Out of our five senses, it's a safe bet that most of us would rank vision as the most crucial sense. Through them, we navigate new environments, and detect potential dangers. When other senses like taste or smell may falter, it's our eyes that serve as our primary safeguard.
Recently, I sat down with Dr. Bochra Bouzaffara* (aka my sister), a specialist in ophthalmology in Germany, to delve into the most basic questions about the most fascinating organ in our body.
Let's suppose I am a new patient at your practice, and I want to check my current eye health status. How would you go about it?
It varies based on the patient's age, medical history, and familial risk factors.
Given that you are a younger patient without any significant eye conditions, except for mild myopia, and no family history of such, I would:
Assess the visual acuity to measure how sharp your vision is at a distance
Check the anterior segment as well as the posterior segment by dilating the pupils. This test provides an assessment of aspects such as the health of the retina etc.
What symptoms do you watch out for that might indicate a problem?
Symptoms can vary from mild or severe.
Mild symptoms encompass sensations like having a foreign body in your eyes, and experiences of chronic burning, itching, or tearing. The prevalence of dry eyes is common among many younger patients, including yourself, given the extensive computer use at work.
On the other hand, severe symptoms include sudden or acute declines in visual acuity, intense eye pain, redness, and sensitivity to light. These signs may indicate a more serious underlying problem that warrants immediate attention.
Are there any lifestyle changes I should consider for better eye health?
Eat healthy, especially colorful vegetables. They contain lots of carotenoids, antioxidants (they prevent diseases, stress and support a healthy aging process).
Incorporate nuts into your diet.
Quit smoking and alcohol.
Encourage outdoor activities, particularly for children, as a preventive measure against short-sightedness.
Wear sunglasses especially when you go to ski or hike to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays
For older individuals or those with risk factors, ensure regular checks for glycemia and blood pressure to maintain overall health.
What can I do to alleviate eye strain or discomfort?
Limit the time you spend on your phone and laptop. follow the 20-20-20 rule; take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away every 20 minutes.
Drink lots of water.
Use artificial drops 3-4 times a day to hydrate your eyes.
The air gets very dry in the winter so use an air humidifier in your room during the cold season.
How often should one have their eyes examined?
Young people who don't have any risk factor or serious eye condition should get their eyes checked every 5 years or so. For 40+ year-old patients, I recommend a check every 1 to 2 years.
*You can find Dr. Bochra Bouzaffara at:
MVZ Memmingen
Augsburgerstr.64
87766 Memmingerberg
Appointments available starting April 1st, 2024
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