If eyes are the windows, then eye sight is the gateway. It is also said “Eye is the lamp of your body”. We cannot afford to neglect and disregard the health of our eyes and put the whole body at risk.
Even if you perceive no cognizable problems with your sight, it is still very important to undergo routine eye exams and tests to prevent any problems right from the initial stages. This becomes more pertinent if you wear glasses or contact lenses regularly or are planning to undergo any eye surgery such as laser surgery etc. More importantly, as you age the chances of vision problems also may increase.
Importance of regular eye exams
A comprehensive eye exam involves a battery of tests to evaluate various aspects of your vision and check for any diseases coupled with sound judgment by the qualified personnel. Eye exams are conducted not only to protect your vision but also to detect any problems and correct them at the earliest stage.
The exam may start with the physician gathering all your history and the signs and symptoms you may have noticed. This would help the doctor to evaluate any of the problems you may have. The doctor may also gather information about the medications you are presently taking and previous health conditions.
The doctor tests your vision as to how clearly you can see and involves reading letters at different distances. Normal distance visual acuity is 20/20. Thereafter, the eye muscles are tested to look for any weakness in the eye movements.
Refraction test is conducted to test as to how the light is bent when passes through cornea and lens of the eye. Refraction test determines the appropriate power of the lens required to compensate for any refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. This can be done manually or with the help of a computer. Another test called keratometry test is done to measure the curvature of the cornea so that the doctor may fit in appropriate contact lenses. In addition, testing of eye focusing, eye teaming and eye movement are conducted to look for problems in the focusing of the eyes, eye movement and eye coordination.
Different parts of the eye such as cornea, eye lids, conjunctiva, surrounding eye tissue, retina and posterior section of the eye are examined closely to evaluate any problems. Measurement of pressure within the eye is called tonometry and carried out to detect any abnormalities. Based on the initial tests, some more tests may need to be carried out to confirm or rule out any possibilities. After the tests, the concerned personnel may evaluate the results and discuss with you the treatment plan or options. The test may reveal any abnormalities like astigmatism, glaucoma, etc.
Astigmatism
It is a condition that causes blurred vision due to either imperfect shape of cornea, the clear front of the eye or irregular curvature of the lens inside the eye. This imperfection in the cornea or lens prevents light from being properly focused on the retina, the sensitive surface at the back of the eye resulting blurred vision.
Astigmatism is treated by correcting the uneven curvature that causes blurred vision. Corrective lenses and refractive surgery are the two main options available for the treatment of astigmatism.
Eye glasses are the first choice of correction for astigmatism. They contain special cylindrical lenses. For patients above the age of 40, who have the condition of presbyopia, a bifocal or progressive lens may be needed to see objects at a distance and also for near vision. Contact lenses both soft and hard are used for correcting the astigmatism. Refractive surgery is reshaping the surface of the eye by using highly focused laser beam of light. The two commonly used procedures are photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). In PRK, the tissue from the superficial and inner layers of the cornea is removed. In LASIK surgery, the tissue from the surface of the cornea is not removed, but only from its inner layer. Then a laser is used to remove the precise amount of tissue needed and the flap of outer tissue is placed back in position to heal. In both the procedures light is allowed to focus on the retina by altering the shape of the cornea.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the collection of eye disorders that injure the optic nerve of the eye, responsible for good eyesight, and result in the loss of sight and cause blindness. There may be no symptoms during the initial stages of glaucoma.
High intraocular pressure (IOP), family history, ethnic background, age or optic nerve appearance, are the risk factors for developing glaucoma. There are mainly two types of glaucoma. Primary open angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma and occurs when the eye’s drainage canals become congested overtime. There are no symptoms or signs at the beginning. If not diagnosed and treated, it can cause loss of vision. Narrow angle glaucoma is manifested by sudden and quick rise in Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) with intense eye pain, redness, swelling, clouding of cornea and blurred vision.
Glaucoma prevention
Though scientists have not yet discovered the ways to prevent glaucoma but certain measures may lower the risk of developing glaucoma. If you undertake regular comprehensive eye exams, it is possible to detect glaucoma at early stages and therefore prevent further development. Take glaucoma eye drops regularly to reduce the risk of developing IOP. IOP is linked to obesity and hypertension. Hence control your weight and blood pressure within manageable limits. Eye injuries can lead to glaucoma particularly if you are involved in high speed sports and indoor games. Make it a point to protect your eyes always.
Glaucoma treatment
Though there is no cure yet for glaucoma, early diagnosis and treatment can safeguard eye sight. Treatment includes medication generally in the form of eye drops or surgery to lower intraocular pressure in the eye and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
Most of the medications are meant to reduce the intraocular pressure and stop to the optic nerve. Depending on the seriousness of the glaucoma and general eye health, your doctor may recommend surgery which involves making a cut in the eye to reduce intraocular pressure. During surgery by laser (Powerful light beam) numerous scars are made in the drainage system of the eye so that the fluid is drained out of the eye.
Healthy life through healthy eyes
That is the secret! If you can keep the windows to the soul healthy through regular and periodical eye exams, proper medication and appropriate treatments and above all a healthy lifestyle befitting to the caution “Eye is the lamp of your body”, then you have discovered the gateway.
