Eye Care

All of us depend on our eyes to perform well for us each day. Almost everything we do involves our ability to see well. Yet it is very easy for us to take our eyes for granted. Our lives are so busy that we may not even realize that we are not seeing as well as we once did.

• General tips on how to protect our eyes
• First Aids on Eye Injuries
  1. Foreign objects in the eyes
  2. Burns to the eye
  3. Smoke in the eyes
  4. Wounds to the eyes
• Keeping your eyes healthy
• Alternatives to improve eye vision

• Make it a habit to clean your eyes daily.
• In order to avoid eye fatigue, only read under sufficient and uniform illumination.
• Rest your eyes for a while if they feel tired.
• Keep away from the targets of darts and arrows.
• Walk, don't run, when holding sharp object, keep the point turned down.
• Watch out for pointy things, such as tree branches.
• Wear eye safety equipment when playing eye hazardous sports
• Wear safety goggles when engaged in eye hazardous chores.
• Wear prescription glasses, if needed, with polycarbonate lenses.
• If your eyes feel uncomfortable, consult an eye doctor.

• Do not look at the sun or any strong light source directly.
• Do not use other people's towel, handkerchief or cosmetics.
• If any particles get into the eye, do not rub the eye with your hand.Close the eye for a while and let your natural tear wash the particles out.
• Avoid throwing pointed or sharp objects, sand or dirt.
• Avoid playing with firecrackers.

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The eye can be injured by direct trauma, broken glasses, fragment of metal, flame, flash of lighting and chemical burns. All injuries to the eye are considered serious as it can lead to infection or blindness. If an eye injury occurs, the following emergency care should be given and seek professional treatment promptly.

1) Foreign objects in the eye

i) Cause

• loose eyelashes
• insects
• girt or dust
• glass
• metal particles
• cosmetic

ii) Symptoms and signs

• watering of the eye
• pain in the eye, particularly when looking at light
• gritty feeling in the eye
• inability to open the eye
• redness of the eye
• may have blood or clear fluid leaking from the eye
• eyeball may change in shape and protrude
• spasm or twitching of the eyelid

iii) Management

If a foreign object is embedded in the eye:

• lay the casualty down
• cover both eyes, by using thick pads
• seek medical aid promptly

If the foreign object is small and loose:

• It may be washed out by tears
• If not, ask the casualty to look up. Gently draw the lower lid down and out.
• If the foreign object is visible, remove it, using the corner of a moistened clean cloth
• If the foreign object is not visible, ask the casualty to look down.
• Gently grasp the lashes of the upper lid.
• Pull the lid down and over the lower lid. This may dislodge the foreign object.
• If not, wash the eye with a gentle stream of clean water or sterile saline.

iv) Points to note:

• the casualty should avoid rubbing the eye
• never try to remove object that is embedded in the eye
• never try to remove object from the coloured part of the eye
• do not persist in examining the eye if the injury is severe

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2) Burns to the Eye

i) Causes

• heat, e.g. flames or radiant heat
• welding flash or ultraviolet light
• chemicals e.f. acids, lime, caustic soda

ii) Symptoms and signs

• intolerance of light
• severe watering of the eyes
• reddening of the eyeball
• swollen eyelids

iii) Management

If there is a chemical or heat burn:

• open the eyelids gently with your fingers
• wash the eye with flowing cold water for 20 minutes
• ensure the underside of the eyelids are also washed properly
• place eye pads or light clean dressings over both eyes
• seek medical aid

If there is a welding flash or ultraviolet light burn:

• place eye pads or light clean dressings over both eyes
• seek medical aid

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3) Smoke in the Eyes

i) Symptoms and signs

• watering
• pain
• reddening
• the casualty may close the eyes closely

ii) Management

• ask the casualty not to rub the eyes
• wash the eyes with cold tap water or sterile saline

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4) Wounds to the Eyes

i) Causes

• direct blows
• fast moving objects, e.g. tennis ball

ii) Management

• reassure the casualty
• lay the casualty on the back
• place a light dressing over both eyes
• ask the casualty not to move the eyes
• arrange immediate ambulance transport to medical aid.

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There's also the possibility that we may be developing an eye health problem, like glaucoma, with no early noticeable symptoms. Seek medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• blurred vision, even if gradual over time
• sudden loss of double vision
• flashes
• floaters in vision
• sudden marked distortion in vision
• severe redness of the eye
• severe pain in the eye, itching or dryness
• scratchy feeling of eye
• light sensitivity, especially if severe or painful
• halos around lights
• discharge with pain or redness of the eye
• inability to see at night
• protrusion of the eye
• pain or loss of vision
• fluctuating vision

Any of there can indicate serious medical condition, because many aliments can be controlled if detected at an early stage. Seek medical advice promptly if there is anything wrong.

To maintain proper health, vitality and functioning of your eyes and ensure a lifetime of reliable use. It is important to have regular eye exams by a qualified eye doctor. Children's eyes should be examined by an eye doctor immediately after birth. Thereafter children should have their eyes checked at around three years of age and every year after till seven.

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Move on to Alternatives to improve eye vision