Uma eye clinic

DRY EYES

Dry eyes usually present with gritty sensation, burning, redness and discomfort in the eyes.

Tears normally coat the surface of the eyes to keep them moist and comfortable. When tears are poor in quantity or quality, it causes dry eyes. Ironically watering of eyes is also a symptom of dry eyes. This occurs because the dry surface of the eyes stimulates the nerves to reflexly cause tearing.

Normally when we blink, the eyelids close and replenish the normal tear film by draining away the old tear film. Also on blinking, around 30 to 40 glands located in the eyelids secrete oily secretions to stabilize the tear film. The average blink rate in an infant is around 8 to 12 blinks a minute and as we age the blink rate drops to around 4 to 6 blinks per minute. In between blinks, when the eye remains exposed to the atmosphere, the tear film dries up resulting in symptoms of dry eyes.

Squint (Strabismus)

The eyes in a newborn are generally not aligned. Alignment is established only between 3-4 weeks. If misalignment persists in a baby over a month old then it should be evaluated.
This condition where the eyes are misaligned and the two eyes look out in different directions is called Squint or Strabismus. This can either be permanent or occasional with eyes straight at other times. It is common in children and may also occur in adults.
It is caused by a lack of coordination between the six muscles that control the movement of each eye leading to misalignment. This may be the same in all directions or may be pronounced in one direction.
This may be caused by refractive error, long sight or poor vision in one eye due to various eye diseases.In case of squint a thorough examination of the eyes is necessary especially in children. An ophthalmologist will establish the nature and cause of squint after the evaluation and suggest corrective measures.

Treatment

Preservation or restoration of vision

Straightening of the eyes

Restoration of binocular vision

If there is a refractive error then that is treated first. If the squint ' is an Accommodative Squint this would be all that is required for correction. The eyes are checked for ambylopia and treated. The parents are involved in this procedure as their cooperation is vital for the success of the treatment. The squint is then treated surgically by strengthening or weakening the relevant muscles to restore balance and coordination.

It is essential to correct squint at an early age to avoid amblyopia. If it is not corrected by 10 years squint leads to ambylopia resulting in severe eye strain, headaches and abnormal head posture. Squint will never correct by itself. The earlier the treatment the better the result.