Bifocal glasses have the lenses with two powers meant for near vision and distance vision. The upper segment of the bifocal glass has power which corrects distance vision. The lower segment of the glass corrects near vision. When we read something, for instance, we look down and see through the lower segment of the glasses. When we look into distance, the line of sight passes through the upper segment. How are bifocal glasses different from [...]
Definition of Narrow Angle Glaucoma Narrow angle glaucoma is a group of glaucomas in which the intraocular pressure (eye pressure) is raised as a result of obstruction of the drainage pathway (trabecular meshwork). The obstruction may be mechanical with no evident pathology or it may be because of scarring in the angle where the trabecular meshwork resides. Narrow angle glaucoma is also called angle closure glaucoma. Photo by National Eye Institute How Narrow [...]
If it is a routine eye exam, it takes about 20 to 30 minutes. In a routine eye test, the person undergoing eye exam usually does not have any complaints. Basic tests include: Visual acuity Eye pressure test Assessment of refractive status of the eye Slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment of the eyes Quick examination of central retina If the person has any eye complaints, the time taken for the whole eye exam will [...]
What Is an Eye Chart? An eye chart is a chart comprising multiple rows of single letters in decreasing order of size. The eye chart measures the visual acuity or in simpler words, how well you see with both of your eyes. So if you notice poor vision in one or both of your eyes, your eye care specialist will evaluate your vision with the standard eye chart. Snellen chart is the most frequently used [...]
What are eye/intravitreal injections for? Intravitreal injection is given into the eye near the retina. Retina is the neural layer on the back of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy and AMD (age-related macular degeneration) are two common conditions affecting the retina. Eye drops cannot treat these conditions because the required concentration of drugs does not reach the back of the eye. For the drugs to reach the retinal layer, we need to inject them into the [...]
Traditionally, carrots are known to be associated with the health of eyes. They are thought to improve the eyesight. People who consider carrots good for eyes are not sure what quantity of carrots actually benefits the eyes. They also don’t know whether or not they prevent eye diseases or they help treat pre-existing eye conditions. It is true that carrots have beta carotene which is converted in the body to ‘retinal’, an important molecule for normal [...]
The term ‘reading glasses’ is used for glasses which are used for near work including reading. The power of the lenses in the reading glasses may exclusively be only for near work or the glasses may have lenses for both distance and near work (bifocal or progressive reading glasses). Why do we need reading glasses? In children and young adults, the natural lens in the eye is more elastic and has the ability to change [...]
There are two main purposes of anesthesia for cataract surgery. The first is that the patient should not feel pain. This is the primary reason and is very important from the patients’ perspective. Ophthalmic surgeons call it ‘sensory anesthesia’. The other important aspect of anesthesia in cataract surgery is that the eye should not move during surgery. The eye is supposed to be static so that the surgeon can visualize the tissues better and does [...]
What is Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)? Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common cancer originating from the soft tissue of the orbit in children. Orbit is the bony cavity in which the eye resides. It is common in pediatric age group and they are rare in adults. Causes of RMS Rhabdomyosarcoma is caused by some genetic predispositions. Changes in DNA can cause activation of genes promoting cell growth and suppression of genes which inhibit cell growth. This imbalance [...]
What is stye? The word ‘stye’ (pronounced as ‘sty’ - rhymes with ‘fly’) originated from an old English word stīgend meaning ‘riser’. Stye on eyelids is an acute infection of glands of zeis which are present at the roots of eyelashes (cilia). The infection is usually caused by Staphylococcus bacteria (90-95% of cases) but other bacteria may also initiate the infection. The infection tends to center around an eyelash follicle. Stye is equally found in [...]