Astigmatism is one of the most misunderstood eye conditions. Just like Myopia or far sightedness, Astigmatism too is a refractive error. What this means is that this is not an eye disease that you have, but a simple problem with your eyes due to a focus error. Astigmatism can cause problems with your vision since the light does not enter the eyes correctly thus resulting in distorted vision.
Astigmatism symptoms include distorted vision or blurry images. This can also result in eyestrain and headaches. Patients suffering from Astigmatism often squint.
Astigmatism is caused due to the irregular shape of the cornea which prevents the light rays from refracting correctly. There are mainly three types of Astigmatism. These include the following
�Myopic Astigmatism: In this condition one or both the principal meridians of the eyes are nearsighted.
�Hyperopic Astigmatism: In this condition one or both the principal meridians of the eyes are farsighted.
�Mixed Astigmatism: This condition is a combination of the above-mentioned two conditions.
Astigmatism is a condition that affects a person in their early life. It is most common in children between the age group of 5 to 17. In order to avoid your child from suffering with a severe eye condition it is essential to take them for regular eye checkups from time to time. A simple eye test can determine whether your child is suffering from Astigmatism.
There are a number of Astigmatism treatment options available these days. In order for your child to get the best treatment it is crucial to consult a good eye doctor who has experience in Astigmatism cases.
Since this condition is more common amongst children, the best way to treat it is by using eyeglasses. There are various kinds of eyeglasses designed specific to the type of Astigmatism your child is suffering from. While it is effective to treat Astigmatism, there is no cure to this condition. It is always advised to visit your eye doctor at regular intervals in order to ensure the condition does not worsen.
Once your child has grown up you can opt in for contact lenses. These lenses are a good option for working people and those who study in college. They are comfortable and easy to use. Unlike the old days, the lenses these days are comfortable and can be worn for the entire day.
Once the child reaches adulthood, they can choose to opt in for surgery. There are a number of surgery options available these days. One of the most common surgeries is the LASIK surgery. This surgery is performed under expert supervision and a patient can go home immediately after the surgery is performed. You need to discuss with your doctor the kind of options that can help treat this condition.
In order to keep this condition in control it is essential for you to visit your eye doctor from time to time. Regular visits not only ensure your eyes are healthy, but also help to identify conditions that could harm your eyes early enough for you to take action.

Before you touch your lenses, either to put them in or take them out, you should wash your hands using a mild soap, ideally fragrance and oil free. You should make sure you dry your hands thoroughly with a lint free towel to avoid any small debris getting it your eyes.

How to Put in and Take Out Your Contact Lenses

Wash your hands as advised above. Try to start with the same eye every time you insert or remove your lenses, this should minimise the risk of you putting the wrong lens in the wrong eye. Slide the lens of out the packet or case onto the palm of your hand using your finger. If you have been advised to rinse your lenses with solution by your eye doctor or eye clinic do this now, then place the lens on the tip of your index finger. While holding your lower lid down, with the same hand the lens is on, and using the other hand to hold up the upper lid, gently place the lens on the surface of your eye. Let go of your lids carefully and blink a few times.

When it comes to removing soft contacts, you should hold down your lower lid and look to the side or up, then carefully move the lens to the white part of your eye. Then use your thumb and index finger to pinch the lens and lift it off of the eye. If you wear gas permeable contact lenses you should remove them by opening your eyes wide and pull the skin which is near the corner of your eye nearest to your ear, then bend over the palm of your hand and take a blink, the lens should pop out and land in the palm of your hand.

Remember that your eye clinic should show you how to insert and remove contact lenses and let you practice before you leave the clinic.

How to Clean and Store Your Lenses

There are lots of ways you can clean your lenses. Remember to always follow the advice of your eye clinic or optician and never reuse daily disposable contacts. You can get a multipurpose solution which enables you to clean, rinse, disinfect, and store your lenses all with only one solution. You can also get separate solutions for cleaning and rinsing. Another option is with hydrogen peroxide solution, you leave your lenses in a basket which submerges them in the solution, but you should never use this solution to rinse your lenses in. You should also clean your lens case with a disinfectant solution every night and dry carefully and replace your case at least every 3 months.

Never use water to rinse or clean your contact lenses. Water contains many microbes which can cause serious infections to your eyes.

If you are thinking of starting to use contact lenses or are having a problem with your current ones you should always visit your eye clinic, eye doctor or optician to ask for advice. Never purchase contact lenses online if you have not seen a specialist first or used contact lenses before, misuse of lenses can lead to serious eye problems and infections.

1. Sunglasses:

It is commonly known that exposing our bodies to UV rays is very bad for our skin but we need to remember to protect our delicate eyes from the suns rays as well. Too much exposure to UV rays can result in pain and irritation to the cornea (clear window of the eye) and in extreme cases this can lead to age related macular degeneration, cancer of the cornea, cataracts or even blindness.

Sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyes from the suns UV rays. When buying sunglasses make sure they comply with BSEN 1836: 1997 or have the CE kite mark and are marked with UV 400. It is best to get sunglasses that are UVA and UVB 100% protected, if you are unsure always ask your eye clinic or optician. You can also get polarized sunglasses, not only do they protect your eyes from UV rays but they can help decrease glare which can strain your vision, they are very useful when you are by the pool on holiday or taking part in outdoor sports.

Do not forget, it is not just adults that need sunglasses, children should wear them too but the best protection is to stay in the shade on sunny days.

2. Sports:

Not only do you need to wear sunglasses if it is a sunny day but also eye wear to protect you from possible injury. Ophthalmologists advise eye protection should be worn when playing most ball sports. The bigger the ball the less likely for an eye injury to occur, for example footballs are less likely to injure your eyes than a golf ball. Good sporting shops should sell plastic shields or masks to protect you.

Also when swimming it is best not to wear contact lenses to prevent infections and damage to the eye and swimming goggles are a must if you are swimming underwater.

3. DIY/Gardening:

Summer months are a great time to do DIY projects around the house and spend time in the garden but these things can lead to eye injuries if proper precautions are not taken. You often see someone trimming the grass while children are playing nearby and all of them are at risk from flying stones, soil, twigs and even the grass itself. Make sure children are out of the way when doing such tasks and make sure you wear professional quality goggles.

Lacerations to the cornea are not uncommon when undertaking gardening and can lead to surgery. You should wear goggles when hammering nails, sawing or anything that can involve debris entering the eye.

If you do get hit in the eye with something first factor in your vision, then the pain. If you vision is not affected, it should be enough to apply an ice pack. If your vision is affected or you have a penetrating injury you must seek immediate attention from an eye doctor, eye clinic or A&E.

4. Chemicals:

If you get into a swimming pool and it stings your eyes it can mean the chemicals are not balanced correctly, this is unlikely to affect your vision and tends to be a comfort concern. If the water hurts your eyes it is always best to get out and rinse your eyes with clean water. If the pain continues you should seek medical attention, ideally with an eye doctor. You can soothe irritated eyes by using artificial tear drops.

The photoreceptor cells comprise of rods and cones and the symptoms of Retinitis pigmentosa depend on what kind of photoreceptor cells are involved. In most cases, the rods are affected first. Rods are present in the outer layer of the retina and this is where Retinitis pigmentosa usually begins. When this happens, individuals will find it tough to focus on objects in dim light. This disease slowly spreads out further and takes up the central vision of the eyes.

If you have a family history of Retinitis pigmentosa, then you should get your eyes checked from time to time. Night blindness is one of the most common symptoms in early Retinitis pigmentosa. However, if the cone has been disrupted then an individual will find it tough to identify colors.

Retinitis pigmentosa is a progressive disorder which can be identified at a young age. This condition is usually observed in adolescents and young adults.The degree of the intensity of this condition varies from person to person. However, most people suffering from Retinitis pigmentosa turn blind by the age of 40. It is more common for men to get affected from Retinitis pigmentosa in comparison to women.

Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetic disease which is passed on from one generation to another. It is ususally passed on from the parents, so if you or your partner suffers from Retinitis pigmentosa, you need to consult your doctor about the possibility of your child getting it.

There are a number of methods for successful Retinitis pigmentosa treatment in India. It is essential you consult a doctor who is experienced and well trained to handle this condition.

Since this is a genetic condition, you can take various precautions to prevent your child from getting it. You need to remember that Retinitis pigmentosa can be treated and controlled, but there is no way you can cure it. Proper care and timely checkups are crucial since they help control the loss of vision to a great extent. Studies prove that the right medication can help prevent parents from transferring this disease to their children.

Those suffering from Retinitis pigmentosa can consider undergoing surgical treatments in order to treat the condition. There are various kinds of surgical procedures available that help control the condition to a great extent. Since this condition usually affects a person in the early years of their lives, regular eye checkups can help to a great extent. Always consult a good eye doctor who can prescribe the correct eye medication to help improve the condition. These doctors can also guide Retinitis pigmentosa patients about the various surgical procedures that can help them.

Appearance is something that plays a very important role in the development of a child. A squint child often faces a lot of discomfort in school and when around peers. A squint is not something that is permanent and there are a number of ways you can now opt for squint treatment without surgery.
There are various kinds of squint. While it’s tough to figure out the causes of squint, there are a few reasons that might cause or lead to squint.
Congenital Squint: This is a condition where a child is born squint. Although it is tough to identify this condition for a few weeks, it comes to notice soon. Most children need to wear corrective glasses in order to correct the condition. While some children grow out of this condition, a few children need treatment to correct it.
Long Sight (Hypermetropia): People who suffer from long sightedness often tend to get squint over the years. This condition is noticed when a patient begins to stress or strain to look at certain things. This is one of the most common reasons why people turn squint.
Childhood Illness: There have been a number of cases that reported squint due illnesses such as chickenpox or measles.
Nerve Damage: In certain cases, damage to the eyes such as an injury or an illness damaging the nerve can also lead to a squint.
There are not many symptoms in order to identify a squint. However, if you notice your child’s eyes look unusual or if one eye is looking in another direction you need to get your child’s eyes tested. While these symptoms don’t always mean your child is a squint, it is always better to identify the condition as soon as you suspect it.
While most parents believe surgery is the only option available to treat squint, the truth is that there are a number of other methods that can be used to treat a squint without surgery. Younger children have a tendency of wearing out of a squint as they grow so it’s best to avoid surgery in younger children. As the child grows, their facial features and shape of the face changes, which can help them, outgrow the squint.
Glasses are a great way to treat a squint without surgery. Glasses help a child focus on objects correctly. Occlusion or an eye patch is another great way to help children use the eye that is less used to focus on objects in the right manner and cure the squint. It is always better to use this patch under the observance of a doctor.
A good way to treat a squint is with the use of proper medication in the form of eye drops. Always speak to your eye doctor about the various ways to treat this condition without having to opt in for surgery. When treated correctly, a squint treatment without surgery can help correct the problem effectively. Although people are worried about a squint, opting in for treatment methods that do not involve a surgical procedure is a great option.

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that occurs in patients who suffer from diabetes. This condition causes progressive damage to the retina which makes the eyes more and more sensitive to light. Since this condition occurs in patients who suffer from diabetes, it is a tough condition which can damage the eyes and cause loss of vision when avoided. It is essential to consider Diabetic retinopathy treatment as soon as the condition is identified. Diabetes is a condition where the body begins to store excessive sugar and thus causes damage. Over a period of time, this condition affects the eyes and causes Diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes prevents the blood from flowing in the body and this slowly becomes a problem with the retina.
Diabetic retinopathy is caused with the tiny blood vessels in the eyes get damaged and begin to leak. This causes blood deposits on the lens of the yes. It also results in swelling of the retinal tissue and cloud vision. Diabetic retinopathy usually occurs in both eyes at the same time. A patient who has been suffering from diabetes for a long time is prone to getting Diabetic retinopathy. It is essential to treat this condition as soon as possible because when left untreated it can cause blindness in a patient.
Some of the most common symptoms of Diabetic retinopathy include the following
�Cloud vision or seeing spots while trying to focus on an object.
�Blurred or distorted vision.
�A dark or empty spot in the way of your vision.
�Difficulty in seeing objects at night.
Diabetic retinopathy is more common amongst patients who have high blood sugar levels which are not controlled for a long time. The high level of blood sugar prevents the blood from flowing thus causing accumulation of fluids in the eyes causing a tiny cell damage. This damage leads to the leakage of fluids and blood into the eyes thus causing a swelling in the eye. This swelling results in a disrupted vision. One of the best ways to avoid Diabetic retinopathy is to keep the blood sugar levels in control.
It is always advised for a diabetic patient to visit an eye doctor for a detailed eye examination regularly. Always ensure you get a checkup even if you find the slightest discomfort with your eyes. The sooner the condition is detected, the easier it is for Diabetic retinopathy treatment.
Diabetic retinopathy treatment is not uncommon, however the sooner the treatment begins the lesser the risk of permanent vision loss. Treating this condition in earlier stages is easier and can be done with medication. Diabetic retinopathy treatment at later stages involve laser surgery procedures.
All diabetic patients should control their diabetes in order to avoid Diabetic retinopathy. Regular exercise, a daily walk and controlling what you eat can help you avoid Diabetic retinopathy. This condition is not genetic, and is only found in patients with erratic blood sugar levels. So keep your diabetes in control for a healthy body.

The first ever intraocular lens (IOL) was successfully implanted in a patient at St Thomas Hospital in London by Sir Harold Ridley on 29th November 1949 and ever since surgeons have discussed and researched the best surgical lenses to use. A staggering 67 years later, and with huge advances in the technique of implanting an intraocular lens and the lenses themselves, the discussions continue. Now we are debating monovision IOL implants versus multifocal IOL implants for presbyopia.

An intraocular lens implant is mostly used in older adult patients who have developed cataracts or myopia. IOLs are implanted in the eyes and can be offered in a monovision or multifocal variation. Each type of lens has its own assets and flaws. The eye doctor/surgeon will always recommend what they think is the best and safest lens for you, as what is good for you may not be for someone else. In this article I will go through the differences between monovision and multifocal IOL implants.

Monovision IOL Implants

Monovision is one of the ways we can treat presbyopia, in which we implant a monofocal IOL in both eyes but not the same way. An IOL can be implanted so to give near, intermediate or distance vision. When we carry out a monovision implant procedure one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other eye is corrected for near or intermediate vision.

This might appear to be problematic at first but your brain is able to do something extraordinary when eyes are corrected with monovision implants. The eye that is corrected to give distance vision will give the distance image to the brain, while the other eye, which is corrected to give closer vision, will give that image to the brain and the brain is able to merge the two together to make a whole. This may take a little while to get used to and for the brain to adjust to the new monovision at first. The eye clinic can normally demonstrate this to you to see how you cope with this effect.

Due to the fact that the monofocal monovision implants do not split light entering the eye they are better for night driving as you do not get as much glare and halos from light as patients with multifocal implants. Also as you have a fixed focal point on each eye with monovision, they tend to perform better with intermediate vision, such as using a computer. The downside to monovision is that it is a compromise and some people will love the effect while others are unable to get along with it.

Multifocal IOL Implants

Unlike monovision IOL implants where each eye has one focal point, multifocal implants work like a progressive lens. On a multifocal implant the lens itself has many circles around it at different points to give distance, intermediate and near vision in both eyes the same. The circles on the multifocal implants splits light entering the eyes so you can focus on whichever distance you are looking at, whether that be close up or an object in the distance. The point of a multifocal implant is so you will not require the use of glasses or visual aids during your day-to-day activities. Just like the monovision implants, multifocal implants take a little time to get used to. The brain will need to relearn to find the correct point for near, middle and far distances.

Self-esteem is a key component of self-confidence, which is crucial and determinant to a thriving life. Because self-esteem affects emotions, a low self-esteem causes negative feelings such as sadness, pessimism, resentment, regret, uncertainty, anger and fear from failure.
On the other hand, increasing self-esteem has a positive impact on emotions and results in joy, peace, optimism, serenity, kindness, empathy, self-condence and generosity.
The good news is that self-esteem can be gained and improved.

Our aim is to help you overcome your barriers and obstacles due to low self-esteem and to help you trust yourself and attain a happier life.

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The RISE method has been tested on more than one hundred persons of different ages. It may not be a big number of people; however, it is valuable to learn that all of these persons have succeeded in improving their self-esteem and self-confidence. We have helped these persons. And we can help you.

Self-esteem isn’t just thinking well of yourself. It is also a consistent feeling of self-respect. Improving self-esteem has a stabilizing in’uence on yourself, and it can change your life.
If you too are yearning to change, to live a life that reflects your aspirations, if you too want to rise and shine, then why not start increasing your self-esteem now?

Self-esteem isn’t just thinking well of yourself. It is also a consistent feeling of self-respect. Improving self-esteem has a stabilizing in’uence on yourself, and it can change your life.

So what is the Mandela effect? It is a phenomenon that more and more people are beginning to witness and it is disturbing. has to do with separate time steams, or parallel worlds. But it’s not as cut and dried as that. The effect is named after Nelson Mandela. Many people remember Nelson Mandela dying back in the 1980s during his imprisonment. Yet according to what we know today, he was released from prison, became President of South Africa, and died in 2013.

So which is the correct story? Apparently both are. People across the globe are now realizing that their memories of certain events have dramatic differences. The theory is that our society has become split between those who have one set of connection memories and those who have an entirely different recollection. This suggests the idea of a quantum split or jump in space-time. And it is not just related to Nelson Mandela. There are many examples of things changing from what many people have remembered. Let me present just a few:

In 1984 Prince released his song Let’s Go Crazy. Many remember the words Dearly beloved/We are gathered here today/To celebrate this thing called life. But if you research the lyrics, instead of the word celebrate, it says, To get through’ this thing called life. What do you recall?

Do you remember the children’s characters the Berenstain Bears, created by Stan and Jan Berenstain? Well, many remember them being called the Berenstein Bears, not the Berenstain Bears. What do you remember?

Tank Boy, as he has become known, was run over by a tank in Tiananmen Square. Many remember the bloody event. However, if you look at footage of the incident, he wasn’t actually run over”yet many remember his death vividly.

If you have seen Disney’s Snow White, you may be among those who remember the witch going to the mirror and saying: Mirror, Mirror, on the wall/Who’s the fairest of them all? Unfortunately, that’s not what she says. It’s Magic Mirror, on the wall

How about Ann Rice’s Interview with a Vampire? That’s how many of us remember the title. But the actual title is now Interview with the Vampire. Strange, right?

For more examples check out: http://www.projectilluminated.com/

So what is going on here? This phenomenon is only now gaining momentum, and more and more people are starting to notice it. Some say it is being caused by CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) and its Large Hadron Collider. The idea here is that the government, in a black operations experiment, is trying to open the door to a parallel world, which is causing havoc in the space-time continuum, thus producing the Mandela Effect. But here is what I believe is taking place. (And get ready, because I’m about to take you out of the Matrix!)

The pollen can get in to your eyes, nose, throat and sinuses and if allergic, can cause irritation, swelling and inflammation. People can be allergic to three different types of pollen; weed pollen; that is released in late autumn, tree pollen; which is released during spring, and grass pollen; released mainly during the summer months.

A lot of people who suffer from hay fever, will also suffer from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, which is where the pollen affects your eyes. The most common symptoms are burning, redness, itching and watering of the eyes, and puffiness of the eye lids. Visiting an eye clinic will ensure your symptoms are related to seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and not something else.

Most people who are affected by seasonal allergic conjunctivitis notice their symptoms are part of their hay fever and the cause is normally the same. Pollen from weeds, trees or grasses, lands on the eyes’ surface and activates the release of histamine, which is what causes the symptoms. The section of the eye that is mainly affected is not seen and lies underneath the eyelids. The white part of the eye (sclera) is only slightly affected and the cornea is not affected at all.

When an eye doctor is checking for seasonal allergic conjunctivitis they will note that the underside of the upper eye lid will be slightly swollen, red and sometimes bumpy. The minimal signs, alongside seasonal symptoms help the eye doctor to diagnose seasonal allergic conjunctivitis from other forms of inflammation and infection.

There are various types of treatment for hay fever and its eye symptoms and by going to an eye clinic to have an assessment will make sure you get the best treatment for your eyes. One of the most common types of treatment would be anti-histamine eye drops. These work by stopping the histamine affecting the cells in your body in the usual way.

Anti-histamine eye drops can be bought over-the-counter or on prescription and are usually quite effective. Eye drops containing mast cell stabilisers (sodium cromoglicate) are a very effective and safe way to help treat seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and work by preventing the allergic reaction. Again these can be purchased over-the-counter. If your hay fever is affecting your eyes too much your eye doctor may prescribe you steroid eye drops, these are available on prescription only due to their possible long term side effects.

Steroid eye drops have an anti-inflammatory effect, which is why they are good at treating the eye symptoms of hay fever. Be aware that overuse of antihistamine eye drops might harm your eyes and hence it is advised that in case of long term use of antihistamine eye drops we recommend that you consult your eye surgeon.