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Computers have become an integral part of everyone's life. They have made things so much fast and simple but have brought with them new problems related to the eyes. These problems affect all those who spend a significant time working on the computers everyday. However, these computer related eye problems are mostly due to our own wrong habits. I call this cluster of problems e-Pain (which may mean electronic / eye pain) which is also called Computer Vision Syndrome.
An understanding of what causes these symptoms can help us take appropriate preventive steps.
It is important to know that computer monitors do not emit any harmful rays or radiations (monochrome or color). The causes of the trouble are:
Constantly gazing at a near distance (at the monitor)
Decreased rate of blinking
There is no single magic remedy for this problem. Following set of measures can be undertaken together to get relief:
Summer time & rains - the stage is set for eye infections to spread. The surface of the white of the eye and the back surface of eyelids is covered by a thin protective membrane called conjunctiva. Inflammation i.e. redness & swelling, of this membrane is called conjunctivitis.
The common causes of conjunctivitis are: Viral infections are prone to occur as epidemics during rainy season when the body immunity may be low and the conditions are favorable for spread of infection. Infection tends to spread by direct contact, fingers, flies and fomites (e.g. towel, toiletries, etc).
Ideally one should consult eye surgeon immediately and proper treatment initiated. But if medical help is not immediately available then it may help to wash the eye gently with clean water, do some cold compresses using ice packs, and instill some mild antibiotic drops (e.g., Chloramphenicol, etc.). Self-medication should be avoided as far as possible and in no case should you use steroid eye drops without proper medical advice.
Treatment should be carried on as advised by your eye surgeon and for the specified duration.
A dry eye syndrome is said to exist when the quantity, or the quality of the pre– corneal tear film is insufficient to ensure the well-being of ocular epithelial surface. In lay man terms, when we blink, a film of tears spreads over the eye, making the surface of the eye smooth and clear, without this tear film, good vision would not be possible, this condition is known as dry eye.
Hormonal changes are a main cause of dry eye syndrome, causing changes in tear production. Diseases associated with decrease corneal sensation. A wide variety of common medications can cause dry eye by reducing tear secretions like diuretics for high blood pressure, beta- blockers for cardiac diseases, antihistamines for allergy, sleeping pills, anti - anti-anxiety medications, pain relievers . Exposure to dry, windy climate as well as smoke and air conditioning which can speed tear evaporation can also be the cause of dry eye.
People who have Sjogren's syndrome usually have dry eye. Systemic diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease,npeople with post refractive or lasik surgery can also experience dry eye, long term contact lens wear and people who are sensitive to certain climates such as windy, dry air, cigarette smoke and air conditioning.
Symptoms
lubricating eye drop is the main stay of treatment
Red itchy watering eyes can often be due to eye allergy. Eye allergy is a abnormal response to any organic or chemical agent present in the air or somehow coming in contact with the eye.
A person can develop allergy to just about any chemical or organic agent. Interestingly there can be allergy to even anti-allergy medicines.
The tendency for allergy is an inherent trait of a person and may have some genetic basis. People who are prone to allergies usually have multiple allergies.
Allergy is seen more commonly in children or young adults who have an (hyper)active immune system. People borne of parents who have allergies are at greater risk and so are individuals living or working in environments where they are exposed to chemical fumes or organic dust.
Some specific types of eye allergies are more common in young boys aged 5 to 15 years viz. Vernal Catarrh or Conjunctivitis and some may occur in people who harbor some infections in the body.
Redness, itching & watering are typical symptoms of eye allergy. These symptoms may be accompanied by episodes of sneezing, slight fever, breathlessness or skin allergies. Occurrence of allergy is always preceded by exposure to allergen (the agent causing allergy), so it may be more common in a particular season or a particular environment. In Vernal Conjunctivitis the symptoms are more common in summer months and patient feels better in winter months. The eyes appear red and may be slightly swollen. Prolonged recurrent allergy can lead to dropping of upper eyelids giving a sleepy appearance. There can be stringy or ropy discharge from the eye and there could be formation of a whitish ring on cornea (black of the eye). The vision is usually not affected by allergy.
The treatment may include some or all of the following depending on the severity of clinical situation:
Optic Nerve Disorders are a set of diseases that disrupt the normal function of the eye. The optic nerve located at the back of the eye responsible for carrying messages to/from the brain where visual information is decoded. When this nerve is damaged due to disease, age or sports related trauma it can interfere with the nerve's ability to function properly. Those with multiple sclerosis and pseudotumor cerebri often suffer optic nerve damage as a result of their illness.
Damage to the optic nerve typically causes permanent and potentially severe loss of vision, as well as an abnormal pupillary reflex, which is diagnostically important. The type of visual field loss will depend on which portions of the optic nerve were damaged.
In general:
Patients having glaucoma,infection.inflammation,interruption in blood circulation of the optic nerve ,cancer and any trauma of eye are more prone to optic nerve disorders.Optic nerve damage is any kind of injury or damage to the optic nerve, including trauma, inflammation, disease or deterioration. Optic nerve damage is also called optic nerve atrophy or optic neuropathy. The optic nerve is the nerve that connects and transmits information between the eye and the brain. Optic nerve damage can lead to vision distortion, vision loss, and blindness.Within the eye, there are many elements that work together to create vision. Light flows through the cornea and the pupil into the lens before it is projected onto the retina in the back of the eye. The retina transforms light into electrical impulses that are transmitted by the optic nerve to the brain. The eyes are protected by the bones of the orbit and move through the actions of the eye muscles, which are controlled by nerves.
Optic nerve damage can cause symptoms that affect the eyes and your vision, which may occur in one or both eyes including:
Ophthalmologists and optometrists can detect and diagnose some optic nerve diseases but, those sub-specialists that are neuro-ophthalmologists, are often best suited to diagnose and treat diseases of the optic nerve.
Treatment depends upon the cause of optic nerve disorders. Vision is required for communication, access to information, and mobility. The maximum distance at which faces can be seen, and facial expressions seen and learned from, needs to be determined and conveyed to parents and carers. The language framework required to compensate for reduced vision should be established. The size and contrast, and the proximity of toys and printed information required for maximum speed of access to the information need to be determined. The provision of low-vision aids at an early stage warrants consideration. The visual limitations to all aspects of mobility need to be understood and compensated for
A squint, also known as strabismus is a condition in which the eyes do not align properly, one of them turns inwards, upwards, downwards, or outwards while the other one focuses at one spot. Typically, the extra ocular muscles are not working in coordination, resulting in each eye unable to gaze at the same spot at the same time.
The exact cause of a squint is not always known. In most cases, babies are born with a squint or develop one due to a problem with their vision. If a baby is born with the condition, it is called a congenital squint. Squints that develop later are called acquired squints. Refractive errors Acquired squints are sometimes caused by the eye's inability to focus light that passes through the lens. This is known as a refractive error. Types of refractive errors include:
Some things may increase the risk of a child having a squint, including:
Most obvious sign of a squint is eyes that look in different directions. Most often, one eye turns inwards (convergent squint) or outwards (divergent squint). In rarer cases, it may turn up or down (vertical squint). Squints can also be apparent at all times (constant), or only be apparent at certain times (intermittent). Minor squints are not always obvious. Symptoms of squint : Double vision , Crossed eyes , Uncoordinated eye movements , Favoring a head position.
During eye examination, a test which is called cover test, is typically used in the diagnosis and measurement of strabismus. If the eye being tested is the strabismic eye, then it will fixate on the object after the "straight" eye is covered, as long as the vision in this eye is good enough. If the "straight" eye is being tested, there will be no change in fixation, as it is already fixated. Depending on the direction that the strabismic eye deviates, the direction of deviation may be assessed. Exotropic is outwards (away from the midline) and esotropic is inwards (towards the nose); these are types of horizontal strabismus. "Hypertropia" is upward, and "Hypotropia" is downward; these are types of vertical strabismus, which are less common. A simple screening test for strabismus is the Hirschberg test. A flashlight is shone in the patient's eye. When the patient is looking at the light, a reflection can be seen on the front surface of the pupil. If the eyes are properly aligned with one another, then the reflection will be in the same spot of each eye. Therefore, if the reflection is not in the same place in each eye, then the eyes are not properly aligned. Strabismus may be classified as unilateral if the one eye consistently deviates, or alternating if either of the eyes can be seen to deviate. Alternation of the strabismus may occur spontaneously, with or without subjective awareness of the alternation. Alternation may also be seen following the cover test, with the previously examined eye remaining straight while the previously straight eye is now seen to be deviated on removal of the cover. The cover-uncover test is used to diagnose the type of strabismus present. Strabismus may also be classified based on time of onset, either congenital, acquired, or secondary to another pathological process, such as cataract. Many infants are born with their eyes slightly misaligned. The best time for physicians to assess this is between ages 3 and 6 months.
It is important that a squint is treated as soon as possible after being detected. If it is not treated, vision problems, such as those caused by a lazy eye (amblyopia), are likely to get worse or could become permanent. Treatment is most effective in very young children. Several types of treatment are available for squints, including:
A stye often appears as a red, sore lump near the edge of the eyelid, caused by an infected eyelash follicle. When a stye occurs inside or under the eyelid, it is called an internal hordeolum (pronounced "hor-dee-OH-lum"). The term chalazion (pronounced kuh-LAY-zee-un) comes from a Greek word meaning "small lump." A chalazion forms when an oil-producing gland in the eyelid called the meibomian gland becomes enlarged and the gland opening becomes clogged with oil. Chalazia tend to develop farther from the edge of the eyelid than styes. Often larger than stye, a chalazia usually isn't painful. It is not caused by an infection from bacteria, and it is not a cancer. Sometimes, when a stye doesn't heal, it can turn into a chalazion.
A painful, tender stye (also called a hordeolum) is usually caused by a bacterial infection. A stye will develop at the base of an eyelash if the eyelash follicle (root) is infected. This is usually called an external hordeolum. A stye will also develop if there is an infection in one of the tiny lubricating oil glands (called meibomian glands) inside or under the eyelid. When this occurs, it is usually called an internal hordeolum. A stye can also be caused by widespread inflammation of the eyelid from blepharitis, a condition that affects the eyelid margins. A chalazion develops when an oil gland in the eyelid becomes blocked. If an internal hordeolum doesn't drain and heal, it can turn into a chalazion. Unlike a stye, a chalazion is usually painless.
Anyone can develop a chalazion or stye, but if we have blepharitis, a condition affecting the eyelid margins, we may be more likely to get either one. We may also have an increased risk of developing chalazia or styes if we: Have had chalazia or styes previously; Have skin conditions such as acnea rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis; Have other systemic medical conditions, such as diabetes. Consistently don't remove eye makeup completely; Use of old or contaminated cosmetics.
Symptoms of a stye at first generally include eyelid tenderness and redness in the affected area, with irritation and scratchiness in the eye. Further symptoms of a stye include: A red bump along the edge of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes, usually with a small puss spot in the center. A feeling as if something is in the eye; Sensitivity to light; Crusting along the eyelid margin; Tearing. About 25 percent of chalazia have no symptoms and will go away without any treatment. Sometimes, however, a chalazion may become red, swollen and occasionally may be tender. A larger chalazion may also cause blurred vision by distorting the shape of the eye. Occasionally, a chalazion can cause the entire eyelid to swell suddenly.
Ans 5 Doctors diagnose these problems by closely examining the eyelid with the help of slit lamp. It may be hard to tell the difference between a stye and a chalazion. If there is a hard lump inside the eyelid, the doctor will probably diagnose it as a chalazion
Ans 6-Symptoms of a chalazion or stye are treated with one or more of the following methods:
Warm compresses
Soak a clean washcloth in hot water and apply the cloth to the lid for 10 to 15 minutes, three or five times a day until the chalazion or stye is gone. You should repeatedly soak the cloth in hot water to maintain adequate heat. The warm compress should allow the clogged gland to open and drain white or yellow discharge. If the gland opens, gentle massage around the stye or chalazion may help drainage.
Antibiotic ointments
An antibiotic ointment may be prescribed if bacteria infect a chalazion, or if a stye does not improve after treatment with warm compresses or if it keeps coming back.
Steroid injections
A steroid (cortisone) injection is sometimes used to reduce swelling of a chalazion.
Surgical removal
If a large chalazion or stye does not heal after other treatments or if it affects your vision, your Eye M.D. may need to drain it in surgery. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia .