Eye Health_Layout 1 2016/09/12 11:47 AM Page 2
Eye Health and
Maintaining
Good Eyesight
Eye Care Awareness Month is commemorated from 23 September to 18
October to raise awareness about the importance of eye health, specifically
around the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness.
Seventy-five percent of all cases of blindness
is avoidable either through prevention or
through treatment – which is why it is
important to get your eyes tested at least
once every two years.
Symptoms of eye conditions can include:
• vision loss
• altered eye movements
• eye pain
• visual field loss
• bulging eye.
Have you ever wondered what the world
looks like through the eyes of someone who
has glaucoma, a cataract or other vision
problems? This will give you some insight…
Normal 20/20 vision
What do images look like?
Everything is sharp and in focus. There are
no blurred edges when you look at objects
close to you or far away.
Why?
The lens of the eye focuses the light rays
exactly on the retina at the back of the
eyeball. The eye is like a digital camera on
autofocus - just more sophisticated. The eye
muscles, cornea and lens continuously
adjust, allowing the image you're looking at
to focus precisely onto your retina.
Eye Health_Layout 1 2016/09/12 11:47 AM Page 3
Presbyopia
What do images look like?
Objects that are close, such as the text in a
magazine, are out of focus. They look like
the images of far-sightedness. The afflicted
person has to hold the text further away to
read it. When the person looks up he initially
finds it difficult to focus on distant objects.
Why?
After the age of 40 the lens of the eye
becomes more rigid and less elastic.
Near-sightedness
What do images look like?
Objects close by are clear and in focus but
everything far away looks blurred and hazy.
Why?
If the eyeball is too wide (like a ball being
squeezed from the top and bottom), mainly
because of genetic factors, or if the cornea is too
curved, light rays focus on a point in front of the
retina instead of on the retina itself. Some
people even struggle to see objects right in
front of them clearly.
How many people are affected?
It's very common: one in three people are
affected.
How can it be corrected?
With glasses or contact lenses. Laser surgery
can enable people with a low degree of nearsightedness to stop using their spectacles or
contact lenses while people who are badly
near-sighted may afterwards be less
dependent on them. Laser surgery can be
done only once the condition has stabilised,
usually after the age of 18.
How many people are affected?
Almost all people need reading glasses as
they grow older. Even people over 40 find it
more difficult to read or see properly when
they're tired. Your eyes may continue to get
weaker until you are well into your sixties,
after which the condition stabilises.
How can it be corrected?
With reading glasses.
Far-sightedness
What do images look like?
Far-sightedness is the opposite of nearsightedness; everything far away is clear and in
focus but objects close by are blurred and hazy.
In extreme cases both close objects and distant
ones may be out of focus.
Why?
If the eyeball is too flat (like a ball being
squeezed from the front and the back) light rays
are focused behind the retina instead of directly
on the retina.
How many people are affected?
About 10 million people in South Africa. The
condition is often diagnosed even before a
child goes to school. The eyes of children
born with a degree of far-sightedness may
Eye Health_Layout 1 2016/09/12 11:47 AM Page 4
tire more easily and they may develop
headaches if they read a lot. Far-sightedness
can cause a squint.
How can it be corrected?
With glasses or contact lenses. Laser surgery
may be helpful in some cases.
Glaucoma
What do images look like?
Images in the middle of the field of vision are
clear and focused but everything around it is
out of focus. Sometimes there are coloured
halos around bright lights. It creeps up on you
like a thief in the night and gradually and
surreptitiously robs you of your sight.
The outer circle, which is out of focus, keeps
getting larger and the small middle section,
which is in focus, gets smaller until you're left
with tunnel vision. This may eventually lead to
blindness. The eye also struggles to adjust
from lighter to darker surroundings.
Why?
For genetic reasons excess fluid builds up inside
the eyeball and causes abnormally high levels of
pressure. This pressure damages the optic nerve
at the back of the eye.
How many people are affected?
About five per cent of South Africans. The risk
of glaucoma increases with age. Diabetics,
people with high blood pressure and those
with eye injuries have a greater chance of
getting this disease. It's also more common
among near-sighted people.It's important to
diagnose glaucoma early because damage to
the optic nerve, should it occur, can't be
repaired. People who are older than 50, who
have a family history of glaucoma, who suffer
from severe near-sightedness or suffered a
serious injury to the eye should visit an
ophthalmologist.
How can it be corrected?
Eye drops are prescribed to relieve the
pressure. Patients must use these drops every
day for the rest of their lives. Sometimes
surgery is used if drops can't sufficiently
relieve the pressure.
Note: People who suddenly experience severe
pain inside an already reddening eye need to go
to the doctor immediately - especially if this
condition is accompanied by blurred vision and
nausea. It could indicate an acute and
dangerous form of glaucoma which may cause
permanent loss of sight.
Eye Health_Layout 1 2016/09/12 11:47 AM Page 5
Macular degeneration
What do images look like?
Sufferers see dark spots or grey areas in the
middle of their field of vision. It makes it more
difficult to read and later to recognise faces.
Straight lines such as doorposts and telephone
poles start looking twisted and objects appear
smaller and further away than they really are.
Sufferers can, however, still see images on the
peripheries of their field of vision quite clearly.
This condition usually starts in one eye then
spreads to the other.
Why?
The macula is the part of the retina responsible
for the sharp, central vision used for reading,
observing fine detail and driving. If, due to old
age, the macula becomes damaged you lose
your central vision.
It may happen unexpectedly. People over 60,
those with a family history of the disease and
smokers run the greatest risk of contracting
the disease. One of the forms of the disease,
which affects young people, is usually
diagnosed during the toddler stage or when
a child starts school and has a strong genetic
factor.
How many people are affected?
Nearly 1.6 million South Africans. Macular
degeneration is the greatest cause of blindness
Astigmatism
What do images look like?
Everything, far away and close by, looks
slightly out of focus. It's difficult to see fine
details clearly. Usually one side is more out
of focus than the other. Sometimes it seems
as if vertical lines are leaning to one side like
the Tower of Pisa.
Why?
Light is focused on more than one point on
the retina because the shape of the cornea is
uneven. Some people are born like that.
Instead of being round like a soccer ball the
retina has a slightly oval shape - more like a
rugby ball.
How many people are affected?
About three in 10 people have a degree of
astigmatism. Most don't even notice it.
However, your eyes tire easily and you may
get headaches. People who are near-sighted
or far-sighted often also have astigmatism.
Astigmatism never really gets better or
worse.
How can it be corrected?
With glasses or contacts. Laser surgery can
repair mild cases.
among people over 60. According to
international experts these figures will treble
over the next 25 years. It is also found more and
more frequently among young people.
How can it be corrected?
Damage that has already occurred can't be
repaired. In the early stages laser surgery can
help to delay loss of vision. Giving up smoking,
eating foods containing lots of lutein and
antioxidants (such as dark, leafy vegetables) and
taking zinc supplements can delay the onset of
the disease. Laser surgery is sometimes helpful
Eye Health_Layout 1 2016/09/12 11:47 AM Page 6
and direct injections into the eye appear to be
promising.
Cataracts
What do images look like?
Slowly but surely your vision becomes more
and more blurred. It's like looking through a
dirty camera lens. Colours become
increasingly dull and it's more difficult to
distinguish between colours and lighter and
darker areas. Night driving also becomes
more difficult because of a halo around the
headlights of oncoming traffic. Some people
also experience double vision. People with
cataracts find they need more light for reading
as well as stronger reading glasses.
Why?
Lens protein is normally clear but when it starts
lumping together it becomes opaque and the
lens becomes murky. Some cataracts get worse
in a matter of weeks while others may remain
unchanged for a long time. About threequarters of all cataracts are caused by ageing.
The rest develop because of diabetes, genetic
factors or eye injuries. If a woman contracts
German measles during pregnancy the baby
may be born with cataracts.
How many people are affected?
About 900 000 South Africans. Cataracts are
quite common among people over 60.
How can it be corrected?
Surgery is the only effective treatment. The
cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a new
plastic lens. The removal of a cataract remains a
personal decision. Some people are quite happy
to live with a cataract and reduced vision while
others find it extremely disruptive. If your quality
of life starts suffering - if, for example, you can't
drive any more - it's usually time to have the
cataract removed.
Retinitis pigmentosa
What do images look like?
Progressively worsening night blindness and
several dark spots in the field of vision are
early signs. Years or even decades later you
will experience tunnel vision. The centre of
your field of vision initially remains
unaffected but also gradually disappears.
Why?
The photoreceptor cells in the retina are
slowly dying.
How many people are affected?
About 17 000 South Africans. Retinitis
pigmentosa is a hereditary disease and
people who have a family history of the
disease are at considerable risk of getting it.
How can it be corrected?
There is no treatment for the disease as yet.
Retina South Africa is doing breakthrough
research on the genes causing retinal
degeneration in South African families. Their
research project is investigating the causes,
possible treatment and medicines for vision
problems such as macular degeneration,
near-sightedness, retinitis pigmentosa,
diabetic retinopathy and other diseases
connected to the retina.
Eye Health_Layout 1 2016/09/12 11:47 AM Page 7
Diabetic retinopathy
What do images look like?
Often there are no early warning signs. As
time passes the sufferer develops night
blindness. Images become unfocused and
a dark spot develops in the middle of the
field of vision with floaters or "cobwebs"
seemingly drifting around. Diabetic
retinopathy can lead to serious loss of
sight and even blindness if it's not treated
early enough. It's therefore essential that
diabetics visit an ophthalmologist once a
year.
Why?
It's caused by abnormal changes in the
blood vessels of the retina.
How many people are affected?
Almost all patients with type 1 diabetes
and 70 per cent of those with type 2
diabetes will develop this condition. As
many as 21 per cent of type 2 diabetics
already have a measure of eye damage by
the time they're diagnosed with the
disease.
How can it be corrected?
By means of laser therapy, injections into
the eye and even the replacement of eye
moisture. But prevention is best so good
diabetic control is essential.
Did you know?
Men are 10 times more likely to suffer from
colour blindness.
Have your child's eyes tested at the
following ages:
1 or as soon as he starts talking if you
suspect there might be a problem.
6 Have it done along with school readiness
tests.
12 A thorough eye test should be done
before he goes to high school.
Do you see floaters?
Floaters are specks that drift across your field
of vision. The problem is caused by small
particles in the transparent jelly-like fluid that
fills your eye.
Floaters are mostly harmless but contact your
doctor within 24 hours if they suddenly
increase, if you see flashes of light or if it looks
as if a curtain is coming down over your field
of vision. It could be a retinal tear or a
detached retina, both serious problems.
Eye Health_Layout 1 2016/09/12 11:47 AM Page 8
How to maintain
good Eye Health
Eat for Good Vision
Protecting your eyes start with the food on
your plate. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty
acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E
might help ward off age-related vision
problems such as macular degeneration and
cataracts, studies show.
Regularly eating these foods can help
lead to good eye health:
• Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach,
kale, and collards
• Salmon, tuna, and other oily fish
• Eggs, nuts, beans, and other non-meat
protein sources
• Oranges and other citrus fruits or juices
• Oysters and pork
Eating a well-balanced diet also helps you
maintain a healthy weight, which makes you
less likely to get obesity-related diseases
such as type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is the
leading cause of blindness in adults.
Quit Smoking
Smoking makes you more likely to get
cataracts, optic nerve damage, and macular
degeneration. If you've tried to quit
smoking before and started smoking again,
keep trying. The more times you try to quit
smoking, the more likely you are to succeed.
Wear Sunglasses
The right kind of sunglasses will help protect
your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Too much UV exposure makes you more
likely to get cataracts and macular
degeneration. Choose sunglasses that block
99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays.
Wraparound lenses help protect your eyes
from the side. Polarized lenses reduce glare
when driving. If you wear contact lenses,
some offer UV protection. It's still a good
idea to wear sunglasses for more protection,
though.
Eye Health_Layout 1 2016/09/12 11:47 AM Page 1
Taking the following steps to
protect your eyes
•
Use Safety Eyewear
If you work with hazardous or airborne
materials on the job or at home, wear safety
glasses or protective goggles every time.
Certain sports such as ice hockey,
racquetball, and lacrosse can also lead to
eye injury. Wear eye protection (such as
helmets with protective face masks or
sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses)
to shield your eyes.
Look Away From the Computer
Screen
Staring at a computer screen for too long
can cause:
• Eyestrain
• Blurry vision
• Trouble focusing at a distance
• Dry eyes
• Headaches
• Neck, back, and shoulder pain
For more information consult
with a healthcare provider at
your nearest Platinum Health
facility or kindly contact the
Platinum Health Client Liaison
team on 014 591 6600 who will
provide you with contact details
of Platinum Health healthcare
providers or facilities. Alternatively
visit the Platinum Health website:
www.platinumhealth.co.za
•
•
•
•
•
Make sure your glasses or contact lens
prescription is up-to-date and adequate
for computer use.
Some people may need glasses to help
with contrast, glare, and eye strain when
using a computer.
Position your computer so that your eyes
are level with the top of the monitor. This
allows you to look slightly down at the
screen.
Try to avoid glare on your computer from
windows and lights. Use an anti-glare
screen if needed.
Choose a comfortable, supportive chair.
Position it so that your feet are flat on the
floor.
If your eyes are dry, blink more.