Ageing and Your Eyes: When Should You See an Ophthalmologist?
As we get older our bodies age, from our skin and joints to organs and muscles, but our eyes age too. When we are young the lenses within the eyes, called the natural crystalline lens, is clear and flexible, and can focus freely from near to far. People of all ages may need the use of glasses to help them see distance or closer, but when we are younger this is usually due to the shape of the eye.
From around the age of 40 the natural crystalline lens starts to get cloudy and more ridged, this means that the lens can't focus as well as it used to. This condition is called presbyopia. Everyone's eyes age at different speeds, but the older we get the more the lenses cloud and become less flexible, and the likelihood of needing help reading or with near vision becomes more apparent, and for many older people cataracts start to develop.
When Should You See an Ophthalmologist or Eye Clinic?
While a lot of the population wear glasses from a young age and will regularly see an ophthalmologist or visit an eye clinic, there are signs you can look out for as you get older to indicate that you need to see a specialist for reading or near vision solutions;
Struggling to read or do other close tasks and finding you are having to move things further away to read or see detail.
That you start to get a headache when reading or doing close tasks.
Finding it difficult to read small print in low light.
Developing achy eyes when reading or doing close tasks.
The above signs could mean that you need to be seen to have a thorough eye exam and discuss reading or near vision solutions.
Reading and Near Vision Solutions
There are a few options you may be able to choose from when it comes to looking at reading and near vision solutions.
Off the Shelf Reading Glasses - these are reading glasses that you can buy at most supermarkets or pharmacies, and even other shops now too. They are generally inexpensive and may be the first 'quick fix' you buy when first noticing you need help with near vision. Whilst they may be a good option to start with, especially if you are waiting for an appointment to see an eye specialist, they may not fully correct your vision. Off the shelf reading glasses cannot correct if you have a different reading prescription in each eye and they also cannot correct any astigmatism you may have. While they may be a good interim option, you should make sure you visit an eye clinic for a full eye exam.
Prescription Reading Glasses - these are glasses that have been custom made by an optician to fit with your reading/near vision prescription. They will consider any differences in eye strength, astigmatism, and will nicely fit your face.
Bifocal or Trifocal Glasses - these glasses are for people that need glasses for near, intermediate, and distance vision. Some people don't like having to use more than one pair of glasses and having bifocal glasses will correct near vision and distance vision, and trifocal glasses correct near vision, intermediate vision, and distance vision. Both options are completely customised to you and your eyes.
Treatment Options
Nowadays a lot of people find glasses inconvenient and find they don't fit in with their lifestyle, but there is a solution for this, surgical treatment to correct near vision and/or cataracts called refractive lens exchange. This treatment is very similar to cataract surgery, where the natural crystalline lens is removed using phacoemulsification and a new artificial lens is inserted in its place. If you have a cataract this procedure will be called 'cataract surgery', but if you have this treatment purely for vision correction it is referred to as 'refractive lens exchange' and will eliminate the development of cataracts in the future.
There are a few different lens options that can be implanted and the one chosen will be decided by your ophthalmologist taking in to account suitability, lifestyle, and your expectations. All the lens options come in a variety of strengths or can be customised for your eyes and there are also options, called toric lenses, which will, along with the below solutions, will correct any astigmatism you may have.
Monofocal - a monofocal lens implant is used to correct distance vision only, where after surgery you will still require the use of reading glasses. This is normally used for people that just want to eliminate cataracts and/or are happy to continue using reading glasses.
Monofocal Monovision - this is where a monofocal lens of different strength is placed in each eye, one eye will be corrected for distance and one eye corrected for reading. While some people really get on with this configuration, others cannot tolerate the difference. This option should always be tried with you first using either contact lenses or a demonstration in clinic.
Trifocal or Extended Range - these lenses can correct near, intermediate, and distance vision and are popular with people that want to be glasses free as much as possible.
All the above options are just an overview and if you are considering any of the options, whether surgical or not, you should attend for a full eye examination with a trusted eye clinic. If you are considering surgical options, getting an appointment with a trusted ophthalmologist, who will go through benefits, risks, and alternatives, is advised.
Samer Hamada is a distinguished consultant ophthalmologist and cornea surgeon performing eye surgeries at his practice, Eye Clinic London. With nearly two decades' experience, Mr. Hamada is recognised as a leading expert in the field of cataract, refractive lens exchange (RLE) and corneal surgeries.
Things to Keep in Mind While Looking Out for an Eye Doctor
An eye is the most beautiful part of our bodies and also is one of the sensory organs. Therefore, it should always be in proper condition and be taken care of. One cannot afford any harm or injury to the eye. Hence, finding a good eye doctor is always a task.
So, here are some points one must keep in mind while looking for an eye doctor.
1. Types of doctor
The very first step while choosing an eye doctor is to understand the difference between the various types of eye doctors. Majorly there are two main types of an eye doctor.
— Optometrist- this is the doctor that looks for treating the vision problems and the conditions related to it. These doctors prescribe the contact lenses and glasses to treat the vision of an individual. Laser surgeries are also taken up by an optometrist.
— Ophthalmologist- an ophthalmologist deals with providing the treatment for any eye injuries and infections. The eye surgeries such as repairing retinal detachments, removing cataracts, and performing lens implants and LASIK surgeries are treated by an ophthalmologist.
Therefore, according to your need and requirement, look for the one that can treat in the most appropriate way.
2. Insurance plan
One good way to find an eye doctor is by checking your insurance plan. The list of the doctors mentioned there can help a lot by simplifying the task. All the doctor treatments require a huge amount of money. And, the insurance can help you a lot in this way by choosing the one that is covered under your plan.
3. Have recommendations
Talk with your friends and family to get information about the doctors they have visited and note down their experience. This can help you a lot by getting the personal feedback from the trusted people.
4. Research
After following the above steps, just do a little bit of research yourself about the eye doctors in order to check for any malpractices if they've ever been accused of. Go for the experienced ones. You want a good treatment for your eyesight, for it an experienced doctor is always recommended.
5. Check the office
Also, one should be comfortable with the doctor and the way he treats his patients. For this, you have to meet the doctor in person. Also, you would be able to meet some more patients to get the feedback from them. You would be able to have a look at the certificates and the diplomas the doctor has achieved as they are mostly hung on the walls of the clinic.
Always keep in mind, to choose the doctor that is near to your house. Travelling during the emergency is not always possible. And, by being near to the clinic, one can visit the doctor whenever they need and can get the treatment at earliest.
Conclusion
Follow the above given points to find the best doctor for your eyesight and get the most appropriate treatment.
6 Simple Foods for Your Eyesight
We are so caught up in finishing our work within the deadlines but have you ever given any consideration for your little precious eyes? Well, it's a food for thought for you. By the way, foods that you eat can actually improve your eyesight, so it's like a double promotion healthy diet equates healthy eyes.
#1: Fish
A good cold water fish like sardine, tuna or even salmon, which is rich in omega 3 fatty acids keeps your eyes hydrated thereby preventing dry eye syndrome and can also prevent cataracts. Omega 3 contents reduce the eye pressure and chronic inflammation of the eyelids. If you are not a fan of seafood, oil supplements can do the trick as well.
#2: Refreshing Green
The foods which are termed as "green" like spinach and kale are rich in zeaxanthin and lutein content which will keep your eyes lustrous and free from cataracts. A good and well-prepared salad with peas and broccoli also adds to the richness and further increases the proteins. So what are you waiting for? Go mix up a scrumptious salad for yourself!
#3: Eggs
Eggs are not only a good bodybuilder diet, but it also fights against night blindness as well as dry eyes. They are considered to be rich in Vitamin A and lutein. The yolk which most of the people dislike eating, but it prevents the thinning of the area around pupil which is otherwise known as macula which enhances the quality of our vision. There are various types of eggs nowadays, so you need to get your basics right to know which is real or plastic eggs.
#4: Meat love
There is some good news for meat lovers! Red meat contains zinc in it which helps to absorb vitamin A which is present in carrots and various other ingredients which further decreases the possibility of cataracts and muscular degeneration. As too much honey is bad for health, excess consumption of meat can cause blindness so, you need to know where to draw a line between you and your love.
#5: Orange Carrot it is!
I'm sure you were fond of having crispy carrots from your childhood well, at least you did something good as carrots are rich in vitamin A and vitamin C. Vitamin A and Vitamin C, both help to fight against muscular degeneration as well as cataract. It enhances the ability to see clearly.
#6: Whole grains
Eating whole grains including barley, wheat and corn can help reduce the chances of getting retina damage with age. The eye tissue is strengthened which further helps in the protection of eyes from inflammation and light, it is the zinc content that makes this possible. Similar to the other discussed food items this also helps in preventing cataract diseases.
The food around us are so rich in nutrient content. Giving some care to eyes can be done in a natural way and at the same time you will be able to fill your belly as well, how much more wonderful can life get?
Refer the outback vision protocol to find more about the topic, but do read the outback vision protocol review as it is always good to read the review of a particular product before buying it. I personally believe this is the best and has a truthful opinion than most of the other outback vision protocol reviews.
10 Easy Steps to Succeed in Your Online Classes
Congratulations Youve made up our minds to pursue your upper schooling, and doing so online is how to pass if you have an interest in a versatile, studentcentered educating manner. Studying online permits you to pursue different pursuits and attend to different responsibilities whilst nonetheless operating your method towards some extent. However, it will now and again imply that its clean to get distracted. Here are 10 clean steps to verify luck on your online categories.
- Connect together with your instructors once conceivable. Even in case you are doing smartly within the category, its extraordinarily vital to increase a rapport together with your trainer. When you do that early on, you temporarily understand what the priorities are within the route, what expectancies the professor has of you and youre going to be motivated to prevail, surer of whats forward and higher ready to do smartly with the impending subject material.
Valuable questions to invite your trainer come with the next
How versatile are you with time limits How versatile are you with grownup freshmen What applied sciences do you employ within the route How to be had are you through e mail and different sorts of verbal exchange How do you put up an internet neighborhood and what are the expectancies for participation in it In addition, since instructors are to be had to lend a hand all over the classes, its all the time just right to have had private touch with the trainer early on. This method, when you wish to have lend a hand, its more straightforward to achieve out and get the help you wish to have.
- Confirm the technical necessities of the route. Online categories can also be very advisable for college kids with busy schedules, however provided that they are able to simply get right of entry to the fabrics. It is vital to obviously perceive what the technical necessities are. So, ahead of the route begins or as quickly thereafter as conceivable, youll want to test that your pc will paintings with the entire online equipment, and that you understand how to navigate them. This will be sure that you dont must spend time all the way through the route attempting to determine the generation.
three. Create a time table and stick with it. Quality online instructors create classes which might be clean to navigate and feature transparent expectancies. Having that roughly easytodealwith framework in position will make learning and succeeding that a lot more straightforward. However, although the framework and necessities of your category arent as transparent, youll create a time table and construction, which is able to very much fortify your probabilities of luck within the route. Using equipment equivalent to Google Calendar is a good way to start out. Knowing how your weeks and months glance and scheduling blocks of analysis time for each and every activity or module will will let you stick with a time table.
four. Ask questionsall the time. When you dont perceive, ask questions. When you do perceive, ask additional questions. Instructors recognize scholars who take part, and if theres a participation or dialogue part a part of the grade, then asking high quality questions is helping guarantee your grade on this space. Even if there isnt a participation part, its all the time helpful to invite inquiries to remember to perceive the fabric and are transparent on what is needed of you.
five. Be arrangedand keep arranged. Students whore taking conventional, campusbased classes most often have a constant time table to observe each and every week, through which study room instruction is adopted through assignments out of doors the category. However, for online classes, scholars will have to search out their very own techniques to stick on most sensible in their paintings. It is crucial that you just be arranged from the start of the semester with the intention to achieve success in an internet route. For instance mark task due dates on your calendar, discover a submitting machine for each online subject material and bodily subject material that is helping you stay monitor of the whole lot simply, and shed light on find out about schedules that duvet sections of the route one by one so youve got an arranged tactic to protecting the semesters subject material as you pass alongside.
- Have a blank, quiet, and constant workspace. One factor online and inclass classes have in not unusual is that scholars all the time want a spot to review or whole assignments this is blank, quiet, and constant. You can select the place that is for youwhether or not its at a espresso store, a college library, a devoted place of business, or at house. Wherever you select to review and whole assignments, you must make it a constant location that doesnt have out of doors distractions. It is basically key that where is quiet and lets you focal point in your paintings with out distractions.
- Do no longer procrastinate. Successful distance freshmen hardly procrastinate. They dont do away with assignments or wait till the final second to write down their papers. Successful online scholars experience freedoms that come with operating at their very own tempo and the facility to finish their paintings in as a lot time because it takes them. On the opposite hand, they know that finishing their assignments is best performed early and on time cramming merely doesnt paintings, and it doesnt will let you retain knowledge longterm. Get began early on getting a success.
eight. Work in your studying comprehension. Successful distance freshmen generally tend to have just right studying comprehension abilities. Most conventional, campusbased scholars concentrate to lectures and take notes, and a few online classes additionally require this. However, the vast majority of distance freshmen are anticipated to grasp subject material thru a large amount of studying. Although far finding out classes be offering video recordings and audio clips, maximum systems require scholars to hide and grasp a considerable amount of written knowledge. If it is a problem for you, it could be very useful to first sign up in a studying comprehension route there are lots of assets online that will help you do that. This ability by myself could make a huge distinction on your luck.
nine. Establish and admire routines that be just right for you. If, for instance, youre employed best within the morning or in brief bursts, then set find out about routines that can help you find out about within the prelunch hours when your mind is contemporary. If, then again, you do best through learning at evening or at the weekends when youll devote nightowl hours or longer blocks in your learning, then make it some degree to take action. Consider how and whilst you paintings best, and enforce a find out about plan that respects the routines that be just right for you.
- Connect together with your friends. Establishing sturdy connections with friends and professors is a very powerful facet of tutorial luck, in addition to skilled development. One of essentially the most rewarding reports in schooling is finding out thru collaboration. Forming significant relationships together with your friends and professors can can help you be told extra, keep motivated, and feature an outlet to specific your personal working out of subject material. So, keep attached thru message forums, chat rooms, e mail, and different digital assets. And take note lots of the other people you meet in faculty shall be conceivable process assets down the road so determine connections and keep in contact
Florida National University gives a wealth of tutorial and professional online classes. Check out the entire choicesyour long run is ready