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PRESBYOPIA gotten from from the Latin words Prebus and Ops meaning Old man and eye. This condition occurs when the eyes’ ability to focus on new object progressively declines. This condition starts from the late thirties to Early forties

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: The crystalline lens in the eye is responsible for focusing on objects at various distances. At birth, the crystalline lenses are usually flexible, hence making it easy for objects at various distances to be seen clearly. But as one progresses in age, the lenses becomes thicker and more rigid, therefore it looses it’s ability to adjust to various distances. The crystalline lens for this reason can no longer focus on objects held close to the face, unless they are at a distance beyond arms length.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Difficulty seeing small objects held close to the face, headaches on prolonged near work, tearing, requiring bright lights to read, having the needs to hold reading materials faraway to read.

TREATMENT: 1. Use of bifocal Lens to aid reading. 2. Use of progressive addition lenses for reading .  3 . Use of Toric contact lenses.

Tag:      presbyopia,  Crystalline lens, Reading glasses, headache, Eyecare, eye clinic, optometry.

Pterygium is defined as a protective conjunctival tissue growth found on the  nasal part of the the eyeball.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: When the eyes are constantly exposed to irritants like dust, sunlight, particles, Dry air, smoke et.c. The body in a bid to protect the eyes stimulate a protective tissue growth to shield the eyes from unfavorable environmental conditions. This tissue growth can extend beyond the visual axis and impede vision. It can also press on the cornea thereby resulting in Astigmatism. In extreme wether conditions, this tissue growth can become inflamed, by virtue of vascular proliferation resulting in pterygitis.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: reddish tissue on the nasal part of the eyeball, foreign body sensation, gritty sensation, dryness, pain

TREATMENT: This growth can be removed surgical by a procedure called PTERYGIUM EXCISION. Discomforts as a result of inflammation can be relieved by corticosteroids, Topical lubricants and NSAIDS

Allergic conjunctivitis is a compound word and this condition can be defined as the inflammation of the conjunctival tissues Triggered  by allergic reaction.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY:  Allergic reaction occurs when the body is exposed to allergens ( unpleasant particles). This particles causes a disruption in the mast cells of the body. Once the mast cells are distabilized, protective substances known as histamines are released into the blood stream. These histamines then triggers the symptoms peculiar to allergic reactions.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: signs and symptoms of Allergic conjunctivitis includes: Redness, itching, swollen conjunctiva, foreign body sensation, tearing.

TREATMENT: Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis basically involves the use  mast cell stabilizers, antihistamines, ocular decongestants and corticosteroids.

The importance of a perfect vision cannot be overemphasized, considering that the options for replacement are limited. There are various causes of avoidable blindness. Research has shown that visual impairment affects the quality of life of the affected individual. This is because, he/she does not only become a liability to himself, but to his family and the nation as a whole as he/she now becomes dependent on others to fend for his/herself. If all things were equal, he should be providing for himself and even create wealth for others. Therefore, for every individual that goes blind, the economy suffers a loss. Now, this is at the national level. For his/her family members, the time and energy that would have been utilized for improvement of their own lives and finance, is dedicated to taking of the blind relative. This also affects their standard of life and general output to the economy. Sadly, blindness does not only rob the nation of the affected individual’s input, but close relatives that he/she becomes dependent on, thereby reducing the general economy of the nation.

Lastly, the visually impaired or blind individual is majorly affected, as all of his/her dreams have to be put on hold. For someone who has had a very active lifestyle, the change of pace once he/she becomes blind, may be too hard too bear. Research has shown that individuals with visual impairment/blindness tend to die quicker because they are prone to hypertension, depression, mood swings, etc.

Therefore, the importance of ensuring that one has a perfect sight cannot be overemphasized. The eye is the candle of the body. Without sight, life becomes meaningless and may even be cut short untimely. Hence the phrase, MY SIGHT……MY LIFE!!!