Orthokeratology is also used as a treatment to slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children.

Orthokeratology treatment aims to flatten the center of the cornea, change the way light refracts as it enters the eye and reach the retinal layer. Emphasizing that the lenses must be worn regularly for successful treatment, Ophthalmologist Op. Dr. Yusuf Avni Yılmaz said, “Most orthokeratology lenses are worn overnight to flatten the cornea, then removed during the day. These overnight lenses are hard, gas permeable lenses that allow oxygen to pass through to keep the eye healthy while being strong enough to reshape the cornea. If you stop wearing the lenses at night, the eyes return to their original shape after a period of time and the visual impairment may progress more quickly. Regular use of lenses is very important for the slowing down process.”

Hygiene is important in lens use
The risks of using these lenses are similar to those of other contact lenses. However, since they are usually children undergoing Orthokeratology treatment, they may not be as careful about hygiene as adults. Therefore, the attention of families becomes much more important in this case.

Young myopia patients who are active in sports get good results
Those who are involved in various sports branches know that wearing glasses while playing sports can be a problem. The movements made during sports make it difficult for the glasses to stay on the face and can cause them to slip off. For this reason, Orthokeratology treatment is a form of treatment recommended for young people who play sports. Op. Dr. Yusuf Avni Yılmaz said that thanks to this treatment, the performance of young people who do sports is higher and the reluctance they experienced before has disappeared.

However, stating that some eye structures are not suitable for orthokeratology treatment, Op. Dr. Yusuf Avni Yılmaz said, “Unfortunately, this treatment method is not suitable for individuals with unruly astigmatism, permanent astigmatism, large pupil, low lid, very flat cornea, pathological dry eye syndrome.”

May 2023

They say the eyes are the mirror of the soul. However, did you know that your eyes are the harbingers of many diseases that you are not aware of?

are not aware of?
If you experience problems such as burning, redness or yellowing in your eyes, you may think that the problem is with your eyes. However, experts argue that you can detect the first signals of some diseases in the eyes.

Dr. Rachel Ward says that some of the symptoms that appear in your eyes may be a sign of 5 serious conditions:

White or yellow swelling
If you have white or yellow bumps on your eyelids or around your nose, you may have high cholesterol. If you have these symptoms, you may want to check your cholesterol.

Yellow eyes
If the whites of your eyes turn yellow, you may have high levels of bilirubin in your blood. Yellow eyes can be a sign of jaundice, but can also indicate a liver infection, gallstones or cancer.

Light colored eye veins
When you pull down your lower eyelid, you should see a red or pink vein. If your blood values are low, you may be suffering from anemia. Anemia, which is more common in women than in men, is caused by iron deficiency.

Impaired vision
If you find that some parts of your vision are missing, you may be at risk of a stroke. The part of your brain involved in vision will be affected during a stroke.

Bulging eye
Eyes that look like they are popping out may be a sign of an overactive thyroid. One in 3 people with overactive thyroid glands experience eye problems.

Mayıs 2023

With the seasonal changes, complaints of dry eyes and allergies have started to increase due to weather conditions.

Allergic conditions that occur with the arrival of spring should not be taken lightly; because eye allergies can be seasonal or temporary, and if not treated in time, they can bring the risk of blindness. Assoc. Dr. Abdullah Özkaya from Memorial Şişli Hospital Eye Center made suggestions about eye allergies and their treatments.

Is it Really Allergic?
Eye allergy, which is a very common complaint, or allergic conjunctivitis with its medical name, is the reaction of the eyes to something that irritates them, namely an allergen. Eye allergies develop when the body’s immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to something in the environment that usually does not cause problems for most people. Unlike other types of conjunctivitis, eye allergies do not spread from person to person. Because eye allergies share symptoms with other eye diseases, it is important to make the correct diagnosis. For example, eye allergies and eye infections are different conditions with similar symptoms but different medical causes. If the eyes are red and irritated and no foreign objects are visible on the eye, this may be due to an allergy. Ophthalmologists, i.e. ophthalmologists, use a special lamp eye microscope to detect swollen blood vessels on the surface of the eye in order to understand which is the problem and to differentiate between infection and allergy.

Apply ice compress
Stating that eye allergy is a disease that occurs with symptoms such as redness, watering, burning, rarely stinging and itching in the eyes as a result of the mixing of tree and plant pollen into the air starting in March and April, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Özkaya said, “In case of eyelid swelling during the allergy period, wrapping ice in a clean towel and applying it to the eye in the morning reduces eye redness and edema in the eyelid.”

Use water-based paint in your home
Stating that since the dusting of flowers increases during these months, those who feel uncomfortable with the existing flowers in the house should take their flowers to their balconies if possible or ventilate the room to reduce contact, Özkaya said, “Allergy is not only in flowers, it can also be caused by other substances that grow in humid environments such as fungi. If the walls of the house are painted with synthetic paint, after a while the walls start to stop breathing. If the house is damp and there are blisters and color changes in the paint, it also affects the air inside and increases allergies. I recommend that allergic people use breathable, water-based paints for their house paints.”

Advice for lens wearers
Stating that people who use contact lenses are more prone to allergies in spring, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Özkaya said, “There are different solutions for lens wearers. For example, it is possible to make allergic periods comfortable by applying drops before wearing the lens in the morning and after the lens is removed in the evening.”

There may be a risk of blindness
Stating that allergic conjunctivitis is defined as a non-microbial inflammation of the membrane called conjunctiva, which surrounds the inside of the eyelids and the white part of the eye, due to allergies, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Özkaya talked about its effect on children as follows, “Although classical allergic conjunctivitis is very common in children, a special type of allergy called vernal allergic conjunctivitis can be seen from the age of 5-6. This condition requires more intensive follow-up and stricter treatment. Because when the treatment progresses, it can progress to vision loss. Eye allergies in children need to be handled carefully. In cases of intense redness and watery eyes, we add cortisone medications on the 5th to 10th day of treatment in addition to standard allergy medications. Our cortisone medications should be used under the supervision of a doctor to provide rapid relief to our patients.”

Always consult an ophthalmologist
Stating that an ophthalmologist should definitely be consulted for the correct diagnosis, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Özkaya said, “Eye allergy treatment needs to be planned and followed individually. For this reason, it is necessary not to use the existing eye drops at home that you have used before without consulting a doctor again in this season because they are good. It is important for people with allergic reactions to consult an ophthalmologist. When the patients arrive, we examine them, diagnose them, treat them with appropriate medications and ensure that they spend this season more comfortably and under control.”

May 2023