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