Restoring Vision Naturally

A compl ete gui de to understandi ng and i mprovi ng your eyesi ght

natural l y


Table of Contents

Di s c l ai me r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
I nt r o duc t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
What i s Vi s i on? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Hea l i ng t he Ey es , Na t ur a l l y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
How t o Pr oceed Thr ough t he Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Se c t i o n 1 U UN N D D E E R R S S T T A A N N D DI I N NG G V VI I S S I I O O N N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Cha pt e r 1 Ho w t he Ey e Wo r ks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Ana t omy of t he Eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Wor k i ng Pr i nc i pl e of t he Ey e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
F i el d of Vi ew of t he Huma n Ey e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Cha pt e r 2 Co mmo n Re as o ns f o r Ey e s t r ai n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0
Caus es of Ey e s t r ai n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
S y mpt oms of Eye St r a i n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Pr ev ent i ng Eye s t r a i n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1. C or r e c t i ng Ba d Habi t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Br ea k i ng Bad Ha bi t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1. F i nd a Good Ha bi t t o Re pl a c e Your Ba d Ha bi t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2. El i mi na t e Gl a r e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3. Re duce t he C ont r a s t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4. Toug he n Your Ey e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5. Re s t Your Ey es . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
6. F oc us f r om a Di s t a nc e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Cha pt e r 3 Poo r Ey e s i g ht : Fac t s and Mi s unde r s t a ndi ng s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9
My t hs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
F a ct s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Cha pt e r 4 Ty pe s o f Vi s i o n Pr o bl e ms and The i r So l ut i o ns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6

L os s and I mpa i r ment of Vi s i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Wha t C aus e s Vi s i on L os s ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
L e vel of Vi s ual I mpai r me nt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Vi s ua l Di s t ur banc es . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
1. Di pl opi a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
C aus es of Doubl e Vi s i on ( Di pl opi a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Ty pes of Di pl opi a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
2. Ha l o Vi s i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
C aus es of Ha l o Vi s i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3. Bl ur r ed Vi s i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Ty pes of Bl ur r e d Vi s i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
S ympt oms of Bl ur r ed Vi s i on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
C aus es of Bl ur r e d Vi s i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
4. Col or Bl i ndnes s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Ty pes of C ol or Bl i ndne s s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
De f e c t s i n t he Thr e e C ones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Mi s s i ng C one . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Bl a c k and Whi t e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
C aus es of C ol or Bl i ndne s s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
5. Bl i ndnes s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Ty pes of Bl i ndne s s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
C aus es of Bl i n dne s s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Ri s k of Bl i ndne s s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Bl i ndnes s i n I nf a nt s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
S ympt oms of Vi s ual I mpai r me nt i n Young C hi l dr e n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
6. Ey e Pa i n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Ty pes of Ey e P ai n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Oc ul ar Pai n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Or bi t al Pa i n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Ey e Condi t i ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Ref r ac t i on: What i s i t ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Pr es by opi a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

How Does Pr es by opi a Oc c ur ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Who Ma y Be Af f e c t e d By Pr es by opi a ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
S ympt oms of Pr es byopi a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
How Ca n P r e s by opi a Be Di a gnos e d and Cor r e c t e d? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Myopi a ( Nea r s i ght ednes s ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
How Does Myopi a De vel op? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Who Ma y Be Af f e c t e d By Myopi a ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
S ympt oms of Myopi a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
How Ca n My opi a Be Di a gnos e d and C or r ec t e d? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Hyper opi a ( F a r s i ght ednes s ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
How Does Hy pe r opi a De vel op? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Who Ma y Be Af f e c t e d By Hy pe r opi a ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
S ympt oms of Hy pe r opi a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
How Ca n Hyper opi a Be Di ag nos e d a nd C or r e c t e d? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
As t i g ma t i s m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
How Does As t i g ma t i s m Dev el op? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Who Ma y Be Af f e c t e d By As t i gma t i s m? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
S ympt oms of As t i gma t i s m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
How Ca n As t i gma t i s m Be Di ag nos e d a nd C or r e c t e d? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Gl aucoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Wha t i s Gl a uc oma? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Ri s k of Gl auc oma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
S ympt oms of Gl a ucoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Tr e a t i ng Gl a uc oma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
C a t a r a c t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
C aus es of Ca t a r a c t Deve l opme nt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Ri s k of C a t ar a c t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
S ympt oms of C a t ar a c t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Di ag nos i ng C a t ar a c t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Tr e a t i ng C a t a r a c t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
P r e ve nt i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Ag e- Rel at ed Ma cul a r Deg ener a t i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Ty pes of Ag e- Re l a t ed Ma c ul a r De ge ne r a t i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
S ympt oms of Age - Rel a t e d Ma cul a r Deg e ne r a t i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Tr e a t i ng Ma c ul a r Deg ene r a t i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Ri s k Fa c t or s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
C ha r l es Bonne t Sy ndr ome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Ambl yopi a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
C aus es of Ambl y opi a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Re c og ni z i ng Ambl y opi a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Ri s k Fa c t or s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Te s t s f or Di a gnos i ng Ambl y opi a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Tr e a t i ng Ambl y opi a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Pt os i s ( Dr oopi ng Ey el i ds ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
C aus es of P t os i s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
S ympt oms of P t os i s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Tr e a t i ng P t os i s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
C ompl i c a t i ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Conj unc t i v i t i s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Ty pes of C onj unc t i vi t i s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
S ympt oms of C onj unc t i vi t i s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Tr e a t i ng C onj unc t i v i t i s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Ker at oc onus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
C aus es of Ker a t oc onus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
S ympt oms and Di ag nos i s of Ke r a t oc onus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Tr e a t i ng Ke r a t oc onus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Ret i na l Det a chment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
C aus es of Re t i nal De t a c hme nt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
S ympt oms of Re t i nal De t a c hment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Ri s k Fa c t or s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
C ompl i c a t i ons of Re t i na l De t a chme nt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Tr e a t me nt f or Re t i nal Tea r s a nd De t a chment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Ey e F l oa t er s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Why Do Eye Fl oa t e r s Appea r ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

C ha r a c t e r i s t i cs of Ey e Fl oa t er s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Wha t do t hey i ndi c a t e ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Di abet i c Ret i nopat hy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
C aus es of Di a be t i c Re t i nopa t hy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
S ympt oms of Di a be t i c Re t i nopa t hy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Tr e a t me nt of Di a be t i c Re t i nopa t hy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Dr y Ey e S yndr ome ( Ker at oconj unct i v i t i s S i c ca ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
C aus es of Dr y Eye S yndr ome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
S ympt oms of Dr y Eye Sy ndr ome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Di ag nos i s a nd Tr e a t me nt of Dr y Ey e S y ndr ome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Cha pt e r 5 Dr ug s Har mf ul t o t he Ey e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 5
Ac ne Medi ca t i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
1. I s ot r e t i noi n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
2. Mi nocy cl i ne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Al z hei mer ' s Medi cat i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
1. C hol i ne s t e r as e I nhi bi t or s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Ant i bi ot i c s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
1. F l uor oqui nol one s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
2. S y nt he t i c Pe ni ci l l i n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
3. Te r bi na f i ne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
4. Te t r a cy cl i ne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Ant i di ur et i c s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Ant i hi s t a mi nes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Ant i - Anx i et y Medi c at i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Ar t hr i t i s Medi ca t i ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
1. Hydr ox y c hl or oqui ne Sul f a t e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
As t hma Medi ca t i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
1. C or t i c os t er oi ds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Bi r t h Cont r ol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Pa r k i ns on s Di s eas e Medi ca t i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Bl ood Pr es s ur e Medi c at i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Bl ood Thi nni ng Medi c at i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Canc er Medi cat i on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Depr es s i on Med i ca t i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Di abet es Medi c at i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Di l at i ng Ey e ( Pupi l s ) Medi c i ne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Er ec t i l e Dy s f unc t i on ( ED) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Hea r t Medi cat i ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Hi gh Chol es t er ol Medi c at i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Hor mone Repl a cement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
I nf l ammat i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
I ns omni a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Ma l a r i a Medi ca t i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Pa i n Rel i ef Medi ca t i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Ps y chi at r i c Medi c at i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
S t er oi ds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Vi t ami ns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Wei g ht Los s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Se c t i o n 2 Tr e at i ng De f e c t i v e Vi s i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 3
Cha pt e r 6 : We ar i ng Gl as s es : I s i t s af e ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 4
T he Opt i c s of Ey e Gl a s s es . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Mi nus L ens es f or Readi ng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
I mpor t anc e of t he Opt i c Cent er of Ey e Gl a s s es . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Gl a s s es and Thei r Ef f e ct s on t he S i z e of Ey es . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Gl a s s es : Annoyanc es and I nconv eni enc e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Cha pt e r 7 : Las e r Ey e Sur g e r y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 9
T ypes of L as er Eye Sur g er y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
L ASI K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
P RK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
L AS EK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
RL E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Epi L as i k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
P REL EX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
I nt a cs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

P haki c I nt r a ocul a r Le ns I mpl ant s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
AK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
RK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
S i de Ef f ec t s of L as er Sur g er y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
I nf e c t i ons a nd Del ay s i n He al i ng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Unde r or Ove r C or r e c t i on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Wor s e ni ng of Vi s i on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Ex c e s s i ve C or ne al Ha z e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Reg r e s s i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Hal os . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Da ma ge or Los s of Fl ap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Se c t i o n 3 Nat ur al Way s t o I mpr o v e Ey es i g ht . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 5
Cha pt e r 8 : Bat e s Met ho d o f I mpr o v i ng Ey es i g ht . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 6
T he Ba t es Met hod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Conv ent i ona l Way of T r eat i ng Vi s i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Bat es T r eat ment Met hod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Ci r c l e of Ey e S t r a i n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Pr i nc i pl es of Cl ea r Vi s i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
1. C ent r al Fi x a t i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
2. S hi f t i ng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
3. S unni ng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
4. Rel ax a t i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Cha pt e r 9 : I mpo r t a nc e o f a He al t hy Di e t
. . 1 3 3
Nut r i t i on f or t he Ey es . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
L ut ei n and Z ea x ant hi n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
I mpor t ant Vi t ami n and Mi ner a l s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Vi t a mi n A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Vi t a mi n C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Vi t a mi n E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Zi nc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Be t a- C a r ot e ne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Cha pt e r 1 0 : Exe r c i s e s f o r I mpr o v i ng Vi s i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 0
Ex er c i s e 1 Br eat hi ng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Ex er c i s e 2 Af f i r ma t i ons of Vi s i on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
P r e s ent Af f i r ma t i ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
F ut ur e Af f i r ma t i ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Na t ur al Af f i r ma t i ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Ex er c i s e 3 Pa l mi ng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Ex er c i s e 4 F i g ur e Ei ght s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Ex er c i s e 5 S canni ng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147




1 1



Di scl ai mer


C opy r i g ht 2014 - Al l Ri ght s Re s e r v ed

No par t of t hi s publ i c a t i on may be r epr oduc e d i n a ny f or m or by any mea ns ,
i ncl udi ng s c a nni ng , phot oc opyi ng , or ot he r wi s e wi t hout t he pr i or wr i t t e n
pe r mi s s i on of t he c opy r i g ht hol de r .
The Aut hor has s t r i ve d t o be as a c c ur a t e a nd c ompl e t e a s pos s i bl e i n t h e
c r e a t i on of t hi s book , not wi t hs t a ndi ng t he f a c t t ha t he doe s not wa r r a nt or
r e pr e s e nt a t a ny t i me t ha t t he c ont ent s wi t hi n a r e a c cur a t e due t o t he
r a pi dl y cha ngi ng na t ur e of t he s ubj e c t .
Whi l e al l a t t e mpt s have bee n ma de t o v e r i f y i nf or ma t i on pr ovi de d i n t hi s
publ i ca t i on, t he Aut hor as s ume s no r e s pons i bi l i t y f or er r or s , omi s s i ons , or
c ont r a r y i nt e r pr e t a t i on of t he s ubj e c t ma t t e r he r ei n.


2 2

Introducti on
Ey e s a r e among one of t he mos t compl e x y e t f r agi l e or ga ns of our body. We
of t e n t a ke t hi s bl e s s i ng f or g r a nt ed unt i l we be gi n e x per i e nci ng pr obl ems
wi t h i t . The eye s ar e not hi ng s hor t of bei ng ex t r a or di na r y. They l e t us
pe r ce i ve our s ur r oundi ng s i n wa ys t ha t c a nnot be c onv ey ed i n wor ds .
Thr oug h our ey es , we enj oy t he col or s of l i f e a f t e r al l , s i g ht i s c on s i de r ed
t o be among t he Fi v e Se ns es of t he huma n body.
Howev er , t he ca pa bi l i t i es of our eye s t end t o de cl i ne wi t h t i me. Suc h a
de cl i ne s ome t i me s oc c ur s f ar qui c ke r t ha n y ou ma y hav e be en ex pe c t i ng. A
c oupl e of ey e t e s t s f ol l ow whe r e t he opt i ci a n t r i e s t o d e t e r mi ne how much
y our vi s i on ha s de t e r i or a t ed. The ne x t t hi ng y ou k now, y ou ve bee n
pr es c r i bed a pai r of gl as s e s or c ont a c t l e ns e s a ppa r e nt l y i n a n a t t empt t o
a s s i s t y our ey es t o f unc t i on nor mal l y.
The r e i s no doubt t ha t y ou l l s ee muc h be t t e r a nd cl e a r e r wi t h a pai r of
gl a s s es or c ont a c t l e ns es , but t he t r ut h be hi nd t hem i s f a r mor e daunt i ng
t ha n pe opl e bel i eve . Res ea r c h ha s pr ov en t ha t t he s e vi s i on ai ds do not hel p
i n i mpr ovi ng your e ye s i g ht i n anyway. Thi nk of t hem as a n a i d des i gne d t o
hel p you de al wi t h y our vi s i on pr obl ems on a t empor ar y ba s i s wher e as t he
under l yi ng pr obl em l i es a s i t i s , a nd wi t h t i me , may eve n g e t wor s e as
e x pe r i e nc ed by mos t peopl e when t hei r v i s i on c ont i nues t o g e t poor e r .
Thi s does not mea n t ha t gl a s s e s or c ont a c t l e ns e s a r e of no us e . On t he
c ont r a r y , wi t hout gl a s s es , peopl e wi t h vi s i on pr obl ems woul dn t ha ve be e n
a bl e t o l ea d t hei r l i ve s a s nor mal l y as t he y do now. Ne ve r t hel es s , t he whol e
poi nt i s , why not s ee k a mor e per ma nent s ol ut i on? A s ol ut i on t ha t pe r ha ps
he al s y our ey es a nd i mpr ov es y our vi s i on t o a n e x t e nt t ha t y ou don t ne e d
gl a s s es a ny l ong er ?
I n t hi s book , we wi l l begi n by l ea r ni ng about how t he huma n e ye a c t ual l y
wor k s , wha t f a c t or s de t e r mi ne vi s i on a nd how t hey a f f e c t t he pe r f or ma nce of
y our pr e ci ous , del i ca t e or g a n. We l l t hen pr oce e d t o s t udy t he mai n r e a s ons

3 3

t ha t l e ad t o t he de cl i ne i n vi s i on, al ong wi t h t he c ommon t y pe s of pr obl ems
r el a t e d t o t he ey e whi c h a r e e x per i e nced by a l ot of pe opl e.
I t i s al s o i mpor t ant t o k now t he pa r t i c ul a r t ype s of dr ug s t ha t a r e known t o
c a us e damage t o t he ey e. The ey e , no ma t t e r how v al ua bl e , i s e x t r eme l y
del i ca t e whi c h mak es i t pr one t o ha r m f r om a v ar i e t y of t hi ng s . A cl ea r
under s t andi ng of t he s e t hi ng s i s vi t al s o t ha t we c a n ca r r y out t he ne ede d
pr e c aut i onar y me a s ur es ag ai ns t s uc h har m.
What i s Vi si on?
We ha ve be e n us e d t he wor d Vi s i on s e ver al t i me s , but do we r e al l y k now
wha t vi s i on i s ? I t i s c ommonl y us e d t o i mpl y t hi ngs whi ch we s e e. Howev er ,
i t i s muc h mor e t ha n t ha t .
A vi s i on i s an out l ook on l i f e . I t i s how you per c ei ve t he wor l d ar ound y ou. I t
e nc ompas s e s mor e t hi ng s t ha n j us t e ye s i g ht . I t i s a wonde r f ul bl e nd of an
i ndi vi dua l s i ma gi na t i on, t he i r f e el i ng s and t houg ht s r ega r di ng an umpt ee n
numbe r of t hi ng s .
You ma y be wonde r i ng , wha t ha s t hi s g ot t o do wi t h y our ey e s i g ht ? Wel l , i t
ha s e ve r y t hi ng t o do wi t h i t . As we pr e vi ous l y s ai d, s i g ht i s one of t he f i ve
s e ns es huma ns ar e bl e s s e d wi t h. As huma ns , we ne ed i nput s f r om al l of our
s e ns es i n or de r t o c ompr ehe nd, a nd t o f e el a nd pr opel our s el ve s t owar ds a
br i g ht f ut ur e.
I f e ve n one of y our s e ns e s s t a r t s t o gi ve up on you, your awar enes s of t he
t hi ng s a r ound y ou wi l l beg i n t o c hange. S uc h i s t he i mpor t anc e of y our eye
s i g ht . I t i s pr e ci ous bey ond a ny mea s ur e.
Heal i ng t he Eyes, Nat ur al l y
L e t us r e t ur n t o t he c or e t opi c of t hi s book ; t ha t i s , t he na t ur al wa ys t hr ough
whi c h you c a n hea l y our ey e s i ght a nd i mpr ove y our v i s i on.
I n t hi s book , we l l l ea r n a bout a ve r y i nt e r es t i ng i dea by a Pr of e s s o r of
Opht hal mol og y. A Pr of e s s or c al l e d Wi l l i a m Hor a t i o Ba t e s ca r r i e d out a

4 4

de t ai l ed s t udy of t he us e a nd e f f e c t s gl as s es have on i t s wea r er . He be l i e ve d
t ha t al mos t al l of vi s i on pr obl ems wer e r el a t e d t o s ome ki nd of a ha bi t ual
s t r ai n on t he e ye s . He ev e n bel i ev ed t hat we ar i ng gl a s s e s ha d not hi ng but
ha r mf ul e f f e c t s , and t ha t t hey ar e no t ne c e s s ar y.
S ur pr i s i ng , i s n t i t ? You mus t be g r owi ng mor e i nt er es t e d i n P r of es s or Ba t es
r e s e ar c h. Howe ve r , i t s al way s a g ood i de a t o pr oc ee d t hr oug h t hi s book one
s t e p a t a t i me s o t ha t y ou ar e a bl e t o g r a s p al l t he i mpor t ant k nowl e dg e
r el a t e d t o y our e ye s .
The ai m of t hi s book i s t o e mpowe r y ou t o l ea d a much mor e conf i de nt and
pl e a s ur abl e l i f e , wi t h ou t y o ur gl as s e s . Thi s book c onv ey s vi t al k nowl e dg e i n
a n i nt er es t i ng a nd l ogi c al wa y t o hel p y ou mak e t he r i g ht de ci s i on r el a t e d t o
y our e ye s i g ht .
How t o Pr oceed Thr ough t he Book
Thi s book i s c a r e f ul l y di vi de d i nt o t hr e e di s t i nc t s e c t i ons .
The f i r s t s e c t i on de al s wi t h how t he ey e wor k s , t he c ommon pr obl ems whi c h
a f f e c t i t , t hei r s ol ut i ons a nd c ont ai ns i nf or ma t i on a bout dr ug s t ha t c a n ha r m
t he ey e s i ght .
The s e c ond s e c t i on di s c us s es t he t r ea t me nt me t hods f or he al i ng ey e s i ght ,
i ncl udi ng us e of g l a s s es a nd s ur ge r y .
The t hi r d s e c t i on t al ks a bout na t ur al way s t ha t c a n hel p y ou he al and pr ot e c t
y our e ye s f r om ha r m. Thi s s e c t i on i ncl ude s us e f ul i nf or ma t i on a bou t a
he al t hy di e t , e ye ex er ci s e s and ot he r t hi ng s t ha t c an c ont r i but e t o i mpr ovi ng
y our vi s i on.



5 5


Section 1
U
UN ND DE ER RS ST TA AN ND DI I N NG G V
VI I S SI I O ON N








Chapt er 1: How t he Eye Wor ks
Chapt er 2: Common Reas ons f or Eye s t r ai n
Chapt er 3: Poor Eyes i ght : Fac t s and Mi s under s t andi ngs
Chapt er 4: Types of Vi s i on Probl ems and Thei r Sol ut i on
Chapt er 5: Dr ugs Har mf ul t o t he Eye

6 6

Chapter 1
How the Eye Works

The ey e i s ex t r aor di na r y t o s ay t he l e as t . Si mi l a r t o
t he wa y our ot he r s ens es of s ound, t a s t e , hea r i ng
a nd t ouc h a r e c onne c t ed t o t he huma n ana t omy , t he
s i g ht i s al s o v er y cl os el y i nt e r conne c t e d t o ot he r pa r t s of our ana t omy - mos t
i mpor t a nt l y , t he br ai n.
Be f or e we begi n t o di s c us s how t he e ye pe r f or ms i t s f unc t i ons a nd gi v es us
v i s i on, i t i s ne c es s ar y t o unde r s t a nd t he a na t omy of t he ey e i t s el f .
Whi l e a de t ai l e d under s t andi ng of t he ey e i s not ne ce s s ar y t o be abl e t o
i mpr ov e y our vi s i on na t ur a l l y , i t s ur e i s i nt e r es t i ng t o l ea r n a bout how our
del i ca t e e ye s wor k i n or der t o be a bl e t o a ppr e ci a t e t he del i c a t e ye t
powe r f ul or g a ns .
Anat omy of t he Eye








F AC T: On a ve r a ge , pe opl e
bl i nk a r ound 12 t i me s a
mi nut e

7 7

Cor nea
C or nea i s a cl ea r c ov er i ng whi c h i s r e s pons i bl e f or t r a ns mi t t i ng a nd f oc us i ng
t he i nc omi ng l i g ht .
F ov ea
The F ov ea i s t he c e nt e r of ma c ul a a nd pr ovi des t he s ha r p vi s i on.
I r i s
I r i s i s t he c ol or ed par t of our ey es . I t hel ps i n r eg ul a t i ng t he a mount of l i g ht
t ha t e nt e r s t he ey e. I n br i g ht l i g ht c ondi t i ons , t he i r i s c ont r a c t s t he pupi l i n
or der t o r e duce t he i ncomi ng l i g ht . On t he ot he r ha nd, i n l ow l i g ht
c ondi t i ons , t he oppos i t e ha ppe ns a nd t he i r i s c a us es t he pupi l s t o di l a t e t o
l e t i n mor e l i g ht .
L ens
The l e ns i s r e s pons i bl e f or di r e c t i ng t he l i ght ont o
t he r e t i na a t t he ba c k of t he ey e. The l ens i s
t r a ns pa r e nt . De gr a da t i on i n l ens i s c ommon a s we
g r ow ol de r . C a t ar a c t s a r e among one of t he
c ommon e ye pr obl ems , as we wi l l l ea r n i n C ha pt e r
3.
Ma cul a
Ma c ul a i s t he ar ea f ound i n t he r e t i na whi c h c ont ai ns l i g ht s e ns i t i v e cel l s . I t
i s due t o t hes e ce l l s t ha t we a r e a bl e t o v i ew t he f i nes t of de t ai l s cl e a r l y a t
t he c e nt e r of our vi s ual f i e l d. The ma c ul a de t e r i or a t es wi t h a ge.
Opt i c Ner v e
The opt i c ne r v es c ons i s t of mi l l i ons of ne r v e f i be r s t ha t a c t a s a t r ans por t
pa s s ag e al l owi ng t r a ns mi s s i on of vi s ual me s s age s f r om t he r e t i na t o t he
br ai n. The s e s i g nal s a r e t hen i nt er pr e t ed by t he br ai n a nd i t i s t hi s
i nt e r pr e t a t i on t ha t a l l ows us t o pe r cei ve t hi ng s a s t hey a r e.
F AC T: When c ompa r e d t o
a l l t he ot he r mus cl e s i n
y our body , t he mus c l e s
t ha t c ont r ol t he e ye s ar e
t he mos t a c t i v e.

8 8

One of t he mos t c ommon pr obl e ms of t he ey e i ncl ude s Gl a uc oma t ha t i s
r el a t e d t o opt i c ne r v es , whi ch we wi l l l ea r n about i n de t ai l i n C hapt er 3.
Pupi l
P upi l i s t he dar ke r ope ni ng i n t he c ent er of t he i r i s . We l e ar ned t ha t t he
pupi l al t e r s i t s s i z e i n or der t o a dj us t t he amount of l i g ht t ha t ent er s t he ey e
( s ee I r i s ) .
Ret i na
Re t i na i s t he ne r ve t ha t l i ne s t he ba ck of
t he ey e. The i nc omi ng l i g ht i s di r e c t e d ont o
t he r e t i na whi c h t he n g e ne r a t es el e c t r i ca l
i mpul s e s t ha t ar e s e nt t o t he br ai n t o be
c onve r t ed i nt o i mag e s .
Wor ki ng Pr i nci pl e of t he Eye
The whol e wor ki ng pr i nci pl e of t he ey e i s ba s e d on t he c or r e c t wor ki ng of
e a c h of t he v ar i ous pa r t s of t he eye . I n e s s e nce , t he huma n e ye wor ks i n
r ema r k a bl y s i mi l a r way s t o a di gi t a l ca me r a.
1. The c or ne a f oc us es t he i nc omi ng l i g ht , s i mi l a r t o t he wa y t he l ens of a
c a me r a does .
2. The l i g ht f oc us e d by t he c or nea e nt e r s t he i r i s , whi c h a c t s s i mi l a r t o
t he di a phr agm of a c amer a c ont r ol l i ng t he pupi l s t o de t e r mi ne t he
c or r e c t a mount of l i g ht r e a ches t he ba c k of t he e ye.
3. The l ens aut oma t i c al l y a dj us t s i n or de r t o f oc us ne ar a nd a ppr oa chi ng
obj e c t s c or r e c t l y , j us t l i ke an a ut o - f oc us c a me r a l e ns .
4. The l i g ht t ha t i s f oc us e d by t he c or ne a and t he l e ns ( a nd c ont r ol l e d by
t he pupi l a nd i r i s ) t he n hi t s t he r et i na. The r e t i n a a c t s as a n el e c t r oni c
i mag e s e ns or of a c ame r a by ca r r yi ng out t he c onv er s i on of opt i c al
i mag es i nt o el e c t r i c al s i g na l s .
5. The s e el e c t r i c al s i g nal s a r e t he n t r a ns mi t t e d t o t he br a i n t hr ough t he
opt i c ner v es .
F AC T: The r e t i na r egi s t e r s
i mag es a s bei ng ups i de
down. I t i s t he br ai n t ha t
t ur ns t he i mag es t he r i ght
s i de up.

9 9

6. The vi s ual c or t ex ( pa r t of t he br ai n t ha t c ont r ol s s i g ht ) t he n he l ps us
t o s ee .
Fi el d of Vi ew of t he Human Eye
The f i el d of v i ew i s s i mpl y t he e x t e nt of t he envi r onme nt t ha t c a n b e s ee n a t
a ny gi ve n moment . The pl a c ement of t he e ye s de t er mi ne s t he e x t e nt of t he
f i el d of vi ew. Ma ny bi r ds ar e a bl e t o s ee 360 deg r e es mea ni ng t he y a r e
a bl e t o s ee who or wha t i s a t t he f r ont , t he s i de s , and t he ba ck !
F or humans , t he c ombi ned f i el d of v i e w i s l i mi t e d t o a r ound 180 deg r e es .
Thi s e x pl ai ns why you c a n s ee f r om t he c or ner of y our ey e e ve n when y ou
a r e f oc us i ng a hea d of y ou.
S e ve r al ey e c ondi t i ons ca n r e s t r i c t a nd s i g ni f i c a nt l y de gr a de t hi s f i el d of
v i ew, t her e by g r e a t l y l i mi t i ng a per s on s a bi l i t y t o s e e.











Monoc u l a r Vi s i on ( or a ng e
a r e a) i s t he v i s i on wh en ea c h
e y e i s u s ed on i t s own. T hi s
i nc r ea s e s t he f i e l d of v i e w,
b u t r e s t r i c t s t he dep t h o f
p er c ep t i on
B i noc u l a r Vi s i on ( r e d ar e a)
i s t h e v i s i o n whe n bo t h ey e s
a r e u s e d s i mul t a ne ou s l y .
T h i s d ec r ea s e s t he f i e l d of
v i e w, b ut i n c r e a s e s t h e
d e pt h o f p er c ep t i on
The di f f e r e nce be t we e n t he t wo vi s i ons de t er mi ne s t he a bi l i t y t o c al c ul a t e di s t anc e s
c or r e c t l y

1 10 0

Chapter 2
Common Reasons for Eye strai n

S i mpl y put , ey e s t r a i n i s a ki nd of di s c omf or t i n t he e ye s t ha t oc c ur s
whenev er our ey e s t i r e a f t er f oc us i ng on a ny pa r t i c ul ar t as k f or a n e x t e nde d
pe r i od of t i me. Ther e i s no doubt t ha t ey e s t r ai n ca n be ex t r e mel y a nnoyi ng
a nd uncomf or t abl e. Howev e r , i t i s not ha r mf ul i n mos t ca s es a nd di mi ni s he s
onc e t he ey es a r e gi ve n s ome t i me t o r es t .
Nev er t he l e s s , t he pr oba bi l i t y t ha t c e r t ai n s ympt oms of e ye s t r ai n c a n
i ndi c a t e c er t ai n unde r l yi ng e ye pr obl ems c a nnot be i g nor e d. Thi s i s why i t i s
of a n ut mos t i mpor t anc e t ha t peopl e unde r s t a nd t he ca us e s and ef f e c t s of
e ye s t r ai n s o t ha t t he y ca n ma x i mi z e t hei r e f f or t s t o k ee p t he eye s wel l -
r e s t e d.

1 11 1

Causes of Eye st r ai n
The c a us al f a c t or t ha t r e s ul t s i n ey e s t r ai n i s he al t h - t he l a c k of i t , t o be
mor e pr e ci s e . P oor heal t h g oes a l ong wa y i n r e duci ng vi s i on al ong wi t h
s ev e r al ot he r f a c t or s t ha t ar e l i nk ed t o a per s on s l i f es t yl e. Thi s i s why i t i s
v i t al t ha t a per s on, who i s ex per i e nci ng f r om f r e que nt e ye s t r ai n i s s ues ,
a nal yz e hi s or he r l i f e s t yl e t o f i l t e r out a ny f a c t or s t ha t may be be hi n d t he
di mi ni s he d vi s i on.
One of t he t hi ng s t ha t
woul d ne ed t o be
a nal yz e d i s t he t y pe of
l i f e a pe r s on l ea ds . The
pa c e a t whi c h t hey l e ad
t hei r l i ve s a he c t i c ,
under pr e s s ur e a nd a
s t r es s f ul l i f e c an
s i g ni f i ca nt l y r e duc e t he
s t r eng t h of t he ey es .
I t i s of t e n ne c es s a r y t o t r a ce t he s t e ps ba c k t o t he c hi l dhood of an
i ndi vi dua l . I t i s of t e n a s a chi l d t ha t we a c qui r e a nd dev el op poor ha bi t s
whi c h i n t ur n l e ad t o t he we ak e ni ng of t he ey es i ght . A l ot of s ci ent i f i c
e vi de nce i s av ai l a bl e t o pr ove t he f a c t t ha t i nf ant s and t oddl e r s hav e
br i l l i ant ey es i g ht , a nd t hi s s t ar t s t o de t e r i or a t e when a c hi l d begi ns t o g o t o
s c hool .
The que s t i on t ha t c omes up i s , how ca n s c hool c ont r i but e t o a we ak eni ng of
e ye s i g ht ? Wel l , t he a ns wer i s s i mpl e e noug h: s c hool put s a l ot of p r e s s ur e on
t he s t ude nt s t o l ea r n a nd k ee p up wi t h t hei r pe er s . Thi s pr es s ur e ca us e s
s t r es s t o bui l d up i n ma ny of t he pupi l s ; a nd as we al r e a dy know, s t r e s s i s a
f a c t or t ha t has de t r i me nt a l e f f e c t s on he al t h, l ea di ng t o ey e s t r a i n .
S ome of t he f a c t or s t ha t c ont r i but e t o e ye s t r ai n ar e :

1 12 2

F ocus i ng t he ey es f or ext ended per i ods F oc us i ng on a n obj e c t f or e x t e nde d
pe r i ods of t i me ca n r e s ul t i n e ye s t r ai n. Due t o t he ve r y na t ur e of t he eye s ,
t he y a r e des i gne d t o s hi f t t hei r f oc us bet wee n ne a r a nd r emot e obj e c t s ; t hi s
i s why f or ci ng t hem t o f ocus on a n obj e ct a t c l os e r a ng e per s i s t e nt l y ca n t i r e
t hem.
P oor or i nade qua t e l i g ht i ng P oor l i g ht i ng f or c es t he ey e t o wor k i n di f f i cul t
c ondi t i ons , t he r e by put t i ng s t r ai n on t he ey es .
Ex c e s s i ve Gl ar e Gl ar e , r eg a r dl e s s of whe t he r i t s di r e c t or i ndi r e c t , mak es
c r e a t e s pr obl e m f or pr ope r v i s i on. A di r e c t gl ar e oc cur s whe n a l i g ht f r om
a ny t y pe of l i ght s our c e - s hi ne s upon t he ey es di r e c t l y. I ndi r e c t gl ar e , on t he
ot he r ha nd, i s t he gl ar e t ha t i t r ef l e c t ed of f c omput e r s cr ee ns .
Sympt oms of Eye St r ai n
Now t ha t i t s cl ea r a s t o wha t f a c t or s c aus e e ye s t r ai n. I t i s i mpor t ant t o be
a bl e t o r e c og ni z e t he s ympt oms of e ye s t r ai n.
The f ol l owi ng s ympt oms c a n me a n t ha t a pe r s on i s s uf f e r i ng f r om ey e s t r a i n :
1. Bur ni ng or i t chi ng ey e s
2. Bl ur r e d/ Doubl e Vi s i on
3. S or e Ey es
4. S or e Ne c k
5. F r e que nt He a da c he s
6. S houl de r P ai n
7. A Hei g ht ened S ens i t i vi t y To Li ght
As i t wa s pr evi ous l y s ai d, t he ef f e c t s of e ye s t r ai n do t e nd t o v ani s h when
t he ey es ar e al l owed t o r e s t . None t hel e s s , r e pe a t e d s t r ai ni ng of t he e ye s wi l l
ul t i ma t e l y r e s ul t i n wea ke ni ng of t he vi s i on .
Pr event i ng Eye st r ai n
Our dai l y l i v es a r e f i l l e d wi t h s t r es s f ul r out i ne s a nd t he wor k t ha t we do
pl a ce s e nor mous a mount s of s t r es s on our ey es . I n t oday s t e c h - s av vy wor l d
F AC T: Ey es a r e s t r ai ne d
mor e ea s i l y whe n t he y a r e
f oc us e d on ne ar by obj e c t s
f or pr ol ong e d per i ods a s
c ompar ed t o f oc us i ng on
di s t a nt obj e c t s .

1 13 3

wher e di gi t al de vi ce s a r e f ound al mos t ev er ywher e , i t i s e x t r emel y di f f i cul t
t o c ompl e t el y el i mi na t e e ye s t r ai n. Howe ve r , c er t ai n pr eve nt i ve me as ur e s
c a n be t a ke n t ha t woul d gr ea t l y r e duce t he c hanc es of e ye s t r ai n.
Her e a r e s ome way s t o hel p y ou pr ev ent e ye s t r ai n :
1. Cor r ect i ng Bad Habi t s
Mos t of t he t i me , t he c a us e of ey e s t r ai n i s not t he
pa r t i c ul ar t hi ng t ha t we do, but t he wa y we do i t . I t
i s vi t al t ha t y ou br e a k t hes e ba d ha bi t s a nd de vel op
g ood ones t o r e pl a ce t he m.
A g r ea t numbe r of peopl e
pos s e s s t he f ol l owi ng ba d
ha bi t s :
Rea di ng / Wr i t i ng i n Poor L i ght i ng Condi t i ons
Whi l e i t i s g r e a t t o r e ad y our s el f t o s l e ep, r e adi ng
i n i na dequa t e l i g ht i ng c ondi t i ons i s among one of
t he mos t c ommon ba d habi t s t ha t pe opl e a c qui r e a t a
v er y y oung age.
S mok i ng Medi cal s ci enc e ha s pr ove d t ha t s moki ng
s ev e r el y damag es t he t i s s ue s i n t he e ye ; ov er 25 pe r c ent
of c a s e s of ag e- r e l a t e d ma c ul a r deg ener a t i on we r e f ound
t o ha ve l i nks wi t h s moki ng.
Rea di ng Whi l e On The Mov e Re a di ng whi l e
on t he r oa d mak es t he j our ne y e a s y. None t he l e s s , t hi s mak es i t
di f f i c ul t f or t he e ye s t o f oc us . Mot i on s i c k nes s may al s o ki c k i n
a nd l ea d t o he a da c he s , di z z i ne s s a nd v omi t i ng.
S t a r i ng At The S un S t ar i ng a t t he s t ar s a t ni g ht i s a not her
t hi ng , but t hi s s houl dn t be t ak en l i t e r al l y whe n i t c omes t o
l ook i ng up a t our s ol a r s ys t em s gi a nt f i r e bal l . A l ot of pe opl e
F AC T: Ba d ha bi t s us ual l y
c a us e mos t of t he da mag e
t o a per s on s vi s i on.
El i mi na t i ng ba d ha bi t s a nd
r e pl a ci ng t hem wi t h g ood
one s ca n ha ve a
t r eme ndous e f f e c t upon
v i s i on.

1 14 4

ha ve a ha bi t of
di r e c t l y l ooki ng up
a t t he s un. Too
muc h e x pos ur e c an
c a us e t he ma cul a r
i n t he ey e t o
deg e ne r a t e and
c a t a r a c t s t o bui l d
up.

Rubbi ng I t chy Ey es Rubbi ng t he ey e s ca n damage
t hem. A c ol d c ompr es s i s mor e s ui t a bl e f or
t r e a t i ng any i r r i t a t i ons howe ve r , av oi d a war m
c ompr e s s as i t wi l l onl y mak e t he i t c hi ng g r ow
wor s e.

Br eaki ng Bad Habi t s
Br ea ki ng a ba d ha bi t i s not a s e as y a s i t mi ght s eem. Thi s i s why t he
f ol l owi ng gui del i ne s ha ve be en i nc l uded i n t he book t o hel p you ov er c ome
y our ba d ha bi t s onc e a nd f or al l .
1. Fi nd a Good Habi t t o Repl ace
Your Bad Habi t

A bad habi t ca nnot be s i mpl y el i mi na t e d; i t
ha s t o be r epl ac ed by a not her ha bi t i n or der
t o pr ope r l y ge t r i d of i t . You wi l l nee d t o
pr e pa r e a pl an f or y our s el f t ha t wi l l hel p
y ou t hr oug h t he whol e pr oc es s .

1 15 5

F i r s t l y , de ci de whi c h ba d ha bi t you wi l l t r y t o r e pl a ce , a nd wi t h wha t . For
e x ampl e , y ou ma y wa nt t o qui t t he habi t of
r e adi ng i n l ow- l i g ht c ondi t i ons and r e pl a c e i t
wi t h a g ood ha bi t s uc h as e ns ur i ng t ha t whenev er
y ou r e ad, y ou do s o i n a wel l - l i t a r e a.
Onc e y ou have def i ne d g oal s and t ar ge t s f or
y our s el f , t he a c t ual pr oc es s woul d be c ome muc h
e a s i e r t ha n you t hi nk .
Remov e t he T r i gg er s
Tr i gg er s do wha t t hei r name i mpl i es ; t hey t r i gge r s ome t hi ng. Any t hi ng .
F or ex ampl e , y ou may ha ve a ha bi t of s mok i ng whe ne ve r y ou g o t o t he
ba r f or a dr i nk. I n t hi s c a s e , goi ng t o t he bar i s t he t r i gge r t ha t ma ke s
y ou s mok e. The l og i cal c our s e of a c t i on i n s uc h a c a s e woul d be t o
a v oi d g oi ng t o t he bar a t l e as t unt i l you hav e s ome pos i t i v e cont r ol
on y our s mok i ng ha bi t .
S ur r ound Your s el f Wi t h Mot i va t i on
An i mpor t a nt pa r t of gi v i ng up a ba d ha bi t i s t o ha ve r ol e model s
a r ound. Thi s doe s not me an t ha t y ou l eav e y our c ur r e nt f r i e nds or
s oc i al c i r c l e t o e nt er a ne w one ; al l i t me a ns i s t ha t y ou f i nd s ome
pe opl e who c a n hel p y ou wi t h wha t ev er y ou ar e t r yi ng t o a chi ev e.
Be Pr epa r ed For Fa i l ur e
Any one c a n f ai l . Wha t ma t t e r s i s t ha t how a n i ndi vi dua l t a ke s t he
f ai l ur e . A f ai l ur e c a n be a s our ce of mot i va t i on f or t he nex t t i me , as
y ou l l k now why y ou f ai l ed, a nd y ou l l av oi d i t t he nex t t i me . To av oi d
bei ng di s appoi nt e d, pl an f or f ai l ur e s o t ha t y ou c a n c ont i nue
pr og r es s i ng i n a di f f e r e nt ma nne r i t s a l l about mov i ng f or wa r d.


F AC T: Br ea ki ng a ba d
ha bi t i s not a n ea s y t as k .
Howev er , i t i s not
i mpos s i bl e ei t her . Wi t h a
l i t t l e de t er mi na t i on, you
c a n e as i l y r e pl a ce t he m
wi t h good one s .

1 16 6

2. El i mi nat e Gl ar e

Gl a r e i s among t he pr i mar y ca us e s of eye s t r a i n . Ce r t a i n me as ur e s s houl d be
t a k en i n or de r t o r educ e or c ompl e t el y el i mi na t e gl ar e.
Cont r ol t he Sour c e of L i ght I t i s t he di r e c t l i g ht t ha t i s r es pons i bl e f or t he
g r e a t e s t gl a r e. I ndoor l i g ht i ng t ha t i s ex pos ed
c a n c a us e gl a r e , t r y t o have t hem e ncl os e d i n
s ome f or m of a ca s i ng ( s uc h as s ha de s or
gl obe s ) s o t ha t y ou di f f u s e t he l i g ht . Al s o,
c ons i der put t i ng c ur t ai ns or bl i nds on t he
wi ndows t o di f f us e t he i nc omi ng s unl i g ht .
Us e t he Pr oper S ur f a c e The s hi ni e r an obj e c t , t he g r e a t er t he r es ul t i ng
gl a r e. I f y our wor k des k ha s a t a bl e t op ma de of gl as s , t h e n i t wi l l c r e a t e a n
e nor mous amount of gl a r e and you wi l l ha ve ey e s t r a i n muc h qui ck e r . C ov er
F AC T: Gl a r e i s a g r e a t
c ont r i but or t o ey e s t r ai n.
El i mi na t i ng gl a r e i n day -
t o- day a c t i vi t i e s c an
pr ot e c t y our ey es f r om
s t r ai ni ng.

1 17 7

t he t a bl e wi t h, s ay , a f a br i c t o e l i mi na t e t hi s i s s ue. S ame g oe s wi t h c omput e r
moni t or s ; put a g l a r e f i l t e r ove r t hem t o r e duce t he amount of g l a r e .
I t i s al s o r e c omme nde d t ha t y ou put y our wor k s ur f a c e a t a n angl e of
a ppr ox i ma t el y 90 de gr ee s f r om t he l i g ht s our ce i n or de r t o r educ e t he gl a r e
a nd r e f l e c t i ons .
Pr ot ec t i ng Your Ey es Out door s You c annot hav e t he l ux ur y of cur t ai ns a nd
bl i nds whi l e you wa nde r out door s . The be s t wa y t o pr ot e c t t he ey es f r om
gl a r e i s t o wea r pol a r i z e d s ungl a s s e s t hat a r e de s i g ne d f or t hi s v er y pur pos e .
S uc h t ype s of gl a s s es a r e i de al f or dr i v i ng as s unl i g ht wi l l g e t r ef l e c t ed a l ot
f r om ve hi cl es a r ound y ou.
3. Reduce t he Cont r as t
Re duci ng t he c ont r as t i s a not her wa y t o g r e a t l y r educ e t he gl a r e. Today s
hi g h c ont r as t di s pl ay s no doubt ma ke t he i mage s l ook s ha r p a nd be aut i f ul ,
but t hey ar e n t ne c es s a r i l y g ood f or t he e ye s . Whe nev e r y ou us e a c omput e r
or a t a bl e t , do t r y t ur ni ng down t he c ont r a s t t o l e vel s t ha t y ou f eel a r e ea s y
on y our ey es . Among one of t he mos t eye - s t r ai ni ng c ombi na t i ons i s r ea di ng
bl a ck t ex t on a br i g ht whi t e ba c kg r ound.
4. T oughen Your Eyes
Whi l e i t i s g r e a t t o be a bl e t o c ont r ol ex t e r na l f a c t or s whi c h a f f e c t t he e ye ,
but y ou s houl d al s o pay gr ea t a t t ent i on t o s t r eng t he ni ng y our own ey es . One
of t he g r e a t e s t way s t o na t ur al l y i mpr ove ey es i g ht i s by e x e r ci s i ng y our ey es .
A numbe r of ex er c i s es c a n be f ound i n Cha pt er 10
of t hi s book.
5. Res t Your Eyes
Wor k i ng f or pr ol onge d pe r i ods of t i me i mpos es a
g r e a t amount of s t r ai n on our ey es . I t i s
under s t andabl e t ha t ex t e nde d br ea ks a r e not
pos s i bl e al l t he t i me. Thi s i s why t he 20 - 20 r ul e
s houl d be appl i e d whe neve r pos s i bl e . Acc or di ng
20- 20 Rul e
F or ev er y t went y mi nut e s
s pe nt f oc us i ng on a ny
pa r t i c ul ar wor k , a br e a k
s houl d be t ak en whe r e
y ou s houl d l ook a t
s ome t hi ng t ha t i s pl a ce d
t we nt y f e e t a wa y f or
t we nt y s e c onds . .


1 18 8

t o t he 20 - 20 r ul e , f or e ve r y t we nt y mi nut e s s pe nt
f oc us i ng on a ny par t i cul a r wor k , a br e ak s houl d be
t a k en whe r e you s ho ul d l ook a t s ome t hi ng t ha t i s
pl a ce d t went y f e e t a wa y f or t went y s e c onds .
6. Focus f r om a Di st ance
Our ey es wor k mor e ef f e c t i ve l y when we f oc us a t di s t anc e obj e c t s .
P r ol ongi ng our f oc us on ne ar by obj e c t s c a n c a us e e ye s t r ai n. Whe ne ve r
wor k i ng wi t h obj e c t s t ha t a r e c l os e t o your f i el d of v i ew, i t i s vi t al t ha t y ou
t a k e r eg ul ar br e ak s i n be t wee n t o av oi d s t r ai ni ng y our e ye s .















F AC T: I t i s i nt e r es t i ng t o
k now t ha t onl y 20 pe r ce nt
of a n e ye s f oc us i ng powe r
i s due t o t he l ens ; t he
r e s t c ome s f r om t he
c or nea !

1 19 9

Chapter 3
Poor Eyesi ght: Facts and
Mi sunderstandi ngs


Our ey e s i g ht t e nds t o de t er i or a t e wi t h t i me due t o s ev er al f a c t or s . Some of
de t er i or a t i on i s f r om na t ur al c a us es , t hat i s , due t o a gi ng. Whi l e s ome a r e
t he di r e c t r e s ul t of t he way we l i ve our l i ve s ( l i f es t yl e ) . Li f e s t y l e , or t he way
we l i ve our l i v es , i s an ex t r eme l y br oa d t opi c whe n i t c ome s t o di s c us s i ng i t s
e f f e c t s on t he e ye s . Up t i l l now, we have di s c us s e d s ome of our bad habi t s
a nd a f ew of t he f a c t or s per t ai ni ng t o t he e nvi r onme nt ( gl ar e) .
Our di e t i s y e t a not he r i mpor t a nt f a c t or i n de t er mi ni ng t he he al t h of our
e ye s , and we wi l l be di s c us s i ng nut r i t i on i n de t ai l i n C hapt er 9 of t hi s book .
The r e a r e al s o s pe ci f i c dr ugs whi ch t e nd t o ha ve s i de ef f e c t s s t r ong enoug h
t o ha r m our ey e s . Thes e dr ug s wi l l a l s o be di s c us s e d i n de t ai l i n t he nex t
c ha pt er .

2 20 0

The pur pos e of t hi s c ha pt er i s t o empowe r you wi t h s ome f a c t s a bout poor
e ye s i g ht , as we l l a s cl ea r up s ome of t he mi s under s t andi ng s t ha t a r e
wi des pr e a d a mong peopl e. The r e a r e a l ot of t hi ng s t ha t we have bee n
bel i ev i ng i n f or y ea r s , a nd pe r ha ps i n s ome ca s e s , s i nce c hi l dhood. I t i s of an
ut mos t i mpor t a nce t o di s mi s s t he s e mi s under s t andi ng s s o t ha t a c l e ar
under s t andi ng of wha t i s good and wha t i s not good f or our ey es i g ht ca n be
g ai ne d.
L e t us pr oc ee d t hr oug h t hi s c hapt e r by t a l ki ng a bout , a nd cl e a r i ng t he
c ommon my t hs .

Myt hs
My t h Number 1: Not us i ng g l a s s es wi l l damag e t he eyes
Thi s i s not e nt i r e l y t r ue. On t he c ont r a r y , r es ea r c h ha s s hown t ha t us i ng
gl a s s es c a n a c t ual l y f ur t her de t e r i or a t e v i s i on r a t he r t ha n he al i ng i t . Our
e ye s c an heal t hems el ve s na t ur al l y pr ov i de d t ha t t hey ar e gi ve n t he pr oper
a t t e nt i on a nd ca r e. A c ombi na t i on of e ye ex e r ci s es , pr ope r nut r i t i ona l i nt a ke
a s wel l a s c ommon s e ns e ca n g o a l ong way i n na t ur al l y hea l i ng vi s i on
pr obl ems .
My t h Number 2: Readi ng i n Di m L i ght Da mag es t he Eyes
Thi s i s ye t a not her my t h. Re adi ng i n di m l i ght i ng condi t i ons i n no wa y
da mag e s y our ey es ; howeve r , i t c a n s t r ai n y our ey e s . Thi s i s t he r e a s on why
i t i s r e c omme nde d not t o r e a d i n poor l i g ht i ng c ondi t i ons .
My t h Number 3: Cons umpt i on of Ca r r ot s Can Hea l Vi s i on
C ar r ot s a r e a r i ch s our c e of Vi t ami n A, and vi t ami n A i s i nde ed a r e qui r ement
of our e ye s . Howev er , i t i s c ommonl y bel i ev ed t ha t e a t i ng l ot s of c a r r ot s ca n
i mpr ov e t he e ye s i g ht t hi s i s n t t r ue , be c a us e t he qua nt i t y of vi t a mi n A t ha t
i s r e qui r ed i s ve r y l i t t l e , a nd i t ca n be abs or be d by c ons umi ng a he al t hy di e t
i n g ene r al .

2 21 1

My t h Number 4: Not hi ng Can Be Done To Pr ev ent Los s o f S i g ht
Thi s i s among one of t he mos t di s c our agi ng s t a t emen t s t ha t a r e ci r c ul a t e d
a r ound. Our e ye s ar e a s e t of wonde r f ul l y c r af t e d or g a ns , a nd gi v e n t he t i me
a nd c ar e , t he y ca n he al t he ms el v es . Regul ar ey e e x ami na t i ons s houl d be
s c he dul e d t o k ee p a t r a ck on t he ey es he al t h.
Na t ur al wa ys of hea l i ng i ncl ude c ons umi ng a hea l t hy , bal a nce d di e t a nd
pe r f or mi ng numer ous ex e r ci s es .
My t h Number 5: Eye Exa mi nat i ons Ar e Onl y Neces s a r y When Exper i enc i ng
Pr obl ems
The whol e pur pos e of ey e e x ami na t i ons i s t o e ns ur e t ha t t he e ye s ar e
f unc t i oni ng pr oper l y wi t hout a ny pr obl ems . An ex ami na t i on br i ngs t o l i g ht
a ny l i ng er i ng pr obl ems be f or e t hey a c t ua l l y s e t i n. An e x a mi na t i on may al s o
r ev e al a ny s er i ous c ondi t i ons t ha t may not be s howi ng any obvi ous
s ympt oms .
Tha t bee n s ai d, eye ex ami na t i ons s houl d ne ve r be mi s s e d a nd mus t be a par t
of y our he al t h c ar e r egi me.
My t h Number 6: Us i ng a Comput er f or Ex t ended Per i ods Can Da ma ge t he
Ey es
C omput e r s c r ee ns do e mi t ha r mf ul r a ys a t al l . X - Ra ys a nd Ul t r avi ol e t r a ys a r e
k nown t o dama ge t he ey es , a nd t hes e t ype s of r ay s a r e not e mi t t e d by
c omput e r s c r ee ns .
A l ot of pe opl e t end t o c onf us e ey e s t r a i n wi t h ey e damage y es , moni t or s
c a n c a us e e ye s t r ai n i f t he y a r e us e d f or e x t e nde d pe r i ods of t i me wi t h no
br ea k s i n be t wee n but no, t hey c a nnot da ma ge y our e ye s .
My t h Number 7: Si t t i ng T oo Cl o s e t o a Tel ev i s i on Ca n Da mag e Chi l dr en s
Ey es

2 22 2

The r e i s no e vi de nce a t al l t ha t c oul d pr ov e t hi s s t a t ement t o be t r ue . On t he
c ont r a r y , c hi l dr e n c an f oc us a t cl os e r obj e c t s muc h be t t e r t ha n adul t s c an. I t
i s a l s o obs er ve d t ha t c hi l dr e n t end t o r ea d book s by hol di ng t hem c l os e t o
t hei r eye s . Thi s ha bi t t ends t o g o a wa y wi t h ag e , but i f a c hi l d f r equent l y s i t s
c l os e t o a t el evi s i on t he n t he y s houl d under go a n e ye ex ami na t i on t o c he ck
whe t he r or not t hey a r e s uf f e r i ng f r om my opi a , or s hor t s i ght ednes s .
My t h Nu mber 8: Peopl e wi t h Wea k Vi s i on Shoul d Av oi d Focus i ng on
I nt r i c at e Det a i l s
I t i s al s o c ommonl y bel i ev e d t ha t f oc us i ng on f i ne de t ai l s c a n f ur t he r
de t er i or a t e t he vi s i on f ur t her , es pe ci a l l y i n peopl e who a l r ea dy hav e wea k
e ye s i g ht . Thi s c once pt i s ba s e d on t he i de a t ha t a n e ye i s a mus c l e , a nd us i ng
i t wi l l we ar i t out .
A be t t e r a nd mor e a c cur a t e c ompar i s on of t he e ye i s t ha t t o a c ame r a. A
c a me r a does not wea r out i f i t i s us e d t o t a k e pi c t ur e s of ve r y f i ne de t a i l s
s ame i s t he t r ue wi t h our ey es .
My t h Number 9: Eyes ca n be T r a ns pl ant ed
Thi s i s not t r ue. No ma t t er how a dv anc ed medi c al s ci enc e be c omes , t hi s i s
s ome t hi ng t ha t wi l l r emai n i mpos s i bl e. The ey es ar e c onne c t e d t o t he br ai n
t hr oug h t he opt i c ne r v e whi ch i s a c ol l e c t i on of mi l l i ons of ner v e s . Once
t he opt i c ne r v e i s s eve r ed, t her e i s no wa y of conne c t i ng t hes e ba c k t oge t her
a ga i n.
Thi s i s why dur i ng s ur g e r y ; t he ey es ar e ne ve r t a ke n out of t he s ock e t . On
t he ot he r ha nd, t he cor nea i n t he e ye has unde r g one nume r ous
t r a ns pl a nt a t i ons ov er t he ye a r s . Pe opl e t e nd t o c onf us e t hi s c or neal
t r a ns pl a nt wi t h a n e ye t r a ns pl a nt . C or nea l t r a ns pl a nt i s pos s i bl e ; e ye
t r a ns pl a nt i s no t .
My t h Number 10: Wea r i ng Cont a c t Lens es Pr ev ent s Nea r s i g ht ednes s f r om
Wor s eni ng

2 23 3

C ont a c t l e ns es , s i mi l ar t o g l a s s es , a r e not a per ma ne nt s ol ut i on t o ey e s i ght
pr obl ems . They onl y pr ovi de a t empor ar y me t hod t o c or r e c t v i s i on and t he y
a r e not a bl e t o he al or i mpr ove vi s i on condi t i ons i n a ny way. On t he
c ont r a r y , we ar i ng c ont a c t l e ns e x pos e s t he us e r t o ma ny r i s ks as f ol l ows :
o The y ca n c aus e dr y nes s of t he ey es
o The y ca n r e s ul t i n c or ne al s c r a t c he s
o The y ca n c aus e cor ne al i nf e c t i ons
o The y ca n c aus e t he s ha pe of t he c or ne a t o c ha ng e
o The y ca n c aus e ey e i nf l a mma t i on
o The y ca n c aus e ey el i d i nf l a mma t i on
o The l e ns s ol ut i ons c an r es ul t i n an al l e r gi c r e a c t i on
Fact s
P r obl ems r el a t e d t o t he ey e a nd vi s i on ar e r eg a r de d a s bei ng t he
s e c ond mos t c ommon he al t h c ar e i s s ue i n t he US. S ome s or t of v i s i on
pr obl ems a r e known t o a f f e c t mor e t ha n 120 mi l l i on peopl e a l l a c r os s
t he c ount r y.

I t i s es t i ma t ed t ha t a r ound 61 pe r ce nt of t he Amer i ca n popul a t i on
ne eds s ome f or m of c or r e c t i on f or pr oper vi s i on. Thi s per c ent ag e
a c c ount s f or a r ound 172 mi l l i on pe opl e. Howev er , ma j or i t y of t hes e
pe opl e a r e not a wa r e of t he f a c t t ha t t he y c an gr ea t l y e nha nc e t hei r
e ye s i g ht wi t hout t he nee d of goi ng t hr oug h a s ur ge r y or wi t hout
we ar i ng gl a s s e s or c ont a c t l e ns e s .

Thos e pe opl e who r e pe a t edl y g o t o an opt i ci a n wi t h t he s a me
c ompl ai nt s of not bei ng a bl e t o s ee cl e ar l y enoug h ar e not awa r e t ha t
we ar i ng gl a s s e s wi l l hav e ha r dl y , i f a ny , e f f e c t on i mpr ovi ng t he i r
v i s i on. Gl as s e s a c t ual l y ca us e t he i r vi s i on t o ge t wor s e day by day.

C ommon c ompl ai nt s a r e about c hi l dr e n not bei ng abl e t o s ee t he
boa r ds a t s c hool , ma ny t ee nage r s i na bi l i t y t o c l e ar l y s e e s t r e e t s i g ns

2 24 4

c a us i ng t he m t o f ai l dr i v er l i ce ns e s t e s t s . The s ol ut i on t ha t i s
pr ovi de d, wi t h t he c or r e c t i ve de vi ce s i nc r e as i ng i n powe r , r a r el y s ol ve
t he pr obl em!

One out of f our of Amer i ca n c hi l dr e n a ge d be t we e n 3 a nd 16 we a r
gl a s s es t o c or r e c t t hei r v i s i on.

Ar ound 75 pe r ce nt of peopl e who f r equent l y us e a c omput e r ( a t wor k ,
on dai l y ba s i s ) , s uf f e r f r om s ome s or t of a vi s i on pr obl em; t he
s ympt oms c oul d r ange f r om hea da che s , dr y e ye s , or bl ur r e d vi s i on a nd
i r r i t a t i on i n t he ey es as a r e s ul t of ex c es s i ve ey e s t r a i n.

Among one of t he mos t c ommon t y pes of s el f - r epor t e d vi s i on pr obl ems
a r e c a t ar ac t s . I t i s al s o t he t hi r d l ea di ng c a us e of bl i ndnes s t ha t c oul d
ha ve be e n pr eve nt ed.
I f y ou r emembe r t he t i me you g ot your f i r s t pai r of g l a s s es , y ou woul d hav e
be en t ol d t o we ar t hem unt i l y ou g ot us e d t o t he m. Sounds f ami l i a r ? We l l ,
onc e you g ot us e d t o t hem a nd y ou t ook t he m of f , e ve r y t hi ng woul d s e em
bl ur r y a nd c a us e y ou t o be c ome di z z y. I f y ou r emembe r mor e pr e ci s e l y ,
t hi ng s woul d be f a r bl ur r i e r t ha n t he y we r e bef or e y ou s t ar t e d we a r i ng t he
gl a s s es . Why ?
The r e s onl y one l ogi ca l e x pl a na t i on f or a l l of t hi s . By us i ng s t r onge r
pr es c r i pt i ons e a ch t i me , we hav e onl y be e n ca us i ng our v i s i on t o de t er i or a t e.
The human body ha s be e n des i g ne d i n a way t ha t i t ha s t he a bi l i t y t o hea l
i t s el f and r e ge ne r a t e , g i ve n t he t i me . The r e i s no doubt t ha t moder n me di c al
s c i e nc e ha s ma de e x ce pt i onal a dv a nceme nt s a nd ha s i nt r oduce d t hi ng s t ha t
i mpr ov e hea l i ng a bi l i t y of t he body. Neve r t he l e s s , t her e a r e s ome t hi ngs t ha t
ne ed t i me a nd not hi ng c an a c c el e r a t e t he m. Si mi l a r l y , our e ye s ca n he al a nd
r eg e ne r a t e i f gi v e n t he t i me wi t hou t a ny a ddi t i onal ai d s uc h a s gl as s es or
c ont a c t l e ns es .

2 25 5

The ey es i ght i s una r g uabl y t he mos t vi t al s e ns or y c ha nnel t ha t huma ns ar e
bl e s s e d wi t h; ov er 90 pe r c ent of al l t he i nf or ma t i on t h a t t he br a i n r e c ei ve s
f r om va r y i ng s ens es i s a c t ual l y f r om t he e ye s . Thr oug h t hi s s e ns or y i nput ,
t he br ai n f i g ur e s out whe n t o r ea c t t o wha t we s e e. Our move me nt s , our
s pee c h and c onv er s a t i ons wi t h ot he r peopl e as we l l a s g es t ur e s a l l a r e r es ul t
of t he i nt e r pr e t a t i on of t he e l e c t r i c al s i g nal s ex e c ut e d by t he ey e. Al l t he
body s s y s t ems a r e i n f a c t i nt e r l i nk ed i n one wa y or anot he r .













2 26 6

Chapter 4
Types of Vi si on Probl ems and Thei r
Sol uti ons

I n a manne r s i mi l a r t o ot her par t s of our body , t he eye s t end t o de t er i or a t e
wi t h ag e. A pr obl em wi t h t he e ye s i g ht i s no s mal l pr obl em a t al l by r ea di ng
t hr oug h t he pr ev i ous c ha pt e r s of t hi s book , y ou woul d hav e dev el ope d a
c l ea r pi c t ur e of how i mpor t ant vi s i on i s f or humans . Nev er t hel e s s , a s
i mpor t a nt as i t i s , i t i s al s o f r agi l e a nd ca n ex per i e nce ma ny di s or de r s t ha t
may not be par t i c ul a r l y r e l a t ed t o agi ng .
I n t hi s cha pt e r , we wi l l di s c us s s e ve r al t y pes of vi s i on pr obl e ms i n de t ai l a nd
t a l k a bout t he f a c t or s t ha t c a us e t he s e pr obl ems t o oc c ur i n t he f i r s t pl a ce.
We wi l l t he n mov e on t o di s c us s t he pos s i bl e s ol ut i ons f or t he s e vi s i on
pr obl ems i n or de r t o hel p i mpr ove vi s i on a c ui t y.
Be f or e we ge t i nt o t he dept hs of l ea r ni ng a bout vi s i on pr obl ems , i t i s
ne c es s ar y t ha t y ou f i r s t ha ve a s t a nda r d s e t t ha t ca n a c t a s a r ef er e nce t o
whi c h you c a n compa r e. Thi s s t anda r d i s a hea l t hy e ye , a nd a s we k now, t he
body s s e ns or y a nd pr oc es s i ng s y s t ems wor k i n c onj unc t i on, i . e. ey es a nd
br ai n t r a ns f er i nf or ma t i on t hr oug h t he opt i c ne r v es . F or a hea l t hy e ye t o
ope r a t e a t pea k e f f i ci e nc y , i t i s vi t al t hat a l l t he ot he r r el a t e d s y s t e ms of t he
body a r e al s o wor ki ng i n har mony.
Tha t bee n s ai d, v i s i on i nv ol ve s not onl y t he ey es , but t he br ai n and al l t ha t
c onne c t s t hem:
F or a he al t hy v i s i on, a pai r of hea l t hy ey es wi t h e a ch of t he ey e s
c ompone nt s wor ki ng pe r f e c t l y i s r e qui r ed.
F or a he al t hy v i s i on, a hea l t hy br a i n t hat i s c apa bl e of c or r e c t l y i nt er pr e t i ng
t he s i g nal s s e nt t o i t by t he e ye s i s r equi r e d.

2 27 7

Appa r e nt l y , by l ea di ng a he al t hy l i f es t yl e t ha t c ons i s t s of an a de qua t e di e t ,
r eg ul a r e x e r ci s e and g ood ha bi t s does an e x cel l e nt j ob of k ee pi ng t he whol e
body i n pe r f e c t s hape.
The c ompl ex i nt er a c t i on be t wee n t he br a i n a nd e ye s i s a s e ns i t i v e one ; a nd
pr ope r c ont r ol of t he mi nd i s of a n ut mos t i mpor t a nce whe n i t c ome s t o a
body s s e l f - he al i ng a bi l i t i es . The mi nd ca n hav e powe r f ul ef f e c t s on t he r e s t
of t he body t he mi nd c a n ei t her as s i s t i n he al i ng , or i t c an be come a
hi ndr anc e on t he r oa d t o s el f - he al i ng .
L e t us r e c al l t he mai n pur pos e of t hi s book : whi ch i s t o he l p y ou t o r e s t or e
y our vi s i on na t u r al l y t hi s me a ns t ha t you wi l l be us i ng y our body s own
he al i ng pr oper t i e s t o e nc our age he al i ng of y our vi s i on. To a c hi e ve t hi s , y ou
wi l l ne ed t o hav e t he r i g ht mi nds e t a mi nds e t t ha t i s wi l l i ng t o as s i s t t he
body i n a c hi evi ng t he s e t g oa l s a nd t a r ge t s ; onl y t he n you wi l l have t he
c a pa ci t y t o be ne f i t f r om t hi s g ui de.
Loss and I mpai r ment of Vi si on
Mos t of t he pe opl e e x per i e nce va r i ous vi s i on pr obl ems a t s ome poi nt i n t hei r
l i ve s . S ome peopl e ha ve di f f i c ul t y f oc us i ng on f a r - of f obj e c t s , whi l e s ome
ha ve pr obl ems i n vi ewi ng t hi ng s t ha t a r e c l os e r t o t hem. S ome a l s o s uf f e r
f r om bl ur r y vi s i on. Al l i n al l , one vi s i on pr obl em or t he ot her c a n s ev er el y
a f f e c t t he qual i t y of l i f e a per s on l e ads . The s e pr obl ems ca n c r e a t e a
hi ndr anc e i n pe r f or mi ng ev e n t he s i mpl es t of dai l y t a s k s , s uc h a s r e a di ng
ne ws paper s , br ows i ng t he i nt e r ne t or eve n r e c og ni z i ng peopl e ca n be
di f f i c ul t .
By de f i ni t i on, Vi s ual i mpai r me nt i s de f i ne d as bei ng a ny ki nd of a l os s of
v i s i on t ha t c a us es s omeone t o s ome of t hei r eye s i g ht , or i n s ome c as es , ma ke
t hem c ompl e t el y g o bl i nd. Vi s ual l y i mpai r e d pe opl e hav e vi s i on pr obl ems
e ve n wi t h a s s i s t i ve ai ds .
On t he ot he r ha nd, Los s of Vi s i on i s a muc h br oa der t er m t ha t g e ne r al l y
i mpl i e s a l os s of v i s i on t ha t ma y hav e occ ur r ed a br upt l y , or s l owl y ove r t i me.

2 28 8

What Caus es Vi s i on L oss ?
The r e c a n be a number of r e as ons t ha t ca n c a us e l os s of vi s i on . L os s of
v i s i on c an oc c ur a t a ny age f or a numbe r of r ea s ons , but i n mos t of t he
c a s es , ag e i s a ma j or f a c t or t he e ye s be gi n t o de t e r i or a t e wi t h age whi c h i n
t ur n c a us es s ome f or m of vi s i on l os s t o k i ck i n.
Us ual l y , vi s i on l os s doe s not oc c ur i n chi l dr e n, unl e s s or unt i l t hey have ha d
a n a c ci de nt i n whi ch t he e ye wa s damage d i n s ome wa y , or i t c oul d al s o
oc c ur i f t he y ha ve a r ea l l y unhe al t hy l i f es t yl e.
S ome babi e s a r e bor n wi t h a c ondi t i on ca l l e d cong eni t a l bl i ndnes s , whi c h
mea ns t ha t t he y a r e vi s ual l y i mpai r e d a t bi r t h. Thi s c oul d be due t o a numbe r
of r ea s ons :
C onge ni t al Bl i ndnes s c an be i nher i t e d i f t hi s c ondi t i on pr ev ai l s i n
e i t he r of t he par e nt s , t he n t he r e a r e c ha nc es t ha t t he baby wi l l be
bor n wi t h i t .
C onge ni t al Bl i ndnes s c an be ca us e d by s ome i nf e c t i on Thi s condi t i on
c a n al s o be t r a ns mi t t e d ont o t he ba by as a r e s ul t of a n i nf e c t i on. I f t he
mot he r wa s i nf e c t e d ( wi t h s ome t hi ng l i ke t he Ger ma n mea s l es ) t he n
t he de vel opi ng f e t us c oul d c ont r a c t i t .
L evel of Vi s ual I mpai r ment
I n t he Uni t ed S t a t e s , t he f ol l owi ng f o ur t e r ms ar e us ed t o de s c r i be a
s t udent s v i s ual i mpai r me nt i n or der t o hel p t he m a c c or di ngl y :
Pa r t i a l l y S i ght ed s t ude nt s who a r e c a t e g or i z ed a s bei ng pa r t i al l y
s i gh t ed us ual l y r equi r e a pe r s on who i s a bl e t o pr ov i de t hem wi t h
s pe ci al e duca t i on
L ow Vi s i on L ow v i s i on r e f e r s t o a mor e s ev e r e v i s ual i mpai r me nt .
Thi s t e r m appl i es t o al l t hos e i ndi vi dual s who a r e una bl e t o r e ad a
ne ws paper f r om a nor mal r e adi ng di s t anc e .
L ega l l y Bl i nd Thi s i mpl i es t ha t a pe r s on ha s a vi s i on t ha t i s l e s s t han
20/ 200 a f t e r us e of c or r e c t i v e a i ds .

2 29 9

T ot a l l y Bl i nd s t udent s who ar e t ot al l y bl i nd a r e pr ovi de d wi t h Br a i l l e
or ot her non- vi s ual s t udy ma t er i al s t o l ea r n.
Howev er , a vi s ual i mpai r me nt doe s not ne c es s ar i l y ha s t o be t hi s s eve r e ,
nume r ous c ondi t i ons t ha t we wi l l t al k abo ut al s o r es ul t i n t empor ar y vi s ua l
i mpai r me nt of s ome k i nd t ha t c a n be hea l e d i f pr ope r mea s ur es a r e t ak e n.
The r e a r e , of c our s e , ot he r vi s i on pr obl ems t ha t ma y dev el op a f t e r bi r t h a t
a ny poi nt dur i ng a per s on s l i f e. S ome of t hos e pr obl ems whi c h we wi l l
di s cus s i n de t ai l a r e a s f ol l ows .
Vi sual Di st ur bances
A numbe r of vi s i on pr obl ems ca n oc c ur t ha t c a n ca us e one or mor e of t he
f ol l owi ng vi s ual di s t ur ba nc es :
1. Di pl opi a
2. Ha l o
3. Bl ur r ed Vi s i on
4. Col or Bl i ndnes s
5. T ot a l Bl i ndnes s
6. Ey e Pa i n
Reg a r dl es s of t he t y pe , a ny s y mpt oms of v i s i on l os s ar e undoubt e dl y a g r e a t
c a us e of appr e he ns i on. S ome of t he unde r l yi ng f a c t or s t ha t may ha ve l e ad t o
t he vi s i on l os s c a n be ex t r emel y s eve r e medi ca l condi t i ons . I n s ome c as es ,
a ny c ha ng es i n t he vi s i on of a per s on can be cl as s i f i ed a s a me di ca l
e me r g enc y a s i t c oul d l e a d t o a c ompl e t e l os s of s i g ht , or ev e n de a t h.
Ev e n i f t he l os s of vi s i on i s t empor ar y , i t s t i l l s houl d not be t ak en l i g ht l y a t
a l l . The c ul pr i t be hi nd t empor a r y l os s of v i s i on c an be f r om one of t he
f ol l owi ng s e r i ous me di c al c ondi t i ons :
S t r oke
Hyper t e ns i on
Epi l eps y
Mi g r ai ne

3 30 0

Tr a ns i e nt I s c hemi c At t a c k ( TI A)
1. Di pl opi a

Di pl opi a , or doubl e vi s i on, i s a s ympt om t ha t mus t be t ak e n v er y s er i ous l y.
Whi l e s ome of t he c aus e s of doubl e
v i s i on may be negl i gi bl e , s ome of t he
c a us e s ne c es s i t a t e t ha t i mme di a t e
medi ca l a t t ent i on be pr ovi de d.
Causes of Doubl e Vi s i on
( Di pl opi a)
A l ot of pe opl e t ak e t hei r vi s i on f or
g r a nt ed; unt i l one day t he y ope n t hei r
e ye s and f a i l t o s ee a s i ngl e , l uci d
i mag e t hey us e d t o s ee wi t h t hei r pe r f e ct v i s i on.
L e t us qui c kl y r e ca p on t he di f f er e nt a r ea s of t he v i s i on s y s t em be f or e we
pr oc ee d wi t h di s c us s i ng t he c a us es of doubl e v i s i on.
Cor nea - The c or ne a i s a cl e ar wi ndow t ha t l e t s l i g ht i nt o t he eye . I t i s
r e s pons i bl e f or f oc us i ng t he i ncomi ng l i g ht ont o t he a ppr opr i a t e pa r t s
of t he e ye.
L ens The l e ns i s s i t ua t e d be hi nd t he pupi l a nd i t al s o hel ps i n
f oc us i ng t he i nc omi ng l i g ht ont o t he r e t i na .
Ex t r aocul a r Mus c l es ( mus c l es of t he ey e) The e x t r a oc ul a r mus cl e s
a r e r es pons i bl e f or r ot a t i ng t he e ye t hi s i s pr e c i s el y wha t l e t s us
mov e our ey ebal l s .
Ner v es I t i s t he ner ve s t ha t t r a ns por t a l l of t he vi s ual i nf or ma t i on t o
t he br ai n f or pr oce s s i ng .
Br a i n The br ai n has dedi ca t e d a r e as t ha t a r e r es pons i bl e f or
pr oc es s i ng t he i nc omi ng vi s ual i nf or ma t i on f r om t he ey e.
F i g ur e 1 : A pe r s o n wi t h di p l o p i a ha s
d o u b l e v i s i o n

3 31 1

As l ong a s t he s e s y s t e ms wor k i n ha r mony a nd c ont i nue t o f unc t i on as t he y
a r e s uppos e d t o no vi s i on pr obl ems a r e e nc ount er ed. Howeve r , as s oon a s
e ve n a s i ng l e pa r t be gi ns t o mal f unc t i on i n any way t he pr obl em of doubl e
v i s i on c an be e x per i e nce d by a pe r s on.
Cor nea Pr obl ems C er t ai n pr obl ems wi t h t he c or nea c a n l e a d t o doubl e
v i s i on. Any s uc h pr obl e ms i n t he c or ne a us ual l y c a us e doubl e vi s i on i n a
s i ngl e ey e onl y. I f a pe r s on c ov er s t ha t s pe ci f i c ey e , t he doubl e vi s i on
pr obl em t e nds t o go a wa y. I t i s due t o t he a bnor mal s ur f a c e ( c or ne a) t ha t
t wi s t s t he i nc omi ng l i g ht i n a wa y t ha t r e s ul t s i n doubl e vi s i on.
Thi s a bnor mal i t y ca n happen due t o t he f ol l owi ng r e a s ons :
Any i nf e c t i ons i n t he c or nea of t he ey e , i ncl udi ng he r pes z os t e r or
s hi ng l e s
C or nea l S c a r s c a n cr ea t e une qual vi s ual i mag es
Dr y ne s s of c or nea al s o c a us e s doubl e vi s i on
L ens Pr obl ems Among l ens pr obl ems , c a t a r a c t s ar e one of t he mos t
c ommon pr obl ems t ha t c an l e ad t o doubl e vi s i on. I f t he c a t a r a c t dev el ops i n
bot h t he ey e s , t he n bot h e ye s wi l l c r e a t e i na c c ur a t e i mage s . Mor e
i nf or ma t i on a bout ca t a r a c t s wi l l f ol l ow i n t hi s c hapt e r .
Mus c l e Pr obl ems We ak eni ng of t he mus c l e s c an hi nde r t he s moot h
mov ement of t he ey e. I f a per s on ga z e s i n t he di r e c t i on of t he wea k mus c l e ,
t he y may e x pe r i e nc e doubl e vi s i on. Mus c l e pr obl e ms c a n r es ul t f r om t he
f ol l owi ng :
- Mya s t heni a Gr a v i s : Thi s i s a n i l l nes s of t he a ut oi mmune s y s t e m t ha t
t e nds t o bl oc k t he s t i mul a t i on of mus cl es by t he ne r v es t ha t a r e
pr es e nt i ns i de t he he ad of a per s on. Si gns of my a s t he ni a g r av i s a r e
dr oopi ng e ye l i ds and doubl e vi s i on.
- Gr av es di s ea s e : Thi s i s a t hy r oi d c ondi t i on t ha t has c er t ai n e f f e c t s on
t he ey e mus cl e s . Thi s di s e as e i s c ommonl y k nown t o ca us e di pl opi a i n

3 32 2

t he ve r t i c al pl a ne t he r e by ca us i ng one i mag e t o be s upe r i mpos e d on
t op of anot her .
Ner v e Pr obl ems The ner ve s t ha t a r e r es pons i bl e f or c a r r yi ng t he v i s ual
i nf or ma t i on t o t he br ai n f or pr oc es s i ng c a n al s o be c ome damage d f or numbe r
of r ea s ons . The s e ner ve s not onl y ca r r y t he me s s age , but s ome of t he s e
c ont r ol t he mus cl e mov ement s . The f ol l owi ng pr obl ems c an a f f e c t t he
ne r v es :
- Mul t i pl e Sc l er os i s : i s a pr obl em t ha t a f f e c t s t he br a i n a nd t he s pi nal
c or d. Thi s c an a f f e c t t he ne r v es a ny whe r e a r ound t he s e t wo a r e as . I f
a ny of t he ner ve s t ha t c ont r ol t he e ye s a r e damag ed, doubl e vi s i on c a n
oc c ur .
- Gul l a i n - Ba r r e Syndr ome: Thi s i s a c ondi t i on t ha t pr ogr es s i v el y we a ke ns
t he ne r v e s a nd one of t he f i r s t s ympt oms t ha t may s how i n t he ey e i s
doubl e vi s i on.
- Di abet es : Di a be t es i s among one of t he ma j or c ul pr i t s r e s pons i bl e f or
da mag i ng ne r ve s ne ar t he e ye s . I t c a n da mage t he mus cl es t ha t a r e
r e s pons i bl e f or c ont r ol l i ng t he ey e mus cl es , t her eby c aus i ng doubl e
v i s i on.
Br a i n Pr obl ems S ome of t he f a c t or s t ha t c a us e doubl e vi s i on a r e or i g i na t e d
f r om t he br ai n i t s el f . Any of t he f ol l owi ng i n t he br ai n c a n r es ul t i n doubl e
v i s i on, be c a us e t he br ai n i s t he ul t i ma t e v i s ual pr oce s s i ng uni t :
- Ane ur y s ms
- I nc r e as e d bl ood pr es s ur e
- Br ai n Tumor
- Mi g r ai ne
- S t r oke s
T ypes of Di pl opi a
The r e a r e mai nl y t wo t y pe s of di pl opi a :

3 33 3

Monoc ul ar Di pl opi a i s s a i d t o o c c ur when o nl y o n e ey e ex pe r i en c es doubl e
v i s i on . Thi s i s us ua l l y a r e s ul t o f ab nor mal s u r f a c e i n t h e a f f e c t e d ey e.
Bi noc ul ar Di pl opi a i s s ai d t o o c c ur when do ubl e v i s i on i s e x p er i en c ed i n bo t h
t h e e y e s . Thi s u s ual l y r e s ul t s i f t h e ey es a r e p oor l y al i g ned or an y ki nd o f
n er v e da ma ge h as o c c ur r e d.
2. Hal o Vi si on

A pe r s on i s s ai d t o ex pe r i enc e hal o vi s i on
when hal os a ppe ar as c i r c l e s of l i g ht a r ound
t he obj e c t s a pe r s on vi e ws . To be mor e
pr e ci s e , a medi cal di c t i onar y de s cr i bes Hal o
v i s i on as a c on di t i on i n whi c h c ol or ed or
l u mi nou s r i n gs a r e s e en a r oun d l i g h t s .
Causes of Hal o Vi s i on
Hal o vi s i on ca n be c a us e d by t he f ol l owi ng
e ye di s or der s :
C or nea l Endot hel i al Dys t r ophy
C a t a r a c t
Gl a uc oma
The a bove c ondi t i ons wi l l be di s c us s e d i n mor e de t ai l l a t er on i n t hi s
c ha pt er .
3. Bl ur r ed Vi si on
Bl ur r e d v i s i on i s ca us e d by l os s o f s har pne s s i n t he ey e s i g ht of a pe r s on. I t
mak es obj e c t s a ppe a r ha z y a nd out of f oc us . Bl ur r y vi s i on ca n be a pr i me
i ndi c a t or of a ny unde r l yi ng ey e di s ea s e s . Re ga r dl e s s of whe t her i t oc c ur s
oc c a s i onal l y or on a r eg ul a r ba s i s , i t s houl d not be l e f t unt r ea t ed. Pe opl e
wi t h bl ur r e d vi s i on wi l l hav e pr obl e ms i n vi ewi ng t he f i ner de t ai l s of a s ce ne
whi l e t he l a c k of f ocus c an r eal l y f r us t r at e t hem.
F i g ur e 2 : Ha l os a p p e a r a r o u nd l i g ht s

3 34 4

T ypes of Bl ur r ed Vi s i on
S i mi l a r t o di pl opi a , bl ur r e d vi s i on c a n oc c ur i n ei t he r one or bot h of t he
e ye s . Whe n i t oc cur s i n a s i ngl e e ye , i t i s t e r me d as uni l a t er al bl ur r ed v i s i on ,
a nd whe n i t oc cur s i n bot h, bi l a t e r al bl ur r e d
v i s i on .
Sympt oms of Bl ur r ed Vi s i on
I n ce r t ai n ca s e s , bl ur r ed vi s i on ma y be
a c c ompa ni ed by s eve r al of t he f ol l owi ng
s ympt oms , a par t f r om t he pr obl ems of l a c k
of f oc us a nd ha z i ne s s :
P hot ophobi a Se ns i t i v i t y t o l i ght
S pot s or Fl oa t e r s
P ai n i n t he Eye
Any Di s c ha r g e f r om t he Eye s
L os s of Pe r i phe r a l Vi s i on
L os s of Ce nt r al Vi s i on
Ey e s be c omi ng Dr y
I t c hy Eye s
Ni ght Vi s i on P r obl ems
Bl oods hot Eye s ( r ed)
Causes of Bl ur r ed Vi s i on
As s t a t ed a bove , bl ur r e d vi s i on ca n be an i ndi ca t i on of a s e r i ous unde r l yi ng
pr obl em. I t i s obvi ous t ha t pe opl e who we ar g l a s s es ex per i e nce bl ur r ed
v i s i on when t hey t ak e t he gl as s es of f . Howev er , t he a c t ual pr obl e m a r i s e s
when bl ur r e d vi s i on oc c ur s wi t h c o r r e c t i v e mea s ur es i n pl a ce .
Bl ur r e d v i s i on c an oc c ur due t o t he f ol l owi ng :
My opi a
Hyper opi a
P r e s by opi a
As t i gma t i s m
F i g ur e 3 : A pe r s o n wh o ha s bl ur r e d
v i s i on wi l l s e e s ome t h i ng l i k e t h i s
wh e n l oo k i ng a t a p e r s o n s t a nd i ng
i n f r o n t of t he m. T h e l e v e l o f
b l ur r i n e s s wi l l d e pe n d on t h e
s e v e r i t y o f t h e c a s e .

3 35 5

Gl a uc oma
Ma c ul a r Deg ene r a t i on
C a t a r a c t s
Mi g r ai ne s
Dr y Ey es
The a bove ey e di s or der s wi l l be di s c us s ed i n mor e de t ai l f ur t he r ahe ad i n
t hi s ch a pt e r .
Ot he r f a c t or s t ha t may c aus e bl ur r y vi s i on i ncl ude pr eg na ncy . Dur i ng
pr eg na nc y , i t i s c ommon t o e x pe r i e nce bl ur r ed vi s i on. Doubl e vi s i on
( di pl opi a) ma y al s o a c compa ny bl ur r y vi s i on a s a r es ul t of t he hor monal
c ha ng es t ha t a r e k nown t o c ha ng e t he t hi c kne s s and s ha pe of t he c or ne a. Dr y
e ye s whi c h ca n c aus e bl ur r e d vi s i on a l s o oc c ur f r e que nt l y i n pr e gna nt
wome n, a nd c an t her e by pl a y i t s pa r t t o l ea d t o a bl ur r e d vi s i on.
4. Col or Bl i ndness
I t i s es t i ma t ed t ha t c ol or bl i ndne s s a f f ec t s a r ound 1 i n 12 me n ar ound t he
wor l d; wome n a r e l e s s af f e c t e d wi t h 1 i n e ve r y 200 bei ng c ol or bl i nd. C ol or
Bl i ndnes s i s k nown as c ol o r v i s i on
d ef i c i en c y . Col or bl i nd pe opl e
us ual l y s ee as c l e ar l y a s ot he r
pe opl e who hav e nor mal v i s i on;
howe ve r , t he y hav e pr obl ems i n
s e ei ng r e d, g r e en or bl ue l i ght .
T ypes of Col or Bl i ndnes s
Re t i na i s t he pa r t of t he ey e t ha t
s e ns es l i g ht a nd c ont r ol s c ol or
v i s i on. The r e t i na i s c ompos e d of
t wo uni que t y pes of s t r uc t ur es ,
a nd t he y a r e:
Rods The r ods a r e des i gne d t o hel p us s e e i n l ow l i ght c ondi t i ons
F i g ur e 4 : A n e x a mp l e of h o w a c o l or b l i n d p e r s o n
ma y i nt e r pr e t d i f f e r e n t c o l or s .

3 36 6

Cones The c one s a r e des i gne d t o hel p us s e e c ol or
Bot h t he r ods a nd c ones ha ve phot os ens i t i ve c he mi c al s i n t hem. Rhodo ps i n i s
f ound i n t he r ods ; a nd phot opi gme nt s a r e i n t he c ones .
The c one s t hems e l v es ar e di vi ded i nt o t hr ee t y pe s
wi t h ea c h c one i nc or por a t i ng a di f f e r e nt
phot opi g me nt t ha t i s s e ns i t i v e t o a s pe ci f i c l i ght
( ba s e d on t he wave l e ng t h) . Mos t of t he pe opl e
who ha ve nor ma l vi s i on ( c al l ed t r i c hr oma t i c) a r e
bl e s s e d wi t h al l of t he t hr ee t ype s of c one s .
The t er m c ol or bl i nd ne s s i s a c t ual l y qui t e
a mbi g uous as i t i mpl i e s t ha t a c ol or bl i nd pe r s on
s e es eve r y t hi ng i n bl a ck a nd whi t e . Thi s i s why we
wi l l us e t he t er m c ol or v i s i on def i c i enc y a s i t
hel ps i n de s cr i bi ng t hi s vi s i on c ondi t i on mor e
a c c ur a t el y. Si mpl y put , i t i s t he def e c t i n a ny of
t hos e t hr ee c one s t ha t c a us es a pe r s on t o
e x pe r i e nc e C VD.
The t hr e e t y pe s of c one s wi t h t hei r uni que phot opi gme nt s ( r e d, g r ee n, bl ue )
a r e pr es ent i n nor mal huma n vi s i on; howev er , a n y de f e c t i n a ny of t he t hr e e
c one s wi l l ups e t t he bal anc e of c ol or .
Def ect s i n t he Thr ee Cones
Thos e pe opl e who have s l i ght def e c t s i n t hei r c ol or vi s i on a r e s ai d t o hav e
an o mal ou s t r i c h o mac y , mea ni ng t ha t t hey hav e al l t hr ee t y pes of t he c one s ,
but one of t he i r c one s i s f a ul t y .
Anomal ous t r i c homac y c a n be f ur t he r di v i d ed i nt o t hr e e t y pe s of a nomal i e s :
o De u t r an o mal y de f e c t i n t he r e d c one s
o P r o t an omal y def e c t i n t he g r ee n c ones
F AC T: I n t he l a t e 1700s ,
J ohn Dal t on wa s a n
Engl i s h c hemi s t ,
me t e or ol ogi s t a nd a
phys i ci s t . He was c ol or
bl i nd a nd he ha d
r e que s t e d t ha t hi s e ye s be
e x ami ne d af t er hi s de a t h.
He t houg ht hi s ey e s we r e
t i nt e d bl ue a nd t ha t
c a us e d hi m t o s e e
di f f er e nt l y f r om ot her
pe opl e a r ound hi m.
De ut er a nopi a i s a l s o
k nown as Dal t oni s m.

3 37 7

o Tr i t ano ma l y us ual l y qui t e r a r e pe opl e wi t h t he s e t ypes of
a nomal ous t r i c homa cy have pr obl ems i n di s t i ngui s hi ng be t we en ye l l ow
a nd bl ue c ol o r s .
Mi s si ng Cone
C ol or Vi s i on De f i ci enc y doe s not oc c ur onl y be ca us e of a de f e c t i v e c one , but
a l s o be c a us e of a n a bs e nc e of one. An abs e nce of a c one i s mor e s e ve r e t ha n
a nomal ous t r i c hr oma c y.
Thos e pe opl e who have a mi s s i ng c one ar e s a i d t o have di c hr o ma t i c v i s i o n ,
a nd i t c a n be di vi ded i nt o t he f ol l owi ng :
o Deut er anopi a i s t he a bs e nce of g r e en c one s . The g r ee n c ones a r e
a l s o c ommonl y r e f e r r e d t o a s t he L c on es , due t o t hei r s ens i t i vi t y t o
l onge r wa vel eng t hs of l i g ht .
o Pr ot anopi a i s t he a bs e nce of r e d c ones . The r e d c one s a r e al s o
c ommonl y r ef er r ed t o as t he M c one s , due t o t he i r s e ns i t i v i t y t o
medi um wav el e ng t hs of l i ght .
o T r i t anopi a i s t he a bs e nce of bl ue c ones . The bl ue c one s ar e al s o
c ommonl y r ef er r ed t o as t he S c on es , due t o t hei r s ens i t i vi t y t o s hor t e r
wav el eng t hs of l i g ht .
Bl ack and Whi t e
Monoc hr oma c y i s a t ype of c ol or bl i ndnes s i n whi ch peopl e s ee ev er y t hi ng a s
bl a ck and whi t e wi t h s ha des of g r a y i n be t we e n. Monoc hr oma c y ca n al s o be
di vi ded i nt o t wo t y pe s :
o Ac hr oma t ops i a Thi s i s al s o k nown a s r od mono c hr oma c y and pe opl e
s uf f e r i ng f r om t hi s al s o have a n e x t r emel y poor vi s i on a s wel l as hi gh
l eve l s of phot os e ns i t i vi t y ( s e ns i t i v i t y t o l i ght ) . Ny s t a gmus al s o
a c c ompa ni es t hi s maki ng t hei r ey ebal l s l ook uns t ea dy.
o Cone monoch r omac y Thi s t y pe of monoc hr oma cy i s qui t e r ar e ,
howe ve r i t doe s not de t e r i or a t e t he vi s i on.


3 38 8


Monoc hr oma c y r e nde r s a pe r s on una bl e t o di s t i ngui s h be t wee n a ny c ol or s
wha t s oev er . Thi s ha s t hem f a ci ng a l ot of pr obl e ms i n eve r y day a c t i v i t i e s .
Causes of Col or Bl i ndness
Unl i ke ot he r vi s i on pr obl e ms t ha t we hav e be en di s c us s i ng above , c ol or
bl i ndnes s or c ol or v i s i on de f i ci enc y i s he r edi t a r y a nd i s pa s s e d down i n t he
f a mi l y . I t i s t he X c hr omos ome t ha t i s r es pons i bl e f or c a r r yi ng t hi s c ondi t i on
a nd t hi s e x pl ai n s why me n a r e mor e l i kel y t o be c ol or bl i nd t ha n wome n.
None t hel e s s , s ome pe opl e may al s o c ont r a c t t hi s c ondi t i on f r om t he e f f e c t s
of l ong - s t a ndi ng di s e as es t ha t may i ncl ude mul t i pl e s cl e r os i s , l i ve r di s e as es ,
di abe t e s or s ome ma j or t y pe s of ey e di s e a s e s .
I f t hi s c ondi t i on i s i nher i t a t ed, t he n i t i s unl i ke l y t ha t a ny c hange ( be t t e r or
wor s e ) wi l l oc c ur ; t he c ol or bl i ndne s s wi l l s i mpl y r emai n a s i t wa s a t bi r t h .
5. Bl i ndness
Bl i ndnes s i s de f i ne d a s t he i nabi l i t y t o s e e any t hi ng. Bei ng par t i al l y bl i nd
mea ns t ha t t he r e i s a l i mi t e d abi l i t y t o s e e t hi ngs . A pe r s on who i s
c ompl e t el y bl i nd c a nnot s e e a ny t hi ng a t a l l j us t l i k e bei ng i n a pi t c h da r k
r oom.

3 39 9

L e gal bl i ndne s s i s a t e r m t ha t i s us e d t o r e f e r t o a hi ghl y c ompr omi s e d vi s i on
a bi l i t y :
A p er s on who h as h eal t hy ey e s c an s ee an o bj e c t f r o m a di s t an c e o f 200 f e e t ;
ho wev er , a l egal l y bl i n d pe r s o n wi l l onl y b e abl e t o s e e t ha t obj e c t i f t he
p er s on i s s t andi n g a t a d i s t a nc e o f 20 f ee t f r o m i t .
T ypes of Bl i ndnes s
C ons ens us i s t ha t t he r e ar e t wo t y pes of bl i ndnes s : pa r t i al , or compl e t e.
P a r t i a l l y bl i nd pe opl e have l i mi t e d vi s i on a nd may s uf f e r f r om bl ur r e d vi s i on
( s ee pa ge 30 of t hi s book f or mor e de t ai l s on Bl ur r ed Vi s i on) .
Tot a l bl i ndne s s , a s de s cr i be d a bov e , r e s ul t s i n a c ompl e t e bl a ck out f or a
pe r s on.
Causes of Bl i ndnes s
Numer ous ey e di s e as es a nd c ondi t i ons ca n l e ad t o bl i ndne s s . We wi l l be
di s cus s i ng t hes e di s e as es i n de t ai l l a t er i n t he c hapt er . They a r e as f ol l ows :
Ma c ul a r Deg ene r a t i on
C a t a r a c t s
Gl a uc oma
Opt i c Neur i t i s
Re t i ni t i s Pi gme nt os a
Tumor s
Ri s k of Bl i ndness
The f ol l owi ng pe opl e ar e a t a n i ncr ea s ed r i s k of bl i ndne s s :
Thos e who a r e s uf f er i ng f r om a s e r i ous e ye c ondi t i on, i ncl udi ng
ma c ul a r de ge ne r a t i on a nd gl a uc oma
Thos e who hav e di a be t e s
Thos e pe opl e who have had a s t r oke
Thos e pe opl e who have unde r g one an eye s ur ge r y

4 40 0

Thos e who wor k i n ha z ar dous e nvi r onment s ( s uc h as a r ound t ox i c
c he mi ca l s )
Ba bi es t ha t a r e bor n pr e ma t ur el y
Bl i ndnes s i n I nf ant s
Ey e di s e as es ar e not t he onl y f a c t or s t ha t a r e t o be bl ame d f or ca us i ng
bl i ndnes s . S ome ba bi e s ar e
bor n bl i nd, whi l e t he e ye s i g ht
of s ome i nf a nt s be gi ns t o
de t er i or a t e s oon af t e r t hei r
bi r t h.
The vi s ual s y s t em begi ns
de vel opi ng i n t he womb ;
howe ve r , t he s y s t e m us ua l l y
doe s not de vel op unt i l a t l e a s t
2 y ea r s a f t e r bi r t h. Whe n t he c hi l d i s of a r oun d 6 t o 8 wee k s of age , t he
c hi l d may be c ome abl e t o f i x a t e t hei r gaz e ont o a movi ng obj e c t . By t he t i me
t he c hi l d has r e a c he d t he age of 4 mont hs , t he e ye s s houl d hav e be c ome
pr ope r l y al i g ne d.
I t i s r e c omme nde d t ha t t he f i r s t ey e e x ami na t i on be c ar r i e d out whe n t he
c hi l d ha s r e a che d t he age of 6 mont hs .
Any of t he f ol l owi ng c ondi t i ons c a n ca us e a n i nf a nt t o be c ome bl i nd:
Any ey e i nf e c t i ons , i ncl udi ng , but not l i mi t e d t o t he pi nk e ye
Any bl oc ke d t e a r duc t s
C a t a r a c t s
Ambl y opi a ( l az y e ye )
P t os i s ( dr oope d ey el i d)
S t r a bi s mus ( cr os s e d e ye s )
C onge ni t al Gl auc oma
De l a ye d dev el opme nt of t he i nf a nt s vi s ua l s ys t em

4 41 1

Sympt oms of Vi s ual I mpai r ment i n Young Chi l dr en
F ol l owi ng a r e s ome of t he s ympt oms t hat may i ndi c a t e s ome ki nd of vi s ual
i mpai r me nt i n young c hi l dr e n. I f y ou f e el your c hi l d i s s howi ng a ny of t he
f ol l owi ng s y mpt oms , have t hem c he c ke d by a pe di a t r i c i a n.
C ons t a nt l y r ubbi ng ey es
S howi ngs s i gns of ex t r e me s e ns i t i v i t y t o l i ght ( phot os e ns i t i vi t y)
P r obl ems i n f o cus i ng on obj e c t s
C hr oni c r e d ey es
A whi t e pupi l i ns t ea d of a bl a ck one
P r obl ems i n kee pi ng t r a ck of a movi ng obj e c t
I nc or r e c t al i g nme nt or a bnor mal move me nt of t he e ye s
6. Eye Pai n
The t e c hni c al name f or ey e pai n i s op t hal ma l gi a. Eye pai n i s a c ommon
oc c ur r e nc e a nd us ual l y i s not a n i ndi c a t i on of a s er i ous under l yi ng c ondi t i on.
I n mos t ca s e s , t he pai n t e nds t o g o away wi t hout any nee d of t r e a t me nt .
T ypes of Eye Pai n
Ey e pai n c a n be di vi ded i nt o t wo t y pe s
de pe ndi ng on whe r e a pe r s on i s
e x pe r i e nci ng i t . I f a per s on ex per i e nce s pa i n
on t he s ur f a c e of t he ey e , t he n t hi s i s c al l e d
ocul a r pa i n. Pai n t ha t oc c ur s wi t hi n t he e ye
i s t e r med a s or bi t a l pa i n.
Ocul ar Pai n
Oc ul ar pai n ge ne r al l y f eel s as i f s ome t hi ng i s bei ng s cr a t c he d on t he s ur f a c e
of t he e ye. Bur ni ng or i t c hi ng s e ns a t i ons a r e a l s o c ommon. Oc ul a r pai n i s
us ual l y c a us e d by e x t e r na l f a c t or s s uc h a s f or ei g n obj e c t s , or as a r e s ul t of
a n i nf e c t i on or e ve n t r a uma.

4 42 2

I f any f or ei gn obj e c t f i nds i t s way ont o t he s ur f a c e of t he e ye , ey e pai n wi l l
be f e l t . I r r i t a t i on , r e dne s s a nd r unni ng ey es al ong wi t h t he pai n ar e c ommon
s ympt oms t ha t i ndi c a t e pr e s e nce of a f or ei gn obj e c t .
The r e s a t i s s ue t ha t l i ne s t he eye a nd t he unde r s i de of y our e yel i d. I f i t i s t o
be c ome i nf e c t e d a nd i nf l ame d as a r e s ul t of a n al l e r g y oc ul ar pai n wi l l
r e s ul t . I nf l a mma t i on of t hi s t i s s ue i s k nown as c on j un c t i v i t i s , mor e c ommonl y
k nown as t he pi nke ye.
Or bi t al Pai n
Or bi t al pai n, on t he ot her ha nd, i s mos t l y c a us e d by i nt e r nal f a c t or s .
Gl aucoma - Gl a ucoma s e t s i n when t he i nt r a oc ul a r pr e s s ur e ( whi c h i s
t he bl ood pr e s s ur e i ns i de t he e ye s ) be gi ns t o r i s e be y ond nor mal
l eve l s . Gl a uc oma wi l l be c ove r e d i n mor e de t a i l l a t e r on.
Opt i c Neur i t i s any i nf l amma t i on of t he ne r v e t ha t c onne c t s t he e ye
t o t he br ai n wi l l r e s ul t i n or bi t al pai n.
S i nus i t i s Si nus i t i s ca n al s o c a us e a bnor mal l e vel s of pr e s s ur e t o bui l d
up behi nd t he ey e , l ea di ng t o e ye pai n.
Mi g r a i nes Mi g r ai nes ar e y e t anot he r f a c t or t ha t cont r i but e s t o ey e
pa i n.
I nj ur y Any i nj ur i es t ha t ca us e a f or e i gn obj e c t t o pene t r a t e i nt o t he
e ye wi l l c a us e g r e a t a mount s of pai n .
I r i t i s Thi s i s r a r e , but i nf l a mma t i on of t he i r i s c an r e s ul t i n pai n
i ns i de t he ey es .
Eye Condi t i ons
We ha ve be e n di s c us s i ng s e ve r a l t y pe s of vi s i ons s ome of whi c h of f er a cl ea r
wa r ni ng of any under l yi ng eye c ondi t i ons . We wi l l now pr oc ee d t o di s c us s
t he s y mpt oms , c a us es a nd ot he r us ef ul i nf or ma t i on a bout t hes e e ye
c ondi t i ons .
P l e as e not e t ha t i f y ou r e ex pe r i enc i ng any s ympt oms of a ny of t he f ol l owi ng
e ye c ondi t i ons , i t i s i mpe r a t i ve t ha t y ou i mme di a t el y s ee y our doc t or .

4 43 3

As many of t he c ondi t i ons a r e due t o s ome s or t of r e f r a c t i ve e r r or s i n t he
e ye , i t i s i mpor t a nt t o unde r s t a nd wha t r e f r a c t i on i s a nd how i t af f e c t s our
v i s i on.
Ref r act i on: What i s i t ?
S i mpl y put , r e f r a c t i on i s not hi ng but t he be ndi ng of l i g ht a s i t pas s e s f r om
one me di um t o a not he r .
Vi s i on i s de pe nde nt on r e f r a c t i on, be c aus e as t he l i g ht e nt er s t he ey e , i t i s
r e f r a c t e d by t he c or ne a a nd t he l ens ont o t he r e t i na. The l i g ht t ha t i s
f oc us e d ont o t he r e t i na c a us e s t he r e t i na t o ge ne r a t e vi s ual mes s a ge whi ch
i n t ur n ar e t r a ns mi t t e d t o t he br a i n f or pr oc es s i ng.

Pr esbyopi a
P r e s by opi a i s of t e n
r e f e r r e d t o a s a n agi ng
e ye c ondi t i on. I t i s qui t e
c ommon among a gi ng
pe opl e a nd i n r es ul t s i n a
l os s of t hei r a bi l i t y t o
f oc us ; t hus mak i ng i t
di f f i c ul t t o s e e cl os e - up
obj e c t s .
I t i s a pr obl e m t ha t i s
a s s oci a t e d wi t h
r e f r a c t i on , or t he
i mpr ope r r ef r a c t i on - t o
be mor e pr e c i s e , i n t he
e ye s .

4 44 4

How Does Pr esbyopi a Occur ?
As pr evi ous l y ment i oned, pr e s by opi a oc cur s as pe opl e a ge. The l e ns of t he
e ye har dens and t hi s ca us e s t he l i ght t o be i mpr ope r l y r e f r a c t e d a nd t he r e by
t he i nc omi ng l i g ht i s not c or r e c t l y f oc us e d ont o t he r e t i na.
The mus cl es ar ound t he l e ns a r e al s o a f f e c t e d a s a per s on a ge s , a nd t hi s
mak es i t di f f i c ul t f or a pe r s on t o f oc us on c l os e - by obj e c t s : t he i nef f e c t i v e
l ens f oc us e s t he l i g ht be hi nd t he r e t i n a.
A young pe r s on has a l ens t ha t i s ex t r eme l y s of t a nd f l ex i bl e a nd t hi s al l ows
t he mus cl es t o adj us t t he s hape of t he l e ns ba s e d on wha t t he pe r s on i s
t r yi ng t o f ocus upon whe t he r cl os e or di s t a nt obj e c t s .
Who May Be Af f ect ed By Pr es byopi a?
Whenev er a pe r s on c r os s e s t he age of 35 y ea r s , t hey a r e ex pos e d t o t he r i s k
of dev el opi ng pr e s by opi a . Howeve r , ev er y ot he r pe r s on e x pe r i e nc es s ome
s or t of l os s i n t hei r a bi l i t y t o f ocus ont o ne ar obj e c t s , t he ex t ent t o whi ch
t he y e x per i e nce i t , di f f e r s .
Sympt oms of Pr esbyopi a
A pe r s on who ma y be s uf f e r i ng f r om pr es by opi a wi l l ex pe r i enc e t he f ol l owi ng
s i g ns a nd s y mpt oms :
P r obl ems i n r e a di ng s mal l pr i nt s
I nabi l i t y t o vi e w cl os e - up obj e c t s , ma ki ng t he m hol d t he obj e c t a t a
di s t a nce gr ea t e r t ha n a n ar m s l e ng t h i n or der t o vi e w i t
F r e que nt He a da c he s
Ey e S t r ai n
Bl ur r e d v i s i on a t nor mal r e adi ng di s t anc e s
How Can Pr es byopi a Be Di agnosed and Cor r ect ed?
A c ompr e he ns i v e e ye ex ami na t i on c a n r ev ea l pr es by opi a. I f a ny of t he a bove
s ympt oms a r e ex per i e nce d, t he per s on s houl d pay a vi s i t t o an ey e s pe c i a l i s t .
Ey e e x ams s houl d be i nc r ea s e d i n f r e quenc y as a pe r s on r e a c he s 40 ye a r s of
a ge .

4 45 5

Ey egl a s s es c a n pr ovi de a t empor a r y s ol ut i on by di r e c t i ng t he i nc omi ng l i g ht
ont o t he c or r e c t par t of t he r e t i na.
Howev er , c e r t a i n ey e e x e r ci s e s ca n hel p i n s t r eng t he ni ng t he eye s and c a n
s i g ni f i ca nt l y c ont r i but e t o a l e s s e r de pende ncy on gl as s e s or cont a c t l ens e s .
Myopi a ( Near si ght edness)
My opi a i s al s o c ommonl y k nown a s n ear s i gh t edn es s . I t i s a c ondi t i on i n whi c h
obj e c t s t ha t a r e c l os e t o a pe r s on a ppear s cl e ar l y , but t hos e t ha t a r e a t a
di s t a nce , a ppe ar bl ur r e d.
How Does Myopi a
Devel op?
Unl i ke pr e s by opi a , my opi a i s
not a n age - r el a t e d c ondi t i on. I t
c a n oc c ur a t a ny ag e a nd
c a us e s t he ey e t o f oc us l i g ht i n
f r ont of t he r e t i na . Thi s i s t he
r e s ul t of t he ey e bal l be c omi ng
t oo l ong. I t i s al s o k nown t o be
c a us e d b y a n a bnor mal i t y i n
t he s ha pe of e i t her t he c or ne a
or t he l e ns .
Who May Be Af f ect ed By
Myopi a?
Ag e i s not a f a c t or f or
de vel opment of myopi a ; i t c an
a f f e c t bot h a dul t s a nd
c hi l dr e n. Qui t e of t e n,
ne ar s i g ht ednes s i s di ag nos e d
i n c hi l dr e n be ar i ng ag es of
be t we en 8 a nd 12. The

4 46 6

c ondi t i on ma y ge t wor s e a s t hey a ppr oac h t hey be c ome t ee nage r s . Li t t l e
c ha ng es a r e ex pe c t e d i n t he age band of 20 t o 40; howev er , i n par t i cul a r
c a s es , t he c ondi t i on may c ont i nue t o g e t wor s e wi t h ag e.
Thos e pe opl e whos e par ent s ar e s hor t s i g ht e d ma y al s o be a t a gr ea t er
c ha nc e of de vel opi ng my opi a.
Sympt oms of Myopi a
C ommon s ympt oms a s s oc i a t e d wi t h myopi a i nc l ude :
Ey e S t r ai n
Hea da che s
S qui nt i ng i n a n a t t empt t o s ee pr oper l y
Di f f i cul t y i n s ee i ng f a r - of f obj e c t s ; chi l dr e n t ha t have my opi a of t en
ha ve t r oubl e i s s eei ng t he bl a c kboa r d c l e a r l y , e s pe ci al l y i f t he y a r e
s e a t e d a t t he ba c k of a cl as s r oom
The pr e s e nce of t he s e s y mpt oms may i ndi c a t e my opi a s ee your e ye c a r e
pr of e s s i onal i mme di a t e l y.
How Can Myopi a Be Di agnosed and Cor r ect ed?
An e ye c a r e pr of e s s i onal c a n di ag nos e my opi a dur i ng a de t ai l e d ey e
e x ami na t i on.
My opi a ca n be t empor a r i l y c or r e c t ed by we ar i ng gl a s s e s or c ont a c t l e ns e s .
The r e a r e al s o na t ur al way s of c or r e c t i ng my opi a by c ons umi ng a hea l t hy
di e t , by mai nt ai ni ng a he al t hy l i f es t yl e and per f or mi ng a s er i e s of ex er ci s e s
whi c h wi l l be c ove r e d l a t e r on i n t hi s book .
The s e na t ur al way s c an hav e gr e a t e f f e ct s on r e duci ng , or s ome t i mes
e l i mi na t i ng t he ne e d a nd de pe nde nce on gl a s s es a nd c ont a c t l e ns e s .




4 47 7

Hyper opi a ( Far si ght edness)
Hyper opi a i s al s o c ommonl y k nown a s f ar s i g h t ed ne s s , be c a us e t hi s c ondt i on
doe s not a f f e c t a per s on s abi l i t y t o s e e di s t a nce obj e c t s , a s c ompar ed t o t he
r e duce d a bi l i t y of vi ewi ng c l os e r obj e c t s .
Nev er t he l e s s , f ar s i g ht edne s s v ar i e s i n i t s na t ur e f r om peopl e t o pe opl e. A
numbe r of pe opl e ma y not ev e n not i c e any pr obl ems wi t h t hei r vi s i on a t a l l ,
e s pe ci al l y when t hey ar e y oung. F or ot he r s , f a r s i ght e dne s s may be
c ons i der a bl e enoug h t o mak e
t hei r v i s i on bl ur r e d f or bot h ne ar
a nd f a r obj e c t s .
How Does Hyper opi a
Devel op?
When t he e ye s begi n t o f oc us
i mag es ont o t he ba c k of t he
r e t i na , r a t he r t ha n ont o i t
f a r s i g ht e dne s s i s s ai d t o ha ve
de vel ope d. As oppos e d t o an
e l ong a t ed ey ebal l a s i n my opi a ,
t he ey ebal l t e nds t o be c ome
c ompr e s s ed or s hor t e ne d.
I t ma y al s o r e s ul t due t o a n
i r r eg ul ar s ha pe of t he c or ne a or
t he l e ns whi ch woul d c a us e t he
l i ght t o be f oc us e d ont o an
i nc or r e c t por t i on of t he ey e.
Who May Be Af f ect ed By
Hyper opi a?
Hyper opi a c an a f f e c t a dul t s a nd

4 48 8

c hi l dr e n a l i k e. I t i s es t i ma t ed t ha t a r ound 5 t o 10 per c ent of Ame r i ca ns a r e
a f f e c t e d by hy pe r opi a a per c e nt ag e muc h l e s s t ha n t ha t of pe opl e ha vi ng
my opi a ( 30 per c e nt ) .
I f t he par ent s ha ve hy per opi a , t he n t hei r c hi l dr en a r e mor e l i k el y t o de vel op
i t .
Sympt oms of Hyper opi a
The s y mpt oms of hyper opi a ar e k nown t o v ar y f r om per s on t o pe r s on. Mos t
pe opl e ex per i e nce s ome or al l of t he f ol l owi ng :
Ey e S t r ai n
Hea da che s
S qui nt i ng i n or de r t o t r y t o s ee cl ea r l y
Bl ur r e d v i s i on, es pe c i al l y when t r y i ng t o br i ng cl os er o bj e c t s i nt o f oc us
How Can Hyper opi a Be Di agnosed and Cor r ect ed?
An e ye ex ami na t i on ca n r ev e al whe t her a per s on ha s hy pe r opi a. Thos e pe opl e
t ha t vi s i t a n ey e ca r e pr of es s i onal wi t h c ompl ai nt s of vi s i on pr obl e ms of t e n
c ompl ai n a bout bl ur r y v i s i on and di s comf or t .
Ey e gl a s s es a r e , ag ai n, a s ol ut i on t o c or r e c t f ar s i g ht ednes s . C ont a c t l e ns e s
c a n al s o do t he s ame j ob whi l e a mor e i nv as i ve me t hod of s ur g er y i s al s o a n
opt i on.
I f y ou r e wi l l i ng t o r e duce y our de pe ndenc y on gl as s es and c ont a c t l e ns e s ,
t he n y ou c an t r y t o i mpr ov e y our vi s i on i n mor e na t ur al way s by l ea di ng a
he al t hi e r l i f es t yl e a nd by e x e r ci s i ng y our e ye s .






4 49 9

Ast i gmat i sm

As t i gma t i s m i s y e t anot he r t y pe of r e f r ac t i ve er r or i n t he ey e. I t i s a
c ondi t i on whe r e t he ey e i s not a bl e t o f oc us l i g ht ev e nl y ont o t he r e t i na ,
t he r e by a f f e c t i ng vi s i on.
How Does As t i gmat i sm Devel op?
A nor mal ey e c ons i s t s of a c or ne a t ha t ha s a
c ur va t ur e s i mi l a r t o t ha t of a bas ke t bal l . Thi s
c ur va t ur e f oc us es t he i nc omi ng l i g ht evenl y ont o
t he r e t i na.
Howev er , a n e ye wi t h a s t i g ma t i s m has a c or nea t ha t i s s haped mor e l i ke a
f oot bal l ; t hi s ca us e s t he c ur va t ur e t o be unev e n a s s ome ar ea s ar e s t ee pe r or
mor e r ounde d. Thi s c or nea f oc us es l i g ht unev e nl y ont o t he c or nea.
Who May Be Af f ect ed By As t i gmat i s m?
As t i gma t i s m i s not de pe nde nt on ag e , a nd c a n af f e c t t he vi s i on of bot h
a dul t s and c hi l dr e n. As t i g ma t i s m wi l l a f f e c t e a ch per s on di f f e r e nt l y ; s ome
F AC T: As t i gma t i s m al t e r s
t he na t ur al c ur va t ur e of
t he ey e , ca us i ng an
unev e n di s t r i but i on of t he
i nc omi ng l i g ht .

5 50 0

pe opl e who hav e s l i g ht a s t i g ma t i s m ma y not ev e n not i c e any ki nd of c ha nge
i n t hei r v i s i on.
Sympt oms of As t i gmat i s m
The s i g ns a nd s ympt oms of As t i gma t i s m a r e
s i mi l a r t o t ha t of ot her ey e di s or der s , wi t h
s ome a ddi t i onal i ndi c a t or s :
Ey e S t r ai n
Hea da che s
S qui nt i ng i n a n a t t empt t o cl e a r up
t he vi s i on
Bl ur r y vi s i on or di s t or t i ons i n t he
v i s i on f or al l di s t a nce s
P r obl ems i n dr i vi ng a t ni g ht
How Can Ast i gmat i s m Be Di agnosed and Cor r ect ed?
A de t ai l e d e ye e x ami na t i on c a n r ev eal whe t he r or not a pe r s on i s s uf f er i ng
f r om a s t i gma t i s m. I f a ny of t he a bov e s ympt oms a r e ex per i e nce d t he n t he
e ye s s houl d be ex ami ne d by a pr of e s s i ona l e y e c ar e s pe ci al i s t i mme di a t el y .
Ey e gl a s s es a nd c ont a c t l e ns e s ca n c or r ec t t he r e f r a c t i ve e r r or . A mor e
pe r mane nt , y e t i nv as i ve , me t hod i s r e f r ac t i ve s ur g er y t o c ha ng e t he s ha pe of
t he c or ne a. Thi s t e nds t o r e s t or e t he nat ur al f ocus i ng power of t he ey e.
Nev er t he l e s s , a s t i gma t i s m c an be r e duce d by l e adi ng a he al t hy l i f e s t yl e
a l ong wi t h pe r f or mi ng a ppr opr i a t e e ye ex e r ci s es .




F i g ur e 5 : T h i s i s ho w a p e r s o n wi t h
a s t i g ma t i s m mi g h t s e e .

5 51 1

Gl aucoma

Gl a uc oma i s a va s t t e r m t ha t c ov er s a numbe r of e ye c ondi t i ons ; t he r e s one
t hi ng t ha t i s s a me t o al l of t hes e c ondi t i ons a nd t ha t i s t he f a c t t ha t al l of
t hem damage t he opt i c ner ve . I t i s t he opt i c ne r v e whi c h c ar r i e s t he vi s ual
i nf or ma t i on t o t he br ai n f or pr oc es s i ng. I f t hi s ner ve i s da mag e d, vi s i on wi l l
be s e r i ous l y af f e c t e d.
Gl a uc oma i s s er i ous ; i t i s t he s e c ond mos t c ommon c ondi t i on t ha t l e ads t o
bl i ndnes s i n t he US t he f i r s t bei ng c a t a r a c t .
As a r es ul t of gl auc oma , l a r ge ga ps begi n t o a ppe ar i n a pe r s on s f i el d of
v i s i on. The f i el d of vi s i on i s t he r a ng e a pe r s on i s a bl e t o vi ew ( s ee C ha pt e r 1
How t he Ey e Wor k s ) .
What i s Gl aucoma?
Gl a uc oma i s a s e t of c ondi t i ons t ha t a r e a s s oci a t e d wi t h i nc r e as i ng pr e s s ur e
i ns i de t he ey e. Thi s pr e s s ur e i s c al l ed t he i nt r a ocul a r pr es s ur e .

5 52 2

A f l ui d ca l l e d aq ueo us h u mor i s l oc a t e d a t t he f r ont pa r t of t he e ye , and i t i s
ma de j us t be hi n d t he i r i s . I t ci r c ul a t e s ar ound t he c ha nne l s a t t he f r on t of
t he ey e i n a n ar ea whi ch we c al l t he a nt e r i or c hamber a ngl e. I f f or any
r e as on, t hi s f l ow i s s l owe d down or bl ock e d, t hi s f l ui d wi l l t e nd t o ca us e t he
pr es s ur e t o bui l d up ( i nt r a ocul a r ) . The pr e s s ur e bui l d- up t e nds t o damage
t he opt i c ne r v e.
F our maj or t y pes of gl a ucoma a r e pr e s ent , e a c h ha vi ng di f f e r e nt
c ha r a c t e r i s t i cs :
1. Open - Ang l e Gl a ucoma ( chr oni c )
2. Ang l e- Cl os ur e Gl aucoma ( a c ut e)
3. Cong eni t a l Gl aucoma
4. S econda r y Gl a ucoma
Open - Ang l e Gl a ucoma ( Chr oni c)
Thi s i s t he mos t c ommon t y pe of gl auc oma and t he c a us e of i t s de vel opment
i s not c l e ar l y k nown as of y e t . The i nc r ea s e i n pr es s ur e i s s l ow a nd s t ea dy ;
t he pr e s s ur e bui l ds up unt i l i t pus he s aga i ns t t he opt i c ne r v e. I t i s he r edi t a r y
a nd r uns i n f a mi l i e s .
Thi s t y pe of gl auc oma doe s not s how a ny s y mpt oms unt i l af t er c ons i de r a bl e
da mag e ha s oc c ur r e d t o t he ey e.
Ang l e- Cl os ur e Gl aucoma
( a cut e)
The a ngl e - cl os ur e gl auc oma i s
k nown t o oc c ur whe n t he ex i t
poi nt s of t he f l ui d a r e bl ock e d
a br upt l y. Thi s r e s ul t s i n a
r a pi d, s ev e r e and pai nf ul
i nc r e as e i n t he i nt r a oc ul ar
F i g ur e 6 : A n e y e s uf f e r i n g f r om a c ut e g l a u c o ma .

5 53 3

pr es s ur e.
Thi s i s a s ev e r e c ondi t i on, a nd a n e me r ge nc y s i t ua t i on a r i s e s whe n i t oc c ur s .
C ompar ed t o ope n - a ng l e gl a uc oma whi c h i s s l ow y e t pai nl es s ; a ng l e - cl os ur e
gl a uc oma i s qui t e s udde n a nd pai nf ul t o e ndur e. Thos e pe opl e who al r e ady
ha ve t hi s t y pe of gl a uc oma i n one ey e ar e a t a g r e a t e r r i s k of a n a t t a c k on
t he ot he r one.
Cong eni t a l Gl aucoma
I nf a nt s a r e pr one t o hav e c onge ni t al gl auc oma i f i t r uns i n t he f ami l y. I t i s
us ual l y pr e s e nt a t t he t i me of bi r t h and i s ca us e d by a n a bnor mal
de vel opment i n t he vi s ual s y s t e m mor e pr e c i s el y , t he ey e.
S econda r y Gl a ucoma
S e c onda r y g l a uc oma ca n r e s ul t by ot he r e ye c ondi t i ons , by us e of ce r t ai n
medi ca t i ons a nd ot he r me di c al c ondi t i ons . Thi s t y pe of gl auc oma c a n al s o
ha ve be e n i nher i t e d, whi c h t he n c a n be f ur t he r di vi ded i nt o t wo t y pe s :
- Ps eudoexf ol i at i on ( PEX) s yndr ome i s di s c e r ni bl e a s f l a ke s t ha t ar e
s i mi l a r t o da ndr uf f . Thes e ca n a c c umul at e on t he l e ns of t he eye a nd
c l og t he dr ai nag e of t he f l ui d ( a que ous humor ) ; t he r e by l e adi ng t o a n
i nc r e as e i n i nt r a oc ul a r pr es s ur e. P EX has a s t ur dy ge ne t i c component
but ot her t r i g ge r s s uch a s s unl i g ht , a s l ow vi r us or t he r es pons e of t he
a ut oi mmune s y s t em ma y be ne eded.
- Pi g ment a r y Gl aucoma be gi ns wi t h a c ondi t i on whi c h we ca l l t he
pi g men t di s per s i o n s y n dr o me. Thi s i s a n i nhe r i t e d c ondi t i on whi c h
c a us e s t he gr a nul e s of pi g me nt s t o f l ake - of f i nt o t he f l ui d ( a que ous
humor ) . The s e f l ak es t e nd t o cl og t he dr a i nag e and i n t ur n i nc r e as e t he
oc ul a r pr e s s ur e.
Ri s k of Gl aucoma
Gl a uc oma i s t he s e c ond hi ghes t c a us e of bl i ndnes s i n t he Uni t ed S t a t e s af t er
c a t a r a c t s . Ove r 4 mi l l i on Ame r i c a ns have open - angl e g l a uc oma a nd mor e t han

5 54 4

ha l f of t hem a r e not a wa r e be ca us e no cl ea r s ympt oms of t hi s t y pe of
gl a uc oma a r e not i c ea bl e unt i l i t i s t oo l a t e and t he damage has bee n done.
S ome of t he f a c t or s t ha t br i ng on t he r i s k of de vel opi ng gl a uc oma a r e a s
f ol l ows :
I nc r ea s e i n I nt r aocul a r Pr es s ur e El e vat e d l ev el s of i nt r a oc ul ar
pr es s ur e c an damage t he opt i c ner ve s and c a us e de vel opment of
gl a uc oma.
Ag e Age i s a ma j or f a c t or whe n i t c ome s t o gl a uc oma. The r i s k of
de vel opi ng gl a uc oma i nc r ea s e s c ons i der a bl y as t he ag e of a pe r s on
i nc r e as es . Ea c h and ev er y per s on ove r t he ag e of 60 y ea r s i s a t a
g r e a t e r r i s k of dev el opi ng gl auc oma. S ome e t hni c g r oups , s uc h as t hos e
of a n Af r i ca n de s ce nt , ar e mor e pr one t o dev el op gl auc oma ev en a t a
y ounge r age .
Ra ce and Et hni c i t y Ra ce and e t hni c i t y i s a ma j or r i s k f a c t or whe n i t
c omes t o de vel opi ng g l a uc oma. P e opl e of Af r i c a n or i gi n a r e
a ppr ox i ma t el y f i v e t i mes mor e l i kel y t o de vel op i t t ha n C a uca s i ans .
The y a r e al s o f our t i me s mor e l i k el y t o be c ome bl i nd a s a r es ul t of i t .
P e opl e of J a pa ne s e anc e s t r y a r e a t a g r ea t e r r i s k of de vel opi ng cl os e d -
a ngl e gl a uc oma a s c ompar ed t o ot he r r ac e s .
F a mi l y Hi s t or y of Gl a uc oma Gl a uc oma i s i nhe r i t a bl e a nd r uns down
t he f ami l y l i ne. Open - angl e gl a uc oma i s mor e l i k el y t o be pas s e d down
t o ne we r ge ner a t i ons a s c ompa r e d t o t he ot her t ypes of gl a uc oma.
Medi c a l Condi t i ons Sev e r al me di c al c ondi t i ons s uc h as di a be t es a nd
hy pe r t hy r oi di s m a r e a s s oci a t e d wi t h a n i nc r e as ed r i s k of gl a ucoma .
Ot he r c ondi t i ons s uc h as hi g h bl ood pr es s ur e as wel l a s mi g r ai ne may
a l s o c ont r i but e t o t he i ncr e as ed r i s k. Eve n c er t ai n e ye c ondi t i ons s uch
a s my opi a ma y hei g ht e n t he c ha nce s of t he de vel opme nt of gl a uc oma.
Sympt oms of Gl aucoma
S y mpt oms of Open - Ang l e Gl aucoma : Thi s i s a c hr oni c c ondi t i on t ha t
de vel ops s l owl y ov er t he y ea r s a nd no pa i n or any k i nd of vi s ual
c ha ng es a r e ex pe r i enc e d i n i t s e ar l y deve l opi ng s t age s . Howev e r , a s i t

5 55 5

pr og r es s e s , t he opt i c ne r v e i s damage d ov er t i me a nd t hen t he
f ol l owi ng s y mpt oms s t a r t t o a ppe a r i n t he a f f e c t e ye or ey e s :

1. P e r i pher al Vi s i on s t ar t s t o di mi ni s h and pe opl e s t a r t t o dev el op
t un nel v i s i on i n whi c h t he y a r e onl y a bl e t o s ee s t r ai ght a he a d.
2. The nex t s ympt om t ha t f ol l ows i s t he de c r e a s e i n t he t unnel vi s i on,
s t e adi l y de c r ea s i ng t he f i el d of v i ew of t he pe r s on.
I f a t t hi s poi nt t he c ondi t i on i s l ef t unt r e a t ed, bl i ndne s s wi l l f ol l ow.
S y mpt oms of Ang l e - Cl os ur e Gl aucoma : Thi s i s a mor e s e ve r e t ype of
gl a uc oma a s t he s ympt oms a r e qui t e obvi ous a s s oon a s t he pr e s s ur e
s t a r t s t o r i s e r api dl y. I nt e ns e pai n i s f el t i n t he a r e a s ur r ound t he
e ye br ows al ong wi t h dev el opme nt of bl ur r y vi s i on, us ua l l y i n a s i ngl e
e ye . A pe r s on may al s o f eel as of t hei r ey e i s a bout t o bur s t . Rednes s
f ol l ows t oge t he r wi t h r ai nbow- l i k e hal os a r ound s our c es of l i g ht .
Na us ea a nd v omi t i ng a r e al s o k nown t o oc c ur . Al l of t hes e s ympt oms
a ppea r r a ndoml y a nd not a t a l l a s a f ul l - f l e dg ed a t t a ck .
S y mpt oms of Cong eni t a l Gl aucoma : A baby i s us ual l y bor n wi t h
c onge ni t al g l a uc oma i f i t r uns i n t he f ami l y. Howev er , no s ympt oms
may a ppe ar unt i l t he baby i s of a f ew mont hs of a g e. I f an i nf ant s e ye s
a r e obs e r v e d a s be c omi ng c l oudy , wa t e r y , e nl ar g i ng or i f t he i nf a nt

5 56 6

s hut s t hei r e ye s whe n t he y s ee l i g ht an opht ha l mol ogi s t mus t
e x ami ne t he i nf ant s ey es .
T r eat i ng Gl aucoma
Gl a uc oma i s us ua l l y t r e a t e d wi t h me di c at i on, l as er t her a py or ev e n s ur ge r y .
The ai m of t he t r e a t ment i s t o br i ng down t he i nt r aoc ul a r pr es s ur e i n or de r
t o r e duc e t he r i s k of t he pe r s on g oi ng bl i nd. I t i s e s t i ma t ed t ha t be t wee n 4
t o 20 pe opl e out of a t ot a l of 100 who ha ve hi gh i nt r aoc ul a r pr es s ur e ma y
l os e t he i r vi s i on i n j us t under 5 ye ar s t i me.
Howev er , t hi s t i me i s de pe nde nt on t he f ol l owi ng f a c t or s :
The amount of i nt r a oc ul ar pr e s s ur e i n t he ey e
The t hi c kne s s of t he c or nea
The pe r s on s age
Thi s i s why i t i s i mpor t a nt t o l ower t he i nt r a oc ul a r pr e s s ur e i n or de r t o
r e duce t he r i s k of a per s on l os i ng t hei r v i s i on. Gl auc oma i s a c ondi t i on t ha t
c a nnot be c ur e d be c a us e t he da mag e t o t he opt i c ne r v e i s i r r eve r s i bl e.
Howev er , t he i nt r a oc ul a r pr e s s ur e c an be l owe r ed t o pr ev e nt f ur t he r damag e
by me ans of ey e dr ops . I f t he e ye dr ops f ai l t o br i ng down t he pr e s s ur e , t he n
s ur g er y be c omes t he l a s t r e s or t i n l owe r i ng t he pr e s s ur e per ma ne nt l y down
t o a ppr opr i a t e l ev el s .
Due t o t he s e r i ous ne s s of t hi s e ye c ondi t i on, al ong wi t h t he di s cr e t e
a ppr oa c h ( i n t he ca s e of ope n - a ngl e gl auc oma) , opht hal mol og i s t s r e c omme nd
r eg ul a r ey e c he c kups s o t ha t a ny dev el opi ng c ondi t i on c a n be s pot t ed bef or e
i t g e t s t oo l a t e.




5 57 7


Cat ar act
A c a t ar a c t i s t he cl oudi ng of your e ye s l e ns whi c h l ea ds t o a de c r e a s e i n
v i s ua l a c ui t y. The l e ns i n t he ey e i s r es pons i bl e f or f oc us i ng t he i nc omi ng
l i ght ont o t he r e t i na , wher e t he
v i s ua l i mage s ar e c apt ur e s by
l i ght - s e ns i t i v e r e t i na a nd
t r a ns mi t t ed t hr ough t he opt i c
ne r v e t o t he br ai n f or pr oc es s i ng.
The cl oudi ng di mi ni s he s t he
a mount of l i g ht t ha t i s a bl e t o ent e r t he e ye . As t he ca t a r a c t pr ogr es s es a nd
be c omes ma t ur e , gl a r e , c ont r a s t and c ol or s ens i t i vi t y a r e e x pe r i enc e d
be s i de s t he de c r e a s e i n v i s i on.
Causes of Cat ar act Devel opment
P r ot ei n a nd wa t e r a r e t he ma i n c omponent s of whi c h t he ey e i s ma de of . The
pr ot ei n i s s e t i n a wa y t ha t i t al l ows t he pa s s ag e of l i g ht whi l e k ee pi ng t he
l ens cl ea r . The c a t ar a c t be gi ns t o de vel op whe n s ome of t hi s pr ot ei n s t a r t s
t o c l us t e r t oge t he r , t hus cl oudi ng t he l ens .
C a t a r a c t i s not c ont a gi ous and i t doe s not s pr e a d f r om on e ey e t o t he ot her ;
howe ve r , f or mos t pe opl e , i t dev el ops i n bot h ey es a t t he s a me t i me.
The r e a r e a number of c aus e s of c a t ar a ct s , a nd t hey a r e as f ol l ows :
Ag i ng The mos t c ommon c a us e of c a t a r a c t s
Di abe t e s
S mok i ng
Ey e I nf e c t i on
I nj ur i es t o t he ey e
Ex pos ur e t o hi gh l ev el s of r a di a t i on
Ex c e s s ex pos ur e t o s unl i g ht ( UV r a di a t i on)
A Bi r t h def e c t

5 58 8

Ri s k of Cat ar act
Ri s k f a c t or s a r e t hos e pa r t i c ul a r as pe c t s t ha t i nc r ea s e t he c ha nce of
de vel opi ng or a c qui r i ng a di s e as e. C hance s of dev el opi ng ca t a r a c t s a r e
i nc r e as ed by :
I nc r e as i ng Age
Ex c e s s i ve Ex pos ur e t o Ul t r a Vi ol e t - B r a di a t i on
F a mi l y member s who ha ve c a t a r a c t s
Di abe t e s
Tr a uma
S mok i ng
Sympt oms of Cat ar act s

I n t he ea r l y s t ag es of ca t a r a c t de vel opme nt , peopl e may not not i ce any
c ha ng es i n t hei r vi s i on a t al l . C a t ar a c t s a r e k nown t o ma t ur e a t s l ow r a t e s
a nd t hi s ca us e s a s l ow- ye t - s t ea dy de cr ea s e i n t he vi s i on.
S ome peopl e s ome t i mes ex per i e nce a s udde n i mpr oveme nt i n t hei r cl os e - up
v i s i on; howe ve r , t hi s i s s hor t l i ve d. As t he c a t ar a c t c ont i nues t o ma t ur e and
c l oud t he l e ns , t he vi s i on de c r e a s e s . A l ot of peopl e do not r e al i z e t ha t t hey
ha ve c a t ar a c t unt i l i t i s di s c ove r e d dur i ng a n e ye e x ami na t i on.
P e opl e wi t h c a t ar a c t s us ua l l y ex pe r i enc e t he f ol l owi ng s y mpt oms a s t he
c a t a r a c t ma t ur e s :
Bl ur r e d v i s i on or c l oudi ne s s

5 59 9

I nc r e as e d s ens i t i vi t y t o l i g ht ; t he he adl i g ht s of onc omi ng c ar s may
s e em t oo br i g ht a t ni g ht .
Gl a r e f r om br i ght s our c es of l i ght
A hal o i s s e e n a r ound l i ght s
The c ol or s a ppe ar t o be f ade d a nd not as br i g ht as t hey we r e
Ra pi d c ha ng es i n gl a s s e s or c ont a c t l e ns e s pr e s cr i pt i on
Nev er t he l e s s , a l ot of ey e c ondi t i ons hav e s i mi l a r s ympt oms . I f a ny of t he
a bove s ympt oms a r e e x per i e nce d, i t i s be t t e r t o unde r g o a de t a i l e d e ye
e x ami na t i on as t he e ye s pe ci al i s t woul d be be t t e r a bl e t o de t e r mi ne t he
r e as on be hi nd y our vi s i on pr obl ems .
Di agnosi ng Cat ar act s
L ooki ng a t t he s ympt oms above , you may f eel as i f y ou hav e a c a t a r a c t .
Howev er , t he onl y way t o r e a c h t ha t c onc l us i on i s t o under go a de t ai l e d ey e
e x ami na t i on. An ey e s pe ci a l i s t wi l l per f or m a number of t e s t s t o f i g ur e out
t he ov e r al l hea l t h of y our ey e .
You c a n e x pe c t t he f ol l owi ng t o be a pa r t of a de t ai l e d e ye e x ami na t i on:
Vi s ual Ac ui t y Te s t Thi s i s a n e ye c har t t e s t t ha t hel ps i n de t e r mi ni ng ho w
wel l a pe r s on c an s e e f r om va r y i ng di s t anc e s .
P upi l Di l a t i on - The pupi l i n t he ey e i s wi de ne d us i ng e ye dr ops i n or de r t o be
a bl e t o s ee mor e of t he l e ns a nd t he r e t i na dur i ng t he e x am
Tonome t r y Thi s i s a s t a nda r d t e s t t ha t i s us ed t o me as ur e t he i nt r a oc ul a r
pr es s ur e of t he e ye. I nc r e a s e d e ye pr e s s ur e may l ea d t o de vel opment of
Gl a uc oma ( s ee pa ge 44 of t hi s book) .
T r eat i ng Cat ar act s
When t he ca t a r a c t i s i n i t s e a r l y s t a ge s , t he r e a r e c hanc es t ha t t he v i s i on c an
be i mpr ov ed by us i ng ey e gl as s e s . I f t hey f ai l t o wor k , or i f t he l os s of vi s i on
ha s be c ome s ev er e e noug h t o i nt e r f er e i n y our day t o da y a c t i vi t i e s s uc h a s
r e adi ng , wa t c hi ng t el evi s i on a nd dr i vi ng, t he n t he ot he r opt i on t ha t r emai ns
i s s ur ge r y.

6 60 0

C a t a r a c t s ur ge r y doe s not r e qui r e t o be pe r f or med on an ur g ent bas i s ; t hi s
mea ns t ha t you c a n wai t unt i l y ou a r e r ea dy f or t he pr oc e dur e. Howev er , t he
c a t a r a c t wi l l c ont i nue t o ma t ur e and t he c l oudi ne s s wi l l be c ome mor e a nd
mor e pr omi ne nt .
The s ur g e r y r e qui r es r emov al of t he cl oude d l ens and r e pl a ce me nt by an
i nt r a oc ul ar l e ns i n i t s pos i t i on. The i nt r a oc ul a r l e ns t he n be c omes a
pe r mane nt pa r t of y our e ye a nd r equi r e s no c a r e a t al l . Af t er t he s ur ge r y i s
s uc c es s f ul , s ome pe opl e ma y nee d r e a di ng gl a s s es t o r e a d cl e a r l y , whi l e
s ome may nee d gl a s s es t o s e e di s t a nt obj e c t s cl e a r l y .
Howev er , i f t he cl oudy l e ns was r e pl a ced by a mul t i f oc al i nt r aoc ul a r l e ns ,
gl a s s es wi l l not be r e qui r e d f or e i t her pur pos e.
Pr event i on
C a t a r a c t s c a nnot be compl e t el y av oi de d; none t hel es s , t he c hanc es of
de vel opi ng one c an be r e duc e d s i gni f i c ant l y by l e a di ng a heal t hy l i f e s t yl e
t ha t i nc l udes pl ent y of ex er c i s e a s a pa r t of y our dai l y r out i ne.
The f ol l owi ng ca n al s o he l p i n r e duci ng t he r i s k of dev el opi ng a c a t ar a c t :
Qui t Smoki ng
C ons ume a nt i ox i da nt v i t ami n s uppl ement s
P r ot e c t y our s el f f r om ex c es s i ve ex pos ur e t o t he s un by wea r i ng
s ungl a s s es wi t h UV pr ot e c t i on as wel l a s a ha t
Reg ul ar ey e e x a mi na t i ons s houl d al s o be c a r r i ed out , es pe c i al l y when a
pe r s on c r os s e s t he age of 60 y ea r s .






6 61 1

Age-Rel at ed Macul ar Degener at i on

Ag e - Rel a t e d Ma c ul ar Dege ner a t i on i s a
c ommon t y pe of ey e condi t i on t ha t c a us e s
t he de t e r i or a t i on of t he c e nt r al par t of t he
r e t i na whi c h we ca l l ma c ul a . The r e t i na i s
a t hi n l a ye r of t i s s ue a t t he ba c k of t he e ye
a nd c ons i s t s of l i g ht - s e ns i t i v e ce l l s t ha t
c a pt ur e l i g ht a n d t r a ns mi t t he vi s ual
s i g na l s t o t he br ai n t hr oug h t he opt i c
ne r v e.
We us e ma cul a t o v i e w t he f i ne de t ai l s of a n i mag e ; e ve r y day a c t i vi t i e s s uc h
a s r e a di ng , wa t c hi ng t el e vi s i on, r e c og ni z i ng pe opl e s f a c es a nd a ny ot he r
v i s ua l a c t i vi t i es t ha t r e qui r e de t ai l e d a na l y s i s a r e t he wor k of ma c ul a.
The ma j or f a c t or t ha t i s r e s pons i bl e f or deg e ne r a t i on of ma cul a i s age .
T ypes of Age-Rel at ed Macul ar Degener at i on
The r e a r e t wo t y pe s of age - r el a t ed ma c ul ar dege ner a t i on ( AMD) a nd a ny
pe r s on c an dev el op bot h t y pe s of AMD. The r a t e wi t h whi c h t he di s ea s e
de vel ops al s o v ar i e s f r om pe r s on t o pe r s on; i t ca n ei t he r dev el op a t a s l ow
or f as t pa ce .
The t ypes a r e :
Dr y age - r el a t e d ma c ul ar de ge ne r a t i on
We t age - r el a t e d ma c ul ar de ge ne r a t i on
Dr y a ge - r el at ed ma cul a r deg ener a t i on
Thi s i s t he mos t c ommon t y pe of ma c ul ar deg ener a t i on. Ma cul a i s t he c ent r al
pa r t of t he r e t i na a nd i s t hus compos e d of l i g ht - s ens i t i ve c el l s . I n t hi s
pa r t i c ul ar t y pe of AMD, t he ce l l s br e ak down a t a s l ow r a t e.

6 62 2

When t he cel l s be gi n t o br e ak down, yel l ow d epos i t s whi c h a r e cal l e d dr us en
a r e de pos i t e d unde r t he r e t i na. Dr us e n de pos i t s ar e c ommonl y f ound i n t he
e ye s of ol der peopl e. Howev er , a ny s i g ni f i ca nt i nc r e a s e , whe t he r i n quant i t y
or s i z e , ca n i ndi c a t e t ha t t he ma cul a r i s deg e ne r a t i ng.
Dr y AMD c an c ont i nue t o de vel op a nd c aus e s i g ni f i ca nt v i s i on l os s wi t hout
t r a ns f or mi ng i nt o we t ma c ul a r de ge ne r at i on. On t he ot he r ha nd, i t i s a l s o
pos s i bl e t ha t dr y ma c ul a r ge ner a t i on may c ha nge i nt o t he we t t ype i n i t s
e a r l y s t age s .
Wet ag e - r el at ed ma cul a r deg ener a t i on
I t i s not unus ual t o ha ve we t ma c ul ar
deg e ne r a t i on f ol l ow t he dr y t y pe. I n
t he we t t ype of t hi s di s e as e , Br uch s
membr a ne ( t ha t i s a ba r r i e r t ha t
s uppor t s t he r e t i na) begi ns t o br e ak
down. Thi s br e a kdown nor ma l l y
ha ppe ns i n cl os e pr ox i mi t y t o dr us en
de pos i t s . A g r owt h of bl ood ve s s el s
t a k es pl a ce ( n eov a s c ul ar i z a t i on ) a s a
r e s ul t . The s e ne w bl ood ve s s el s a r e
a ppar e nt l y ex t r e mel y f r agi l e a nd a r e
k nown t o l ea k bl ood l e a di ng t o a gr ea t e r r i s k of ma c ul a r s c a r r i ng a nd
s ev e r el y damagi ng i t . Neov a s c ul ar i z a t i on di s t ur bs t he na t ur al s y s t e ms of t he
e ye a nd c a n c aus e t he vi s i on t o be c ome v ag ue or e ve n c ompl e t el y l os t wi t hi n
a f ew day s or wee k s t i me.
Onl y a bout 10 pe r c ent of AMD a r e of t he we t - t y pe ; howev er , i t i s s o s er i ous
t ha t ove r 90 per c e nt of t he t i me , pa t i ent s wi t h t hi s condi t i on g o l eg al l y
bl i nd.

F i g ur e 7 : Ne o v a s c ul a r i z a t i on

6 63 3

Sympt oms of Age-Rel at ed Macul ar Degener at i on

The f ol l owi ng s ympt oms ma y i ndi c a t e ma c ul a r deg e ne r a t i on:
Di f f i cul t y i n r e adi ng or i n pe r f or mi ng eve r yday a c t i vi t i e s s uc h as
dr i vi ng and wa t c hi ng t el e vi s i on
Havi ng a di s t or t ed vi s i on whi ch c a us es s t r ai ght l i ne s t o a ppe ar bent
P r obl ems i n r e c og ni z i ng f a c e s of pe opl e
Da r k pa t c he s appe a r a t t he ce nt e r of y our f i el d of vi s i on
Ag e - r el a t e d ma cul a r deg e ne r a t i on c an de vel op i n one eye onl y. Howev er , a s
t he di s e as e de vel ops , bot h t he eye s may beg i n t o be a f f e c t e d by i t . I f y ou
ha ve AMD i n one eye onl y , i t i s v er y l i kel y t ha t y our ot her ey e wi l l a l s o be
a f f e c t e d.
T r eat i ng Macul ar Degener at i on
P r e s ent l y , no cur e i s av ai l a b l e f or ag e- r e l a t ed ma c ul a r deg ener a t i on. I t i s a
pr og r es s i v e di s ea s e a nd t he t r e a t me nt s t ha t a r e av ai l abl e c a n onl y hel p t o
pr ovi de t he be s t v i s i on pos s i bl e f or a s l ong a s f e as i bl e.
The r e a r e a number of medi ca t i ons a vai l a bl e f or pe opl e wi t h we t ma c ul a r
deg e ne r a t i on t o hel p c ont r ol neo v as c ul ar i z a t i on ( abn or mal bl ood v e s s el
g r owt h and t h e l eak i ng o f bl ood o r f l ui d) i n o r de r t o mi ni mi z e t h e da ma ge t o
t h e r e t i na .

6 64 4

Ri s k Fact or s
F ol l owi ng a r e t he r i s k f a c t or s t ha t i nc r ea s e cha nce s of dev el opi ng ma c ul a r
deg e ne r a t i on:
P e opl e age d 50 and above ar e a t a g r ea t e r r i s k
S mok i ng i s k nown t o i nc r ea s e t he r i s k
I f ma c ul a r deg e ne r a t i on r uns i n t he f a mi l y , newer ge ne r a t i ons ar e
mor e l i k el y t o de vel op i t
Char l es Bonnet Syndr ome
I n s ome c as es , ma c ul a r deg ene r a t i on i s k nown t o c a us e phant om i mage s t o
a ppea r . Wha t e ve r t he s e i mag e s s how, t he obj e c t i s a c t ual l y not pr e s e nt .
The s e i ma ge s ca n r a ng e f r om be i ng a s s i mpl e a s r a ndom l i ne s t o a s c ompl ex
a s pe opl e a nd bui l di ngs .
The f r e que nc y of t hes e i mag es c a n be s ev er al t i me s i n a mont h, i n a wee k or
pe r ha ps ev e n dai l y. Thi s phenome non t ends t o g o away once t he br ai n
a dj us t s t o t he v i s i on pr obl ems .









6 65 5

Ambl yopi a
Ambl y opi a i s c ommonl y r ef er r ed t o as a l a z y ey e. I t i s a chi l dhood di s or der
a s a r e s ul t of i nc ompl e t e de vel opment of t he vi s i on s ys t em i n t he e ar l y y ea r s
of a n i ndi vi dua l s c hi l dhood.
I nf a nt s a r e not bor n wi t h a 20/ 20
v i s i on. The y dev el op t hei r vi s i on
s y s t em f r om bi r t h t i l l a n age of
a r ound 6 ye ar s . T hi s dev el opme nt
t a k es pl a ce whe n i de nt i c al i mag es
a r e f or med on r e t i nas of bot h t he
e ye s . I f t he y do not , v i s i on doe s
not pr ope r l y deve l op and t he
a f f e c t e d e ye t he r e by be c ome s a mb l y opi c . I t i s es t i ma t e d t ha t ar ound 4
pe r ce nt of chi l dr en ex per i e nce t hi s c on di t i on.
I f t he vi s i on i s t o be pr ev ent e d f r om de t e r i or a t i ng , t hi s c ondi t i on mus t be
di ag nos e d a nd t r e a t ed dur i ng t he e a r l y chi l dhood y e ar s . I f t he t r e a t ment i s
pur s ue d a f t e r t he ag e of 6 i t i s v er y l i ke l y t ha t r es t or i ng vi s i on be c omes a n
i mpos s i bl e t a s k.
Causes of Ambl yopi a
The r e a r e t hr ee f a c t or s t ha t c a n
c a us e a c hi l d s e ye t o be c ome
a mb l y opi c .
1. S t r abi s mus Mi s a l i gned Eyes
Mi s al i g nme nt of t he e ye s i s a mong
t he mos t c ommon r e as ons f or ca us i ng
a mbl y opi a. I n a s i t ua t i on whe r e t he
e ye s ar e not al i gne d a nd ai me d i n t he
s i mi l a r di r e c t i on, t he br ai n i g nor e s
t he i ma ge f r om t he e ye t ha t i s
F i g ur e 8 : A c h i l d wi t h s t r a b i s mus

6 66 6

a s s ume d t o be mi s al i g ned i n or de r t o pr e ve nt doubl e vi s i on. Thi s r es ul t s i n
t he c hi l d us i ng t he c or r e c t eye onl y. I f t hi s cont i nue s f or eve n a f ew we ek s ,
t he ey e wi l l f ai l t o es t a bl i s h a c or r e c t l i nk t o t he vi s ual c or t e x of t he br a i n.
2. Ani s omet r opi a Unev en Ref r a ct i ve Er r or
The r e f r a c t i ve er r or ha s t o be t he s ame i n bot h eye s i n or der f or t he e ye s t o
be a bl e t o f ocus s i mul t ane ous l y. Thi s c aus es t he e ye wi t h t he g r e a t e r
r e f r a c t i ve er r or t o be c ome ambl y opi c. Thi s s i t ua t i on ag ai n c aus e s one eye t o
be c ome mor e domi na nt t han t he ot her ; r obbi ng t he ot he r eye s c hanc e t o
de vel op nor mal vi s i on. C ompa r e d t o mi s al i gn ed e y e s , a ni s me t r opi a i s f ar
mor e di f f i cul t t o de t e c t a s bot h t he ey es l ook s i mi l a r .
Onl y t hor oug h ex ami na t i ons t ha t f oc us on vi s ual a c ui t y a nd oc ul a r
pr e f e r e nce t es t s c an de t e c t t hi s ca us e .
3. Depr i va t i on Obs t r uc t i on i n t he Vi s ua l S y s t em
I f any s or t of obs t r uc t i on i s pr e s e nt on e ye t i s s ue s , t he n t hi s c a n r es ul t i n
a mbl y opi a. Any t ype of ey e c ondi t i on t ha t a c t s as a hi ndr a nc e i n f or mi ng of a
c l ea r i mag e ont o t he r e t i na wi l l c ons e que nt l y be c ome t he c au s e of
de vel opment of a mbl y opi a ( c a t a r a c t , f or e x ampl e ) .
Recogni z i ng Ambl yopi a
I t i s not a t al l ea s y t o i dent i f y a mbl y opi a a s i t i s di f f i c ul t ( a nd i mpos s i bl e , i n
s ome c as es ) f or a c hi l d t o i de nt i f y a r e duc t i on i s vi s i on. A c hi l d may not ev e n
be awa r e t he pr obl em as a dul t s woul d be , be ca us e t hey ha ve no e x pe r i e nc e
t ha t t hey c an c ompa r e i t t o.
The onl y pos s i bi l i t y t he r e i s of a n a dul t i de nt i f y i ng t hi s pr obl em i n a c hi l d by
v i s ua l e x a mi na t i on i s a n ex t er nal a bnor mal i t y s uc h a s mi s al i g nme nt of t he
e ye s .
The ot he r c aus e s may onl y be de t e c t e d t hr oug h a t hor ough ey e e x a mi na t i on
by a n ey e s pe ci al i s t .

6 67 7

Ri s k Fact or s
Her e a r e s ome of t he f a c t or s t ha t wi l l ampl i f y t he c ha nce s o f a c hi l d
de vel opi ng t hi s di s ea s e :
F a mi l y Hi s t or y of ca t a r a c t s , g l a uc oma or a mby opi a i t s el f
Numer ous ot her ge ne t i c c ondi t i ons of t he ey e
P e di a t r i c C a t ar a c t s
P t os i s ( dr oopy ey el i ds )
Tumor i n t he e yel i d whi ch bl oc ks t he pupi l
T es t s f or Di agnos i ng Ambl yopi a
The f ol l owi ng t e s t s ma y be pe r f or med on a c hi l d t o de t e c t any dev el opme nt
of ambl y opi a :
C y cl opl egi c Re f r a c t i on
S l i t L amp Ex am
Vi s ual Ac ui t y Me as ur ement
F undus Ex a m
De t ai l e d Eye Ex am
T r eat i ng Ambl yopi a
As we pr evi ous l y di s c us s e d t ha t a chi l d beg i ns t o us e onl y one e ye be ca us e
t he br ai n s hut s of f t he i ma ge s f r om t he ot he r f a ul t y ey e.
To e ns ur e pr ope r dev el opme nt of bot h t he ey es , a c hi l d mus t be f or ce d t o
us e bot h ey es ( e s pe ci al l y t he wea k one ) . Thi s ca n be a c hi e ve d by c or r e c t i ng
a ny f a c t or s t ha t may be l e a di ng t owa r ds a mbl y opi a. I n s ome c as es ,
s pe ci al i s t s r e c omme nd pa t c hi ng t he s t r onge r eye s o t ha t t he we a k e ye i s
us e d by t he c hi l d.
I n s ome c as es , gl as s e s ar e us e d t o t r e a t a mbl y opi a . C hi l dr e n us ua l l y do not
under s t and t he r e a s ons be hi nd al l t he t r e a t me nt me t hods , a nd a s a par e nt , i t
i s y our r es pons i bi l i t y t o mak e s ur e t he i r t r e a t ment i s not a f f e c t ed a s a r e s ul t
of t hei r di s c omf or t t owa r ds pa t chi ng , gl a s s e s or ey e dr ops .


6 68 8

Pt osi s (Dr oopi ng Eyel i ds)


F i g ur e 9 : Pt o s i s c a n a f f e c t o n e , or b o t h e y e s . I t i s t h e up p e r e y e l i d t h a t dr o o ps , a s c a n
b e s e e n i n t h i s p i c t ur e .
Dr oopi ng of a n e ye l i d i s c al l e d p t os i s . Thi s i s a c ondi t i on i n whi ch t he uppe r
pa r t of t he e yel i ds f al l s t o a pos i t i on t ha t i s l owe r t ha n t he nor mal .
De pendi ng on t he s ev e r i t y of t hi s c ondi t i on, t he eye l i d ca n dr op down t o a n
e x t e nt t ha t i t c ov er s pa r t or whol e of t he pupi l t her e by af f e c t i ng vi s i on.
P t os i s ca n af f e c t one or bot h of t he ey es a nd i s a condi t i on t ha t ma y be
pr es e nt a t bi r t h or ma y ev e n dev el op i n t he l a t er ye ar s of one s l i f e.
I n s ev e r al of t he c as es , pt os i s i s a n i s ol at e d i s s ue t ha t doe s not a f f e c t t he
ov er al l heal t h of a pe r s on wi t hout ev en de t er i or a t i ng t he v i s i on a t al l .
On t he ot he r ha nd, f or s ome , i t c a n be an i ndi ca t i on of ot her s e ve r e
c ondi t i ons t ha t ma y be af f e c t i ng t he mus c l e s , br ai n, ne r v es or s oc ke t of t he
e ye .

6 69 9

When a pt os i s de vel ops wi t hi n a per i od of s eve r al da ys or hour s i t be c omes
a n al ar mi ng i ndi ca t i on of a pr e vai l i ng me di c al c ondi t i on.
Causes of Pt os i s
Her e a r e s ome pos s i bl e c a us es t ha t may l ea d t o dev el opme nt of pt os i s :
Cong ent i ca l Pt os i s ( At Bi r t h) Thi s i s a c ond i t i on t ha t a n i nf a nt i s bor n wi t h.
I t c oul d be due t o a pr obl em i n t he dev el opme nt of t he i nv ol ve d e ye mus cl es
( l e va t or mus c l e ) . Onl y one ey e i s a f f e c t ed i n 70 per c e nt of t he c a s e s . I f t he
e ye l i d i s dr oopi ng down enoug h t o bl oc k t he pupi l , t hen a c or r e c t i v e s ur g er y
mus t be pe r f or med i n or de r t o pr e ve nt any vi s i on pr obl ems .
Apon eur ot i c Pt os i s ( Ag e - Rel a t ed) Agi ng i s a c ommon ca us e of t he
we ake ni ng of t he mus cl e s ar ound t he e ye l i ds . Thi s c ondi t i on i s c a us ed by t he
a c c umul a t ed e f f e c t s of g r a vi t y a nd i nc r ea s i ng ag e t ha t we ak en t he t i s s ue s
i nv ol ve d i n a s s i s t i ng l e va t or mus c l e i n pe r f or mi ng i t s j ob. I f t hi s i s t he c a us e
of t he dev el opme nt of pt os i s , t he n bot h t he ey es ar e l i kel y t o be af f e c t e d.
Mya s t heni a Gr a v i s My a s t he ni a gr av i s i s a r ar e c ondi t i on t ha t al t er s t he
way mus cl es r ea c t t o ne r v e i nput s . Thi s c ondi t i on i s known t o pr ogr es s i vel y
we ake n mus cl es . Thes e mus c l e s a r e not l i mi t e d t o t he e ye l i d a r e a , but al s o
t hos e t ha t of a r ms , l e gs , f a ce a nd ot he r body pa r t s .
Howev er , t he wea ke ni ng of mus c l e s s ur r oundi ng t he ey e l i d l ea d t o pt os i s
a nd i t i s ex t r e mel y l i k el y t ha t bot h ey es wi l l be a f f e c t e d.
Oc ul opha r yngea l Mus c ul a r Dy s t r ophy ( OMD) OMD i s di s e as e t ha t i s
us ual l y pas s e d down t he f ami l y t r ee i nt o ne w ge ner a t i ons . Thi s di s e as e
a f f e c t s t he mus cl es a nd c a n s i g ni f i ca nt l y a f f e c t ey e mot i on a s wel l as
i nduc e di f f i c ul t y i n s wa l l owi ng. Thi s c ondi t i on ca n al s o l e ad t o pt os i s
i n bot h ey e l i ds .
Ner v e Pr obl em The br ai n cont r ol s t he mus cl e s by s e ndi ng s i g nal s
t hr oug h t he ne r v e s . I f a ny s or t of c ondi t i on dev el ops t ha t damag es t he
br ai n or t he i nv ol v e d ner ve s , t he n i t i s ex t r eme l y l i ke l y t ha t pt os i s wi l l
f ol l ow. Ne r v es c a n al s o be da ma ge d a s a r e s u l t of di abe t e s .

7 70 0

Hor ne r s Sy ndr ome i s y e t a not he r f a c t or t ha t c a n l ea d t o pt os i s . Thi s
s y ndr ome ca us e s t he pupi l t o be c ome unus ual l y s mal l er whi l e hal f t he
f a c e l os es i t s a bi l i t y t o e x cr e t e s wea t .
Ot her Eye Condi t i ons Ot her pr obl ems r el a t e d t o t he ey e ca n al s o
c a us e pt os i s . An i nf e c t i on, t umor or t r auma i s among l ea di ng f a c t or s
t ha t a r e r e s pons i bl e f or t he ons e t of pt os i s .
Sympt oms of Pt osi s
One of t he mos t obvi ous s ympt oms of pt os i s i s t he f a c t t ha t t he ey e l i d
s e ems t o be dr oope d a t a pos i t i on t ha t i s l ower t han t he nor mal poi nt . Thi s
i s e as i e r t o s pot i f pt os i s i s onl y a f f e c t i ng a s i ngl e ey e.
I f pt os i s a dva nce s t o s ev er e s t ag es , t he n v i s i on wi l l be obs c ur e d as a r e s ul t
of t he e ye l i d c ove r i ng t he pupi l .
T r eat i ng Pt osi s
Mi l d s ympt oms of pt os i s wher e v i s i on i s not bei ng af f e c t e d do not us ual l y
r e qui r e any t r ea t me nt . Eve n when t he t r e a t me nt i s r equi r e d, i t i s c a r r i e d out
i n or der t o r e s ol v e t he under l yi ng c a us e.
I n s ome c as es , ey e e x e r ci s e s ar e s uf f i ci ent a s t he y hel p i n s t r eng t heni ng t he
we ak mus cl e s by he l pi ng t hem t o r e t ur n t o t hei r or i gi na l wor ki ng s t a t e. I n
ot he r ca s e s , us e of ey e gl as s es may be r e c omme nde d by a n e ye s pe ci al i s t ;
t he s e ey e gl as s e s ar e not hi ng l i k e t he or di na r y t he y hav e a c r ut c h a t t a c he d
t o t hem whos e f unc t i on i s t o hol d t he e ye l i d up and pr ev e nt i t f r om
dr oopi ng down.
When pt os i s i s f ound t o be of a s e ve r e ki nd, t he onl y opt i on f or c or r e c t i ng i t
may be s ur ge r y . The s ur gi c al pr oc es s t hat c or r e c t s pt os i s i s c al l ed

7 71 1

bl eph ar op l as t y .

Thi s s ur gi c al pr oc edur e i nv ol ve s t he t i ght e ni ng of l ev a t or mus cl e s , whi c h i n
t ur n l i f t t he dr oopi ng ey el i ds t ha t may be i nt e r f er i ng wi t h nor mal vi s i on. I n
mos t of t he c a s e s , af t er t he s ur gi c al pr oc e s s i s c ompl e t e , no l os s of e ye l i d
mov ement i s r e por t e d.
The s ur g e r y doe s not gua r a nt e e t ha t t he e ye l i ds wi l l be per f e c t l y
s ymme t r i c al ; howev e r , t hey wi l l def i ni t el y be a t a hi g her pos i t i on t han
be f or e.
Compl i cat i ons
Unt r e a t e d pt os i s i n c hi l dr en c a n l ea d t o a c ondi t i on c al l e d t he ambl y opi a
( s ee pa ge 54 of t hi s book ) . I f t he ambl y opi a i s al s o l e f t unt r ea t ed, t he n t he
c hi l d s vi s i on wi l l s ur el y de t e r i or a t e.
C ompl i c a t i ons a f t e r bl e pha r opl a s t y i ncl ude :
Ex c e s s i ve bl ee di ng
F or mi ng of bl ood c l ot s
I nf e c t i on
S c a r r i ng
As ymme t r i c al mus cl e s ( f a ci a l )
Ner ve dama ge ( f a ci al )

7 72 2

Conj unct i vi t i s

C onj unc t i v i t i s i s a n ey e c ondi t i on t ha t i s c ommonl y r ef e r r ed t o as t he pi n k
e y e. I t i s t he i nf l amma t i on of t he out e r l a ye r of t he e ye , a nd c a us e s t he e ye
t o a ppe a r r e d or pi nk .
C onj unc t i v i t i s i s known t o oc c ur i n bot h a dul t s and c hi l dr e n; howe ve r ,
c hi l dr e n a r e mor e s us ce pt i bl e t o t he i nf e c t i on t ha t ca us e s t hi s c ondi t i on t o
oc c ur . I t i s a c ont agi ous c ondi t i on t ha t ca n s pr ea d ex t r e mel y qui c kl y f r om
pe r s on t o pe r s on. C hi l dr e n g ene r al l y ha ve a we ak er i mmune s y s t em a s
c ompar ed t o a dul t s , a nd i t i s not uncommon t o s ee pi nk ey e s pr e a di ng a mong
t he s t ude nt s a t a s c hool or c hi l dr e n a t da y c ar e ce nt er s .
The ey e ha s a cl e ar membr a ne t ha t l i ne s t he whi t e pa r t of a n eye a s wel l as
l i ni ng t he i nner par t of t he ey el i d k now a s c on j un c t i v a. When ei t he r of t hes e
be c omes i nf l amed, c onj unc t i vi t i s i s s ai d t o ha ve oc c ur r ed.
Thi s i nf l amma t i on c aus e s t he bl ood ve s s e l s i n t he c onj unc t i va t o e nl a r g e , a nd
t hi s i s pr e ci s e l y wha t mak es t he e ye s a ppe ar r ed.

7 73 3

T ypes of Conj unct i vi t i s
The r e a r e mai nl y t hr e e t y pes of c onj unc t i vi t i s . The pi nk ey e condi t i on c an be
c a us e d by al l er gi e s , ba c t e r i a , vi r us es or i n t he c as e of new bor n ba bi es a
bl ock t ea r duc t ca n be r e s pons i bl e.
Her e a r e t he t hr ee t ypes of pi nk eye :
1. Vi r al C onj unc t i vi t i s
2. Ba c t er i al C onj unc t i vi t i s
3. Al l e r gi c C onj unc t i vi t i s
Vi r a l Conj unc t i v i t i s
Vi r us e s ar e a mong t he mos t c ommon c a us e s of c onj unc t i vi t i s . Ade novi r us i s a
v i r us t ha t i s k nown t o c aus e t he c ommon c ol d, i s al s o r es pons i bl e f or c a us i ng
t hi s i nf l amma t i on. S ome of t he ot he r vi r us es t ha t a r e t o be bl a me d f or t hi s
i ncl ude :
Va r i c el l a- Z os t e r Vi r us
P i cor na Vi r us
P ox Vi r us
Her pes Si mpl ex Vi r us
Huma n I mmunode f i ci e nc y Vi r us ( HI V)
Vi r al c onj unc t i vi t i s t y pi c al l y r es ul t s i n a wa t er y di s c har g e f r om t he ey e s .
Bot h t he ey es c ont r a c t i t , e ve n i f t he i nf e c t i on onl y s t ar t e d wi t h one , due t o
t he c ont agi ous na t ur e of t hi s vi r us .
Bac t er i a l Conj unc t i v i t i s
The ba c t e r i al c onj unc t i vi t i s i s f a r mor e common i n c hi l dr e n a s c ompa r ed t o
a dul t s . The ba c t e r i a t ha t ar e k nown t o ca us e t hi s t y pe of pi nk ey e i nf e c t i on
a r e :
S t a phyl oc oc ci
S t r e pt oc oc c i
Goboc oc ci

7 74 4

C hl amy di a
C ont r a r y t o t he wa t er y di s c har ge t ha t i s c a us e d by vi r al c onj unc t i vi t i s ,
ba c t e r i a l conj unc t i vi t i s c aus e s a t hi ck di s c ha r ge t o eme r g e f r om t he ey es c a n
be of a yel l ow, whi t e or gr ee n c ol or . Thi s di s c har g e c an ma ke a pe r s on f ee l
a s i f t he i r ey el i ds ar e bei ng gl ue d t og et he r , t hi s f eel i ng i s mor e pr omi ne nt
when t hey wa ke up i n t he mor ni ng .
Onl y one ey e i s mor e l i kel y t o be af f e c t ed by t he ba c t e r i a , howev e r , t hi s
doe s n t me a n t ha t i t c a nnot s pr ea d t o t he ot her ey e.
Al l er g eni c Conj unc t i v i t i s
Al l e r ge ni c c onj unc t i vi t i s i s k nown t o ca us e s r e dnes s , i t c hi ng a nd t ea r i ng i n
bot h t he ey e s . Di s c har ge ma y al s o e ma na t e f r om t he nos e a nd ca us e i t c hi ng
wi t hi n. Thi s i s not a c ont a gi ous t y pe of c onj unc t i v i t i s a s i t oc cur s whe n
c e r t ai n i r r i t a nt s a r e pr e s e nt i n t he env i r onme nt ( s uc h a s dus k a nd s moke ) .
Sympt oms of Conj unct i vi t i s
The s y mpt oms of e a ch t y pe of conj unc t i v i t i s di f f e r s l i g ht l y .
S y mpt oms of Vi r a l Conj unc t i v i t i s
Re dne s s i n t he ey e , e s pe ci al l y on t he whi t e a r e a
An I t c hi ng or bur ni ng s e ns a t i on on t he ey e l i ds
S wol l e n a r e a s a t t he f r ont of e a r s
L ot s of t e a r i ng
Cl ea r , wa t er y di s c har ge f r om t he e ye s
The s e s y mpt oms t y pi c al l y l as t f or 5 day s t o a we ek . Howeve r , t he i r dur a t i on
may ex t e nd up t o t hr ee wee ks .
S y mpt oms of Ba ct er i a l Conj unc t i v i t i s
Re dne s s i n t he ey e , e s pe c i al l y on t he whi t e a r e a
Ye l l ow di s cha r ge f r om t he eye s t ha t c a us e s t he e ye l i ds t o s t i ck
t og e t her ; es pe ci a l l y i n t he mor ni ng s

7 75 5

P ai n i n t he eye s
S wol l e n uppe r e ye l i ds
T r eat i ng Conj unct i vi t i s
Due t o t he f a c t t ha t t he r e a r e t hr ee di f f e r ent t y pe s of c onj unc t i v i t i s , t he
t r e a t me nt al s o v ar i es .
Vi r al c onj unc t i vi t i s i s t y pi ca l l y c a us ed t he s ame vi r us t ha t c a us es t he
c ommon c ol d. The r e f or e , s i mi l a r t o t he c ol d, vi r us c onj unc t i vi t i s mus t al s o
r un i t s c our s e whi ch l a s t s f r om anywhe r e be t wee n 4 t o 7 day s . Thi s i s a
hi g hl y c ont agi ous t y pe of conj unc t i vi t i s a nd t hus phy s i c al c ont a c t s houl d be
a v oi de d wi t h t he i nf e c t e d pe r s on.
C onj unc t i v i t i s c a us e d by ba c t er i a i s t r e at e d wi t h a nt i bi ot i c s . The s e c ome i n
nume r ous f or ms , i ncl udi ng e ye dr ops , pi l l s or oi nt me nt s .
Oi nt ment s or ey e dr ops s houl d be a ppl i ed t o t he i nne r pa r t of t he ey e l i d a t
l ea s t 3 t o 4 t i mes a da y f or dur a t i on of 4 t o 7 day s .
P i l l s , on t he ot her hand, s houl d be c ons ume d f or a f e w day s . The c ondi t i on
us ual l y begi ns t o i mpr ov e wi t hi n a wee k s t i me.
Al l e r ge ni c c onj unc t i vi t i s t e nds t o i mpr ove onc e t he a l l e r g ens ha ve be e n
r emove d. I f any i r r i t a nt s hav e g ot t e n i nt o t he eye , t he n t he e ye mus t be
t hor oug hl y wa s he d wi t h l ot s of cl e a n wat e r .








7 76 6

Ker at oconus

The l i t e r a l me a ni ng
of Ker a t o c on us i s a
c one - s hape d
c or nea . The c or nea
i s t he cl ea r pa r t
whi c h i s l oc a t e d a t
t he f r ont of t he e ye .
The c or ne a i n i t s
na t ur a l s t a t e c a n be
de s cr i be d a s bei ng
dome - s ha pe d .
Howev er , k er a t oconus oc c ur s whe n t he l a ye r s ne ar t he c e nt e r of t he c or ne a
be c ome t hi n, t he r e by c a us i ng t he cor ne a t o be c ome poi nt y.
The r e a r e s ome wa ys t hr ough whi ch ke r at oc onus ca n be c or r e c t ed; howev er ,
t hos e pe opl e who have r e c ei ve d s uc c es s f ul t r ea t me nt c ont i nue t o hav e
r e duce d vi s i on f or t he r e s t of t hei r l i v es .
Causes of Ker at oconus
The ey e cons i s t s of t i ny f i be r s t ha t a r e ca l l e d c ol l ag en. The c ol l ag e n a r e
r e s pons i bl e f or ke e pi ng t he c or nea i n i t s r i g ht pos i t i on and f or pr e ve nt i ng i t
f r om bul g i ng out . The pr obl em s t ar t s wi t h t he c ol l ag en be comi ng wea k. Thi s
we ake ni ng l e ads t o t hei r i nabi l i t y t o ho l d t he c or nea i n i t s pl a ce ; t hi s ca us e s
t he c or ne a t o pr og r e s s i vel y dev el op a c one - s ha pe.
Ke r a t oc onus i s he r e di t ar y ; i t r uns i n f ami l i e s a nd pe opl e whos e par e nt s have
i t ar e a t a gr ea t er r i s k of dev el opi ng t hi s c ondi t i on. The c ha nce s of t he
de vel opment of t hi s c ondi t i on i ncr ea s e s i n pe opl e who hav e ot her t y pe s of
medi ca l i s s ue s .
I t has be e n obs e r v e d t ha t k e r a t oc onus be gi ns t o s e t i n dur i ng t ee n ye ar s of
a n i ndi vi dual s l i f e . Howe ve r , i t c a n a l s o s t a r t e ve n i n a per s on s c hi l dhood

7 77 7

y ea r s . The c hanc es of i t s oc cur r e nce s t ar t t o di mi ni s h once t he ag e of 30
y ea r s i s cr os s ed.
The r a t e a t whi c h t he c or nea begi ns t o cha ng e i s v ar i a bl e ; i t ca n ei t he r t a ke
y ea r s , or i t ma y ha ppe n s udde nl y.
S i mi l a r l y , t he c ha ng es c a n ei t her s t op al l of a s udden, or c ont i nue t o ge t
wor s e. The hi ghl y v a r i a bl e na t ur e of t hi s c ondi t i on ma ke s i t not s o
pr e di c t a bl e. I f one eye i s a f f e c t e d, t he n i t i s l i ke l y t ha t t he ot her ey e wi l l
a l s o de vel op ke r a t oc onus , ev ent ual l y .
Sympt oms and Di agnos i s of Ker at oconus
The s y mpt oms of ke r a t oconus us ual l y s t a r t wi t h bl ur r i ng of a pe r s on s vi s i on.
The c hange s i n t he e ye gl a s s e s pr e s c r i pt i on a l s o i nc r e as e i n f r eque nc y up t i l l
a poi nt wher e t he i ndi v i dual s vi s i on s i mpl y c a nnot be cor r e c t e d wi t h e ye
gl a s s es or c ont a c t l e ns es . S ome of t he ot he r s ympt oms i ncl ude t he f ol l owi ng :
I nc r e as e d s ens i t i vi t y t o l i g ht ( phot os e ns i t i vi t y )
Di f f i cul t y i n dr i vi ng a t ni g ht
Appe ar a nce of hal os a r ound l i ght s our c es
Ey e s t r ai n
I r r i t a t i on of t he e ye ( l e a di ng t o e x ce s s i ve r ubbi ng)
Hea da che s a nd pai n i n t he ey es ( t o l ear n mor e a bou t t h e t y p es o f ey e
pa i n , go t o pag e 35 o f t hi s boo k)
As i t c an be s ee n, t he a bove s y mpt oms ar e not uni que t o ke r a t oc onus . Al l of
t he a bove s y mpt oms ar e us ua l l y a s s oci a t e d wi t h s ev er al ot he r e ye
c ondi t i ons . The r e f or e , i t i s not pos s i bl e t o di a gnos e ke r a t oc onus by s i mpl y
obs er vi ng t he s ympt oms .
A t hor oug h e x ami na t i on by a n e ye s pe ci a l i s t i s es s ent i al who has t he a bi l i t y
t o ut i l i z e bot h di r e c t mea s ur eme nt t e c hni ques al ong wi t h a na l y z i ng a t a
mi c r os copi c l ev el us i ng a s l i t l amp t o det e c t k er a t oc onus .

7 78 8

A s l i t l amp ex ami na t i on c a n r ev eal ke r a t oc onus . A s pe ci al i s t t y pi c al l y
obs er ve s f or t he f ol l owi ng s i g ns of ke r a t oc onus whe n pe r f or mi ng t hi s
e x ami na t i on:
Cor nea l t hi nni ng
Api c a l s c a r r i ng a pi c al s ca r r i ng i s t he s c a r r i ng of t he apex of t he
c one )
Vog t s s t r a i e Vog t s s t r ai e r ef er s t o t he s t r e s s l i ne s t ha t ar e ca us e d
by t hi nni ng of c or ne a
F l ei s cher s r i ng The F l ei s c he r s r i ng i s a i r on - c ol or ed r i ng whi ch
s ur r ounds t he cone
The c ur v a t ur e of t he c or ne a nee ds t o be c he c ke d t o c onf i r m a ny de vel opment
of ke r a t oconus . Thi s c a n be done by :
Per f or mi ng Cor nea l T opog r aphy Thi s i s a n c omput e r i z e d i ns t r ument
t ha t c a n mak e a t hr e e di me ns i onal i ma ge of t he c or ne a
Ker at omet r y Thi s i ns t r ume nt i s des i gne d t o s hi ne s ev er al pa t t e r ns of
l i ght ont o t he c or nea . The pa t t er n a t whi c h t he l i g ht i s r ef l e c t e d he l ps
s pe ci al i s t s de t e r mi ne t he c ur v a t ur e a nd s ha pe of t he c or nea .
T r eat i ng Ker at oconus
The r e a r e g e ne r al l y t wo wa ys of t hr oug h whi c h t he e f f e c t s of k er a t oc onus on
t he vi s i on c a n be c or r e c t e d:
By We ar i ng Eye Gl as s e s
By We ar i ng C ont a c t Le ns e s
Ey e Gl a s s es
Dur i ng t he e ar l y s t ag e s of Ke r a t oc onus , e ye s pe ci al i s t s ma y pr es c r i be gl as s e s
i n or der t o he l p t he pa t i ent i mpr ov e t hei r vi s i on. Ey e gl a s s es c a n r e duc e t he
v i s i on pr obl ems t ha t a r e t y pi c al l y ex per i e nc ed by a per s on s uf f e r i ng f r om
k e r a t oc onus . An i ndi v i dual may ex pe r i enc e pr obl ems wi t h a dj us t i ng t o t hei r
ne w pai r of gl a s s e s i f :

7 79 9

t he y hav e nev e r wor n ey e gl as s e s pr evi ous l y ;
a new, s t r ong e r pr e s c r i pt i on of gl a s s es ha s be en gi v en t o t hem t ha n
t he one t hey we r e pr evi ous l y we ar i ng
k e r a t oc onus ha s pr og r es s e d i n i t s i nt e ns i t y a nd ha s di s t or t e d t he vi s i on
t o a gr ea t e r e x t e nt
As t he ke r a t oc onus c ont i nues t o di s t or t t he na t ur al s ha pe of t he c or nea , t he
v i s i on wi l l de t er i or a t e and t he per s on wi l l nee d t o k ee p c ha ng i ng t hei r e ye
gl a s s es . Gl as s es c a n hel p onl y up t i l l a ce r t ai n poi nt , a f t e r whi c h t he y a r e
r e nde r e d us el e s s by t he s ev e r el y di s t or t e d c or ne a.
One of t he s ympt oms of ke r a t oc onus i s an i ncr ea s ed s e ns i t i v i t y t o l i ght . Thi s
pr obl em c an be r educ ed by ge t t i ng t i nt ed pr es c r i pt i on ey e gl a s s es , by us e of
s ungl a s s es a nd ha t s t o mi ni mi z e ex pos ur e t o l i g ht a s muc h a s pos s i bl e .
Cont a c t L ens es
As of now, c ont a c t l e ns e s a r e a s t a ndar d way of de al i ng wi t h Ker a t oc onus :
C ont a c t l e ns es c a n r e s t or e vi s i on bey ond t he l i mi t of ey e gl as s e s . A l ot
of i ndi vi dual s who ha ve Ke r a t oc onus s pend s eve r al y ea r s us i ng c ont a c t
l ens e s .
Ty pi c al l y , s pe ci al t y pe s of c ont a c t l e ns es a r e r e qui r e d f or pe opl e wi t h
Ke r a t oc onus . The s e l e ns e s a r e c a n onl y be f i t t ed a t an ey e cl i ni c.
The s e s pe ci al l e ns es r e qui r e pr e ci s e a nd c a r ef ul f i t t i ng due t o t he
hi g hl y a bnor mal s ha pe of t he c or nea .
I ndi vi dual s who hav e Ker a t oconus hav e t o f a c e s i mi l ar i s s ue s a s t hos e peopl e
who us e c ont a c t l e ns es t o c or r e c t t hei r v i s i on. None t hel e s s , s ome a ddi t i ona l
i s s ues ar e f a c ed by t hem be c a us e of t hei r e ye di s or de r :
The ey es of pe opl e wi t h k er a t oc onus a r e g ene r al l y muc h mor e
s e ns i t i v e.
The s e pe opl e a r e mor e pr one t o al l er g i es ; t hi s c a n l e a d t o i t chi ng i n
t he ey es .

8 80 0

The s e pe opl e a r e al s o mor e s us ce pt i bl e t o e ye i nf e c t i ons a s wel l as
ot he r e ye di s or de r s .
Us e of nor mal c ont a c t l e ns es c a n ca us e s ev e r e da ma ge t o t hei r e ye s .
Or di na r y l ens cl ea ni ng s ol ut i ons c an c a us e pe r ma ne nt e ye dama ge t o
pe opl e wi t h Ker a t oc onus . Thi s i s be ca us e t hes e s ol ut i ons hav e not
be en s pe ci al l y de s i g ne d f or t he m a nd t hus c a n ca us e al l e r gi c r e a c t i ons .
T ypes of Cont ac t L ens es f or Peopl e wi t h Ker at oc onus
I ndi vi dual s wi t h k er a t oc onus r e qui r e s pec i al l y des i g ne d c ont a c t l e ns es . Thes e
c ont a c t l e ns es a r e de s i g ned i n a way t hat mak es t he c ur ve a t t he f r ont
s pher i c al i n s ha pe . Thi s de s i g n not onl y hel ps i n r e duc i ng t he a mount of
r e s t or a t i on, but al s o a c t s a s a s ol ut i on t o ot he r ey e di s or de r s s uc h a s
my opi a , hy per opi a
a nd as t i gma t i s m.
S ome t ype s of
c ont a c t l e ns es a r e as
f ol l ows :
S of t L ens e s
Har d L ens e s
C ombi na t i on
L e ns e s
S c l e r al Le ns e s
Ti nt e d L ens e s ( t o c a t er f or l i g ht s e ns i t i vi t y)






8 81 1

Ret i nal Det achment

F i g ur e 1 0 T h i s i s h o w a pe r s o n wo u l d s e e wh e n t h e r e t i na b e g i ns t o de t a c h a s a r e s u l t
o f r e t i n a l t e a r s .
The r e t i na i s l oca t e d a t t he ba ck of t he e ye a nd i s c ove r e d wi t h l i g ht -
s e ns i t i v e cel l s t ha t a r e r e s pons i bl e f or ge ner a t i ng el e c t r i c al i mpul s e s a s a
r e s ul t of t he l i g ht t ha t i s f ocus e d ont o t hem by t he pupi l a nd t he l ens . The s e
i mpul s e s a r e s ent t o t he br ai n t hr ough t he opt i c ne r v e.
When t he r e t i na s e par a t es i t s e l f f r om t he ba ck of t he ey e , r e t i na l
de t a c hme nt i s s ai d t o oc c ur . Thi s i s an ex t r eme l y s e r i ous c ondi t i on a nd ca n
l ea d t o bl i ndnes s i f t he r e t i na c ompl e t el y de t a c hes i t s e l f f r om t he ba c k of
t he ey e.
Causes of Ret i nal Det achment
Re t i nal de t a chme nt beg i ns when s mal l cut s i n t he r e t i na gi v e way t o f l ui d
f r om t he e ye. Thi s l i qui d s ee ps t hr ough t he c ut s a nd begi ns t o s epa r a t e t he
r e t i na f r om t he t i s s ue t o whi c h i t wa s c onne c t e d.

8 82 2

To be t t er unde r s t a nd how t he r e t i na ge t s de t a c hed, i mage a pos t er t ha t ha s
be en gl ue d t o t he wal l . Now l e t us c ons i de r t ha t t he pos t e r ha s be en c ut
s l i g ht l y , a nd t hi s c ut has ex pos e d t he wal l behi nd t he pos t e r . I f wa t e r i s
pour e d t hr oug h t hi s c ut , t he wa t e r wi l l e ve nt ua l l y s e par a t e t he pos t e r f r om
t he wal l by di s s ol v i ng t he gl ue ; t hi s i s
pr e ci s el y how a r e t i na g e t s s epa r a t ed f r om t he
under l yi ng t i s s ues .
Re t i nal t e a r s c a n al s o be c aus ed by t he
s hr i nk i ng of t he v i t r eous . The v i t r eous i s a
t hi ck s ubs t a nce t ha t r es embl e s a j el l y and i t
k ee ps t he eye bal l s t e a dy. Onc e t he vi t r eous
beg i ns t o s hr i nk , t he r e t i na i s pul l e d awa y
f r om t he ba c k.
Sympt oms of Ret i nal Det achment
Ar ound 1 i n 10000 pe opl e a r e a f f e c t e d by r e t i nal de t a c hment t o va r y i ng
deg r ee s . Thi s r i s k of r e t i nal de t a chme nt i nc r e as es a s t he a ge of a n i ndi vi dual
i nc r e as es .
Her e a r e t he s ympt oms of r e t i nal de t a c hment :
Bl ur r e d v i s i on
Appe ar a nce of br i ght l i g ht a t t he c or ne r s of a pe r s on s f i el d of vi e w
Appe ar a nce of da r k a r e as i n t he f i el d of v i ew of a per s on
L os s of vi s i on
Ri s k Fact or s
S ome i ndi vi dual s hav e a gr ea t e r cha nce of ex per i e nci ng r e t i nal de t a chme nt
t ha n ot he r s . S ome of t he f a c t or s t ha t i nc r e as e t he c hanc es of s uf f e r i ng f r om
r e t i nal t e a r i ng i ncl ude :
F a mi l y Hi s t or y I f r e t i nal de t a c hme nt pr obl em r uns i n t he f a mi l y , t he n
t he ne we r g ene r a t i ons hav e a gr ea t e r cha nc e of s uf f er i ng t he s ame

8 83 3

Myopi a ( Shor t s i g ht ednes s ) Pe opl e who ha ve my opi a ar e mor e l i ke l y
t o e x pe r i e nc e a r e t i nal t ea r .
Pr i or Ca t a r ac t S ur g er y I f a n e ye s ur g er y has bee n pe r f or med, t hen
t he r i s k i s hi g he r as wel l .
Ey e I nj ur i es Ey e i nj ur i es i nc r e as e t he l i kel i hood of s uf f e r i ng f r om
t hi s condi t i on
I nc r ea s i ng Ag e Ol de r pe opl e have a n i nc r e as ed c hanc e of r e t i nal
de t a c hme nt
Pr i or Ret i na l Det ac hment I f a n i ndi vi dua l ha s ha d r e t i na l de t a c hme nt
i n one e ye , t hen i t i s ve r y l i k el y t ha t t he ot he r e ye wi l l ex pe r i enc e t he
s ame.
Compl i cat i ons of Ret i nal Det achment
Re t i nal de t a chme nt i s a s e r i ous ey e i l l nes s , a nd i t s houl d nev er be l e f t
unt r ea t ed. Doi ng s o wi l l ha ve di r e c ons eque nce on a per s on s vi s i on and wi l l
e ve nt ua l l y be c ome t he c a us e of t hei r bl i ndnes s .
S ome ot he r c ompl i c a t i ons ma y be as f ol l ows :
Bl eedi ng i n t he ey e ba l l t hi s bl e edi ng c a n c l oud t he vi t r e ous
Pr es s ur e bui l d - up i ns i de t he ey e bal l I nc r e as i ng i nt r a oc ul a r pr e s s ur e
c a n l e ad t o ot he r c ompl i c a t i ons s uch a s gl a uc oma.
F or ma t i on of Ca t a r a ct The r e i s a hi g her c ha nce of a c a t ar a c t f or mi ng
T r eat ment f or Ret i nal T ear s and Det achment
Re t i nal t e a r s c a n l e a d t o a r e t i nal de t a chme nt . Ther e a r e t wo way s t hr oug h
whi c h r e t i nal t ea r s c a n be he al ed, a nd t he y a r e a s f ol l ows :
L a s er S ur g er y A l as er c a n be us ed t o bur n t he r e t i na and c a us e i t t o
pr oduce s ca r t i s s ue. Thi s t i s s ue c a n hel p i n anc hor i ng t he r e t i na t o t he
ba c k of t he e ye
Cr y opex y A c r y opr obe i s a n e x t r emel y c ol d pr obe t ha t ca us e s t he
r e t i na t o ge ne r a t e s c ar t i s s ue. The t i s s ue c a n s e al t he t ea r a nd hel p
k ee p t he r e t i na f r om de t a c hi ng .

8 84 4

I f r e t i nal de t a chme nt ha s al r ea dy oc c ur r e d, t hen s ur ge r y i s t he onl y opt i on
t o g e t i t ba c k i n pl a c e be f or e per ma nent da ma ge i s done.
Her e a r e t he t y pe s of s ur gi c al pr oc edur es t ha t c an be ca r r i e d out f or
r e a t t a c hi ng t he r e t i na :
Pneumat i c Ret i nopl exy Thi s i s t he s i mpl e s t t y pe of s ur g e r y t o r e pai r
t he de t a c he d r e t i na. Howev er , i t i s not s ui t e d t o eve r y i ndi vi dual . I n
t hi s pr oce dur e , t he s ur g e on i nj e c t s a g as bubbl e i nt o t he vi t r e ous ,
whi l e t he t ea r s a r e s e al ed wi t h a l a s e r or c r y opex y. The i nj e c t e d
bubbl e pr e s s e s upon t he r e t i na t o put i t f l a t ag ai ns t t he wal l . I t i s
i mper a t i v e t ha t t he hea d be ke pt i n a pos i t i on a s i ns t r uc t e d by t he
s ur g e on a f t e r t he s ur g er y.
S c l er a l Buc k l i ng Thi s pr oce s s al s o make s us e of c r yopex y t o heal t he
r e t i nal t e a r s . Onc e t ha t has be e n done , t he f l ui d bel ow t he r e t i na i s
dr ai ne d out a nd a pi e ce of s i l i c one r ubbe r i s s ewn t he ey e s out er wal l .
Thi s buc kl e r ema i ns i n pos i t i on pe r ma ne nt l y e ve n af t er t he t e ar s ha ve
be en s eal e d.
Vi t r ect omy S ur g er y - Vi t r e c t omy s ur g e r y i s ca r r i e d out under a
mi c r os cope. The vi t r e ous i s r emov e d by t he s ur g e on a nd a ny t e ar s t ha t
may be pr e s e nt a r e t r e a t e d us i ng l a s e r or c r y opex y ( s e e t r e a t me nt of
r e t i nal t e a r s a bove ) . Once t hi s ha s be en done , t he ey e i s f i l l e d wi t h
s i l i c one oi l or g as . The s i l i c one oi l i s event ual l y r emov e d a f t e r s e ve r al
mont hs . Howe ve r , i n s ome c as es , t he s ur g e on ma y de ci de t o l ea ve t he
oi l i ns i de f or ev er .
S ome c ompl i ca t i ons ca n f ol l ow de pendi ng on t he t ype of s ur g e r y pe r f or me d.
The s e c ompl i ca t i ons ca n r e s ul t i n:
F or ma t i on of c a t ar a c t
De vel opment of gl a uc oma
S e ve r e i nf e c t i on
Bl e edi ng i n t he vi t r eous ca vi t y ( Hemor r ha ge )
L os s of vi s i on

8 85 5

Eye Fl oat er s

Ey e f l oa t er s appea r i n a per s on s f i e l d of vi s i on a s a r es ul t of c onde ns a t i on
or depos i t s i n t he vi t r eous j el l y. The s e ar e f l oa t i ng s pot s , a s c ommonl y
de s cr i be d by pe opl e who s e e t hem whe ne ve r t he y l ook about .
The s e f l oa t e r s ma y be pr es e nt i n onl y one or bot h ey es .
Why Do Eye Fl oat er s Appear ?
I t i s t he f unc t i on of t he c or nea a nd t he l e ns t o
f oc us t he i nc omi ng l i g ht ont o t he r e t i na. I t i s
t hi s l i g ht t ha t c a us es t he l i g ht - s e ns i t i ve c e l l s
t o g ener a t e el e c t r i cal i mpul s es whi ch a r e s ent
t o t he br ai n t hr oug h t he opt i c ne r v e f or
pr oc es s i ng.
The l i g ht whi c h pa s s es t hr ough t he r e t i na ha s
t o g o t hr oug h a j el l y - l i ke ma t e r i a l cal l e d t he
v i t r eo us h u mor . F r om t he t i me of bi r t h up t i l l
t he ea r l y chi l dhood y ea r s , t hi s s ubs t a nce i s
a bs ol ut el y cl ea r ; howe ve r , a s t he pe r s on g r ows up, depos i t s , s t r ands or eve n
l i qui d poc ke t s beg i n deve l opi ng wi t hi n t hi s s ubs t a nce. The f l oa t i ng pa r t i cl e s
whi c h pe opl e s ee ar e t he s ha dows of t hes e de pos i t s .
When a pe r s on move s t hei r e ye s i n a ny di r e c t i on whe t he r s i de t o s i de or up
a nd down t hes e pa r t i cl es t end t o s hi f t t hei r pos i t i on wi t hi n t he e ye a nd
t hi s i s pr e ci s e l y wha t mak es t he s hadows mov e or appea r as i f t he y a r e
f l oa t i ng .
Char act er i s t i cs of Eye Fl oat er s
Her e a r e s ome of t he c ha r a c t er i s t i c s of e ye f l oa t e r s :
Ey e f l oa t er s c an be of nume r ous s ha pe s , r a ngi ng f r om t i ny f l e ck s ,
bubbl es or webs t o O- s haped s t r a nds .

8 86 6

The y a r e mor e obvi ous when a pe r s on f oc us es on a l i g ht c ol or e d a r ea
( s ky , f or ex ampl e) .
The s e ey e f l oa t e r s t e nd t o move al ong wi t h t he moveme nt of t he ey es ,
wi t h a s l i g ht l ag , howeve r .
What do t hey i ndi cat e?
I n mos t ca s e s , t he ey e f l oa t er s a r e be ni gn a nd pos e no t hr e a t t o t he wel l
bei ng of an i ndi vi dual . P e opl e ev ent ual l y ge t us e d t o s eei ng t hem a nd s i mpl y
i g nor e t he m. Howev er , t he f l oa t e r s ca n be a n i ndi c a t i on of a mor e s e r i ous
under l yi ng c ondi t i on.
Thi s i s es pe ci a l l y t r ue i f t he numbe r of f l oa t e r s s uddenl y i nc r e as es , t hen
t he y ca n be a n i ndi ca t i on of :
Re t i nal t e a r
Re t i nal de t a chme nt
Bl e edi ng i n t he e ye
Ey e t umor
Ey e di s e as es
Ey e i nj ur y
Di abe t i c r e t i nopa t hy
I f a per s on not i c es t he f ol l owi ng c ha ng es , a vi s i t t o a n e ye s pe ci al i s t
be c omes vi t al .
1. The ey e f l oa t e r s i ncr ea s e i n numbe r ov er t i me , mor e i mpor t a nt l y i f
t he r e a r e s udde n c hange s
2. F l as he s of l i g ht or a ny ki nd of l os s i n v i s i on i s e x per i e nce d be s i de s e ye
f l oa t er s
3. The r e i s pai n pr e s e nt al ongs i de e ye f l oat e r s
4. Ey e f l oa t er s de vel op f ol l owi ng an ey e s ur ge r y



8 87 7

Di abet i c Ret i nopat hy
Re t i nopa t hy i s an ey e di s ea s e t ha t af f e ct s t he r e t i na of t he ey e. I t i s qui t e
c ommon i n pe opl e wi t h di a be t e s , a nd t he y of t e n dev el op r e t i nopa t hy. Thi s
c ondi t i on c a n l e a d t o a s i g ni f i c ant de cr ea s e i n a per s on s v i s i on, s ome t i me s
t o a n ex t ent t ha t t he y be c ome bl i nd.
I t be gi n whe n t he bl ood ve s s el s i ns i de an e ye be c ome s we a ke r . Thi s c a us e s
bl ood a nd ot her t ypes of f l ui d t o l e ak ont o t he r e t i na. I f t hi s f l ui d s e eps out
i nt o t he mi ddl e of t he ey e , t he n bl ur r e d v i s i on wi l l r e s ul t .
Due t o t he f a c t t ha t t hi s r e t i nal di s e a s e i s ca us e d by di a be t e s , i t has a cl os e
l i nk wi t h t he bl ood s ug ar l e vel s of a pe r s on. I f t hes e l e vel s r emai n a t a hi g h
l eve l , t hi s c ondi t i on wi l l c ont i nue t o de t e r i or a t e . Thi s c ondi t i on may al s o
c a us e t he dev el opme nt of new bl ood ve s s el s t ha t a r e e x t r emel y f r a gi l e a nd
pr one t o l e aki ng , t hus f ur t her wor s e ni ng t he s i t ua t i on.
I f t he s e ne w bl ood ve s s el s r upt ur e , t hey c oul d l e ak bl ood i n t o t he ce nt er of
t he ey e a nd ca us e c hange s i n t he vi s i on a l ong wi t h f or ma t i on of s c ar t i s s ue.
The s ca r t i s s ue wi l l , i n t ur n, pul l upon t he r e t i n a and de t a c h i t f r om t he
wal l s of t he e ye , l e adi ng t o a r e t i nal de t a c hme nt ( s ee pa ge 67 of t hi s book
f or mor e i nf or ma t i on) .
Anot he r a dv er s e e f f e c t of r e t i nopa t hy on t he e ye i s t he s wel l i ng of ma c ul a .
The ma c ul a i s l oca t ed a t t he mi ddl e of t he r e t i na. We us e t he ma c ul a t o
a ppr e ci a t e t he f i ne de t ai l s , r e c og ni z e f ac e s and s o on.
S wel l i ng of ma cul a ul t i ma t el y l e ads t o bl i ndnes s .
Causes of Di abet i c Ret i nopat hy
The mai n r e as on be hi nd dev el opme nt of r e t i nopa t hy i s a n i na bi l i t y t o k ee p
bl ood s ug ar l ev el s unde r c ont r ol . Hi g h bl ood s ug ar l ev el s ca n s e ve r el y
da mag e bl ood ve s s el s i n t he r e t i na , t her e by s e t t i ng up t he des t r uc t i v e c ha i n
of ev e nt s di s cus s e d abov e.

8 88 8

Sympt oms of Di abet i c Ret i nopat hy
I t t he ma j or i t y of ca s e s , no obvi ous s ympt oms of di abe t i c r e t i nopa t hy a r e
pr es e nt . The de t er i or a t i on i n vi s i on i s t he mai n r e as on whi c h l ea ds t o t he
di s cove r y of r e t i nopa t hy. Howe ve r , by t hi s t i me , t he di s ea s e has a dv a nce d t o
a s ev er e l e vel .
Thi s i s why i t i s e s s e nt i al t ha t r e gul a r e ye ex ami na t i ons be conduc t e d t o
de t e c t a ny pos s i bi l i t y of a deve l opi ng eye di s or der .
T r eat ment of Di abet i c Ret i nopat hy
Ti l l da t e , no c ur e f or di a be t i c r e t i nopa t hy i s av ai l a bl e. Ther e a r e pr oce dur es
whi c h c a n be ca r r i e d out t o pr eve nt l os s of vi s i on. Howeve r , t he y ha ve t o be
pe r f or med bef or e t he r e t i na i s s ev e r el y da mag e d.
Ti mel y de t e c t i on of t he di s ea s e i s onl y pos s i bl e t hr oug h r eg ul a r s cr ee ni ng
e x ami na t i ons , e s pe ci al l y due t o t he f a c t t ha t t hi s c ondi t i on di s pl a ys no
obvi ous s y mpt oms unt i l i t g e t s t oo l a t e.
Tha t bei ng s ai d, y ou s houl d dev el op a hab i t of ge t t i ng y our eye s e x ami ne d on
a r eg ul ar bas i s mor e f r e que nt l y a f t er cr os s i ng t he age of 40.










8 89 9

Dr y Eye Syndr ome ( Ker at oconj unct i vi t i s Si cca)
To e ns ur e ma x i mum c omf or t f or t he eyes a nd t o k ee p t he v i s i on a t i t s bes t ,
na t ur e has bl es s e d us wi t h a t hi n f i l m of t e a r s t ha t c oa t s our ey es . Thi s c oa t
hel ps i n k ee pi ng t he ey e he al t hy.
Thi s t hi n f i l m cons i s t s of t hr ee mai n l aye r s , whi c h ar e a s f ol l ows :
I nner mos t La yer : Thi s i s t he t hi nne s t of a l l t hr ee l a ye r s a nd i s a l ay er of
muci n ( mucus ) . Thi s ex t r e mel y t hi n l a ye r of muci n i s c r e a t ed by cel l s t ha t a r e
f ound i n t he c onj unc t i v a. The pur pos e of t hi s muci n i s t o he l p t he ove r l ayi ng
l ay er t o s pr ea d c ons i s t ent l y ov er t he eye .
Mi ddl e La yer : The mi ddl e l a ye r i s al s o known a s t he a que ous l ay er . Thi s i s
t he t hi c ke s t of al l t he l a ye r s a nd i s t y pi ca l l y a n e x t r emel y di l ut ed s al t wa t e r
s ol ut i on. Thi s wa t e r y l a ye r i s pr oduc e d by t he l a c r i mal g l a nds t ha t a r e
l oc a t e d under t he uppe r e ye l i ds . The pur pos e of t hi s l ay er i s t o ke ep t he
e ye wel l - moi s t ene d a nd t o k ee p out a ny dus t or f or ei gn obj e c t s t ha t may ge t
i nt o t he eye . Gene r al l y , any f l a ws i n t he a queous l aye r ar e r e s pons i bl e f or
l ea di ng t o t he dr y eye s yndr ome.
Out er L ay er : The out e r mos t l a y e r c ons i s t s of a n e x t r eme l y t hi n l aye r of
l i pi ds . Li pi ds c a n be of f a t s or oi l s . The mei bomi an gl a nds a nd Zei s gl a nds ar e
r e s pons i bl e f or pr oduci ng t hes e l i pi ds whos e f unc t i on i s t o r e duce
e va por a t i on of t he a que ous l a ye r t ha t i s f ound bel ow.
Any def e c t s i n t hi s t e a r f i l m l ea d t o what we c ommonl y cal l t he dr y e ye
s y ndr ome ( DES) . Thi s s y ndr ome af f e c t s qui t e a pe r ce nt ag e of popul a t i on,
mos t of t he pe opl e t ha t a r e af f e c t e d by t hi s di s or der a r e a bove t he ag e of 40
y ea r s .
I n t he Uni t ed S t a t e s , i t i s es t i ma t ed t ha t s ome wher e be t we en 25 t o 30
mi l l i on pe opl e ar e a f f e c t ed by dr y ey e s y ndr ome . Thi s c ondi t i on c a n a f f e c t
a ny pe r s on of a ny r a c e and i s f ound t o be mor e wi des pr e ad i n wome n t ha n i n
men.

9 90 0

Causes of Dr y Eye Syndr ome
Dr y e ye s y ndr ome i s a qui t e c ommon t y pe of e ye di s or der t ha t l e a ds t o t he
f ol l owi ng :
A dec r ea s e i n t he t ea r pr oduc t i on t hi s i s ca us e d by a r e duc e d a bi l i t y
of t he t e a r gl ands t o pr oduc e t e a r s . Thi s c a n be due t o ag i ng , a ny
hor monal c ha ng es or due t o a numbe r of di s e as es a s s oci a t e d wi t h t he
a ut oi mmune s y s t em, i nc l udi ng , but not l i mi t e d t o Rheuma t oi d ar t hr i t i s ,
l upus or S j og r e n s y ndr ome. The r e ar e qui t e a f e w medi ca t i ons t ha t
ha ve a dve r s e ef f e c t s on t he e ye , a nd we wi l l c ov er t hem i n de t ai l i n
t he ne x t c ha pt er . F or now, y ou ne ed t o be awa r e of t he f a c t t ha t
a nt i de pr es s a nt s , ant i hi s t ami ne s a nd numer ous or al c ont r a ce pt i ve s a r e
k nown t o de c r ea s e t he pr oduc t i on of t e ar s .
An i nc r ea s e i n t ea r ev apor a t i on L os s of t he aque ous l a ye r due t o
e va por a t i on i s nor mal l y due t o a r e duc t i on of t he ove r l yi ng l i pi d l a ye r
( r e ca l l t ha t t he l i pi d l a ye r s f unc t i on i s t o r e duc e e va por a t i on of t he
a queous l aye r )
Ons e t of a n a bnor mal i t y i n pr oduc t i on of l i pi ds a s we l l a s t he muc i n
( mucus ) t ha t i s f ound i n t he l a ye r s of t he t e ar
Ev a por a t i on of t he a que ous l ay er c a n al s o r e s u l t f r om a de cr e as e i n t he
na t ur a l r a t e of bl i nki ng . Thi s c a n l e a d t o t he dr y eye s y ndr ome. Re duc t i on i n
bl i nk i ng ca n be due t o t he f ol l owi ng :
Whi l e pe r f or mi ng a c t i vi t i es s uc h a s r ea di ng , wa t c hi ng TV as wel l a s t hos e
t ha t r equi r e gr ea t amount s of a t t e nt i on, t he r a t e a t whi c h we bl i nk i s
c ons i der a bl y de c r ea s e d. Thi s r e duc t i on i n bl i nki ng c a n l e a d t o t he
e va por a t i on of t e ar s and t o t he dr y ne s s of ey es .
The r e a r e a f ew c ondi t i ons s uch a s Bel l s pal s y , or t he af t er e f f e c t s of a
s t r oke , t ha t ca n mak e i t ha r d f or a pe r s on t o c l os e t hei r e ye s . Ag ai n, t hi s
c ont r i but e s t o t he ev apor a t i on r a t e of t he t ea r s .
An abnor ma l i t y i n t he pr oduc t i on of mucus by t he c onj unc t i v a i s al s o k nown
t o be a c ont r i but or t o t he deve l opme nt of dr y ey es s y ndr ome.

9 91 1

Thi s a bnor mal pr oduc t i on ca n r e s ul t due t o nume r ous aut oi mmune di s ea s es ,
f or ex ampl e c i c a t r i c i al p e mph i goi d a nd St e v en s - J oh ns on Sy nd r o me. The
a bnor ma l i t y c a n a l s o oc c ur due t o al k al i bur ns t o t he ey e.
The a nomal y i s k nown t o c aus e pr obl ems i n t he ev en s pr ea di ng of t e a r s ov er
t he ey e , ca us i ng t he eye t o be come dr y er a nd i n s ev er e ca s e s , dama ge d; t hi s
c a n oc c ur e ve n whe n ampl e quant i t i e s aque ous l ay er i s pr e s e nt .
The me ubomi a n g l a nd dys f unc t i on l e ads t o a r educ t i on i n t he l i pi d l ay e r s .
The s e gl a nds a r e f ound bel ow t he upper e ye l i ds and t he i r f unc t i on i s t o
pr oduce t he l i pi d l a ye r . I f due t o a ny r ea s on, t he s e g l a nds be come bl oc ke d,
t he i ns uf f i ci ent l i pi d l a ye r c an al l ow t he a queous l aye r t o e va por a t e.
Sympt oms of Dr y Eye Syndr ome
A pe r s on, who has t he dr y ey e s y ndr ome, wi l l ex pe r i enc e t he f ol l owi ng
s ympt oms :
Dr y , s cr a t c hy or g r i t t y ey es
A bur ni ng or i t c hi ng s e ns a t i on i n t he e ye s
Re dne s s i n t he ey es
Bl ur r y vi s i on
A f e el i ng of hav i ng a f or ei g n obj e c t i n t he ey e
I nc r e as e d s ens i t i vi t y t o l i g ht
The a bove s y mpt oms g ene r al l y i nc r e as e i n i nt e ns i t y i n dr y cl i ma t es , wi ndy
a nd l ow humi di t y c ondi t i ons - e s pe ci al l y when t he e ye s hav e be en us e d f or
pr ol ong ed dur a t i on.
Anot he r s ympt om t ha t s ome t i me s oc c ur s a s a r e s ul t of t he dr y eye s s y ndr ome
i s t ha t i nt er mi t t e d, ex c es s i v e t e a r i ng may oc c ur . Thi s ha ppe ns whe n t he e ye s
be c ome s omewha t dr y , a nd t he na t ur al me c ha ni s m t ha t i s r e s pons i bl e f or
k ee pi ng t he ey e s comf or t a bl e and moi s t , r e s ponds by pr oduc i ng l ot s of t e ar s
i n an a t t e mpt t o el i mi na t e t he i r r i t a t i on.
Unf or t una t el y , t he ey e i s onl y c apa bl e of r e t a i ni ng a c er t ai n amount of t e ar s ,
t he r e s t ar e e x pel l e d a nd t hey pour down t he c he ek s . The s e t ea r s a r e

9 92 2

wa s t e d, and as s oon a s t he e ye s be c ome dr y a gai n, t hi s pr oc es s i s r e pe a t e d
a ga i n.
I t be c ome s ne ce s s a r y t ha t y ou s ee a n e ye s pe c i al i s t i f t he f ol l owi ng i s
e x pe r i e nc ed:
P ai n i n t he eye s ( s ee page 35 f or mor e de t ai l s )
Ex c e s s i ve t ea r i ng
An i t c hi ng or bur ni ng s ens a t i on i n t he ey es
Bl ur r y vi s i on
A f e el i ng of hav i ng a f or ei g n
obj e c t i n t he e ye
Hei g ht e ned s e ns i t i v i t y t o
l i ght
Re dne s s of y our ey es
Di agnosi s and T r eat ment of
Dr y Eye Syndr ome
I f y ou ar e e x per i e nci ng t he a bove
s ympt oms , y our opht hal mol ogi s t
wi l l mos t pr oba bl y be abl e t o
di ag nos e t he s yndr ome . Howeve r ,
t he f ol l owi ng t e s t s c a n hel p i n r ev ea l i ng whe t he r or not y ou r e s uf f e r i ng
f r om t hi s pa r t i c ul ar s y ndr ome.
A de t ai l e d e ye e x ami na t i on wi l l i ncl ude t he f ol l owi ng t e s t s :
S l i t La mp Tes t
The f r ont of t he e ye s wi l l be ex ami ne d us i ng a s pe ci al mi cr os c ope t ha t
i s ca l l e d a s l i t l amp. Us i ng t hi s mi cr os c ope , t he t hi ck ne s s o f y our t e ar
f i l m a s we l l a s t he amount i s i ns pe c t ed.
As s es s ment of t he t ea r br e ak up t i me hel ps i n de t e r mi ni ng t he s t abi l i t y
of y our t ea r f i l m.
The c onj unc t i va i t s e l f i s ex ami ne d t o c he c k i t s l e ve l of dr y ne s s

9 93 3

The c or ne a i s ex ami ned t o s e e whe t her t he dr y ne s s c a us e d a ny damage
Numer ous col or ed dy e s ma y be us e d dur i ng t he t e s t . They a r e as f ol l ows :
Ros e Be ngal i s a r e d dye t ha t s t ai ns t he c onj unc t i v a as wel l a s t he c or nea i n
or der t o hi g hl i ght c el l s t ha t ma y be de ad, or dyi ng. Thi s wi l l hel p i n f i ndi ng
t hos e cel l s whi ch a r e i mpr ope r l y pr ot e c t e d by t he t e ar f i l m.
F l uor e s c e i n i s a y el l ow dye t ha t i s us e d t o s t ai n t he c or ne a i n or de r t o s ee
wher e e pi t he l i a l cel l s mi g ht hav e bee n wor n a wa y a s a r es ul t of t he
r e duc t i on i n t he pr ot e c t i ve t e ar f i l m.
L i s s amon Gr ee n i s a g r e en dye t ha t c a n, s i mi l a r l y t o t he a bove t wo dye s , hel p
i n l oc a t i ng a nd di f f er e nt i a t i ng be t wee n he al t hy a nd a bnor mal c el l s i n t he
e ye .
S chi r mer T es t s
The S c hi r me r t e s t s a r e us e d t o mea s ur e t he qua nt i t y of t ea r s t ha t ar e
pr oduce d by t he ey es . The e nd o f a t hi n s t r i p of pa pe r i s pl a c e d i ns i de i n
l owe r ey e l i d. The pa pe r i s r emov ed a f t er dur a t i on of a ppr ox i ma t e l y a
mi nut e , a nd t he amount of we t t i ng i s me a s ur ed t o f i nd t he a mount of t e ar s
pr oduce d. A de cr ea s e d we t t i ng wi l l i ndi ca t e pr e s e nce of t he dr y e ye
s y ndr ome.
Ot her Tes t s
A numbe r of ot he r t es t s may be per f or me d, dependi ng on t he r e s ul t s ga i ne d
by t he a bove t e s t s :
The s a l t c ont e nt of t he t ea r s ca n be me as ur e d i n or der t o a s s i s t i n
di ag nos i ng dr y e ye s y ndr ome. Thi s os mol ar i t y t es t i s a new t es t t ha t ha s
be en deve l oped pr e c i s el y t o as s i s t i n di ag nos es of DES.
I f t he doc t or s us pe c t s t ha t a ut oi mmune s y s t em di s e a s e s a r e behi nd t he dr y
e ye s y ndr ome , t he n a number of bl ood t e s t s may be c a r r i e d out t o c onf i r m

9 94 4

t he pos s i bi l i t y. The s e bl ood t e s t s wi l l al s o ve r i f y ex i s t e nc e of di f f e r i ng
a ut oa nt i bodi es t ha t may wel l be a s s oci at e d wi t h dr y ey es s y ndr ome.
A bi ops y of t he s al i v a r y g l a nds ma y be pe r f or me d; howe ve r , t hi s onl y
ha ppe ns i n r a r e c as es . The s al i va r y gl a nds a r e r e s pons i bl e f or pr oduci ng
s al i v a. The l a c r i mal gl a nds , on t he ot he r ha nd, pr oduce t ea r s . The r e ar e
c e r t ai n di s ea s e s t ha t a f f e c t bot h of t he s e gl ands .
No c ur e e x i s t s f or dr y ey es s y ndr ome. De pendi ng on t he s e ve r i t y of DES ,
s ome ey e dr ops or a humi di f i e r may be r e qui r e d t o moi s t e n t he ai r . I n
e x t r eme c as es , s ur ge r y may be nee ded t o t r e a t t he s y ndr ome.
The r e a r e a r t i f i c i al t ear s a va i l a bl e a s ove r - t he - c ount er ey e dr ops t ha t hel p i n
l ubr i c a t i ng t he ey e s a nd r el i eve t he s ympt oms of dr y e ye s s y ndr ome . I t i s
be s t t o us e t hem i f advi s e d by a n ey e s pe c i al i s t .














9 95 5

Chapter 5 Drugs Harmful to the Eye

Me di c al s ci e nc e ha s ev ol ve d i n unpr e c e de nt ed way s ove r t he l a s t f ew
de c a de s . An umpt e en numbe r of dr ugs and me di ci ne hav e be en c r e a t ed t o
f i g ht t he c ol os s al numbe r of di s e as es . The s e deve l opme nt s have pav ed wa y
f or a he al t hi e r s oc i e t y a nd t her e wer e ce r t ai n di s ea s e s whi c h we r e , up unt i l
now, l a bel e d a s bei ng unt r ea t a bl e .
The s e me di ci ne s ha ve c ome wi t h a pr i c e , howe ve r . Not hi ng i n t hi s uni ve r s e i s
pe r f e c t , a nd t he s ame a ppl i e s t o t he s e dr ugs . Ma ny of t he dr ug s t ha t a r e
c ommonl y cons ume d by us come wi t h a s e t of s i de e f f e c t s . The s e c a n r a ng e
f r om bei ng mer e he ada c he s or dr ows i nes s , t o s ome s o s ev er e t ha t t he y c an
c a us e a pe r s on t o be c ome v ul ne r abl e t o ot he r di s ea s e s .
I n t hi s cha pt e r , we wi l l l ook i nt o t hos e dr ugs t ha t hav e a n a dve r s e ef f e c t on
t he ey es . We ai m t o i ncl ude al l t he ne ces s ar y i nf or ma t i on t ha t wi l l e mpowe r

9 96 6

y ou wi t h t he k nowl e dge t ha t wi l l hel p you t o be c ome awa r e of a ny pos s i bl e
i mpl i ca t i ons of us i ng t he dr ug s .
Acne Medi cat i on
1. I s ot r et i noi n
Gener i c Na me: I s ot r e t i noi n
Br and Na mes : Ac c ut ane, Amne s t ee m, Cl ar av i s , S ot r e t
I s ot r e t i noi n i s a phot os e ns i t i z i ng dr ug t ha t i s us e d t o t r ea t s e ve r e a c ne t ha t
ha s not r es ponde d we l l t o ot her ki nds of t r e a t ment . Among t he known ve r y
c ommon s i de e f f e c t s of I s ot r e t i noi n on e y es i nc l ude t he f ol l owi ng :
Bl e pha r i t i s
C onj unc t i v i t i s
Dr y Ey es S yndr ome
Ey e I r r i t a t i on
Howev er , i n r ar e c as es , t he f ol l owi ng ma y al s o r e s ul t due t o t he us ag e of
i s ot r e t i noi n:
Bl ur r y vi s i on
S udde n de c r ea s e i n ni g ht vi s i on
C ol or bl i ndne s s
C a t a r a c t s
Ke r a t i t i s
P a pi l l oedma
P hot ophobi a
2. Mi nocycl i ne
Gener i c Na me: Mi noc yc l i ne
Br and Na mes : Mi noc i n

9 97 7

Mi nocy cl i ne i s a dr ug t ha t i s us ed t o t r ea t a c ne , a s wel l as s ome ot her heal t h
di s or de r s . I t c an l e ad t o pi g me nt a t i on of t he s cl er a ; howe ve r , i t t ends t o g o
a way when t he u s e of dr ug i s di s c ont i nue d.
Al zhei mer ' s Medi cat i on
1. Chol i nes t er ase I nhi bi t or s
Gener i c Na me: Done pe z i l , Gal ant ami ne , Ri vas t i gmi ne
Br and Na me: Ar i c e pt , Remi ny l , Ex el on
C hol i ne s t e r as e i nhi bi t or s a r e of t e n pr es c r i be d t o pa t i ent s who ar e s uf f e r i ng
f r om mi l d Al z hei me r s di s e a s e.
The s e i nhi bi t or s he l p i n s t oppi ng t he br e a kdown of a c e t y l chol i ne ( a
ne ur ot r ans mi t t e r t ha t hel ps i n memor y a nd t hi nki ng s ki l l s ) due t o
Al z he i me r s di s ea s e .
Howev er , t hey c a n ca us e s ub c on j un c t i v al h e mor r ha ge ( e ye he mor r hag e) .
Ant i bi ot i cs
Ant i bi ot i c s a r e us e d t o t r e a t nume r ous i nf e c t i ons c a us ed by ba c t er i a. The
a nt i bi ot i cs ar e powe r f ul dr ug s t ha t ar e us e d t o f i ght of f ba c t e r i al i nf e c t i ons .
Howev er , t hey t end t o ha ve a numbe r of s i de ef f e c t s as s oci a t e d wi t h t he m.
I t i s r e c omme nde d t ha t pr obi ot i c s be us e d whe nev e r cons umi ng ant i bi ot i cs i n
or der t o mi ni mi z e s ome of t he s i de ef f e ct s t ha t r e s ul t due t o t he
c ons umpt i on of t he l a t t er . P r obi ot i cs s uc h a s a ci dophi l us or bi f i dus al ong
wi t h vi t ami n C c an hel p do j us t t ha t .
S ome a nt i bi ot i cs a r e known t o i nc r e a s e a per s on s s e ns i t i vi t y t o l i ght ,
t he r e by i nc r ea s i ng t he r i s k of dev el opi ng g l a uc oma or dr y eye s yndr ome.
Qui t e a f ew t opi c al a nt i bi ot i c s c an l e ad t o a n al l er ge ni c c onj unc t i v i t i s , whi l e
or al a nd i nt r ave nous a nt i bi ot i c s a r e k nown t o br i ng a bout s ome f or m of
di s t or t i on i n vi s i on.

9 98 8

1. Fl uor oqui nol ones
Gener i c Na me: Ci pr of l ox ac i n, l ev of l ox ac i ne
Br and Na me: Ci pr o, Z ox an, Pr oqui n; L evaqui n, Cr av i t
F l uor oqui nol one s ( ci pr of l ox a ci n a nd l evof l ox a ci ne ) a r e among t he mos t
c ommonl y pr e s c r i be d or al a nt i bi ot i cs due t o t hei r c ompa r a t i vel y be ni g n
s a f e t y pr of i l e . Howev er , a c c or di ng t o r es e ar c her s , t he r e i s an i nc r ea s e d r i s k
of r e t i nal de t a c hment f ol l owi ng t he us e of t hes e a nt i bi ot i c s .
I t i s es t i ma t ed t ha t f or e ve r y 2500 pe opl e t ha t us e f l uor oqui nol one s , 1
pe r s on wi l l s uf f e r f r om a r e t i nal de t a chment .
2. Synt het i c Peni ci l l i n
Gener i c Na me: Amox i c i l l i n, Ampi c i l l i n
Br and Na me: Amox i l , T r i mox , Mox i l i n, Mox at ag ; Omni pe n, Pr i nc i pe n,
T ot ac i l l i n- N, Omni pe n- N
S y nt he t i c peni ci l l i ns s uc h a s amox i c i l l i n a nd ampi ci l l i n a r e known t o hav e
s i de e f f e c t s t ha t c a us e mi l d r e dne s s of t he ey e , dr y ey es a nd i t c hi ng. I n s ome
of t he ca s e s t ha t we r e obs e r v ed, t hey we r e s ee n t o ca us e hamor r ha ge s of
bl ood ve s s el s i n bot h t he c onj unc t i va a nd t he r e t i na. The y ca n c ont r i but e t o
t he de vel opme nt of al l er g e ni c c onj unc t i v i t i s ( g o t o pag e 68 of t hi s book f or
mor e i nf or ma t i on on Co nj u nc t i v i t i s ) .
3. T er bi naf i ne
Gener i c Na me: Amox i c i l l i n, Ampi c i l l i n
Br and Na me: L ami s i l , L ami s i l AT
L a mi s i l i s a n a nt i f ung al medi ca t i on t ha t i s us ed t o t r e a t f i nge r nai l f ung us . I t
c omes unde r t he c a t eg or y of phot os e ns i t i z i ng dr ugs and i nc r e a s e s a pe r s on s
s e ns i t i v enes s t o l i g ht . I t s k nown s i de e f f e c t s i ncl ude a r i s k of deve l opi ng
c a t a r a c t s a nd ma c ul ar dege ner a t i on.


9 99 9

4. T et r acycl i ne
Gener i c Na me: Te t r ac y c l i ne
Br and Na me: S umyc i n, Ac hr omyc i n V, Panmyc i n, S umyc i n 250
Te t r a cy cl i ne i s a n ant i bi ot i c t ha t i s us ed t o f i g ht a numbe r of ba c t e r i al
i nf e c t i ons r angi ng f r om ur i na r y t r a c t i nf e c t i ons t o C hl a my di a a nd nume r ous
ot he r s .
Te t r a cy cl i ne ha s s i mi l ar e f f e c t s on e ye s t o t ha t c a us ed by s ynt he t i c
pe ni ci l l i ns . Us e of t hi s a nt i bi ot i c ma y caus e i ncr e as ed s e ns i t i v i t y t o l i ght a nd
c a us e t he vi s i on t o be c ome bl ur r y. The cha nc es of dev el opi ng a l l e r gi c
c onj unc t i v i t i s a r e al s o i nc r e a s e d.
Ant i di ur et i cs
Di ur e t i c s a r e dr ugs us e d t o i nc r e as e t he a mount of ur i ne pr oduc e d by t he
k i dney s a nd i ncr ea s e t he e x cr e t i on of s odi um and ot he r el e c t r ol y t es ( Kar c h,
2003) . Ant i Di ur e t i cs , on t he ot he r ha nd, a r e dr ug s t ha t he l p i n c ont r ol l i ng
t he body s bal a nce of wa t e r by r e duci ng ur i na t i on.
Any mi s us e of t he s e dr ug s c an l e ad t o ups e t t i ng t he c hemi c al bal a nce al ong
wi t h t he bal a nce of f l ui ds i n t he whol e of t he body , i ncl udi ng t he e ye s . Thi s
ups e t ca n l ea d t o dev el opme nt of gl a ucoma.
Ant i hi st ami nes
Gener i c Na me: ac r i v as t i ne, al i memaz i ne, c e t i r i z i ne , c hl or phenami ne,
c l emas t i ne , c y pr ohe pt adi ne, des l or at adi ne, f e xof e nadi ne , hy dr oxy z i ne,
k et ot i f e n l ev oc et i r i z i ne, l or at adi ne, mi z ol as t i ne, pr ome t haz i ne.
Br and Na me: Numer ous
Ant i hi s t a mi ne s a r e c ommonl y us ed t o t r e a t al l er g i e s r es ul t i ng f r om a number
of t hi ng s , s uc h as hay f e ve r ( r hi ni t i s ) , hi v es ( ur t i ca r i a) , i t chi ng ( pr ur i t us ) and
a s a r e s ul t of i ns e c t bi t es a nd s t i ng s .

1 10 00 0

The y ca n al s o be ut i l i z e d f or r e duci ng naus ea a nd v omi t i ng , bes i des bei ng
us e d a s a n eme r g enc y t r e a t me nt of a naphyl ax i s whi c h i s a s e ve r e al l er ge ni c
r e a c t i on.
Ant i hi s t a mi ne s a r e k nown t o hav e s ev er a l e f f e c t s on t he ey e s , i ncl udi ng :
I nc r e as e d phot os e ns i t i vi t y ( s e ns i t i v enes s t o l i g ht )
Dr y ne s s of e ye s , l ea di ng t o t he dr y eye s y ndr ome
I nc r e as e d r i s k of c a t a r a c t s
C an c a us e pupi l s t o be c ome as ymme t r i c al i n s i z e
Ant i hi s t a mi ne s ca n be es pe c i a l l y ha r mf ul t o t hos e pe opl e who have a ngl e -
c l os ur e gl auc oma ( s ee page 47 f or mor e de t ai l s on t he t y pe s of gl a uc oma ) .
The us e of a nt i hi s t a mi ne s by s uc h pe opl e c a n s e t of f a n a t t a ck of angl e
c l os ur e gl auc oma and c a us e bl ur r y v i s i on, r e dne s s of t he e ye , hal os a s we l l
a s ey e pai n. S uch a n a t t a c k i s a n e me r genc y c ondi t i on.
Ant i hi s t a mi ne s hav e phot os e ns i t i z i ng pr ope r t i e s . Thi s me a ns t ha t t he y
i nc r e as e a per s on s s e ns i t i vi t y t o l i g ht ( e s pe ci al l y s unl i ght ) . The s e dr ugs
a bs or b t he i nc omi ng l i g ht and c a r r y out a phot o- chemi c al r e a c t i on t ha t c an
modi f y t i s s ues . Thi s c an l e a d t o not onl y c a t a r a c t s , but a l s o ma c ul ar
deg e ne r a t i on.
Ant i -Anxi et y Medi cat i on
Gener i c Na me: Al pr az ol am, Cl onaz e pam, Di az e pam, Lor az pam
Br and Na me: Xanax ; Kl onopi n; Val i um; At i v an
S ome me di ci ne s c an r el i e ve a f ew s y mpt oms of a nx i e t y s uc h dr ug s a r e
r e f e r r e d t o a s a nt i - anx i e t y dr ug s . Nume r ous t ypes of s uc h me di ci ne s a r e
a v ai l abl e , i ncl udi ng t he t r a di t i onal dr ugs s uc h a s be nz odi a z e pi ne s . Mor e
c onve nt i onal opt i ons i ncl ude ant i depr es s a nt s a nd be t a bl oc ke r s .
The s e me di ci ne s c an be no doubt ve r y ef f e c t i ve ; howeve r , t he y s houl d not be
t hought of a s bei ng a c ur e. They onl y pr ovi de a t empor ar y r el i e f , a nd a mor e

1 10 01 1

pe r mane nt s ol ut i on s houl d be s oug ht t o a v oi d be c omi ng dependent on t he s e
dr ug s .
Ant i - a nx i e t y dr ug s a r e al s o c ommonl y k nown as t r anqui l i z er s . Tr a nqui l i z e r s
a r e phot os e ns i t i z i ng dr ug s . Thi s me ans t ha t t hey i nc r e as e a p er s on s
s e ns i t i vi t y t o l i g ht ( e s pe ci al l y s unl i g ht ) . The s e dr ugs a bs or b t he i nc omi ng
l i ght a nd c a r r y out a phot o - c he mi ca l r eac t i on t ha t c a n modi f y t i s s ue s . Thi s
c a n l e ad t o ma c ul ar dege ner a t i on a nd de vel opme nt of c a t a r a c t s .
Ar t hr i t i s Medi cat i ons
1. Hydr oxychl or oqui ne Sul f at e
Ge ne r i c Name : Hy dr ox y c hl or oqui ne S ul f at e
Br a nd Na me : Pl a que ni l
Hydr ox y c hl or oqui ne i s a n ant i - mal a r i al dr ug t ha t i s us ed i n t he t r ea t me nt of
a r t hr i t i s t o r educ e t he i nf l a mma t i on. I t i s k nown t o hav e s ome s e r i ous s i de
e f f e c t s t ha t a f f e c t t he eye s . The f i r s t a nd f or e mos t i s t he t ox i ci t y i n t he ey e.
Ey e t ox i c i t y i s g ene r al l y c al c ul a t e d ba s ed on a pe r s on s hei g ht a nd wei ght .
Tox i ci t y f r om t he us e of t hi s dr ug af f e c t s t wo di s t i nc t a r e as of t he ey e: t he
ma c ul a a nd t he c or nea.
The c or ne a ca n be a f f e c t e d by Vor t ex k er a t opat hy, whi ch i s c har a c t e r i z ed by
c or nea l e pi t hel i al depos i t s . Thi s c ondi t i on, howe ve r , i s r ev er s i bl e once t he
dr ug i nt ak e ha s be en c ea s ed.
The ef f e c t s on ma cul a a r e s e r i ous , ne ve r t hel es s . I t ca n l ea d t o r e t i nopa t hy ;
whi c h, i n i t s adva nc ed s t age s , c an c ons i de r a bl y r e duc e v i s ua l a c ui t y.
Ast hma Medi cat i on
1. Cor t i cos t er oi ds
Gener i c Na me: Pr edni s one
Br and Na mes : De l t as one, Me t i c or t en, Or as one , Pr e dni c ot , St er apr e d

1 10 02 2

P r e dni s one i s a c or t i c os t e r oi d t ha t i s us e d f or t r ea t i ng a s t hma , be s i des
nume r ous ot he r c ondi t i ons . P r e dni s one i s k nown t o i ncr ea s e a pe r s on s r i s k
of dev el opi ng ey e di s or de r s s uch a s gl auc oma a nd c a t a r a c t s . The r i s k of
gl a uc oma i s i nc r e a s e d be c a us e of t he el e va t e d i nt r a oc ul a r pr es s ur e ( ey e
pr es s ur e) a s a r e s ul t of t he us e of c or t i cos t e r oi ds .
Bi r t h Cont r ol
The c hanc es of s uf f e r i ng f r om dr y ey e s yndr ome a r e i nc r ea s e d as a r e s ul t of
c ons umi ng bi r t h c ont r ol pi l l s . C ont r a c ept i ve s t ha t ar e c ons umed or a l l y ar e
k nown t o l ea d t o a number of e ye di s or de r s , i ncl udi ng el ev a t i ng i nt r a oc ul ar
pr es s ur e , c aus i ng he a da c hes , c hange s i n v i s i on, and c a us i ng t he opt i c ner ve
t o s we l l .
Re t i nal v as c ul a r pr obl ems c a n al s o be c aus e d by u s e of bi r t h c ont r ol pi l l s .
S ome pi l l s c a n al s o r e s ul t i n i nduci ng a n i nc r e as e d s ens i t i vi t y t o l i g ht ,
l ea di ng t o a c hemi c al modi f i c a t i on of t i s s ues t ha t ca n l e ad t o c a t a r a c t s or
ma c ul a r de ge ne r a t i on.
Bi r t h c ont r ol pi l l s a r e al s o k nown t o ca us e di s t ur ba nc es i n a pe r s on s col or
v i s i on.
Par ki nson s Di sease Medi cat i on
Us e of ce r t a i n me di c a t i on f or P ar ki ns on s di s ea s e c a n ca us e bl ephar os pa s m
or i f a pe r s on al r e ady ha s t hi s c ondi t i on, i t c a n f ur t he r a ggr av a t e i t .
Bl e pha r os pas m i s a bnor mal t wi t c hi ng of t he ey e l i ds t ha t l e a ds t o ex c es s i v e
bl i nk i ng , dr y nes s of t he ey e s a nd i ncr eas e d s e ns i t i vi t y t o t he s un or a ny
s our ce of br i ght l i g ht .
Bl ood Pr essur e Medi cat i on
The r e a r e a number of medi ca t i ons a vai l a bl e t ha t a r e us e d t o c ont r ol hi g h
bl ood pr e s s ur e. Thes e a r e k nown a s a n t i hy pe r t en s i v es . The t y pe of
medi ca t i on your doc t or wi l l pr es c r i be f or y ou wi l l de pe nd on how hi g h your
bl ood pr e s s ur e i s .

1 10 03 3

None t hel e s s , r ega r dl e s s of t he t y pe of me di c a t i on, ant i hype r t e ns i ve s ar e
k nown t o ex c r e t e e x ce s s f l ui d f r om bl ood v es s el s i n an a t t e mpt t o br i ng
down t he bl ood pr e s s ur e. The r e duc t i on i n t he amount of f l ui d ge ne r al l y
l ea ds t o dr y ey es ( dr y e ye s s yndr ome ) , i nc r e as ed s e ns i t i v i t y t o l i ght , bl ur r e d
v i s i on or ev en doubl e vi s i on i n s ome c a s e s .
Be t a bl oc ke r s a r e al s o c ommonl y us e d t o r e duc e bl ood pr e s s ur e by al t e r i ng
t he ki dney s r a t e of pr oduci ng r e nni n a pr ot e i n t ha t i s r es pons i bl e f or
r el ea s i ng a ngi ot e ns i n I I . Ang i ot e ns i n I I i s a power f ul bl ood ve s s el c ons t r i c t or
t ha t ma ke s i t di f f i cul t f or t he bl ood t o f l ow t hr oug h a r t e r i e s , t he r e by r ai s i ng
t he pr e s s ur e. Thi s c ons t r i c t or al s o r el eas e s hor mone s t ha t c a us e a n i nc r e as e
i n t he amount of f l ui d t ha t i s pr es ent i n t he bl ood ( wa t er r e t e nt i on) .
A c ommon dr ug t ha t i s us ed t o l owe r t he bl ood pr e s s ur e i s c al l ed Cl o ni di n e ;
e x t e nde d us e of t hi s dr ug c a n c aus e per ma ne nt da mag e t o t he r e t i na.

Bl ood Thi nni ng Medi cat i on
Gener i c Na me: He par i n, Coumadi n, Ani s i ndi one and many ot he r s .
Bl ood t hi nne r s a r e pr e s cr i bed t o pe opl e who ha ve s ome s or t of he a r t or
bl ood ve s s el ai l me nt . I t c an al s o be pr es c r i be d i f t h ey hav e a poor f l ow of
bl ood t o t he br a i n. Bl ood t hi nner s g r e a t l y r educ e t he c ha nce s of a s t r oke or
a hea r t a t t a c k by pr ev e nt i ng t he f or ma t i on of bl ood c l ot s i n t he bl ood
v es s e l s ( a r t er i es a nd ve i ns ) . They a r e al s o us ed i n t he f ol l owi ng c ondi t i ons :
Hea r t v al ve s ur g er y
At r i al f i br i l l a t i on ( a bnor mal he a r t r hy t hm
C onge ni t al he a r t de f e c t s
The r e a r e t wo mai n t ypes of bl ood t hi nne r s : Ant i c oa gul a nt s a nd
a nt i pl a t el e t s . Ant i c oag ul a nt s i ncr e as e t he t i me i t t a ke s f or a bl ood cl ot t o
f or m. On t he ot her ha nd, a nt i pl a t el e t dr ug s pr e ve nt pl a t el e t s f r om cl us t er i ng
t og e t her .

1 10 04 4

Howev er , t hes e bl ood t hi nne r s c a n l e a d hemor r hagi ng i n t he ey e.
Cancer Medi cat i on
Gener i c Na me: F l uor our ac i l ( 5- FU) , T amox i f e n
F l uor our a ci l ( 5- FU) i s a dr ug t ha t be l ongs t o a cl a s s of chemot he r apy dr ug s
whi c h we c al l a n t i - me t ab ol i t es . I t s pur pos e i s t o i nt e r f er e wi t h t hos e ce l l s
t ha t ma ke DNA a nd RNA i n or de r t o s t op t he gr owt h of ca nc er c el l s .
The r e a r e a g r e a t number of s i de e f f e c t s of t hi s dr ug ; a nd t he pe r s on us i ng
t hi s nee ds t o be moni t or ed mor e i f r a di at i on a nd c hemot her a py i s bei ng us e d
t o t r e a t t he c anc er pa t i ent .
Thi s dr ug c an c l os e t he t e ar dr ai nag e s ys t em of t he eye , l e a di ng t o e ye
t e a r i ng.
Ta mox i f en i s a t r ea t me nt pr es c r i bed t o t hos e unde r g oi ng br e as t c a nce r
t r e a t me nt s . C r y s t a l l i ne de pos i t s i n bot h t he r e t i na and c or nea c a n be
de pos i t e d a s a s i de e f f e c t of t hi s me di cat i on.
Depr essi on Medi cat i on
Gener i c Na me: Ve nl af ax i ne, F l uv ox ami ne , Par axe t i ne , Mi r t az api ne ,
F l uoxe t i ne , Ami t r i pt y l i ne, De s i pr ami ne , I mi pr ami ne , Nor t r i pt y l i ne
Br and Na me: Ef f e xor ; L uvox; Pax i l ; Pr oz ac
Ant i de pr e s s a nt s a r e us e d t o hel p pe opl e wi t h s e ve r al maj or de pr es s i ve
di s or de r s , i nc l udi ng :
a nx i e t y di s or de r s ,
a t t e nt i on- def i c i t hy pe r a c t i vi t y di s or der ( ADHD) ,
dy s me nor r hoe a ,
dy s t hymi a ,
e a t i ng di s or de r s , c hr oni c pa i n,
mi gr ai ne s ,
ne ur opa t hi c pai n and, i n s ome c a s e s ,

1 10 05 5

obs es s i v e c ompul s i ve di s or de r ,
s nor i ng ,
s ubs t a nc e a bus e a nd s l e ep di s or der s
Howev er , l i k e al l medi ci ne , ant i de pr es s ant s al s o hav e s ome da ng er ou s s i de
e f f e c t s , and s ome of t hem a r e as f ol l ows :
Ve nl af ax i ne i s an a nt i de pr e s s a nt t ha t i s pr es c r i bed t o pe opl e wi t h
de pr e s s i on pr obl ems . One of i t s s i de ef f e c t s i ncl ude s t he pos s i bi l i t y of
opt i ca l ner ve damage a s we l l a s g l a uc oma .
Ve nl af ax i ne c a n al s o l ea d t o hemor r hage i n t he e ye
Mi r t az api ne i s ye t anot her a nt i de pr es s ant f r eque nt l y pr es c r i be d t o
pe opl e wi t h de pr e s s i on. I t al s o ca n l ea d t o da mag e d opt i c ner ve a nd
gl a uc oma.
Pr oz ac ( f l uox et i ne ) c an c a us e v a r i ous pr obl ems i n t he ey es , i nc l udi ng
doubl e vi s i on, bl ur r y vi s i on, dr y e ye s s yndr ome , e ye pai n, bl e pha r i t i s
( ey e l i d i nf e c t i on) , c a t a r a c t s , gl a uc oma , pt os i s as wel l a s i r i t i s .
Tr i cy c l i c a nt i depr e s s a nt s , s uc h a s a mi t r i p t y l i n e , de s i p r a mi n e ,
i mi pr a mi n e , and n or t r i p t y l i ne ar e k nown t o c a us e s e ve r al pr obl e ms
wi t h t he vi s i on of a pe r s on , i ncl udi ng caus i ng l os s of t he a bi l i t y t o
f oc us cl os e r obj e c t s .
To s um up, ant i - depr e s s a nt s ca n c aus e t he f ol l owi ng ey e and v i s i on
pr obl ems :
Doubl e Vi s i on
Di l a t e d P upi l s
Bl ur r e d Vi s i on
Gl a uc oma ( a ngl e cl os ur e gl a uc oma)
C a t a r a c t s
Bl e pha r i t i s ( ey e l i d i nf e c t i on)
P t os i s ( Dr oopi ng ey e l i ds )
I r i t i s ( I nf l amma t i on of i r i s )
Opt i c Ner ve Damage

1 10 06 6

Di abet es Medi cat i on
Gener i c Na me: t hi az ol i di ne di ones , pi ogl i t az one , r os i gl i t az one
Di abe t e s r e f e r s t o a g r oup of me t a bol i c di s e as es i n whi ch a pe r s on ha s hi g h
bl ood gl ucos e due t o a numbe r of r e as ons :
1. I nade qua t e pr oduc t i on of i ns ul i n,
2. L a c k of r es pons e f r om body s cel l s t o i ns ul i n ;
3. Bot h of t he above.
Me di c a t i on f or di a be t i c pe opl e c ome s i n nume r ous f or ms , i ncl udi ng or al a nd
a s i nj e c t a bl e s .
Di abe t e s i s a di s e a s e t ha t ma ke s a per s on v er y v ul ne r a bl e t o a l l ki nds of
di s e as es , i nc l udi ng t he ey e a i l ment k nown as Di a be t i c Re t i nopa t hy whi c h
ba s i c al l y r es ul t s whe n t he bl ood s ug a r l e vel s c annot be ke pt down t o nor mal
l eve l s .
Numer ous or al dr ug s whi c h ar e us ed f or di abe t e s a r e phot os e ns i t i z i ng . A
phot os e ns i t i z i ng age nt ( f ound i n s uch a dr ug ) i s one whi c h i s e x ci t e d by
s pe ci f i c wav el e ng t hs of l i g ht . C ons umi ng t hi s dr ug i nc r e as es a pe r s on s
s e ns i t i vi t y t o l i g ht ( e s pe ci al l y s unl i g ht ) ; t he s e t hen a bs or b t he i nc omi ng l i ght
a nd c ar r y out a phot o - chemi c al r e a c t i on whi c h al t e r s t he body s t i s s ue s . Thi s
l ea ds t o ma c ul a r deg ener a t i on a s wel l a s c a t a r a c t s .
Thos e pe opl e who ar e pr es c r i be d c er t ai n dr ug s known as t hi a z ol i di ne di one s ,
pi ogl i t a z one a nd r os i g l i t a z one have a n i nc r e as ed r i s k of dev el opi ng ma cul a r
e dema by t hr ee t o s i x t i me s .
Di l at i ng Eye ( Pupi l s) Medi ci ne
My d r i a t i c s i s t he t e r m t ha t r e f er s t o di l at i ng ey e dr ops . Thes e dr ops a r e us e d
t o e i t her di l a t e or enl a r g e t he pupi l s of a per s on s ey e s o t ha t a n e ye
s pe ci al i s t ca n s e e t he i ns i de of a n e ye dur i ng a n e x ami na t i on.
The s e di l a t i ng dr ops wor k i n t hr e e di f f e r e nt wa ys a s f ol l ows :

1 10 07 7

1. The y ca n t empor ar i l y pa r al y z e t hos e mus c l e s t ha t a r e r e s pons i bl e f or
r e duci ng t he s i z e of t he pupi l .
2. The y ca n s t i mul a t e t he mus cl es whos e f unc t i on i s t o mak e t he i r i s
be c ome wi der .
3. The y ca n pr ev ent t he pupi l i t s el f f r om adj us t i ng t o f oc us t hi s i s
c a l l e d a c c ommoda t i on.
Onc e t he pupi l s hav e be en di l a t ed, a n e ye s pe c i al i s t c a n t hem us e hi s or he r
i ns t r ument s i n or der t o a nal y z e t he ey e s l e ns . The r e t i na ca n al s o be s ee n,
a nd s o ca n t he opt i c ne r v e. Si mpl y put , di l a t i ng t he pupi l gi ve s a n eye
s pe ci al i s t a c l e ar vi e w of t he c ompl e t e i nne r wor ki ng s of y our e ye .
The downs i de , howeve r , i s t ha t t hes e dr ops s i g ni f i c ant l y i nc r e as e t he r i s k of
de vel opi ng an a ngl e cl os ur e g l a uc oma and c a n c ont r i but e t o opt i c ne r v e
da mag e.
Er ect i l e Dysf unct i on ( ED)
Gener i c Na me: t adal af i l , v ar de naf i l hydr oc hol or i de , s i l de naf i l c i t r at e
Er e c t i l e dy s f unc t i on i s a t ype of mal e s ex ual dy s f unc t i on t ha t i s c ommon
a mong a l ot of men. I t i s s ai d t o oc cur whe n a man ex pe r i e nce s pr obl e ms i n
g e t t i ng an er e c t i on, a s wel l a s k ee pi ng one. I t i s s ai d t o ge t wor s e wi t h a ge ;
howe ve r , i t i s not c ons i de r e d t o be a par t of t he agi ng pr oce s s .
The us e of t he dr ug s f or t r e a t i ng e r e c t i l e dys f unc t i on c a n hav e s ome s ev e r e
s i de e f f e c t s on t he e ye s . Sudde n l os s of v i s i on c an oc c ur , e s pe ci al l y i n
pe opl e who hav e pr e vi ous l y ha d a hea r t a t t a c k.
Hear t Medi cat i ons
Ge ne r i c Names : Ami oda r one , Di g ox i n, Pent ox i f y l l i ne
Numer ous t y pe s of hea r t medi ca t i on ar e a v ai l abl e f or a wi de r a nge of
c a r di a c - r el a t e d i s s ue s .
Ami o dar o ne i s one t ha t i s k nown t o c a us e c e r t ai n c hange s t o t he c or nea. I t
c a n c r ea t e a whor l - l i ke pa t t e r n on t he s ur f a ce of t he c or nea . Howe ve r , t hi s

1 10 08 8

di s a ppe ar s when a pe r s on qui t s us i ng t hi s medi c a t i on. Thi s pa t t er n c a us es no
a ppar e nt cha nge s i n a pe r s on s vi s i on.
Di go x i n i s a dr ug t ha t i s us e d by a pe r s on e x pe r i e nci n g he a r t f ai l ur e or
i r r eg ul ar i t i e s i n t he he ar t . Thi s dr ug i s known t o i ncr ea s e phot os ens i t i vi t y
( s ens i t i ve ne s s t o l i g ht ) , t hus l e a di ng t o ha l os , g l a r e a nd a y el l owi s h t i nt i n a
pe r s on s vi s i on. Li g ht f l a s he s , bl i nd s pot s a nd c ha ng es i n c ol or vi s i on ca n
a l s o be ex pe c t e d.
P en t o x i f y l l i ne i s us e d t o hel p i n i mpr ovi ng t he ci r c ul a t i on t hr oughout t he
huma n ci r c ul a t or y s ys t em. On t he downs i de , i t ha s ca us e d, and c a n ca us e ,
hemor r hagi ng i n t he ey e i n s ome pe opl e.
A l i nk ha s bee n f ound be t we en us e of amad ar on e and opt i c ne ur i t i s
( i nf l amma t i on of t he opt i c ner ve ) . Thi s i s why i t i s es s e nt i al f or pe opl e us i ng
t hi s dr ug t o ha ve r eg ul a r ey e e x ami na t i ons t hr oughout t he c our s e of t he
dr ug .
Hi gh Chol est er ol Medi cat i on
Gener i c Na me: S i mv as t at i n, As t r ov as t at i n c al c i um
Br and Na me: Z oc or ; L i pi t or
P er s i s t e nt hi g h c hol e s t e r ol l ev el s c a n l ea d t o a s t r ok e or a he a r t a t t a ck .
S t a t i n s a r e a g r oup of me di c i nes t ha t a r e f r e que nt l y us e d t o t r e a t hi g h
c hol e s t e r ol l ev el s .
S i mv as t a t i n c an l e ad t o opt i c ne r v e da ma ge a s we l l a s g l a uc oma. The us e of
t he s e dr ugs i nc r e a s e s t he c ha nc e of de ve l opi ng a c a t a r a c t by 27 pe r ce nt .
Hor mone Repl acement
Andr og e n a nd Es t r og en a r e na t ur a l hor mone s ; t hei r r e pl a c ement by s ynt he t i c
one s ca n l ea d t o cl ot t i ng of bl ood a nd r e duce d ci r c ul a t i on of bl ood i n t he
e ye s . Re pl a ci ng t he Es t r oge n hor mone ca n al s o ca us e b l e s pha r os pas m
( un c on t r ol l ed e y e t wi t c hi ng )

1 10 09 9

I nf l ammat i on
NSAI D or Non- S t e r oi da l Ant i - I nf l amma t or y Dr ugs c ons i s t s of a f ami l y of dr ug s
t ha t a r e us e d t o r e duc e i nf l amma t i on. The r e s i de ef f e c t s on e ye s a r e
nume r ous , a nd us e of t hes e dr ug s c an c aus e :
Dr y Ey e Sy ndr ome
C a t a r a c t s
Re t i nal He mor r hag e s
The NSAI Ds ar e a l s o phot os e ns i t i z i ng and c a n ma ke a pe r s on mor e
s us ce pt i bl e t o ca t a r a c t s and ma c ul a r deg ene r a t i on. The s e dr ugs c a n al s o
c a us e damage t o t he opt i c ner ve.
I nsomni a
Gener i c Na me: Ben z odi a z epi n es ( Al pr a z ol a m, Cl o na z ep a m, Cl or a z epa m,
Di a z epa m, Fl o r a z ep am, L or a z epa m, Mi d az ol a m, Ox a z e pa m, Te maz epa m,
Tr az ol a m, Za l epl onZol pi d e m, Zopi c l o ne )
Be nz odi a z e pi ne s ar e c ommonl y pr e s cr i be d t o pe opl e who compl ai n of
i ns omni a. Thi s g r oup of dr ug s i s k nown t o c a us e bl e phar os p as m ( ey e
t wi t c hi ng ) a nd wea ke ni ng of t he abi l i t y t o c onc e nt r a t e a nd me mor i z e.
Mal ar i a Medi cat i on
Gener i c Na me: Chl or oqui ne, Qui nac r i ne, Hy dr oxy c hl or oqui ne
Ant i - mal ar i al dr ugs s uc h as t hos e name d a bove ar e k nown t o c aus e s eve r al
c ha ng es i n t he c or ne a of t he e ye. A per s on ma y e x pe r i e nc e s ympt oms s uc h a s
gl a r e , hal os a nd hav e a n i nc r e as ed s ens i t i vi t y t o l i ght . I n mos t c a s e s , t he s e
do not c a us e a r e duc t i on i n t he v i s ua l a cui t y of a per s on.
Chl o r oqui ne c a n, howe ve r , ca us e s ome s e r i ous pr obl ems . I n s ome peopl e , i t
c a n l e ad t o r e t i nal de t a c hment ( l ea di ng t o bl i ndnes s ) , opt i c ner ve
deg e ne r a t i on, r e duc t i on i n t he c ol or vi s i on a nd bl ur r e d vi s i on. The s e ef f e c t s
de pe nd on t he dur a t i on t he me di c a t i on wa s c ons ume d f or .

1 11 10 0

Qu i ni n e , i f us e d by pr e gna nt women, may c a us e an unde r - deve l oped opt i c
ne r v e i n t he f e t us l e adi ng t o t he bi r t h of a c hi l d wi t h unde r - dev el ope d vi s i on
s y s t em.
Pai n Rel i ef Medi cat i on
Ev e n t he s i mpl e s t of p ai n r el i ef me di c a t i on c a n ha ve a dve r s e ef f e c t s on t he
e ye s . As pi r i n, whi c h i s a n ant i pl a t el e t dr ug , c a n i nc r ea s e t he bl ee di ng of t he
e ye a nd t hi s i s pr e ci s el y why ey e s ur ge ons ma y r e c ommend qui t t i ng us e of
a s pi r i n a f e w da ys pr i or t o t he s ur gi c al pr oc e dur e .
The NSAI D f ami l y ( Non - S t e r oi dal Ant i - I nf l amma t or y Dr ug s ) has numer ous s i de
e f f e c t s i ncl udi ng a n i nc r e as e d r i s k of dev el opi ng ca t a r a c t s , ma c ul ar
deg e ne r a t i on, dr y eye s s y ndr ome , and ev e n r e t i nal hemor r ha ge s i f t he dr ug
i s us ed f or ex t e nde d pe r i ods of t i me .
Mi s us i ng ( or ov e r us e ) of t he dr ug s whi ch a r e c ons i de r e d by s ome t o be
ha r ml e s s c a n a c t ual l y damag e t he body, i ncl udi ng t he ey es . Whe n us ed
e x ce s s i v el y , t hes e dr ug s ca n i nc r e as e phot o s e ns i t i ve nes s , l e a d t o dr y ey es ,
c or nea l de pos i t s a nd c a t a r a c t s .
Psychi at r i c Medi cat i on
P s y c hi a t r i c medi ca t i on s a r e l i ce ns e d ps yc hoa c t i ve dr ugs t ha t di r e c t l y a f f e c t
t he c hemi c al bal a nce of t he br ai n and t he ner v ous s ys t em. Thes e medi c a t i ons
a r e pr es c r i be d t o t hos e pe opl e who ha ve c e r t ai n ment al di s or de r s . Due t o
t he f a c t t ha t t he y hav e di r e c t i nf l ue nce on t he br ai n a nd t he ne r v ous s ys t em,
t he y ca n c aus e s ome s ev er e s i de e f f e c t s i n a number of pe opl e.
C er t ai n ps y chi a t r i c me di ca t i on c a n l e a d t o pi gme nt a t i on of t he c onj unc t i v a ,
c or nea a nd t he e ye l i ds .
Ant i ps y c hot i c me di c a t i on c ons i de r abl y i nc r e as es t he c ha nce of dev el opi ng
a ngl e cl os ur e gl a ucoma . S ome dr ug s whi c h a r e us e d t o t r e a t s c hi z o phr eni a
a r e k nown t o c aus e pi g me n t ar y r e t i nop at hy .

1 11 11 1

St er oi ds
S t e r oi ds ar e g ene r al l y di vi ded i nt o t wo t y pes : a na bol i c a nd c or t i c os t e r oi ds .
As i t wa s pr evi ous l y di s c us s e d, c or t i c os t e r oi ds a r e us e d t o r e duc e
i nf l a mma t i on i n t he body . They may al s o be us e d t o t r ea t br e a t hi ng di s or de r s
s uc h as t he a s t hma ( s e e As t hma Me di c a t i on) .
Anabol i c s t er oi ds , on t he ot her hand, a r e s y nt he t i c s t er oi ds t ha t ar e bel i ev e d
t o boos t a body s abi l i t y t o pr oduce mus c l es . S t er oi ds a r e c ommonl y us e d by
a t hl e t es and body bui l de r s .
S ome of t he adve r s e e f f e c t s c aus e d by s t e r oi ds a r e as f ol l ows :
S ome s t e r oi ds , s uc h a s Gl u c o c or t i c oi ds , a r e phot os e ns i t i z i ng. They
i nc r e as e a per s on s s e ns i t i vi t y t o t he s un a nd under t ak e a
phot oc he mi c al r ea c t i on t ha t woul d modi f y t he t i s s ue ma ki ng a pe r s on
mor e vul ner a bl e t o c a t ar a c t s a nd ma cul ar deg ener a t i on.
S t e r oi ds c a n c ont r i but e t o t he de vel opme nt of ca t a r a c t s , g l a uc oma ,
a nd l ea d t o ma c ul ar de ge ne r a t i on.
P r ol onge d us e of s t e r oi ds c a n c aus e t he i nt r a oc ul ar pr e s s ur e t o
i nc r e as e by as muc h as 50 pe r ce nt . Ca t ar a c t s f or me d by s t er oi ds a r e
e x t r emel y dens e a nd ca us e l os s of vi s i on e x t r emel y qui c kl y .
The i nc r e a s e d i nt r a oc ul a r pr es s ur e pa ves way f or g l a uc oma . The
da mag e done by t he i nc r e a s e d pr es s ur e wi l l r emai n e ve n i f a per s on
qui t s us i ng s t e r oi ds ; howe ve r , t he pr e s s ur e i t s el f wi l l dr op down t o
nor mal l ev el s .
Anot he r maj or pr obl e m wi t h us e of s t e r oi ds i s t he f a c t t ha t t he y
i nc r e as e t he bl ood s ug ar l ev el s a nd ca n t he r e by l e a d t o di a be t es . We
ha ve al r e ady di s c us s e d how di a be t es c an c ont r i but e t o nume r ous eye
pr obl ems .
P r ed ni s one i s a t y pe of s t e r oi d t ha t i s v er y da ma gi ng t o t he e ye. They
c a us e damage t he opt i c ner ve a nd i n s e ve r e c a s e s , damag e i t t o an
e x t e nt t ha t woul d s i mpl y s ev e r t he l i nk be t we en t he br ai n a nd t he
e ye s .

1 11 12 2

Vi t ami ns
Ve r y hi g h dos ag e of Vi t ami n A c an l e a d t o i ncr e as ed pr e s s ur e of t he f l ui d
a r ound t he br ai n, l e a di ng t o s wel l i ng of t he opt i c ne r v e , s ev er e he ada c he s
a nd di s t or t ed vi s i on.
Wei ght Loss
Appe t i t e s uppr es s ant s ar e us ua l l y c ons umed by pe opl e t r yi ng t o l os e wei ght .
The s e s uppr e s s a nt s c a n l e a d t o di l a t e d pupi l s , i nduce di f f i c ul t y i n f oc us i ng
on obj e c t s as wel l a s l e a di ng t o vi s ual pr obl ems when r ea di ng.
Dr y e ye s y ndr ome c an al s o be c aus e d by t hem a nd i n s eve r e ca s e s , opt i c
ne r v e damag e a nd/ or gl auc oma ma y f ol l ow.









1 11 13 3



Section 2
Treating Defective Vision







Chapt er 6: Wear i ng Gl ass es : I s i t s af e?
Chapt er 7: Las er Eye Sur ger y

1 11 14 4

Chapter 6: Weari ng Gl asses: Is i t safe?

The pur pos e of t hi s book i s t o hel p y ou under s t and t he t hi ng s t ha t a f f e c t
y our e ye and, i n t ur n, y our v i s i on. Eye gl as s e s ar e una r g ua bl y t he mos t
c ommon me t hod us e d by pe opl e t o c or r ec t t hei r vi s i on. Gl as s e s hel p pe opl e
i n vi ewi ng obj e c t s as t he y nor mal l y woul d, r eg ar dl es s of whe t he r t he y a r e
my opi c or hy pe r opi c. Vi s i on pr obl ems a s s oc i a t ed wi t h ot he r e ye di s or de r s
c a n al s o be c or r e c t e d by us e of ey e gl as s e s .
Wha t a l ot of pe opl e do not r ea l i z e i s t ha t gl as s e s of f er onl y a t empor ar y
s ol ut i on t o t hei r v i s i on pr obl ems . I n a c t ua l i t y , gl a s s e s a r e f ound t o ha ve
de t er i or a t i ng e f f e c t s on a pe r s on s e ye s . Do y ou f i nd t hi s ha r d t o bel i e ve ?
How ma ny pe opl e ha ve you enc ou nt e r e d whos e eye s i g ht j us t c ont i nue s t o
de t er i or a t e , r e qui r i ng t hem t o g e t a new pr es c r i pt i on f or t hei r g l a s s es ?
Al mos t al l of t hem, r i g ht ? Gl as s es a c t ua l l y wor s e n t he v i s i on o f a p er s on.
The r e a r e nume r ous r e as ons a nd s uppor t i ng evi de nc e f or t hi s s t a t eme nt . I n
t hi s cha pt e r , we wi l l di s c us s how a nd why gl a s s e s de t e r i or a t e vi s i on
pr obl ems .

1 11 15 5

The Opt i cs of Eye Gl ass es
One of t he mos t f unda me nt a l conc ept s of vi s i on i s t ha t i t i s not s t a t i c i t
c ha ng es , c ons t a nt l y. Thi s ca n be f e l t by a number of pe opl e , es pe ci a l l y a f t e r
a l ong t i r i ng day of pe r f or mi ng t a s k s t hat may hav e r equi r e d g r ea t l ev el s of
c onc e nt r a t i on or per haps af t er s pe ndi ng s ev e r al hour s i n f r ont of a c omput e r
s c r ee n. Thi s i s whe n t he ey es ar e t i r e d and i t be c omes di f f i cul t t o f oc us a s
wel l as a pe r s on us ual l y ca n.
Now t he whol e pur pos e of gl as s e s i s t o cor r e c t t he r e f r a c t i ve er r or . Mos t of
t he vi s i on pr obl ems t ha t oc c ur due t o r ef r a c t i ve e r r or c a us e t he e ye s l ens t o
i nc or r e c t l y f oc us t he i nc omi ng l i g ht . I f t he l i g ht i s f oc us ed i n f r ont of t he
r e t i na , t he n my opi a i s s ai d t o oc cur . On t he ot he r ha nd, i f t he l i ght i s
f oc us e d be hi nd t he r e t i na , t hi s i mpl i e s hy per opi a a nd a per s on wi l l hav e
pr obl ems i n f oc us i ng ont o cl os e r obj e c t s a s c ompar e d t o t hos e t ha t a r e
f a r t he r of f .
The wa y gl as s e s ar e de s i g ne d t o c ompe ns a t e f or t hi s r ef r a c t i v e e r r or i s , t o
s a y t he l ea s t , not s o v er s a t i l e . Whe never t hes e gl a s s es a r e wor n, t he
r e f r a c t i ve er r or mus t r emai n t he s a me i n or de r f or t he m t o wor k a t t hei r
pe ak ef f i c i e ncy. Howe ve r , i t wa s l ea r ne d t ha t a pe r s on s vi s i on i s n ot s t a t i c ;
r a t he r , i t c ha nge s e ve n dur i ng t he day . A pe r s on wi l l have be t t e r vi s i on a f t er
a g ood ni g ht s s l e ep, a s c ompa r e d t o whe n he or s he i s a bout t o r e t i r e t o
be d. The s e c ha nge s i n t he vi s i on wi l l oc cur c ont i nuous l y ; howev er , t he
c or r e c t i v e gl as s e s wi l l not be a bl e t o a da pt t o t he cha ngi ng r e f r a c t i ve er r or .
S o i n e s s enc e , e ve n whi l e we ar i ng t he gl a s s e s , y ou wi l l e x pe r i e nc e s ome k i nd
of vi s i on pr obl ems .
Thi s s i t ua t i on i s f ur t her de t e r i or a t e d i f y our pr es c r i pt i on was f or 100
pe r ce nt c or r e c t i on a t t he pa r t i c ul a r t i me of mea s ur ement . The e ye s wi l l
c ons t a nt l y t r y t o a da pt t o t he c ondi t i ons t ha t we r e pr ev al ent a t t he t i me of
mea s ur ement . S o r a t her t han t he gl a s s es a dj us t i ng t o y our e ye s , y our ey es
wi l l beg i n a nd t r y t o a dj us t t o t he gl a s s es .

1 11 16 6

S o i f y ou ha d y our ey es t es t ed a f t e r wor k , y our ey es woul d have bee n qui t e
t i r e d. None t hel e s s , y our gl a s s e s woul d ha ve bee n c r e a t e d ba s e d on t he
mea s ur ement s a t t ha t s pe ci f i c t i me s o y ou wi l l s i mpl y be f or ci ng y our e ye s
t o be c ome e x a c t l y t he wa y t hey we r e a t t ha t t i me t i r e d.
I f t hi s c ont i nue s , wha t do y ou t hi nk wi l l ha ppe n t o y our ey e s ? They wi l l t r y
t o a da pt t o t he gl as s e s , but t he s l i g ht c ha nge s t ha t oc c ur on a dai l y ba s i s i n
t he vi s i on wi l l be i n c onf l i c t . Si mpl y put , t he ey es wi l l be f or ce d t o
de t er i or a t e i n an a t t empt t o ge t t he gl as s e s wor ki ng r i g ht .
Mi nus Lenses f or Readi ng
P e opl e who ar e myopi c a r e us ual l y pr e s cr i be d c onc av e or mi nus l ens e s t o
hel p t he m s ee f ar - of f obj e c t s . I t ha s been pr ov e n t ha t us e of mi nus l ens e s
c a n a c t ua l l y de t e r i or a t e t he vi s i on. My opi c e ye s ( nea r s i g ht e d) hav e t o a dj us t
a r ound 3 di opt e r l ens e s i n or der t o r e a d c or r e c t l y f r om a nor mal r ea di ng
di s t a nce . Di op t er i s a me as ur e of t he powe r of a l e ns .
Tha t bei ng s ai d, i f a per s on we a r s a mi nus t hr e e ( - 3) di opt e r l e ns es i n or der
t o c or r e c t t hei r di s t a nt vi s i on, a nd begi n r ea di ng wi t h t he s a me gl a s s es , t hen
t hei r eye s wi l l ha ve t o adj us t t o t he v al ue of + 3 ( pos i t i ve ) di opt e r s as wel l a s
t he 3 ( ne ga t i ve ) di opt e r s . Thi s mea ns t ha t t he e ye s wi l l be r e qui r ed t o
a c c ommoda t e a r ound 6 di opt e r s f or t he dur a t i on t he gl as s e s ar e us ed t o
r e ad.
Thi s i s pr e ci s e l y wha t mak es di s t ant vi s i on gl as s e s ha r mf ul i f t hey a r e us e d
f or r e a di ng. Gr ea t amount of s t r ai n i s put ont o t he ey es whi c h i n t ur n ca n
l ea d t o di mi ni s he d e ye s i g ht .
Gl a s s e s f or ne ar s i g ht ar e pr es c r i be d i n or der t o pr ovi de l uci d vi s i on f r om a
di s t a nce of 6 me t e r s t o i nf i ni t y . Due t o t he f a c t t ha t t he s e c l a s s es a r e s t a t i c
a nd do not a da pt t o c ha ng i ng ci r c ums t anc e s , t he y wi l l be out of al i g nme nt by
ov er 20 t i me s i f t hey ar e us e d f or r ea di ng f r om a di s t a nc e of 30 cm ( 100cm i n
1 me t e r ) . I f a pe r s on t r i e s t o f oc us on an obj e c t t ha t i s 3 me t e r s away , t he
gl a s s es wi l l hel p onl y pa r t l y ( a r ound 50 pe r ce nt of t he t i me) .

1 11 17 7

At t hi s poi nt i n t i me , no gl a s s es have bee n c ons t r uc t e d whi c h c a n a dapt t o
c ha ng i ng s i t ua t i ons ; f or ex ampl e , t r a ns i t i oni ng f r om r e a di ng t o l ooki ng a t
di s t a nce obj e c t s . A vi de o ca me r a , on t he ot he r ha nd, i s c a pabl e of doi ng t hi s
my movi ng t he l e ns ba c k a nd f or t h t o pr ope r l y f oc us on t he r el ev a nt obj e c t .
I mpor t ance of t he Opt i c Cent er of Eye Gl asses
The r e i s l oc a t e d a poi nt i n al l l e ns e s of e ye gl a s s e s t ha t pr ovi de s t he be s t
pos s i bl e vi s i on. They ar e c ons t r uc t e d i n a way whi c h as s umes t ha t y ou a r e
a l way s l ooki ng di r e c t l y ahe ad of y our eye s ; whenev er y ou l ook a wa y f r om
t hi s r egi on, t he l ens t ends t o be c ome mor e of a pr i s m. Thi s poi nt i s c a l l e d
t he opt i c c e nt e r .
You ma y ha ve obs er ve d t he pr i s m e f f e c t on pi c t ur e s t ha t a r e c a pt ur e d
t hr oug h wi de- a ngl e l e ns e s . I t i s edge s of t he s e i ma ge s t ha t ar e be c ome
di s t or t e d a nd t hi s i s pr e ci s e l y wha t happe ns whe n a per s on t r i es t o f ocus
on obj e c t s t hr oug h any a r e a out s i de t hat of t he opt i c ce nt e r .
The di s t or t i on of i mage s , and i n s ome c as e , t he f r a me of t he gl as s es i t s e l f
f or c es pe opl e t o us e t he opt i c c e nt e r f or v i ewi ng pur pos e s . Anot he r c ommon
pr a c t i c e t o di s c our ag e t he e ye s f r om wa nder i ng away f r om t hi s poi nt i s by
i ns t al l i ng s t r onge r l ens e s . Howe ve r , t hi s t e c hni que c a us es t he vi s i on t o
de t er i or a t e.
The opt i c c ent er pl ay s an i mpor t ant r ol e when t he l e ns e s a r e bei ng us ed f or
r e adi ng. The g l a s s es i n t hi s c as e a r e des i g ned t o be us e d wi t h t he i nt e nt of
c or r e c t i ng t he di s t a nc e vi s i on pr obl ems , s o whe ne ve r a per s on l ooks a t
di s t a nce obj e c t s , t he y do s o t hr oug h t he opt i c ce nt er . On t he ot her hand,
when a pe r s on us es t he s ame s pe c t a cl es f or r e a di ng pur pos es , t he ey es t e nd
t o f r equent l y ex i t t he r egi on of t he opt i c c e nt e r a s y ou r e ad al ong t he
l i nes . Ex ce pt whe n r ea di ng gl a s s e s hav e be en pr e s c r i be d t o y ou f or r ea di ng ,
t he opt i c c ent er woul d ge ne r al l y be mor e s pa c e d out t ha t i t i s s uppos e d t o
be. Thi s br i ngs a bout a ddi t i onal s t r ai n on t he e ye s and eve nt ual l y
c ont r i but e s s i g ni f i ca nt l y t o damagi ng t he ey es .

1 11 18 8

Anot he r e x a mpl e of t he damagi ng ef f e c t s of g l a s s es whi c h ca n be me nt i one d
i ncl ude s t he us e of nea r s i g ht gl as s e s whi l e wor ki ng on a c omput er . The
gl a s s es wi l l not be a dj us t e d pr ope r l y f or t he c omput e r s cr ee n t ha t woul d be
a t a di s t a nc e of no mor e t ha n 60 cm f r om t he ey es . Thi s wi l l al s o al t er t he
way a c omput e r s c r ee n af f e c t s t he vi s i on of a pe r s on.
Gl asses and Thei r Ef f ect s on t he Si ze of Eyes
P l e nt y of s c i e nt i f i c e vi de nce has bee n ga t her e d t ha t i ndi c a t e s t h a t young
pr i ma t e s dev el opme nt of ey es wa s af f ec t e d whe n l e ns e s wer e f i t t e d t o
t hem.
Bi ol ogi s t s a t t he New Yor k Uni ve r s i t y hav e f ound t hr oug h e x t e ns i ve r es ea r c h
t ha t us e of a mi nus l ens ( - ) ca us e s s i g ni f i c a nt el ong a t i on of t he ey e bal l i n
ot he r wor ds , t he nea r s i g ht i s de t e r i or a t e d ov e r t i me. S i mi l a r we r e t he
r e s ul t s of us i ng pl us l e ns e s ( +) .
Gl asses: Annoyances and I nconveni ence
Gl a s s e s a r e not hi ng mor e t han a c ompr omi s e. They of f e r onl y a t empor a r y
s ol ut i on a s ol ut i on t ha t a c t ual l y wor s ens t he ey e s i g ht a s l ong as t he
gl a s s es a r e wor n. Not onl y t ha t , t hey al s o of f e r qui t e a f ew a nnoya nc es . Eve n
t he s i mpl es t pr obl em of t hem f oggi ng up ( c a us e d by humi di t y c hange s ) whe n
y ou g o f r om one poi nt t o anot he r ; or t he f a c t t ha t t he y c an be s c r a t c hed, ge t
di r t y or ev e n br e a k ca n be f r us t r a t i ng !
As we pr oce e d f ur t he r wi t h t he book , we wi l l s t ar t di s c us s i ng wa ys t ha t wi l l
hel p you t o he al y our e ye s na t u r al l y , a nd p er man en t l y .






1 11 19 9

Chapter 7: Laser Eye Surgery

Tr eme ndous a dv a nceme nt s have t a ke n pl a ce i n t he me t hods us e d t o pe r f or m
a l a s e r ey e s ur ge r y .
Tr a di t i onal me t hods
i nv ol ve d us e of a s c al pel
t o c ut t he t i s s ues i n t he
e ye s , and t hi s me t hod
c a r r i ed t he r i s k of
i nf e c t i ons s pr e adi ng .
The ons e t of l a s e r
s ur g er y t e c hni ques
br oug ht about s a f e r and
mor e ef f i ci e nt s ur gi c al
pr oc edur e s t o c or r e c t
v i s i on pr obl ems . La s e r e ye s ur ge r y i s a l s o k nown as v i s i on c or r e c t i on s ur ge r y
or ev e n r e f r ac t i v e s ur ge r y due t o t he f a ct t ha t t hey c or r e c t r e f r a c t i v e e r r or s .
The ma j or i t y of t he l a s e r eye s ur ge r y wor k by al t er i ng t he s hape of t he
c or nea i n or de r t o e ns ur e t ha t t he l i ght whi c h ent er s t he ey e i s f oc us e d
c or r e c t l y ont o t he r e t i na. Whi l e ot he r t ype s of s ur ge r y g o a s t e p a he a d a nd
r e pl a ce t he na t ur al l ens of t he e ye wi t h a s ynt he t i c one.
I t i s al s o i mpor t ant t o unde r s t a nd t ha t not e ve r y one c a n unde r g o a n ey e
s ur g er y. The f ol l owi ng s ur ge r i e s r e qui r e t ha t a pe r s on s e ye s be he al t hy a nd
f r ee f r om a ny ey e di s or de r s s uch a s r e t i na l di s ea s e s , c or neal s c ar s and
ot he r s . Thi s l ea ve s pe opl e wi t h t hes e di s e as es ve r y f e w opt i ons one of
whi c h i s t he na t ur al t e c hni que s t o heal e ye s .
I n t hi s cha pt e r , we wi l l begi n by di s c us s i ng t he t ypes of l as e r s ur ge r y
a v ai l abl e and t he n we wi l l pr oc ee d t o t al k a bout t he r i s ks t ha t c ome wi t h
t hem.

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Types of Las er Eye Sur ger y
S e ve r al t y pe s of s ur g e r y ar e a va i l a bl e a nd t hey a r e as f ol l ows :
L ASI K
L ASI K i s s hor t f or l as er i n- s i t u ke r a t o mi l e us i s . Thi s t e c hni que i s us ed t o
c or r e c t vi s i on i n pe opl e who ar e ei t her my opi c ( ne a r s i ght e d) , hy per opi c
( f ar s i g ht ed) or hav e a n eye c ondi t i on c al l ed a s t i gma t i s m.
L ASI K s ur ge r y i s c ar r i ed out i n or der t o r e s ha pe t he c or nea t o ens ur e t ha t i t
c a n c or r e c t l y f oc us i ncomi ng l i g ht ont o t he r e t i na. C ompar e d t o ot her
s ur gi c al t e c hni que s , a f l a p i s c r e a t e d i nt o t he out e r l a ye r of t he c or ne a s o
t ha t t he unde r l yi ng c or neal t i s s ue c an be r ea c he d.
A c omput e r i magi ng t e c hnol ogy c al l ed wav e f r on t t e c hnol ogy c an be us ed
a l ong wi t h LASI K t o ge ne r a t e a c ompr e he ns i v e i mag e of t he c or ne a.
PRK
P RK i s s hor t f or phot or e f r a c t i ve ke r a t e c t omy. Thi s me t hod of l as er s ur ge r y i s
ut i l i z ed t o t r e a t mi l d- t o- mode r a t e my opi a , hy pe r opi a a nd a s t i gma t i s m. A
l as er i s us e d t o r es ha pe c or nea dur i ng t he pr oc e dur e. The l as e r t ha t i s us ed
t o pe r f or m t he s ur ge r y i s a cool pul s a t i ng be am of UV l i g ht . Unl i ke t he LASI K
e ye s ur ge r y , t hi s l as er i s onl y us e d on t he s ur f a ce of t he c or nea a nd no f l ap
i s nee ded t o be cr ea t e d i n t he out er l a ye r s .
L ASEK
L AS EK i s s hor t f or l a s e r e pi t he l i al ke r a t omi l e us i s . I t i s a c t ual l y a
modi f i c a t i on of t he P RK s ur ge r y. A f l a p ( e pi t hel i al ) i s ne e de d t o be c r e a t e d
f ol l owed by l oos e ni ng t he e pi t hel i al c el l s t hems el ve s by an al c ohol s ol ve nt .
Onc e t hi s ha s bee n done , a l as er i s us e d t o beg i n t he pr oce s s of r e s ha pi ng
t he c or ne a. The f l ap i s t he n al l owe d t o he al by s e cur i ng i t wi t h a s of t c ont a c t
l ens .
L AS EK s ur ge r y c a n be us ed t o t r e a t as t i g ma t i s m, my opi a , a nd hyper opi a.

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RL E
RL E i s s hor t f or r e f r a c t i ve l e ns ex c ha nge, a l s o r e f er r e d t o as cl e ar l e ns
e x t r a c t i on. As i t s na me i mpl i e s , i t s a pr oc e dur e c ar r i ed out t o r e pl a c e t he
na t ur a l l e ns of t he ey e. A s mal l i nci s i on i s made t hr oug h whi c h t he l e ns i s
e x t r a c t e d a nd r e pl a c e d wi t h s y nt he t i c l ens ( pl a s t i c or s i l i c one ) . RL E of f e r s a
way t o t r e a t s e ve r e f a r s i g ht e dne s s or nea r s i g ht e dne s s i n a pe r s on.
Epi Las i k
The Epi L as i k s ur g er y pr oc edur e i s qui t e s i mi l a r t o PRK i n t he s e ns e t ha t i t
r e qui r es r emov al of a v e r y t hi n l a ye r of t he c or ne a bef or e r es hapi ng i t . I t i s
up t o t he s ur ge on t o r e pl a c e t he t hi n l aye r or l e av e i t as i t i s . Ag ai n, t he
a r ea i s s e c ur e d us i ng a s of t c ont a c t l e ns t o a l l ow he al i ng .
PRELEX
P REL EX i s s hor t f or pr e s by opi c l e ns e x cha nge . Thi s pr oc edur e al l ows
i mpl a nt a t i on of a mul t i f oc al l ens t o c or r e c t a n e ye di s or der c al l ed pr es by opi a
( f o r mor e i n f or ma t i on , s e e t h e c hap t er on Ey e Condi t i on s ) .
I nt acs
I nt a cs i s al s o k nown a s I C R, or i nt r a c or ne al r i ng s eg me nt s . A s ma l l i nci s i on i s
ma de i n t he c or ne a a nd t wo c r e s ce nt - s ha pe d r i ng s ma de of pl a s t i c ar e pl a c e d
on t he out e r e dge s of t he c or nea. The pur pos e of t hes e r i ngs i s t o f l a t t e n
t he c or ne a , a nd t he r e by al t er t he way t he l i g ht i s f oc us e d ont o t he r e t i na i n
t he ey e.
Mi l d myopi a c an be t r ea t e d us i ng t hi s pr oc e dur e ; howe ve r , ot he r l a s er
pr oc edur e s ar e now i ncr ea s i ngl y bei ng us e d . On t he ot he r ha nd, k er a t oc onu s
i s t he mos t c ommon e ye di s or de r t ha t i s t r e a t e d by t hi s me t hod.
Phaki c I nt r aocul ar L ens I mpl ant s
The pha ki c i nt r a oc ul ar l e ns i mpl a nt s a r e s pe ci f i c al l y des i gne d f or t hos e
pe opl e who hav e ne ar s i g ht e dne s s t o a n e x t e nt t ha t i s unt r e a t a bl e by e i t her
P RK or LASI K. S uc h an i mpl a nt i s i ns e r t ed by c r e a t e d a s mal l i nc i s i on a t t he
c or nea s edge. The i mpl a nt i s t he n a t t a c he d t o t he i r i s . The onl y ma j or

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di f f er e nce be t we en t hi s pr oc edur e a nd t ha t of t he RL E i s t ha t t he na t ur al
l ens of t he e ye i s l ef t i nt a c t r a t he r t han r emov e d a s i n RL E.
AK
AK i s s hor t f or a s t i gma t i c ke r a t ot omy. Thi s i s n t ex a c t l y a l a s e r e ye s ur g er y
pr oc edur e ; r a t her , i t i s a s ur g i cal pr ocedur e s pe c i f i c al l y c ar r i ed out t o
c or r e c t a s t i g ma t i s m. The s hape of t he cor nea i s al t e r ed by a s t i gma t i s m t hi s
pr oc edur e a t t e mpt s t o c or r e c t i t by maki ng a s i ngl e or doubl e i nc i s i ons on
t he par t s of t he c or ne a c ons i der ed t o be t he s t e e pe s t . The s e i nci s i ons c a us e
t he c or ne a t o r el a x and be gi n t o r e t ur n t o i t s or i gi nal , r ounded s ha pe.
RK
RK i s s hor t f or r a di al k er a t ot omy . S ome t i me be f or e t he adve nt of mor e
a dva nc ed l a s e r s ur g er y pr oce dur e s , t hi s wa s a mong t he mos t c ommonl y us e d
pr oc edur e s t o c or r e c t my opi a. RK ha s now bee n r e nde r e d i nt o a n obs ol e t e
pr oc edur e a nd i s r ar el y ut i l i z e d es pe c i a l l y ev er s i nce t he LASI K a nd PRK
we r e i nt r oduce d.
Si de Ef f ect s of Laser Sur ger y
L a s er ey e s ur ge r i es have of f e r e d a pr omi s i ng way of ge t t i ng r i d of t he mos t
c ommon e ye di s or der s a nd v i s i on pr obl ems . Howev e r , t hes e adva nt age s do
c ome a t a r i s k. Her e ar e s ome t hi ngs t hat ne ed t o be t hor oughl y c ons i der ed
be f or e opt i ng f or a l a s e r s ur g er y pr oce dur e :
I nf ect i ons and Del ays i n Heal i ng
The r e a r e c ons i der a bl y f e we r c ha nc es of de vel opi ng an i nf e c t i on a f t e r a n eye
s ur g er y , a s c ompar ed t o t he t r a di t i onal me t hods of us i ng a s c al pel ; howeve r ,
i t i s not unhe a r d of . I nf e c t i ons f ol l owi ng P RK oc c ur i n a ve r y s mal l numbe r of
pe opl e . Thi s numbe r i s e ve n s mal l e r f or t hos e who hav e under g one L AS I K
s ur g er y.
Nev er t he l e s s , i f a n i nf e c t i on does r e s ul t due t o t he eye s ur ge r y , a ddi t i onal
di s comf or t a l ong wi t h i ncr e as ed r e qui r ement of he al i ng t i me s houl d be
e x pe c t ed.

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Under or Over Cor r ect i on
The c hanc es of s uc c es s of a n e ye s ur ge r y c a nnot be pr e ci s el y pr e di c t ed, a t
l ea s t not unt i l t he e ye ha s f ul l y he al ed. I t ma y be r e qui r ed of pa t i e nt s t o
c ont i nue wea r i ng t he i r ey e gl as s e s or c ont a c t l e ns es ev e n a f t e r t he
pr oc edur e has bee n c ompl e t e d. Any unde r c or r e c t i ons i n t he s ur gi ca l
pr oc edur e c a n be f ol l owed up by y e t anot he r pr oc edur e , t er me d a l a s e r
e nhanc ement .
Wor seni ng of Vi si on
I n mos t of t he c a s e s , t he vi s i on of a pe r s on i mpr ov es a nd he or s he may not
ne ed t o us e a ny c ont a c t l e ns e s or e ye g l a s s e s a nymor e. Nev er t hel e s s , t her e
a r e a l s o i ns t a nce s wher e t he al r e ady bad vi s i on i s t ur ne d wor s e. Ge ne r al l y ,
t hi s i s a r e s ul t of r e mova l of i r r eg ul ar t i s s ue or pe r ha ps due t o ex c es s i ve
c or nea l ha z e.
Exces s i ve Cor neal Haz e
C or nea l ha z e i s a pa r t of t he na t ur al he al i ng pr oce s s of t he eye , f ol l owi ng a
s ur gi c al pr oc e dur e. I n mos t ca s e s , i t has no a dv er s e e f f e c t i n t he l ong t er m
on a pe r s on s v i s i on. The r e a r e i ns t a nc es , howe ve r , whe r e t hi s c or nea l ha z e
beg i ns t o di s t or t t he vi s i on. A s e cond s ur ge r y ma y be ne ede d t o c or r e c t
c or nea l ha z e pr obl ems i n s uc h ca s e s .
Regr es si on
I n s ev e r al c a s e s , t he i mpr ov eme nt s i n a pe r s on s vi s i on f ol l owi ng an ey e
s ur g er y begi n t o di mi ni s h ove r t i me. Whe n t hi s ha ppe ns , a n e ye s pe ci al i s t
may r e c omme nd t o t he pe r s on t ha t he or s he unde r g o a s e c ond e ye s ur ge r y
t o r ev i ve t he vi s i on a nd a c hi ev e t he be s t pos s i bl e r es ul t s .
Thi s ma ke s i t cl e ar t ha t ev e n a s ur ge r y s ome t i mes c a nnot he al t he vi s i on
pe r mane nt l y . Ther e i s no al t er na t e t o nat ur al he al i ng .
Hal os
An opt i ca l e f f e c t c al l e d t he hal o ef f ec t s ome t i mes oc c ur s f ol l owi ng a n e ye
s ur g er y , e s pe ci al l y i n l ow l i g ht condi t i ons . Thi s ef f e c t c a us e s t he unt r e a t e d

1 12 24 4

a r ea s of t he c or ne a t o pr oduce a s e c ond i mag e. Thi s t e nds t o be c ome
pr obl ema t i c e s pe ci al l y a t ni ght , a nd c a n s ev e r el y a f f e c t a p e r s on s a bi l i t y t o
s a f e l y dr i ve a t ni g ht .
Damage or L oss of Fl ap
As we a l r ea dy k now, t he LASI K s ur g er y pr oc e dur e r equi r e s a f l a p t o be
c r e a t e d on t he s i de of t he c or ne a. Thi s f l a p ma y r e qui r e r e pos i t i oni ng af t e r
t he s ur g e r y ; t hi s r epos i t i oni ng may ne e d t o be c ar r i ed out wi t hi n t he i ni t i al
f e w day s , or per ha ps eve n a f ew we ek s .

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Section 3 Natural Ways to Improve
Eyesight








Chapt er 8: Bat es Met hod of I mprovi ng Eyes i ght
Chapt er 9: I mpor t anc e of a Heal thy Di et
Chapt er 10: Exerc i s es f or I mpr ovi ng Vi s i on


1 12 26 6


Chapter 8: Bates Method of Improvi ng
Eyesi ght
Dr Wi l l i a m Hor a t i o Ba t es wa s bor n i n Newa r k , New
J er s e y i n t he y e ar 1860. He e a r ned hi s me di c al de gr ee
i n 1885 a nd beg an hi s ex c ept i onal c ar eer by wor ki ng
i n nume r ous hos pi t al s a r ound New Yor k Ci t y , a s wel l
a s by pr a c t i ci ng pr i va t el y.
He was a l e c t ur er of opht ha l mol ogy a t t he New Yor k
P os t g r a dua t e Hos pi t al a nd Medi ca l S c hool f or 5 ye ar s .
I t wa s dur i ng t hi s t i me t ha t he al s o s er ve d as a n
a dvi s or t o New Yor k S t a t e s s c hool boa r ds .
Be f or e t he ons e t of t he 20
t h
ce nt ur y , Dr Wi l l i am Ba t es
ha d g r own t o be c ome qui t e di s c ont ent ed wi t h t he
pr ev ai l i ng opht hal mol ogi ca l pr a c t i ce s ; t hi s i s wha t
l ed hi m t o beg an hi s e x t e ns i v e r es e ar c h i nt o t he nume r ous di s or de r s of t he
e ye a nd how s uc h t hi ngs af f e c t e d t he eye s i ght of a per s on. I t i s pr e ci s el y
t hi s r es ea r c h whi c h l ed t o t he f or ma t i on of The Ba t es Me t hod .
The c a us e of hi s ques t i oni ng t he c onve nt i ona l me t hods of opht ha l mol ogy
beg a n whe n he not i c ed t ha t s ome of hi s pa t i e nt s who ha d r ef r a c t i v e e r r or s i n
t hei r eye s ha d be gun t o ha ve a n i mpr oved e ye s i g ht , i n s ome c as es , t he
c ha ng es we r e t o s uch a n e x t e nt t ha t al l t he s y mpt oms of s hor t s i g ht ednes s or
f a r s i g ht e dne s s t ot al l y r ev er s e d.
I t wa s due t o t hi s t ha t he beg a n ques t i oni ng t he mos t ba s i c as s umpt i ons of
t he a c ce pt ed opht hal mol ogi ca l pr a c t i ce s . I t was , a nd s t i l l i s , c ommonl y
bel i ev e d t ha t a pe r s on wi t h r e f r a c t i ve er r or s c oul d onl y be pr es c r i be d e ye
gl a s s es t o r e s ol v e t he s ympt oms .

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A ne w s e t of t he or i es r ega r di ng e ye s i g ht we r e c r e a t e d by Dr Wi l l i am Ba t es
ba s e d on whi c h he de vel ope d a uni que me t hod t ha t c oul d hel p pe opl e
i mpr ov e t hei r ey e s i g ht a nd ov er c ome t he i r vi s i on - r el a t e d pr obl ems .
Ov er a c ent ur y has pas s e d s i nce Dr Wi l l i a m H. Ba t e s dev el ope d hi s t heor i es
a bout e ye s i g ht and f or mul a t ed a me t hod t o hea l t he e ye s ; none t hel e s s , hi s
t he or i e s ar e t a ug ht wor l dwi de , wi t h a n i nc r e as i ng numbe r of ey e s pe ci a l i s t s
a nd pr of e s s i onal s t ur ni ng t o t he Ba t e s me t hod i n or der t o he al t hei r own
pa t i e nt s .
Hi s me t hod ha s be e n a t t empt e d on pe opl e wi t h my opi a , hy per opi a ,
a s t i gma t i s m, l az y e ye al ong wi t h mor e s e ve r e di s e a s e s s uc h a s ma c ul ar
deg e ne r a t i on wi t h e x ce pt i onal r es ul t s .
Thi s cha pt e r wi l l di s c us s wha t Ba t es met hod i s , a nd how i t ca n be us e d t o
i mpr ov e ey e s i g ht i n na t ur al wa ys wi t hout r el y i ng on gl a s s e s or c ont a c t
l ens e s , whi ch a r e not hi ng but a t e mpor ar y ai d.
The Bat es Met hod
The Ba t e s Me t hod i s a s i mpl e wa y of na t ur al l y
i mpr ovi ng ey e s i ght . Due t o t he f a c t t hat i t i s a
na t ur a l way and c a us es no ha r m t o a pe r s on, i t
ha s be c ome qui t e popul a r among ma ny ey e c ar e
pr of e s s i onal s . I t i s c ont i nui ng t o be r e c og ni z e d
a nd r e s pe c t ed ev en a f t e r y ea r s of ne ve r e ndi ng
de ba t e s a nd c ont r ov er s i es .
Howev er , t her e ar e s ci e nt i s t s t ha t s t i l l ar e una bl e t o gr a s p t he uni que
t he or i e s of vi s i on whi c h we r e pr e s e nt ed by Dr Wi l l i a m H. Ba t e s .
The f undame nt al t he or i e s dr a f t e d by Dr Ba t es c a n be s umma r i z ed a s f ol l ows :
1. The s ha pe of t he ey e bal l c ons t a nt l y c hange s as a r e s ul t of
c ont i nuous l y s hi f t i ng c ondi t i ons of t he ey e.

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2. The f oc us of t he e ye i s al s o r e ga r de d a s bei ng i n a c ont i nuous f l ux , a nd
t hi s i s due t o t he f a c t t ha t t he ey e i s l ook i ng a t bot h cl os e a nd di s t a n t
obj e c t s s i mul t a ne ous l y i n al mos t al l s i t ua t i ons .
De s pi t e bei ng i n a s t a t e of cons t a nt f l ux , t he human ey e c an pr ovi de vi s i on
be c a us e of i t s abi l i t y t o c ont i nuous l y a da pt t he ey e s a bi l i t y t o a da pt i s
c a l l e d ey e a c c o mmo da t i o n.
Nev er t he l e s s , pr obl ems a r i s e whe n t he ey e s a bi l i t y t o a dj us t ( e ye
a c c ommoda t i on) begi ns t o de t e r i or a t e. Thi s de t e r i or a t i on c an be due t o a
numbe r of f a c t or s , s ome of whi ch a r e as f ol l ows :
We ake ni ng of t he ey e mus cl es
P oor l i g ht i ng c ondi t i ons
Da ma ge d ma c ul a
Tha t bee n s ai d, eye i s j us t l i k e ot her or ga ns of t he body , a nd a r e pr one t o
di s e as e a nd di s or de r s of a l l ki nds . Neve r t hel es s , whe n t he e ye s abi l i t y t o
a da pt r e duc es , t hi s c a us es bl ur r ed vi s i on.
I t i s a s c i e nt i f i c f a c t t ha t i s a c c ept e d by a l l t ha t di s t or t e d vi s i on ( bl ur r i nes s )
i s ca us e d when t he l i g ht ent er i ng t he e ye i s i mpr ope r l y f oc us e d a nd does not
r e a c h t he poi nt i n r e t i na wher e i t i s s uppos ed t o r e a c h. I f i t i s f oc us e d a t t he
f r ont of r e t i na , my opi a i s s ai d t o oc c ur . When i t i s f oc us e d behi nd t he r e t i na ,
hy pe r opi a i s s a i d t o oc c ur . The r e f or e , f or pe r f e c t vi s i on, t he l i ght mus t be
f oc us e d pr e ci s el y ont o t he r e t i na.
Convent i onal Way of Tr eat i ng Vi si on
The c onv ent i onal way of t r e a t i ng v i s i on i nv ol ve s pr es c r i bi ng e ye gl a s s e s t o
c or r e c t t he e ye s i g ht . The cor r e c t i ve l e ns e s a r e p r e s c r i be d by e ye s pe ci al i s t s
a nd opt i ci ans t o s e r v e t wo mai n pur pos es :
1. To hel p t he ey e s ee cl ea r l y
2. To r e duc e e ye s t r ai n as a r e s ul t of di s t or t e d vi s i on ( by cor r e c t i ng i t
us i ng l e ns e s )

1 12 29 9

Thi s conve nt i on i de a i s bas e d on t he f a ct t ha t i t i s t he l e ns of t he ey e t ha t i s
t o be bl ame d f or i nc or r e c t l y f oc us i ng t he i nc omi ng l i g ht ont o t he r e t i na. Thi s
i s why c o r r ec t i v e l en s e s i n t he f or m of ey e gl a s s es or c ont a c t l ens e s ar e
pr es c r i bed t o bas i c al l y f ul f i l l t he s hor t comi ng s of t he e ye s na t ur al l e ns .
Bat es Tr eat ment Met hod
Dr Wi l l i a m H Ba t es had t he cour a ge t o s t a nd up a nd g o a ga i ns t t he
c onve nt i onal bel i ef s of opht hal mol ogy. He ques t i one d t he va l i di t y of s uc h a
me t hod ( of c onv ent i onal me t hod) by s t at i ng t ha t due t o t he e ye s bei ng i n a
c ons t a nt l y c hang i ng s t a t e , c or r e c t i ve l ens es t ha t a r e cons t a nt s i mpl y ca nnot
hel p i n he al i ng t he ey es ; r a t he r , s uc h c or r e c t i on t e c hni ques woul d onl y
i nc r e as e t he s t r ai n on a pe r s on s e ye s .
Thi s i s be ca us e by us i ng c or r e c t i ve l e ns es whi c h wer e c ons t ant , t he e ye s
woul d be f or c e d t o s ee t hr oug h t hem no ma t t e r how v a r yi ng t he condi t i ons
a r e ; t he r e by s t r ai ni ng t he ey es by f or ci ng t he m t o f oc us i n s uc h s i t ua t i ons .
Dr Wi l l i a m Ba t e s t he or y empha s i z e d on t he f a c t t ha t t he val ue of t he
pr es c r i bed gl a s s e s ( or c ont a c t l ens e s ) ma y be s ui t a bl e i n one s i t ua t i on but
not i n a not he r , c ons i de r i ng t he c ha ngi ng na t ur e of t he eye s i g ht .
Al s o, r e s t r i c t i ng t he e ye s and f or ci ng t he m t o us e t he c or r e c t i ve l e ns es
woul d de pr i v e t hei r a bi l i t y of a dj us t i ng na t ur a l l y ( e ye a c c ommoda t i on) ,
whi c h i n t ur n woul d l e ad t o a c ont i nuous de t e r i or a t i on as l ong as t he
c or r e c t i v e l e ns e s a r e wor n.
Dr Ba t e s t r e a t me nt me t hod wa s ba s e d on t he i de a t ha t r ef r a c t i v e e r r or s
we r e not due t o t he f a ul t i n t he ey e s nat ur al l e ns , but due t o t he di s t or t e d
s ha pe of a per s on s eye bal l .
F or my opi a t o de vel op, he bel i e ve d t ha t t he c o mp r e s s i on of t he ey e ba l l
c a us e d t he l e ns t o be come f l a t t e ne d. As f or hy per opi a , i t wa s t he e l onga t i on
of t he e ye ba l l whi c h c aus es t he l e ns t o be c ome t hi ck er .

1 13 30 0

Ba s e d on t hes e t he or e t i c al i dea s , hi s t r ea t me nt me t hod be l i e ve s t ha t e ye
r e l ax at i on i s t he onl y na t ur al wa y of r e s t or i ng vi s i on wi t hout a ny s i de
e f f e c t s .
Ci r cl e of Eye St r ai n
A nor mal , hea l t hy e ye bal l i s a l mos t pe r f e c t l y r ound. Dr Wi l l i a m Ba t e s s t a t ed
t ha t whe n a per s on s t r a i ns t hei r e ye s t o s e e s ome t hi ng , t hei r e ye bal l s
s ha pe be gi ns t o de f or m. Thi s def or ma t i on of t he na t ur al s ha pe c a us es a
r e duc t i on i n vi s i on, whi c h i n t ur n ca us e s t he pe r s on t o s t r ai n t he ey es mor e
i n an a t t e mpt t o c l e ar l y s ee . The addi t i ona l s t r a i n f ur t her degr a de s vi s i on
a nd c a us es a pe r s on t o e nt e r a vi c i ous , on - goi ng ci r c l e of poor vi s i on.
I t i s t he Ba t e s Me t hod whi ch ai ms a t br i ngi ng a n e nd t o t hi s ci r cl e.
The pr obl em s t a r t s whe n one r e al i z e s t ha t t hey c a nnot c ons ci ous l y c ont r ol
t he mus cl es of t hei r e ye s . Huma ns do not ha ve t he a bi l i t y t o t el l t hei r
mus cl e s not t o c ha nge t he s ha pe of t he e ye bal l . Howe ve r , wha t t hey c a n do
i s c ont r ol t he s e mus cl es un c ons c i ous l y t hr oug h de vel opi ng awar ene s s .
Her e i s a c ompar i s on be t wee n Dr Ba t e s t he or i e s and me t hod of i mpr ovi ng
e ye s i g ht a nd t he conve nt i onal opht hal mol ogi c al t he or i e s :
Dr Wi l l i am Bat es Met hod Conv ent i onal Met hods
T he r e i s no de ny i ng t hat de t e r i or at i on of v i s i on r es ul t s due t o i nc or r ec t
r ef r ac t i on. T hi s c oul d be due t o t he i nc omi ng l i ght be i ng f oc us e d e i t he r i n
f r ont of , or be hi nd t he r e t i na.
T HEORY: The pr obl e m of de t e r i or a t e d
v i s i on i s ca us e d by a di s t or t i on of t he
na t ur a l s hape of t he ey e bal l .
T HEORY: The pr obl e m of de t e r i or a t e d
v i s i on i s ca us e d by t he di s t or t i on of
t he ey e s na t ur al l ens .
S OL UT I ON: Nor mal vi s i on c a n be
r e s t or ed by r el ax i ng t he mus cl es
a r ound t he ey e s i n or de r t o pr eve nt
t hem f r om al t e r i ng t he s ha pe of t he
e ye bal l s .
S OL UT I ON: Vi s i on ca n be i mpr ov e d by
us i ng c or r e c t i ve l e ns es ( e ye g l a s s e s
or c ont a c t l e ns e s ) .


1 13 31 1

RECOMMENDAT I ON: Us e of c or r e c t i ve
l ens e s pr ev ent s t he ey e s na t ur al
a bi l i t y t o a dj us t ( ey e a c c ommoda t i on)
t o di f f er i ng c ondi t i ons . The us e of
e ye gl a s s e s or c ont a c t l e ns e s f or ce s
t he ey es t o adj us t onl y t o t he
gl a s s es , no ma t t e r wh a t t he
c ondi t i ons . Ac c or di ng t o Ba t e s
me t hod, al l owi ng t he e ye mus cl es t o
r el ax c a n g r e a t l y hel p i n i mpr ovi ng
t he vi s i on of a per s on t o s uch a n
e x t e nt t ha t c or r e c t i ve l e ns es ma y not
be r e qui r e d.
RECOMMENDAT I ON: We ar g l a s s es t o
g e t cl e a r vi s i on, i f t hey c r e a t e
pr obl ems a nd di s t or t vi s i on, ge t a
ne w pr es c r i pt i on.
Pr i nci pl es of Cl ear Vi si on
The f ol l owi ng pr i nci pl e s of cl e a r vi s i on ar e t he f oc al poi nt of t he Ba t es
Me t hod:
1. Cent r al Fi xat i on
The c en t r a l f i x a t i on t e c hni que t e l l s us t o t r y t o f oc us onl y on a s i ngl e poi nt
a t a ny gi v en t i me . To demons t r a t e , g e t your hands ont o a ny pr i nt ed r ea di ng
ma t e r i al , and:
1. F oc us onl y on a s i n gl e wor d on t he page of y our r e a di ng ma t e r i al ; l e t
t he ot he r wor ds be c ome bl ur r y a r ound t ha t wor d.
2. Nex t , t r y t o f oc us ont o a s i ng l e l e t t er of t ha t par t i cul a r wor d, a nd s ee
i f y ou c an s e e i t mor e c l e ar l y t ha n ot he r l e t t e r s of t he wor d.
3. Onc e y ou have s uc ce e de d a t t ha t , pr oc ee d t o l ook a t t he ot he r l e t t e r s
of t ha t wor d one a f t e r t he ot he r .
4. When y ou r ea c h t he l a s t l e t t er of t ha t wor d, f oc us on t he bl ank whi c h
i s t he r e be t we en t ha t wor d a nd t he ne x t .
5. C ont i nue t he s a me s t e ps by begi nni ng t o f oc us on t he nex t wor d t ha t
f ol l ows .

1 13 32 2

The whol e obj e c t i v e of t he t e c hni que cal l ed t he c en t r al f i x a t i on i s t o hel p a
pe r s on i n f oc us i ng ont o a s mal l por t i on. Thi s i s be ca us e i t i s t he ma c u l a t ha t
i s r es pons i bl e f or vi e wi ng t he f i ne de t ai l s of any i mag e. By pr a c t i ci ng t hi s
pr i nc i pl e t e c hni que , a pe r s on c an e nha nc e t he ma cul a s abi l i t y t o f ocus .
2. Shi f t i ng
S hi f t i ng i s a t e c hni que i n whi c h a pe r s on t r ai ns t he eye t o f oc us on one
obj e c t t o a not he r r e pe a t e dl y . The di f f er e nc e be t wee n t he obj e c t s s houl d be
t ha t one obj e c t be c l os er t o t he per s on, a nd t he ot he r f a r t he r away. The
c y c l e s houl d be c ont i nue d wi t h ey es mov i ng ba ck a nd f or t h be t wee n t he
obj e c t s . Thi s t e chni que hel ps i n r el i evi ng t he t e ns i on and r e duci ng t he ey e
s t r ai n. C ons t a nt bl i nki ng s houl d be done i n or der t o ke ep t he e ye cl ea n
dur i ng t hi s pr a c t i c e.
3. Sunni ng
S unni ng i s a t e c hni que whi c h i s us ed t o hel p t he ey es t o a da pt t o v a r yi ng
i nt e ns i t y of l i g ht s , e s pe ci al l y br i ght e r one s . Thi s t e c hni que i s per f or me d by a
pe r s on cl os i ng t hei r e ye s and g a z i ng a t t he s un f or f ew s e c onds . Then t he
pe r s on l ook s away t owa r ds cl ouds ( or t he s ky , i f t he r e a r e no cl ouds ) a nd
ope ns t he e ye s f or a f ew s e c onds .
The pr oc e s s i s r e pe a t e d wi t h openi ng a nd c l os i ng t he e ye s a t a ppr opr i a t e
mome nt s . S unni ng t e c hni que i s k nown t o i ncr e as e s har pne s s of vi s i on a l ong
wi t h r educi ng or pr eve nt i ng s qui nt i ng t ha t c a n c aus e ey e s t r ai n.
4. Rel axat i on
Rel ax i ng t he e ye s i s of a c or e i mpor t a nce t o Ba t e s me t hod of i mpr ov i ng
v i s i on. A per s on s houl d s e e c ompl e t e bl a c k ne s s whe n t he ey es ar e cl os e d. I f
g r a y or yel l owi s h c ol or s a r e s e e n whe n t he ey es ar e cl os e d, t he n t hi s
i ndi c a t e s t ha t t he ey e i s not r el ax e d c ompl e t el y.
S e ve r al ex e r ci s es wi l l be t a ug ht i n t he l as t c ha pt e r of t he book t ha t wi l l
a s s i s t y ou i n i mpr ovi ng y our vi s i on us i ng t he Ba t e s Me t hod a nd wi l l go a l ong
way i n r el i e vi ng e ye s t r ai n.

1 13 33 3

Chapter 9: Importance of a Heal thy Di et

The r ol e of nut r i t i on and i t s e f f e c t s on vi s i on ha s bee n t he c ent e r of
a t t e nt i on f or qui t e s ome t i me now. De t ai l e d r es ea r c h ha s bee n c onduc t e d t o
f i nd out how pa r t i c ul ar f oods af f e c t t he e ye , e s pe ci al l y how c e r t ai n mi ner al s
a nd v i t a mi ns i nf l ue nce ey e di s ea s e s s uch a s AMD ( ag e- r el a t e d ma cul a r
deg e ne r a t i on) a nd c a t a r a c t s ( cl oudi ng of t he c or ne a ) .
A g ood, ba l a nce d nut r i t i on i s v i t al f or not onl y t he wel l - be i ng of t he huma n
body a s a whol e , but al s o s pe ci f i c al l y f or t he e ye s . Af t e r al l , a he al t hy huma n
body wi l l hav e t he s t r e ng t h t o f i ght of f a ny a i l ment s t ha t i t ma y be i nf l i c t ed
wi t h.
Among one of t he mos t s i g ni f i ca nt ex ampl e s t ha t por t r ay t he i mpor t a nce of
g ood nut r i t i on f or he al t hy eye s i s an ey e c ondi t i on c al l e d x er op h t hal mi a.
Thi s i s a c ondi t i on whi ch i s c ommon i n de ve l opi ng c ount r i e s a nd i s k nown t o
c a us e bl i ndne s s i n c hi l dhood. Thi s c ondi t i on r es ul t s f r om a l a ck of Vi t a mi n A
i nt ak e , whi c h c oul d be pr e ve nt ed by c ons umi ng f r es h v ege t a bl e s and pr ot ei n
i ncl udi ng mea t , f i s h, c hee s e , egg s , mi l k , y og hur t , pul s e s and g r ai ns .

1 13 34 4

Howev er , ma ny pe opl e i n de vel opi ng c ount r i es a r e de pr i v e d of s uc h f oods
due t o pr ev ai l i ng pov er t y.
Nut r i t i on f or t he Eyes
Numer ous s t udi e s ha ve r e ve al e d t ha t a nt i ox i da nt vi t ami ns f ound i n numer ous
f oods hav e an i mpor t ant l i nk wi t h t he he al t h of t he e ye s . Suc h vi t a mi ns have
i mme ns e s i g ni f i ca nc e i n k ee pi ng t he ey es c el l s a nd t i s s ue s hea l t hy .
The mos t i mpor t a nt of al l a nt i ox i da nt vi t a mi ns i nc l ude Vi t ami ns A, C a nd E.
The s e vi t a mi ns a r e f ound i n nume r ous f r ui t s a nd v ege t a bl e s a nd s houl d be
pa r t of a pe r s on s dai l y f ood i nt ak e :
Br us s el Spr out s
Dr i e d Apr i c ot s
Gr a pe f r ui t
Gr ee n Be ans
Gr ee n Le a f y Veg e t a bl es ( S pi na c h, l e t t uce , k al e e t c. )
Gr ee n P ea s
Ki wi s
Or a ng es
P e pper s
C ar r ot s ( Ra w)
Toma t oe s
The y a r e al s o f ound i n a bundant qua nt i t i es i n dai l y pr oduc t s ( mi l k , y og hur t ,
a nd but t e r ) , egg s , s e eds and nut s .
L ut ei n and Zeaxant hi n
The r e a r e t wo t y pe s of a nt i ox i dant s , known as c a r o t enoi d s ( c a l l e d L u t ei n ,
p r onou nc ed Loo - t ee n) and Z ea x an t h i n ( pr onoun c ed z ay - aa - z a - t hi n ) . S t udi e s
ha ve s hown t ha t t hos e pe opl e who have g ene r ous i nt a ke s of t hes e t wo
a nt i ox i da nt s ha ve a de c r e as ed r i s k of dev el opi ng a ge - r el a t e d ma c ul a r
deg e ne r a t i on.

1 13 35 5

The a nt i ox i dant s , L ut ei n a nd Ze ax ant hi n, a r e f ound i n bot h v ege t a bl e s and
f r ui t s . You s houl d cons ume t he f ol l owi ng veg e t a bl es a nd f r ui t s r eg ul a r l y a nd
mak e t hem a pa r t of y our dai l y di e t r out i ne :
Bi l be r r i e s
Gr ee n, Le a f y Veg e t abl e s ( l e t t uce ,
s pi na c h, k al e , br oc c ol i )
Ma ng oes
Ye l l ow P e ppe r s
The f ol l owi ng f oods ar e r i c h i n Ze ax a nt hi n:
Br oc c ol i
S pi na c h
Ta nge r i ne s
Or a ng es
Eg gs
L e t t uc e ( not i c eber g l e t t uc e)
C or n
The a bove l i s t ed f ood a nd v ege t a bl e s a r e al s o r i ch i n Vi t ami ns A, C , a nd E t o
v a r yi ng de gr ee s .
I mpor t ant Vi t ami n and Mi ner al s
A bal a nc ed di e t c ons i s t s of a conc oc t i on of ve ge t abl e s , f r ui t s , mea t a nd dai r y
pr oduc t s t ha t a r e cons ume d on a day t o da y ba s i s . I f a wel l - bal a nc ed di e t i s
ma de pa r t of a per s on s nut r i t i onal i nt ak e , t he n t ha t per s on wi l l def i ni t el y
ha ve t he r equi r e d amount of vi t ami ns a nd mi ne r al s ne ce s s a r y f or f unc t i oni ng
a t opt i ma l l e vel s .
Vi t ami n A
Vi t a mi n A i s pe r ha ps t he mos t i mpor t ant v i t ami n f or t he e ye s . I t i s abs ol ut el y
v i t al f or g ood, c l e ar vi s i on as i t hel ps i n pr ot e c t i ng t he c or ne a of t he ey e.
Vi t a mi n A dr ops a r e al s o us e d t o t r e a t dr y eye s y ndr ome.
F i g ur e 1 1 : Ca r r ot s a r e a r i c h s o ur c e
o f Vi t a mi n A

1 13 36 6

Vi t a mi n A ha s al s o s howe d up t o be e f f ec t i ve i n t r e a t i ng c er t ai n t y pe s of ey e
i nf l a mma t i on c ondi t i ons .
I t i s al s o k now t o r e duc e t he r i s k of
a ge - r el a t e d ma c ul ar dege ne r a t i on, a
di s e as e t ha t r e s ul t s i n s e ve r e
de t er i or a t i on of t he vi s i on.
I f vi t ami n A i s c ons ume d a l ong wi t h
L ut ei n ( s ee a bove ) , t he n vi s i on may be
pr ol ong ed i n t hos e pe opl e who a r e
s uf f e r i ng f r om a n e ye c ondi t i on c al l e d
t he r e t i ni t i s pi g men t o s a.
F r ui t s and Veg et abl es Ri ch i n Vi t a mi n
A:
S wee t P ot a t oe s
C ar r ot s
Da r k , Le af y Gr ee n Veg e t a bl es
S quas h
Romai ne Le t t uce
Dr i e d Apr i c ot s
C ant al oupe Me l ons
S wee t Re d P epper s
Tuna Fi s h
Ma ng oes
Vi t ami n C
Vi t a mi n C i s a wa t er s ol ua bl e vi t ami n t ha t i s a n e x t r emel y ef f e c t i v e
a nt i ox i da nt . I t hel ps i n ke e pi ng t he eye s he al t hy by pr ot e c t i ng numer ous
pa r t s of t he ey e f r om g e t t i ng da ma ge d by UV l i g ht .
Ant i ox i da nt s a r e t hos e s ubs t a nce s t ha t pr ot e c t cel l s f r om t he da mag i ng
e f f e c t s of ox i da t i on.
F i g ur e 1 2 : L e a f y v e g e t a b l e s a r e a g r e a t s o ur c e of
n u me r o u s v i t a mi ns a n d mi n e r a l s r e q ui r e d f or a
h e a l t hy l i f e

1 13 37 7

Ba r ba r a Gol l ma n, who i s a n ex pe r t on f unc t i onal f oods and phy t oc hemi cal s i s
a l s o t he c o - aut hor of t he book c al l e d The Phy t opi a Coo kboo k : A Wor l d of
P l an t - Cen t er ed Cui s i ne , s ai d:
" Vi t a mi n C mi g h t he l p p r ev en t c a t a r a c t s o r de l ay t h ei r dev el op men t , b u t
s t udi es d o no t c on f i r m t hi s y e t " , Ca t a r a c t s , a c l oud i ng o f al l or p ar t o f t h e
l ens of t he ey e , c aus e bl u r r ed o r di mme d v i s i on and u nus ual s en s i t i v i t y t o
l i gh t .

F i g ur e 1 3 : C i t r u s f r u i t s a r e a g r e a t s o ur c e of Vi t a mi n C
Mos t of t he Ame r i ca n popul a t i on c ons umes t he mi ni mum r e qui r eme nt of
v i t ami n C ( da i l y i nt ak e) of 75 mg f or women, a nd 90 mg f or me n. Howev er ,
c e r t ai n s t udi e s ha ve s ugg es t ed t ha t a s muc h a s 300 mg may be r equi r e d t o
pr ot e c t t he eye s f r om c a t ar a c t s .
F r ui t s and Veg et abl es Ri ch i n Vi t a mi n C:
Br oc c ol i

1 13 38 8

Br us s el s S pr out s
Guav a
Kohl r a bi
Ma ng o
P a pa ya
P i nea ppl e
Ra s pber r i es
Re d Bel l Pe ppe r s
S t r awber r i es
Vi t ami n E
Vi t a mi n E i s a f a t - s ol ubl e v i t ami n a nd a s t r ong ant i ox i dant . I t i s bel i eve d
t ha t i t may hel p i n pr ev e nt i ng dev el opme nt of ca t a r a c t s as wel l a s a ge -
r el a t e d ma c ul ar dege ne r a t i on. Vi t ami n E i s f ound i n a bundanc e our f ood
s uppl y , a nd i s f ound i n hi g h c once nt r a t i ons i n veg e t a bl e oi l s .
F r ui t s and Veg et abl es Ri ch i n Vi t a mi n E:
Al monds
C ot t ons ee d Oi l
F or t i f i ed Ce r e al s
Ha z el nut s
P a pa ya
P ea nut But t er
S unf l ower Oi l
S unf l ower S ee d Ker nel s
Whea t Ge r m Oi l
Whea t Ge r m
Zi nc
Zi nc pl ay s a ve r y i mpor t ant r ol e f or t he he al t hy de vel opment of eye s and i n
t hei r mai nt e nanc e. Z i nc i s f ound i n i nt ens e c onc e nt r a t i ons i n t he ey e and i s
v i t al f or r e t i na. The r e qui r eme nt f or z i nc i nc r e as es a s we ag e ; t he r e f or e , i t i s
i mpor t a nt t ha t s uf f i c i e nt i nt a ke of z i nc i s e ns ur e d.

1 13 39 9

F r ui t s and Veg et abl es Ri ch i n Z i nc :
Al monds
Bl a c k - Ey ed Pe as
Br own Ri c e
C hi c ke n
Ga r ba nz o Bea ns
Gr ound Be ef
Mi l k
S unf l ower S ee ds
Tof u
Whea t Ge r m
Bet a- Car ot ene
Be t a- C a r ot e ne hel ps i n ni g ht vi s i on a nd k ee ps t he v i s i on a t opt i ma l l e vel s .
Be t a- C a r ot e ne , a f t e r i t i s c ons umed, i s conve r t ed i nt o Vi t ami n A ( e x cel l e nt
f or eye s ) a nd ca n be obt ai ne d e a s i l y t hr oug h a nor ma l , hea l t hy di e t . Thi s i s
why i t i s not ne c e s s ar y t o hav e be t a - c a r ot e ne s uppl eme nt s .
F r ui t s and Veg et abl es Ri ch i n Bet a - Ca r ot ene :
Apr i c ot s
Be e t Gr e ens
C ant al oupe Me l on
C ar r ot s
C ol l a r d Gr ee ns
Kal e
P a pa ya
Re d Bel l Pe ppe r
Romai ne Le t t uce
S pi na c h
S wee t P ot a t oe s
Tur ni p Gr ee ns
Wi nt er S qua s h

1 14 40 0

Chapter 10: Exerci ses for Improvi ng
Vi si on

Heal t hy e ye s a r e undoubt e dl y one of t he mos t
v al ue d as s e t s any pe r s on c an have . Wi t h s o ma ny
f a c t or s out t he r e t ha t c ont r i but e t o t he
de t er i or a t i on of vi s i on, one c annot be t oo
c a ut i ous i n t he a t t empt t o pr ot e c t t he ey es a nd
t he vi s i on. Wha t i s mor e di s a pp oi nt i ng i s t he f a c t
t ha t we a r i ng c or r e c t i ve l e ns e s ( eye gl as s e s or
c ont a c t l e ns es ) a c t ual l y c ont r i but e s t o t he
de t er i or a t i on of vi s i on.
The Ba t e s Me t hod empha s i z e s on t he i mpor t a nce
of r e l ax i ng t h e e y e s i n or de r t o hel p i n r e s t or i ng
t he vi s i on as muc h as p os s i bl e. Dr Wi l l i am H. Ba t e s bel i ev e d t ha t pe opl e
s houl d do a wa y wi t h t hei r gl a s s es a nd t ha t t hey a dopt a he al t hy l i f es t yl e
a l ong wi t h aba ndoni ng i nc or r e c t ha bi t s a nd wa ys of us i ng t he ey es .
We ha ve al r e ady di s c us s e d t he i mpor t a nc e of es s e nt i al vi t ami ns a nd
nut r i e nt s i n t he pr e vi ous c ha pt er . The f oc us of t hi s c hapt e r i s t o he l p y ou
l ea r n a bout t he e x e r ci s e s t ha t hel p i n el i mi na t i ng t he s ai d i ncor r e c t habi t s
a nd t o as s i s t t he e ye s i n r es t or i ng vi s i on, na t ur al l y .
One t hi ng t ha t y ou s houl d ke e p i n mi nd i s t ha t t he s e e x e r ci s es wi l l t a ke t i me
t o s how r es ul t s , a nd wi l l r e qui r e pa t i e nce a nd cons i s t e ncy f r om y our s i de ,
a l ong wi t h de t er mi na t i on i f y ou a r e t o s e e t he pos i t i v e r es ul t s .




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Exer ci se 1 Br eat hi ng
The wa y a per s on br e a t he s i s vi t al t o t he
ov er al l heal t h of t he pe r s on as wel l a s t he
he al t h of t hei r ey es . C ont r ol l ed br e a t hi ng
e mpowe r s a pe r s on t o be i n c omma nd of t he
body. When a pe r s on t ak es a s moot h, dee p
br ea t h, t he l ungs be gi n t o ex pand as t he a i r
mak es i t s wa y i nt o t hem. The dee p br ea t h
e ns ur es t ha t max i mum ox y ge n c ont e nt i s
t r a ns por t e d t o t he l ung s , whi c h t he n e x t r a c t
i t t o be us e d by t he body s cel l s t hr oug h t he
bl ood s t r e am.
Howev er , t her e ar e s ome pe opl e who t ak e
v er y s hal l ow br e a t hs , whi c h i s oppos i t e t o
t he wa y i t s houl d be.
Thi s e x e r ci s e wi l l he l p you pr a c t i c e a cor r e c t way of br ea t hi ng t ha t wi l l hel p
y ou r el ax a nd i n t ur n, wi l l be ne f i t t he ov er al l heal t h i n t he pos i t i v e s e ns e.
I ns t r uct i ons :
1. You c a n c hoos e t o s i t down on t he f l oor , on a c hai r , or eve n
s t a nd wi t h t he k ne es be nt s l i g ht l y. C hoos e a pos i t i on t ha t ma ke s
y ou c omf or t a bl e , a nd ma ke s ur e y ou ar e i n a qui e t r oom.
2. S hut your e ye s , g ent l y.
3. C once nt r a t e on y our br ea t hi ng . P ay s pe ci al a t t e nt i on t o t he
r hy t hm of y our br ea t hi ng .
4. Ta k e a de e p br ea t h, i nha l i ng t hr oug h t he nos e whi l e ke epi ng y our
s houl de r s l oos e a nd dr oope d. You s houl d i nhal e a t a s t e ady pa c e
a nd f i l l up t he l ung s a s muc h a s y ou c an.
5. Hol d t he br e a t h f or a bout 5 s e conds .
6. Begi n ex hal i ng a t a s l ow, s t e a dy pa ce t hr oug h t he mout h by
pus hi ng f r om t he bot t om of y our l ung s . You wi l l f eel y our

1 14 42 2

s t oma c h f l a t t e n, do not s quee z e t he ai r out r a t her , pus h i t out
f r om t he bot t om of t he l ung s .
7. Wai t f or a mi nut e or t wo t o al l ow y our l ungs t o r e s t , and t he n
pr oc ee d t o t he ne x t s t e p.
8. When y ou a r e r e a dy , r e pea t t he pr oce s s of i nhal i ng t hr oug h t he
nos e a nd e x hal i ng t hr ough t he mout h, ma ki ng s ur e t ha t you pus h
t he ai r out f r om t he bot t om of t he l ung s , a nd not by f l a t t e ni ng
y our ches t .
9. Dur i ng t hi s e x e r ci s e , y ou s houl d c once nt r a t e on t he r hy t hm of
y our br ea t hi ng c ont i nuous l y.
10. Mov e y our body oc ca s i ona l l y i n or de r t o pr ev ent l ocki ng up of
t he mus cl es .
11. At t he e nd of t he ex er c i s e ( af t e r a ppr ox i ma t e l y 3 mi nut e s of
c ont r ol l e d br ea t hi ng ) , ope n y our ey es s l owl y a nd do not f ocus on
a ny s pe ci f i c t hi ng. J us t l e t your e ye s a dj us t on t hei r own.












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Exer ci se 2 Af f i r mat i ons of Vi si on
Havi ng a c or r e c t , opt i mi s t i c a t t i t ude i s vi t al f or i mpr ovi ng y ou vi s i on. The
mi nd and t he ey es have a r e al l y cl os e bond, a nd y ou ca n us e t hi s t o y our
a dva nt age by t r ai ni ng y our mi nd t o
v i ew per f e c t l y.
Thi s i s a n e x e r ci s e t ha t has mor e t o
do wi t h t he mi nd t han t he ey e s
t hems el v es . Howe ve r , t he s e c onda r y
e f f e c t of t hi s ex er c i s e wi l l be on t he
e ye s .
The f ol l owi ng a f f i r ma t i ons wi l l hel p
t he mi nd t o g e t i n t he r i g ht f or m
whi c h i s ne c es s a r y f or na t ur al l y
i mpr ovi ng your e ye s i g ht . The s e
a f f i r ma t i ons ar e di vi de d i nt o t hr ee
c a t eg or i es : P r e s ent , F ut ur e a nd
Na t ur al .
Pr esent Af f i r mat i ons
I s e e cl e a r l y
My ey es ar e powe r f ul
My ey es ar e c al m
My ey es ar e s t r ai n- f r e e
I am ma ki ng by e ye s f r ee of s t r a i n by r el e a s i ng t e ns i on
My f a ci a l mus cl es a r e r e l a x e d
I am c ur i ng my ey es
Fut ur e Af f i r mat i ons
I wi l l enha nce my e ye s i g ht
I wi l l ma ke v i s i on t o be c ome s har per t han e ve r
I wi l l ma ke my e ye s t o f oc us mor e na t ur a l l y
I wi l l c ompl e t el y g e t r i d of a ny ey e s t r ai n

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I wi l l he al my e ye s
I wi l l ma ke my vi s i on be c ome s har p
Nat ur al Af f i r mat i ons
I have c r ys t al cl ea r e ye s i g ht
My ey e s i ght i s i mpr ovi ng na t ur al l y
I have t he a bi l i t y t o i mpr ove my ey e s i ght
My vi s i on i s as s ha r p a s i t c an be
F oc us i ng my e ye s i s be c omi ng ea s i e r
I t ak e g ood ca r e of my ey es
I have bee n bor n wi t h he al t hy a nd s t r ong ey es
I l ove t o r el ax t he mus c l e s of my e ye s
My ey e s i ght c a n be i mpr ov ed i n na t ur al way s
Ta ki ng good c ar e of my e ye s i s e x t r emel y i mpor t ant













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Exer ci se 3 Pal mi ng
P al mi ng i s a n e x t r emel y ef f e c t i v e t e c hni que t ha t hel ps t he ey es t o r e l a x . You
c a n c a r r y out t hi s e x e r ci s e whe r ev e r a nd whenev er y ou wa nt t o. I f done
c or r e c t l y , y ou wi l l f eel as i f al l t he t e ns i on i s bei ng dr ai ne d f r om y our body.








I ns t r uct i ons :
1. To begi n ex er c i s i ng , s i t down on a c hai r wi t h y our el bows pl a ce d on a
de s k . You s houl d t he n c up y our pal ms a nd pl a c e t hem ove r y our ey es .
Ma ke s ur e y ou do not pr e s s ont o t he e ye s ; al l t ha t i s r e qui r e d i s t ha t
y ou pl a ce y our ha nd ge nt l y.
2. L e t y our s houl de r s t o r el a x and l e t y our s e l f s i nk i nt o t he dar k ne s s .
3. C once nt r a t e on t he ge nt l e , war m f ee l i ng of y our hands on your e ye s .
You mus t ma ke your mi nd bel i ev e t ha t you wi l l i mpr ove your e ye s i g ht
i n a na t ur al wa y , wi t hout r el y i ng on a ny gl a s s es .
4. You s houl d ma ke y our s el f f ee l a s i f y our i nt ui t i on a nd ps y chi c
a war e ne s s a bi l i t i es a r e be i ng e ne r gi z e d. Thi s i s i mpor t ant , be ca us e t he
Ba t es Me t hod r e qui r es t ha t y ou t r ai n your mi nd t o have a s embl a nce of
c ont r ol .
5. Ma i nt ai n t hi s pos t ur e a nd s t a t e of mi nd f or as l ong a s pr a c t i c al l y
pos s i bl e .

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Exer ci se 4 Fi gur e Ei ght s
The ai m of t hi s ex er c i s e i s t o i nc r ea s e t he f l ex i bi l i t y of y our ey e mus c l e s i n a
na t ur a l a nd r el ax ed ma nne r .

I ns t r uct i ons :
1. Ta k e t wo de ep br e a t hs s l owl y a nd s t e adi l y.
2. You c a n c hoos e t o s t and, or s i t wi t h y our f ee t bei ng a ppr ox i ma t e l y a
s houl de r - wi dt h a par t . Kee p y our ha nds at y our s i des . The k ne e s s houl d
be al l owe d t o s l i g ht l y be nd.
3. Now i magi ne as i f y ou hav e a f i g ur e of numbe r 8, l yi ng hor i z ont al l y
a ppr ox i ma t el y 15 f e e t a wa y f r om you.
4. L e t y our eye s wa nde r a l ong t he hor i z ont a l f i g ur e of 8 wi t hout al l owi ng
y our hea d t o move. Be gi n t hi s i n one di r e c t i on f i r s t , f ol l owe d by t he
s ame i n t he oppos i t e.
5. Kee p br e a t hi ng a t a s l ow, s t e ady pa c e whi l e cont i nui ng t o bl i nk y our
e ye s f r equent l y t o k ee p t he m f r e s h a nd c l ea n.
6. F e el t he t ens i on i n y our j aw, and al l ow i t t o e s c ape.




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Exer ci se 5 Scanni ng
S t a r i ng i s an unhe al t hy ha bi t a s i t t e nds t o f r ee z e t he ey e s na t ur al ene r gy as
wel l as t he mus c l e , t he r eby hi nder i ng t he bl ood f l ow. On t he ot he r ha nd, t he
t e c hni que of s c a nni ng i s oppos i t e t o t hat of s t ar i ng.
Re pl a ce t he habi t of s t a r i ng wi t h t he s c anni ng t e c hni que by f ol l owi ng t hes e
i ns t r uc t i ons :
1. Ta k e t wo de ep br e a t hs s l owl y a nd s t e adi l y.
2. You c a n c hoos e t o s t and, s i t or f r e el y mov e a r ound.
3. When y ou l ook a t a ny obj e c t , do not l e t y our e ye s t o f r e ez e ont o i t a nd
f oc us ; r a t he r , l e t t hem gl i de ove r t he obj e c t as i f y ou we r e us i ng y our
e ye s t o pai nt a wor k of a r t .
4. Kee p t he br e a t hi ng s t e ady.
5. As y ou l e t y our eye s g l i de f r om one obj e c t t o a not her , do not a l l ow
t hem t o f i x a t e on a ny s i ngl e obj e c t . C ont i nue bl i nki ng nor mal l y t o ke e p
t he ey es f r e s h a nd c l e a n.
6. Onc e s c anni ng be c ome s a habi t , y ou wi l l f e el t ha t your e ye s gl i de
e f f or t l es s l y a nd wi t hout a ny t e ns i on a t al l .