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Case 1: Eyecare in office environment
Derek is a IT Programmer. He needs to involve in computer work nearly 18 hours a day. Recently, his eyes easily get sore and dry, he wonders if there is any problem with his eyes. Is there any solution for him?
- Does computer produce radiation? How does frequent computer work affect our eyes?
- How can the busy city dwellers protect their eyes?
- Is having carrot good for our eyes? Any food therapy for eye protection?
- Case 2: Eyecare and Beauty
- Is it safe to wear color contact lens or 'big eyes' contact lens? Will their color fade away?
- Are frequent contact lens users more vulnerable to eye infection? Are there any prevention?
- How to choose contact lens, sunglasses and eye drops?
Source: Quality HealthCare
Does computer produce radiation? How does frequent computer work affect our eyes?
No evidence has shown that both computer and monitor will produce radiation which is harmful to our eyes, though people have been mistaken so far. Nowadays LCD monitor is so popular that radiation should not be a matter to us. As required by their work, Hong Kong people have to use computer frequently at the expense of the health of their eyes, causing sore eyes and deteriorated vision. Long term use of computer will cause the following problems:
- Dry eye syndrome
Staring at the computer all day long causes eye strain, and the blinking frequency will reduce up to 7 times when compared to normal situations. There will not be enough tears when the eye's tear-producing system is not functioning well, which causes sore eyes, dry eyes, red eyes, itchy and even eye pain. Dry eye syndrome will increase the chances of damage to cornea that affect our vision. - Eye fatigue
The eye itself can adjust the focus so that we can see clear images. However after gazing at the computer for a prolonged period, our eyes l remain at single focus, causing eye fatigue and persistent strain on the ciliary muscle. - Retinal damage
Retina is a light sensitive part inside the inner layer of the eye. A bright monitor produces strong stimulation and it is harmful to the eyes.
How can the busy city dwellers protect their eyes?
Taking small precautions in your daily life will help to protect your eyes. You can try to avoid gazing at something at the same distance for a prolonged period. Try to relax your ciliary muscles by shifting your gaze to distant objects for at least 3 seconds after 30-minute work. People always believe that closing their eyes a while or looking up to the ceiling would relieve the strain. However, it is absolutely not enough as only gazing distant objects will help to relax the muscles. In addition, frequent blinking can balance the tear production and keep the eyes moist; using artificial tears can relieve dry eyes and fatigue.
Ultraviolet rays accelerate degeneration of our eyes. Evidences prove that increasing exposure to UV rays may lead to cataract, age-related macular degeneration, etc. We need to wear caps or sunglasses after exposure to the sun for over 15 minutes, so as to prevent the harmful effects brought by ultraviolet.
Smoking will diminish our antioxidant capacity to fight against free radicals, and cause corneal neovascularization that increases the chance of age-related macular degeneration and cataract. Smokers should quit smoking as soon as possible to prevent any damage to their eyes.
Is having carrot good for our eyes? Any food therapy for eye protection?
In addition to soothe the strain regularly at work, appropriate diet would help improve eye health. Diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol increases the risks of age-related macular degeneration. It will be wise to maintain a balanced diet with adequate nutritional values and low salt, low fat and low sugar.
Chinese believe that medlar is good for our eyes, which is actually proven. An animal experiment found that medlar prevents age-related macular degeneration.
In western countries, people like to have food rich in antioxidants for eye protection, such as blueberry, bilberry, which are also proven in animal experiment. Other foods rich in antioxidants includes tomato, fruits, green tea, etc, are also good for our eyes.
As for carrots, though it is rich in vitamin A that is beneficial to kid's visual development, it may not be adequate for fully-grown adults. Intake of vitamin A, supplements can be a good choice along with diet rich in vitamin A.
Case 2: Eyecare and Beauty
Miss Ho is 23 years old. She always loves to be pretty and trendy that she wears color or 'big eyes' contact lens. However her eyes turn red after trying on the 'big eyes' contact lens. She wonders if the color is fading or it causes damage to her eyes.
Is it safe to wear color contact lens or 'big eyes' contact lens? Will their color fade away?
As the color of out-dated color or 'big eyes' contact lens built on the lens surface, it will easily cause irritation to our eyes. The newly released color contact lens is designed with color inside the interlayer of the lens. The eyes will not be exposed directly to the color, and the chance of eye irritation is slim. However, additional attention should be paid to its less gas permeable lens. Persistent wear will induce cornea hypoxia, resulting in dry eye, itchy, eye pain, redness, watering and blurred vision, etc.
Most of the eye discomfort cases related to color contact lens are mainly due to persistent wearing and poor hygiene. Inappropriate curvature will also cause discomfort. People should first have a thorough eye check conducted by a senior optometrist, and choose an appropriate contact lens for trial. One should go for annual eye check to ensure it is in good status.
Are frequent contact lens users more vulnerable to eye infection? Are there any prevention?
If contact lenses are used in a proper way, beware of the wearing duration and hygiene conditions; chances of eye irritation would be minimal. No matter you are wearing color or ordinary contact lens; you should pay attention to the following points:
duration of use
Long term use of contact lens will cause cornea hypoxia. It is suggested that one should not wear contact lens for more than 12 consecutive hours. The oxygen and moist in air are vital elements for eye health; one should allow their eyes to absorb oxygen and moist without wearing contact lens 4 hours before sleep.
Adequate tears
If you always require artificial tears to moisten your eyes, you may reduce the frequency and duration of wearing contact lens to prevent dry eye, which in turn will cause irritation, hypoxia, damage, or even deteriorated and blurred vision.
Hygiene
- Wash your hands thoroughly before wearing contact lens;
- Keep your contact lens case clean. Do not use tap water to wash your contact lens;
- Contact lens users should avoid long nails, which will easily scratch the cornea, resulting in cornea injury (such as cornea perforation, rupture, etc), or even detachment;
- Do not wear contact lens after makeup as eye shadow and mascara will pollute the lens, get into your eyes and cause infection.
How to choose contact lens, sunglasses and eye drops?
You should be checked by an optometrist to ensure that you are fit for wearing contact lens. Please do not buy contact lens without any professional guidance as everyone's lens curvature is different. Contact lens with proper curvature will not cause eye discomfort. Stop wearing right away if there is any problem, and consult an optometrist or ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
Glasses with color may not be sunglasses. Take practical issues into consideration when chhosing sunglasses instead of the latest fashion or brand. The UVA and UVB of ultraviolet are mainly absorbed by corneal epithelium and the eye lens, which are the main reason of cataract. We should choose an anti-UVA and anti-UVB sunglasses so that our eyes can be fully protected.
Please tell your optometrist or ophthalmologist whether you are taking other medicine or have drug sensitivity history before using eye drops or artificial tears. Please do not use expired eye drops. Always follow doctor's instruction. If your eyes become itchy, burning, swelling or have infection, please stop using right away and consult the doctor as soon as possible.
Source: Quality HealthCare
