Spring is Here, Eye Allergies Increased

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

How Does a Stye Heal?

A stye is an inflamed and painful swelling that occurs around the eyelid. So, how does a stye heal? What are the symptoms of stye?

Styes develop as a result of infection of the sebaceous glands in the eyelid or the eyelash root. The infection is usually caused by staphylococcal bacteria. This infection can develop when unclean hands are brought to the eye area, or when hygiene is not observed when using contact lenses or cosmetic products. It is a common eye infection and can occur at any age. Stye may recur several times during a person’s life.

What are the types of stye?
Stye types; It is divided into two as internal and external stye. Internal ones occur on the upper part of the lid and external ones occur at the base of the eyelash. External styes, which are much more common than internal styes, usually start in the eyelash follicle, sometimes in a sebaceous gland. Most internal styes start in a sebaceous (meibomian) gland in the eyelid tissue. They tend to be more painful than external styes, straining the eye as they grow.

What are the symptoms of a stye?
A stye is an infection with very characteristic symptoms. It is characterized by a red, pimple-like, painful swelling on the eyelid. It causes pain, swelling and watery eyes around the eye and eyelid. There may be a white spot in the center of the bump that looks like pus, and it can also cause swelling of the entire eyelid. A stye usually affects only one eye. However, it is also possible to have more than one stye in one eye at the same time. Styes are one of the most common eye infections. It can sometimes be confused with other infections that have similar symptoms but do not cause as much pain as styes. Chalazion, which appears as a redness and lump on the eyelid, is one of these. A chalazion usually appears as a lump that does not cause pain. It is firm when pressed. It is caused by blockage of the sebaceous glands at the base of the eyelashes and, unlike stye, usually develops on the inside of the eyelid. Although chalazion and stye have different causes, they are usually treated in a similar way. Other common eye infections are blepharitis and conjunctivitis. Blepharitis or conjunctivitis should be suspected if there is redness in the eye, but no pus-filled swelling and watery eyes. Blepharitis is a condition that occurs at the base of the eyelashes. Conjunctivitis is an eye infection that can be bacterial or viral.

How is a stye treated?
Stye is a common infection and most of the time it disappears on its own. When you feel a stye coming out or notice swelling in the area, compressing the area with a warm and damp cloth can speed up the healing process and reduce sensitivity and pain in the area. It is sufficient to apply this compress for 5-10 minutes several times a day as long as the stye persists. Painkillers can also be used to relieve pain. However, if the stye does not improve within 48 hours, if the redness and swelling spreads to the entire eyelid and cheek area, or if vision is impaired, it is worth seeing a doctor. In such cases, antibiotics may be prescribed or surgery may be performed to drain the pus from the stye. When a stye develops, it is important to avoid putting your hands to your eyes and to stop wearing contact lenses. The bump may look like a pimple, but it should not be squeezed thinking that it will heal easily. Because it may cause the infection to spread.

The following methods can be applied to heal the stye faster and prevent the infection from spreading:

  • After washing your hands, press a clean towel or cloth into warm water and compress it on the stye for 5-10 minutes.
  • Then run your finger over the stye and gently massage it to open the blocked canal.
  • When the stye comes out, keep your hands, face and eye area clean. Remove burrs from the eyes.
  • Repeat the warm compress several times during the day, each time with a clean cloth.

How long does it take for a stye to heal?
Even if the stye goes away on its own, it is more likely to remain in the form of a chalazion. Although the stye is self-limiting, the risk of cyst formation increases when left untreated. The average infection state of the stye lasts about a week. With treatment, the signs of infection improve in a week. The earlier treatment is started for a stye, the greater the chance of healing without scarring and the lower the risk of chalazion.

Is stye contagious?
One of the most curious issues about this disease is whether it is contagious or not. However, it is possible to say that stye disease is not contagious in any way. Because it is a self-limiting form of infection. In other words, it only enlarges itself significantly in terms of the area where it is located. Apart from that, it does not infect other parts of the body or infect any person in different ways. Stye disease is not transmitted to another person in any way. In other words, even if many different methods are handled together with contact or airway, it is not a disease that is transmitted to anyone else in any way.

What happens if stye is not treated?
If the stye is left untreated, the possibility of chalazion increases. In very rare cases, trying to squeeze out the stye and doing the wrong things to the eye can lead to excessive swelling of the eyelid (preseptal cellulitis). This is especially risky in children. Because infections in the facial area of children can spread to the brain. For this reason, inflammation of the eyelids should be taken very seriously.

Factors that increase the risk of stye
Inadequate lid hygiene: Children in particular do not wash their hands and face and do not sterilize the base of their eyelashes well
Presence of diseases such as biliopharyngitis: Presence of other valve diseases that cause styes, such as biliopharyngitis
Contact lens hygiene: Contact lens wearers putting in and taking out their lenses without disinfecting them thoroughly or washing their hands first
Sleeping without removing makeup: Leaving eye makeup on overnight without removing it
Skin disorders: Having rosacea, a skin condition characterized by facial redness

What can be done to prevent styes?

  • Hygiene should be ensured by washing hands with soap and warm water. Especially before children go to sleep, the base of the eyelashes should be washed with baby shampoo.
  • Hands should be kept away from the eyes and eyes should not be rubbed.
  • Care should be taken with cosmetic products and the risk of eye infection should be reduced by throwing away old cosmetic products.
  • Cosmetic products should not be shared with others and make-up should not be worn at night. Because make-up products cause blockage of the tear glands.
  • Cosmetic products that cause allergies should not be preferred.
  • Make sure that contact lenses are clean. Contact lens wearers should wash their hands thoroughly before touching the lenses and follow the doctor’s recommendations to disinfect them.
  • If you have had styes before, regular hot compresses can help prevent them from coming back.
  • People with blepharitis should follow their doctor’s instructions for eye care and make it a habit to regularly remove dandruff from the base of the eyelashes.

Prof. Dr. Murat Hasanreisoğlu

May 2023

New Era in Intraocular Lenses

Today, the most up-to-date treatment is smart lenses. It is possible to see near with special lenses that is called trifocal or edof.

Stating that reading glasses started to be used in this period, which usually starts in the early 40s and is called the presbyopia period, Ophthalmologist Assoc. Dr. Efekan Coşkunseven said, “Today, the most up-to-date treatment is smart lenses. It is possible to see near with special lenses that we call trifocal or edof.” Eye Diseases Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Efekan Coşkunseven stated that reading glasses are started to be used after the age of 40-45 and stated that the most up-to-date treatment is smart lenses. Stating that thanks to these lenses, the patient can see near and does not need cataract surgery, Assoc. Dr. Coşkunseven stated that thanks to these special lenses, glare is also eliminated when looking at the eye from the outside.

Stating that most people started working at home with the pandemic, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Efekan Coşkunseven said, “We started to receive education from home. This increased our dependence on tablets and computers. Unfortunately, there is a period like puberty, menopause and andropause that we all have to go through. We call this the presbyopia period. Unfortunately, we have to use reading glasses after the age of 40-45. People who need to use smart lenses may have the chance to continue their lives with less or no reading glasses.”

The Lens Cannot be Recognized From The Outside
Stating that it is not possible to notice the lens from the outside, Assoc. Dr. Coşkunseven said: “We call these special lenses that we call trifocal or edof in a special structure. It is possible to see near with these lenses. Previously, there was an issue that our patients complained a lot about these lenses.  When we put these lenses on after cataract surgeries, patients complained that these lenses were noticeable from the outside. With the new lenses made with new technologies, this situation has been eliminated and it is almost impossible to notice the lens from the outside. The surgery takes about 5-10 minutes. Our patients do not need to lie down after surgery and can return to their social life immediately.”

Has The Same Features as Cataract Surgery
This method can be applied to patients who are in the cataract age, who have cataracts, as well as patients over the age of 40-45 who do not have cataracts or have few cataracts. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Coşkunseven said, “While various other methods were used before, the most up-to-date and most accepted method in the world is the use of lenses with the features we call trifocal and edof. This surgery actually has the same features as a cataract surgery and patients who undergo this surgery do not need to undergo cataract surgery again. One of the most common complaints of the patients was that when other people looked at them from the outside, their eyes shone like cat’s eyes. At night, when they sat in a restaurant, it bothered them that other people around them realized that there was an operation. The effect of light scattering at night has decreased a lot. The most important issue here is to choose the right lens for the right patient. There are special methods and devices that can investigate this. With these devices, we decide which lens to choose for which patient. Whether the patient has undergone laser treatment before, whether there are any other problems in the cornea, these are evaluated. In the light of these, patients are helped by choosing the right lens according to their characteristics.”

Disease Does Not Recur
Stating that there are also those who had laser treatment fifteen – twenty years ago and now come to have this surgery, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Coşkunseven said, “Of course, it is necessary to first evaluate what kind of change there is in the cornea of this eye with very special methods. After this evaluation, we decide which of these special lenses to choose and we help our patients in this way. Thanks to this lens, it is not possible for the patient to encounter a cataract later because we completely replace the lens that causes cataracts. This surgery is a lifelong surgery.”

April 2023

Blue Eyes is Actually a Fallacy

We like blue, green and other eye colors more than brown eyes because of their rarity and good looks of them. However in fact, we all have brown eyes.

How is eye color formed?

A person’s eye color is caused by the pigmentation of a structure called the iris, which surrounds the small black hole in the center of the eye (pupil) and helps control how much light can enter the eye. The color of the iris ranges from very light blue to dark brown. Most often, eye color is classified as blue, green/hazel or brown. Brown is the most common eye color worldwide. Eye color is determined by variations in a person’s genes. Many of these genes are involved in the production, transport or storage of a pigment called melanin. A person’s eye color is determined by the quantity and quality of melanin in the front layers of the iris. People with brown eyes have a lot of melanin in their iris, while people with blue eyes have much less. Everyone has melanin in the iris of their eyes. The amount of this melanin determines the eye color of the person. Melanin is the chemical that determines skin, complexion, hair and eye color. Melanin is dark brown in color and becomes darker as its concentration increases. This is because, depending on its concentration, melanin’s ability to absorb light increases.

The Physics Behind Our Eye Color

If a person has brown eyes, there is likely to be plenty of melanin in both the upper and lower layers of their iris. But people with blue eyes have little or no melanin in the top layer of their iris. The reason we perceive their eye color as blue is the same reason we perceive the sea or the sky as blue. In people with green or hazel eyes, one or both layers of the iris contain light brown pigment. The light brown pigment interacts with blue light and the eye may appear green or mottled. Many people have variations in iris color, usually with one color close to the pupil and the other at the edge. This variation occurs when different parts of the iris have different amounts of pigment.

The laws of physics also play a role in the background. This is explained by Rayleigh scattering. White light from the Sun collides with many particles as it travels through the Earth’s atmosphere. The amount of scattering that occurs depends on the wavelength of the light. The shorter the wavelength, the greater the amount of scattering. As a result, short-wavelength blue light is scattered to a greater extent than long-wavelength red light. This explains why the sky and your eyes appear blue.

Eye Color is Often Not Constant

When babies are born, their eyes are usually blue because their melanin is still forming. Their eye color may darken later as the amount of melanin develops. Since blue and green/hazel eyes get their color from incident and reflected light, they can also appear as different colors depending on the lighting conditions. When babies are born, there is usually not much pigment in their iris. This is why their eyes look more blue. However, over time, usually a few months after birth, more and more pigment begins to accumulate in the eyes. This is why blue eyes gradually become darker or turn brown. For most children, eye color becomes stable after the first year. For some children, however, the color will continue to change for several more years.

April 2023

How can You Prevent Eye Pain?

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

Some Eye Diseases Increases Dementia Risk!

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

Causes Of Your Eye Pain

While pain in and around the eyes can often occur due to simple eye strain, sometimes it can be also a symptom of serious problems.

Eye pain is a type of pain that occurs occasionally in most people but is rarely caused by a serious medical condition. Eye pain is divided into two types depending on where in the eye you feel the pain. Pain on the surface of the eye is called ocular pain, while pain felt deeper inside the eye is called orbital pain. If eye pain is accompanied by redness, bleeding, itching, burning, stinging and swelling, it is absolutely necessary to consult an ophthalmologist. Determining the problem with a detailed eye and vision examination by specialist physicians is very important to prevent possible permanent damage. Op. Dr. Mehmet Esat Teker from the Department of Ophthalmology at Memorial Kayseri Hospital gave information about eye pain.

Sinusitis or headache can be reflected in the eyes

Most people have complaints of eye pain from time to time. Pain can occur due to trauma, inflammation and infection in the eyes. The pain may be in one eye or both eyes. It is difficult for the patient to pinpoint the exact location of eye pain. Therefore, a medical examination is essential to determine the location and cause of the pain. The presence of pain and additional symptoms help in the correct diagnosis of the disease. Sometimes the pain may go away spontaneously and sometimes treatment may be required. Pain in the eyes can often be the reflection of sinusitis or headache in the eyes. In this case, patients are referred to Neurology and Otorhinolaryngology departments.

Some problems may cause eye pain

Many eye diseases are manifested by pain in the eye. Some problems and diseases may be the cause of the pain that starts in the eye.

Foreign body in the eye: Foreign bodies in the eye can cause sudden onset of pain, stinging, burning and watering as well as blurred vision and redness. In these cases, an ophthalmologist should be consulted and the foreign body should be removed by the ophthalmologist. When the object is tried to be removed on its own, there is a risk of further damage to the eye.

Conjunctivitis: It is inflammation of the tissue on the white structure of the eye. It can also be due to non-microbial factors such as microbial, allergic and autoimmunity. The enlargement of the vessels in the conjunctiva is manifested by redness in the eye. In this case, in addition to pain in the eye, patients may have complaints such as stinging, burning, watering, a feeling as if sand has been thrown into the eyes, burring, itching. Conjunctivitis usually improves with drop treatments.

Corneal abrasion: It is a condition that occurs due to scratching or abrasion on the cornea. It manifests itself as severe pain after trauma, stinging, burning, watering, discomfort from light and blurred vision. A doctor’s examination is absolutely necessary without losing time in terms of possible perforation control.

Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea due to microbial or non-microbial causes. Keratitis that occurs especially after unhygienic use of soft contact lenses requires urgent treatment. Otherwise, infections that may result in perforation of the eye may occur within 24 hours. Therefore, it is very important to wear and remove the lenses daily, to pay close attention to hygiene and to remove the lens while swimming in the pool or sea.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma manifests itself in crisis situations with severe pain (the eye may burst), nausea, vomiting and headache. It is a condition that requires urgent intervention. Otherwise, it may cause irreversible damage to the eye.

Uveitis: Uveitis is a condition in which the anterior, middle, posterior or the entire uveal layer of the eye can be involved together. It manifests itself with pain in the eye, light sensitivity, vision loss and redness in the eyes. It can occur due to trauma, infection or immune system disorders. Early diagnosis and treatment is very important to prevent permanent damage.

Optic neuritis: It is the inflammation of the optic nerve that provides communication between the eye and the brain due to various causes. It may manifest itself with pain, especially pain that increases with eye movement, blurred vision and loss of visual field. It is a condition that requires urgent treatment.

Blepharitis or hordeolum: It is a condition that manifests itself with swelling, tenderness and pain in the lids after blockage of the sebaceous ducts opening to the base of the eyelashes. It is popularly known as stye or dog elbow. Generally, relief is experienced as a result of the discharge of the inflammation in the swelling area within a few days. In cases where there is no discharge, it is important to reduce the need for surgery after massage.

Cellulitis: It is divided into 2 groups as preseptal or orbital cellulitis. It may present with symptoms such as headache, pain in the eye, especially pain in eye movements, swelling, redness and loss of vision, and may also manifest itself with neurological symptoms as cellulitis progresses. Urgent examination and initiation of appropriate treatment is vital.

Scleritis or episcleritis: Inflammation of the deep tissues of the white part of the eye. It may occur due to microbial or non-microbial causes. It must be treated after a doctor’s examination.

Dry eye: Dry eye can accompany all diseases involving the surface of the eye. Sometimes it can be mild, sometimes it can be severe; it manifests itself with pain, burning, stinging, light sensitivity and blurred vision.

When is eye pain an emergency?

If you experience vision loss or any of the following symptoms in addition to eye pain, you should seek emergency medical attention:

  • Eye pain after trauma or chemical exposure
  • Abdominal pain and vomiting accompanied by eye pain
  • Painful sensation that cannot touch the eye
  • Sudden and dramatic changes in vision

Do not waste time if you have these symptoms!

If you have 1 or 2 of the following symptoms in addition to eye pain, you should definitely consult an ophthalmologist. It is vital to organize appropriate treatment after a detailed eye and vision examination in order to prevent possible permanent damage.

  1. If nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain are also present
  2. If there is a sudden and severe decrease in vision
  3. If the eye protrudes forward
  4. If there is restriction in eye movements
  5. If the pain is so severe that the eye cannot be touched
  6. In cases of severe trauma or chemical exposure, a specialist should be consulted.

Suggestions that are good for eye fatigue

If the cause of eye pain is due to chronic eye strain, some applications can be effective:

  • Increasing or decreasing the amount of light in the environment can rest your eyes.
  • If you work for long periods of time looking at monitors, it can be effective to rest your eyes by closing and opening them for short breaks.
  • If you have an eye defect, you may need to have an ophthalmologist confirm that you are using the correct numbers.

March 2023

If it is Hard for You To Drive You May Have Cataracts

Decreased distance or near vision, difficulty in driving, frequent changes in spectacle
numbers are among the symptoms of cataracts.

Decreased distance or near vision, faded and yellowed colors, difficulty in driving, light sensitivity and seeing rings around lights, double vision in one eye, frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens numbers, and sometimes even the sudden decrease in the need for reading glasses in patients who use reading glasses or start seeing close-up without glasses are indicators of cataract development. While cataract is defined as an irreversible disorder, surgical applications come to the fore as the only treatment method. There is a natural crystalline lens just behind the colored layer of the eye. This lens is transparent and reduces the rays coming into the eye to the retinal nerve layer and provides a clear image. Opacification and clouding of this lens for different reasons leads to blurred and low vision. This condition is called cataract. Beware if your glasses number changes frequently! Age-related cataracts usually progress gradually. Therefore, the patient may not feel any change in vision in the early stages. While the prevalence of cataracts is 5% around the age of 65, it increases to 50% at the age of 75. However, cataract is not only an age-related disease. Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, exposure to sunlight, radiation, long-term use of cortisone medication, eye trauma, uveitis or previous eye surgery can cause cataracts to appear at an earlier age. Congenital cataracts can also be seen in infants. Some metabolic diseases, consanguineous marriage, certain diseases and infections in the womb, and the use of medication during pregnancy can lead to this condition. The only treatment method for cataracts is surgery and the diagnosis is made by an ophthalmologist through a biomicroscopic examination. The only treatment for cataract is surgery and cataract surgery is the most common procedure in ophthalmology.

March 2023

What Are The Harms Of Permanent Makeup?

Permanent makeup, which is preferred by women who want to save time and work at a busy work pace, can also cause permanent health problems. This procedure, which is applied with anesthesia, may induce to serious diseases transmitted through blood as well as skin problems.

Today, permanent makeup is frequently preferred, especially for lips and eyes. Permanent makeup, which saves women from the rush of applying makeup every day and removing their makeup at the end of the day, also has its harms. Permanent makeup, which many women prefer, is a type of makeup technique made by injecting colored tattoo ink under the skin. In permanent makeup application, micro-needles are used to draw smoother and thinner lines. While microblading is applied on the eyebrows, micropigmentation applications called coloring are applied on the eyes and lips by specially trained specialists. Although permanent makeup application performed by experts in sterile environments using the right products does not cause any harm, sometimes troublesome situations may arise. Here are the damages of permanent makeup…

Skin Complications May Occur: Permanent makeup can cause complications such as cracking, peeling, blistering and local infection on sensitive skin.

Scars may occur in case of removal: In cases such as patient dissatisfaction, scars may also occur as a result of removal of permanent makeup.

Unsterilized Instruments Can Transmit Disease: The use of unsterilized permanent makeup tools can infect the patient with serious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.

March 2023

Vision Defects in Children May Be a Harbinger Of a Tumor

Brain tumors, caused by abnormal growth of tissues in the brain, can cause headaches, morning sickness and visual disturbances in children.

Brain tumors develop when the normal structures of the cells that make up structures such as brain tissue, cerebellum, vessels and meninges within the skull are disrupted and grow uncontrollably. Severe headache, nausea, weakness in arms and legs can be symptoms of brain tumors. In addition, brain tumors can cause speech disorders, hearing loss and psychological imbalances. If left untreated, these tumors, which rank second among childhood cancers, can cause permanent damage and life-threatening conditions in children.

Early diagnosis is very important

Although brain tumors may seem rare, they are the most common tumors of childhood after leukemia. The exact cause of brain tumors is unknown, but they are thought to be caused by environmental pollution, genetic factors and unbalanced nutrition. Symptoms of brain tumors in children differ from those in adults. In adults, brain tumors mostly manifest as severe headaches, whereas in children they are more often associated with visual and developmental impairment.

Beware of temporary vision loss, headache and hearing loss!

60-65% of the brain is devoted to the visual pathways and higher centers related to vision. An object can only be seen if the image is perceived first in the eye and then in the visual center in the back of the brain. When there is a problem in these visual pathways, symptoms may appear as sudden or progressive vision loss. In diseases involving eye movements, the main symptom is double vision and the problem may involve eye muscles, nerves or control centers in the brain. Complaints such as temporary loss of vision or double vision, hallucinations, droopy eyelids, and differences in the size of the pupils can be signs of a brain tumor.

Size difference between two eyes is the most important symptom of brain tumor

Seeing everything double means that the eyes are not in the correct position. It usually occurs due to a problem in the control of the eyes by the brain. In children, turning one eye in or out later on indicates that the brain has lost control of the eyes. This may occur because the eye cannot see and cannot tell the brain which direction it is looking in, or the brain control systems themselves may be impaired by a tumor.  The pupils

are round or equal in size in both eyes. The size of the pupil regulates the amount of light entering the eye and is controlled by the brain. This is because it is the easiest way to observe the result of normal or impaired nerve connections with the brain. Therefore, if there is an irregular pupil or a difference in size between the two eyes, a doctor should be consulted.

Treatment varies according to the age of the patient

There are tumors that can be cured by surgical removal, but sometimes a combination of chemotherapy or radiotherapy may also be required. The various treatment options are determined by the nature of the tumor and often by the age and functional status of the child. As a general rule, radiotherapy is very important in the treatment of adult brain tumors. However, radiation treatments can have adverse effects on the developing brain. For this reason, chemotherapy is often the first choice in young children.

March 2023