Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes: A guide to choosing the right one

A number of scientific studies indicate that spending long hours in the sun without eye protection can damage your eyes by contributing to cataract, Glaucoma and other growths on the eye. Sunglasses are an easy solution that makes life more comfortable when outdoors, while also providing critical protection from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. That is why ophthalmologists suggest you must wear 99 percent and higher UV absorbent sunglasses whenever you're in the sun for long periods of time.

Thankfully, sunglasses don’t have to be expensive to protect your eyes and they can often be found at a local shop. Unfortunately, a high price is not always a guarantee of high quality and protection. You can get confused over the standards and labelling regarding UV protection. Therefore, next time you go out looking for the right sunglasses, keep the following things in mind:

• Look for UV protection: Don’t be deceived by colour, looks or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the darkness of the lens or the price tag. UV light is absorbed by both plastic and glass lenses. However it can be improved by adding certain chemicals to the lens material during manufacturing or by applying special lens coatings. Always choose sunglasses that are labelled as blocking 99-100% of UV rays.
• Wraparounds: Wraparounds offer added protection. Sunglasses that wrap around the temples prevent the sun’s rays from entering from the sides. Some studies have shown that enough UV rays enter around standard sun-glass frames to reduce the protective benefits of the lenses.
• Ensure they block enough sunlight: Sunglasses should screen out 75-90% of visible light. To determine if a pair is dark enough, try the glasses on in front of a mirror. If you can see your eyes easily through the lenses, they probably are too light.
• Check the quality of lenses: Look for a uniform tint, not darker in one area than in another. To check the quality of lenses, hold the glasses at arm’s length and then look through them at a straight line in the distance. Slowly move the lens across the line. If the straight edge distorts or curves, the lens is flawed.

Remember, sunglasses cannot protect your eyes from certain intense light sources. Arc welding, tanning lights, gazing directly at the sun especially during a solar eclipse, can severely damage your eyes. Looking at any of these light sources without proper protection can cause a permanent loss of central vision. Your ophthalmologist can recommend the appropriate measures to take to protect your eyes in special situations.

5 Natural Ways to keep your Eyes Healthy and Beautiful

Your eyes tell many things about yourself. Healthy and beautiful eyes enhance the face look and overall personality.  Sparkling and clear eyes are the sign of contentment and good health. 

However, unhealthy lifestyles, lack of proper sleep and the excessive use of mobile phones, laptops, and computers have adversely affected your eyes. Unhealthy eyes create many eye problems such as blurred vision, dry eyes, dark circles etc. 

Here are best 5 ways to keep your eyes always healthy and beautiful. 

1. Maintain water level

• Drinking sufficient amount of water and eating green leafy vegetables can keep your eyes hydrated. Increase fluid intake ensures proper blood circulation in the eyes. Consuming fresh fruit juice also keeps the eyes hydrated.
• Splash your eyes with normal water a few times a day to keep the water level in the eyes maintained. This also helps to re-energize the tired and dull eyes.
• Do not look on your computer or a smart phone screen for too long, frequently blink your eyes to maintain water level and to prevent them from drying. 

2. Eye exercise 

• Doing simple eye exercise can enhance the blood circulation to the eyes and gives you relief from eyestrain.  
• Move your finger in front of your eyes, vertically and horizontally. Move your eyeballs along with the movement of your finger. Regularly do this exercise for 10 minutes.
• Close your eyes, squeeze them, and then open your eyes swiftly and as wide as possible. Follow this exercise until water starts coming from your eyes. This drains the excessive fluid from your eyes. 

3. Rose water

• Rose water is the best natural cleanser for the eyes. It reduces the pressure around eyes and gives you soothing effect. 
• The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of rose water, reduce the stress, fatigue, and cool down your eyes. Rose water also reduces the puffiness beneath the eyes.
• Dip cotton in rose water, close your eyes and clean the area around your eyes with it. You can also soak cotton ball in rose water, place it on your closed eyes and leave for 10 minutes.

4. Eye massage

• Tenderly massage your eyes to improve the blood circulation and get relief from eyestrain.
• Rub the palm of your hands together aggressively to make them warm, now close your eyes, place warm palm on your close eyes, and feel the warm and soothing effect.
• Lightly dip your fingers in coconut oil, massage the area around your eyes using your finger. Massage inner and outer eye circles, eyebrows, and area under your eyes.

5. Cucumber 

• The presence of caffeic and ascorbic acid in the cucumber helps in storing the water in your eyes for a long time. 
• Cucumber reduces the puffiness, swelling and dark circles beneath your eyes and provides a glow to your eyes and skin.
• Lie down, place the two thick slices of cucumber on both the eyes and leave it on your eyes for at least 20 minutes to get the best results.

All you want to know about antibiotic eye drops

Eye infections such as blepharitis, conjunctivitis, or keratitis give rise to symptoms such as redness, swelling, discharge, pain, eye fatigue, and itchiness. Different types of ophthalmic solutions and drugs are used for treating infections and inflammatory conditions that affect the eyes. These include artificial tears/gels, antihistamines, mast cell stabilisers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid, antibiotic and antiviral eye drops or ointments. Antibiotic ophthalmic solutions are basically suspension of drugs that are used for treating bacterial infections. These medicated ophthalmic solutions might even be used for preventing eye infections.

Antibiotic Drops

These are classified into broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum. While the former is effective against a wide range of bacteria, the latter is used for killing a specific group of bacteria. These eye drops are basically categorised into bacteriocidal, bacteriostatic and combination eye drops. Bacteriocidal drops contain certain active compounds that have the ability to kill bacteria. These are suspension of drugs that contain active compounds that target essential chemical pathways, inner cell membrane, and outer cell wall and interrupt the chemical processes that help these bacteria grow.

Many of these drops contain aminglycosides. These act against certain types of bacteria. These are especially effective against pseudomonas. This bacterium is generally responsible for the contamination of contact lenses. Neomycin, tobramycin, amikacin, and gentamycin are all classified as aminoglycosides.

The bacteriostatic drugs don't kill bacteria, but prevent them from multiplying. Bacteriostatic drops are usually prescribed for the treatment of conjunctivitis. Sometimes ophthalmic solutions might also contain other drugs. These are referred to as combination eye drops. These are generally used to treat emergency cases. This kind of treatment is based on the principle of antibiotic synergism. Sometimes, the combined effect of different types of drugs is more effective than using individual drugs. When the bacterial strain hasn't been identified and the bacterium seems to be capable of a great deal of harm, antibiotics and steroids are generally combined together for the treatment. These can also help in prevention of the development of resistant strains of bacteria. The ophthalmic solutions that are commonly used for treating bacterial infections include ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, ofloxacin, tobramycin, and monofloxacin.

Side effects of antibiotic eye drops

Over-the-counter availability of ophthalmic solutions is becoming a major cause of concern. It is always better to buy eye drops prescribed by an ophthalmologist, as the prolonged use of these drops can lead to the development of strains of bacteria that are resistant to these drugs. Moreover, antibiotic eye drops must not be used for infections that are caused by viruses, parasites, or exposure to allergens. Certain bacterial infections need to be treated with the help of target-specific antibiotics. Using broad-spectrum drugs might not help in treating such infections.

Sometimes, the use of these medicated ophthalmic solutions could lead to redness, itchiness, severe stinging sensation, or blurred vision. In such cases, discontinue using that particular eye drop/ointment and consult an ophthalmologist immediately.

You must use these medicated drops only under the supervision of a doctor. Don't self-medicate, as using medicated drops for a long period could lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Macular Degeneration: Causes of vision loss in elders

Symptoms and signs

Age-related macular degeneration usually produces a slow, painless loss of vision. In some cases, vision loss can be unexpected. Early signs of vision loss include shadowy areas in central vision or unusually fuzzy or distorted vision.

An ophthalmologist often detects early signs of macular degeneration before symptoms crop up. Usually this is achieved with the help of a retinal exam. When macular degeneration is assumed, a brief test of central vision may be performed. If doctor detects some defect in the central vision, such as distortion or blurriness they may suggest a fluorescent angiography to examine the retinal blood vessels surrounding the macula.

Individuals at risk

Apart from affecting older people, age related macular degeneration is seen particularly in females. The disease can also be genetic or occur as a constant use of some drugs. New studies have shown smoking topping the list of risk factors for macular degeneration. There are other factors responsible for this disease such as family history, high blood pressure, obesity and lighter eye colour. Some researchers believe excessive exposure to sunlight as a contributing factor of macular degeneration, but this belief has not yet been proven. High levels of dietary fat also may be a risk factor.

Risk factors for macular degeneration

• An early sign of “dry” macular degeneration is formation of yellow spots in the back of the eye or retina. Formation of abnormal blood vessels and leakage in the back of the eye are linked to “wet” macular degeneration, affecting the macula where fine focusing occurs.
• Age is one of the top-most causes of macular degeneration. Significant vision loss accompanying more advanced forms of age-related macular degeneration increases from less than 1% among people in their 60s.
• Fatty people with macular degeneration are more vulnerable of developing advanced forms of macular degeneration compared with people with normal body weight, according to one study reported. In the similar study, those who performed rigorous activity thrice weekly reduced their risk of developing advanced macular degeneration, compared with inactive and lethargic patients.
• As mentioned earlier, studies have found a relation between different genes present in some people and macular degeneration. Studies of fraternal and identical twins may also demonstrate that heredity is a factor in people who develop AMD and how severe it can become later on.
• High blood pressure or Hypertension may be associated with the development of macular degeneration.
• Smoking is a major cause for macular degeneration with studies showing smokers are far more susceptible to advanced macular degeneration.
• Side effects of certain drugs such as Aralen, Thorazine, Proxilin, Stelazine are linked with developing macular degeneration. 

The Treatment

There has not been sure-shot way to cure age related macular degeneration. However, some treatments may delay its progression or improve vision. Treatments depend on the degree of disease, whether it is in early or latter stage.