Eye Health Guide
Articles by Dr. Şeyda Atabay on eye conditions in adults and children, eye surgery and everyday eye care.
Adult eye health · Children's eye health · Eye surgery · Everyday eye care
Adult eye health
- Diabetic RetinopathyDiabetic retinopathy is damage to the blood vessels of the retina caused by diabetes, and it can reduce vision. Regular retinal examinations are key to early diagnosis; treatment includes laser, eye injections and, when needed, surgery.
- Eye EmergenciesRetinal vessel occlusion, retinal detachment, eye injuries, foreign bodies, chemical burns, acute angle-closure glaucoma and acute uveitis all need treatment without delay. A delay can cause permanent loss of vision.
- How to Protect Yourself from Eye InfectionsEye infections are the most common cause of a red eye; viral conjunctivitis, which is very common in adults, is highly contagious. Hand hygiene is the most important protection, and an eye doctor should make the diagnosis and plan treatment.
- Dry Eye and Its TreatmentDry eye is a common condition in which the tear film that keeps the eye surface moist breaks down, causing burning, grittiness, watering and blurred vision. Treatment depends on the cause.
- Eye Cold (Conjunctivitis)An 'eye cold' (conjunctivitis) causes watering, redness, itching, light sensitivity and crusting, usually in both eyes. It can be allergic, viral or bacterial; viral and bacterial forms are contagious.
- Is Rubbing Your Eyes Harmful?Yes; frequent, hard eye rubbing can contribute to thinning and bulging of the cornea (keratoconus) and speed up its progression. When keratoconus is caught early, corneal cross-linking (CXL) can halt its progression.
- Glaucoma and BlindnessGlaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve and causes irreversible loss of the visual field, usually without any symptoms. With early diagnosis and treatment, sight can be preserved for many years.
- Blocked Tear DuctA blocked tear duct is a blockage of the passage that drains tears from the eye into the nose, causing watering, crusting and infection. In adults it is mostly treated with DCR surgery; in babies with massage and, if needed, probing.
- Refractive Errors of the EyeRefractive errors are short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia, which occur when light is not focused exactly on the retina. They can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, excimer laser or lens implants.
- Red EyeA red eye occurs when the blood vessels in the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the white of the eye, widen. Infection is the most common cause; allergy, dryness, injury, corneal ulcer, uveitis and acute glaucoma can also cause redness.
- Red and Dry EyesDry eye is one of the common causes of red, gritty and burning eyes. In simple cases preservative-free tear drops bring relief; further treatment may be needed depending on the cause.
- Contact LensesA contact lens is a thin lens placed on the cornea to correct a refractive error or change eye colour. Fitted under an eye doctor's supervision and used according to the rules, lenses can be worn without problems for many years.
- Dry Eye DiseaseDry eye disease means the eye produces too few tears or tears of poor quality, causing grittiness, burning, watering and blurred vision. Treatment usually starts with artificial tear drops and continues with further options if needed.
- Sudden Vision Loss in a Normal EyeSudden vision loss is an emergency and can have many causes, such as a blocked blood vessel, bleeding inside the eye or retinal detachment. Even if there is no pain, see an eye doctor or go to A&E without delay.
- PresbyopiaPresbyopia is the difficulty in seeing close up that occurs as the eye's natural lens loses its flexibility with age, usually starting at around 40. Glasses are the simplest solution; contact lenses and surgery are options for suitable people.
- What Is Pterygium?Pterygium is a thickening of the thin membrane covering the white of the eye (the conjunctiva) that grows towards the clear front window (the cornea); the main risk factor is sunlight. Early on, protection and drops ease symptoms; if it progresses, surgery with a tissue graft is carried out.
- Colour BlindnessColour blindness is the inability to tell certain colours apart because of a missing or altered pigment in the colour-sensing cells of the retina (cones); red and green are most often confused. It is mostly inherited, is detected with a colour vision test and cannot be treated with medicine or surgery.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)Age-related macular degeneration is an age-related disease of the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision, and a leading cause of vision loss over 50. Anti-VEGF injections are the main treatment for wet AMD; in dry AMD, supplements and regular monitoring are important.
- Black Floaters in the EyeBlack or grey floaters are usually a harmless result of the gel inside the eye (the vitreous) separating from the retina. If you also see flashes of light or a sudden increase in floaters, have your eyes examined straight away to rule out a retinal tear.
- Strabismus (Squint)Strabismus (squint) is when the two eyes do not look at the same point and drift in different directions; it affects about 4% of children, and a true squint does not resolve on its own as a child grows. Treatment includes glasses, treatment of lazy eye and, if needed, surgery.
- Retinitis Pigmentosa (Night Blindness)Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited disease of the retina that begins with poor night vision and loss of side vision and progresses slowly. An approved gene therapy exists for the RPE65-related type; for other types, low-vision support and follow-up are important.
Children's eye health
- Eye health in babies and children: what to look out forSerious eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma, lazy eye and retinopathy of prematurity can also occur in babies and children. Because children cannot tell that they see poorly, the first eye examination should take place in the first 6 months, followed by a yearly check.
- How do vision problems affect a child's school life?Yes, they can. Short-sightedness, astigmatism, long-sightedness and lazy eye can cause poor concentration and falling behind in class, so a yearly eye check is recommended even without any symptoms.
- Are children's eye problems genetic?Many eye problems have a genetic tendency: short-sightedness, astigmatism, long-sightedness or lazy eye in the family make them more likely in a child. Every child should still be examined, even with no family history.
- Sticky eyes in childrenSticky eyes in children are often caused by infectious conjunctivitis; a blocked tear duct in babies and allergy in some children can also be the cause. Hand hygiene reduces spread; see a doctor if there is redness or swelling, and always in newborns.
- Squint (strabismus) in babies and childrenA constant squint in a baby or child usually means that eye is not seeing well; the most common cause is long-sightedness. Treatment starts with finding the cause; glasses and patching are used, and surgery if needed.
- The family's role in children's eye healthThe family plays a key role in a child's eye health. A baby should see an eye doctor in the first 6 months, followed by a yearly check; if that is not possible, examinations at 6 months, age 3 and age 5½ are recommended as a minimum.
- Children's eye healthChildren do not realise when they cannot see well. So even without symptoms, every baby should see an eye doctor in the first 6 months and have a yearly check afterwards.
- Lazy eye (amblyopia) in childrenLazy eye (amblyopia) is reduced vision in an eye that did not develop normal vision in childhood, and glasses alone do not correct it. Treatment with glasses, patching or atropine drops is much more successful when started early.
- Can children get cataracts, and why?Cataract can also occur in babies and children; it may be present at birth or develop in the early years. Because it can cause lazy eye, early diagnosis matters; a cataract that affects vision is treated with surgery.
- Myopia in ChildrenMyopia (short-sightedness) is a common refractive error in school-age children that makes distant objects blurry. The right glasses give clear vision; ways to slow progression and check-ups are planned with the eye doctor.
- Congenital Eye Loss and Eye TransplantsLosing one eye affects depth perception, and in childhood it can also affect the growth of the facial bones. A socket implant with a custom prosthetic eye can give a natural appearance; transplanting a whole eye is not yet possible.
- Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is abnormal development of the retinal blood vessels in babies born early. Because untreated ROP can cause serious sight loss, at-risk babies should have eye screening on time.
- See an Eye Doctor Before Calling Your Child ClumsyChildren may not realise they cannot see well and may be unable to say so. In a child who often falls, bumps into things or has attention problems, a vision problem should be considered and an eye examination arranged.
Eye surgery
- Cataract SurgeryIn cataract surgery the cloudy natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens. It is usually done under anaesthetic eye drops in about 20–30 minutes and does not require a hospital stay.
- Laser Eye SurgeryLaser eye surgery aims to reduce dependence on glasses by correcting short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism in suitable eyes. The right technique is chosen after a detailed examination lasting about an hour.
Everyday eye care
- Should You Wear Glasses When Using a Computer?In people with eye strain at a screen at work, the cause is often undetected long-sightedness or astigmatism. Suitable glasses, regular screen breaks and, if needed, artificial tears can ease the symptoms.
- Does Using a Mobile Phone Damage Your Eyes?Looking at a phone up close for long periods can cause eye strain and dryness; in children, heavy use has been linked to earlier onset and faster progression of myopia. Taking breaks and limiting screen time are recommended.
- Are Sunglasses Sold on the Street Harmful to Your Eyes?Glasses sold on the street can be harmful: many sunglasses lack an adequate UV filter, and ready-made reading glasses are not made for the individual. Your prescription should be set by an eye doctor and your glasses bought from an optician.
- Common Eye Problems in AutumnAs the seasons change in autumn, the body's resistance may drop, and eye pain, watering and discharge can increase alongside flu symptoms. The most important protection is good hand hygiene and not touching your eyes with unwashed hands.
- Does Watching TV Damage Your Eyes?Watching TV up close does not usually damage the eyes; more often, a child who cannot see well moves closer to the screen. A child who always watches TV up close should have an eye examination.
- Can You Have Eyelid Surgery in Summer?Yes, eyelid surgery can be done in summer; what matters is being able to set aside about a week to recover. After surgery, protect the area from the sun and avoid the sea and pools for about 15 days.