Ask the Doc
Dr. Ravi Thomas, Director, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, replies:
MY sister is 21 and she has residual vision as below: R.E: 20/200 and L.E. 20/200. This is due to oculocutaneous albinism. Is there any way to correct her eyesight? Name withheld
Answer: Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition. At this age, the use of glasses may improve her vision, but not to the extent a normally sighted person would have. On the other hand, look at the positive side: Your sister is not blind. She does have low vision, but that is far better than being blind. This condition could have been associated with bad systemic diseases that your sister fortunately does not seem to have. The good news is that with a proper set of glasses, low vision aids, and some training, there is no reason why she should not live a near normal life and work at most jobs including those that involve the use of computers. With her condition, she probably also has difficulty in the sunlight: the low vision specialist will also advise her about the type of dark glasses to wear to make her comfortable in bright environments too. Taking a broader view, before she plans a family, it may be best to visit an ophthalmologist and geneticist who will take a family history, confirm the diagnosis, look up the inheritability of the disorder and provide information that will permit her to take a decision about children.
I AM in my early twenties. Since I was 13, I have been wearing spectacles with minus power. It increases every year by 0.25. I take a healthy vegetarian diet with lots of carrots and leafy vegetables. I am overweight by 13 kg. Does this have an effect on eyesight? Is there some way by which I can reduce the power? Neha
Answer: Minus power of spectacles usually stabilises by the mid 20s. Is your power increasing, or is it "changing"? There is a difference. And a power of 0.25 is within the testing variability. This type of eyesight defect is NOT more common in vegetarians and, anyway, you seem to know about the diet required for healthy eyes. I do not know of any association with being overweight either, but it is a good idea to be within the weight recommended for your height: the diseases associated with being overweight are, in my opinion, far worse than the need to wear glasses.
You want to reduce the power? How much is it? Are you having difficulty with your glasses? Are you intolerant to contact lenses? Or don't you just want to wear glasses or lenses? There are contact lens techniques to lower the power, but they are controversial. There is surgery available to lower the power, provided you fit the criteria and are willing to take the slight risk involved. That slight risk that is probably safer than most daily activities, but could be a risk to sight. The decision depends on what your power is and how badly you want to get rid of your glasses. Please don't get both eyes done at the same sitting.
More importantly, have a complete eye examination, which involves more than just checking the vision or "computerised testing" and getting a pair of glasses. A person with a minus power is at risk for certain diseases, which, if detected early enough can actually be prevented or treated. A full exam takes a couple of hours and involves an examination under a special microscope called a slit lamp, measurement of the pressure of the eye with this machine, medicines to dilate the pupil and a examination of the back of the eye on the slit lamp using special lenses. You will also need a similar examination in the reclining position on a couch where the doctor uses a bright head mounted light and a lens held in the hand.
I AM 27 and have myopia (-5.0, -5.5). It started when I was 16. My power has not yet stabilised and it increases by 0.5 every year. I observe a regular pattern. My eyes begin to feel itchy in March/April and there is slight pain in July/August, which seems to indicate the change in power. Will this stabilise or not? Is there any method by which this can be arrested? Hemant Kumar
Answer: Part of your question has been covered in the previous answer, but you have given me the actual power of your glasses. I will assume that in fact the power has been increasing, not "changing". This is unusual as you are at an age where the power should be stable. It is important for you to get a complete eye exam done. In your case, in addition to what I have mentioned above, the doctor would look very carefully at the front of your eye to ensure you don't have a problem with your cornea, as well as rule out an associated allergic condition. If your vision with contact lenses or glasses is not improving to normal, this might very well be the problem. He will also ask for a history or family history of diabetes and rule out other causes for your power worsening, like cataract (have you used steroid drops for your itching and pain? They can cause cataract and glaucoma). The examination will also serve as a baseline against which we can check to see if in fact the power is changing (which is not unusual), or worsening (which at this age is rare). Contact lens and surgical methods to "arrest" this condition are very controversial. Surgery to get rid of the glasses is available. The safety issue has been discussed above. A bit of advice: don't get both eyes done at the same sitting.
I AM 21 years old. I have been using lens for the past three years. The power in both eyes is 5.5. From the beginning I have not been comfortable with my lens. My eyes get dry, due to which I can't see the lights in the night. An eye doctor suggested I use GenTeal drops in my lens before inserting it. Even then, I'm not comfortable. Can this dryness be prevented? I have read about laser treatment to correct vision. What does it involve and is it safe? Uma
Answer: Did you get a complete eye examination done before using lenses? This is especially important, as you are a "myope — someone who needs to wear a minus power As far as contact lenses are concerned, such an examination is important because there are certain conditions where a contact lens is not advisable, or should be used after treatment for those conditions. They are usually minor and of nuisance value, but can lead to serious problems. The need to use tears may point towards this. Once such conditions are ruled out, the next issue becomes one of fit. I am sure you have had a good fitting done, but it is worthwhile to go back and get it checked again. And if you are still not satisfied, there is no harm in a second opinion, and, or a different kind of lens. Laser treatment has been dealt with above. If the cornea is too thin, or there are other considerations, surgery is not advisable. The safety issue has been discussed above. Either way please get a complete eye examination done. Sometimes patients are in a rush and the doctor, regrettably obliges them by checking only the glasses. Potentially serious disease with possibly disastrous consequences in the future can be missed. When you go for a check up, take an appointment and set aside a couple of hours for the examination. And if the doctor doesn't do a complete examination, please ask for one. Or seek another doctor who will do such an examination.
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