Check your EYEsight

Gusto mo bang malaman kung kailangan mo ng magpa-appointment sa eye doctor? Subukan mo itong sagutan para malaman. It's a series of 14 questions lang naman. Click lang ang hyperlink sa baba.

20/20 pa ba? 

Dapat bang gumamit ng anti-rad glasses?

Lately, may mga katanungan akong natatanggap kung okay bang gumamit o bumili ng trend ngayon online na anti-rad (anti-radiation) na salamin? Mahaba talaga ang screen time mo sa mga panahong ito trabaho man o pag-aaral ang dahilan kaya natural lang na pag-isipan kung paano pangalagaan ang ating mga mata. 

Napa-Google tuloy ako kung ano nga ba ang available na rekomendasyon ng ating mga doktor sa mata at napa-click ako dito sa write up mula sa website ng American Academy of Ophthalmology. Pinamakaganda po nating gawin ay sundin kung ano ang ipinapayo ng mga ophthalmologist/ optometrist kasi sila naman ang ating espesyalista sa mata.

Are computer glasses worth it?

Written By: Celia Vimont

Reviewed By: Rahul Khurana, MD

Apr. 27, 2017

Eyeglasses that claim to filter out blue light from computers, smartphones and tablets are becoming increasingly popular. Ads for these glasses claim overexposure to blue light can cause a number of problems. The problems supposedly linked to blue light range from dry eyes to digital eye strain, sleep cycle disruption and even macular degeneration, which causes people to lose some or all of their central vision. However there is no evidence that the kind or amount of light coming from computer screens is damaging to the eyes.

"People are very worried that we're looking at our screens more than we ever did," Academy spokesman Rahul Khurana, MD, told Business Insider. "Everyone is very concerned that it may be harmful to the eye, and it's a valid concern, but there's no evidence it may be causing any irreversible damage."

The Academy does not recommend any special eye wear for computer use.

Should You Be Worried About Blue Light and Computer Radiation?

There is evidence that some kinds of light exposure can cause eye damage under certain conditions. For instance, too much exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun does raise the risks of eye diseases, including cataracts, growths on the eye and cancer.

The amount of radiation coming from a computer has never been demonstrated to cause any eye disease. A study reprinted by the National Library of Medicine found no measurable UVA or UVB radiation from computer monitors. UV radiation is the most harmful part of sunlight for eyes and skin. The Radiation Protection Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology summarizes current research about computer monitors’ radiation by saying that "there are no data to suggest a health risk from exposure to the electromagnetic fields associated with the use of monitors."

Long hours staring at digital screens can cause eye strain, and decreased blinking associated with computer use can cause dry eyes. But these effects are caused by how people use their screens, not by anything coming from the screens.

You can protect your eyes from strain if you work with computers all day:

• Sit about 25 inches (arm's length) from the computer screen. Position the screen so you are gazing slightly downward.
• Reduce screen glare by using a matte screen filter if needed.
• Take regular breaks using the “20-20-20” rule: every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
• When your eyes feel dry, use artificial tears to refresh them.
• Adjust your room lighting and try increasing the contrast on your screen to reduce eye strain.
• If you wear contact lenses, give your eyes a break by wearing your glasses.

Many eye symptoms caused by computer use are only temporary and will lessen after you stop using the computer.

The Academy recommends that everyone get a baseline eye exam by the age of 40. Getting regular comprehensive eye exams from an ophthalmologist is critical to diagnosing any potential eye disease in its early stages.

The Academy also recommends that people over age 65 get an exam every one to two years, even if they have no symptoms of eye problems. 

So, base po sa nabasa natin sa taas, hindi nirirekomenda ng ating mga espesyalista ang anti-rad glasses. Limitahan lang po natin ang exposure at paggamit ng mga gadgets at sundin ang Rule 20-20-20. Ang naglipanang mga anti-rad ngayon sa online shopping ay bahagi pa rin ng negosyo para kumita. Pero ngayong alam mo na, pakisabihan po ang iba. -ror-

BEFORE, DURING and AFTER CATARACT SURGERY CARE

General guidelines lamang po ito kung sakaling magpaopera o nagpa-opera ka sa katarata. Kung may ibang instruction pa ang doktor mo na hindi kasama dito, sundin po yun.

BEFORE the Surgery

CAN I EAT OR DRINK BEFORE SURGERY?                                  

We encourage you to take clear liquids, NO MILK up until 2 hours before surgery.  We want you to be well hydrated when you arrive for your surgery.  YOU CAN EAT AND TAKE MILK up until 6 hours before surgery.  NO FOOD OR MILK AFTER THAT.

CAN I WEAR EYE MAKEUP BEFORE SURGERY?                                   

Eye make-up can contain particles and bacteria (particularly eyeliner and mascara) so we stop them 3 days prior to surgery and week after.

IF I AM USING EYE MEDICATIONS IN MY EYE TO BE OPERATED ON, DO I STOP TAKING THEM?   

Continue all eye medications through the day before your surgery.  Do not use eye medications in the eye to be operated on the day of surgery.  Eye drops for the fellow eye should be continued as usual.

HOW LONG WILL I BE AT THE SURGERY CENTER THE DAY OF MY SURGERY?                                     

Even though your operation itself usually takes less than 20 minutes, you should plan to spend 2 hours at the Surgery Center.  Preparation and post-operative observation and instruction take time.

ON THE DAY OF SURGERY, WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?                     

Wear a loose shirt or a shirt that buttons in front. Do not wear any jewelries.

Immediately after cataract surgery

At the end of the surgical procedure, your doctor may place some antibiotic drops in your eye to prevent infection and administer some anti-inflammatory drops to minimize swelling.

Your doctor may cover your eye with a bandage or shield and ask you to rest for a short time.  The bandage, if used, will be removed on the next day at the doctor’s clinic.

• You may feel a little groggy from the anesthesia.  This is normal and will wear off fairly quickly.
• You may receive prescription medications such as antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eye drops, which you will need to use for the next few weeks.
• You will receive detailed instructions on how to use these medications and care for your eye so it’s important that you have a companion to hear these instructions as well, to help you at home and assist you on your way home.
• Your follow-up appointment(s) will be scheduled.

Then you will be released.  You may find wearing sunglasses or a hat when you leave hospital helpful because your eye could be sensitive to sunlight.

AFTER the Surgery

WHAT CAN I DO WHEN I GO HOME AFTERWARD?                                     Take it easy, rest and don’t plan on doing any important paperwork or making any decisions. You’ll probably feel like taking a nap at some point.

SHOULD THE DROPS STING? 

Ideally, no, but they often do!  The initial discomfort will diminish rapidly after the first day.  The drops will sting momentarily after you have put them in the eye.  After the first day, if it gets worse again please call/text your doctor or the emergency number given to you.

IS IT NORMAL FOR MY EYES TO FEEL SCRATCHY AFTER SURGERY?     

Expect this the first day, diminishing thereafter.  

HOW SOON WILL I SEE AFTER SURGERY?                                                   Vision on the day of surgery is quite variable from one eye to the next, even for the same patient.  It is usually blurry in all patients on and off during the first day. You usually experience your best vision after cataract surgery 2-4 weeks post-operatively.

WILL I NEED GLASSES AFTER SURGERY?                                                  Have your second eye operated first before you go for glasses if needed.  If both eyes need cataract surgery, don’t judge your success until both have healed and your brain has learned to work with both lenses.

WHEN CAN I RETURN TO WORK?                                                               This varies among patients and what type of work they do.  Many patients return to work the following day, although we often recommend the patient to take a day off.  Best to ask the doctor.

HOW SOON CAN I GO TO THE MOUNTAINS OR RIDE IN AN AIRPLANE?     High altitude and air travel pose no problems after cataract or glaucoma surgery.

The day after surgery:

1. Please have someone accompany you, to your check-up.
2. Please bring your eye drops and your card.
3. Instructions will be given to you regarding your medications.

Do's and don'ts after cataract surgery

Do not:

• Try to touch or rub or put pressure on your eye or get anything in your eye, even water, which can increase the chance of infection. 
• No swimming or hot tubs.
• Drive for 24 hours after surgery.
• Do any strenuous activity, especially bending and lifting anything 15 to 20 pounds or more.
• Wear any eye make-up for one week after surgery. Also, avoid any creams, lotions around the operated eye. Lipstick, eyebrow pencil, etc. are OK. Powders and foundations often make their way into the eye, as does eyeliner and mascara and should not be used until the second week. After that makeup is OK.

Do:

• Wash your hands carefully 
• Use your eye drops on the schedule provided by your doctor to avoid post-operative complications. Your carer may be able to help with this. 
• Avoid strenuous activity like running, jumping, etc. and heavy lifting. 
• Wear your protective eye covering while you sleep and avoid sleeping on the side that has been operated on. 
• Use sunglasses or goggles to protect eyes from sunlight and other bright light as eye recovers. 
• Keep eye closed while showering or bathing. Also, avoid swimming for 2 weeks. Keep soap and shampoo out of your eyes. 
• Avoid bending, exercising and similar activities that might stress eye while it is healing.

During the second week

Wearing eye make-up is okay.  There may be some redness, itching, mild discomfort or bruising around the eye.  These sensations will decrease and your vision will improve progressively.

Side effects of cataract surgery are usually temporary. They can include:

• an itchy or sticky eye and blurry vision for a few days after the operation
• your eye may feel gritty for a few days
• your eye may look red for a few days
• a slight ache, which should pass after a few days
• bruising of the eyelid or eye, which will usually heal within a week

Recovering at home 

Take it easy for the 2 or 3 days after the operation.  Continue to use the eye drops that you have been given as instructed.  If you experience more than mild pain or loss of vision, or if your eye starts to go red, contact your doctor for advice.

You should be able to read and watch television almost immediately if you have reading glasses, but your vision may be blurry as your healing eye gets used to its new lens.  

If you have any discharge, use a warm washcloth to wipe it away gently.

School Vision Testing: How important is it to school children?

See the World with Eyeglasses

Bakit ayaw magpa-opera ng katarata ang ibang pasyente?

Marami na kaming napuntahan at na screen para sa katarata.  Karamihan din sa kanila kahit sabihan mo na mabubulag na sila pag ayaw magpa-opera, ayaw pa rin talaga.  Bakit kaya hinihintay ng ibang tao na halos mabulag muna bago lumapit sa doktor?  Marami na kaming narinig na dahilan pero nung may nabasa akong artikulo sa Community Eye Health Journal naconfirm ko na halos kahit saang bahagi ng mundo pare-pareho ang rason ng mga tao.  Ilan sa mga dahilan ay ito:

1. Takot - may narinig na k'wento na si ganito ay naoperahan sa katarata at nabulag.  Inoperahan pero hindi rin makakita.  Nasira ang mata dahil sa operasyon.
2. Gastos (oras at pera) - marami sa aming mga nakilalang pasyente, ayaw maiwan ang mga alagang baboy, manok, atbp.  Kung minsan nga nasasagot ko pa na: "mas importante pala ang baboy kesa sa inyong paningin?"  Pero kung makita mo o nalaman mo na may mga taong ang pagkain na ihahain sa mesa ay nakadepende kung nagtrabaho ka ngayong araw o hindi, (isang kahig isang tuka) malamang maaawa ka na lang.  Isa pa sa malaking rason ay ang gastos sa pamasahe papunta sa doktor maliban sa bayad sa konsultasyon ng doktor dahil minsan mas mahal pa ang pamasahe sa konsultasyon lalo pa at  kailangan ng tagabantay o kaagapay ang pasyente.
3. Ugali at Paniniwala - may ugali ang ibang tao na kayaan na lang kasi matanda na o kaya paniniwala na bigay ito ng Diyos kaya tanggapin na lang.  O kaya minsan sasabihin ng kapamilya na wala namang silbi kaya hayaan na lang.
4. Hindi ko kailangan magpagamot, kaya ko ito - para sa ibang pasyente ayos lang sa kanila na hindi sila makakita kaya naman nila.  Nasanay na lang na malabo ang paningin at sayang lang ang pera na gagastusin.
5. Mahal magpaopera ng katarata - kung lumagpas na sa ikaapat ang rason ng pasyente, tiyak ito na yun.  May mga pasyente naman na gustong-gusto magpaopera hindi lang kaya ang mga gastusin.  Napakamahal naman kasi ang singil ng ibang ophthalmologist.  Mababa na ang Php20,000 sa isang mata.

Nagtataka ka pa ba kung bakit maraming nabubulag sa katarata o hinahayaan na lang ang sitwasyon na hindi makakita?  Ilan lamang ito sa mga rason.  Ano ang magandang gawin?  Suportahan sana ng lokal na gobyerno ang pangangailangang ganito.  May ibang LGUs na tumutulong magbigay ng pamasahe, pambili ng gamot, sasakyan papunta sa doktor, at minsan sagot nila ang counterpart ng pasyente lalo pa at walang PhilHealth.  Sana dumami pa sila.  Marami sa ating mga ophthalmologists ay willing tumulong at mag opera kahit libre pero marami din sa kanila sakim sa pera.  Kahit kita naman nila walang-wala talaga, pipilitin nilang mangutang para lang may ipambayad.  Hindi ko naman sinabing i-libre na lang pero sana may 'socialized payment' sila na papipilian sa kanilang pasyente depende sa kung ano ang kakayanan ng pamilya pagdating sa pinansiyal na estado.  Hindi p'wedeng 50k ang singil mo sa lahat ng pasyente.  Maging makatao ka.  Hindi pera ang sinumpaan mo sa iyong propesyon kundi ang tumulong, makatulong sa mga nangangailangan.

Foods for your Eyes

Food this good read for better eye health.  I hope you get something new and applicable to you. ;_)

Vision tends to decline a little with age, often because of changes that occur to aging eye structures. But a healthy lifestyle might help minimize the effects of those changes and also reduce your risk of serious conditions -- like cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Step one: Nosh on more vision-friendly foods. Here are a few examples:

  

1.  Kale

Cooked kale, spinach, collards, and turnip greens (along with broccoli and eggs) are crammed full of lutein and zeaxanthin -- two powerful antioxidants that may help protect against retinal damage and the onset of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. 

2.  Oranges

Vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies -- like oranges, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, and red bell peppers -- help support blood vessels in the eye and may reduce the risk of cataracts. 

  

3.  Peanuts

Peanuts are a good source of vitamin E, a nutrient known for protecting eyes from free-radical damage. Vitamin E may also hinder the progression of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Almonds, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts are other good sources of vitamin E. 

4.  Kidney Beans

Your eyes do love a cup of red kidney beans straight out of the can. Why? Because they are a good source of zinc, a mineral that is vital to eye health. It helps get vitamin A from the liver to the retina for eye-protective melanin production, and proper amounts of zinc help with night vision and cataract prevention, too. Oysters are another good source, along with beef, seafood, poultry, and pumpkin seeds. 

 

5.  Salmon (medyo may kamahalan sya pero kung afford nyo, go for it ;_) )

Salmon has two types of omega-3 fatty acids -- docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) -- both of which may be important in preventing or slowing down eye diseases. A lack of omega-3s may also contribute to dry eye syndrome. Other omega-3 sources include tuna, sardines, walnuts, and flaxseeds. (aha! good news. kung walang salmon pwede pala ang tuna at sardinas. hmmmm dapat pala bumibili ako ng maraming sardinas simula ngayon.)

6.  Whole Grains

Use high-fiber whole grains instead of refined carbs. Think quinoa, brown rice, whole oats, and whole-wheat breads and pasta rather than products made from refined grains or refined, enriched flour. 

7.  Apricots (hindi masyadong pamilyar dito sa Pilipinas pero baka nga mabibili sya sa ibang supermarkets. try nyo ;) )

Trouble seeing at night? Maybe some apricots are in order. Apricots are rich in beta carotene, a carotenoid that the body converts to vitamin A. And research shows beta carotene may help with night vision -- and possibly even play a part in preventing cataracts. Carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and winter squash are other great sources of beta carotene. 

Do the Combo

Do your eyes an even bigger favor: Don't focus on a single nutrient. Instead, eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, choose healthy fats and high-fiber carbs, and reduce your intake of red meat, sugars, and refined flours.

there you go folks. sa pagbili at pagkain isipin din natin ang kapakanan ng ating mga mata. Tandaan, mahirap ang maging bulag pero naniniwala akong mas mahirap ang magbulag-bulagan. ;_)