Keeping a close watch on your eyes

Eye Care Awareness Month, September 2011

Most people depend on their eyes in almost every aspect of daily life, whether it's getting from one place to another or simply putting the lid back on the toothpaste tube. Yet many take the gift of sight for granted and do not give as much attention to taking care of their eyes as they should.

As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) on-going effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to share real life member stories and their outcomes with you. This article explores the subject of eye care this National Eye Care Awareness Month.

There are millions of blind people in the world today and many of them live active and fulfilling lives. However, living with blindness can be extremely challenging and those who are able to protect themselves from becoming blind should do so. According to the South African National Council for the Blind, 75% of blindness can be prevented or treated, which is why it is so important to be aware of how to care for your eyes and to visit the optometrist every year.

A familiar problem
Joyce Shabangu*, who is an accountant at the Department of National Treasury, says that she goes for regular check-ups with her optometrist and takes the necessary steps to protect her eyes from harm.

"As an accountant I spend a lot of time looking at the computer screen and going through columns of figures in books. Many hours of using my eyes in this way often results in eyestrain, which causes my eyes to become dry and uncomfortable and sometimes gives me a headache."

This is a problem that many working individuals suffer from in today's world. While it is not always easy to find the time, it is important to take regular breaks at work when you do not look at a screen or focus on anything close up for a little while. It can also be helpful to use saline eye drops to keep the eyes from becoming too dry. These can usually be bought over the counter at any pharmacy, though it is advisable to consult the pharmacist about the use of these drops and to speak to your doctor if you have any pre-existing eye or skin conditions.

Watch out!
Certain eye conditions such as eyestrain are less severe and can easily be treated. However there are certain ailments that can become highly problematic and require a great deal of attention in order to prevent deterioration of sight.

Below is a list of some of the most common eye ailments to look out for, as well as their symptoms:

• Glaucoma - this is a group of eye diseases that impact the optic nerve and can cause vision impairment and even loss. The cause of glaucoma is related to eye pressure and it cannot be prevented. The most common form of glaucoma does not have any early symptoms and by the time the sufferer starts to feel pain, vision will already be damaged. This vision impairment cannot be reversed but it can be stopped from getting worse if caught in time. Glaucoma can be treated with the use of eye drops and in certain cases with laser and surgical procedures.
• Cataracts - this is the clouding of the lens of the eye, which results in blurred vision. This condition can be caused by a number of factors including aging, trauma, diabetes and cortisone medication. Symptoms of cataracts can be improved with the use of specifically prescribed glasses and brighter lighting but surgery may be required if this does help sufficiently. This kind of surgery entails the removal of the eye lens affected by cataract and replacement of it with an artificial lens.
• Corneal ulcer - typically, corneal ulcers are caused by infections, which can be bacterial, fungal or viral. Red eyes, swollen eyelids, blurry vision, pain, a white or grey spot on the eye and feeling like there is something in the eye are all signs of a corneal ulcer. This is a fairly serious condition and extremely uncomfortable. Anyone who has a corneal ulcer should be seen by an ophthalmologist immediately. Treatment may include antibiotics and eye drops, and in certain instances surgery may be required.
• Pinkeye - Also known as conjunctivitis, pinkeye is an infection that causes inflammation and redness of the membranes of the whites of the eye and the inner part of the eyelid. It is commonly caused by bacteria or a virus but can be linked to allergies or toxins. The infectious form of pinkeye is highly contagious and those suffering from it should refrain from touching the affected area and should wash their hands regularly. Face cloths and towels should also not be shared. Bacterial pinkeye can be treated with antibiotics and usually last for three to five days. Viral pinkeye will not respond to antibiotic treatment and can last from seven to 10 days.
• Sty - this is a condition that sufferers often confuse with pinkeye as it can result in redness of the eye, however it is quite different. This is a painful swelling at the base of an eyelash or inside the eyelid and is caused by infection. A sty causes itchiness, swelling and is commonly characterised by a yellow-white spot at the centre of a red bump. A sty should never be squeezed. Rather a warm compress should be placed over the affected area for 10 minutes, four to six times a day. This will help to relieve symptoms and will encourage the rupturing of the sty. If the infection has not cleared up within several days a doctor should be consulted.

Basic eye-care rules
Joyce is fortunate enough not to suffer from any severe eye ailments, though her optometrist says that this is largely due to the fact that she takes such good care of her eyes by following the basic eye care rules:

Visit the doctor
There are many more eye ailments than those listed above. That is why the first rule of good eye care is to visit your optometrist regularly for check-ups. This way any illnesses or irregularities can be picked up and dealt with early on. Likewise, if you notice something wrong with your eyes, be sure to make an appointment with your GP who may refer you to a specialist.

Keep your eyes clean
Do not rub your eyes with your fingers or wipe them with an unclean cloth, and be sure to wash your hands regularly. Many eye ailments are caused by infections and can largely be avoided by practicing good eye hygiene.

Protect your eyes from foreign bodies
Scratches to the eye can lead to infection or impaired vision. It is therefore important that you do not insert any foreign bodies into the eye and that you wear protective eye-wear if you are working with materials that may send chips or shards flying into the eyes.

Wear proper sunglasses
UV rays from the sun can damage your eyes, and can affect the skin of your eyelid as well as the cornea, lens and certain other parts of the eye. Exposure to UV rays can also contribute to cataract development.

Joyce points out that good eye health is something that many of us take for granted. Even the smallest infection can be uncomfortable and make your daily routine difficult. It is considerably harder for those who suffer from severe eye conditions and blindness.

"Eyesight is a precious gift that should be safeguarded," says Joyce. "Taking care of your eyes is an important part of looking after yourself. It is better to make the effort now rather than to neglect your eyes and suffer the consequences later."

If you would like to know how GEMS can assist you to obtain more information about any of your healthcare needs, you can contact the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or send a SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and well-being.

Sources:
1. The South African National Council for the Blind, www.sancb.org.za 
2. Eyesite, www.eyesite.co.za
3. The Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.com
4. MedicineNet, www.medicinenet.com
5. Women's Eye Health, www.womenseyehealth.org

*The member's name has been changed in order to protect her identity.