Myopia or near sightedness is an eye defect in which the image of the object being seen is formed in front of the retina, unlike the normal image formation on the retina. This causes near placed objects to be viewed clearly, but objects that are situated far off appears to be blurred. The two causes of myopia are: either the eye ball is too wide or the cornea is too steep which leads to formation of the image in front of the retina, rather than on it. As the image is formed on the vitreous inside the eye, this leads to the formation if a blurred image.

Symptoms of Myopia

The main symptoms of this eye defect include blurred viewing of far off objects, extreme headaches and giddiness while concentrating on far off objects. While looking at distant objects, myopic people tend to squint their eyes.

Diagnosis of Myopia

A patient's vision for the detection of myopia is tested by making him read letters or numbers on a chart posted a set distance away (nearly 20 ft). The investigating doctor/ optometrist asks the patient to look at and read the board through a variety of lenses to obtain the best correction.  Optometrist concerned also carefully examines the inside of the eye and the retina. An instrument known as a slit lamp is used to examine the cornea and the eye lens. The prescription for the corrective eyeglass is written in terms of dioptres (D), which measure the degree of refractive error. Based on this prescription, the patient can get the corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses made.

Treatment

There are 2 ways of treating the problem of myopia and achieving clear vision again. One can choose the preferred treatment by them on the basis of age, health, intensity of the defect and the cost factor. The two possible alternatives are:

• Corrective lenses: According to the vision testing results, eye glasses or contact lenses with the prescribed power can be purchased and made use of for restoring proper vision. This is the best possible treatment as it is the least invasive, longest-standing, and the most adjustable option. In young age, the power keeps fluctuating time and again. Glasses and lenses can be changed from time to time. They are also more economical than other treatment i.e. Laser surgery.

• Laser surgery:  Laser surgery is another widely accepted treatment for myopia. There is a good percentage of success rates in treating Myopia of eye through Laser Surgery. In most of the cases, a patient does not need to wear eye glasses or lens after surgery. In some cases, there may again occur the need to wear the glasses.

Prevention of Myopia

The following points should be taken care of, from an early age for prevention of myopia:

• Do not watch T.V. or computer, continuously for long stretches of time. Take a break, wash your eyes and look around after every 40 minutes.
• Watch T.V. from a distance. Do not sit too close and watch. It will strain and eventually damage the eye muscles.
• Take a diet rich in vitamin A, with lots of papaya, carrots, milk products, cod liver oil and meat.
• Get routine vision tests done.

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It is the infection of the cornea which causes disruption of the cornea’s epithelial layer. Corneal ulcer is generally an open sore on the cornea.

What is cornea?
Cornea is the outermost, transparent, convex layer of the eye that shields the rest of the eye from external particles. It also transmits and focuses light in to the eye. Cornea does not have blood vessels and blood supply and thus it’s more prone to infections. It gets its nourishment from tears and other liquids present in the eye chambers.

Causes of Corneal Ulcers

• Infection Cornea is the outermost layer of the eye and hence its prone to different kinds of the infection. Bacterial, viral or the fungal infection in the cornea may initiate the inflammatory process in the cornea and thus lead to ulcers on the cornea.
• Injury to the cornea by certain foreign particles like glass, metal may lead to tiny tears on the cornea. These tears can easily get infected and ulceration of the cornea.
• Wearing contact lenses for long time may also act as a source of infection and injury to the cornea and thus it may lead to the corneal ulceration. Extended use of contact lenses (wearing lenses for many days without removing them at night) is also a common cause of corneal ulcers.
• Dry eyes – Certain medical conditions that causes dry eyes . Since tears are the main source of the corneal nourishment, all the conditions that causes dry eyes may lead to corneal ulceration
• Inadequate Eyelid Closure – Certain medical conditions like Bell’s palsy can cause inadequate eyelid closure. This exposes the cornea to dust, infection or trauma which may again lead to corneal ulceration

Symptoms of the corneal ulcers

• Pain in the eye
• Redness of eye
• Inching and burning sensation in eye
• Discharge from the eye
• Impaired vision
• Sensitivity to light

Diagnosis
Optometrist will do detailed physical examination of the eye with the help of special eye microscope. Ulcers can be detected by using the microscope.
If infection is the cause of the ulcer, sample can be drawn from the eye and sent to laboratory for the identification of the causative organism.

Treatment

• Causative organism for the infection is detected by the culture sensitivity of the sample drawn from the eye
• If the ulcers are caused by bacterial infection then antibiotic eye drops are given.
• For viral infection antiviral eye drops and for fungal infection antifungal eye drops are used.
• If ulcer is severe, hospitalization is done and IV antibiotics are given.
• Pain medications to relieve pain in the eye
• Cyclopegic eye drops give rest to the eye
• For non-healing or progressive corneal ulcers, surgery is performed (Corneal transplantation)

Eyecare at home

• Apply cool compresses to soothe the eye
• If discharge is coming out of the eye and forms crusts on the eyelid, apply warm compresses. Gently wash the eyes with clean water.
• Rest the eye to relieve pain and discomfort
• Avoid sunlight.
• Wear dark glasses
• Do not touch or rub the eye with fingers
• Limit the spread of the infection by washing hands regularly
• Avoid wearing contact lenses for few days

Seek immediate medical help if

• The discharge from the eye becomes greenish
• Vision is decreased
• Excessive pain in the eye
• Excessive sensitivity to light