Put “I-care” into diabetes eyecare

What people with diabetes need is eyecare – and that really means “I care”. You can do a lot when it comes to early detection of eye problems and getting the right treatment.

Diabetes is a condition that can harm the eyes. It can damage the small blood vessels in the retina. This is called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes can also increase risk of glaucoma, cataracts and other eye problems.

Regular eye examination

You may not realize the damage to your eyes until the problem is very bad. Regular eye examination can catch the problem early and enable timely medication. Eye examinations should be undertaken at least once a year. Choose an eye doctor who also takes care of people with diabetes.

What the eye examination involves:

* Dilating the eyes to allow a good view of the entire retina. This can only be done by an eye doctor.

* Specific photographs of the back of the eye – which may sometimes be required.

Preventing eye problems

Diabetics can largely prevent eye problems if you follow these few simple steps.

Control blood sugar levels.  High blood sugar increases the risk of eye problems.

Control blood pressure. Blood pressure less than 130/180 is a good goal for people with diabetes. Check your blood pressure often, usually at the same time of day. Make sure you take any prescribed drugs to control blood pressure.

Quit smoking  Smoking is particularly dangerous  if you have diabetes. Quit now. Get help quitting if you can’t do it on your own.

Check before exercising  It’s best to find out if you should avoid some exercises that could strain blood vessels. These might include weight lifting and high impact sports.

Eye-care at home   

* If you cannot read the labels on medicine bottles easily, use a felt-tip pen to label bottles.

* Use rubber bands/clips to tell medicines apart.

* Ask someone else to give you your medicines.

* Read labels with a magnifying glass.

* Use a pill box with compartments for days of the week and times of day.

* Get large-font printouts of instructions and diet plans for diabetic meals.

Call your doctor when …

• You cannot see well in dim light

• You have blind spots

• You have double vision (see two things when there’s only one)

• Vision is hazy or blurry and you can’t focus

• You have frequent headaches

• You see spots floating in your eyes

• You cannot see things on the side of your field of vision

• You see shadows

Your eyes are precious and delicate. The right care at the right time is essential to avoid eye problems specially if you are diabetic.

Monsoon care for eyes

The monsoons bring with them a host of infections, specially those that affect the eyes and cause pain and discomfort.

The main problems that can be aggravated in the monsoons are:

• Conjunctivitis

• Eye Styes

• Dry Eyes

• Corneal ulcers

Let's look at each of these conditions.

  

Conjunctivitis The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and the eye surface. Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva and is characterized by swelling and redness. Conjunctivitis can be treated by medicine. Wearing dark glasses keeps your eyes cool and prevents immediate contact of the hands and eyes, which can spread the contagious infection faster.

Dry eyes Eyes need a constant flow of tears for moisturizing and lubrication to sustain vision. An imbalance in tear flow can cause dry eyes, lead to irritation, pain and blurring of vision. Treatment ranges from artificial tear drops to punctual occlusion and sometimes even surgery.

Eye styes Styes cause a painful lump along the eyelid. They are caused by bacterial infection and are rampant during the monsoons. They can be treated at home with wet and warm compresses and in case of increased irritation, medication.

Corneal ulcers The cornea is the thin clear structure overlying the iris. Severe infection of the cornea, characterized by open sores, is corneal ulcer. Its  symptoms are pus dischange, severe pain and blurring of vision. It could be caused by viral, bacterial or fungal infection . It could even be caused by tears resulting from trauma. Consulting an ophthalmologist immediately is advised.

How to prevent infections during the monsoons

• It is important to wash your hands frequently after touching   the eyes and face.

• Keep an anti-bacterial lotion handy while outdoors.

• Discontinue use of contact lenses when you have infection. Make sure you clean the lens thoroughly before  putting them back on.

• Do not share contact lens solution or container.

• Do not share eye medication.

• Do not share towels and handkerchiefs as they can transfer infection.

• Do not use eye make-up when you have an eye infection. Replace old make-up products.

• Use eye protection when exposed to direct wind, heat or cold.

• Wear gloves when administering eye medication to someone else.

• Use safety glasses when working with chemicals.

Get an umbrella of protection for your eyes specially during the monsoons.

Diabetes can affect your eyesight

Imagine a door shutting slowly till there is just a sliver of light between you and darkness. It can happen to people with diabetes. Not many people realize that diabetes can affect their vision, their ability to read and write, appreciate the colours of the rainbow and the beauty of the flowers around them. Slowly their world can turn from light to darkness.

Diabetes causes problems in the retina, the delicate tissue that is sensitive to light. It is the retina that converts light into electrical signals that travel along the optic nerve to your brain. The brain then interprets these signs to ‘see’ the world around you. The retina is supplied with blood by a delicate network of blood vessels. This is where diabetes comes in. It damages these blood vessels thereby affecting your eyesight.

Diabetes causes problems in the retina with what are collectively called microvascular abnormalities. The small blood vessels develop microaneurysms and leak blood. New blood vessel growth occurs. However,  these blood vessels are weak and also leak. These leaks – haemorrhages – can cause irreversible damage to the retina and result in vision loss.

The unusual changes in blood sugar levels resulting from diabetes can affect the lens inside the eye. The result is retinopathy – damage to the retina which occurs when there is damage to the small blood vessels that nourish tissue and nerve cells in the retina.

The longer a person has diabetes,the greater the chances of developing diabetic retinopathy. It is said that almost 80% of  people who have diabetes for 15 years or more suffer some damage to the blood vessels and their retina – and have a greater chance of developing retinopathy. Diabetes can affect any of the cranial nerves that are responsible for the movement of the eye. This can cause peripheral vision, a dangerous condition when reading, writing or driving.

Although individuals with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age and twice as likely to develop glaucoma vs non-diabetics, the primary vision problem caused by diabetes is diabetic retinopathy.

When you have diabetic retinopathy no two days are the same. Your vision changes along with blood sugar levels. People with the condition have noticed that when their sugar drops, they can actually see better.

The unusual changes in blood sugar levels resulting from diabetes can affect the lens inside the eye,  especially when diabetes is uncontrolled. This can result in blurring of vision which comes and goes over the course of the day, depending on the blood sugar level. People with diabetes are more likely to get bacterial infection, including pink eye and an eyelid sty. This is because diabetes affects the auto-response immune system of the body, lowering one’s resistance to infection.

The eye being a sensitive organ, it is important to control diabetes by keeping blood sugar levels as low as possible, practicing good hygiene such as washing your hands frequently and avoiding constant contact such as touching and rubbing your eyes. A yearly visit to an ophthalmologist will help you keep your condition in check and may prevent it from worsening. You can partner with your ophthalmologist towards the maintenance of the health of your eyes. It’s worth the time and effort,to ensure that diabetes does not steal from you one of the greatest gifts of life – sight.

Diabetes: The Silent Killer

Diabetes is often called ‘the silent killer'. You never know when it comes on,it

preys on the body and can take away one’s limbs, affect the eyes and eat away one’s organs.

                                                      

                                                                                    What is diabetes?

Diabetes – or diabetes mellitus in medical terms – is a disorder caused by insufficient or no production of the hormone insulin by the pancreas. Insulin is responsible for the absorption of glucose into cells for their energy needs and into the liver and fat cells for storage.If there is deficiency of insulin, levels of glucose in the blood stream become abnormally high, causing unquenchable thirst and the tendency to urinate frequently.

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, the more severe form,  usually first appears in people under the age of 35 and most commonly between the ages of 10 and 15. It develops rapidly. The insulin secreting cells in the pancreas are destroyed probably as a result of an immune response after a viral infection, and insulin production ceases almost completely. Without regular injections of insulin,the sufferer can lapse into a coma. Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong illness. Patients with Type 1 diabetes have an increased chance of developing cardio-vascular disease, suffer loss of vision and loss of limbs.

The other type, Type 2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes, is usually of gradual onset and develops mainly in people over 40. In many cases it is discovered only during a routine medical examination. Not enough insulin is produced for the body’s needs, specially when the person is over-weight.  Often the body is resistant to the effects of insulin.In most cases insulin replacement injections are not needed.Instead, a combination of dietary measures,weight reduction and oral medicines controls the condition.

Causes

Diabetes tends to run in families. However,of those who inherit the genes responsible for the insulin-dependent form, only a small proportion eventually develops the disease. In these cases, the disorder is thought to be the delayed result of a viral infection that damaged the pancreas several years earlier. In the case of non-insulin-dependent diabetes, a greater proportion of the people who are pre-disposed by heredity actually go on to develop the disease.

Treatment

The aims of the treatment are to prolong life, relieve symptoms and prevent longterm complications. Success depends on keeping the level blood glucose as near normal as possible through maintenance of normal weight, regular physical activity, careful dietary management and, if necessary, injections of insulin.

In people with insulin-dependent diabetes, treatment consists of regular self-injections–between one and four times a day – with insulin. In addition, the person must follow a diet in which carbohydrate intake is regulated and spread out over the day. By this means,marked fluctuations in the glucose levels in the blood can be avoided.

In non-insulin-dependent diabetes, because the pancreas does produce some insulin, the disorder can often be controlled by dietary means (regulating the carbohydrate intake with meals spaced out over the day). This not only lowers the blood glucose level but also reduces weight.If diet fails to lower the glucose level sufficiently,oral tablets that stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin may be prescribed, although these are ineffective unless dietary restrictions are observed.

All people with diabetes need regular advice from their doctors so that any complications can be detected and treated at any early stage. Diabetics should wear or carry information identifying them as diabetics in case of an emergency.

There is no cure for diabetes but it can be successfully managed with careful medical monitoring which minimizes complications With modern treatment and sensible self-monitoring,diabetics can look forward to a normal,healthy and active life.

CTRL exposure to computer screen to ESC hazard to your eyes

Spending endless hours in front of the computer is a call of the current times. We get so engrossed in what we are doing that we tend to forget how long we’ve been staring at the computer. What does that mean for our eyes? Let’s put that in perspective – one can always get another job but not another pair of precious eyes!

Staring at the computer screen can adversely affect our eyes. Studies have shown that continuous use of the computer can cause eye strain, symptoms of which include colour fringes and difficulty in re-focusing as well as watery, dry, itchy, sore, and tired eyes. It may also cause burning of the eyes and/or blurred vision.In fact, there is also a medical term for it: computer vision syndrome, that has made its way into medical textbooks.So, what can you do to ease the strain on the eyes – lets go over several precautions you can and should  take. 

- Check the computer screen for glare. Adjust lighting in the room including any lamps and reposition any reflective mirrors. Tweak the position of the computer so that there is no to minimal glare from the window.

- Lower the computer screen, so that the screen is at eye level.

- Keep the keyboard in front of the monitor.This prevents viewing the screen from an eye-tiring level.

- Keep a distance of 20” – 28” (about an arm’s length) from the computer screen.

- Take five minute breaks every hour by looking away from the computer and off  into the distance. This will not only help you relax, but will also re-energize  you. Keep a watch or a timepiece in a prominent position close-by to remind you  of the very important and much needed short breaks.

- Rest your eyes for brief periods by simply closing your eyes

- Blink more often.This helps keep the eyes moist,naturally.

- Take cold showers. This helps accelerate blood circulation and improves eye  movement.

- Don’t compound the problem by excessive tweeting and/or messaging.

  

     

Our eyes are the most complex part of the body apart from the human brain.Composed of more than two million essential parts, they are capable of processing  almost 40,000 pieces of visual information every 60 minutes. Eyes are often the  stimulants of most of the responsive/reactive actions of our body.Given the fact  that most of our bodily functions actually originate from information received  and perceived by the eyes and the corresponding signals they send, it is  absolutely essential that they are protected at all times.

Red Eye can be a red alert

Conjunctivitis, also known as red eye, needs to be diagnosed and treated early to avoid complications.

The symptoms are a kind of red alert or warning that the eyes need urgent attention and should not be neglected.

In medical terms, conjunctivitis is defined as inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin membrane that covers the eyeball and lines the eyelid. It is a very common condition:  at least one person in every 50 visits a doctor with this complaint.

The common causes of conjunctivitis are infections (specially in children) and allergy (more common in adults). Most conjunctival infections are caused by bacteria which are spread by hand-to-eye contact, or by viruses associated with a cold, sore throat or illness such as measles. Viral conjunctivitis sometimes occurs in epidemics, spreading rapidly through schools and other groups where close contact with others is common.

Newborn babies occasionally develop conjunctivitis soon after birth, which results from the spread of infection from the mother’s cervix during birth and may be caused by various micro-organisms.  Extreme care is needed to ensure that the infection does not spread and cause  serious complications.

An allergic response of the conjunctiva may be provoked by a variety of substances, including cosmetics, contact lens cleaning solutions and pollen.

All types of conjunctivitis cause redness, irritation, itching, discharge and occasionally photophobia (abnormal sensitivity to bright light). In infective conjunctivitis the discharge contains pus and may cause the eyelids to be stuck together in the morning. In allergic conjunctivitis the discharge is clear, and the eyelids are often swollen.

Diagnosis is made from the appearance of the eyes. If an infection is suspected, swabs may be taken to find out the causative organism, specially in a newborn baby when an exact diagnosis may be needed.

Warm water can be used to wash away the discharge and remove any crusts on the eyelids. Suspected infection can be treated with eye drops or an ointment containing an antibiotic drug. Viral conjunctivitis tends to get better without treatment. Allergic treatment may be relieved by the use of an eyedrop provided there is no accompanying infection. The person should also take some simple precautions: washing hands frequently using an antiseptic soap to prevent spread of infection, using a clean tissue to remove discharge. It’s good to consult a physician if the problem persists. If medicine is prescribed it is important to finish the course of antibiotics, even if the condition seems to have improved, to make sure  the infection does not recur.  The symptoms of conjunctivitis may last anywhere from several days to two weeks. Close contact with others should be avoided until the problem has been completely solved.

Eyes are the most complex part of the body apart from the human brain, and extreme care should be taken to protect them.

Protecting Your Eyes From Sun

Sunlight emitted from sun in the atmosphere has many benefits but overexposure to sunlight can cause damage to critical parts of the human body. The sun emits various kinds of light i.e. ultra-violet (UV) light, blue light and intense light and frequent direct exposure to ultra violet light is detrimental to eyes. Therefore, it is essential to take precautions to avoid direct exposure to sunlight.

UV rays are electromagnetic radiation of which only about 3% reach the earth, as a result of filtering through the ozone layer. The wavelength of UV light is shorter than that of visible light. Constant exposure to UV light has adverse effects on our eyes.

Someone has rightly quoted,A stitch in time saves nine and this holds true for eye care too. Preventive care is the best way to keep our vision in good condition for a long time. Ayurvedic eye drops, Extended periods of exposure to UV light can cause eye disorders such as:

• Age-related macular degeneration – macular damage that affects vision loss among older people
• Age-related cataract - gradual clouding of the eye lens
• Pterygium - growth on the white part of the eye
• Skin cancer - cancer around the eyelids
• Photokeratitis - corneal sunburn due to long hours of exposure.

Jiwadaya Netraprabha is a medicine which provides a cooling and soothing effect to the eyes as well as protects the eyes from dryness and damage.

Tips to Protect Eyes from Sunlight

Follow these guidelines and ensure eye safety:-

• Wear Sunglasses with UV protection that completely block UV rays
• Wear a cap or hat to protect eyes from UV rays exposure from top.
• Wear UV protected contact lenses and glasses
• Do not focus eyes directly towards to the sun. This is extremely harmful.
• Avoid going out in the summer between late morning and afternoon if your eyes are sensitive to sunlight
• Adults and children are equally affected. Every family member should take preventive measures.
• While, wearing sunglasses or using shielding screens may provide some protection, our eyes also need TLC with lubrication that helps calm and soothe them. Use of a lubricating eye drop on a regular basis may help safeguard our eyesight.

Jiwadaya Netraprabha eye drops is an Ayurvedic medicine for eyes that can be incorporated as part of your ophthalmic  care. It is a lubricant that provides a cooling and soothing effect to the eye and also helps prevent dryness and damage.  It helps protect and preserve vision for a long time.