Eye pain can occur on the surface or in the deeper structures of your eye. Severe eye pain, especially when accompanied by any degree of vision loss, can be a sign that you have a serious medical condition.

Surface pain can be felt as scratching, burning or itching. Ocular pain is often caused by irritation from a foreign body, infection or trauma. This type of eye pain is often easily treated with eye drops or rest. Eye pain that occurs deep in the eye (orbital pain) can feel like stabbing or throbbing. This type of eye pain may require more in-depth treatment, depending on the cause.

If eye pain is accompanied by vision loss, it may be a sign of an urgent medical problem. If you start to lose your vision while experiencing eye pain, you should call your ophthalmologist immediately. Preventing eye pain starts with eye protection. Here are ways to prevent eye pain:

• You can prevent many types of eye damage, such as scratches and burns, by wearing protection, such as goggles, when playing sports or exercising with an object that can hit the eye, mowing the lawn or working with hand tools.
• You should protect your eyes when using strong agents such as harsh chemicals, detergents or cleaning agents. If these agents accidentally come into contact with your eyes, you should immediately rinse your eyes with plenty of water.
• You should avoid giving your child a toy that could injure their eyes. Even if your child is older, springy, fiery or sharp toys can hurt their eyes.
• If you wear contact lenses, you should carefully clean and care for them on a daily basis. You can use glasses from time to time to give your eyes a rest. You should not wear contact lenses for longer than recommended.
• For your eye health, you should take care to get eight hours of quality sleep a day.
• Every 20 minutes, you should take your eyes away from the screen for at least 20 seconds.

April 2023

People with poor eyesight start to read less due to reading difficulties. Reading less further reduces the amount of stimulation the brain receives…

Which eye diseases are associated with dementia?

• Diabetic retinopathy: 61% higher risk of dementia.
• Age-related macular degeneration: 26% higher risk of dementia.
• Cataract: 11% higher risk of dementia.

Can cataract surgery reduce the risk of dementia?

A study published in the journal Jama Internal Medicine in 2021 found that cataract surgery reduces the risk of dementia in older adults. A study in 2022 estimated that clear vision and healthy eyes could potentially prevent dementia.

How can we help someone with visual impairment and dementia?

• Adjust lighting in the house so that it is bright but not dazzling.
• Provide color contrast in areas such as stairs or the kitchen for safety.
• Keep area corridors and rooms clean. Clear of obstacles that could cause a fall.
• Invest in tools and technology that can provide assistance.
• Provide large print books and audio books.
• Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle.

What can we do for better eye and brain health?

• Do not smoke.
• Exercise for a total of at least 150 minutes a week.
• Maintain your weight by eating a healthy diet. Obesity increases the risk of eye and brain diseases. Eat lean protein, whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
• Sleep at least 7-8 hours a night.
• Engage in activities to reduce your stress levels.
• Get annual check-ups for problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, which increase the risk of eye and brain disease.
• Try to learn new things and engage in activities that keep your mind sharp.
• Be part of a strong social network of family and friends.

April 2023