Today, obesity and related diseases, which are becoming increasingly common due to reasons such as sedentary life, excessive calorie foods and sitting work, are increasing in our country.

Stating that obesity negatively affects the vessels and hormones in the body and causes chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, Op. Dr. Altınbay pointed out that this situation triggers eye diseases. Op. Dr. Altınbay said, “Studies have shown that obesity causes cataracts, glaucoma (eye pressure), yellow spot, retinopathy (eye disorder due to diabetes) and dry eye disease that causes watery eyes, stinging sensation and blurred vision. Currently, there are no studies that show a definitive result that these diseases can be cured when an obese person loses weight. However, in a recent study, it was also observed that there was an improvement in eye vascular structures in individuals who lost weight after bariatric surgery.”

The leptin hormone secreted from adipose tissues in obese people is thought to accelerate cataract formation by increasing the level of oxidative stress in the body. However, there is also the view that the natural lens cannot be nourished and cleaned from waste materials as a result of diseases that cause vascular damage such as obesity-related diabetes. All these cause cataract formation in obese people faster than other healthy individuals. It is important for everyone, whether they have eye disease or not, to see specialist physicians for routine examinations once a year.

November  2024

Conjunctivitis, popularly known as red eye disease, is one of the most common eye disorders in both children and adults. If conjunctivitis is not treated in a timely and correct manner, it can exacerbate and cause permanent eye damage.

Stating that bacterial or viral infections and allergic reactions are among the most common causes of conjunctivitis, Ophthalmologist Op. Dr. Burcu Usta Uslu from Anadolu Sağlık Merkezi Hospital said, “Eye redness can occur for many reasons, but if it is an infectious redness, you should be very careful about its contagiousness and treatment, so the symptoms should be closely monitored.” Op. Dr. Burcu Usta Uslu listed the measures that can be taken to protect against conjunctivitis, a disease that can be easily transmitted from person to person or from one eye to another:

1. Do not go outside without sunglasses, especially on sunny days.
2. As soon as you come back from outside, wash your hands and face for at least 20 seconds without irritating them, rubbing them, and even take a bath if possible.
3. Apply cold compresses to your eyes from time to time.
4. Avoid dry eyes by using cooled artificial tears that do not contain preservatives.
5. In consultation with your doctor, use antihistamines, steroids, i.e. eye drops containing cortisone or immunomodulators such as cyclosporine.
6. Never scratch or rub your eyes vigorously, as this can damage the cornea and increase the risk of keratoconus and secondary contamination and infection.

November  2024

Heart disease can cause symptoms in different organs. The health of your heart is reflected in your eyes. Heart diseases can cause some problems in the eyes.

Every year, 17 million people in the world lose their lives due to heart disease. Regular health screenings ensure that heart diseases that progress silently without any symptoms are recognized at an early stage and successful treatment methods are applied. Heart disease is a term that covers any disorder that occurs in the heart and affects the heart. Heart disease includes blood vessel diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) and congenital heart defects. The term heart disease is often used interchangeably with the term cardiovascular disease.

Experts say that ophthalmologists can detect signs of heart disease during a comprehensive eye examination. A new study reveals that the retinas of people with heart disease show signs of eye strokes. Eye strokes cause cells to die when the eye is deprived of blood flow and oxygen. This creates a scar called a retinal ischemic perivascular lesion. These signs can be detected when ophthalmologists use an imaging tool called optical coherence tomography, or OCT, to look closely at the retina. OCT scans of the retina are a valuable way to detect diseases and dysfunctions not just in the eyes, but throughout the body, says Joseph Nezgoda, an ophthalmologist and Academy spokesperson and retina specialist. Eye scans can detect signs of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other underlying health conditions.

How eye exams detect heart disease

The eye is the only place in the body where a doctor can see the live movement of blood vessels, nerves and connecting tissues without the need for an invasive procedure. This is why ophthalmologists are often the first to detect health problems including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, strokes and more. While the scars left behind by eye strokes may be present in small numbers in healthy people, they are much more numerous in those with heart disease. The researchers reached these conclusions by analyzing the medical records of 84 people with heart disease and 76 healthy people, all of whom had retinal OCT scans.

Diagnosing heart disease early can save lives

The new study adds to the list of health conditions that an eye exam can help detect. “Your ophthalmologist can take an image of your eye to help detect cardiovascular diseases earlier,” says Nezgoda. For people with heart disease, the number one cause of death worldwide, early detection and treatment can help prevent a heart attack or stroke. In the future, ophthalmologists may be able to refer their patients to a cardiologist if they notice eye strokes on an OCT scan, especially if the patient has not had a comprehensive health check-up or has no family history of heart disease.

November 2024