Ophthalmic Surgery and Lasers: EyeCancer

July is UV safety awareness month

Sunglasses: Your Prescription for Eye Health

Acuity Eye Centre Lahore Pakistan and the American Academy of Ophthalmology urge you to protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging UV rays.

Next time you step outside to enjoy the summer sun, don’t forget to bring a pair of sunglasses. Most people know that the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays are bad for the skin. But did you know that too much sun on unprotected eyes increases the risk of eye diseases? This summer, Acuity Eye Center Lahore Pakistan and the American Academy of Ophthalmology remind you that sunglasses are more than a bold fashion statement, they are a smart health choice.

Long-term exposure to the sun without proper protection can increase the risk of eye disease, including cataract, macular degeneration, growths on the eye, and a rare form of eye cancer. Even short-term exposure can damage the eyes. Sun reflecting off water can cause a painful sunburn on the front part of the eye, called photokeratitis. It causes redness, blurry vision, sensitivity to bright light, and in rare cases, even temporary vision loss.

The good news is that prevention is simple: Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation. When purchasing sunglasses, ophthalmologists – physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care – urge the public to choose substance over style, and consider these 6 shopping tips:

Shop labels. The single most important thing to look for when buying sunglasses is a sticker or tag indicating that they block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation.
Buy oversized. The more coverage from sunglasses, the less sun damage inflicted on the eyes. Consider buying oversized glasses or wraparound-style glasses, which help cut down on UV entering the eye from the side.
Don’t be fooled by the color. While very dark lenses may look cool, they do not necessarily block more UV rays.
Consider your sport. Some sunglasses come with amber, green or gray lenses. They do not block more sun but can increase contrast, which may be useful for athletes who play sports such as baseball or golf.
Consider polarized lenses. Polarization reduces glare coming off reflective surfaces like water or pavement. This does not offer more protection from the sun but can make activities like driving or being on the water safer or more enjoyable.
Don’t break the bank! Sunglasses don't have to cost a lot of money to provide adequate eye protection. Less expensive pairs marked as 100 percent UV-blocking can be just as effective as pricier options.

If you doubt your sunglasses have the UV protection claimed by a retail tag or if they are simply old and you want to make sure, take them to an optical shop. Any shop that has a UV light meter can test your sunglasses.

“It’s important to protect your eyes year-round, not just during the summer,” said Dianna Seldomridge, MD, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Harmful UV rays are present even on cloudy days. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat also cuts down on exposure. And don’t forget babies and kids. They also need to wear hats and sunglasses.”

Here is the message from our lead consultant Professor Dr. Zia Ul Mazhry,

" Life without eyes is not easy, take care of them. Your eyes are your most important tools – Protect them! You and Your kids need to wear eye-protective glasses because the eyes are vulnerable to any type of UV damage."

آنکھوں کے بغیر زندگی آسان نہیں ہے ، ان کا خیال رکھنا چاہیے۔ آپ کی آنکھیں آپ کے سب سے اہم اوزار ہیں - ان کی حفاظت کریں! آپ کو اور آپ کے بچوں کو آنکھوں کے حفاظتی چشمے پہننے کی ضرورت ہے کسی بھی طرح کی بالائے بنفشی شعاعیں آنکھوں کو نقصان پہنچا سکتی ہیں۔

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart® program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.

Contact Our Team:

If you are looking for any of below services, please fill the form below, one of our team members will get in to provide you with full facilitation:

1– Comprehensive Primary Eye Exam/ Consultation

Consultation ::: Adult Eye Examination and Consultation

Consultation ::: Children Eye Examination Refraction Consultation

Consultation ::: Infant Eye Examination Refraction Consultation

2-Secondary Follow up Eye Examination and Consultations

Followup ::: Examination under Sedation for Kids (After Initial Consultation)

Followup ::: Dilated Fundus Examination(DFE)

Followup ::: Cycloplegic Refraction and DFE

3-Diagnostic Eye Test

Diagnostic ::: OCT

Diagnostic ::: Angio OCT

Diagnostic ::: Anterior Segment OCT

Diagnostic ::: Pachymetry

Diagnostic ::: Perimetry / Visual Fields

Diagnostic ::: Hess Chart/Digital Squint Assessment/Digital Diplopia Test

Diagnostic ::: Digital Colour vision test

Eye Cancer: Overview

Eye cancer is a general term used to describe many types of tumors that can start in various parts of the eye. It occurs when healthy cells in or around the eye change and grow uncontrollably, forming a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be benign or cancerous. A benign tumor means the tumor can grow but will not spread. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. Cancer that forms in the eyeball is called an intraocular (inside the eye) malignancy.

Parts of the eye

The eye is the organ that collects light and sends messages to the brain to form a picture. The three main parts of the eye are:

Eyeball
Orbit (eye socket)
Adnexal (accessory) structures, such as the eyelid and tear glands

The outer part of the eye is made up of the sclera, retina, and uvea. The sclera is the outer wall of the eyeball. The retina is a thin-layered structure that lines the eyeball and sends information from the eye to the brain. The uvea nourishes the eye. Both the retina and the uvea contain blood vessels.

The uvea consists of the following:

Iris: The colored part of the eye that controls the amount of light entering the eye
Ciliary body: Muscular tissue that produces the watery fluid in the eye and helps the eye focus
Choroid: The layer of tissue underneath the retina that contains connective tissue and melanocytes, which are pigmented (colored) cells, and nourishes the inside of the eye. The choroid is the most common site for a tumor.

Types of intraocular cancer

The most common intraocular cancer in adults is uveal metastases, which is cancer that has spread to the uvea from another place in the body. This is called secondary cancer. This guide is about primary intraocular cancer, meaning that the tumor started in the eye, not somewhere else in the body.

Melanoma is the most common type of primary intraocular cancer in adults. It begins when cells called melanocytes to grow uncontrollably. Intraocular melanoma is also called uveal melanoma.

Other, less common types of an intraocular tumor include:

Intraocular lymphoma is a lymphoma that begins in the eyeball. This condition is rare and can be difficult for doctors to diagnose. Many doctors consider Intraocular lymphoma to be a type of central nervous system lymphoma. Most intraocular lymphomas are non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
A retinoblastoma is a rare form of childhood eye cancer.
Hemangioma is a benign tumor of the choroid and retina that starts in the blood vessels.

Other, rare cancers of the eye include:

Conjunctival melanoma is a tumor of the conjunctiva, which is a membrane that lines the eyelid and eyeball. If it is not treated, it can spread to the lymph nodes, which are tiny, bean-shaped organs located throughout the body that fight disease. A conjunctival melanoma tends to recur (come back after treatment) on the eye’s surface and looks like dark spots on the eye. Doctors often perform a biopsy on a spot that appears to be conjunctival melanoma. A biopsy is the removal of a sample of the tissue for examination under a microscope.
Eyelid carcinoma (basal or squamous cell) is a variation of skin cancer. This tumor may be surgically removed and is usually not dangerous if it is treated early.
Lacrimal gland tumor is a benign or malignant tumor of the glands that produce tears.

Facts About Retinoblastoma

What is retinoblastoma?

Retinoblastoma is a type of cancer that forms in the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye).

Signs and Symptoms of Retinoblastoma

A pupil that looks white or black instead of red when light hits it.

A crossed eye (looking either toward the nose or toward the ear)
Poor vision.
A red, painful eye.
An enlarged pupil.

Who is at risk for retinoblastoma?

The disease usually occurs in children younger than 5 years and maybe in one eye or in both eyes. In some cases, the disease is inherited from a parent.

Treatment

How is retinoblastoma treated?

Retinoblastoma is a serious, life-threatening disease. However, with early diagnosis and timely treatment, in most cases, a child’s eyesight and life can be saved.

Contact Our Team

If you are looking for any of below services, please fill the form below, one of our team members will get in touch to provide you with full facilitation:

1- Comprehensive Primary Eye Exam/ Consultation

Consultation ::: Adult Eye Examination and Consultation
Consultation ::: Children Eye Examination Refraction Consultation
Consultation ::: Infant Eye Examination Refraction Consultation