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From Dry Eye Syndrome to Cataracts and Glaucoma: How Civilization Affects the Vision of Modern People
The eyes are the most important human sense organs. Because with the help of vision we receive 90% of information about the world around us. And this organ experiences a colossal load in modern life! Never in history have people spent so much time endlessly “playing” on their smartphones and tablets, looking at small objects up close, as today. They also work for hours at computers in offices with fluorescent lighting. We also begin to live longer, and with age, significant changes occur in our organs of vision. How does all this affect our eyes? And what can medicine do now to treat the “mirror of the soul”? We continue the conversation with Gergana Stoyanova, ophthalmologist, candidate of medical sciences, ophthalmologist of the highest qualification category (see the first part of the interview - about the important nuances of myopia and its correction - see the "Health" section of KP.RU). )
- Gergana Spasovna, many people now complain that their eyes become dry, as if sand had been poured on them, and they quickly get tired. They say that this is how dry eye syndrome appears. How common is this in reality?
- It is very common! On average, 7 out of 10 patients who visit an ophthalmologist, especially those living in large cities, suffer from dry eye syndrome (DES). We will make you happy in no time. It does not lead to blindness or decreased vision. But of course it can cause very serious discomfort.
— One of the main reasons is overload when working on a computer, tablet or "sitting" on a smartphone. You blink much less often when looking at the screen. Because of this, the mucous membranes of the eyes become less moist and dry. In addition, the causes of dry eye syndrome are:
“Fortunately, there are dozens of types of tear substitutes available today that can help relieve dry eye symptoms,” says Gergana Stoyanova. “These tear substitutes contain varying concentrations of hyaluronic acid and can be more viscous in gel or liquid form. It’s important for your doctor to choose the form that’s best for your individual needs.”
- What does it depend on?
- The degree of "dehydration" of the eyes. The more pronounced the DES, the more viscous the drops are required. And this is also important to remember. In winter, artificial tears may have to be administered more often. As soon as you feel dry, it's time. Do not think that a few drops in the morning will be enough for the whole day. It does not work that way.
- Sometimes there is pain in the eyes and tears flow spontaneously, but the doctor still prescribes moisturizers. For what?
- That's right. The fact that you have a lot of tears does not completely rule out dry eyes. Our cornea is hydrophobic by nature, so it repels water. The tear film requires a special lipid layer to adhere and moisturize. It is secreted by glands located on the eyelids. Some people with dry eyes have virtually no lipid layer (often due to age-related changes in the eye). Therefore, tears do not remain on the cornea, but flow down. And the eyes remain insufficiently moisturized. A special type of drop solves this problem.
However, patients who have undergone blepharoplasty often complain of lacrimation. In this case, the shape of the eyelids and the trajectory of the tears partially change. A continuous "leak" begins.
Are there any cures for cataracts?
Another sign of our times is the growing number of people suffering from cataracts. This is a clouding of the lens of the eye. The changes that will lead to this will begin in 50 years. More and more people on the planet have crossed this threshold.
- Gergana Spasovna, many want to postpone the operation to replace the lens. Use a few drops or ointments?
- No! No drops, pills or folk remedies. The "gold" standard of cataract treatment is surgery. There are no other options. In addition, if performed in a timely manner, the operation lasts only 10-15 minutes, causes minimal trauma and has no recovery period. There is no discomfort and it is not painful at all.
If a person stays too long, the lens will "overripen". This is a complex cataract. The operation takes longer, and the likelihood of complications increases. So you don't have to wait for anything. The development of cataracts, like wrinkles, is inevitable. By the age of 80, everyone without exception has both.
- How do I know when it's time to change my lenses?
- If vision is less than 60% due to clouding of the lens, surgical intervention is necessary. However, in individual cases and depending on the specific profession, lenses can be replaced earlier.
- Is it true that there are many types of lenses now? How do they differ?
- Yes, technology has advanced a lot. In addition to conventional artificial lenses (mandatory under the compulsory medical insurance and free for the patient - Ed.), lenses can be installed that correct myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia. In addition, we can "give" a person a different number of diopters - bring vision to 100% or leave, for example, minus 2-2.5 diopters. (It all depends on the state of the eye structure. In addition, "high" lenses have different prices. - Ed.)
Glaucoma is one of the most dangerous eye diseases and the leading cause of blindness, say ophthalmologists. The disease involves increased intraocular pressure, which leads to decreased vision and progressive atrophy (destruction) of the optic nerve. Like cataracts, glaucoma develops with age. According to experts, 20% of people over 60, or every fifth person, suffer from it.
- Unfortunately, it is a "silent" disease. A person does not feel symptoms until the disease progresses, - says Gergana Stoyanova. - If glaucoma is detected in the early stages, it can, in principle, be controlled with eye drops to normalize intraocular pressure. They work well.
Doctors explain that in the late stages of glaucoma, irreversible changes occur in the structure of the eye. Surgery may be required (and in some cases even in the early stages of the disease) to prevent irreversible vision loss. "But you need to understand that such an operation does not lead to recovery, but prevents further deterioration of the condition," explains Dr. Stoyanova. "The operation is quite complex and requires a period of recovery after the operation."
How to recognize glaucoma in time if there are no symptoms yet?
- The first changes that lead to increased intraocular pressure begin after 40 years. From this age, intraocular pressure should be measured at least once a year (in our country, this procedure is included in the annual medical examination under the compulsory medical insurance from the age of 40. - Ed.). However, it is worth keeping in mind that there may be forms of glaucoma with normal pressure. To make sure that you do not miss this, you need to undergo a full eye examination. First of all, it is recommended for people with a high risk of developing glaucoma.
- Heredity: If a parent or grandparent has glaucoma, the risk of developing glaucoma increases significantly.
- Thin cornea: During the examination, the thickness of the cornea and the risk of developing glaucoma can be determined.
Gergana Stoyanova is confident that "in time we will have "advanced" medicine that will be able to change many parts of the body when certain organs do not function - and not when cataracts "bloom", but at an earlier age. The flow of patients seeking lens replacement at the age of up to 60 is already increasing. Modern artificial lenses allow a person's eyes to be returned to the state they were in at 25 years old and vision defects to be eliminated.
I am also very proud of Russian ophthalmologists, especially young doctors. At one of our recent meetings, we saw that during “live surgery” (online surgery), our doctors demonstrate such high skill that they amaze their foreign colleagues. The most complex tasks are performed in real time, literally in front of everyone. This is a fantastic level!
Why do your eyes get tired when you sit in front of the computer for a long time (Read more)