The light that enters the eye passes through various transparent tissues and focuses on the photosensitive tissue at the back portion of the eye. This photosensitive specialized tissue is called the retina. Retina has ten different layers, each responsible for specific functions. This layer gathers the light energy that enters the eye. It converts to electrical energy that reaches the brain, helping us see things around us. Any damage to the retina can cause a severe drop in visual functions. …
Common Eye Surgeries: Pterygium surgery, DCR, and Lid reconstruction surgery
The eye is a small organ but has several small parts contributing to its smooth functioning. Any disturbance to these parts may require treatment and sometimes surgery. This article will discuss three of the common eye surgeries performed worldwide. Pterygium surgery Pterygium surgery is a common procedure performed to remove an outgrowth of the eye called pterygium. Figure 1: Close-up of a pterygium taken during an eye examination. What is a pterygium? A pterygium is a triangular-shaped pinkish outgrowth of…
Nine steps in a Contact Lens Examination
Contact lenses are medical devices that sit over the eye. They are a great alternative to spectacles and sometimes the only corrective option for people with certain eye conditions like keratoconus. In such cases, spectacles do not provide an optimum vision correction. A contact lens examination involves several special tests and measurements in addition to a regular eye examination. This helps to check for suitability of contact lenses and help determine the best contact lens type, material and design for…
Making a Low Vision patient smile again
Shiney Sebastian (Optometrist and Educator. Ex Senior Faculty, Lotus College of Optometry, Mumbai) What is low vision? Low vision is a type of vision loss that cannot be corrected with regular prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, or other medical or surgical treatments. Low vision does not include complete blindness because there is some residual vision in persons with low vision. Persons with low vision are categorised into two groups: Partially sighted (meaning they have a vision between 20/70 and 20/200…
If you wish to understand what to expect in an eye examination, this article in just for you?
If you wish to understand what to expect in an eye examination, this article in just for you? Eye examination involves several tests to assess the eyeglass prescription and the eye's health. An eye examination includes several steps and is usually performed systematically by either an optometrist or ophthalmologist in an eye clinic. The following components are generally included in a regular and detailed eye examination. However, the decision to skip, include or add certain components in an eye examination…
Binocular Vision Assessment can help diagnose reasons for eyestrain
The binocular vision assessment follows either vision screening or a regular eye examination to investigate Binocular Vision Disorder (BVD) further. Binocular vision disorder occurs due to weak eye muscles, which affect the coordination between the two eyes and the brain. The binocular vision examination involves a series of tests to examine the two eyes' teaming ability in all aspects, along with the visual perception and processing skills to diagnose binocular vision disorder. The best part of a binocular vision disorder…
What is the retina and what are the common retinal conditions?
The retina is the innermost layer of the eye. It is an essential layer responsible for sending the signals to the brain received when we see an object. It is made up of two different cells called rods and cones. Rods are responsible for vision in dim light and. Cones are responsible for daylight and colour vision. Figure 1 : The cone and rod cells present in the retina Pic Courtesy: https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/anatomy-of-photoreceptor-cells-gm1223394024-359350216 The retina is an essential layer of the…
My son has colour blindness. What are the best correction options for him?
Before we look at the correction options for colour blindness, let us first understand what colour blindness is all about. Colour blindness means one does not see colours in a usual way and cannot distinguish between specific colours. The eye functions like a camera and helps capture images and focus them on the innermost layer of the eyeball called the retina. This layer consists of special nerve cells and pigments that help communicate with the brain. There are two types…
My doctor says I have glaucoma, help me understand it better!
What is glaucoma, how to manage it and what are the precautions that need to be taken What is glaucoma? Glaucoma is a group of ocular conditions where there is damage to your optic nerve(the nerve responsible for your eyesight). This is also referred to as the "silent killer of sight". Glaucoma has affected more than 70 million people worldwide, from which 10 per cent are classified as blind in both their eyes. This condition rarely shows any symptoms and…
Let’s wet those drying eyes and feel comfortable again
Dryness in the eyes is emerging as a prevalent complaint in an eye and contact lens clinic. It is observed that one in three patients are having a complaint of dryness in the eyes. The patient may not exactly complain of dryness but presents as a collection of signs and symptoms like redness, foreign body sensation, itching, burning and sometimes watering. Our eyes are constantly bathed in tears produced by the tear glands located behind the outer 1/3rd of the…