Takeaways from Health Live @ Seniors Today with Dr Anand Shroff

How often should one visit an eye specialist? What are the symptoms of Cataract? What are anti-fatigue glasses? Why do we need antiglare glasses? How lights can affect eyes? These and many other questions were answered by Dr Anand Shroff on Saturday, July 18 as part of the Health Live @ Seniors Today series

By A Staff Writer

On Saturday, July 18, Health Live @ Seniors Today hosted leading eye specialist and surgeon Dr Anand Shroff to speak with readers on issues concerning eye care for senior citizens.

Dr Shroff is a leading eye specialist and surgeon with specialisation in ReLEx Smile, Lasik, Bladeless EpiLasik, C3R, Glaucoma and Corneal disorders, Cataract including accommodative and toric implants.

Dr Shroff is one of the first ophthalmologists to use advanced accommodative and multifocal lens implant technology and methods. He is the pioneer of wavefront guided and topography-guided Lasik in the country. He is one of the most experienced refractive surgeons having over 17 years of experience as a Lasik and Cataract surgeon. He has performed over 20,000 cataract surgeries and 20,000 Lasik procedures and continuing. Also, a Glaucoma specialist and a former consulting surgeon of Bombay Hospital, he currently works at Shroff Eye Hospital in Bandra and Shroff Eye Clinic on Marine Drive, both in Mumbai.

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Here are the takeaways from the Health Live @ Seniors Today session with Dr Anand Shroff:

1. Pay attention to your eyesight – As you age, your lens begins to age and turns hazy making it difficult for you to see clearly. It is essential to get your eyes checked as soon as you notice a change in your eye sight. Immediate attention can help save your eyes from further deterioration.
2. Cataract can be black or white – With age, vision tends to get hazy resulting in poor eye sight. If the cataract goes white, it progresses fast. Eyes become hazier leading to vision loss. If the cataract goes black it begins with yellow, that turns into dark yellow followed by brown and finally black – also resulting in vision loss.
3. Symptoms of cataract – Symptoms vary from person to person. However, the early onset of cataract would be light sensitivity, vision becomes hazy, and constant change in number.
4. Cataract Surgery is safe – Today cataract surgery requires no injection, no stitches and no patch after surgery. Especially with microscopic incision techniques cataract has become a stress-free procedure.
5. Extended-depth-of-focus lenses (EDOFs) – It is a single focus lens with a great depth of focus. Many people opt of these lenses after their cataract surgery. This is a new kind of lens that provides a clear vision of your surroundings during day and night. Also, with EDOFs you can leave your glasses aside.
6. How to relieve from sinus pain – Apply some Vicks Vaporub over your temples and nose, take some steam. Avoid eating and drinking cold food and beverages instead do salt water gargles. Take steam inhalation – close your eyes and mouth and inhale the steam from your nose. Stand away from AC draft also refrain from being around the window or balcony when the weather is cold. Avoid temperature extremes – stepping out for afternoons errands could trigger your sinus and lead to a headache as the temperature outside is hotter than your air-conditioned room. Whenever you go for a head bath ensure that your AC is turned off and your windows are shut so that when you come out, your room is still in room temperature.
7. Lights are important – Lights can sometimes strain the eyes depending upon the type. It is recommended to avoid having naked light in the house instead it would be a good idea to have your lights covered. As reflected lights are easy on the eyes.
8. You don’t require antiglare glasses – Antiglare glasses were meant for MS DOS – in the past the screens where back with florescent green writing, this would create a contrasting vision in pink. Hence antiglare glasses were invented. However, today with good ambient lighting one does not require antiglare glasses.
9. It could be a psychological itch – When you see somebody with a red eye you get a psychological itch. You may have touched the same door knob, the same chair and the same iPad but as soon as you see the red eye you tend feel itchy and touch your eye which results in eye infection. So, it’s touching your eyes that causes the infection.
10. Fool nature by using antifatigue glasses – Eyes were meant for far sight, however, with evolution today humans have become tech savvy which requires near sight – near sight affects the power of your eyes. If you spend a lot of time on your computer, phone, iPads it is essential to wear anti-fatigue glasses as it will prevent your power from increasing.
11. Keep a separate pair of near glasses – As you are spending a lot of time on screen these days – zoom calls, videos… it is better to have a spare near glass. Keep in mind that your glasses are not too old and the power is accurate and make sure you take a break every half an hour.
12. Lubricating eye drops – If you are going to spend a lot of time on computer, put some lubricating eye drops before you begin. This will form a layer on top that will ensure your eyes don’t blink a lot.
13. Opt for HBA1C test for diabetes – When you have uncontrolled diabetes oxygen intake is less and this gradually results in less oxygen supply to your organs. Overtime if you are not careful this could lead to spotting in the retina and further into eye damage. Get an HBA1C test done to know your sugar levels.
14. Go for an eye check-up once in a year – It is essential to go for a eye check-up once in year because there are silent diseases that could be affecting your eyes.
15. Glaucoma is a silent disease – Glaucoma is a disease where your sight begins to diminish. It begins with loss of side vision and gradually going up to tubular vision. If you have a family history of glaucoma chances of you getting it is higher. You cannot prevent glaucoma from happening and nor is it reversible. Hence it is essential to visit an ophthalmologist and not an optician if you are having vision problem.
16. Rest your eyes – Eyes are overused hence they do not require exercising. Even while you are asleep you are watching dreams – rapid eye movement. The other half of the sleep is when your eyes get some rest. So instead of eye exercises your eyes need a lot of rest. Cup your eyes for some time or shut all the lights and look into black, let your eyes rest.
17. It is safe to visit a standalone eye hospital – In Covid-19 times it would be wise to visit a stand-alone hospital if you have to. It will be safer than other hospitals that are tackling other diseases

Dr Anand Shroff can be reached on 022-66921000 for face-to-face and tele-consultations.