common eye issues

Most of us will suffer from at least one eye ailment inour life time. Let us know about how to control the damage till you get to your ophthalmologist

Itchy irritated eyes is a nagging problem most of us are familiar with. Eyes are moist and exposed, and it is easy for allergens such as pollen to get in and cause reactions.

Complaints such as itchiness, puffiness and twitching are allergic responses to irritants such as dust and improper cosmetics. If these problems recur and persists for more than tow days, you must seek the advice of and ophthalmologist.

If you have a dry, scratchy feeling in your eyes ( You may have dry eye syndrome [DES])

Over 10 million Indians suffer from dry eye, it is one of the most common eye problems today. It is usually caused by a problem with the teat film that lubricates the eyes.

Symptoms include redness, itching or burning, blurred vision or sensitivity to light and a constant feeling that there is some thing in the eye.

This is due to prolonged computer use, contact lenses and certain medications. A windy dusty climate, air conditioning or cigarette smoke can also cause dry eyes.

DO THE SMART THING

Keep your eyes moist with medication or over the counter artificial tears. Recommends using preservative free tears and drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water each day to keep the body hydrated and help it flush out impurities. It also helps to blink frequently, wash the eyes with water two to three times a day and use protective eyewear to avoid pollution.

If your eyes twitch constantly

You may have myokymia

Harmless though it is, eye twitching or myokymia can be annoying. It isn’t a sign of luck but it is caused by the spasm of the eyelid muscles usually due to continuous irritation of the muscles. Too much work and tiredness can cause it. The other causes can be stress, conjunctivitis, panic disorder and excess caffeine in your diet.

DO THE SMART THING

Apply warm compresses and gently massage the eyelid with your fingers. If it continues for more than two to three days, over the counter oral or topical eye drops or antihistamines may offer some relief. Severe twitching that lasts for more than a week should be checked by a doctor.

If your eyes are puffy

You may have eye fatigue

Computer vision syndrome, refractive eye errors such as farsightedness and astigmatism, driving for long hours and too much reading can all give you eye strain. It can also be accompanied by a headache or a sore throat and under-eye bags. Fluid retention due to excess sodium in diet, stress, excessive drinking, lack of sleep, allergies and hormonal changes can cause puffy eyes.

DO THE SMART THING

Get enough rest. Tired eyes caused by video display units or computer vision syndrome are best handled with cold compresses and lubricating drops. Lay off alcohol and check with your doctor about the cause of fluid retention. Using a cool water compress under the eyes helps too, as do chilled cucumber slices, a cool gel mask or chilled damp tea bags, all of which can freshen up your eyes. Your doctor may prescribe anti-allergy medication if you have allergies. But be cautions about the over the counter medications.

If you have dandruff on your lashes

You may have blepharitis

Blepharitis is also indicated by red, inflamed eyelids, crusty eyelashes when you wake up and a feeling of something being stuck in the eye. This is caused by bacterial infection, which causes the formation of scales at the base of your eyelashes. When the scales from crusts, they cause the eyelids to stick together when you wake up. The crusts fall into your eye too, increasing irritation.

DO THE SMART THING

Because blepharitis is an infection, antibiotics are needed to treat it and help reduce the swelling. Apply warm, moist compresses and regular eyelid cleansing will also help.

If there’s a painful lump on the edge or inside your eye

You may have a sty

If your eye hurts and you are not able to open it fully or see clearly, it is possible that you have a sty. Most sties are gone in a few days. Yet they can be painful, itchy and cause swelling and redness.

DO THE SMART THING

Do not try to squeeze the sty. Warm compresses can help. Use prescribed topical antibiotic creams. But make sure to wash your hands to prevent recurrent infections and do not use old eye makeup or share your makeup with anyone. If you wear contact lenses, make sure you wash your hands before putting them on.

Protect your Eyes

• Vitamin E is best friend. Good sources of Vitamin E are vegetables oils, green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals, eggs and nuts. You can also take it in the form of supplements. Talk to your doctor.
• Anti-glare screens, designed to cur the amount of light that gets reflected off the screen, helps reduce eye fatigue and strain. LG, Acer, Dell and Compaq have a good range of monitors with anti-glare screens.
• Invest in a good pair of shades with UV filters and polarized lenses. Ray-ban has some affordable options that offer style as sell as safety from the sun.