Eye Infections Which Are Commonest Among the Lens Wearers

People ditch eyeglasses to a more socially accepted alternative i.e. Contact Lenses. The lenses can help restore a perfect vision even without wearing an actual spectacle; however, wearing contacts has its own cons too. There are a number of common infections that may be caused due to lenses.

Keratitis

This type of infection is often associated with contact lenses. There are three types of Keratitis that are Herpes Keratitis, Fungal Keratitis, and Bacterial Keratitis. To further elaborate, the Fungal Keratitis is caused due to a fungus called Fusarium. This fungus is found extensively in water, soil, and plants and can easily make its way to the contacts if not maintained and cleaned properly. Similarly, Bacterial Keratitis is caused due to bacteria which can cause hosts of issues such as eye discharges, lowered vision, etc. It also causes total blindness in extreme cases. Herpes Keratitis occurs due to Herpes Simplex Virus which usually penetrates the upper layer of the cornea; however, it causes severe infection if it penetrates deep inside the eye.

Corneal Ulcers

Similar to Keratitis, Corneal Ulcers are associated with lens wearers as it can occur due to dirty lenses. The infection occurs due to germs which penetrate in the vulnerable spots on the cornea where the germs can create corneal ulcers which are spread across different layers of the eye. The symptoms can be blurred vision, redness, pain, watering in the eye, and more. It would be best to contact the ophthalmologist after observing similar symptoms.

Clare –

It stands for Contact Lens-induced acute red eye; CLARE causes an adverse effect on the cornea and the conjunctiva. CLARE causes the upper eyelid to develop red bumps, itchiness and lens intolerance and other hosts of symptoms. For those who suffer from such type of symptoms, it is prescribed to avoid wearing lenses for the time being and if the redness or itchiness doesn’t subsidies, contact the physician for medical help.

 

Vision Errors in your Eye and their Corrections

Suffering from some sort of Vision defect? People with some sort of refractive errors are often prescribed to undergo a number of procedures that helps curb different defects. Given is an explicit list of Errors in your eye and the corrections.

Myopia

Myopia or near-sightedness in layman’s terms is a condition where the eye becomes longer i.e. the distance between from pupil to retina increases. The increase in distance obstructs light from reflecting on the Retina and thus, the light converges at a distance from the retina and therefore causes blurry vision for objects placed at a distant place. The near vision of the person is normal.

Myopia Correction

Myopia can be treated with a diverging or concave lens of required power i.e. focal length which makes the light to fall on the retina for a normal picture.

Hyperopia

Dubbed as farsightedness in layman’s term, Hyperopia is a condition wherein the shape of eye i.e. from pupil to retina becomes shorter thus, the light passes the retina and converges at a point beyond retina, therefore resulting in vision which is normal distant objects but blurry nearby objects.

Hyperopia Corrections

A convex lens of required power can help correction Hyperopia.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a refractive defect of the eye which causes distorted or blurry vision for both nearby and far objects. Astigmatism is caused when the shape of the eye is distorted from the shape of baseball to shape of a football. The irregularly-shaped cornea induces light not to focus on a single point which causes vision impairments.

Astigmatism Corrections

Ophthalmologist prescribes wearing an eyeglass with cylindrical lenses for its correction.

Presbyopia

It is an age-related disorder. People aged 40 and above are often affected with Presbyopia. The lens of a human eye expands and contracts to see a clear picture, however, at one point; the lens loses its elasticity which causes Presbyopia which causes difficulty in focusing on near objects.

Presbyopia Corrections

The use of Bifocal lens that is both Convex and Concave lens can help curb Presbyopia.

 

Difference between LASIK and PRK

PRK and LASIK are the two profound and acclaimed methods via which any vision defect is treated. Both the surgical methods are laser-assisted where the digital mapping of the eye is created before the surgery. During LASIK, the corneal flap is created whereas, during PRK, the upper layer or cornea is removed and discarded after which, Laser pulses are shot onto the affected areas. Both the methods alter the shape of the eye, therefore, treating Astigmatism, Hyperopia, and Myopia, etc. There are a number of aspects that are different for PRK and LASIK and there are plenty of myths, notions, misconception related with both of them. As both the methods are different, there are certain differences which are stated below.

Creation of Flap in LASIK and PRK

LASIK is a laser assisted surgery which is performed after creating a flap by cutting the corneal flap while PRK is also a laser assisted eye surgery where there is no need to create a flap in the corneal flap as a different approach is performed in order to treat the affected areas.

Risk of Infection

LASIK has a lower rate for infection whereas post PRK surgery, infections can occur that can cause haze or halos or sensitivity of light and more.

Recovery after the surgery

The recovery period after a LASIK is a week at maximum whereas it could take a good month for full recovery of the patient after getting PRK surgery.

Restoration of Vision

It often takes a maximum of a week to get 20/20 vision or more in LASIK however, it takes a longer duration to achieve 20/20 or 20/40 vision.

Widespread Eligibility

The selection of candidates for Lasik Laser Eye Surgery is concluded after taking his/her medical reports and history into consideration. Sometimes, many people are not eligible for LASIK due to one or other eligibility whereas, on the other hand, anyone can opt for PRK Surgery after consulting their ophthalmologist.

CAPF Medical Standards For The Candidates Who Had Lasik Surgery

Central Armed Police Force works under the Home Ministry and it has five organizations namely BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB. The organization recruits constables, subordinate officers, and gazetted officers with the assistance of SSC and UPSC. The selection criteria for these posts include academic qualifications, age limits, relaxation rules, good health, and physical fitness. The selection procedure comprises of written examination, physical standards test, and medical standards examination. The Assistant Commandant post is much sought after as it is a Group ‘A’ gazetted officer position with equivalent rank to ASP, DSP, and Indian Army Captain.

The UPSC conducts the written examination and short lists suitable candidates for the Assistant Commandant Post at CAPF. The candidates have to undergo physical standards and efficiency test at the specified venues after collecting their admit cards. The physical standards test measures the height, weight, and expanded and unexpanded chest for male candidates. Female candidates have to submit only their height and weight measurements. The weight and height have to be suitable to the age of the candidates. Subsequently, the physical efficiency tests are conducted in athletic events such as long jump, shot put, 100 and 800 metre races. Only the qualifiers in these initial rounds are eligible for the final medical standards examination.

Medical Standards Examination Rules

• Nodal Authorities work under Home Ministry and conduct these exams.
• The centres and admit cards are notified after written exam results are declared.
• The results of medical exam can be appealed or reviewed in case of failure.
• The failed candidates have to appeal with Appellate Authority within 15 days of results of the medical standards examination.

Medical Standards Examination Procedure

Medical check-up is conducted to ensure good functioning of various limbs, organs, nose, neck, teeth, and ear. In addition, the candidates are checked for broken bones, elbow movements, speech defects, skin diseases, chronic ailments, inflammations, and other serious diseases. The eye test is a very significant part of the examination, and there are clearly specified requirements for qualification and elimination.

 

Eyesight – Without Glasses or LASIK Surgery

         Distant Vision (Corrected Vision):

• 6/6 and 6/12 for better and worse eyes respectively, or
• 6/9 and 6/9 for better and worse eyes respectively

        Near Vision (Corrected Vision):

• N6 in better eye
• N9 for worse eye                        

Eyesight – With Glasses or LASIK Surgery

 

• Limits Of Permitted Refractive Error
• Myopia with Cylinder: -4.00D
• Hypermetropia with Cylinder: +4.00D
• Colour Perception: CP-III by ISHIHARA plates.

Prescribed Rules For LASIK Surgery Correction

The candidates, who had completed at least 6 months after LASIK Laser Eye Surgery without any complications, should only apply for the CAPF posts. The following additional requirements are prescribed –

 

• The 6 month postoperative period is mandatory as per the rules of selection board.
• During the postoperative period, the refractive flap has to be stable.
• The candidates have to be between 18 to 35 years of age.
• The axial-length has to be between 21 to 26 mm.
• The corneal thickness has to be 425 microns only.
• The pre-LASIK surgery error should be about 6D.

6 MYTHS associated with LASIK Treatment

Laser assisted non-invasive method for correction of eye effect i.e. LASIK receives much acclaim from those who undergo LASIK and get 20/20 vision or better. However, there are a number of notions and myths that surround LASIK and in turn, discourage people from getting their vision correction via one of the safest technique in modern medicine. We have busted six of the Myths associated with LASIK Treatment below.

LASIK Surgery is ‘Painful’-

When undergoing Lasik Laser Eye Surgery, the doctors will administer eye-numbing solution, moisturizing solution and antiseptic agent to prevent any type of pain or aftermaths. LASIK is a non-invasive method and it barely hurts a little as the only invasive method used in it is for cutting the corneal flap after which lasers take over.

Aged people can not get LASIK –

The best method for getting rid of any vision defect and eyeglasses is LASIK. It is ideal for anyone aged 18 to 70 years or above, thus, Aged people can get LASIK done too.

The Recovery process is long –

The maximum time is taken for a full recovery after LASIK is actually just a week. The corneal flap starts healing itself right after surgery whereas the vision is restored within a day.

LASIK is new, therefore, nobody is aware of its long-term effects –

The first LASIK surgery was performed in 1987 in North America. The technique has proven its caliber as even after 25 years, no casualty of patients going blind has been reported yet.

LASIK is not better than Contacts or Glasses.

Glasses and Contacts have its procedure of usage. It needs special care to wear and remove both contacts and glasses to prevent damage. However, LASIK has proven to provide 20/20 vision or better without the use of glasses and contacts.

LASIK cannot treat Astigmatism/Myopia/Hyperopia –

Vision defects are because of a slight difference in the shape of the eye or the incidence of light on the retina causing a number of vision defects. LASIK is known to treat any and all type of vision deficiency via short bursts of lasers.