The thin and clear membrane over the white region of the eye is called the conjunctiva. It also lines the inside of the eye lids. The inflammation of this superficial membrane is known as conjunctivitis. The most observable symptom of conjunctivitis is what has earned this eye disease its popular name –   pink eye or […]

A question, though, why do people’s eyes jump? If you know what I mean (laugh out loud). Some people say it’s when something bad is going to happen. What do you think? Hope to hear from you. As we know, common folklore tells us that, if one or the other jumps a lot, it means […]

The Astigmatism test: Astigmatism is a condition in which the Cornea, which is the front part of the eye, is not fully circular (like a tennis ball). It is more like an American football or like an egg. Significant Astigmatism can cause eye strain because the eye tries to focus twice as much. Astigmatism can […]

Right now you are reading the words of this post with both your eyes. You have your eyes pointed at these words and all you are really aware of is the page that you see. Now, if someone were to sneak up behind you and slowly come around to your side, you would probably see […]

What is Amblyopia? Amblyopia also known as lazy eye, is an eye disorder which is said to affect 1 to 5 percent of the population. It leads to poor vision in an eye that is physically normal. This problem occurs in early childhood due to poor transmission of visual images to the brain over a […]

Good Advice We all need good advice! Remember the times as kids where most of us saw pretty well? We didn’t need glasses then. By the time we hit about 40, things started to change, most of us started requiring glasses. Sadly enough, things have changed now even more so, because we’re now seeing kids […]

How to use your eyedrops  A wise man once said, “practice makes perfect.”  Another wise man countered that by saying “no, practice makes permanent.” Dear readers, Time and again I come across patients who still do not know how to use their eyedrops correctly. Healing is 10% doctor and 90% patient.  So let’s talk about using your eye drops correctly. Eye drops come as suspensions or sterile solutions. They work directly on the eye. They are free from bacteria (sterile) before they’re opened. Once they’re opened, here are some things you should know – It is advisable not to let anyone else use your eyedrops, and not to use anyone else’s eyedrops The drops should be kept out of children’s reach It is a good idea to store the drops in a cool, dark place unless otherwise specified To keep the drops safe from bacteria, don’t let the dropper or its nozzle touch anything else – such as your fingers, eye, skin, etc. Throw out the bottle and get a new one after it has expired. The expiry date is usually about four weeks after opening it. If you feel as if you can taste the drops running down your throat, don’t be alarmed. This is natural as the tear duct draining tears to your nose will contain some of the eye drops. To prevent this press the area between your inner eyelids and your nose.  This is important for breastfeeding mothers. Some eye drops can cause irritation for a while. It is rare for people to be allergic to eyedrops, but not impossible. If the problem persists, contact your ophthalmologist.   Using eye drops correctly can save you time, hassle and pain. If you use the appropriate technique, you can administer eye drops both comfortably and efficiently. Follow the advice given above, and you should increase the effectiveness of your eye drops, enhance healing and avoid the spread of disease. In the next article, we will discuss how to instill the drops correctly. Remember healing is 10% doctor and 90% patient. Practice makes permanent  

Eyelid discoloration Eyelid discoloration (dark circles) can be a very disturbing phenomenon.  Ladies seem to pay more attention to them than men.  This is because dark circles make us look older.  Understanding the causes of dark circles can help in finding the right cures. Causes: Lack of sleep is one of the leading causes of dark circles under the eyes.   Allergies -Skin discoloration caused by allergies is very frequent.  One should avoid anything that could cause allergies.  Also include gluten allergies, as they also have been known to cause dark circles under one’s eyes.   Vitamin deficiency-some studies suggest that vitamin deficiencies such as lack of vitamin B6, Folic acid, and  B12 can cause dark circles under the eyes.  Taking a multivitamin every day may be of some help.   Sinus problems and nasal congestion can result in the discoloration under one’s eyes because the veins that drain blood from the eyes to the nose are usually dilated and darkened.   Irregularities in the pigmentation of the skin have also been known to cause dark circles.  Bear in mind that excessive sun exposure causes an increase in melanin production under the skin and can also darken certain areas.   As we age, the skin around the eyes tends to become thinner; this can make the veins and vessels more prominent.   Lifestyle choices such as inadequate nutrition, cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, caffeinated drinks and lack of exercise have all been known to contribute to under-eye discoloration   Genetics—we are yet to establish whether under dark circles run in the family.   Prostaglandin inhibiting eyedrops such as Travatan, Lumigan, and Xalatan used in the treatment of glaucoma are known to cause dark circles under the eyes. Treatment: There are so many different remedies and recommendations on the market.  Some of them work, and some don’t.  You may want to try them to see which one applies to your situation. A) Cucumbers have long been used to reduce swelling around the eyes and to tighten the skin around the eyes.   B) Wrap some ice cubes in a soft cloth and apply them to your eyes.  Cold tea bags may also be used.  An ingredient called tannin in the tea bags has been known to reduce swelling and discoloration.   C) Stick a spoon in the freezer and pour water into it.  Leave it in the fridge for a short while until the water freezes, place the spoon on the dark circles and leave it there until the ice starts to melt.   D) Get a good night’s rest.  This can help improve the appearance of the eyes.   E) Cut down your consumption of alcohol and use supplements.   F) Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables   G) Reduce your salt intake.  Excess salt can cause the body to retain water, and this too can cause puffiness and darken the skin under the eyes.   H) A deficiency of vitamin K has been shown to also increase the probability of dark circles.  Skin creams containing vitamin K have been shown to be effective.  Many overnight facial creams help to reduce the appearance of puffiness or eyelid discoloration.   I) Avoid rubbing the eyes as this irritates the skin around the eyes.   J) In the case of eye drops if the discoloration is excessive you may want to discuss an alternative with your eye doctor. Finally, you may choose to wear sunglasses to protect your skin from melanin changes. Of course, if the symptoms persist do not hesitate to call your eye doctor. Your eye doctor may prescribe an eye ointment to reduce discoloration and swelling. Remember to keep an eye on your eyes

Children’s Glasses August is the vision and learning month. This article is going to address children’s glasses. A lot of parents are of the notion that glasses may be unnecessary for their child. They come to me and tell me that they don’t like to see their children in glasses. They attribute glasses to meaning […]