Eye Checkup

1. Why do we get spectacle powers?

In younger age groups, spectacle powers most likely develop due to the inherent shape or length of the eye. Shorter eyes tend to develop plus powers (Hyperopia) and longer eyes tend to have minus powers (Myopia).

2. Does excessively watching T.V. or Laptop/iPad usage cause spectacle power to increase?

No. A common complaint that parents give us at the clinic is that the child constantly watches T.V. from close by and hence has got glasses now. On the contrary, the fact that the child needs to go very close to the T.V. may be an indicator that his vision isn’t up to the mark, and hence should be a warning sign that this child needs an eye check-up. Usually, excessive use of such devices may produce eye strain, but never produces a change in spectacle powers.

3. What can we do to stop the number from increasing?

There is no evidence to prove that any eye exercises nor any dietary changes will produce reduction or stop progression of spectacle power changes. Spectacle power of an individual’s eye is like the height of that person- after a certain age it will stabilize (usually around 18-21years of age). Rarely there are pathological disorders in which the eye number constantly changes. These are serious conditions requiring detailed tests and appropriate treatment.

4. I wear my glasses regularly, but why has my number still increased?

As mentioned above, wearing your glasses does not mean your eye will not change. Often number changes can be noticed when the teenager suddenly has an increase in height.

5. I was able to see everything so far, but now that I am over 40years of age, why do I require glasses for reading?

Presbyopia is the natural process of ageing of the eye, which has its onset around 40years of age. It causes the inherent power of the eye muscles to weaken, thus producing a reading glass power. This number gradually increases upto the age of 60 years.

6. Do I have to wear my glasses all the time?

It is imperative for children to use their glasses at all times. Not doing so may cause one or both eyes to become lazy, i.e. lose the capacity to have full visual potential. Once the eye becomes lazy, even full glasses power prescription will not help the person in gaining their normal vision back.

7. I can see everything, why do I need an eye check-up?

Often, what you may think is normal vision may be less than the required standard of vision. This can only be detected by a detailed eye check up by your Doctor. Even for people with normal vision, annual eye check-ups are imperative to detect any silent diseases in the eye e.g. Glaucoma, Retinopathy.

Eye Infection

1. What is a stye?

A stye is a common eye infection of the hair on the lashes of the lids. It can be treated with appropriate drops/ointments and occasionally oral medications may be required. Recurrent styes maybe a sign of undetected underlying diseases like Diabetes Mellitus.

2. Why has my stye has not gone for the past few months?

A persistent and yet non-painful swelling on the eyelid is called a “Chalazion”. These are often mistaken for a stye. This kind of eye infection is a sign of chronic inflammation and can be treated medically. If no improvement occurs, then rarely they maybe required to be incised and the accumulated material can be removed by a simple and short surgical procedure.

3. My eye is red, why can’t I just take a medicine from the pharmacy?

Red eyes may not always imply an eye infection. They may also be a sign of allergies and immune reactions in the eye. Even conditions like raised eye pressure may present with redness and pain in the eye. The treatment of each of these conditions differs drastically, and so a red eye always requires an eye check up by a Doctor.

4. I have conjunctivitis, but why is my vision now blurred?

Often, red eyes are self – diagnosed by people as Conjunctivitis. Typically, infective conjunctivitis is an infection of the thin layer covering the white portion of the eye. It is accompanied by watering and/or yellowish discharge from the eyes.

Occasionally, a viral Conjunctivitis may also involve the cornea of the eye. This is called Keratoconjunctivitis. In this eye infection, vision also may get blurred, and may take few days to weeks to completely clear even after the redness settles.

Any eye infection treatment first requires a complete eye check up.

Dr. Kareeshma Wadia routinely performs all these procedures. Speak to her for more details on what is the best option for you.

Eye Allergies

Allergy of the eyes presents with congestion and bumpy eruptions on the inner surface of upper and lower lids

1. I took treatment for my red eyes but the drops didn’t work and it keeps coming back every 4-5 months

Red eyes don’t always mean eye infection. They may also be a part of Allergic Conjunctivitis. Mild cases can be treated with short course of drops, but typically eye allergies are recurrent in nature.

They can flare up with increase in dust exposure/ change in weather/ known atopy/ associated skin rashes/ associated asthma. Your doctor may prescribe you certain medications for immediate relief, but you may occasionally need some medications to continue long term on a regular basis to keep the eye allergy in check.

This does not mean that the medications are not working. Each condition has its own natural course, and medication differs from person to person. DO NOT self medicate, as eye allergy treatment may often require a short course of steroid eye drops. When used under supervision they are very safe. It is self medication and abuse of these drops that create complications.

2. I keep having eye allergy and now my vision is blurred

Eye allergy is often associated with increased rubbing of the eyes. This can produce a thinning and weakness of the cornea of the eye. This condition is called Keratoconus. It often co-exists with eye allergy. See your Doctor immediately to address this issue.

Dry Eye

Dry Eye is a very common symptom of a large number of patients of the current generation. It is caused by multiple factors, the commonest being the increasing use of digital devices e.g. mobile phones, computers, tablets etc.

1. How do I know if I have dry eyes?

The symptoms vary from patient to patient. Often, patients actually feel the dryness of the eyes. Some people complain of pricking sensation, irritation, watering, burning, dull pain or dragging pull on the eyes, and heaviness.

2. My eyes are watering but my eye specialist says I have dry eyes.

Often when your eyes are dry, they reflexly produce watering as a defence mechanism. Occasionally patients may complain of whitish discharge/ clumpy discharge accumulated at the corners of the eye. This is the mucous being produced by the eye in response to dryness. Sometimes dry eyes is accompanied by allergy in the eyes. Such people also may have watery eyes.

3. What do tears contain?

The tear film is made up of 2 main layers- 1 is the watery layer, which actually consists of predominantly water content mixed with electrolytes and other defence proteins, and lies in contact with the front surface of the eye. This water content is produced by the tear glands of the eye called Lacrimal glands. And over that is a layer of oil which is produced by oil glands of the eyelids called Meibomian Glands. These glands produce oily secretions which prevent the evaporation of the water content of the tears.

4. How does Dry eye occur?

Based on what layer is involved, there are 2 main types of dry eyes.

One in which there is actually a reduction in the production of tears. This reduction in tear production is caused by damage to the lacrimal gland that produces tears. This can occur in increased age, the effect of some drugs e.g. post-chemotherapy or after radiation therapy, and most commonly is associated with Autoimmune disorders like Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The second type is called Evaporative Dry Eye. This has a normal production of tears, but quick evaporation because of the inadequate oily layer. This is caused because of damage to Meibomian Glands. This is the COMMONEST type of dry eye. The Meibomian Glands can get stressed due to exposure to environmental dust and pollution, or getting infected or their opening on the lids getting blocked.

5. Can dry eyes be treated?

Yes, it can be treated, but the response depends on what type of eye dryness you have and how severe it is. If you have dryness due to reduced tear production, this usually requires long term or permanent treatment in the form of eye drops.

If you have infected or stressed oil glands, they can be treated with warm compresses and antibiotic ointment to treat the infected lid glands. Just a short term treatment for this may produce a significant improvement.

Jehan Eye Clinic is a center for skilled clinical excellence, and aims at being par with the latest technology at all times. It is headed by Dr Kareeshma Wadia-Havewala, who is a specialist in Cataract, Cornea and Refractive Surgeries.

Monday — 10am – 7pm
Tuesday — 10am – 7pm
Wednesday — 10am – 7pm
Thursday — 10am – 7pm
Friday —10am – 7pm