve mild discomfort. For severe cases, antihistamine or anti-inflammatory medication, is prescribed by your eye doctor in Dubai. Steroid eye drops is prescribed, for severe persistent cases.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis – Antibiotic eye drops are available to treat bacterial infections and will generally take a few days to show results when the course is completed.
• Viral Conjunctivitis – viral infections will need to run its course as antibiotic drops or ointment does not cure this type of conjunctivitis. Symptoms may be reduced with the use of cool compresses, and tear drops. For severe pain or inflammation, a steroid eye drop will be prescribed. Some doctors treat eye infections with an iodine eyewash; the effectiveness of which is still not known.
• Chemical Conjunctivitis – When your eyes come in contact with chemicals, it is important to flush it out completely with cold water for many minutes. If the problem persists or severe pain is felt, visit an emergency room for immediate treatment. If left untreated, chemical conjunctivitis may cause partial or complete blindness. Visit an eye clinic Dubai to ensure that an ophthalmologist can look at it to prevent future visual problems.

Stargardt’s Disease

Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center is a specialized eye clinic in Dubai that sees patients with visual difficulties and diseases. Our eye clinic is always at the forefront of technology and research to ensure that all our visiting patients get the best eye care treatment available in Dubai. We treat many diseases related to the eyes like Cataracts, Glaucoma and see patients with low vision quality. We specialize in Lasik treatment as well as Keratoconus.

Stargardt’s disease, similar to Macular Degeneration, but is diagnosed in young children and adults as an inherited disease.

Stargardt’s disease scientifically referred to as fundus flavimaculatus or Stargardt’s Macular dystrophy (SMD). This affects approximately one in 10,000 individuals, defined by the loss of central vision early life not caused by external factors like the environment or nutrition.

The retina contains light sensitive cells rods and cones. Cones cells are sensitive to colour and are more concentrated in the center of the retina. This area of the retina also called the yellow spot. The rods, which are cells sensitive to black and white colour are in the peripheral region of the yellow spot and is responsible for black and white vision.

The retina is protected by a thin yellow covering of epithelial cells, made up of vitamin A. The outer skin of the retina, acts as natural sunglasses protecting the inner eye from harsh UV damage. Stargardt’s disease is when these epithelial cells degenerate and clump together forming dark yellow spots preventing light from reaching the retina. Usually the disease begins in the center of the retina, which is why it affects the central vision first. Gradually, the disease spread to the rest of the retina causing semi blindness and eventually complete blindness.

Studies suggest aggregation or “clumping” of vitamin A in the retina may be associated both with Stargardt’s disease and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These clumpy deposits are known as “vitamin A dimmers”.

Causes of Stargardt’s Disease

Stargardt’s disease is a hereditary disease that does not have a medical cure as yet The disease is transferred to children when both parents suffer from Stargardt’s Disease. Studies have revealed that the disease is caused by a mutation of a gene that is responsible for processing vitamin A in the eye. However, parents who are only carriers of the recessive gene also transfer this disease to the children.

How fast does Stargardt’s disease progress?

The progression of Stargardt’s disease differs from person to person and vision problems can begin in early childhood to late teens. However, in some cases the onset of the disease does not begin until mid adulthood. As Stargardt’s disease is the degeneration of light sensitive cells, some studies show that by protecting your eyes with proper prescription glasses or wearing medically prescribed sunglasses reduces the progress of this disease.

What are the treatments for Stargardt’s disease?

There are no known treatments so far for Stargardt’s disease. However, initial stem cell research has shown 100% improvement in rats that have a similar type disease. Phase 1 and 2 of the clinical trials began in 2011 and scientists are hopeful that a cure will be found to counteract the onset of Stargardt’s Disease.

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. 

What is Cataract Treatment?

Cataract is the world’s leading cause of blindness in people above the age of 50, although it is also seen in children mainly due to the intake of prescription medicine and hereditary circumstances. Cataract affects the lens in the eyes and most often than not, both eyes are affected at the same time. Cataract affects 18 million people worldwide but its effects can be delayed with proper eye treatment and if blindness occurs Cataract Treatment is available at Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center.

Cataract is the name of the disease that happens in the lens of the eye. The lens is made up of protiens and water. The lens is a clear part of the eye. As we age the protiens in the lens separates from the water and collects in sections distorting or blocking light and images from falling on the retina (the back part of the eye that transmits signals to the brain using the optic nerve).

Although Cataract is diagnosed mostly in the older population, it not uncommon amongst young children and babies.

* Age-related cataracts ? As people age, the lens in the eyes loses it strength and eventually a build up of protein clouds your vision.

* Congenital cataracts ? seen in babies and young children is a result of poor development, injury and infection before or after birth.

* Secondary cataracts ? is a symptom of other ailments like diabetes or the exposure or consumption to radiation, ultra violet light, harmful or toxic substances or is the side effect of prescription medication such as corticosteroids (steroids prescribed for inflammation, digestive problems and hormone replacement) or Diuretics (pills prescribed for high blood pressure)

* Traumatic cataracts ? as the name suggests is caused after direct injury to the eye.

There are three type of cataracts diagnosed in patients.

* Cortical Cataract affecting the outer part of the lens and gradually moving towards the center.

* Nuclear Cataract which begins in the center nucleus of the lens. When new cells form on the outter surface of the lens, the older ones are pushed to the centre which becomes the nucleus. In this type of cataract, the old cells are not able to retain their form, and hence the water and the protien separate.

* Subcapsular Cataracts is caused mainly by prescription medication and occurs at the back of the lens. Diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and hormorne replacement medical are all causes of this type of cataracts.

Prevention methods have not been fully understood yet, and as 18 million people are affected from cataract around the world, some scientific research claims that certain foods have either a positive or a negative effect on the disease. In one research it has been found that meat-eaters were more at risk of getting Cataract than people who included more fish and vegetables in their diet. Anti-Oxidents, certain vitamins like A, C, and E, zinc and regular eye exercise have been tested as preventive steps to delaying the onset of Cataracts.

There are some concerns when it come to patients who have previously had LASIK surgery done and require Cataract surgery as they age. These concerns are addressed by providing your Ophthalmologist, with all the information of your visual health prior to and after the LASIK surgery was done. The Ophthalmologist will evaluate each case individually and advise accordingly.

Refractive Errors in Dubai

Refractive errors in Dubai and in anywhere else in the world are generally categorized in to two section; high and low. High refractive errors generally result in the patient having blurry and inaccurate vision to an extent that the eye cannot correct this predicament and focus on an object accurately on its own. Low refractive errors have a possibility to be corrected on its own but could lead to muscular and nerve exhaustion because the eye has to make extra effort to focus on an object accurately. Such errors also tend to be harder to spot in comparison with high refractive errors in Dubai.

A predominant symptom of having high refractive errors in Dubai is that those affected have decreased visual focus and tend to be clumsier in comparison with others. When it comes to children, observation has proven to show that those affected with refractive errors in Dubai seem to be less intelligent, less inclined to interact with others, participate in sporting activities and are even clumsier than others and have experienced drastic improvement in learning and coordination once the problem has been paid attention to and fixed by a good eye doctor in Dubai. 

The Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center; founded and headed by Dr. Hani Sakla is renowned for not only having the best eye specialists but also for being thorough, informative and extremely transparent when it comes to informing and educating patients on eye disease in Dubai, treatment plans and procedures so that you are always in the loop. Refractive errors are a main cause for visual acuity and we at the Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center specialize in treating such eye ailments and many more because we work only towards the betterment of your eyes. In order to treat such errors, we first make sure to examine the patient’s vision in detail by channeling our patients to one of our best eye specialists available at our eye clinic. Sometimes the cause for such refractive errors tends to be due to an external factor that is not in relation to the eye as well.

There are certain instances where this eye disease in Dubai must be corrected as well because it could disrupt the balance of vision and lead to more complex problems. Our eye clinic understands the importance of viewing the eye as more than merely a visual device but as a part of the body as a whole. It is the view of our best eye specialists that some eye ailments have the potential to be the first symptoms of a more serious ailment and should therefore be given immediate attention to and diagnosed accurately as soon as possible. Dr. Hani Sakla utilizes his immense experience in the field to ensure that all his staff is more than capable to handle from the simplest to the most complicated issue with ease and expertise.