FAQ – Frequently asked questions
Q. How often eye examination should be done?
Detailed eye examination by Eye doctor should be done every six months. Computerized eyes checkup done at various optical shops is not comprehensive eye checkup.
Q. What is Comprehensive eye examination?
After initial examination eye drops are put to dilate your eyes. This takes some time, but this is especially important for detailed eye checkup which includes following examinations to rule out any disease in the eyes:
- Slit lamp biomicroscopic examinations.
- Autorefracto Keratometry.
- Applanation Tonometry.
- Detailed Fundus / Retinal Examination
Q. What is Cataract
Cataract is a clouding that develops in the Natural lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light. Our eye works like a camera where light from various objects passes through clear cornea and clear natural lens, so as lens start getting clouded and our vision starts getting blurred even, we can see but quality of vision gets bad. As lens get more clouded (mature) our vision deteriorates further.
Q. How soon should I get operated for cataract?
Cataract should be operated as soon as possible, you should not get cataract to get mature as more you delay, it gets hard, and chances of complications increases. With modern cataract surgery recovery is amazingly fast if surgery is done at right time.
Q. Which lens to choose? IOL (Intraocular Implants)
IOLs (Intraocular Implants) are commonly called lenses. They are of two types
1. Old type Non foldable IOL which are of rigid material – goes through large incision, not used in modern day surgery
Latest FOLDABLE IOLs / lenses- Soft Acrylic material goes through small incision. they are of two types: Mono focal & Multifocal
2. Mono focal Foldable lenses: where your distance vision is corrected but you need to wear glasses for near vision. Among Mono focal ASPHERIC lenses gives you much sharper vision. PREMIUM TORIC LENSES can correct your high cylindrical number, they are the best lenses in Mono focal Lenses.
BIFOCAL & TORIC BIFOCAL Lenses corrects Distance and near vision, but still Reader may be required. TRIFOCALS & TORIC TRIFOCALS, EDOF & TORIC EDOF LENSES are the BEST & latest premium lenses which gives good distance, Intermediate vision and decreases dependency on near vision.
Lenses are of Hydrophilic material or Hydrophobic material. Hydrophobic lenses cause less posterior capsule opacification (After Cataract) hence they are better.
Q. Will I need any procedure after cataract surgery in future?
Months to years after cataract surgery your eye tissue which supports lens may become cloudy (posterior capsular opacification) and blur your vision, this is commonly called After cataract. Whenever this happens it can be treated by painless small OPD procedure called YAG Laser capsulotomy. This happens less in Hydrophobic lenses.
Q. What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is eye disease which result in loss of vision by permanently damaging the optic nerve, the nerve that transmits visual images to the brain.
Q. How does Glaucoma damage the optic nerve?
In many people, increased pressure inside the eye causes glaucoma, although there are many other factors involved.
Q. Can Glaucoma be treated?
Yes. Although you will never be cured of glaucoma, treatment often can control it. This makes early diagnosis and treatment important to protect your sight. Normally eyedrops are used for newly diagnosed glaucoma and that is sufficient in most cases; however, in some advanced cases Laser or surgery may be required for adequate control.
Q. What is LASIK?
LASIK is a procedure that improves vision and takes away the glasses number by changing the shape of the cornea (Front of eye) to change focusing power with a state of art shaping device, an excimer laser and is amazingly effective treatment for a wide range of vision problems.
Q. Why do people have Lasik surgery?
There are five main reasons that people choose to have LASIK:
- Life simplification: No longer having to deal with glasses or contact lenses.
- Independence: Freedom from dependance on glasses or contact lenses.
- Performance: Ability to perform better in sports related activity.
- To choose professions: Like army, navy, air force & railways which require normal vision without glasses.
- Safety: From any contact lens infection.
Q. Who is suitable candidate for Lasik?
The best way to determine is with a thorough eye exam. Candidates must be 18 years of age or older, in good health, & have good eye health with no diseases such as cataract or glaucoma. Lasik should be avoided during pregnancy & breast feeding.
Q. How long will the LASIK procedure take?
The LASIK usually takes about 20 minutes in the operating room. The entire procedure takes seven to ten minutes for each eye, but actual laser time is than one minute.
Q. Does the LASIK procedure hurt?
There is almost no pain involved with LASIK. Anesthetic drops are used to numb the eye just before surgery begins. There can be little discomfort if you are very anxious. So, to be relaxed is especially important. After Lasik there is watering and irritation for one hour. You go to home and sleep and when you wake up, you are fine.
Q. Are there any risks associated with LASIK?
The latest technology used today is very safe in expert hands. Although pre-lasik checkup done thoroughly ensures that we can identify if there is any risk.
Q. Are result permanent?
Yes, removal of your number is permanent, but reading glasses will be required at the age of forty and above.
Q. What is the recovery process like?
Most LASIK patients usually see quite well the day following their procedure & may be able to resume most of their normal activities in 3-4 days
Q. What are the common retinal disorders?
The common retinal disorders are as follows:
- Diabetic retinopathy – caused by long standing diabetes.
- Age related macular degeneration (ARMD)
Q. How does diabetes affect the eye?
Diabetes may lead to frequent fluctuations in vision and change in glasses power. It may also lead to cataract at a younger age, glaucoma, decreased vision due to involvement of the optic nerve, temporary paralysis of the eye muscles and thus double vision, Diabetic Retinopathy etc.
Q. What are the risk factors for Diabetic retinopathy?
Though any patient with diabetes may develop Diabetic Retinopathy, the longer the person has diabetes, the greater are his/her chances to develop diabetic retinopathy. Majority of the patients who have had diabetes for more than 5 years do have some changes of diabetic retinopathy. The other risk factors are high blood pressure, anemia, kidney diseases, and pregnancy.
Q. Why is Early Detection important?
The vision lost due to Diabetic Retinopathy is not regained, and the aim of the treatment is to preserve the vision and not to improve the vision. This early detection can only be achieved by periodic evaluation (every 6 months) of the eyes of every diabetic patient, even if they have no eye related symptoms.
Q. Can diabetic retinopathy be prevented?
Not totally, but risk can be reduced. Better control of blood sugar level slows the onset and progression of retinopathy and lessens the need for laser surgery for severe retinopathy. There is no treatment that can prevent diabetic retinopathy altogether.
Q. What is ARMD (Age related macular degeneration).
Macular Degeneration is a condition in which the macula gets damaged. It is often related to aging and is commonly referred to as Age-related Macular Degeneration (ARMD).
Q. Can younger people get macular degeneration?
Yes. It can manifest at birth, in children up to seven, young people up to twenty, and up to thirty & 40 years. It can happen in High nearsightedness (High myopic macular degeneration).
Q. Can diet prevent macular degeneration?
Fruits and vegetables, especially those high in lutein and zeaxanthin, appear to provide the best protection. Lutein can be found in spinach, collard greens, kale, broccoli, papaya, oranges, kiwi, mango, green beans, peaches, sweet potatoes, lima beans, squash, red grapes, and green bell peppers. Zeaxanthin can be found in yellow corn, honeydew melon, squash, oranges, mango, kale, apricots, peaches, and orange bell peppers.
Q. What is the best defense against blindness from various eye diseases?
The best defense is having:
- Comprehensive eye exams on a regular basis
- Maintaining a one-on-one relationship with a qualified eye specialist
- Weight control, Healthy diet high in antioxidants, zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin
- Protect your eyes from continuous work on computer & watching TV.
- No smoking, alcohol, self-medications, or any drug abuse
