Retinal detachment- Will I lose my eyesight?
#retinaldetachmentsurgery
What is a retinal detachment?
A retinal detachment or separation of the retina from the eye wall is a very serious condition. It results from fluid seepage under the retina through a hole or a tear in the retina, which may happen with old age, eye injury, and in some other retinal diseases. Initially, a patient may see floaters or flashes and experience mild visual obscuration when the area of the retina detached is minimal. As the retina detaches further, patients experience severe decrease in vision. Left untreated, it almost always results in severe vision loss or blindness in the affected eye. However, timely retinal detachment surgery with proper techniques restores sight and maintains good vision.
What are the treatments available?
The least invasive procedure to correct retinal detachment is pneumatic retinopexy. This involves injecting a gas bubble into the eye and fixing the retinal tear using cryotherapy.
Another very elegant and more successful surgery for retinal detachment is ‘scleral buckling’. This surgery requires a highly skilled surgeon, who fixes a silicone implant to support the retinal tear from outside the eye. There are many variations of scleral buckling performed worldwide. However, a technique called ‘Minimal Segmental Buckling’, propagated worldwide by Prof. Harvey Lincoff and Prof. Ingrid Kreissig has reported the best results and least complications.
The third type of eye surgery for retinal detachment is called vitrectomy. It involves going inside the eye to remove fluid under the retina and then fixing the retinal tear, followed by insertion of silicone oil or gas in the eye to support the retinal tear. This ‘tamponade’ is usually removed surgically at a later date. This is a maximal surgery with good results and is used to deal with more complicated retinal detachments.
Seek a Retina Specialist Early
Your doctor will examine you and discuss with you the best possible course of action. Just remember to reach him in time! As mentioned before, with prompt good surgery, excellent recovery and vision are possible. If you see flashes or floaters or a curtain of darkness or a blind area in your vision, report to a retina specialist immediately!
Call +91 141 4901083 or book an appointment – https://www.pinkcityretina.com/contact-us/#
Want to read more? https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/detached-torn-retina
World Sight Day- a day to pledge to take good care of your eyes
#worldsightday
This World Sight Day,
stop for a minute and pledge to take care of the sense organ that opens the wonders of the world to you!
Remember, eye care is essential – not optional.
#love your eyes
Time to get a detailed eye exam if you or your near and dear ones have…
👓Glasses with high power
👓 Difficulty with current glasses or frequent change in glass numbers
👩🏫Children unable to see the blackboard clearly or school performance suffering because of vision problems
🖥️👩💻📱Redness, itching, or tiredness of eyes, or headaches after long hours of screen use
👨🦳Age above 40 yrs
👴☁️ Cloudy vision or are Unable to see even after using glasses
🔆 Glare on seeing lights, difficulty in driving at night
⚡🫧 Spots, rings, floaters, or flashes in your vision
🔷 Diabetes or Hypertension of more than one year duration
Monkeypox and the eye
Monkeypox Virus – What are the eye problems associated with the new epidemic?
Monkeypox virus infection starts with fever, headache, swelling of the lymph nodes, back pain, body aches, and severe tiredness or lack of energy. This is followed by the appearance of a rash, most commonly on the face and limbs, including the palms and soles. It also affects the mouth, private parts and the eyes. After a few days, blisters develop in these areas.
In 20-30% of patients with monkeypox, the eyes show redness similar to what is seen in other conjunctivitis. There may be redness of lids and skin around the eyes and the lid skin may show blisters. The lymph nodes present in front of the ear usually swell up. There is a feeling of discomfort in bright light and watering. Later, the cornea may be affected in a small portion of patients, with serious problems like ulcer formation.
The disease lasts 2-4 weeks, and people affected by monkeypox should stay away from others for 4 weeks. People who have received smallpox vaccination in childhood may be protected against monkeypox to some extent, and they should care for monkeypox patients.
How to stay safe and prevent infection? Avoid close physical contact and prolonged proximity to suspected cases and those with a travel history to areas that have reported monkeypox spread. In case of symptoms resembling monkeypox, seek medical advice.
Diabetic Retinopathy – Silent Thief of Sight
A large number of individuals with diabetes suffer from loss of vision and distorted vision due to the effect of diabetes on the eye. The problem is called diabetic retinopathy. In the initial stages, diabetic retinopathy does not have symptoms and is only detected on routine screening. Later on, it causes distorted vision from swelling in the retina, called macular edema. It also presents as black dots or floaters in vision. This is due to bleeding inside the eye, called vitreous hemorrhage. When there is significant bleeding, it can result in complete loss of vision. Diabetic retinopathy can also cause retinal detachment leading to vision loss. Advanced stages also present with glaucoma, which can be resistant to treatment.
To prevent vision loss from diabetic retinopathy, regular screening and early treatment are necessary. Control of diabetes also goes a long way in slowing the progress of diabetic retinopathy. In early stages, laser treatment for bleeding and injection treatment for macular edema can prevent vision loss. Later stages of diabetic retinopathy need advanced eye and retina surgery called vitrectomy.
Advanced laser and surgery for treatment of diabetic retinopathy are available at Pink City Eye and Retina Center, Bapu Nagar, Jaipur. Get regular retina screening and early treatment for your loved ones who have diabetes. Call now- 01414901083.
World Braille Day- Remembering Louis Braille
January 4th is celebrated every year as World Braille Day in memory of Louis Braille (who was born on this day in 1809 in France). Louis became blind after a childhood accident at the age of 10. Instead of despairing at his tragedy, he created a reading and writing system based on touch. He invented braille. Every day, millions of blind and severely visually handicapped individuals benefit from this system of ‘tactile reading’. The day also acknowledges that those with visual impairment deserve the same standard of human rights as everyone else.
Pink City Eye and Retina Center is proud to be a small part of the global effort to prevent and treat blindness and to help visually impaired individuals achieve their optimum potential in life.
Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema
Diabetes affects several organs of the body, like kidneys, heart, nervous system, and most importantly, the eyes. Patients having diabetes are at risk of several eye problems, some of which can cause vision loss. The most serious diabetic eye problem is diabetic retinopathy. This results from damage to the blood vessels of the back part of the eye (called the retina). These small vessels can become leaky and can shut down, too. There can also be growth of abnormal weak blood vessels, which frequently rupture to cause bleeding or hemorrhage inside the eye (called Vitreous Hemorrhage). Leakage from retinal blood vessels in the central part of the retina (called Macula) leads to swelling or macular edema. This can cause decreased vision and distortion in vision. Diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema is done during dilated eye fundus examination, preferably carried out by a trained retina specialist. Retina specialists also perform fluorescein angiography and OCT scanning of the macula in some cases to characterize and document diabetic eye disease. Treatment of diabetic retinopathy early on is simple and can save vision. It is therefore necessary that diabetic patients get regular screening done by a retina specialist (every 6-12 months). Laser treatment, intravitreal injections, and sometimes surgery are required to halt and correct the damage from diabetic retinopathy. With timely treatment, vision can be preserved or improved in a majority of patients.
To know more, visit https://youtu.be/0gCGJVADD4A
Screen use in Kids
Did You Know?
Fact:
American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for acceptable screen time for children are :
No screen time for children under 2 years of age;
1 hour per day for children aged 2 to 12 &
2 hours per day for teens.
Prolonged continuous near work can induce/increase myopia.
Outdoor activities can reduce the progression of spectacle number
Myths:
Blue filters are required for protection while using laptops and mobiles.
Eye exercises can remove glass numbers.
Background TV has no impact on my child’s development.
Vision problems in children CAN GO UNDETECTED for a long time
Get a complete eye check-up every year for your kids.
Have your kids had an eye check up recently?
A growing number of kids nowadays have errors of refraction- commonly referred to as ‘glass numbers’. The most common ‘glass numbers’ are minus powers or myopia. Some kids also have cylindrical numbers. Children with spectacles or eyeglasses need regular eye check-ups to ensure that they are wearing the correct number and that their vision is adequately corrected by their glasses.
Prolonged near work, allergies causing kids to repeatedly rub their eyes, and lack of outdoor activities can cause an increase in glass numbers.
A large number of kids are unable to appreciate the lack of clear vision and report the same to their parents. Parents may be unaware of their kid having a glass number until picked up by the school teacher or school screening camps. It is therefore recommended that parents get their children for an eye check-up at least once every year so that these problems can be detected early.
Conjunctivitis can indicate COVID infection. Beware!
Conjunctivitis can indicate COVID infection. Beware!
Every minute detail of personal and social hygiene is important in the present situation when humans struggle to breathe safely amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Monsoon has struck major parts of the country, bringing relief from the scorching heat. At the same time, the onset of this season brings an increased incidence of conjunctivitis, a type of infection in your eyes. Monsoon season increases dampness and humidity. A lot of seasonal eye infections, especially from viruses, are seen in this period. Hence, prevention becomes vitally important. Avoid touching the eyes and stay away from friends or colleagues that have red eyes and watering. Avoid handshakes and using common stationery, and use separate towels, utensils, etc.
Also, be aware that in the current scenario, pink eyes or conjunctivitis can also indicate the dreaded COVID-19 infection. Does that sound unusual and strange to you? If yes, then know that eyes are just another convenient entry point for viruses including coronavirus. Up to 30 % of patients with coronavirus have red eyes or conjunctivitis. You must learn fool-proof ways to keep away eye infections in the rainy season.
Here are a few tips for eye care to avert seasonal infections that can also include Corona:
- Always wear eye protection, especially if you plan to visit a public place. Casual attitude towards eye protection can increase the risk of infection, especially during the monsoon season.
- Maintain eye hygiene. Avoid touching or rubbing the eyes. Remember to wash your hands with soap frequently and every time you want to touch your face, and importantly the eye region. Make it a ritual now.
- You must avoid visits to large gatherings and maintain social distancing. It can be the best way to save yourself from Corona as it can spread through infected eyes.
- Refrain from using contact lenses too frequently. Those who use spectacles must avoid wearing lenses for prolonged times and outdoors during the rainy season.
- Abstain from using laptops or screens for a long duration when you suffer from an eye infection. It will cause discomfort and increase watering and discharge which can be a source of spread of the disease.
- Include Vitamin C and zinc in your diet, that will enhance your immunity. Use lubricating drops for alleviating rough gritty sensation in your eyes. Do not use unscientific preparations such as Drishti or Ikul drops.
As soon as you observe any redness and discharge, immediately consult an eye specialist. It is needed to rule out infection and to start specific therapy.