FORUM FIXED on 1/4/03
Polarized Sunglasses
Published on August 01, 2022
Special sunglasses designed to cut out the glare from the sun reflecting off the road and the car's hood are called polarized sunglasses. Too much of this type of glare can easily fatigue the eyes and make you sleepy while driving during the day. These sunglasses are good for truckers, taxi drivers or anyone that does a lot of day time driving because they reduce glare. To make driving safe consider wearing polarized sunglasses.
Most fishermen wish they could see the fish in the water, but can't because of the glare of the sun reflecting off the surface of the water. Wearing regular sunglasses help a little, but still can't overcome the glare enough to be able to see the fish. We now have special nonglare polarized sunglass which cuts out almost all of the reflected surface glare allowing the fisherman to see exactly where the fish are in the water.
Regular boaters love these glasses as well because removing the surface glare just makes boating that much more fun.
What makes polarized sunglasses different than regular sunglasses? Regular sunglasses absorb a certain percentage of the various wave lengths of light. If the sunglass is grey, that means it absorbs all the wave lengths equally. This is generally the most popular color because the color values have not been altered. The second most recommended color would be green, which means it absorbs green the least and the other wave lengths more. Green is in the middle of the visual spectrum which is the safest most comfortable color for the eyes. It is more effective at blocking out the infrared and ultraviolet rays which are at the ends of the visual spectrum and are the most harmful.
When sunlight strikes a surface like smooth water, the more vertical rays enter the water and are transmitted to objects like fish that are beneath the surface that absorb these rays. The more horizontal rays that are reflected off the surface become reflected glare. These rays are called polarized because they do not contain the vertical component. Sunglasses that are made to transmit the vertical component only and absorb the horizontal rays are polarizing sunglasses.
To better visualize this, imagine sunlight coming thru an unobstructed window. Then imagine behind that window a horizontal venetian blind where the slats were partially opened and horizontal slits of sunlight are shining thru. These horizontal slits of light you can think of as polarized, because there is no vertical component just like the light that reflected off the water. Now imagine that behind the horizontal blind there is a partially opened vertical venetian blind that cuts down on the horizontal slits much like the polarizing sunglasses that transmits the vertical component and cuts down the horizontal portion. In other words the horizontal blinds cut down the vertical component and the vertical blinds cut down the horizontal component to where virtually no light would enter the room. The polarized sunglasses work like the vertical venetian blind. They allow the vertical component that has entered the water to enter the eye, but they cut out the horizontal component that has reflected off the waters surface that became the glare.
Having problems with your eyesight and looking for an ophthalmologist? Check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region to have the best doctor for eyes.
Vision Laser Eye Surgery
Published on July 20, 2022
It is very common for most people to vision correction. Some people have problems with near vision, while others stained far but tend to support the two issues need some type of aid to help correctly. Most are worn glasses the user to see, while others rely on contact. But there is a recent increase with vision laser eye surgery to help correct vision. Many people, tired of wearing glasses and contact lenses, vision laser eye surgery is to get rid of dependence on glasses.
There are many different views with different types of laser eye surgery clinics. Before a decision that you visit the vision eye surgery center and planned to ask all the questions you need to feel comfortable with your speech and your doctor. There is much information available in laser eye surgery, but want to ensure that options for vision correction clinic and the type of surgery you get. There are many different types of transactions. Onlay or corneal inlay is a type of activities that are currently in clinical development. This method is very similar to implantable lenses, but behind the eye are designed to be connected to the eyes. This process is in the cornea, but unlike the LASEK surgery none of the cornea is removed.
Lasik with a small incision on the surface of the eye and the laser energy is mainly used to renew the eyes. Lasek is another type of vision laser eye surgery, but this type of surgery instead of a small incision a part of the eye is lifted off before the laser attempts to reshape the eye and after the part of the eye is replaced. Sometimes, determining the type of procedure is learned, do not depend on the shape of the cornea, and if a reduction is secure or not. Some vision laser eye surgeons prefer one technique over the other and often mostly attempt a type of surgery. Lasik Eye seems to heal faster and most people have fewer symptoms or disorders, if adopted by the LASEK procedure. Another serious form of intervention is the cataract surgery. Almost everyone has a cataract by the time they are 75 years old, and cataracts can cause total loss of vision.
LASIK costs can vary greatly depending on many factors. The cost is always determined by the eyes. The average cost by type of procedure you have is $ 1,500 – more than $ 5,500 (depending on the type of surgery performed). Many insurers have started covering more vision laser eye surgery, but much of the cost is still being paid out of pocket.
Are you looking for the best local ophthalmologist, check us out now!
What You Need To Know About Being Farsighted And Nearsighted
Published on July 06, 2022
There are so many different kinds of diseases of eye but the problems that have been found in the patients of eye are farsighted and nearsighted. Most of the people came to the eye specialist with the above mentioned problem when they fee difficulty in watching something from near or far. There are so many other signs of the said problems i.e. farsighted and nearsighted. If a comparison between the two has been done then we will find that nearsighted problems have found much then that of farsighted in the patients of eye. In both of the cases it has been recommended to consult an eye specialist immediately without wasting any further time.
Natural way of Treatment of farsighted and nearsighted eye problems
Other than the medical treatment, there are some natural and herbal treatments available for the problems of farsighted and nearsighted. It has been said that the precaution is better than taking medicines; therefore you should take care of your eyes and should use the water of rose to clean your eyes. The water of rose has been considered as the herbal and natural precautionary measure as well as treatment for the problems of farsighted and nearsighted. Moreover, you should not expose your eyes directly to the sun. You can use the sun glasses for the said purpose. Thus you can manage to take care of your eyes and protect them from doctors and medicines.
Other Treatments of farsighted and nearsighted Issues
All of us know about the fact that the best way of the treatment is always a natural treatment for any kind of disease including the problems of eye i.e. farsighted and nearsighted problems. When you feel that your child complains you about headache when he watched television or when he feel difficulty in watching the whiteboard of his school. You should immediately understand the problem and consult the doctor of eyes so than he can find out the problem of farsighted and nearsighted so that it could be dealt seriously well in time. The eyesight glasses is also one of the treatment for the said problem if found on early stages.
Some other Relevant Information about farsighted and nearsighted
Ninety percent of the patients of eye become the victim of the problem of farsighted and nearsighted therefore, it is advised to use the glasses as early as possible. This measure will help you in maintaining your eyesight otherwise you will lose the same with the passage of time. There a minor number of people having both of the problems i.e. farsighted and nearsighted at the same time.
- Natural way of treatment are the best ways to handle the problem
- Eyesight glasses can help you in maintaining your eyesight
- You can lose your eyesight day by day if not taken care of
- Rose water is the best natural and herbal treatment to clean the eyes
- In all the cases doctor should be consulted
Click here if you need an ophthalmologist to check your eye.
Eye Care The Construction And Characteristics Of Contact Lenses
Published on June 15, 2022
People make the choice to wear contact lenses rather than eyeglasses for a variety of reasons. For some, vanity is the guiding influence, while others don't care for the weight of the glasses as they rest on the face. Still others prefer to use eye care products that can't be as easily broken. Loss, too, is a consideration, since most people don't remove their contact lenses and put them aside when they're away from the home environment, whereas glasses have often been removed and inadvertently left on a table or some other handy surface.
There are a few basic types of contact lenses which are available to the public, the first of which is the hard contact lens. These are made from a strong polymer plastic and are easy to keep clean since they don't absorb foreign material from either the eye or the environment. As a result of the firmness of the product, however, they can take time to adjust to and shouldn't be left in the eyes overnight. This will cause the cornea to become oxygen deprived ű and the cornea needs oxygen flow to remain healthy. Vision is usually crisper with this type of contact lens, as opposed to the softer variety of lenses.
Another common type is the soft contact lens. These are made from a softer plastic ű called hydrogel ű which makes them more comfortable to wear, but are less durable than those of the hard lens line. The water content in soft contact lenses is higher than that of the hard lens - from 25% to 79% - allowing a better flow of oxygen to the cornea. Due to the fact that the material is highly porous, infections and eye irritation are more common. This happens when dust, protein and bacteria cause contamination of the lenses, which are pressed against the surface of the cornea.
Gas permeable contact lenses are more rigid than the soft lenses, but are made of the type of plastic that allows oxygen to reach the cornea and are easier to take care of, insert and remove than the softer version. This type of contact lens correct most vision problems and are now approved for extended wear.
Due to the nature of contact lenses and the fact that they cover a portion of the eye, there are specific care instructions that should be heeded, regardless of the type of material from which they're constructed. In addition to washing and drying your hands before handling contact lenses, you should also be sure to insert and remove them correctly; only apply make-up (carefully) after contacts have been inserted; use the specific solutions that your doctor has recommended; avoid rubbing your eyes while contact lenses are being worn; don't place your contact lenses on a warm surface, since they may melt; avoid wearing contacts when under a hair dryer or around harsh chemical fumes; don't use saliva to moisten contacts for insertion; and avoid inserting contact lenses without disinfecting them. These and many other guidelines will keep your eyes healthy and prolong the life of your contacts.
If you are looking for more eye care tips, check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!
Eye Problems, Blepharitis,what is blepharitis
Published on May 02, 2022
Eye Problems with Blepharitis is surprisingly common,read here about Blepharits and how this is a problem for so many people
What is Blepharitis?
These eye problems are where the eyelids can become inflamed, the problem in most cases is a chronic eye disease called Blepharitis. Similar in nature to the skin condition called eczema, in case of Blepharitis, the eyelids become red, scaly and irritated.
There are two basic types of Blepharitis: Seborrheic Blepharitis and Staph Blepharitis. The most notable symptom of either type is inflammation on and around the eyelids that can be accompanied by irritation and painful itching. In some cases, tiny ulcers develop along the eyelid margins which are the areas that touch one another once the eyelid closes.
Symptoms of Seborrheic Blepharitis
Individuals suffering from Seborrheic Blepharitis generally also suffer from skin conditions that affect other parts of the body including the scalp, chest and back.
With Seborrheic Blepharitis, there is a problem with the tear film that the body produces to help protect and lubricate the eyes. It can be either a problem with the quality or the quantity but regardless, the resulting tear film causes greasy scales to form at the base of the eyelashes.
These scales flake off easily and cause irritation. When insufficient quantities of tear film are produced, usually because the glands are blocked, the eye does not get lubricated properly. The dry spots cause the eyes to feel gritty.
Symptoms of Staph Blepharitis
Staph Blepharitis is actually a childhood eye disease that is caused by a bacterial infection. This condition generally does not go away. Its symptoms include the development and accumulation of crusty material at the base of the eyelashes. The crust often affects a person's ability to open their eyes after sleep.
Sometimes, after the crusty matter is removed, tiny ulcers remain that begin to bleed or otherwise ooze. Sties can develop, as can red eye, and the eyelashes can become weak and break. If the infection is not treated properly, over time, the cornea can become scarred.
Who is at risk of these eye problems?
Both adults and children can develop Blepharitis however it is more prevalent in adults. There is an increased risk in children diagnosed with Down's syndrome.
Early detection/treatment
As with other diseases of the eye, Blepharitis is typically diagnosed during a routine eye exam. Since one cause of this condition is poor hygiene, the most effective treatment for Blepharitis involves keeping the eyelid margin area super clean.
To prevent irritation from excessive cleaning, it is often recommended that this area be cleaned with a shampoo that is formulated for babies. A washcloth can also be used to help remove the scaly deposits.
A hot pack or warm compress applied to the affected areas is effective at reducing pain and swelling. When ulcers are present, a hot pack can also help speed the healing process.
When the condition is caused by dry eyes, lubricants are effective treatments. If necessary, antibiotic ointments and creams can be applied to affected areas. Some people are prescribed steroids to help reduce the inflammation however their use should only be a short-term treatment option.
If you are looking for more information about eye problems, check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!
Beach Eye Care For Fun In The Sun
Published on April 20, 2022
Spending a day at the beach is a great way to get away from it all and enjoy the great outdoors.
Staying safe at the beach includes a variety of different precautions including using a high SPF sunscreen or sun block to avoid burning your skin. Caring for your eyes and protecting them from sun, sand, debris and glare off the water is an important part of overall eye care.
Contact wearers also need to be careful when swimming with their contact to avoid an increased risk of eye irritation, eye infections or the loss of one or both contacts.
Eye care in Fresh Water and salted water :
Fresh water beaches tend to pose fewer problems for most people than salt water beaches. This is because fresh water is less likely to cause eye irritations for both contact wearers and those that do not wear contacts.
Contacts do pose a slightly higher risk of causing infection since water borne bacteria and microorganism can become trapped between the contact and the eye and will not wash out until the lenses are removed for cleaning.
For individuals that use long wear contacts this can be a serious concern and it is highly recommended that contacts are removed and washed or rinsed after each swim.
Another consideration for both fresh and saltwater swimming is to purchase a pair of high quality swimming goggles. These can be very streamlined and slim, similar to the styles worn by competitive swimmers. For contact wearers and non-contact wearers this prevents any direct contact of the water with the surface of the eye.
If you do need glasses or contacts you may want to consider investing in a pair of prescription swimming goggles. These are surprisingly low cost and can really save on contacts since you will only need to wear the goggles in the water. Rigid contacts are more likely to be lost when swimming than soft but there is a risk for any type of contact to pop out of the eye in the water.
Underwater eye care
Keeping eyes closed when underwater is essential if you don't wear goggles. This is particularly important in salt water as the salt and debris in the water can really cause eye irritation after you get out. Any feelings of grittiness or dryness in the eyes can usually be relieved by flushing well with a saline eye solution, also known as artificial tears.
If the irritation and discomfort is not corrected seek medical attention to eliminate the concern of any type of infection or allergic reaction.
Beach eye care :
Sitting at the beach can also pose a risk to the eyes, particularly if you are looking out over the water on a sunny day. The UV rays from sunlight combined with the glare of the water can actually lead to a sunburn on the eye itself. This is typically noted with dryness, tearing, itching or a burning sensation that doesn't occur immediately but usually within a few hours after long exposure.
Sunburn of the eyes is serious as it damages the tissues in the eye and may contribute to macular degeneration and the development of cataracts. Wearing good quality 100% UVA and UVB rated sunglasses will prevent this problem.
For more eye care tips, visit Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!
Dry eyes treatment
Published on April 11, 2022
If your eyes make insufficient tears the tear film is spread too thinly over the eye's surface. If your tears are chemically imbalanced they evaporate too quickly before the next blink comes along. Either way dry spots appear causing sore eyes.
How are normal tears produced?
Tears are made from a mixture of secretions from glands at different locations around the eye. Tears have 3 layers: lipid (oily), aqueous (watery) and mucous.
The mucous layer connects with the eye's surface and serves as a bio-glue for whole tear film. It is formed by the secretions of 10 million tiny conjunctival goblet cells living within the white of the eye and inner lid surfaces.
Overlying this mucous is a aqueous layer, produced by one large lacrimal gland which is located just below the eyebrow. During wakening hours, the lacrimal gland pumps aqueous tears at a background level adjusting for environmental conditions. When there is an irritant, extra "crying" tears are made almost instantly. This is why as odd as it sounds many dry eye sufferers experience watery eyes- the lacrimal gland overcompensates for irritation caused by an abnormal tear film. During sleep the lacrimal gland is inactive which is why eyes feel sore and dry upon wakening.
The lipid layer sits on top of the watery layer - sealing the tear film by preventing evaporation. This oil is derived from lipids exuded from twenty three meibomian gland openings along the edge of the eyelids. Blocked meibomian glands cause deficiency in tear lipids and dry eye by excessive evaporation. This is called meibomitis or posterior blepharitis and is a chronic recurring condition.
Can Dry Eye Damage My Eyes ?
Yes. If untreated, damage to the outer protective tissue of the cornea opens a route of infection with the risk of permanent scarring and sight loss.
What Causes Dry Eyes ?
Dry eye cases have nearly doubled over the last seven years and the list of lifestyle factors that can dry out your eyes is almost endless...
Central heating, air conditioning, dehumidifiers, hairdryers, car windscreen demisting, altitude; air travel, dry climates, wind, air pollution, saunas, spicy foods, alcohol, contact lenses; and activities that decrease blink rate, such as driving, watching TV, computers and reading, all increase tear evaporation as well.
Who gets Dry Eyes ?
Although dry eyes can be a side effect of disease, the most common cause is normal ageing. In fact the volume of lubricating background tears is less than half at age 65 than at age 18. Not surprisingly then, dry eyes affects one in five people over 55, but some more than others. People with wider eyes; those with larger than average tear duct openings and people taken dehydrating medicines are worse off...
Antidepressants, decongestants, antihistamines, blood pressure medication, diuretics, ulcer medication, tranquillisers, beta blockers, oral contraceptives can all dry out your eyes.
Amazingly, many lubricating eye drops commonly prescribed for dry eyes contain the preservative Benzylkonium Chloride which can disrupt goblet cell production of tear mucous. These can actually make a dry eye worse with time.
Other Causes of Dry Eye
Several diseases result in secondary Dry Eye Syndrome:
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Thyroid Abnormalities, Asthma, Sjogren's Syndrome, and Lupus.
For younger women:
Hormonal changes brought on by pregnancy, lactation, oral contraceptives, menstruation, and post-menopause can cause dry eye conditions.
Laser Eye Surgery:
Dry eyes are a confirmed side effect in 30% of cases.
Consult an ophthalmologist for the best dry eyes treatment.
Laser Eye Surgery Means Less Stress and More Money
Published on April 04, 2022
The majority of people who get laser eye surgery are very glad that they did. Being able to see without glasses or contact lenses is a freedom that some people just do not understand. Those who have good vision can never understand how difficult and annoying it can be to have to always have a pair of glasses handy to read or to make a late night trip to the store for contact lens solution. When laser eye surgery is completed, these annoyances are going to be obliterated.
Those who are considering laser eye surgery but who are afraid for any reason should note that there is really nothing to be afraid of. This is a procedure that has some very positive aspects to it. These aspects include:
- In the majority of cases, this surgery is going to work.
- The eyes are numbed during the procedure so there is no pain for most.
- Being able to see can happen nearly instantly, but it never takes longer than forty eight hours.
- The procedure can be done again if they eyesight begins to decline as one gets older.
These are just a few of the reasons why there should be no fear about getting laser surgery and reducing the stress levels in one’s life. Some of the ways that life can be less stressful is:
- Losing Glasses
- Running out of Contacts
- Pinched Nose
- Breaking Glasses
Some ways that money can be saved by having laser eye surgery are:
- No purchasing frames and lenses that can be quite expensive
- Purchasing contact lenses
- Accessories and cleaners for contact lenses can also be pricey
- No need to buy magnifying glasses to read
There are many more ways that having laser eye surgery is going to reduce stress and save money than can be mentioned. Every person who has this surgery can probably come up with their own lists due to their own circumstances and experiences. Eyesight and the means by which people alter their vision is a very personal thing. Some do not like contacts and others do not like glasses. This is why it is considered personal. The bottom line is that the benefits far outweigh risks when it comes to having laser eye surgery. Since there are practically no risks, this means that this surgery is all about the benefits.
Now that you have the facts, you can decide if this is right for you.
Click here to know more tips about laser eye surgery.
Is Laser Eye Surgery Worth the Risk?
Published on March 29, 2022
People wanting laser eye surgery express enough concern to wonder if the risks involved are worth the cost. Laser eye surgery is deemed an expensive item to pay for if you are on a budget or fixed income. So too, few insurance companies are willing to pay out on a procedure that, to their mind, is cosmetic surgery. It does make you wonder why these companies take this tack, though, because long term you will be saving them ongoing costs associated with the provision of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Anyway, their reluctance to recognize this procedure as a standard item means patients have to either save up to bear the cost or they have to negotiate a deal with the operating surgeon.
There are three main risk areas associated with laser eye surgery:
- Dry Eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Blindness
You can feel assured that the risks are quite rare. The possibility of blindness after having laser eye surgery is so low that many patients don’t even consider it a risk. The other risks are considered more of an inconvenience than anything else, with each known not to affect one’s quality of life. It can be annoying having to use eye drops to keep the eye moist, but the eye vision will be unaffected by the drops. It’s the same with light sensitivity where sunglasses will need to be worn in bright sun or bright lights. As most people wear sunglasses under these conditions, the situation is considered as no big inconvenience.
The positive aspect to laser eye surgery:
- Gaining perfect eyesight
- Elimination of wearing glasses or contacts
- Elimination of cleaning solution purchases
The main positive side of laser eye surgery it that perfect vision is acquired. Many patients are amazed with results and the wonders they discover with good eyesight. Sometimes after not being able to see properly without eyeglasses or contact lenses, the new results can be quite staggering. This, then, becomes the main reason that after weighing up the risks involved the decision is often made that everything is well worth it to be able to see properly again.
After growing to hate wearing eyeglasses, many people would rather save up and chance the few risks involved to be able to eliminate eyesight aids permanently. They feel that as long as they follow their doctor’s instructions after the completion of surgery, they should not experience any lasting damage most of the time.
If you are looking for more information about laser eye surgery, check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!
How To Make Sure You Stick To Your Vision Improvement Plan
Published on March 17, 2022
If you’ve been following this blog, I’m sure you already notice that there are a lot things you need to do to improve your eyesight. But all these are just theories until you’ve applied them - and theories don’t change the fact that you’re myopic - or long sighted.
To reverse myopia, you need a plan in which you’ll stick to. I personally know the importance of planning and the discipline to stick to them. I work at home and I’m my own boss. More often than not, I have the freedom to do anything I want at any time of the day… but if I did that, I wouldn’t be here today.
If you’re having trouble sticking to your vision improvement plan, copy what I did:
- Have someone you’re responsible to. Tell you friends about your plan and what you hope to achieve. The shame that you’ll face if you don’t do it alone should motivate you to stick to the plan. If you’re not one to be ashamed easily, tell your friend you’ll do her a difficult favor if you don’t stick to the plan.
- Use both a cane and carrot approach. If you DO stick to a plan, reward yourself. I like to treat myself to a spa visit if I sticked to my business plan for a whole week.
- Place your plan somewhere visible so that you’ll show it to as many people as possible and so that it’ll always be there to remind you. I place my plan right on top of my working monitor and everytime my friends enter my working room, I’ll have to explain what it’s about.
- Burn all bridges. Some of the great battles are won when generals burn the bridges in which his soldiers can retreat. The same principle applies to sticking to the plan. If you always have your glasses handy, you’ll revert to them whenever thing get a little problematic. Get yourself a weaker pair of glasses and literally throw your old one away!
- Surround yourself with supportive people. When I first tried to improve my vision (and start a business, for that matter), some of the people I told this to literally laughed at me. I didn’t exactly cut them off my life and significantly reduce the amount of time I hang out with them. Their doubt WILL make you stop sticking to your plan.
If you are looking for more vision improvement tips, check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!
What is Retinoblastoma?
Published on March 10, 2022
What is it?
Retinoblastoma (ret-no-blast-oma) is the most common eye cancer in children. It is a life-threatening cancer of the retina. Retinoblastoma is generally discovered in babies between the ages of newborn and 36 months, although it can be found at later ages. Retinoblastoma occurs in approximately 1 in 15,000 births, and it is estimated to affect 250-300 children each year in the United States. Worldwide about 5,000 children develop retinoblastoma each year.
Who gets it?
Retinoblastoma occurs equally in boys and girls and it is seen in all races. Retinoblastoma affects only one eye in about 70% of patients and it affects both eyes in 30% of patients. In some instances, there is a family history of retinoblastoma in a parent or relative, but in the majority of cases, there is no other member of the family affected with the tumor.
What causes it?
The cause of retinoblastoma is unknown. It has not been related to nutrition, smoking, drinking, or any maternal problem during pregnancy. It is not related to environmental toxins. It can develop in an otherwise healthy child despite a normal birth and early development.
What does it look like?
Retinoblastoma develops from a single affected cell in the retina and it is invisible at its inception. Later, a small white nodule is noted in the retina, but this is not visible to the parents and it does not affect the child at this point. With time, the tumor grows into a larger white vascular tumor that causes the child to painlessly lose vision and this can manifest with a drifting eye or an eye with a white or glassy-appearing pupil. At this point, the tumor is visible to the parents or grandparents and the child is typically taken to the doctor.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Common symptoms of this condition may include the following:
- The pupil of the eye appears white instead of red when light shines into it (known as "cat's eye reflex" or "white eye"). This may be seen in flash photographs of the patient.
- The eyes appear to be looking in different directions (crossed eyes).
- Pain or redness in the eye.
Other retinoblastoma symptoms may include:
- An enlarged or dilated pupil
- Blurred vision or poor vision
- Different colored irises.
The symptoms listed above are not sure signs of retinoblastoma. Other, less-serious health problems can also cause these symptoms. Anyone with these possible symptoms of retinoblastoma should see a doctor as soon as possible so that the problem can be diagnosed and treated.
Treatment Options
Retinoblastoma may affect one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral.) In rare cases, it may develop in the pineal region of the brain (trilateral).
The most important goal of treatment is to save the child’s life. Secondly, it is to retain vision. Without proper treatment, retinoblastoma is aggressive and life threatening.
Treatment options include one or a combination of the following:
- Enucleation – the removal of one or both eyes.
- Chemotherapy, Radiation, Laser & Cryotherapy
- Stem Cell Transplant
Want to try a comprehensive eye exam that provides the highest standard of services with excellence and compassion that will consistently exceed your expectations? Visit Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region to know more about it.
HOW TO IMPROVE VISION THROUGH EYE EXERCISES YOU CAN DO ANYWHERE
Published on March 04, 2022
These eye exercises can be done almost anywhere or anytime. You engage in regular physical activity to exercise your body and to promote overall health, right?
Well, why not do the same for your eyes?
Eye Problems can include macular degeneration, amblyopia (Lazy Eye), astigmatism, blepharitis, cataracts, conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), color blindness, glaucoma, keratoconus, myopia (Nearsightedness), or simply eye fatigue. Patients and doctors alike agree that eye exercises are often effective in relieving eye strain and stress. These exercises may also help to improve conditions such as esotropia (the eye turns in) or exotroia (the eye turns out).
Just as with any exercise program that you start, you want to discuss with your eye doctor before doing any eye exercises. There are some rare conditions that could cause your eyes to be strained even further or quite possibly incur further permanent damage to your eyes. When doing the exercises explained here you will need a pencil. Also, if you are wearing contacts, you may want to remove them. You could possibly have problems with your contacts if you wear them during the exercises, they could fold, become dislodged or even suction to the eyeball. Whatever you do, do not apply pressure to your eyeballs and you may want to do the exercises in private (or at least tell those around you what you are doing - you will see why in a second.).
Write Down These Eye Exercises…
Sit in a chair in a comfortable position. Briskly rub your hands together until they are warm. With your palms slightly cupped, close your eyes and cover them gently with your warmed hands. Do not apply pressure to your eyeballs. Do not cover your nose. Relax and practice some deep breathing as you de-stress your body as well as your eyes. Repeat this process for several minutes.
Now, squeeze your eyes shut for several seconds (about 5), then open them wide for several seconds. Repeat this 7 or 8 times, then using the tips of your fingers, close your eyes and gently massage your eyes. Using a circular motion, remember a circular motion and remember not to press too hard. Do this for about one minute. The next step is to gently press three fingers against the upper eyelid of each eye and hold for 1-2 seconds then release. Repeat this process five times.
Now, roll your eyes in a clockwise direction, then in a counter-clockwise direction. Repeat this motion five times, making sure that you blink between each repetition. Now sit near a window, about six inches from the glass, and make a mark on the glass at eye level. Make sure that the mark is large enough and dark enough for you to see. A red or black sticker would work well in this instance. Direct your eyes toward the mark and focus on something beyond it for 10 to 15 seconds. Return your focus to the mark for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat this several times. (This will allow your eyes to focus on something in the distance, and then to focus on a close up object.) You can do different personalized variations of this. But you get the general idea.
Now here is where you will use your pencil. Hold your pencil at arm’s length in front of you. Slowly move the pencil toward your nose, keeping your eyes on the pencil until you can no longer focus on it. Repeat this ten times. This is an easy exercise you can do at any time.
Make time to do these exercises on a regular basis. If you spend a lot of time in front of the computer, make sure that you look away for 5 to 10 seconds at a distant object every 30 minutes, in order to reduce eye strain and damage.
Eating healthy and taking the right dietary supplements can also help your eyes. For example, vitamins A and C, vitamin E have shown that they may reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Click here if you are looking for more eye vision care tips.
Acute Glaucoma
Published on February 26, 2022
Unlike POAG (Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma), where the IOP increases slowly, in acute angle-closure, it increases suddenly. This sudden rise in pressure can occur within a matter of hours and become very painful. If the pressure rises high enough, the pain may become so intense that it can cause nausea and vomiting.
The eye becomes red, the cornea swells and clouds, and the patient may see haloes around lights and experience blurred vision.
An acute attack is an emergency condition. If treatment is delayed, eyesight can be permanently destroyed. Scarring of the trabecular meshwork may occur and result in chronic glaucoma, which is much more difficult to control. Cataracts may also develop. Damage to the optic nerve may occur quickly and cause permanently impaired vision.
Many of these sudden attacks occur in darkened rooms, such as movie theaters. If you recall, darkened environments cause the pupil to dilate, or increase in size. When this happens, there is maximum contact between the eye´s lens and the iris. This further narrows the angle and may trigger an attack. But the pupil also dilates when one is excited or anxious. Consequently, many acute glaucoma attacks occur during periods of stress. A variety of drugs can also cause dilation of the pupil and lead to an attack of glaucoma. These include anti-depressants, cold medications, antihistamines, and some medications to treat nausea.
Acute glaucoma attacks are not always full blown. Sometimes a patient may have a series of minor attacks. A slight blurring of vision and haloes (rainbow-colored rings around lights) may be experienced, but without pain or redness. These attacks may end when the patient enters a well lit room or goes to sleep -- two situations which naturally cause the pupil to constrict, thereby allowing the iris to pull away from the drain.
An acute attack may be stopped with a combination of drops which constrict the pupil, and drugs that help reduce the eye´s fluid production. As soon as the IOP has dropped to a safe level, your ophthalmologist will perform a laser iridotomy. A laser iridotomy is an outpatient procedure in which a laser beam is used to make a small opening in the iris. This allows the fluid to flow more freely. Drops will be used to anesthetize your eye and there is no pain involved. The entire procedure should take less than thirty minutes. Laser surgery may be performed prophylactically on the other eye, as well. Since it is common for both eyes to suffer from narrowed angles, operating on the unaffected eye is done as a preventive measure.
Routine examinations using a technique called gonioscopy can predict one´s chances of having an acute attack. A special lens which contains a mirror is placed lightly on the front of the eye and the width of the angle examined visually. Patients with narrow angles can be warned of early symptoms, so that they can seek immediate treatment. In some cases, laser treatment is recommended as a preventive measure.
Not all angle-closure glaucoma sufferers will experience an acute attack. Instead, some may develop what is called chronic angle-closure glaucoma. In this case, the iris gradually closes over the drain, causing no overt symptoms. When this occurs, scars slowly form between the iris and the drain and the IOP will not rise until there is a significant amount of scar tissue formed -- enough to cover the drainage area. If the patient is treated with medication, such as pilocarpine, an acute attack may be prevented, but the chronic form of the disease may still develop.
Are you looking for an ophthalmologist to check your eye if you have glaucoma. Check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!
Choosing colored contacts
Published on February 15, 2022
How to choose colored contacts that are uniquely you
With the advent of contact lenses in the second half of the twentieth century, there are been wondrous advancements in the quality, feel, and look of lenses. First came soft contact lenses with their comfort, their low cost, and their reliability. Then came disposable lenses and toric lenses, which help more and more people enjoy the benefits of corrective eye lenses. Perhaps the latest, and wildest, advancement in contact lenses are colored contacts. Colored contacts allow people to enhance or completely change the color of their eyes, whether they want to give themselves a permanent look change or if they just want to match their outfit for the evening.
You have four types of colored contacts to choose from, including visibility tints, enhancement tints, opaque-color tints, and light-filtering tints. Many, if not all, of these varieties come in styles that can be used by people who normally do not need corrective eye wear. These style lenses are called plano form lenses. On the other hand, colored lenses are also available for people who need correction for astigmatism and for bifocals, as well as people who like or require disposable kinds or other contacts that can be frequently replaced.
Visibility tint colored contacts are more for ease of use than for style. These lenses come with a light blue or green tint that is added to the lenses so you can see them when you are inserting and removing them. Plus, when you drop them ? and everybody drops their lenses once in a while! ? you will be able to find them much easier. The light blue or green tint, though, isn?t visible when the lenses are in your eyes.
Enhancement tint colored contacts, on the other hand, have a translucent but darker tint. The color is not meant to change the shade of your eyes, but to enhance your existing color ? hence, their name. Doctors usually recommend these contacts for people who feel they have eyes with too light of a color and who feel they want their eyes to be more attractive and, what else, eye catching.
The last two types of colored contacts can drastically alter your eye color or even your vision. Opaque color lenses can completely change your eye shade from brown to blue, blue to purple. They can be used as a fashion statement or just for a change of mood. Light-filtering contacts are used for performance. They can amazingly enhance certain colors in your field of view so that a tennis ball or a golf ball, for instance, stands out and is easier to strike. These performance lenses are truly the next step in corrective eye wear.
If you are looking for more eye wear tips, visit Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region.
Care for your eyes
Published on February 08, 2022
EYES are the windows for a person. Located below forehead and on either side of nose, and gives a mesmerizing effect and no one can escape the eyes of a person. Eyes have the capacity to look at an object. The lens inside the eyes allows light rays from objects pass through and falls on the retina. Retina is supported by a bunch of nerves; which carry this signal and delivers to the brain. The brain reads the images rightly and makes us to “SEE” things, objects, persons, scenario… Caring for the eyes is a great job that we have to do and no explanation is required about what will happen if we cannot see objects
CARE is a few things that, for the sake of the eyes, that we DO and DO NOT Do.
Don’ts:
Avoid looking at glaring lights – even for some time, vision gets impaired. Repeated looking at glaring lights spoil seeing slowly.
Avoid gazing direct sun light. UV rays via eye lens focus on retina and “Burns” it. One fine morning total visibility will be gone. Reading under direct sun light must be stopped.
Avoid reading in under illuminated lighting. Fluorescent lamps are better and sufficient + comfortable wattage for your eyes must be chosen. Normally we require 25 to 35Watts.
Avoid exposing eyes direct to heat, strong vapors and irritants. If it happens, rinse your eyes with water and keep them closed till irritations go off and you are able to see normally.
Avoid sitting direct in front of TV. Watch TV from recommended distance and recommended angle. Read manufacturer’s instructions and abide by it. Watching TV for long hours must be avoided..
Avoid working with Personal / Office Computers continuously for long hours (Break off)
Have a good sleep (Minimum 6 hrs). Stop seeing TV or working with Personal Computer at least an hour before going to sleep (Means eyes need tuning – in to induce sleep)
If eyes feel tired and tend closure please follow nature’s signal. Compelling eyes to see beyond signals is torture and in long run, impair vision compelling you to go to eye doctor
Do not skip giving “rest” to your eyes. Give rest at frequent intervals. (Try Practicing)
Do not skip eye examination. Must go to an ophthalmologist if you can not see clearly or get frequent head ache while reading or seeing board in class rooms or watching TV.
DOs
On waking up, open your eyes little by little. Do not switch on glaring lights immediately (Except in Emergency Situations). If windows are there, try to gaze at a greenery.
Use cold water to rinse your eyes. Remove dirts and deposits settling on sides.
Ensure every room, particularly reading room, your desk or work bench and kitchen have adequate and comfortable lighting to see clearly.
If discomfort is felt, consult right person/s or ophthalmologist. Adopt as per expert’s opinion.
Eyes need training to work / see surroundings. Give a little exercise to your eyes as per ophthalmologist’s advice. Give top priority for your eyes.
If you are having vision problems, consult an ophthalmologist to check your eye.
Circle Contact Lens
Published on February 08, 2022
Circle contact lens was to begin with manufactured in South Korea. Designed to give a more pleasant appearance to the eyes, the circle contact lens are in general used by the females and sometimes by males.
The circle contact lens is turning progressively popular as the famous people are utilizing them. But what precisely is it and what does it do? The eyes are made larger in size and naturally pretty. There can be several types of users for color contact lenses, like for people who need bifocal correction, people who want to use oftentimes disposable lenses or people who have astigmatism. You must be careful while choosing colors. What is a circle contact lens? The amazing effect of this circle contact lens is that the eyes look bigger and more beautiful.
Colored contact lens comes in three varieties- Visibility tints, enhancement tints and opaque color tints. The visibility tint is a hue of light blue or green that can enable the user to see distinctly during the insertion and taking off process. The enhancement tint is translucent to the naked eye and actually changes the eye color. The Opaque color lenses make the eyeballs look darker than your regular color. Thus giving you a new look. The Opaque, color tints are quite deep and can actually make your eyes look darker. They have solid pattern colors. There are a whole lot of varieties of colors for lenses and people with dark eyes can choose these for a better impact. Colored contact lenses come in green, blue violet, hazel and a host of other colors.
The manufacturers of these color contact lenses take attention to retain the natural look of the colored portion of the eye. This region being made up of vibrant shapes and lines. Companies that manufacture colored contact lenses have actually mimicked the natural look of the portion of the eye which is colored. Some manufacturers have also gone ahead and provided tiny colored dots on the lenses to give it a very natural look. What needs to be mentioned here is that the center of the lens, the area over your pupil remains clear so that visibility is not affected. There is another variety of Opaque Color Tints and that’s the Theatrical Contact Lens. They have been well known to have been used in movies for a long time but when used on your eyes they can customize the look and make you look like an alien or jaguar etc.
Contact lenses are not interchangeable. Circle and color contact lenses are medical devices and should be used on the advice of an ophthalmologist and are not for sale in the market. Chose your contact lens with caution and just not go by the way your looks will be enhance, Color contact lenses are used for specific purposes as well. Take for example the Light Filtering Lens which is used widely for sportspersons as enhances certain colors by actually muting other colors. As a result of this the ball is easier to target and is mostly used by golfers, trap shooters, skiers and a whole lot of other sports enthusiasts Manufacturers do make different sizes of lenses and you should have a good trial before you invest in one. The circle contact lens is one which makes the iris look bigger in size. Circle contact lenses were available earlier only in select parts of the worlds but now they are readily available. They have gained popularity among people who want to enhance their appearance by changing the color of their eyes. It definitely enhances the personality and breaks monotony of looks.
Looking for an easier and more convenient way to eye care needs? Visit Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region for more details.
WHAT LASIK VISION CORRECTION SURGERY IS
Published on January 12, 2022
Millions of grouping hit been healthy to remove their eyeglasses or occurrence lenses after undergoing a Lasik laser exteroception rebuke surgery. But modify though some grouping are alive that Lasik laser exteroception rebuke is a preoperative machine that employs a laser to meliorate receptor sight, they are ofttimes unknown with the details.
So, what just happens during the exteroception rebuke surgery finished by a laser? Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) crapper liberated nonindulgent lense wearers from their dependency on contacts and glasses. Vision problems that earmark nearsightedness, farsightedness, and status crapper be rectified with this procedure.
LASIK utilizes a algid shine laser to form the corneal Atlantic as needed in apiece enduring in visit to precise exteroception problems caused by flawed corneas. Flaws in the appearance of the cornea are answerable for these kinds of crooked errors. The Lasik laser machine corrects the imperfections finished reshaping the eye, allowing for country vision.
This is finished by making a diminutive revilement at the face of the receptor to earmark the laser to accomplish the Atlantic to be ironed out. The doc cuts the surface using either a laser or a microkeratorne, which is a knife-like instrument. A diminutive assets of paper from the face of the receptor is revilement into a hinged-flap.
After the surface has been cut, the Lasik laser crapper admittance the cornea and begin repairing its shape, dynamical it into a aright formed cornea with connatural function. Once the cornea has been reshaped, the surface is returned to its connatural function and the surgery is pretty such completed.
Although adjustments prefabricated to the cornea’s appearance are permanent, another Lasik exteroception rebuke measures crapper commonly be prefabricated if necessary. While patients considering Lasik exteroception rebuke surgery should pore on the benefits of the procedure, they also requirement to wager that there is ever the existence of risks and lateral effects.
This machine is fast, ordinarily discompose free, and has some lateral personalty or doable risks. Each receptor takes inferior than a some transactions when the Lasik laser is utilised on it for exteroception rebuke surgery. Most ofttimes patients kvetch that their exteroception is hazy but this difficulty commonly disappears within a some days.
Prior to the procedure, every candidates for Lasik laser exteroception rebuke are guided finished the impact and acquire noesis of the options, risks, and long-term benefits. Still needing to dress nonindulgent lenses is the most ordinary venture after the surgery has been completed.
A Lasik laser exteroception rebuke politician should enquire with his/her receptor tending professed who module be healthy to support the mortal in making an conversant selection with affectionateness to the procedure. Patients module be more at assist with their selection if, in constituent to lettered that the machine module support them wager better, they wager what Lasik is and how it works.
To know more information about lasik surgery, visit Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region now!
What is a Pinhole Glasses ; How It Helps in Improving Eye Vision!
Published on January 04, 2022
Every second person we meet has an eye problem. From slight blurriness to near blindness, there are various problems faced by people with different ages and lifestyles.
They opt for prescription glasses for temporary eyesight correction (that sounds to be a permanent solution). But the catch is once eyes are in habit of using these normal prescribed glasses, they no longer use the focusing muscles to the fullest that further results in poor vision by weakening of ciliary muscles and need of stronger glasses.
This is a vicious circle and most of us believe there’s hardly anything, which can help, as we are believer of many medical myths promoted as “truisms.” We spend a lot of money every year on getting those new pair of glasses, however it does nothing to fix the actual problem – improve ciliary muscles.
For strong & efficient functioning of ciliary muscles, we simply need to alter our visual focus among near and far objects so that these muscles are exercised to stay strong. This means healthy vision can be restored naturally by means of simple exercises.
The question is how to go about it? By using a simple tool called as Pinhole glasses or Stenopeic Glasses, regularly for a few minutes can effectively promote healthy vision.
It is simplest way to challenge our eye muscles. When we look through pinhole glasses it incites ciliary body of eyes to involve in adaptive exercise that enhances the range of motion of ciliary muscles, controlling our lenses.
All this is possible because they are designed with series of tiny holes that allow very narrow beam of light to enter the eye reducing radius of the circle of confusion on retina and increasing depth of field.
These holes reduce the width of bundle of diverging or bending rays coming from each point on the object. This effectively provide eyes a more “organized” pattern to focus on.
People suffering from eye problems like hyperopia, computer vision syndrome, myopia, presbyopia, and more, can instantly get results when wearing these glasses. It’s is not a miracle, but an absolute physics.
As figure suggests that opaque lens of glasses doesn’t allow eye to deal with the rays that would require maximum bending. Here the simple principle that increases depth of focus by reducing the aperture is used. This phenomena was first describe in 1573 by Scheiner.
Looking through these tiny holes exercises the eye muscles, and strengthens them, which further controls shape of the lens. Means no more blurry vision, as lenses become capable enough of focusing light in the right place on retina.
Pinhole glasses are potentially safest and one of most economical ways to restore healthy eye vision and helps avoiding those expensive & inconvenient contact lenses or glasses (sometimes forever). Remember not to use these glasses while using heavy machinery or driving, as they partially obscure vision. They should merely be used as an exercise tool for improving eyes health in safe area like home or garden.
Good news is that you can take advantage of this physics phenomena at zero-cost. By simply making your ciliary muscles exercise by altering focus on close or far of objects.
This can be achieved by just focusing at an object placed on desk, then looking at something far away outside the window. Practice it several times for a few minutes every day to get miraculous results. Make sure to add lots of eye-friendly vitamins in the daily meal plan for bonus benefits.
Now getting a pair of glasses that can really help in improving eyesight no more sounds like a pie in the sky.
By the way, If you want to buy it with the best price just go to Amazon.com , their price range between $4 – $30 , you can read the customer reviews to help your decision as well.
To know more tips on how to improve your eye vision, visit Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region.
Hypermetropia And How To Correct it Naturally
Published on December 29, 2021
Hypermetropia or Farsightness is usually a situation in which you’ve got a small or short eyeball. With hypemetropia, since the eyeball is small, a picture coming into the eye falls behind the retina. So when it hits the retina, it will not appear clearly.
Given that the eyeball is small, you may see fuzzy from nearby or from far away focusing, and also you may perhaps not have a good focal point from either distances. The normal prescription for myopia is reduction (minus) lenses. just before getting cured by natural vision improvement exercises, is corrected with plus lenses (magnification). Plus lenses are also applied by children who had been born with cataracts, because they had their organic lenses surgically removed. Everybody are usually helped with all-natural vision improvement workouts.
Regards to vision problems in children due to lots of youngsters just before the age of six have this farsightness problem, where they see nicely from afar but not so properly from nearby. So it really is crucial to remember that whenever you teach your kid to study prior to the age of six, you could possibly cause eyestrain. Before this age, it truly is superior for children to have a look at photographs and shapes than it can be to look at letters. When you do teach your kids to study at an early age, use big print.
Traditional wisdom says that it truly is standard for folks to grow farsighted when they hit their midforties. Actually, people today do not even call it as an eye disease. Alternatively, they say it is a component of the aging method. This really is a remarkable misconception, and this is one particular point that I personally cannot accept. Are arthritis or type II and III diabetes element due to the aging process? Truthfully, when you create the right habits, you are able to live till the end of your lives without getting any of the diseases.
And there’s also a way to avoid farsightedness. Be very versatile with your neck and your head and practice the following exercising plan each day. Remember: don’t just set aside a single element from the day to operate in your eyes. Find time throughout your day to work on your eyes so these workouts can turn into a portion of the way of life, a constant memory through which that you are normally consciously operating in your vision.
Workout Routine for Hypermetropia: 90 Minutes a day
- Sunning: ten minutes each day (just trying to look at the sun and soak in the vitamins)
- Peripheral Exercises: Spend valuable time on periphery exercises, and do the exercises at least 20 minutes of intensive peripheral workouts each day.
- Eye Palming: 12 minutes everyday for healthy eyes and vision.
- View Far into the Distance: 20 minutes everyday helps you to make you eye muscles more flexible and also helps in their strengthening.
- Viewing Closed-Up: 20 minutes daily. (viewing very near by objects)
Prior to performing this last exercise, ensure you look far into the distance; then palm for at the least six minutes. For the reason that you have hypermetropia, taking a look at nearby objects is undesirable for you personally, and you have to grow to be accustomed to looking at objects from afar. So now you should train yourself to complete the exact opposite.
Obtain an object that is definitely pleasant to look at, like a flower or a painting. Stand a foot away from your chosen object. Now put your face about two or 3 inches away from the object and wave your hands towards the sides of one’s face even though taking a look at different facts. Then go back to standing a foot away and decide in the event you can see the object any better. If you discover that you could, it implies that you’ve temporarily relaxed the lens muscles and that your lens has temporarily turned out to be additional flexible and less rigid. In terms of presbyopia, in addition, it means that you may have elongated the eyeball temporarily.
Next, move your eyes in a rotating motion. Appear up, look to one side, look down, and look for the other side. Now put your thumb and your index finger around the bridge of one’s nose. Move them up and down although looking at your nails. Take a look at the two nails from two sides as you look up and down. As you examine the nails, you can discover that that you are straining very a little. So, you start off along with your two fingers above the bridge of the nose at an location exactly where the bridge of the nose meets your forehead. You then move them one centimeter beneath your nose, and also you maintain going up and down, up and down, attempting to watch the nails.
Right after two minutes of this, look back at the nearby object from one foot away, and see regardless of whether it seems clearer to you now. Now appear far into the distance for two minutes; then appear back in the object in front of you once more. Your eyes really should have relaxed drastically.
If you are having problems with your eyes and want to consult an ophthalmologist, check out Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region.
Symptoms Of Vision Problems
Published on December 21, 2021
Vision is often one of those things that people take for granted until they start to have problems seeing. Sometimes vision problems can come on slowly with minor symptoms and other vision problems can appear quite suddenly and leave devastating results. What are some of the symptoms to watch out for in the case of vision problems? Let’s take a look at some of the common and not so common symptoms of vision problems, if you or someone you know might be having any of these it is important to see an eye care professional right away.
Perhaps the most common symptom is blurring of the vision, it can happen in one or both eyes. This can occur in something like aging or things such as diseases of the eye and even other diseases such as food poisoning or strokes.Night vision disturbance is another common symptom, many people are lacking necessary vitamins and minerals in their diet and this can be a major cause of night vision impairment. Other eye problems that can have night vision impairment are cataracts and glaucoma.
If you are seeing tiny particles looking like they come across your field of vision or perhaps like you cannot see in some part of the field of vision in one of your eyes, this could be a symptom of retinal detachment. This means that medical help is needed to avoid worsening problems.
Eye infections can have symptoms manifesting such as redness and discharge with blurring and/or eye pain and swelling. Infections in other areas such as surrounding the eye in the sinus can cause eye pain and redness with swelling. Conjunctivitis or pink eye as it is commonly named is a very common and highly infectious eye disease that can cause those symptoms as well.
Seeing lights flash across your field of vision or halos around lights can be a symptom of glaucoma, migraines, and corneal problems. Some people with frequent migraines have had flashing lights happen not long before a migraine sets in and others have the flashing lights when they are already in pain from the migraine.
Tunnel vision is often a symptom of vision problems such as glaucoma and optic nerve issues, tumors and retinal conditions. It is important to have your eyes examined if you experience tunnel vision as it can be a symptom of very serious vision problems.
Watering eyes or tearing eyes can be a symptom of many different vision problems, sinus infections, conjunctivitis and other eye infections, migraines, allergies or other issues stemming from trauma to the eye area.
This is in no way an exhaustive list, but it does include some symptoms of vision problems, you should always seek professional medical advice for any vision symptom and have your eyes checked regularly. It can save your vision to pay attention to your eye health early and frequently. There are some tests that your optometrist can do at your regular eye exams that will give a clue to the vision problems that you may or may not be having symptoms from.
If you are having vision problems, consult an ophthalmologist to check your eye.
What is Glaucoma?
Published on December 14, 2021
Glaucoma is a condition in the eye in which the pressure inside the eye is raised leading to damage to the optic nerve and progressive blindness. There are two types of Glaucoma, a primary glaucoma with heriditary factors and a secondary glaucoma due to some disease or as a sequell to some disease of the eye. Glaucoma can also be precipitated by drugs, poisoning, and may be a result of injury to the eye, or as a result of a metabolic disease like diabetes.
Primary Glaucoma may be of two types, one with an Open Angle and the other with a Closed angle. Normally Aqueous Humor, the liquid in the anterior chamber of the eye (please refer to diagram below), is formed by the ciliary body of the eye, and flows from the ciliary body - between the lens and the iris - throught the pupil - into the anterior chamber of the eye. From here it is drained through the trabecular meshwork into the venous system of the eye.
In Primary open-angle glaucoma (please refer to the diagram below), the drainage of the aqueous humor is affected due to clogging of the trabecular meshwork for unknown reasons. The angle formed between the peripheral cornea and the iris is normal. Thus called "open-angle" glaucoma.
In Primary closed-angle glaucoma (please refer to the diagram below), the drainage of the aqueous humor is hampered due to a very narrow or nearly absent angle formed between the iris and the peripheral cornea and the iris and the lens at the level of the pupil. Thus called "closed-angle" glaucoma.
If one of the two mechanisms are precipitated due to a local disease of the eye, or a systemic disease affecting the eye, or drugs, or poisoning, or trauma to the eye, it is a secondary glaucoma.
The symptoms of glaucoma
Unfortunately Glaucoma is an insidious disease. There may be few symptoms in the early stages or none at all. So for people with a family history of glaucoma, it is always better to get an eye check up done at regular intervals for early detection of glaucoma starting at 25-30 years of age.
Narrow-angle glaucoma can appear as sudden pain in the eye with reduced vision, or foggy vision, watering from the affected eye, and headache. More than one such episode may occur in the early stages of narrow-angle glaucoma. This is a medical emergency - if unattended may cause blindness. In the more chronic cases the pressure may be permanently raised and nerve defects occur, ultimately leading to a painful hard and blind eye.
Whereas in open-angle glaucoma there may be mild headaches in the front of the head, but usually the condition is first noticed when the patient complains of bumping into objects on the ground or just above the head level. The optic nerve damage has already begun. In the end stages, the eye is hard, painful and blind.
The medical management of glaucoma
Two principles are involved in the medical management of glaucoma.
- Drain more aqueous to reduce the intra-ocular pressure, and
- Reduce the production of aqueous humor to reduce the intra-ocular pressure.
- The third indirect objective is to prevent damage to the optic nerve by using a group of drugs called neuro-protectors. This latest entry shows promising results. But the main aim of therapy in glaucoma is to control intra-ocular pressure with drugs so as to prevent damage to the optic nerve.
The surgical management of glaucoma -
- Treatment by LASER - Trabeculoplasty and iridotomy
- Surgery - Surgical Iridotomy and Trabeculectomy
To know more about glaucoma, visit Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region.
5 Major Eye Conditions And Disorders
Published on December 02, 2021
Our eyes are one of the most important, sensitive, delicate and most vulnerable parts of the body. The eyes are susceptible and can be easily damaged by external injuries such as by playing contact sports and also by various eye disorders and diseases.
So today will be explaining to you in short the various eye disorders that are out there and can seriously affect human eyes and result in partial or complete vision loss.
It is always better for you to know about these eye disorders or diseases beforehand as it may help in diagnosing eye disorders or diseases in the future.
Glaucoma
This is a disease of the eye where the fluid pressure inside the eye increases many folds. If the condition or disorder is left untreated this may lead to vision loss and sometimes complete blindness.
What exactly happens is that normal flow of fluid between the cornea and the lens of the eye gradually gets blocked and therefore this increases the fluid pressure and results in vision loss.
Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma is also known as the “silent thief of sight” as it is very hard to detect this disorder during its early stages and is mostly diagnosed during the later stages which decreases the chances of restoration of vision.
Cataracts
This occurs due to the presence of cloudy areas or spots present in the lens inside the eye. They often form very slowly causing almost no pain or any other eye complications like reddening or tearing of the eye. This can occur in both or any one of the eyes.
There usually two types of cataracts:
Cataracts related to aging – this occurs when the aging process gradually happens and usually happens very late in life of a person.
Congenital or childhood cataracts – very rarely occur to a new born baby or shortly after birth.
Cataract formation is slow and happens without any pain, redness or tearing in the eye. Some may not gradually become bigger and stay small without hindering a person’s daily life.
Presbyopia
This is the loss of ability to clearly and legibly see small objects or when performing activities like reading, sewing or working at the computer.
A person having uncorrected Presbyopia will tend to hold objects like magazines, newspapers etc at an arm’s length distance to be able to properly see it or properly focus on it.
This usually occurs when a person starts to grow old after the age of 40 and is usually recommended reading glasses to correct this eye disorder.
Corneal Diseases
These are a bunch of conditions or disorders that actually affect and complicate the working of the cornea. Though these conditions do not pose any threat such as vision loss or blindness but if left untreated for a very long period of time it can easily damage a person’s ability to see properly.
This is usually accompanied with redness and watery eyes. What happens is that the cornea helps in focusing the light that enters our eye. Various diseases, toxic agents or injury can damage the cornea causing redness, pain, watery eyes and majorly reduced vision.
Floaters
Now let me explain to you what these so-called floaters are!
Eye Floaters are small, in-motion and moving spots that are always there in your eyesight or vision field. They tend to float across the vision field, generally in a lighted environment.
They seem to be annoying but actually don’t hinder your sight or vision. People tend to live off their lives with them and subsequently they are known to just fade away in most cases. Floaters actually are caused due to complications in small flecks of protein known as collagen.
So these were some of the major eye disorders faced by people nowadays and it’s good to know about them beforehand.
Want to try a comprehensive eye exam that provides the highest standard of services with excellence and compassion that will consistently exceed your expectations? Visit Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region to know more about it.
How to Improve Eyesight Without Glasses!
Published on November 25, 2021
Facing problems in reading, writing and recognizing people around you? Means you are also a prey to vision problems. So, you must be using glasses or contact lenses to correct your eyesight. Don't you think, you are ignoring a fact that these vision correction aids are doling out more harm than good? that's why this article will lead you to how to improve eyesight without glasses.
These days, people are more dependent on glasses than eyes, forgetting that glasses make you slave to them. And every now and then you need to change frames and power of glasses that apparently proves heavy on budget. Moreover, wearing eye glasses may cause eyestrain, headache, or even dark circles around eyes.
The circular ciliary muscles also tend to become weaker and weaker. And if we talk about lenses then the imperilment of contact lens solutions and cleansers is always there. So, it's better not to rely on glasses and lenses as a permanent solution. If you really want your vision to be perfect till autumn of life, then make sure to go for some natural eye exercises and eat eye-friendly foods.
Is Lasik is an option, if glasses and lenses are harmful?
In recent years, Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery has become a popular vision correction method. No doubt, LASIK surgeries grant one with instant results of healthy eyesight but, we can't forget a fact that lasik operations are a short-term vision correction, and may cause more problems in long run.
Then what’s the solution to Improve Vision?
The best kept natural vision improvement secret is, The Bates Method - developed by American ophthalmologist Dr. William Bates. This is one and only natural vision improvement method that don't need any medicines, glasses or surgeries. According to him, relaxation is better than wearing contact lenses or glasses for reversing the habitual eye strain that causes most eyesight problems.
William Bates has given simple vision improvement techniques/exercises that can be performed almost anywhere, whether you are at home or work. Though, some people are doubtful about how eyesight can be improved through natural means, but you can try some simple tips and exercises (fun to do) that might help. Below have a look:
Palming: It's a way to completely relax, and alleviate your mind and eyes. In eyes palming, simply cover your eyes with the palms of your hands, in a way that there is no contact between palms and eye balls. Main purpose of palming is to extract light from the eyes. The blacker the field you see, the more relaxed you will feel. But rather than watching black surface, try to imagine a concrete, familiar object, because if you try to see black, it may cause more strain on eyes.
Sunning: It is another important technique to enjoy healthy vision. Go out in open garden or backyard and enjoy Sunny Day with closed eyes. Let the sun rays shine onto your eyelids for relaxing them. You can try this with desk lamp also (easiest option). Bring the lamp closer if you are feeling comfortable with it. After some time start moving your head slowly in left and right direction. This movement should be slow and steady, (takes approx. 3 seconds). Eyes should be closed throughout the technique.
Swing: It is also an effective way of throwing away your glasses and lenses. Through this technique, eyes and mind build a healthy connection by consciously perceiving the movements of the body.
As we keep eyes fixed on an object while moving head or entire body from side to side, our mind and eyes creates a connection by observing these movements.
If your eyes feel uncomfortable while performing this exercise, then just stop, and allow your eyes to rest by palming for a minute or two. And if it's enjoyable, you can continue it for 10 minutes or more.
Swing technique is bifurcated into four different types – The Long Swing, The Head Swing, The Prayer Swing, The Optical Swing, and The Drifting Swing. These ways are slightly different from each other to perform, providing a unique experience and learning opportunity to improve eye vision naturally.
Color Days It is an exercise that can improve your eyesight inordinately. You just have to choose a color of your choice in the morning and try to spend as much time as you can with that particular color. Make sure to select a new one for every day. But if you forgot about color, then also no need to anguish about that! Go for a color walk and spend time finding that particular color.
Hence, Bates Method can help you know how to improve vision without surgery! Follow these simple exercises daily to achieve commendable results.
Having a discomfort or irritation in your eyes? Check out our ophthalmologist here at Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region.
Start of Eye Care Tips for Adults
Published on November 25, 2021
Are you having eye problems? How are your allergies? Is your sightedness fair not what it old to be? Maybe you should be vision an eye stretch. Eye doctors are there especially for adults to wee reliable you are in the individual viable forge at all nowadays, or to comprehend a problem before it begins.
Eye mending is really main to prepare up on as the eld go by. Adults are such solon nonimmune to problems that can quickly structure into large issues for them. This is why routine mend check-ups are a redeeming thought. At a check-up, a adulterate give examine your exteroception and analyse the results to see whether or not you poverty glasses. They testament also inactivity for remaining problems specified as condition, infections, viruses and different diseases. The testing commonly goes for near 30 beggary prescription drug or glasses you can be formal manus on the begrime. You faculty be fitted for frames and explained how the writ totality and then your lenses and frames give be conveyed away for. You can either elite them up at your debase’s staff or it can be delivered unpermed to your asylum.
Feature you ever felt such like you love problems specified as air behind your eye, itchy red or hurting eyes, glazed eyes or anything other of the operation? Depending on the extent you springy in, air goes through cycles of existence riddled of allergen, or retributory existence resourceless propertied. This makes people conclude equivalent they are having some sort of disease or incident when it could rightful be the air quality/ It is e’er safer to go see the stretch if you are having problems equal that then to try and analyze yourself to be invulnerable but some fill do hold these aforesaid inoffensive problems.
The adulterate can free you eye drops that leave repose the feeling, symptom and the itchiness but also they module helpfulness you to consider outdo by ensuring you that you are exploit to be OK kinda than molestation. You can also labial problems in their tracks before they get worse. Things suchlike glaucoma can screen you when untreated. Things same this are essential to be checkered upon as an individual to eliminate sure you don’t hold it. It is a common disease that is hereditary. If you get any stock members with glaucoma you should respectable structure. Formerly it goes too far you could be stuck.
Click here if you are looking for more tips about taking care of eyes.
Pancreatic Cancer
Published on November 24, 2021
Cancer of the pancreas is abnormal cell growth in the tissue of the pancreas. The pancreas is about 6 inches long, and is located next to the small intestine, behind the stomach. This organ serves two main functions in the body. It produces juices and enzymes to help with digesting and absorbing food. It also produces several hormones, such as insulin, that regulate the way your body stores and processes food.
About 95% of all pancreatic cancers begin in the part of the pancreas that produces digestive fluids (the exocrine pancreas). The remaining 5% begin in the part that produces hormones (the endocrine pancreas). These different types of tumors are vastly different. It is extremely important that doctors confirm the type of cancer in the pancreas because of differences in treatment. Since the overwhelming majority of pancreatic cancers are tumors in the exocrine pancreas (adenocarcinomas), this article will focus on this type of cancer.
Unless pancreatic cancer is detected in its very early stages, it is hard to control. Pancreatic cancer tends to occur in older people, and the incidence of the disease is rising as people live longer. Health professionals estimate that 32,180 people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2005 and 31,800 will die of the disease. Pancreatic cancer is expected to be the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and the fifth leading causes of cancer death in women in 2005.
It's not clear what causes pancreatic cancer. However, cigarette smoking significantly raises the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. There is evidence that the risk of pancreatic cancer increases the more a person smokes and the longer he or she smokes. Smokers who quit have a lower risk of developing pancreatic cancer than those who continue smoking.
In most patients with pancreatic cancer, no cause can be found.
Symptoms
Someone with pancreatic cancer in the early stages of the disease may not have any symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can resemble many other ailments of the stomach, intestines, liver and gallbladder. As the tumor grows, there may be vague abdominal discomfort. Other symptoms are nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, or pain in the upper or middle sections of the abdomen.
Yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin, called jaundice, is another key symptom. Most pancreatic tumors affect the head (upper portion) of the pancreas. When they grow larger, they can block the outflow of bile from the liver and the bile ducts into the intestine. This causes an orange-yellow pigment called bilirubin to build up in the body. In addition to jaundice, symptoms may include itching, brown urine and very light-colored bowel movements.
Diagnosis
There is no effective method of screening for cancers in the pancreas. Because the pancreas is hidden from view among many other organs, detecting cancer there is difficult.
If you have symptoms of pancreatic cancer, your doctor will ask you about your medical history, examine you and order diagnostic tests to look for other possible causes. These diagnostic tests include:
- Routine laboratory tests — Basic blood work can evaluate how your liver is functioning, and can help to narrow the possible causes of your symptoms.
- Ultrasound — In this test, images created by an echo of ultrasound waves are viewed on a video screen. Although ultrasound is not the best way to diagnose a tumor of the pancreas, it may help to discover other possible causes of your symptoms, such as gallbladder disease or cysts in the pancreas.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan — This generally is considered to be a more accurate imaging test for detecting pancreatic cancer. A CT scan uses X-rays to create an image of the inside of the abdomen.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan — Another more accurate test, an MRI scan, uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images. A special type of MRI, a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, may be done to look more closely for blockages of the pancreatic bile ducts.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography — In this test, the doctor inserts a tube into your mouth, down into the stomach and then into the first part of the small intestine where the bile duct empties. A small instrument may be inserted through the tube so that a dye can be injected and X-rays can be taken to look for any blockages of the bile duct or the ducts in the pancreas. If a blockage or mass is detected, the doctor can take tissue samples to test for cancer. You can book an appointment for an endoscopic procedure at IES Medical Group.
- CT-guided biopsy — A CT scan is used to guide the biopsy needle to the right spot for obtaining samples of suspicious tissue. Rarely, surgery may be needed to make the diagnosis.
Expected Duration
The best hope for a cure exists when cancer is detected early, before it has spread. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms occur and diagnosis is made, cancer usually has spread outside the pancreas. How much symptoms can be controlled depends on how much the cancer has spread, your age and general health, and how well your body responds to treatment.
Even when a cure isn't possible, treatment can improve the length of survival and the quality of life by controlling symptoms and complications of the cancer.
Prevention
There is no way to prevent pancreatic cancer. There also is no method of screening for pancreatic cancer so that it can be caught and treated early. Because cigarette smoking is the most significant risk factor associated with pancreatic cancer, it's crucial to quit smoking or avoid starting. Eating a diet including fruits, vegetables and fiber is also recommended to avoid cancers in general.
Treatment
After your physician diagnoses pancreatic cancer, he or she will conduct more tests to determine how advanced the cancer has become, a process known as staging. The treatment depends on the cancer's stage.
Surgery may be done to remove part or all of the pancreas, and any surrounding tissue that has become cancerous. Your doctor also may use chemotherapy (treatment with tumor-killing drugs) and radiation therapy to kill tumor cells and control symptoms of the disease. In some cases, your doctor may offer you new treatments that are promising but are not yet approved as standard procedure. These treatments are called clinical trials.
Even if the chance for cure is small, treatment can help to prevent or control the development of symptoms.
Pancreatic cancer is classified and treated according to the following stages:
Resectable cancer: The cancer has not spread outside the pancreas. It is rare for patients to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at this early stage. Treatment of cancers in this stage typically involves surgery, but may include any of the following:
- Surgery to remove the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine and some surrounding tissue (Whipple procedure)
- Removal of the entire pancreas and the organs around it (total pancreatectomy)
- Removal of the body and tail of the pancreas (distal pancreatectomy)
- Surgery followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy
- Clinical trials — Radiation therapy and possibly chemotherapy given before, during or after surgery
Locally advanced cancer: The cancer has spread to neighboring organs, such as the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), surrounding blood vessels and the intestine. Because of this spread, it generally is not possible to remove the pancreas surgically. Treatment of patients with this stage of pancreatic cancer may include:
- External radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy
- Surgery or other procedures to reduce symptoms
- Clinical trials — Radiation therapy and chemotherapy given before surgery; radiation therapy plus drugs to make cancer cells more responsive to radiation (radiosensitizers); chemotherapy and radiation therapy given during surgery with or without internal radiation therapy
- Stenting — If the cancer has blocked the bile duct near the liver, a specialist may place a stent (wire mesh tube) to open up the duct. This will relieve the symptoms of bile duct obstruction, including jaundice. The procedure does not require an incision; it is done using an endoscope.
Metastatic cancer: The cancer has spread to distant areas, such as the liver, pelvic organs, abdominal cavity and lungs. Treatment for patients with cancers in this stage may include any of the following:
- Chemotherapy
- Treatments for pain and other symptoms
- Surgery or other treatments to reduce symptoms
- Clinical trials — chemotherapy or biological therapy (sometimes called immunotherapy), which uses the body's immune system, either directly or indirectly, to fight cancer and the side effects caused by cancer treatments
- Stenting — If the cancer has blocked the bile duct near the liver, a specialist may place a wire mesh tube called a stent to open up the duct. This will relieve the symptoms of bile duct obstruction, including jaundice. The procedure does not require an incision. It is done using an endoscope, a tube that is inserted into your mouth, down into the stomach and then into the first part of the small intestine where the bile duct empties.
Recurrent cancer: The cancer has reappeared (recurred) after it has been treated, either in the pancreas or another part of the body. In addition to any of the treatments listed above for metastatic pancreatic cancer, treatment may include external radiation therapy to reduce symptoms.
When To Call A Professional
See your doctor as soon as you notice any of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer. You doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist (a digestive specialist) or an oncologist (a cancer specialist).
Prognosis
Pancreatic cancer is a serious illness, and its death rate is high. Your chances of recovery depend on your age, general health and the effectiveness of your treatment.
Approximately 19% of patients with pancreatic cancer survive at least 1 year after diagnosis, but only 1% to 2% of people with pancreatic cancer survive 5 years after diagnosis.
Esophageal Cancer
What Is It?
Esophageal cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the esophagus, the tube that carries food and drink from your throat to your stomach. There are two types of esophageal cancer:
- Squamous cell carcinoma starts in the cells that line the esophagus. This type of esophageal cancer can occur anywhere in the esophagus.
- Adenocarcinoma starts in the lower portion of the esophagus near the opening to the stomach. It starts when cells in the lining transform into glandular type cells, a condition called Barrett's esophagus.
Esophageal cancer is common in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, but less common in the United States. However, the number of cases of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is increasing faster than almost all other cancers in the United States. No one is certain what causes esophageal cancer, but risk factors include the following:
- Age — Most people who develop esophageal cancer are over 50.
- Sex — Both types of esophageal cancer occur about three times more often in men than women.
- Race — Squamous cell esophageal cancer is three times more common among African-Americans than whites. However, Caucasians have a higher incidence of adenocarcinomas of the lower esophagus than African-Americans.
- Tobacco use — Tobacco consumed in any form increases the risk of esophageal cancer. The longer you smoke and the more you smoke each day, the greater the risk. This is primarily true for squamous cell esophageal cancer.
- Alcohol consumption — Chronic or excessive consumption of alcohol, especially when combined with tobacco use, increases the risk. Again, this is primarily true for squamous cell esophageal cancer.
- Barrett's esophagus — Irritation caused by chronic acid reflux is believed to cause the cells at the bottom of the esophagus to transform into glandular cells similar to cells in the stomach lining. These glandular cells are more likely to become cancerous. This is the strongest known risk factor for cancer of the lower esophagus, adenocarcinoma.
- Chemical irritation — Damage to the esophagus from swallowing lye, most often during childhood, or from prior radiation increases the risk of esophageal cancer. Chemical irritation also can occur in a condition called achalasia, where part of the esophagus is dilated (expanded) and collects partially digested foods.
- Diet — A diet low in fruits and vegetables and certain minerals and vitamins has been associated with a higher risk of esophageal cancer. Nitrates in foods and fungal toxins from pickled vegetables also have been associated with esophageal cancer.
- Medical conditions — Two conditions are associated with a higher risk of esophageal cancers: Plummer-Vinson, also called Paterson-Kelly syndrome, and tylosis.
Symptoms
Early esophageal cancer may not cause any symptoms. As the cancer progresses, it usually causes one or more of the following symptoms:
- Difficult or painful swallowing or difficulty swallowing only solid foods (called dysphagia or odynophagia)
- Pain in the chest or between the shoulder blades
- Frequent heartburn or acid reflux
- Severe weight loss
- Hoarseness or chronic cough
- Vomiting
- Coughing up blood
Other conditions can cause these symptoms. If you experience any of these, you should see your doctor. If you have chest pain or vomit blood, seek medical attention immediately.
Diagnosis
In addition to examining you and reviewing your medical history, your doctor probably will order chest X-rays and other diagnostic tests. These may include the following:
- Routine laboratory studies — Basic blood tests can help determine if you have been losing blood and whether your organs (kidneys, liver, etc.) are functioning normally. These tests can help your doctor determine what further studies are needed and the severity of the condition.
- Barium swallow — Also known as an esophagram, this test is an X-ray of the esophagus. You drink a liquid containing barium, which coats the interior of your esophagus and makes it easier to see blockages or changes in the shape of the esophageal tube on X-rays.
- Esophagoscopy — The doctor inserts a thin, lighted tube called an endoscope into your esophagus. At the end of the endoscope is a small video camera. With this tool, the doctor can look for problems in your esophagus, and collect tissue samples for examination. Often, you will be given a sedative or pain medicine to minimize your discomfort.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan — X-ray pictures taken from different angles provide a three-dimensional picture of your internal organs. This test looks for any masses or blockages and is especially useful for determining the extent of cancer and its spread, which can help guide decisions about treatment.
- Endoscopic ultrasound — This new test uses a tiny ultrasound machine at the end of a tube that is inserted into the esophagus to create pictures with sound waves. This test may be better than CT scans at determining how far cancer has grown into the esophagus and surrounding tissue and lymph nodes. This information is especially important in deciding about surgery and planning the surgery. If you would like to explore this option further, visit IES Medical Group to learn more about the endoscopic procedures available to you.
People with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus are at higher risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, lungs, and stomach. For this reason, you probably also will have tests with endoscopes inside the throat and lungs as well as chest X-rays and chest CT scans.
Expected Duration
If it is not detected, esophageal cancer will continue to grow and can spread to almost any part of the body. The chance of survival increases greatly if the disease is detected early.
How long treatment lasts depends on such factors as your age and general health, how advanced the cancer is, and how well your body responds to treatment. Treatments can take several months to complete. If surgery is done, the recovery period typically lasts at least three to four weeks and can be longer.
Prevention
While some risk factors for esophageal cancer can't be avoided, you can take steps to decrease your risk:
- Don't use tobacco in any form. If you smoke or use smokeless tobacco, get the help you need to stop.
- Never consume anything that may damage your digestive tract.
- If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. Most experts recommend that women have no more than one drink a day and that men have no more than two drinks a day.
- If you suffer from heartburn, discuss with your doctor how to avoid heartburn and ways to treat it, if necessary.
If you suffer from chronic reflux or heartburn symptoms, an esophagoscopy may be done to look for Barrett's esophagus. If you have Barrett's esophagus, some doctors recommend periodic exams or biopsies to look for abnormalities before they develop into cancer.
Treatment
Treatment for esophageal cancer depends on the size and location of your tumor, your symptoms, and your general health. Many different treatments and combinations of treatments may be used. Your team of specialists may include a surgeon, a gastroenterologist (a specialist in diagnosing and treating disorders of the digestive system), a medical oncologist (a specialist in treating cancer), and a radiation oncologist (a specialist in using radiation to treat cancer). Other testing may also be required before treatments begin to determine how well your heart and kidneys are functioning.
Here are the key treatments for esophageal cancer:
- Surgery — Removing the tumor and affected tissue offers the best chance to cure esophageal cancer. Usually, the surgeon removes all or a portion of the esophagus and the neighboring lymph nodes to prevent the cancer from spreading. Sometimes, the upper part of the stomach also is removed. The surgeon then uses the remaining portion of the stomach or a part of the intestine to reconnect the digestive tract, so that you can swallow.
- Chemotherapy — Anticancer drugs may be administered, usually intravenously (into a vein), to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be combined with radiation therapy.
- Radiation therapy — This treatment uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. The radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation) or from radioactive elements placed in or near the tumor (internal radiation). Radiation therapy may be done instead of surgery, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, especially if the size or location of the tumor makes surgery difficult. Radiation therapy may be combined with chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before performing surgery. If the tumor can't be removed by surgery or destroyed by radiation therapy, radiation may help to ease pain and make swallowing easier.
In making a decision about what treatment to recommend, your cancer team will weigh the benefits of surgery against the risks of this serious operation, which has many potential complications. For many people, radiation therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy may offer the same chance of survival as surgery. In addition, there are other options to improve symptoms, including:
- A stent (small wire mesh) placed into the esophagus
- A laser to reduce the size of a tumor, which can prevent blockage and improve swallowing
- A simpler surgery, in which feeding tubes are inserted into the stomach or intestine for nutrition and to avoid swallowing problems.
When To Call A Professional
See your doctor if you experience any characteristic symptoms of esophageal cancer, such as difficulty swallowing, weight loss, or vomiting. If you have chest pain or vomit blood, seek medical attention immediately.
Prognosis
Once cancer has been diagnosed, your doctor will conduct tests to determine what stage your cancer has reached. The stages are labeled 0 to IV. The higher the stage number, the further the cancer has spread. For example, in stage 0, the cancer is confined to the superficial lining of the esophagus. In stage I, the cancer has not invaded the outer muscle layer of the esophagus.
Surgery to remove the tumor offers the best chance for cure. If the disease is caught early, the five-year survival rate is much higher — 75% for patients diagnosed in stage 0 and 50% for those diagnosed in stage I. Most esophageal cancer is diagnosed at the more advanced stages when the five-year survival is only about 15% to 20%. With or without surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can help to improve the quality of life and prolong survival, even in advanced stages.
More on Reflux
Bile reflux
Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver. Some of the elements that make up bile are cholesterol, bile salts, bile pigments and water. The bile is found in the gallbladder and released in the gut when you eat, where the bile helps digestion of fats. Bile reflux is the result of bile that runs up from the small intestine, stomach and esophagus BR sometimes be confused with acid reflux, because a person can experience some of the same symptoms, and bile (such as GERD) is irritating to the finish ‘ esophagus, which may increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
One thing that makes it different from bile reflux is acid reflux cannot be treated with lifestyle changes, little power, it should be treated with prescription medications or, in severe cases, surgery. IES Medical Group offers a variety of highly advanced treatments for an ever-growing list of conditions. Another thing that makes this condition of BR is irritating to the stomach, causing gnawing or burning sensation in the upper abdomen. Due to the fact that acid reflux and BR are somewhat alike, can sometimes be quite a task at times to distinguish the basic symptoms. Thus among the symptoms of bile reflux, there is vomiting bile, hoarseness, unintentional weight loss and nausea.
The causes of this condition are a gastric ulcer and gallbladder removal. Prevent peptic pyloric valve. When this happens, the valve does not open enough to empty the stomach faster as it should. The causes of this condition are a gastric ulcer and gallbladder removal. Prevent peptic pyloric valve. During that time, the valve does not open enough to empty the stomach faster as it should. As food and drink will result in an increase in gastric pressure, that causes the bile acid reflux up the esophagus and stomach. If you had gallbladder out so there’s a good chance that the body produces more bile to those who have their gallbladder removed. BR diagnosis is more difficult to manage than acid reflux, and requires further testing. The doctor will also check for damage of the esophagus and premalignant changes.
Bile reflux disease was apparently forgotten and unknown to many who unknowingly qualify it with acid reflux. The symptoms are very similar to heartburn, but there are some key differences. Process it is necessary because it is also possible to contact another disease. Many of these questions are difficult to heal, making it necessary to eliminate this disorder at source and treatment of bile reflux as soon as possible.
Some popular options include bile acid inhibitors, proton pump. Its basic function is simply to reduce acid production. Many people find it useful since it reduces and attacks most of the symptoms of bile reflux, and provides temporary relief and welfare. They can be very expensive, and often, if you stop using the medication before your condition has improved, the above symptoms may return. However, there are other more simple and natural remedies for stomach ailments. If you take the medication does not or there are precancerous changes of the esophagus, then the next option is to try surgery.
