Monthly Archives: March 2013

Eye Health and Retinal Detachment

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Retinal detachment is a very serious eye condition that happens when the retina separates from the tissue around it. Since the retina can’t work properly under these conditions, you could permanently lose vision if the detached retina isn’t repaired promptly.

Who’s at Risk for a Detached Retina?

You’re more likely to get a detached retina if you:

  • Are severely nearsighted
  • Have had an eye injury or cataract surgery
  • Have a family history of retinal detachment

You may have heard the words “retinal tear,” too. That’s not the same as a retinal detachment.

  • Retinal tears often happen first. If fluid from within the eye passes through a retinal tear, that can separate the retina from its underlying tissue — and that’s retinal detachment. Retinal detachment may also happen with no warning. That’s more likely in elderly or very nearsighted people.

If you are unsure about your risk of retinal detachment, talk to your eye doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of a Detached Retina?

A detached retina doesn’t hurt, so look for these symptoms:

  • Flashes of light
  • Seeing “floaters” (small flecks or threads)
  • Darkening of your peripheral (side) vision

If you notice any of those symptoms, contact your eye doctor immediately.

How Is a Detached Retina Diagnosed?

Your health care provider would give you an eye exam, which would include dilating your eyes. That lets them see if your retina is detached.

Early diagnosis is key to preventing vision loss from a detached retina.

How Is a Detached Retina Treated?

There are many ways to treat a detached retina. These include:

  • Laser (thermal) or freezing (cryopexy). Both of these approaches can repair a tear in the retina if it is diagnosed early enough. This procedure is often done in the doctor’s office.
  • Pneumatic retinopexy. This procedure can be used to treat retinal detachment if the tear is small and easy to close. A small gas bubble is injected into the eye (specifically, into the  the clear, gel-like substance between the lens and the retina), where it then rises and presses against the retina, closing the tear. A laser or cryopexy can then be used to seal the tear.
  • Scleral buckle. This treatment for retinal detachment involves surgically sewing a silicone band (buckle) around the white of the eye (called the sclera) to push the sclera toward the tear until the tear heals. This band is not visible and remains permanently attached. Thermal treatment may then be necessary to seal the tear.
  • Vitrectomy. This surgery for retinal detachment is used for large tears. During a vitrectomy, the doctor removes the vitreous (the clear, gel-like substance between eye’s lens and retina) and replaces it with a saline solution.

Can a Detached Retina Be Prevented?

Yes, in some cases.

Getting an eye exam can flag early changes in your eyes that you may not have noticed. Treating those changes can help.

You should get your eyes checked once a year, or more often if you have conditions such as diabetes that make you more likely to have eye disease. Regular eye exams are also important if you are very nearsighted, as nearsightedness makes retinal detachment more likely.

If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, keeping those conditions under control will help the blood vessels in your retina, which is good for your eyes.

Not sure how often you should get your eyes checked? Ask your eye doctor.

You should also use the appropriate eye protection for certain activities. For instance, you should wear sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses while playing racquetball or certain other sports. You may also need eye protection if you work with machines, chemicals, or tools at work or home.

http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-health-retinal-detachment

Computer Use and Eye Strain

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Staring at your computer screen, smartphone, video game or other digital devices for long periods won’t cause permanent eye damage, but your eyes may feel dry and tired. Some people also experience headaches or motion sickness when viewing 3-D, which may indicate that the viewer has a problem with focusing or depth perception.

What causes computer-use eyestrain?

Woman looking at laptop
  • Normally, humans blink about 18 times a minute, but studies show we blink half that often while using computers and other digital screen devices, whether for work or play.
  • Extended reading, writing or other intensive “near work” can also cause eyestrain.

What to do:

  • Sit about 25 inches from the computer screen and position the screen so your eye gaze is slightly downward.
  • Reduce glare from the screen by lighting the area properly; use a screen filter if needed.
  • Post a note that says “Blink!” on the computer as a reminder.
  • Every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds: the “20-20-20” rule.
  • Use artificial tears to refresh your eyes when they feel dry.
  • Take regular breaks from computer work, and try to get enough sleep at night.

Computer-use eyestrain can be made worse by:

Sleep deprivation. When you get less sleep than you need, your eyes may become irritated. During sleep our eyes rest for an extended period and are replenished by nutrients. Ongoing eye irritation can lead to swelling and infection, especially if you wear contact lenses.

  • If you have to be at your computer for a marathon work session, take regular rest breaks or “power naps,” if possible.
  • Apply a washcloth soaked in warm water to tired, dry eyes (with eyes closed).
  • Use tired or sore eyes as a signal that it’s time to stop working and get some rest or sleep.

Incorrect contact lens use. If you wear contact lenses, it’s important that you use and care for them properly — especially if you use a computer and other digital-screen devices often. This helps avoid eye irritation, swelling, infection and vision problems.

  • Give your eyes a break: wear your glasses!
  • Don’t sleep in your contact lenses, even if they are labeled “extended wear.”
  • Always use good cleaning practices.

There are some important things to keep in mind when cleaning your contact lenses. You should:

  • Avoid touching the lenses with water; use fresh solution every time for cleaning and storing.
  • Rub your contacts when you clean them, even if you use a no-rub solution.
  • Clean your storage case regularly (with fresh solution, not water) and replace it every 2 to 3 months.

Stop wearing your contact lenses and see an ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) right away if you develop any of these problems: Eyes that are red, blurry, watery, sensitive to light, or sore; eye swelling or discharge.

http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/living/computer-usage.cfm