The name may sound so complicated but it is actually what most people call as, “pink eye”. This eye ailment is experienced once the conjunctiva becomes swollen and red. The conjunctiva is the outermost part of the eye, which also includes the inner layer of the eyelids.

There are various reasons for getting conjunctivitis. Usually, this is triggered by irritation that is due to bacteria, virus or allergic reaction. Then, it leads to an infection which is the reason why there is itchiness, redness and swelling.

Types of Conjunctivitis

The different types of conjunctivitis are categorized according to the reason why it was set off. Though pink eye seems fairly the same in every case, for both children and adults, the effects can slightly vary too.

•    Viral. Virus can get to the eyes if it is present in the upper portion of the respiratory tract. Interestingly, when a person suffers from the common cold or a sore throat, this could also trigger pink eye. Sometimes not both eyes are affected right away. If only one is red and itchy, it is important not to rub the eyes so that it would not spread to the other eye. This type of conjunctivitis can be easily detected because it makes the lower eyelid turn to red.
•    Bacterial. This type is much more serious than viral because the effects can be very uncomfortable. The most obvious symptom of this eye ailment is the pus which is produced by the eyes due to pyogenic. The pus is continuously created by the eyes even during sleep. Hence, patients with this ailment find it difficult to open their eyes in the morning due to the crusting which have formed along the eyelids. Aside from that, patients with this ailment also experience a sandy feeling inside their eyes like as if there are foreign objects in it. Truth is, this is just another effect of the bacteria.
•    Chemical. The redness of the eyes for chemical conjunctivitis is usually localized to just one spot. This can be a result of hazardous occupation which entails the use of chemical products or could be an accidental splatter while cleaning. Usually, alkali chemicals result to more serious effects compared to acid burn.
•    Allergic. Other cases can be contagious once the bacteria or virus has been passed on to another person. On the other hand, if the cause is severe allergy, then this type of pink eye is not communicable. This entails extreme redness of the eyes especially on the lower eyelid portion. Aside from that, it is also coupled with watery or teary eyes.

Precautions

When a person has conjunctivitis, here are the things which should be avoided:

•    Those with bacterial or viral pink eye should not mingle with others so the ailment would not spread
•    Rubbing the eyes should be prevented even if there is severe itching

•    Wear sunglasses to block the harsh light from the sun or other light sources
•    Use only eye drops or eye ointment which have been prescribed by an optometrist.

One of the very common things that Jim Kokkinakis sees in the consulting room is a patient who has been inappropriately treated with eye drops and now has a reaction to the very drops that was supposed to make them better.

If you have a red eye and would like a consultation with Jim Kokkinakis Optometrist, why not call now on (02) 9290 1899 or BOOK an APPOINTMENT ONLINE by CLICKING HERE.

In most cases, dry eyes only cause discomfort. If this is not connected to any serious visual ailment, the regular eye drops or a few minutes of eye relaxation can already alleviate the problem. However, for people with serious gland problems or those with poor tear quality, there could be abrasion and irritation on the anterior tissues of the eyes.

Jim Kokkinakis Optometrist of The Eye Practice in Sydney CBD commonly sees dry eye patients.  This condition can be caused by one or many factors.  Jim Kokkinakis after many years of treating dry eyes follows a systematic algorithm to get to the bottom of this frustrating problem.

Who Usually Suffers from Dry Eyes?

Anyone of any age can experience having dry eyes since this is a problem that can be triggered by cold weather, extensive use of computer, long hours of watching television or lack of sleep. However, there are some people who have higher tendency of experiencing this irregularity because of the following reasons.

•    People over 60 years of age or women who are starting to go through the menopausal stage
•    Taking antihistamines regularly
•    People who are on antidepressants
•    Individuals with high blood pressure who take medicines for health maintenance
•    Taking medications for Parkinson’s disease
•    Exposure to cold temperature from the air-conditioner
•    Individuals who live in a windy and dusty climate
•    Extensive use of contact lenses
•    Individuals who are diagnosed with lupus, ocular rosacea or rheumatoid arthritis

What are the Common Solutions for Dry Eyes?

If the problem can no longer be resolved by simple blinking or eye relaxation, then it is best to consult the doctor for proper medication. There are over-the-counter eye drops which claim to eliminate eye redness and alleviate the dryness but it is not recommended to use these frequently.

Here are some of the commonly prescribed treatments from optometrists.

•    Artificial Tears. This is one of the basic prescriptions for this discomfort. This appears like the usual eye drops and can alleviate the redness, dryness and itchiness. It is preferred to use preservative free drops.
•    Restasis or Cyclosporine. It is a step higher from the artificial tears. This triggers the tear glands to be more active so there will be sufficient lubrication for the eyes.

•    Lacrisert. This is inserted in the eye and positioned inside the lower eyelid. It is very small but contains hydroxypropyl cellulose. This is effective in resolving the dryness because it constantly produces lubrication.

For individuals who wear contact lenses, medication for dry eyes should not be applied while the lenses are still on. It is important to have them removed first. If the dryness is caused by the lenses, consult your prescribing optometrist.

Self-medicating dry eyes is not a good idea because it may not be correct and could result to more serious ailment. Aside from that, there is also the tendency to develop either tolerance or dependency on vasoconstrictor or the eye whitening agent which is commonly found in some over the counter eye drops. When this happens, the long term effect would be increased frequency of eye redness, which can be extremely frustrating to alleviate.

If you suffer from Dry Eye problems please call Jim Kokkinakis Optometrist on (02) 9290 1899 to make an appointment for a comprehensive assessment.  If you do not live in Sydney please call us as Jim Kokkinakis can refer you to a practitioner with a special interest in this condition closer to home.

Interestingly, each individual has a slightly different perception of color. Though the colors like blue, red, green and others seem like they are standardized, each person can perceive these colors in varying ways.

Since the 1990’s coloured lenses have been used to treat vision problems similar to eye strain.  Firstly using coloured overlays but with the advent of Colorimetry to Optometrical eye examination, precision coloured spectacle lenses were able to be accurately prescribed and thus manufactured.

Colorimetry is often interchanged with spectrophotometry which focuses on measuring the reflective property of certain objects. The main difference is that colorimetry is more streamlined to reducing the spectra such that it results to measurement of color perception.

Tools and Instruments

Since colorimetry is about precision, there are certain tools which have to be used in order to get quantified results. Some of the instruments are the same with the ones which are used for spectrophotometry but can also be functional in determining color perception. Here are the instruments used which are also referred to as colorimeter.

•    Tristimulus colorimeter. This is used in obtaining the exact tristimulus value of a color; Tristimulus value is the three combined values that are put together to describe the perceived color.
•    Densitometer. This is focused on measuring the optical density of a material or the amount of light which is reflected by a certain object.
•    Color temperature meter. This is also used in photography since it only reads two regions within the visible spectrum.
•    Spectrophotometer. It shows the measurement of transmittance or reflectance of various materials

Parts of Colorimeters

There are various instruments which can be used for colorimetry. The colorimeters have three general components so that the quantitative measurement would remain constant and accurate. The three parts include the following:

•    Light source. This is essential to be able to take the necessary measurement
•    Cuvette. This is the container for the solution which will be used as the sample
•    Photocell. Primarily determines the amount of light that is transmitted by the solution which was placed in the cuvette

Some of the colorimeters are small enough to be held on a single hand. These more portable ones are used for field testing. On the other hand, there are also more complex colorimeters which can be found in laboratories.

Applications of Colorimetry

Aside from its significance in the world of chemistry, there are certain industries for which colorimetry plays an important role. Among which are the following:

•    Water quality testing for clean water and waste water because this technique is the key in determining what components are present in the water like chlorine, cyanide, zinc and others
•    Identifying the amount of nutrients in plants like ammonia, phosphorous and others
•    It is used for blood testing to examine the hemoglobin and be able to see whether there are traces of inferior-quality drugs
•    Testing of various food products and ingredients to determine the safety
•    Measuring exact consistency of materials for production of textile and paint

In many industries which demand exact determination of components, this technology can be very useful.

If you also prefer to have a pair of prescription glasses but would like to stay away from the overly-traditional look, opting for coloured glasses can be a good choice. With all the options for coloured glasses these days, how do you pick the best one?

Choosing According to Face Shape

When picking the right shape of frame for coloured glasses it is important to pull the hair back to be able to see which one fits best.

•    Box-shaped face should avoid rectangular or square-shaped frames. This will only intensify the edges of the face. Opt for the ones with soft curves or maybe pick a frame which is semi-rimless so the emphasis will be draw upwards and not to the jaw line.
•    Oval-shaped face is easy to work with but coloured glasses should not be too round either. Frames which are elongated sideways will enhance the look.
•    Heart-shaped face should stick with frameless eyeglasses. That way, the area within the eyes would not be highlighted even more which makes the cheekbones look protruding.
•    For round faces, the last thing that they should pick is a pair of glasses with rounded frames. The best options are those with sharp corners to provide structure and definition for the overall look.

Using Eye Color as Basis

The color of the eyes should work well with the coloured glasses. The key is in picking a color which is close to the natural hue of the eyes to draw attention to its beauty even more.

•    Brown Eyes. Copper, beige champagne and tangerine are the safest options for brown eyes. This will add more depth and drama to the color of the eyes. For people who would like to stray away from the traditional shades, dark blue and lavender coloured glasses work perfectly too.
•    Blue Eyes. Blue eyes can be very stunning and the color of the eyes should not be overpowered by the glasses. Silver, fuschia, violet. Purple and midnight blue are great options for this eye color. For those with deep blue eyes¸ bright blue and black frames are the perfect picks.
•    Green Eyes. People with green eyes are probably the ones who have the least problem when it comes to picking eyeglasses. There is a wide range of coloured glasses to choose from but the safest ones are apricot, light green, gold, rich brown and purple.

These days, since eye glasses are becoming more and more trendy, even prescription lenses can have different colors of tint too. This can also be a good way to jazz up the traditional prescription glasses and make it look more updated. Just ensure that the tint would not be a hindrance when it comes to reading and having a clear vision.

Choosing the right glasses is not only about colour and shape. It is just as importantly about fit and then to have your prescription fitted accurately. Unfortunately not all suppliers of glasses can or will do it properly.  Be very wary with who you trust your most precious commodity – Your Vision.

This type of eye surgery refers to any procedure which aims to correct vision problems. Though it is considered as a form of surgery, patients do not have to endure wounds and stitches which take time to heal. This can actually be done in a matter of minutes to a few hours, depending on the extent of the treatment which needs to be performed. Hence, patients do not have to stay long in the hospital and recovery can be done at the comfort of their own home.

There are different types of laser eye surgery which are available for patients which have vision problems. If you are considering this procedure to be able to improve or even restore perfect vision, which one should you go for?

Though the decision is not solely up to you because the attending physician should conduct extensive tests before determining the right eye surgical procedure, it is best to be familiar with the different types of surgery.

LASIK

LASIK is actually a shortened term for in-situ keratomileusis. The procedure involves reshaping of the underlying corneal tissue. This enables the eyes to have better focus on the light that it receives. Hence, the information which would be sent to the retina would be more refined which results to a much clearer vision.

People who undergo this type of laser eye surgery are those who are diagnosed with nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. During the procedure, a flap is made in the outer layer of the cornea which enables the surgeon to have access to the inner layer which needs to be corrected or reshaped.

PRK

This is another popular option for laser eye surgery. The acronym stands for photorefractive keratectomy. This is an option for people who only experiences mild case of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. This is a less invasive procedure but it can only work on the outermost layer of the cornea. The laser beam is used in the reshaping procedure so there is no need for the surgeon to do cuts.

LASEK

LASIK is also known as laser epithelial keratomileusis. This laser eye surgery is a bit more complex than the others because it involves creating a flap in the cornea and then using an alcohol solution in the eyes. This should make the cells become looser so that the inner corneal layer can be treated using laser. The outermost layer of the cornea is also replaced and patients would need to wear contact lenses during the recovery period.

Length of Recovery Period

The different types of laser eye surgery procedures would all help when it comes to restoration of good vision. The only difference is the amount of time which is needed until the patient becomes fully recovered. The fastest recovery period is with LASIK which is only a few days. For the other types of laser eye surgery, it may take several days to a few weeks, depending on the health condition of the patient.

If you are confused about LASER EYE SURGERY make an appointment to see us on (02) 9290 1899.  Dr Jim Kokkinakis has consulted with thousands of patients before and after laser eye surgery.  Not only can he assess whether you are suitable, he also can refer you to ophthalmologists that have vast experience and training thereby minimising your risk.

While it is possible that your vision may get worse or that permanent damage may occur after the cataract surgery, these cases are extremely rare. Still, a comprehensive consultation with your eye doctor should be done so that you will be fully informed of all the possible risks.

Posterior Capsule Opacification

The most common risk that a cataract patient may encounter after surgery is the development of a condition called posterior capsule opacification, or PCO. In this condition, a portion of the capsule of your lens may thicken and lead to a cloudy vision. While some may mistake this as a sign of the cataract returning, it is actually cells growing at the back of the artificial lens.

This is not a serious complication and can be easily remedied by laser eye surgery. As a matter of fact, up to 30 percent of all cataract surgery patients will develop this condition. PCO usually occurs from six months up to five years after the surgery.

The additional laser eye surgery will only last around 15 minutes. Normal activities may be resumed almost immediately after.

Clinical Cystoid Macular Edema

A more serious complication of cataract surgery that can eventually lead to the loss of a patient’s vision is a condition called clinical cystoid macular edema.  In this condition, there is a fluid build up that occurs between the layers of the retina.

Clinical cystoid macular edema may lead to loss of vision. This condition is rare, however, and makes up only about 0.1 percent of all cases.

A similar condition is called angiographic cystoid macular edema. This is a very common condition, however, and does not lead to a patient’s blindness or visual impairment.

Other Possible Complications

There are other possible risks of cataract surgery. Again, these complications are extremely rare.  Among these risks are:

•    Bleeding in the eye
•    Cataract dropping into the back of the eye
•    Damage to the cornea
•    Detachment of the retina
•    Incomplete removal of all of the cataract
•    Infection in the eye
•    Redness of the eye
•    Swelling of the eye
•    Tearing of the lens capsule

Children who undergo this procedure may also face some complications. Among the possible risks include the following:

•    Abnormalities that may affect the pupil
•    Cloudy vision brought about by PCO
•    Detachment of the retina
•    Glaucoma, where there is an increase in pressure inside the child’s eye that would affect the vision
•    Infection of the eye, like endophthalmitis, which is a rare bacterial infection
•    Strabismus, or squinting, in which one of the eyes may turn inside, outside, upwards or downwards while the other eye is focused forward

Medical help must be sought if any of the conditions are felt.