There are several eye exercise programs available online. Most of these claim to offer freedom from glasses, or at least…
Tag: Tips
Tips for contact lens users
If you are a contact lens user, it is important to remember the following directives.
Always wash your hands with soap before handling contact lenses or before touching your eyes.
Wear contact lenses as prescribed by your eye doctor, and only for the recommended duration. Do not sleep with contact lenses in your eyes
Clean and disinfect contact lenses as prescribed. Clean your contact lens case after each use with either sterile solution or hot tap water and let air dry.
Some eye drops are not safe for contact lens wearers; always check with your doctor before using OTC medication also.
If you develop an eye irritation, remove your contact lenses and discontinue use until your eye doctor says you can.
Wear your contact lenses before applying makeup to avoid contaminating the lenses. Reverse the order when taking them off: remove your contact lenses and then remove makeup.
Daily or fortnightly disposable lenses are preferred over regular wear lenses as they minimise the risk of infections & allergy to protein deposits.
Tips for use of glasses/ spectacles
- Get your eyes checked once every year, even if you are comfortable with your current glasses.
- Use both your hands when taking off and wearing your glasses. This maintains their alignment, and their fit for your face. For the same reason, pushing your glasses to your forehead, or head is also not a good idea.
- Always use the lint free cloth provided by your optician to clean your spectacles, and try and keep them in the case to avoid dust particles.
- In case your power is significant (1 or more), it’s better to keep a spare pair of spectacles in case they break, or you lose your glasses.
- Please get your frame adjusted periodically so they don’t slide down the nasal bridge. This is especially relevant for children, and in case of rimless frames.
Routine Eye Examination for children
Vision problems in children generally are not the direct cause of learning disorders; however, they can interfere with children’s abilities to perform to their potential. Regular eye examinations are essential to evaluate the functional status of the eyes and visual system, and to counsel and educate parents/caregivers regarding their child’s visual, ocular, and related health care status.
The important eye diseases which may be detected by a regular ophthalmic examination include refractive error, amblyopia, anisometropia, nystagmus, nasolacrimal duct obstruction, retinoblastoma and developmental glaucoma. Just as responsible parents adhere to an immunization schedule, regular eye examinations by an eye-care professional must be incorporated into the preventive health care plan for children.
The following is the recommended schedule for eye check-ups in children:
At birth
Screening by paediatrician for all, ophthalmology consultation if required
Birth to 24 months
Asymptomatic/ risk-free: At 6 months of age
At-risk: At 6 months of age or as recommended
2 to 5 years
Asymptomatic/ risk-free: At 3 years of age
At-risk: At 3 years of age or as recommended
6 to 18 years
Asymptomatic/ risk-free: Before first grade and every 2 years thereafter
At-risk: Annually or as recommended
In addition to the tests performed routinely for adults, a paediatric eye exam consists of a comprehensive visual acuity recording, cycloplegic refraction and fundus, assessment of binocular vision, accomodative function and ocular motility. Intraocular pressure measurement, syringing and probing of the nasolacrimal duct, detailed tests for stereopsis and visual field assessment may also be performed when indicated.
Eye care during pregnancy
An eye exam during pregnancy is not mandatory. Your obstetrician decides if you need an eye exam, and will invariably refer you to an eye doctor if you have high blood pressure or diabetes. In these expectant moms, any change in vision may signal an emergency
This is because both high blood pressure and blood sugar can affect the eyes, especially during pregnancy.
Preeclampsia, a potentially serious problem that occurs in 5% to 10% of pregnancies is characterised by high BP and the presence of protein in urine. It can result in vision changes ranging to a temporary blur to loss of vision, sensitivity to light, auras, and flashing lights.
Any of these symptoms means you should call your doctor immediately and go to the hospital emergency.
Diabetes, on the other hand, can lead to changes in the retina which do not threaten your general wellbeing, or the baby’s; but can potentially affect vision.
Also, the fluid retention during pregnancy can change the thickness and shape of your cornea, and result in blurry or distorted vision. Usually, these changes are temporary, and your vision becomes normal after pregnancy or after you stop breast feeding.
If your vision alters significantly, however, talk to your doctor. You may need to change your prescription if you wear glasses. Usually the shape of your cornea will revert to normal after your pregnancy is over.
You will also notice that your eyes maybe drier than normal, and there may be an associated discomfort. Dry eyes can make wearing contacts irritating and uncomfortable.
You may use artificial tears which are available over the counter, to lubricate your eyes. Some artificial tears may have preservatives so, check with your doctor first to make sure the ingredients are safe for you during pregnancy.
Video: Eye Care during pregnancy