comprehensive eye

World Youth Day is an international celebration that brings together young people from all walks of life, united by their dreams, aspirations, and shared experiences. It’s a day that highlights the energy, creativity, and potential of youth worldwide. But as we celebrate this dynamic phase of life, it’s also essential to consider the health and well-being of our youth—particularly their eye health, which is critical for their future success. In today’s digital age, young people are more connected than ever before. Whether it’s for education, social interaction, or entertainment, screens have become an integral part of daily life. However, this increased screen time poses a significant risk to eye health, leading to conditions that could affect not only their vision but their overall quality of life. This World Youth Day, let’s delve into the importance of eye health, the challenges posed by modern lifestyles, and the steps we can take to protect the vision of the next generation. The Digital Age: A Double-Edged Sword for Vision Technology has opened up a world of possibilities for young people, offering new ways to learn, communicate, and engage with the world around them. However, the extensive use of digital devices has brought about a new set of challenges, particularly concerning eye health. Digital Eye Strain: An Emerging Epidemic Digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome, is becoming increasingly common among youth. The condition is characterized by symptoms such as eye discomfort, fatigue, headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes, all of which result from prolonged exposure to screens. The average young person spends several hours a day on digital devices, whether it’s for schoolwork, social media, gaming, or watching videos. This constant focus on screens can lead to overexertion of the eye muscles and reduced blinking, which in turn causes dryness and irritation. To mitigate the effects of digital eye strain, it’s essential to educate young people about healthy screen habits. One effective strategy is the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. This practice helps relax the eye muscles and reduce strain. Additionally, adjusting screen brightness, using blue light filters, and maintaining proper posture can also help alleviate the symptoms of digital eye strain. The Invisible Threat: UV Radiation and Eye Health While digital devices are a significant concern, another often overlooked threat to eye health is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Young people, who spend more time outdoors, are at a higher risk of UV exposure, which can have long-term effects on their eyes. Understanding the Risks of UV Exposure UV rays can cause damage to the eyes in several ways. Prolonged exposure can lead to conditions such as photokeratitis (a painful inflammation of the cornea, similar to sunburn), cataracts, and even macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss. The eyes are particularly vulnerable to UV rays because they absorb light directly, making protection essential. Sunglasses: A Simple yet Effective Solution The good news is that protecting the eyes from UV radiation is relatively simple. Wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays can significantly reduce the risk of UV-related eye damage. It’s important for young people to develop the habit of wearing sunglasses whenever they’re outside, regardless of the season, as UV rays can penetrate through clouds and reflect off surfaces like water, sand, and snow. In addition to sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats can provide extra protection by shielding the eyes from direct sunlight. Educating young people about the importance of UV protection can go a long way in preserving their vision and preventing future eye health problems. The Role of Regular Eye Exams in Preventive Care Routine eye exams are a cornerstone of maintaining good eye health, especially for young people. Many eye conditions, such as myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism, and even more serious issues like glaucoma, can develop without obvious symptoms. Regular eye exams can detect these conditions early, allowing for timely intervention and treatment. Myopia: A Growing Concern Myopia is one of the most common vision problems among youth today. The condition causes distant objects to appear blurry while close objects remain clear. The prevalence of myopia has been increasing, with some studies suggesting that excessive screen time and reduced outdoor activities may be contributing factors. Early detection and management of myopia are crucial, as severe cases can lead to a higher risk of retinal detachment and other complications later in life. What to Expect During an Eye Exam A comprehensive eye exam typically includes several tests to assess vision and eye health. These may include: Encouraging regular eye exams, ideally once a year, is an important step in safeguarding the vision of young people. Even if they don’t currently experience vision problems, these exams can detect early signs of conditions that may not present noticeable symptoms initially. Healthy Habits for Lifelong Eye Health In addition to managing screen time and protecting eyes from UV rays, there are several other lifestyle habits that can promote eye health in young people. Balanced Diet: Nourishing the Eyes from Within Nutrition plays a significant role in maintaining eye health. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can provide the essential nutrients needed for healthy vision. Adequate Sleep: Resting the Eyes Sleep is another critical factor in maintaining eye health. Lack of sleep can lead to eye strain, redness, and dryness. Ensuring that young people get enough sleep each night—ideally 7-9 hours—can help their eyes recover from daily stress and maintain optimal function. Hydration: Keeping the Eyes Moisturized Staying hydrated is essential for overall health, including eye health. Dehydration can lead to dry eyes, which can cause discomfort and irritation. Encouraging young people to drink plenty of water throughout the day helps keep their eyes moist and comfortable. Physical Activity: Boosting Circulation Regular physical activity can improve blood circulation, which is beneficial for eye health. Exercise helps ensure that the eyes receive enough oxygen and nutrients, reducing the risk of conditions like glaucoma. Encouraging young people to

After the scorching heat, when a monsoon downpour touches the earth, everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Along with the pleasant atmosphere and eye-pleasing greenery, monsoon is also a season of diseases like malaria, dengue, chikungunya and water-borne diseases. But do you also know that the season also poses risks to one of the most delicate organs of our body- the eyes? According to the latest news, there has been a spike in the cases of viral conjunctivitis in Nepal. Kids as young as two years old to people in their 70s are becoming the victims of this highly contagious eye disease. Currently, eye doctors in Nepal are witnessing a 50% increase in OPD visits of patients with eye infections. With moisture and dampness everywhere, it serves as the ideal breeding ground for viruses, bacteria and fungi. Hence, our eyes become more susceptible to infections. As the air gets enveloped with humidity, dust microbes and germs like bacteria, it becomes all the more important to strictly follow hygiene tips to keep your eyes healthy and visit the best ophthalmologist in case of eye-related issues like redness, burning sensation, swelling, discharge, etc. at bay. Conjunctivitis (pink eye)/आँखा पाक्ने रोग, eye stye and corneal ulcers are common eye diseases during monsoon season. As it is said – prevention is better than cure; let us go through some hygiene tips that will help you keep your eyes healthy while allowing you to see & experience the monsoon beauty. Wash Your Hands Frequently Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds was the new hygiene practice that got deeply ingrained in our routine during the COVID-19 pandemic. This practice is all the more important during monsoon as it is the season of sniffles and sneezes. You might have touched the infected place or thing and if the same hand touches your eyes, the germs from your hands get transmitted to your eyes, leading to eye irritation and infection. Keep Your Contact Lenses Clean We know how difficult it is to drive a bike or car wearing a spectacle in the rain. Eyeglasses get fogged up and it is risky to wipe them every now and then while driving. Hence, people find it convenient to wear contact lenses to avoid irritation and blurred vision. However, please keep your contact lenses clean by storing them in a suitable contact lens solution, and also disinfect them at regular time intervals.  Do Not Share Towels and Napkins Eye infections are contagious. Hence, it is advisable to not use anyone’s towels, napkins or personal care products to avoid the transmission of bacteria and viruses from the infected to the non-infected. Avoid Going Out in the Rain We all love to get drenched in the rain. But do you know that the first shower of rain water carries a large amount of germs, atmospheric pollutants and microbes as it falls. Eye care practitioners at times refrain from going out in the rain as much as possible. Even an accidental splash in the eye while playing in puddles can cause severe eye infection due to dirty water. If an irritation or itching persists for a long time, do not ignore it or go for over-the-counter eye medication.  Avoid Public Swimming Pool Public swimming pools are used by almost everyone. In monsoon, the pool water gets contaminated with rain water or even with an infected person. This poses a threat to not just your eyes, but also to your skin, nose and ears. Keep Your Eye Makeup Products Clean First of all, store your eye makeup products in a clean, dry place. If your mascara brush or eyeliner pencil comes in contact with moisture, it might become contaminated with bacteria and viruses. Hence, before and after applying eye makeup, make sure to disinfect the products by rubbing them with alcohol or the right kind of disinfectant to prevent the germs from spreading. Go for Regular Eye Check-ups To enjoy good vision for a long time, visit the best eye care hospital of your city and get your eyes regularly checked. Drishti Eye Care, Kalanki, Kathmandu, said, “Do not buy over-the-counter (direct from chemist) drops. Many of them may have steroids and it may aggravate the infection and even do not try home remedies, consult the eye doctor in Drishti Eye Care for the best care and treatment.” Other than the above hygiene tips, eat a healthy diet throughout the year like leafy green vegetables, nuts and legumes that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin A and carotene for overall improved eye health. Especially during monsoon, it is necessary to strengthen our immune system as we are more vulnerable to the exposure of bacteria and viruses in the environment. Our eyes are sensitive and are a window to the soul. Take Care!!!