There are certain eye conditions that can arise from our habits – just like constant bad postures can lead to spinal problems.
The following are the common conditions which we encounter and information to offset them.
A pterygium is a raised, triangular or wedge-shaped growth of conjunctival tissue which grows over the surface of the cornea.
It is most common among those who spend a lot of time in the sun. Symptoms may include irritation, redness, and tearing. Pterygiums are nourished by tiny capillaries that supply blood to the tissue. For some, the growth remains undeveloped;
however, in other cases it grows over the central cornea and affects the vision.
As the pterygium develops, it may alter the shape of the cornea, causing astigmatism. If the pterygium invades the central cornea, the patient has the option of having it removed surgically.
Since pterygiums are most commonly caused by sun exposure, protecting the eyes from sun by means of wearing UV protected sunglasses is highly recommended. Instilling artificial tears is also helpful to decrease irritation.
Eye strain is a term which refers to a group of symptoms related to the experience of discomfort felt when viewing something for prolonged periods.
Although often painful, eye strain does not lead to permanent damage to the eye. The eyeballs are controlled by 6 muscles, and just like any other muscles in our body, if we overwork them – we get tired.
Give them a quick rest every so often by looking away from the screen every ten to fifteen minutes. Eye strain can sometimes indicate a hidden prescription or a lack in ability of our eyes pulling in (convergence insufficiency).
If you experience eye strain youare recommended to get your eyes examined by an optometrist to see if any underlying causes exist.
Healthy eyes are continuously covered by a tear film — a constant layer of fluid designed to remain stable between blinks. The tear film protects your eyes and lubricates them.
It also reduces the risk of eye infection and, with each blink of your eyelids, helps clear your eyes of any debris. When your eyes become irritated by dust or are bothered by wind, smoke or fumes, extra tears form to help wash away the foreign material.
Decreased production of fluids from your tear glands can destabilise the tear film, allowing it to break down rapidly and create dry spots on the cornea which may cause irritation and diminished vision.
An imbalance in the substances that make up the tear film also lead to dry eyes.
Dry eyes are a common source of discomfort, and usually are a chronic problem.
If you have dry eyes your optometrist can examine them and provide treatments aimed at restoring a normal tear film compositon.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in ‘Common eye Problems’ is for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as a replacement for obtaining advice from a registered optometrist or other appropriate healthcare professional. By using this service you assume full responsibility and risk for the use of the information contained in this service. Nothing contained in this service is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or in lieu of consulting with an optometrist, medical doctor or other competent healthcare professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. 1001 Optical (as defined in the privacy policy and terms of use) does not accept or assume any liability whatsoever of any kind for the information and data contained in this service or for any diagnosis or treatment made in reliance thereon.
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