What are the symptoms of Retinopathy of Prematurity?
Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of Prematurity(ROP) is a medical condition of the eye in premature babies or babies weighing less than three pounds at birth. It affects such babies over the days and weeks following birth. Retinopathy of Prematurity occurs when there is an abnormal growth of blood vessels on the retina (the light-sensitive tissue on the back of the eye). 

The blood vessels of a baby’s retina usually develop between the fourth and ninth months of pregnancy. But they stop developing when they are born prematurely. After birth, the retina undergoes a process called neovascularisation in which it starts growing its blood vessels. But these tend to be abnormal. 

Consequently, it may cause retinal detachment, which causes blindness. In mild cases, this condition tends to stabilise without any treatment. In other cases, it requires careful monitoring and treatment.

Signs & Symptoms of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Babies born prematurely or weighing less than three pounds at birth are brought in for Retinopathy of Prematurity screening a few weeks later. There are zero visible symptoms of ROP at this stage. The eye specialist generally conducts a dilated eye exam between four to nine weeks post-birth. The specialist decides whether to conduct further examination based on the first eye examination. 

Consequently, the Retinopathy of the Prematurity stage determined from the exams decides the future course of action. While Stage 1 and Stage 2 babies improve naturally under the specialist’s supervision, Stage 4 and Stage 5 babies require treatment. In Stage 3, babies may or may not require treatment depending on the doctor’s understanding of the condition.

With age, the following symptoms could be observed:

  1. Trouble recognising people.
  2. Inability to focus on the vision.
  3. White-coloured pupils.
  4. Inability to follow any objects.

With old age, the additional symptoms are:

  1. Amblyopia (lazy eye)
  2. Near-Sightedness
  3. Misalignment of the eyes
  4. Retinal Detachment

Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity

The diagnosis is subject to the eye specialist’s understanding of the stage of Retinopathy of Prematurity. However, this would take a few weeks after the baby’s birth. The eye specialist will communicate the time for the examination during discharge.

Subsequently, the ROP stages revealed by a dilated eye exam are as follows – 

  • Stage 1 and Stage 2: These stages heal naturally under the observation of the eye specialist
  • Stage 3: This stage may or may not require treatment depending on the extent of abnormal blood vessel growth
  • Stage 4: Babies have partially detached retinas and need treatment
  • Stage 5: Babies have completely detached retinas. Vision loss may happen even with treatment

Treatment methods include Laser Surgery, Eye Surgery, and Injections.

It is natural to worry about your baby’s health, but there is great hope with the advanced treatment options available today. Hence, being armed with the latest technology, the expert eye specialists at Sharath Maxivision Eye Hospital are always there to take care of your baby’s eye conditions.

What causes the loss of peripheral vision?
peripheral vision

Hey, there! Before we begin the blog, let’s ask you a simple question. Are you able to see the screen in front of you? We hope it’s a “Yes.” Now, while looking at the screen, are you able to see the image on either side of the screen? You might wonder what this experiment is all about. This is to give you an idea of peripheral vision. It’s the vision that’s outside the central vision. This means your eyes can also focus on things that are away from the centre too. Amazing, right?

So, if you are able to see things outside the central focus of your eyes, you are using your peripheral vision. You might not realise the importance of peripheral vision yet. In this blog, we’ll present a few situations in which we use peripheral vision in everyday life. Also, in this blog, we’ll discuss the various cases of how one can lose this vision and ways to prevent it too. Let’s dig in.

The causes of loss of peripheral vision

What is Tunnel Vision?

Peripheral vision loss is also known as Tunnel Vision. Tunnel vision is when one’s eye can focus only on the centre, and the eye cannot form images of either side. For example, while crossing a road, your peripheral vision helps you to walk carefully. While the central vision gives you a view of what’s ahead, your peripheral vision alerts you if any vehicle approaches. And in the case of a person with peripheral vision loss, their overall vision narrows down by only giving an image of the centre. And this is a condition called Tunnel vision.

The main cause of Peripheral Vision Loss or Tunnel Vision

The main causes of peripheral vision loss are Migraines, Cataracts, and Glaucoma. Other than this, a rare disease that affects the Retina, known as Retinitis Pigmentosa, also leads to peripheral vision loss. So, it is always advisable to go for an expert eyecare check-up to keep your eyesight in check.

Treatments for Peripheral Vision Loss

Initially, as mentioned above, it is important to have a comprehensive eye check-up. We have listed down a few of the treatments that are generally done to cure peripheral vision loss.

Eye drops and Medicines

If you’re a Glaucoma patient, we urge you to use the prescribed eye drops regularly. Doing so will prevent peripheral vision loss.

Using Prism glasses

For those that lost a part of peripheral vision, eye experts recommend Prism Glasses. These glasses bend the light around the centre and provide the full image in the central vision. 

Vitamin C tablets

People who have Retinal issues are prone to peripheral vision loss. Therefore eyecare experts usually advise taking Vitamin C supplements to prevent peripheral vision loss.

Peripheral vision loss or Tunnel vision is not an age-related issue. Therefore, it is advisable to have a regular eye check-up to keep track of your eye health. Just like central vision, peripheral vision is also important in our day-to-day activities. If you have queries on peripheral vision loss, please book an appointment with us today.

How to take care of your eyes during the monsoon season?
How to take care of your eyes during the monsoon season?

Are you enjoying the long showers of this monsoon season? We know that you don’t want to compromise on having fun in the rainy season. But at the same time, you should not compromise your eye health. Monsoons mean infections and allergies. This is why you need to take extra care to be safe. In this blog, we will give you tips on how to take care of your eye health during the monsoon season. 

It’s a known fact that monsoon is a season of illness. From viral to bacterial infections, we see and hear all. Therefore, personal hygiene matters a lot this season. The eyes are the most delicate organs of our body. Consequently, it is vulnerable to infections. So let’s get to know how to prevent them.

Tips for monsoon eye care you need to follow 

Wear sunglasses to avoid direct contact.

It might not sound stylish, but it is a way to take care of your eyes during monsoon. The rainwater contains foreign particles. When your eyes come in contact with the rain waiter, it leads to eye infections. And these eye infections can be minor to extremely serious. So it is always advisable to prevent your eyes from making direct contact with rainwater.

Avoid touching your eyes.

Personal hygiene is a must when it comes to monsoon season. Therefore, keep your hands clean at all times. One of the main reasons why people get eye infections during monsoon is the lack of personal hygiene. And it is during this season that a lot of fungal and viral infections affect your eyes. So make personal hygiene your priority.

Try to reduce the use of contact lenses.

One of the sources of eye infections during monsoon- Contact lenses. Contact lenses, if left in unhygienic conditions, can lead to several eye diseases. So, it is important that you keep your contacts clean. Otherwise, it may lead to several corneal infections and loss of vision.

Store your eye make-up essentials in a dry place.

Rain increases the moisture levels in the air. This condition is great for the growth of fungus and bacteria. Therefore, it is essential to store your eye makeup in a dry place. 

Do regular eye checkups.

As the saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure.’  It is always advisable to have regular eye check-ups. Keep track of your eye health with the help of our experts.

We hope this blog gave you a few tips on how to take care of your eyes during this Monsoon season. Please follow these and keep your eyes away from any infection. And if you need a help of an expert, book an appointment with us.

What are the types of eye problems?
types of eye problems

Eye-related problems are prevalent these days. Some eye-related issues are minor and can be treated at home, whereas others take time to cure. In any case, we always suggest expert care. We have listed a few common eye problems which you might experience or hear about. 

Most common eye problems

Because of the modern-day lifestyle, you are likely to experience eye-related problems which need immediate attention. Therefore, we have listed common eye-related problems below. If you face any of these conditions, you should take immediate action or consult our experts right away. 

Eye strain

Eye strain mainly happens when you work or read for long periods. It can also happen if you drive for a long time without taking any break. Just like any other part of the body, your eyes, too, need rest.

Red eyes

Do you have red eyes frequently? Then, it might be the result of stressing your eyes. It mainly occurs when the blood vessels that cover the eyes get infected or irritated. It is also a symptom of conjunctivitis. Want to know more about Conjunctivitis? Keep reading this blog to know more about it.

Dry eyes

Dry eyes occur when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or your tears dry up quickly. Majorly, elder people face this condition. You can treat Dry eyes at home too. You must clean your eyelids daily and take breaks while working on a computer or reading books. Also, wearing contact lenses for a long time can result in dry eyes. In such cases, it is better to opt for glasses. Or, you could also look for Vision correction procedures.  

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis or Pink Eyes occurs because of allergies or any kind of irritation that happens to our eyes. It makes your eyelids enlarge and discharge. You can treat this at home by placing a cool cloth over the affected eye. But, if the condition stays for a long time, you must take expert help.

Here are a few common Eye-disorders

Lazy eyes

It is a condition where the eyes don’t develop properly. As a result, the vision of the affected eye may get compromised. We can treat this with corrective glasses and contact lenses.

Cross eyes

Have you ever noticed that your eyes aren’t lined up correctly when you look at an object? Then, you might have cross-eyes or walleye. We treat Cross eyes with vision therapy. 

Colour blindness

Colour blindness is a condition where you can’t distinguish colours. It can affect your day-to-day activities, from choosing a dress to trouble with traffic lights. There is no particular treatment for colour blindness, but there are special lenses and glasses which can ease off the condition to some extent.

There are different types of eye-related diseases and disorders which can cause temporary to permanent vision-related problems. The first step toward maintaining healthy eyesight is to switch to a better lifestyle. You should also consult an eye care specialist once in a while to understand your eye condition better. And if you need an expert in eye care, book an appointment with us.

What is Blepharitis, and how is it treated?
Blepharitis

Are you a makeup lover, or do you frequently use contact lenses? Then, you should practice a good eye care routine to prevent yourself from any eye infections. Or else, you might face a condition called, Blepharitis. Blepharitis is a common eyelid condition where the eyelids get swollen. The symptoms of Blepharitis generally range from swollen eyes to irritation in the eyes. Generally, it happens when the edge of your eyes is affected by a bacterial infection. Further, the eyelids become scaly and red, making eye movement difficult. 

Blepharitis doesn’t cause blindness, it is not contagious, and it mainly affects children and adults. Most of the symptom of Blepharitis is manageable. With this blog, you will get an insight into this common eye infection and ways to prevent it.

What is the main cause of Blepharitis?

It is believed that Blepharitis is mainly caused by bacteria, but below is a list of sources that can lead to bacterial infections:

Acne Rosacea- A condition that is known to cause facial inflammation, including eyelids.

Allergies- Generally, contact lenses and eye makeup can initiate allergies. In some cases, eye drops spur such a condition.

Dandruff- Dandruff is known to cause certain skin and eye problems. Therefore, Dandruff flaking can initiate irritation of the eyelids and cause inflammation.

Dry eye- Dry eyes are most prone to bacterial infection. If you have a dry eye condition, the bacteria will start affecting your eyelids, creating irritation.

Oil glands- Sometimes, the oil glands in your eyelids get blocked, leading to the condition of dry eyes, which results in inflammation and infection.

How do you get rid of eye Blepharitis?

Mostly, Blepharitis is treated with home remedies. The following measures will help you to avoid Blepharitis.

Avoid using eye makeup for a while- Until the infection is under control, avoid using eye makeup. This can trigger the infection by creating uneasiness in moving your eyelids.

Warm compresses- Wet a clean cloth with warm water. Wring out the excess water and use the cloth to keep your eyelids warm. Repeat the same procedure until you feel a bit soothing. Further, the oily dumps and scaly crusts can be removed.

Clean the eyelids regularly-  Clean your eyelids with less soapy, say baby shampoo and mix it with water. Close the eye and rinse off the scaly skin using horizontal strokes.

In most cases, Blepharitis is preventable, and cleaning your hands and face regularly can ward off such infections. At Sharat Maxivision, we have an amazing team of specialists that are skilled in treating a wide range of eye issues. If you feel any discomfort in your eyes, please contact us immediately and let’s find a solution. Book an appointment now

What Are Flashes And Floaters And Their Common Causes?
flashes and floaters

Whereas, if you experience them all the time and realise that they are increasing in number or size, that’s when you get your eyes checked. This is because floaters are one of the common symptoms of Retinal detachment. We will explain this further in the blog. Now let’s move on to what flashes are. Did you injure your eye? You might see little streaks and spots of bright light. This also is one of the symptoms of retinal detachment.

Have you ever looked at a blank wall or a clear blue sky and observed a few shapes floating in your vision? You might have also tried to blink your eyes to get rid of them, but they stay. We call them floaters. They are pretty common, and you need not worry if you see them once in a while.

What are the most common causes of flashes and floaters?

Well, one of the most common causes of flashes and floaters seem to be age. The retina slowly pulls back from its original position as you age, and this causes leaks in light information. If you’re young and experiencing floaters and flashes, it might be because your eye is injured. Check back on yourself if this is the case and consult with our specialists immediately. 

How do you stop floaters and flashes?

As mentioned earlier in the blog, if you see floaters once in a while in your vision, please know that this is quite common. So, give your eyes quality rest, and they’ll recover immediately. But, if you observe them all the time, we always recommend you consult our specialists. 

A few articles mention that floaters don’t need to be treated. While we stand with that opinion, if you experience frequent headaches because of floaters, it is recommended you should consult our specialists immediately. 

When to See an Eye Doctor?

Moving on to the severe cases of constantly experiencing floaters and flashes, there are several retinal surgeries. Most of them use lasers so that there’s minimal and some with almost no contact. So, you don’t have to worry about your safety. Not just that, quite a lot of retinal surgeries that we perform need less time to perform and have less recovery time. 

We hope you now have a brief idea of what floaters and flashes in your vision are. Are you above 50? Let our expert surgeons assess your eyes and provide you with just the right solution so that you can enjoy clear and worry-free vision. Book an appointment with us right away. 

Also read: eye infections avoid them with these five tips

For how long does the benefits of LASIK surgery last?
Lasik surgery
Lasik surgery

The word LASIK isn’t an unheard one. At least today, you see and hear the word everywhere. And, it’s all for good reasons. The wave of tech advancements that LASIK surgery created is phenomenal. Let us give you the right meaning of LASIK once again. LASIK is the name of a vision correction surgery that reshapes the corneal tissues using Laser technology. And, it is an obvious question that, will the surgery last forever? Will LASIK surgery offer you a lifetime of clear and crisp vision? 

It is more than okay to have these questions pop up in your mind, and in fact, these questions are the limiting factor in choosing surgery. So, we will provide you with the answers to these questions in this blog. 

Will laser eye surgery last forever?

Theoretically, yes! On paper, LASIK is a surgery that provides clear vision forever. But, we live in a world of practicality, so we will say that it depends. The lasting effectiveness of LASIK surgery depends on various factors. To make it easier for you to understand, let us explain the basic procedure of LASIK. As explained earlier, LASIK uses a laser to reshape the elements of our eye. In this process, the specialists make very tiny cuts to the corneal layer to fix how it refracts the light. Thus, the image becomes clearer. It is natural that our body goes through changes as time goes by. And, these changes include eyes too. So, there is a chance that the cornea might deform again. 

Also Read: LASIK Eye Surgery – How can you Customise it?

How long do the benefits of LASIK surgery last?

Again, theoretically, LASIK can last forever. But, depending on various factors, and to give a number, LASIK’s benefits can easily last for up to 20 years. Since eyes are sensitive, the factors can range from age to medical conditions. The underlying truth of any surgery is that surgeries can only fix the problems that we already have. But, do not prevent us from facing the problems again. 

Can I get LASIK again after 10 years?

LASIK surgery is one of the safest surgeries today. The success rate of this surgery has set new standards of safety. Since there is no physical intervention, the process is absolutely safe. With that being said, the side effects of this surgery are almost negligible. As mentioned above, the natural course of the human body growth makes it deformed gradually. With that being said, in most cases, there will not be a need to repeat the surgery. But, if you consult our doctors for any discomfort in your eyesight after getting the surgery done, your eyes will then be tested for any irregularities. Based on the results, the doctors might suggest an enhancement surgery too. 

We hope this blog clears most of your questions regarding LASIK surgery. If you have any further queries, please feel free to connect with our Eye specialists, and they will always be available to guide you through the process.

What should I expect after getting Cataract Surgery?
eye specialist in warangal

eye specialist in warangal

Eye specialists might suggest Cataract surgery if you suffer from cloudy or blurred vision. As cataracts gradually grow, you will face dim or even doubled vision when you look at things with cataracts. These problems can make it hard to read, work on a computer, and do anything else that calls for clear eyesight. 

When should you opt for cataract surgery?

  1. Cloudy vision
  2. Sensitivity towards light 
  3. Seeing a halo around lights 
  4. Sudden nearsightedness 
  5. Poor night vision 
  6. Changes in perception of colour 

What will you gain from cataract surgery? 

One of the best things after this surgery is that it enables you to see clearly. Use this time to relax and let your body recover. Like any surgical procedure, there is a recovery period after having Cataract surgery. With our advanced equipment and procedures, the recovery time is shorter.

Also check: How long does it take for blurriness to go away after cataract surgery

Instructions after the surgery from eye specialists in Warangal 

Our doctors will always be open to queries after the surgery. However, there are a few activities you should avoid post-surgery: 

  1. You should prevent rubbing your eyes
  2. Avoid bending over 
  3. Avoid splashing water directly into your eyes
  4. No physical activities during the recovery phase
  5. Avoid swimming for at least a week 

How long does the healing process take? 

It takes an average of 1-3 months for your eye to heal after the surgery fully. So you should expect your eyes to have regained their original state within 2-4 months after the surgery. You’ll probably have an Ophthalmologist appointment around that time.

After a few months of gradual healing, you will observe a significant difference in your sight. At Sharat Maxivision, we will help you throughout your visual rectification journey. We employ advanced equipment handled by experienced specialists. These surgeries are painless and bladeless.

NOTE: No information, suggestion, advice, evaluation, process, terminology, etc., provided in our blog should be considered as the final medical advice. Please note that this information is only indicatory for you to get a better understanding of various eye-related syndromes and the treatment options available. For any issues or discomfort in your eye(s), we recommend you visit our hospital. Only on complete diagnosis by one of our doctors, we can evaluate your condition, and help you with a relevant medical process and/or treatment.