13 years ago
Don’t rub it away
Drs Anagha Heroor and S Natarajan demystify the weird shapes our eyes see and what they mean
Mitali Parekh
Out Standing Out Standing Out Standing Out Standing Out Standing
Getting glasses or conjunctivitis is not the only cause for concern as far as our eyes are concerned. If you’ve been facing any of the following symptoms, don’t rub your eyes hoping they’ll go away. Consult your opthamalogist right away.
I spy: Tiny dark shadows floating across the eyes
Doc says: Medically termed as floaters, this problem can be seen among the elderly or highly myopic patients. The eye’s center is filled with a jelly-like substance called vitreous. When young, this substance is very thick. The vitreous is usually completely attached to the retina (the seeing membrane at the back of the eye).
As we age, the vitreous becomes more liquefied, pulls away from the back of the eye and sometimes, small pieces of it “break away” and float inside the liquefying jelly. They appear as black spots or specks in vision that often move around, especially with eye movement.
In case of diabetic or hypertensive patients, floaters can indicate mild bleeding in the eye’s vitreous cavity. It demands immediate attention. A sudden increase in floaters, especially in someone who has a high minus number, could indicate a retinal tear or hole. If left untended, it could lead to retinal detachment with sudden loss of vision.
I spy: Misty blurred vision
Doc says: This could indicate the onset of cataract (clouding of the eye’s lens). It is also a common symptom of shortsightedness and can also be caused by the dry-eye syndrome. When enough tears are not produced by the lacrimal gland or the tear film evaporates too quickly, the eyes dry out and become inflamed.
This can lead to a deterioration of vision. Dry eye syndrome is on the rise due to lifestyle factors and can be alleviated with the use of prescription eye drops.
If an eye test rules out short-sightedness and the sudden fogginess isn’t eased by eye drops, the reason might be a blood vessel blockage at the back of the eye. Fogginess can also be caused by a brain tumor pressing against the back of the eye, or optic neuritis inflammation of the optic nerve. Symptoms include washed-out colours and loss of contrast.
• Flashing lights can indicate migraines. If they last for 15-30 mins, they are often symptoms of ocular migraine
I spy: Coloured lights, like looking through a kaleidoscope
Doc says: This could indicate high intra-ocular pressure causing corneal edema, i.e swelling of the anterior transparent membrane of the eye. It demands urgent attention.
We see coloured spots when we stare at a bright object for long time and then look at a white wall. It’s caused when the photosensitive cells are temporarily bleached and take a few seconds to adapt. Flashing lights can be an early warning of migraines.
If they last for 15 to 30 minutes, they are often symptoms of ocular migraine. One can prevent a migraine by popping painkillers, drinking water, upping your blood sugar with food and lying down in a quiet, dark room. If the multi-coloured lights last for longer than 30 minutes, it could signify a detached retina.
I spy: People and objects that are not there
An artistic representation of the eye
Doc says: These are visual hallucinations. The causes could be psycho-physiologic (disturbance of brain structure), psycho-biochemical (a disturbance of neurotransmitters), and psychological (e.g. meaningful experiences consciousness).
I spy: Feel as if you’ re looking down a toilet roll tube
Doc says: Owning to peripheral vision problems, you are unable to see properly around the “edges” though your central vision is fine. Some may not have a peripheral vision at all. This creates a sensation of seeing through a narrow tube. Symptoms can include difficulty seeing in dim light and decreased ability to navigate while walking.
Besides being indicative of damaged peripheral vision, this also occurs in advanced stages of glaucoma (when high intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve permanently).
A hereditary retinal disorder causing night blindness, called ‘retinitis pigmentosa’ could also be the culprit. It can also be linked to conditions such as eye strokes or occlusions, detached retina, brain damage from stroke, disease or injury.
Often the first thing people notice is bumping into door frames. Go for regular eye tests, especially if you are over 40. The damage caused by glaucoma can’t be reversed, but if detected early, medication can be of help.
• Dr S Natarajan is the chairman and managing director of Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital; Dr Anagha Heroor is an opthamalogist at Anil Eye Hospital
Drs Anagha Heroor and S Natarajan demystify the weird shapes our eyes see and what they mean
Mitali Parekh
Out Standing Out Standing Out Standing Out Standing Out Standing
Getting glasses or conjunctivitis is not the only cause for concern as far as our eyes are concerned. If you’ve been facing any of the following symptoms, don’t rub your eyes hoping they’ll go away. Consult your opthamalogist right away.
I spy: Tiny dark shadows floating across the eyes
Doc says: Medically termed as floaters, this problem can be seen among the elderly or highly myopic patients. The eye’s center is filled with a jelly-like substance called vitreous. When young, this substance is very thick. The vitreous is usually completely attached to the retina (the seeing membrane at the back of the eye).
As we age, the vitreous becomes more liquefied, pulls away from the back of the eye and sometimes, small pieces of it “break away” and float inside the liquefying jelly. They appear as black spots or specks in vision that often move around, especially with eye movement.
In case of diabetic or hypertensive patients, floaters can indicate mild bleeding in the eye’s vitreous cavity. It demands immediate attention. A sudden increase in floaters, especially in someone who has a high minus number, could indicate a retinal tear or hole. If left untended, it could lead to retinal detachment with sudden loss of vision.
I spy: Misty blurred vision
Doc says: This could indicate the onset of cataract (clouding of the eye’s lens). It is also a common symptom of shortsightedness and can also be caused by the dry-eye syndrome. When enough tears are not produced by the lacrimal gland or the tear film evaporates too quickly, the eyes dry out and become inflamed.
This can lead to a deterioration of vision. Dry eye syndrome is on the rise due to lifestyle factors and can be alleviated with the use of prescription eye drops.
If an eye test rules out short-sightedness and the sudden fogginess isn’t eased by eye drops, the reason might be a blood vessel blockage at the back of the eye. Fogginess can also be caused by a brain tumor pressing against the back of the eye, or optic neuritis inflammation of the optic nerve. Symptoms include washed-out colours and loss of contrast.
• Flashing lights can indicate migraines. If they last for 15-30 mins, they are often symptoms of ocular migraine
I spy: Coloured lights, like looking through a kaleidoscope
Doc says: This could indicate high intra-ocular pressure causing corneal edema, i.e swelling of the anterior transparent membrane of the eye. It demands urgent attention.
We see coloured spots when we stare at a bright object for long time and then look at a white wall. It’s caused when the photosensitive cells are temporarily bleached and take a few seconds to adapt. Flashing lights can be an early warning of migraines.
If they last for 15 to 30 minutes, they are often symptoms of ocular migraine. One can prevent a migraine by popping painkillers, drinking water, upping your blood sugar with food and lying down in a quiet, dark room. If the multi-coloured lights last for longer than 30 minutes, it could signify a detached retina.
I spy: People and objects that are not there
An artistic representation of the eye
Doc says: These are visual hallucinations. The causes could be psycho-physiologic (disturbance of brain structure), psycho-biochemical (a disturbance of neurotransmitters), and psychological (e.g. meaningful experiences consciousness).
I spy: Feel as if you’ re looking down a toilet roll tube
Doc says: Owning to peripheral vision problems, you are unable to see properly around the “edges” though your central vision is fine. Some may not have a peripheral vision at all. This creates a sensation of seeing through a narrow tube. Symptoms can include difficulty seeing in dim light and decreased ability to navigate while walking.
Besides being indicative of damaged peripheral vision, this also occurs in advanced stages of glaucoma (when high intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve permanently).
A hereditary retinal disorder causing night blindness, called ‘retinitis pigmentosa’ could also be the culprit. It can also be linked to conditions such as eye strokes or occlusions, detached retina, brain damage from stroke, disease or injury.
Often the first thing people notice is bumping into door frames. Go for regular eye tests, especially if you are over 40. The damage caused by glaucoma can’t be reversed, but if detected early, medication can be of help.
• Dr S Natarajan is the chairman and managing director of Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital; Dr Anagha Heroor is an opthamalogist at Anil Eye Hospital