High myopia itself does not directly cause serious harm to vision; there are many methods available on the market to help improve the refractive error of myopia. However, the formation of high myopia is caused by changes in the eye structure, so even if other methods are used to improve vision, a series of complications caused by deep myopia must still be faced, such as cataracts, retinal perforations or even detachment, and glaucoma.

If untreated, these problems can lead to permanent blindness. Therefore, people with high myopia need to deeply understand these potential risks and undergo regular eye examinations to ensure their vision remains healthy and to promptly address any issues that arise.

Definition of high myopia

High myopia is a relatively severe level of myopia.Near-sightedness of 600 degrees or higherIn medicine, it is defined as high myopia. Its formation is related to changes in the length of the eyeball.

High-degree near-sightedness complications

High myopia itself usually does not cause a decrease in vision. However, people with this condition are more likely to develop several other vision-threatening diseases, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

High-degree near-sighted examination

The harm caused by high myopia can be great or small; ophthalmologists will advise people with high myopia.Perform 1 to 2 comprehensive eye examinations within a yearOnce symptoms are detected, treatment can be administered immediately, reducing the difficulty of the treatment.

High myopia causes cataracts to deepen faster

People with high myopia develop cataracts more quickly, so they must undergo regular eye examinations to monitor their eye health.

CataractEye diseases are caused by cloudy lenses in the eye that affect vision. Clearly, modern medicine has provided effective treatment options for cataracts; however, cataract prevention can prevent patients from experiencing vision loss and the inconveniences associated with the treatment process.

How to prevent cataracts

Cloudy vision due to aging of the eyes is usually caused by cataracts. For senile cataracts, we can achieve the purpose of prevention by changing some lifestyle habits.

• Avoid ultraviolet and blue lightWhen going out, wear sunglasses to allow your eyes to rest properly.
• Healthy eatingEat plenty of antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E, and beta-carotene, and cornstarch.
• Controlling blood sugar levelsDiabetes is an important risk factor for cataracts.
• Quit smokingSmokers are 2-3 times more likely to develop cataracts than non-smokers.
• Regular eye examinationsOne to two procedures per year are performed to detect cataracts early.

Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens through a minimally invasive procedure and then implanting a new lens.Artificial crystalThe entire process takes about 10 to 30 minutes, but post-surgery care requires up to 1 to 2 months.

In addition to following the doctor's instructions regarding medication use, returning for follow-up visits, and maintaining eye hygiene, what specific steps should patients take to speed up recovery?CataractHow long does it take to recover after surgery? What are the possible complications of cataract surgery? This article will explain in detail how to care for yourself after cataract surgery and answer common questions from patients.

How long do I have to rest after cataract surgery?

Modern cataract surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, usually with a wound of only 0.2 centimeters. Therefore, the length of time after cataract surgery to rest depends primarily on the individual's visual recovery.

Generally speaking, by the 2nd day after cataract surgery, most patients are able to see clearly objects in front of them. Provided they maintain proper care after cataract surgery, they should be able to see clearly again within a few months.You can completely regain your vision within 1 week to 1 month.。 

However, we usually recommend that patients who have undergone cataract surgery use both eyes normally as soon as possible to accelerate recovery time after the cataract surgery. Within a few hours after cataract surgery, if the patient can see clearly, they can engage in some daily activities such as watching television, using a computer, eating, and taking a shower.

Nevertheless, after cataract surgery, you still need to take care of your eyes properly. You should use medication and clean your eyes as recommended by your doctor, avoid strenuous exercise, and avoid lifting heavy objects. When your eyes feel tired, you should take appropriate breaks.

Precautions after cataract surgery

Although cataract surgery is considered a minor procedure, neglecting post-surgery care may lead to eye infections and even the risk of blindness. Therefore, proper post-surgery care is crucial.

1. According to the doctor’s instructions, clean your eyes and avoid rubbing them.
2. Avoid collisions, heavy lifting, or strenuous exercise within 1 month after the procedure to prevent interference with wound healing or the dislocation of the artificial lens.
3. Avoid bending over or washing your hair within 2 weeks after the procedure; avoid splashing water into your eyes when taking a shower.
4. Wear eye masks before going to bed.
5. When going out, wear sunglasses to prevent sunlight from damaging your eyes.
6. If your eyes are uncomfortable for a long time, such as severe pain, severe swelling, or impaired vision, please seek immediate medical attention.

Complications after cataract surgery

Corneal transplant surgery is a safe and effective treatment method, but some potential complications may still occur. However, there is no need to worry excessively; most complications after corneal transplant are minor or rare; as long as you take serious care after the surgery and receive timely treatment, you can regain your vision.

Here are some possible complications after cataract surgery: 

• Seeing flashes of light or shadows:Feeling some flashes or shadows within a few hours or days after cataract surgery is quite common, but these symptoms will disappear within a short time and you should not worry too much about it. After the surgery, you have a higher chance of pulling it away from the back of the eye, a condition called retinal detachment. This is an emergency situation that can cause vision loss. If you have any of the following, please see an ophthalmologist immediately: If you have any of the following, please see an ophthalmologist immediately: Feeling like a curtain has fallen on your eye, new floaters in your vision, frequent flashes of light.

• High eye pressureIn some cases, surgery may lead to elevated eye pressure. This phenomenon usually resolves within 24 hours. If the eye pressure continues to rise, it may be due to residual crystalline lens tissue, inflammatory reactions, or residual viscoelastic agents, and immediate medical evaluation is necessary.

• Light-sensitive:After surgery, patients may become more sensitive to bright light. Therefore, remember to wear sunglasses when going out. Over time, the eyes will naturally adjust and the symptoms of light sensitivity will subside.

• Posterior membrane congestionDoes the vision become blurred after cataract surgery? Some patients may experience blurred vision due to epithelial cell proliferation in the posterior capsule surrounding the lens. This condition can be corrected through laser treatment, thereby improving the symptoms of blurred vision.

• Retinal detachmentIf the patient suddenly sees floating objects or flashes of light at some point after cataract surgery, making it difficult to see clearly, it most likely indicates retinal detachment; please consult an ophthalmologist immediately for further treatment.

• MigraineSome patients notice black spots in their eyes after cataract surgery. This is because their vision was too blurry before the cataract surgery, so they did not notice the presence of fly-eye syndrome. Fly-eye syndrome is one of the symptoms of aging eyes; if the black spots do not increase suddenly, they do not need to be treated.
• Macular edemaSometimes after surgery, blood vessels in the retina leak. When fluid accumulates in your eyes, it can impair your vision. First, doctors will choose to treat it with eye drops; it may take several weeks or months to recover. In more severe cases, patients may need to have steroids injected into the eye or undergo surgery.
• Eye infectionBacteria entering your eye during the surgery can cause infection. You may be sensitive to light, or have pain, redness, and vision problems. Infections after cataract surgery are rare; they are usually treated with antibiotics. In some severe cases, doctors may remove the vitreous gel from the center of the eye to prevent the infection from spreading.

Patients should maintain proper care and visit the ophthalmologist on time after cataract surgery. If there is an unusual change in vision after cataract surgery, they should seek immediate assistance from an ophthalmologist.

Common questions about cataract surgery

Does peeking at other people taking a bath cause eye infections or eye picking? How long does it take for the symptoms to improve? Can self-applied ointment cure the condition? Or do you need to see an ophthalmologist to treat the eye infections or eye picking? Many people will undoubtedly have similar questions, especially wondering how long it takes for eye infections or eye picking to improve once they are diagnosed. Before answering these questions, we first need to understand the underlying mechanism of the condition.

Causes of stye/eye pick needle

Eye infections, commonly known as eye picking, are medically referred to as "macula edema." Eye infections/eye picking usually occur near the eyelid glands, causing the eyelids to become red and swollen. The main causes of eye infections/eye picking are excessive gland secretion from the eyelid glands, which leads to blockage of the glands, coupled with a lack of attention to eye hygiene on a daily basis, which leads to bacterial infection.

Additionally, if the patient frequently suffers from eye infections or eye picking, it may also be due to the mites blocking the hair follicles of the eyelashes. These tiny organisms can live in the root of the eyelashes, and when they proliferate in large numbers, they can cause inflammation and the accumulation of pus, ultimately leading to eye infections or eye picking. So it’s not actually caused by peeking into other people’s baths.

For the prevention of eye infections/stye, daily eye care and cleaning are very important, especially for those who frequently wear makeup. It is essential to thoroughly remove makeup and avoid sharing makeup products and tools with others. If eye infections/stye occur frequently almost constantly, consult an ophthalmologist to ensure the condition is properly treated.

Characteristics and symptoms of eye infection/eye picking needle

Stye/stye needle is located in different places and corresponds to different names, namely "external stye" and "internal stye". Stye that is located on the surface of the eyelashes' sebaceous glands is external stye; while internal stye is located within the deep eyelid glands, because the pus is located on the inner side of the eyelid, so the inflammation time is also relatively longer.

In the early stages of the condition, there is only a slight sensation of foreign body in the eye. It does not hurt to touch it. These symptoms will heal on their own with plenty of rest and proper heat therapy. However, if the eye infection is caused by bacteria, the following symptoms may occur:

Symptoms of eye twitching

I. Mild symptoms of eye infection/eye picking needle

• The eyelids are slightly swollen
• Mild itching and eye irritation
• There is a feeling of foreign object.
• There is a feeling of scratching when blinking.

2. Severe symptoms of eye infection/eye picking needle

• The eyelids are noticeably red, enlarged, and may even affect vision.
• Pain, with a slight fever in the eyelid
• There is a strong sense of foreign object.
• Short-term visual impairment occurs

If the swelling and pain persists, you should immediately consult an ophthalmologist to treat the eye infection or eye scratch.

How to treat eye bruises/eye pick marks?

Some patients may try to puncture the eye with a needle to burst the eye blister or eye sac, and then squeeze the pus out with a pressure device. However, this practice can lead to bacterial infection, causing the wound to become inflamed again or recur, or causing cellulitis or even brain infection. Therefore, doctors do not recommend this method for patients with eye blisters or eye sac puncture. If you notice that you have eye blisters or eye sac puncture, consult an ophthalmologist. Usually, when treating and managing eye blisters or eye sac puncture, doctors will provide appropriate treatment recommendations based on the severity of the patient’s condition.

I. Mild eye infection/eye picking needle

For minor eye infections or eye picking, if you maintain good eye hygiene and try the warm towel and hot egg method to relieve the pain, the infection or eye picking will subside on its own. Simply boil an egg, peel it, wrap it in a gauze cloth, and gently massage the eyes. Apply this method four to five times daily for 15 minutes each time. This dissolves the blocked oil and pushes it out, reducing the blockage of the oil on the hair follicles. This method will usually resolve the eye infection or eye picking within a few days.

However, if you find that the eye infection/eye pick is too painful, it is recommended that you seek help from a doctor. The doctor will also prescribe some type of steroid or antibiotic based on the condition of the eye infection to help with inflammation and prevent infection.

2. Severe eye infection/eye picking needle

If the eye infection or eyelid tick remains inflamed and does not improve after using the medication, the doctor will recommend that the patient receive injections of corticosteroids to remove the swelling. However, these medications can make the surrounding skin pale, which is not the best option for people with dark skin. Therefore, the doctor may recommend a minor surgical procedure to remove the eye infection or eyelid tick. This type of surgery is relatively simple and minimally invasive, and there is no visible scarring. If the eye infection or eyelid tick continues to occur frequently in the same area, the doctor will send the tissue to a laboratory for cancer screening. However, the eye lid swelling is usually benign and harmless.

How long does it take for eye infections/eye picking to get better?

As for how long it takes for eye infections/eye pickings to improve, it depends on the severity of the patient. Generally speaking, mild eye infections/eye pickings require patience and may take a few days to heal; while severe cases require more patience, with eye infections almost always improving after two weeks. If eye infections/eye pickings are treated with patience, they will almost always improve within a few days, and the course of the disease is also expected to be shortened.

Whether a patient has a mild or severe case, when treating eye infections or eye picking, the most important thing is to seek medical attention promptly and be patient enough to wait a few days to see if the condition improves. It is absolutely not recommended to treat eye infections or eye picking on your own, as this will only lead to more problems and may ultimately require even more patience for the infection to improve and recover. The recovery process may even take over a month.

Can eye infections/eye picking be transmitted?

Generally speaking, eye infections/eye picking are not contagious by themselves. However, if you fail to treat them in time, allowing bacteria or hair follicle mites to grow, this situation may be transmitted to another eye or to another person through contact. Sharing towels, pillows, or cosmetics with patients also increases the risk of infection.

Will eye infections/eye picking needles usually recur if they are not treated?

Everyone who has had a stye or a black eye knows that this sensation is not only extremely uncomfortable but can sometimes directly affect one’s appearance. Although it is not a serious medical emergency, it is definitely a major problem for some people, as styes/black eyes almost always recur. To prevent and prevent recurrence, the most important thing is to start by taking proper hygiene, diet, and preventive measures.

• Be careful with hygiene: keep your hands clean, especially before touching your eyes; also avoid touching your eyes during the day and wiping your eyes with dirty towels.
• Healthy lifestyle and diet: Reducing late-night hours to allow the eyes to rest fully can effectively regulate the secretion of oil from the eyelid glands; reducing the intake of fried or spicy foods can reduce the risk of inflammation in the body.

Treating for the prevention of recurrence is more effective for patients with recurrent eye infections/eye picking that are almost resistant to treatment. This type of treatment can kill parasites, is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. For example, IPL (strong pulsed light) has light biostimulatory function, effectively stimulating cell mitochondria and promoting cell health. Treatment using tetracycline or tetracycline antibiotics helps to reduce inflammation and kill germs.

If not treated properly, eye infections/stye may recur frequently after a few months, or lead to other more serious eye problems. Therefore, if you have eye infections/stye, the best approach is to seek medical attention from an ophthalmologist to treat them.

Why should I see an ophthalmologist?

Although eye infections are common, doctors can accurately determine the type of infection, assess whether surgery is really necessary, and choose the most suitable incision location and method. Follow-up after surgery is equally important. Doctors provide detailed post-operative care guidance, regularly schedule follow-up visits to assess recovery, and provide preventive recommendations based on your individual situation. This comprehensive treatment and follow-up can truly help you completely resolve your eye infection problem.

# #Eye infection treatment: eye drops, #eye pins, eye drops, #eye ointment

Macular degenerationAlso known as macular degeneration, this is a chronic eye disease characterized by blurred central vision, distorted images, and dark spots in the center of the field of vision. The macular hole is primarily caused by the gradual aging of the eye as it ages, which is why it is often referred to as age-related macular degeneration.

However, some young people may also be affected by other factors and develop macular degeneration. In the current medical field, is there a feasible treatment option for macular degeneration? Will some macular degeneration cases resolve on their own? Dr. Tong Wenyue explains the causes of macular degeneration and treatment methods: laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, vitreous injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, low vision glasses, bifocal add-on artificial lenses, and more.

What causes macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration occurs due to many factors, the most important of which is age. It is the main cause of visual impairment in the central vision in middle-aged and older adults over 50 years old. However, some young people may also develop macular degeneration; this may be due to congenital genetic factors or adverse habits acquired later in life. Other causes of macular degeneration include:

• Smoking: Research shows that smokers are 3 to 4 times more likely to develop macular degeneration than the general population.
• Poor eating habits: Long-term intake of high-fat and high-sugar foods leads to obesity and three types of high blood pressure, affecting the health of the eye’s blood vessels and increasing the risk of macular degeneration.
• Prolonged exposure to intense sunlight: UVA in the sunlight accelerates the aging of photoreceptor cells, resulting in damage to the macular area.
• Functions of cell growth factors: Some genes in the human body are abnormal or associated with macular degeneration, such as complement factor B and complement factor H. These abnormal genes have been proven to be highly associated with the development of macular degeneration.

Additionally, although rumors suggest that blue light from electronic devices is one of the reasons for the premature aging of macular degeneration, there are currently insufficient research data to support this theory. However, using electronic devices in darker environments may cause the macular area to absorb more blue light, leading to various eye diseases.

Will the macular degeneration get better?

Some patients ask, "Will the macular degeneration surgery be successful?" or "Will the macular edema resolve on its own?"

It should be noted that macular degeneration cannot be cured on its own; only through certain treatment methods can the condition be slowed down and the symptoms of macular degeneration be alleviated. To prevent vision deterioration, it is recommended to seek the help of an ophthalmologist as soon as possible to treat macular degeneration.

What surgical treatment methods are available for macular degeneration in the elderly?

Treatments for macular degeneration available on the market include laser surgery and injections. The cost/price of both types of macular degeneration surgery depends on the specific treatment plan. Since macular degeneration symptoms may only occur in one eye, but may also appear in both eyes at the same time, the cost/price of treating macular degeneration will vary regardless of whether it is laser or injection surgery.

Currently, intraocular injection is the most common method of treating macular degeneration in older adults. Only doctors who believe that the patient’s condition is severe enough will recommend surgery to treat the macular degeneration.

Additionally, most treatment plans for macular degeneration in older adults focus on more severe wet macular degeneration. As for the treatment of dry macular degeneration, doctors usually recommend that patients eat more foods or supplements that are beneficial for the eyes on a daily basis, avoid smoking and other harmful habits, and undergo regular check-ups.

Laser light coagulation

In addition to treating macular degeneration in older adults, laser photocoagulation can also treat other eye diseases such as cataracts. The principle is to use the heat energy of the laser to eliminate abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, thereby reducing blood vessel leakage and preventing vision deterioration. However, the photocoagulation treatment for macular degeneration may damage healthy tissue; if the blood vessel is located quite close to the center of the macula, it is recommended to seek other treatment options.

Photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy combines medication and laser to treat age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmologists first inject a photosensitizing medication into the patient’s arm, which is then transported through the body’s bloodstream and attached to abnormal growing blood vessels. The medication is then activated by cold laser to destroy the blood vessels that are growing in the eye. Unlike laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy does not damage surrounding tissues and is also beneficial for improving vision problems. As for the cost of photodynamic treatment for the eyes, feel free to consult our team at any time.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor vitreous injection

Injecting medication into the eye is the most commonly used method for treating macular degeneration. Ophthalmologists inject numbing medication into the surface of the eye to prevent abnormal blood vessel growth. This reduces the risk of new blood vessels leaking. The macular degeneration injection treatment not only controls the condition of the macular degeneration but also improves vision damage. The injection treatment for wet macular degeneration is quite effective.

Another method of treating wet macular degeneration with intraocular injections is the injection of steroids. Long-acting steroids can also effectively reduce the damage to the retinal barrier by the blood vessels in the eye and improve macular edema. However, it is important to note that steroids can cause elevated eye pressure and other eye problems such as cataracts.

New technology for treating advanced macular degeneration in the elderly

When laser or injection therapy is not effective in treating macular degeneration, ophthalmologists usually recommend using some auxiliary methods to help improve vision for the patient, such as implanting a bifocal intraocular lens or wearing low vision glasses. Although these methods are more expensive than surgery to treat macular degeneration, they are relatively direct and quick methods.

Low vision glasses

Smart low vision glasses can instantly project images of the surrounding environment onto the retina of low vision individuals in the healthiest area, and adjust according to the patient’s perception. These glasses improve the patient’s perception of the real world by supplementing and correcting visual details. During the setup process, ophthalmologists can intuitively adjust the glasses to help patients find the optimal vision.

Dual-focus add-on artificial crystal

SML (Scharioth Macular Lens) is an implantable lens that can help patients "magnify" their field of vision. It features a specially designed central optical zone that provides high additional optical power of +10.0D, improving near vision without compromising distance vision.

Will some macular lesions heal after surgery?

Unfortunately, macular degeneration cannot be completely cured. Regardless of whether it is performed with macular hole surgery or other treatment methods, it can only slightly improve the vision of the macular hole and prevent the vision from continuing to deteriorate. The key is prevention. During the day, you should take care of your eyes more often, reduce direct sunlight exposure, and supplement with nutrients such as lutein to slow down the aging of the eye. This can reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration.

Diet and care after macular hole surgery

Diet and care after macular hole surgery are crucial steps that directly affect the success rate of the procedure. After macular hole surgery or injection, there are certain precautions to take, such as always following the doctor’s advice to take medication on time and avoid skipping doses. In daily life, it is also necessary to avoid rubbing your eyes, reduce eye strain, and avoid environments with high levels of smoke, such as smoking or construction sites.

In terms of diet, it is recommended to ensure balanced nutrition by eating foods rich in vitamins C, E, A, and zinc, such as dark leafy greens, fruits, and nuts. Typically, doctors will recommend that patients supplement with vitamin C after surgery, as vitamin C can help accelerate recovery and prevent infection; while lutein is recommended as part of long-term care after macular degeneration surgery. Additionally, patients can also try the macular degeneration diet recommended by ophthalmologists or nutritionists to maintain healthy vision.

Dr. Tong Wenjie, an ophthalmologist, reminds patients that if they develop macular degeneration due to high blood pressure or other health issues, they need to make changes to their diet and lifestyle so that their healthy bodies can control the degeneration from worsening and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Shortsightedness is one of the most common eye problems among children today. According to the Health Department, approximately 18% out of 6-year-old children in Hong Kong have shortsightedness; the rate is even higher for 12-year-old children, reaching 62%, which is far higher than in other Eurasian regions. Aside from poor eye habits, if parents themselves have high levels of shortsightedness, the chances of their children developing shortsightedness will also increase significantly. Therefore, early prevention and control of children's shortsightedness progression is extremely important.

Electronic products are the main cause of children's myopia

With the widespread use of electronic products, the age group of children with myopia is also gradually increasing. Many parents treat electronic products as "baby pacifiers"; at a stage when children's eyes have not fully developed, they develop a habit of relying on electronic products, which affects the normal development of their eyes.

Among children with myopia, up to 80% of cases are caused by poor eye habits. Prolonged viewing of electronic screens causes the pupil to adapt continuously to changing light conditions, causing the ciliary muscle to remain in a constant state of tension to regulate the pupil size. This leads to excessive eye fatigue and increases the risk of myopia in children. To prevent or control the degree of myopia in children, parents must strictly control their children’s time spent using electronic devices while encouraging them to participate in outdoor activities and reduce their dependence on electronic pacifiers.

Is there a difference between children's myopia being real or not?

However, there is also “true myopia” and “pseudo-myopia”; the former is caused by changes in the eye structure that cannot be naturally restored; the latter is the temporary fatigue of the eyes; proper relaxation of the eye muscles can improve it. Since the recovery methods for both types of myopia are different, it is important to first understand which type of myopia the child has.

Pseudo-myopia often occurs in children under the age of 12 because the pupils of children under this age are very strong. In addition, due to prolonged use of electronic devices in close proximity, the pupils cannot relax naturally, leading to pseudo-myopia. However, as long as the eyes are given adequate rest, children with pseudo-myopia can regain normal vision.

If you suspect that your child has vision problems, it is recommended that you seek immediate medical advice from an ophthalmologist. Typically, pseudo-children's myopia can be corrected; most cases are treated by using eye drops to relax the eye, thereby detecting the true refractive state of the eye and determining whether it is true or false myopia.

Although childhood pseudo-myopia can be corrected, this is also a major sign of myopia; if the child does not correct their eye habits in time, it may eventually become true myopia.

How to detect that a child has myopia?

Young children may not realize they have vision problems, so parents should pay extra attention and observe their children to determine if they have myopia or other vision problems. If the following signs of myopia appear, parents should take their children to see an ophthalmologist:

• Frequently blinking or rubbing the eyes
• Frequently rubbing the corners of the eyes or squinting to see distant objects
• Frequently tilts their head to look at things
• When looking at things, the eyes and the object are very close together.

What are the consequences of neglecting to control children's myopia?

Some parents believe that if a child's myopia is not severe, it is not necessary to address it. However, in reality, if children's myopia is not controlled, the refractive index will gradually increase with age, and even rapidly increase within a short period of time. If the child already has myopia problems at a young age, it is easy to cause the refractive index to exceed 500 degrees.

But do you think that’s all it takes to make myopia worse? No! The deeper the myopia, the greater the risk of developing eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration in the future; in severe cases, it can even lead to blindness.

• Cataracts: The lens of people with high myopia tends to deteriorate and become cloudy, which increases the risk of developing cataracts.
• Cataract: People with high myopia have higher eye pressure, and the risk of developing cataracts is four times that of normal people.
• Macular degeneration: Among patients with myopia of up to 800 degrees and myopia of 10 years, approximately 5 to 10% patients have combined macular lesions.
• Floaters: The vitreous humor of highly nearsighted people is prone to degeneration, resulting in fibrous-like suspended matter.
• Retinal detachment: The retina of people with high myopia is prone to degeneration or atrophy, and the risk of developing retinal detachment is more than 20 times that of the general population.

Therefore, parents should actively monitor their children's near-sightedness and take control and preventive measures to prevent their children from becoming high-myopic in the future.

What are the methods for controlling children's myopia?

Generally speaking, the ideal rate of myopia progression for children should be no more than 50 degrees per year. If children's myopia increases by more than 100 degrees per year, it is considered an abnormal situation and may eventually develop into high myopia, which may also increase the risk of developing secondary complications. Therefore, in recent years, the medical community has been dedicated to researching various methods to control and improve myopia in children in order to slow down the progression of myopia in children.

Low-concentration atropine eye drops

Low-concentration atropine eye drops can inhibit excessive growth of the cornea and slow down the elongation of the eyeball, thereby controlling the deepening of children's myopia. Within 1 year, the deepening can be slowed down by 67%.

However, some children may experience side effects such as blurred vision after using low-concentration atropine eye drops, or difficulty seeing close objects; therefore, careful consideration should be given before using low-concentration atropine eye drops.

Corneal reshaping contact lenses (OK lenses)

Corneal reshaping contact lenses (OK lenses) are contact lenses worn at night for children with myopia of no more than 600 degrees. Their principle is to reshape the cornea through highly oxygen-permeable rigid lenses, allowing users to see clearly without wearing glasses during the day. Research has shown that long-term use of OK lenses can control the progression of myopia in children, generally slowing the rate of myopia progression to 50%–80%.

However, corneal reshaping contact lenses are only temporary vision correction; if they are stopped wearing, the degree of myopia in children will return to its original state.

Additionally, OK lens for controlling children's myopia usually costs between HK$5,000 and HK$10,000, plus the lenses need to be replaced every 9 months or so, so the price of these children's myopia control lenses may be somewhat expensive for some families.

Depth-of-field image stabilization (DIMS)

There are two types of distance vision lenses: the central portion is a normal near vision lens, and the surrounding portion is an optical element that utilizes the near vision distance effect to focus the surrounding image in front of the retina, thereby slowing down the eyeball elongation and controlling the speed of children's myopia. Research has confirmed that children who wear distance vision lenses experience a significant reduction in myopia over 2 years, reaching 52%.

Unfortunately, bifocal lenses are only suitable for children with myopia of no more than 650 degrees and astigmatism of no more than 400 degrees. Children with myopia exceeding this range must seek other control options. Moreover, the cost of these types of children’s myopia control lenses is not low either; currently, the price of commercially available children’s bifocal lenses starts at HK$4,000, which directly discourages parents who want to use lenses to control their children’s myopia.

An earlier method for controlling children's myopia—the Children's AI Myopia Control Program

As mentioned above, some eye drops used to control myopia in children can cause side effects. In addition, the prices of children’s contact lenses for controlling myopia on the market are currently too high, and with the so-called “prevention is better than cure,” parents are starting to realize that controlling their children’s myopia and the likelihood of their myopia deepening should not be started after they are diagnosed with myopia; rather, it should be started at an earlier stage to control the risk of myopia in children.

The Children's AI Myopia Control Program is a special project developed in Hong Kong in recent years. The prediction accuracy is as high as over 80%. The goal is to be able to predict the myopia development of children in the next 3 years in advance and customize individualized treatment plans in advance to control the progression or restoration of children's myopia.

The main process of the children's AI myopia control program is as follows:

1. Fill out the questionnaire about the daily habits of your children
2. Performing various eye examinations
3. Importing inspection data and using AI and big data analysis to predict the myopia status of children for the next 3 years
4. Parents and ophthalmologists can use reports and charts to understand whether the myopia development of their children is considered high-risk.
5. Based on the evaluation results, ophthalmologists will customize personalized treatment for the child to slow down the progression of myopia in children and reduce the risk of high myopia.

Currently, Dr. Tong Wenjie, an ophthalmologist, is in charge of "Children's AI near-sighted control programIt has been validated in a sample of 129,242 adolescents, with a predictive accuracy of over 80%, helping to provide early warning of myopia in adolescents.

Parents can accurately predict their child’s future myopia changes through the “Child Myopia Control AI Smart Platform.” This AI platform uses big data intelligence to analyze the predicted results, allowing parents to observe the changes in their child’s refractive errors based on the predicted report (the parent can view this as a “refractive development file”). Ophthalmologists will also analyze the current myopia status of their child in detail based on the predicted report, comparing the normal refractive performance of the same age group with the general population, and formulating personalized myopia treatment plans.

Daily methods to improve or control children's myopia

To prevent or control myopia, in addition to seeking the help of an ophthalmologist, parents can also help children with myopia restore or improve their vision through daily life activities.

Establish correct eye-care habits

Whenever possible, children should maintain proper sitting posture when doing homework or reading. They should also avoid lying down or sleeping, and should also avoid reading or using mobile phones in dim light environments. Furthermore, children with myopia should control the time they spend using electronic devices each day and develop the habit of taking a 5-10 minute break every 30 minutes.

Eat eye-healthy foods

Parents can also provide their children with eye-healthy foods like vitamins A, C, E, lutein, and anthocyanins on a daily basis, which can help children with myopia recover or improve their vision.

Outdoor activities

Parents are advised to take their children outdoors daily for activities such as playing in playgrounds and going for walks in parks. This will reduce their time using electronic devices, and the sunlight outdoors can also stimulate the secretion of retinal dopamine, effectively controlling the progression of myopia in children.

The development of myopia in children is extremely rapid; even a slight lapse in attention can lead to a rapid increase in the refractive index. Therefore, in addition to supervising children to cultivate good eye habits in daily life, parents are advised to regularly have their children undergo eye examinations. Once abnormalities are detected, appropriate control measures and treatment plans can be implemented in time to ensure the healthy vision of children.

Presbyopia is a vision problem that occurs with age. Almost everyone experiences it, usually in people around 40 years old. Many people with presbyopia are reluctant to wear reading glasses because they fear being ridiculed for being old, which can affect their daily lives. However, nowadays, more and more methods for correcting presbyopia are being introduced to the market. Wearing reading glasses is no longer the only option; for example, Dr. Tong Wenyu, an ophthalmologist who strongly recommends Presbymax laser surgery for presbyopia, not only avoids the embarrassment of wearing reading glasses but also restores the eyes to their youthful vision.

What is presbyopia?

The most common symptom of presbyopia is difficulty reading; text on mobile phones or in books becomes very difficult to see, requiring constant adjustments of distance to find a clearer focus. Prolonged near-vision activities can easily lead to fatigue, dryness, or discomfort in the eyes; working near in darker environments requires more light to help the eyes focus.

The main cause of presbyopia is the degeneration of the lens and ciliary muscles within the eye. This degeneration causes the lens to become rigid and lose elasticity, thereby affecting the eye's refractive power and ultimately impacting vision.

Although cataracts usually occur in people around the age of 40, with the advancement of technology, people are increasingly relying on electronic devices. Prolonged use of screens can cause excessive contraction of the ciliary muscles, leading to the early onset of cataracts. Therefore, protecting eye health is extremely important for modern people. It is recommended to reduce the time spent using electronic devices to give the eyes enough time to relax and slow down the development of cataracts.

2 ways to self-test for farsightedness

Method one: Symptom check

The following are some common symptoms associated with presbyopia; if you have more than 3 of these symptoms, you may have presbyopia.

• When looking at the phone, you need to hold it farther away to see clearly.
• When looking at an object, I sometimes want to take off my glasses; wearing them actually makes it clearer to see.
• You feel that the home or office is dimmer than before.
• Often misread numbers or letters
• Often feel tired in the eyes
• Shoulder and neck pain, stiffness
• Constantly frowning and feeling dizzy

Method 2: Money banknote test

1. Take out a banknote and place it in the most visible place for you.
2. Then focus on the small print on the banknote.
3. The visual line leaves the banknote and the object 2 to 3 meters away is seen approximately 5 seconds later.
4. Then look back at the small text line again to see if you can read it in a few seconds.

If you can focus within 1 second, that’s normal; if it takes more than 1 second, you’re at risk of developing presbyopia; if it takes more than 3 seconds, it’s almost certain that you have presbyopia.

If you suspect you have presbyopia, it is recommended to consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible for professional advice and assistance. The ophthalmologist will determine whether you need to wear reading glasses based on your visual needs, or recommend Presbymax laser surgery to improve your presbyopia. Identifying and treating presbyopia early helps improve vision and enhance quality of life.

What is the difference between farsightedness and presbyopia?

Both farsightedness and nearsightedness cause some difficulty in seeing close objects, but the causes are not the same. Additionally, if you notice vision problems, it is still recommended to have an examination.

• Presbyopia is a degeneration of the eyeball

Presbyopia is a vision problem related to age. As we age, the lens and ciliary muscles in the eye gradually deteriorate, resulting in a weakened focusing ability that makes it difficult to see clearly near objects and in low-light environments. If presbyopia has severely affected your life, you may consider undergoing Presbymax cataract surgery. This is because Presbymax not only treats presbyopia but also helps improve problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, restoring your eyes to their youthful state.

• Far-sightedness is innate.

Far-sightedness is a vision problem related to the structure of the eyeball. It is mainly caused by the eyeball being too short or the ciliary muscle being weak. If the eyeball is just too short but the ciliary muscle is strong, there is generally no problem with visual blurring; once the ciliary muscle becomes weak, focusing on near objects requires more effort. Far-sightedness is congenital, meaning most children are farsighted, but there is no need to worry too much; as the eyeball develops normally, the condition will improve.

If you leave your old spectacles lying around, be careful not to cause any health problems!

Many patients find that farsightedness has little impact on their daily lives and are reluctant to address the problem. They believe that they can see clearly with their eyes closed, and even refuse to wear glasses for farsightedness. However, this behavior causes overexertion of the ciliary muscles, exacerbates the strain on the eyes, and leads to conditions such as eye fatigue, discomfort, and pain in the eyeball. In severe cases, it can even spread to the shoulder and neck region, causing symptoms such as shoulder and neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

Although cataracts are not a serious condition, the degree of cataracts will increase with age. If cataracts are diagnosed at 40 years old and are 100 degrees, it will increase to 300 degrees by 60 years old. The degree of cataracts will increase by about 10 degrees each year. If the degree of cataracts shows an abnormal decline, this may be a major warning sign of cataracts. Patients should seek an ophthalmologist for detailed examination and appropriate correction as soon as possible. Timely identification and treatment of cataracts is the key to protecting eye health.

What are the methods for correcting farsightedness?

Medical science is constantly advancing, and the methods for correcting farsightedness are also becoming more and more advanced. These include wearing bifocal or multifocal eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgically implanting artificial lenses, as well as Presbymax laser surgery for farsightedness.

• Single-focus glasses: Usually, single-focus glasses are only worn when looking at things at close range. These glasses can only provide clear vision within a specific distance. However, if a person also has myopia and hyperopia problems, they need to frequently take off and put on two different-diopter glasses in different situations. In this case, multi-focus glasses can be considered.
• Multifocal glasses: These glasses are equipped with lenses with multiple focal points, allowing you to see objects at long, intermediate, and near distances with one pair of glasses, eliminating the need to frequently replace your glasses.
• Multifocal contact lenses: For those who do not like the heavy feeling of wearing glasses or who already have a habit of wearing contact lenses, you can use multifocal contact lenses or have your vision corrected directly through surgery.
• Surgical treatment: Surgical treatment may include single-eye vision surgery, multifocal intraocular lens surgery, and Presbymax laser correction surgery. Presbymax laser correction surgery is a relatively new option. This procedure reshapes the cornea using laser technology to improve farsighted vision, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Traditional refractive surgery vs Presbymax Presbyopia correction: Which one should you choose?

Single-eye vision surgery	Multifocal artificial lens	Presbymax Presbyopia correction
❌ Distorted mid-distance images
❌ Poor sense of three-dimensionality	❌ Has a flashing light problem
❌ Not suitable for night drivers
❌ Takes time to adjust	✅ Clear vision at long, medium, and short distances
✅ No glare problem
✅ No need for time adjustment; you can resume normal activities within 24 hours after the procedure.

Presbymax cataract surgery mainly involves grinding the cornea with a laser to achieve a multi-focal state. The main operation is to correct the near, far, and presbyopia of the main eye to nearly zero; the other eye retains or creates approximately 150 to 250 degrees of near vision, specifically designed for near vision and to improve presbyopia problems. Additionally, Presbymax incorporates slight spherical aberration to enhance the depth of field in both eyes, lengthen the focal point, and change chromatic aberration, thereby creating a “fusion zone” for both eyes, allowing patients to achieve clear vision at both near and far distances and ensuring the original color and sense of depth remain intact.

Dr. Yu stated that Presbymax is currently one of the most recognized and mature methods for treating presbyopia worldwide. Patients who have undergone Presbymax cataract surgery are extremely satisfied with the results, and the price is also relatively affordable. The surgery takes a very short time, approximately 10 minutes, and patients can resume normal activities within 24 hours. Vision can be fully restored within a few weeks without any discomfort, making Presbymax the best choice for treating presbyopia.

Research data from the World Health Organization shows that there are approximately million people worldwide who are blind due to cataracts, which is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. The most common type of cataract is age-related cataract, which usually occurs after the age of 50. People with diabetes and those with severe nearsightedness are more likely to develop cataracts earlier and experience more severe symptoms. If cataracts become mature, they can lead to a range of complications, such as glaucoma and inflammation of the iris, or even blindness. Therefore, patients undergo cataract surgery to treat the condition with artificial lenses. Through treatment, the eyes are restored to clear vision.

What is cataract?

Cataracts are caused by the cloudy appearance of the transparent lens used to focus light in the eye due to aging or disease. The lens functions like a camera lens, helping the eye to focus accurately, allowing the image to be focused on the retina to form a clear image. The lens is made of proteins and has the function of regulating light. When the lens becomes cloudy, its transparency decreases, and light cannot pass through, resulting in a decrease in vision and the formation of cataracts.

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

The symptoms of cataracts are relatively easy to identify compared to other eye diseases such as dry eye syndrome. The most common symptoms include reduced reading ability, which is mainly caused by blurred vision, and problems with glare. Patients also experience night glare and difficulty distinguishing colors and contrast sensitivity during the later stages of cataract development. The symptoms of cataracts can be further divided into early cataract symptoms and late cataract symptoms:

Early cataract symptoms

• Fear of light
• Single-eye retro-reflection
• The near-sightedness has suddenly skyrocketed in geometric terms.
• Cataracts are reduced

Symptoms of advanced cataract

• Blurred vision
• Notice the glare that appears when looking at things.
• The image color becomes dim

Why do I get cataracts?

Aging

The main cause of cataracts is the aging of the eyes due to age progression, which is also known as "senile cataract." The cause is the aging and deterioration of the lens. In medicine, cataracts of this type are classified into three categories based on the location of the cloudiness: posterior subcapsular opacity, nuclear opacity, and cortical opacity.

Other diseases cause

Also known as "secondary cataract," it is caused by surgery for other eye diseases, the use of steroids, or other health problems such as glaucoma, diabetes, inflammation of the eye, or high myopia.

Trauma-induced

Trauma is also one of the causes of cataracts. When the eyes have been subjected to severe impact or puncture injuries, or have been exposed to high temperatures or chemical drugs that cause dislocation of the crystalline fiber structure, the possibility of developing pathology such as turbidity and calcification exists. However, some patients do not develop cataracts immediately, but gradually in the future.

Surgery to treat cataracts is the only way out.

Currently, surgery is the only treatment for cataracts. Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and implanting an artificial lens to treat cataracts and improve vision. Generally, cataract surgery is performed under local anesthesia, using a microscope in the operating room, and using ultrasound emulsification technology to remove the originally cloudy lens and implant an artificial lens suitable for cataract patients. Since this is a minimally invasive procedure, the surgical incision is usually very small, and not necessarily requiring stitches, so the recovery time is relatively short. Cataract surgery is very safe, and complications are not common.

However, since everyone’s circumstances and needs are different, and artificial lenses cannot be easily replaced like eyeglasses, it is advisable to consult a doctor before undergoing cataract surgery to choose the right artificial lens for your specific case.

Before undergoing cataract surgery, patients must decide which type of cataract lens treatment they wish to undergo. Based on overall eye health factors such as dry eye syndrome, corneal refractive error, or macular health, patients can consider their visual needs and lifestyle to determine which type of cataract lens treatment can provide the best results for them, and then undergo cataract surgery.

Currently, there are three main types of artificial lenses that can be chosen for cataract surgery:

• Single-focus artificial lens — This is the most commonly used artificial lens for cataract patients, and it is also suitable for all patients. However, this artificial lens has only a single focal length; if implanted to improve distance vision, wearing bifocal lenses may be necessary when performing activities at close range, such as reading or playing mahjong.
• Full-field wide-angle artificial lens — Lengthens the eye focus distance, solving the disadvantage of previous multifocal intraocular lenses that can only see objects at a distance and near, and filling the vision gap at intermediate distances.
• Three-focus artificial lens — This artificial lens is suitable for patients with cataracts and presbyopia. It is a multifunctional artificial lens that provides full vision in both near, intermediate, and far distances. After surgery, patients with cataracts are less dependent on glasses. However, patients may experience visual disturbances such as halos and glare after surgery, so they may need more time to adjust.

Many patients who undergo cataract surgery to treat cataracts have questions about the lifespan of the artificial lens. In fact, current artificial lenses are made from biocompatible materials such as acrylic or organic silica. This means they do not cause allergic reactions in the human body. For over 100 years, no cases of vision impairment caused by aging of the artificial lens have been reported. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the lifespan of artificial lenses. Artificial lenses have a lifespan that exceeds that of any human being; very rarely do artificial lenses undergo changes that require replacement.

When should cataract surgery be performed?

As cataract becomes mature and worsens, it can lead to a range of complications for patients, such as causing glaucoma and retinal inflammation, which can lead to irreversible blindness. Moreover, late cataract surgery is more difficult and the recovery of vision is slower. Therefore, treatment should be started early and cataract surgery performed. Moreover, in the current medical practice, patients do not need to wait until symptoms of cataract complications appear before undergoing cataract surgery. Instead, when visual acuity gradually deteriorates and is insufficient to cope with daily work or life needs, it is possible to consider cataract surgery as a treatment option. Once the patient is detected by a nurse that their vision has declined, and after a doctor’s examination and discussion, they can decide when to undergo cataract surgery.

If surgery is not performed until the late stage of cataracts, the lens will swell or even dissolve, resulting in a series of complications for the patient, such as causing glaucoma and inflammation of the iris, which can lead to irreversible blindness. Moreover, late cataract surgery is more difficult and the recovery of vision is slower.

After cataract surgery, care after surgery

Within a week of undergoing cataract surgery, patients can use eyeglasses, sunglasses, or eye protection to protect their eyes. Do not rub your eyes with your hands to prevent inflammation of the wound. Sterile cotton wool or clean paper towels can also be used to lightly wipe the surrounding area of the eye to prevent infection. After routine cataract surgery, patients can resume normal activities without needing to stay in bed. However, injuries and complex cases such as concomitant glaucoma may require restrictions on activity.

Regarding diet, you do not need to avoid eating after surgery, but you should reduce the intake of irritating foods. People with allergies should also avoid eating foods high in protein.

Within one month of surgery, you should avoid swimming, strenuous exercise, and lifting or carrying objects weighing more than thirty pounds. When bending your head during daily activities, be careful not to bump into anything.

Have you ever noticed that your eyes feel dry and painful even after working for a short time? You can’t help but blink even when you close your eyes to rest? This could be a symptom of dry eye syndrome! Do you think that by taking eye drops and applying artificial tears or reducing your TV and computer screen time, you can improve dry eye syndrome by addressing the root cause? If you think that dry eye syndrome will get better on its own in no time, you are wrong! These methods may only make the symptoms of dry eye syndrome get worse.

What is dry eye syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome is a common eye condition; 3 out of 10 Hong Kong people suffer from it. When the eyes cannot produce enough tears, or when the tears cannot function properly, this condition causes dryness and pain in the eyes. The main reason for dry eye syndrome is that with age, the amount of tear fluid produced decreases; clinical data shows that by age 65, the amount of oil secretion in the tear fluid is reduced by more than 60% compared to that at age 18; as a result, the tear fluid evaporates more quickly, so the majority of people with dry eye syndrome are in the older age group.

How does the composition of tears affect eye health?

Before understanding how to improve dry eye symptoms, we should first understand the role of tears in eye protection. In addition to maintaining the smoothness of the cornea and providing optical properties, tears can also provide oxygen to the cornea and have the function of flushing out impurities and foreign bodies entering the eye. The antibodies and enzymes in tears can resist foreign bacteria and protect the cornea’s health.

The tear film on the surface of the eye consists of three layers, each of which plays a specific role. If one of the layers is compromised, the tear film cannot fully lubricate the eyes, resulting in dry eye syndrome.

One, the oil layer

The outermost layer is the lipid layer, produced by the glands beneath the eyelids to provide a lubricant. This not only prevents the water component from evaporating too quickly, but also increases surface tension to maintain the stability of the tear film, while providing the smoothness of the eye's surface.

2. Water-fluid layer

The aqueous layer is the middle layer, the main component of tears, produced by the tear glands. It is an important component that provides nutrients to the epithelial cells of the cornea, while also containing anti-infective substances that protect the eyes from bacterial infection.

Three, the mucus layer

The innermost layer is the mucous layer, secreted by the epithelial cells. Its main function is to contact the cornea and the epithelial layer of the conjunctiva, providing a smooth effect and ensuring that the aqueous layer sufficiently moisturizes the cornea.

The composition and function of these three layers of tears must be sufficient and they need to be evenly distributed across the eyes through the act of blinking to keep the eyes comfortable. If one of the layers is insufficient or distributed unevenly, the eyes will experience a feeling of dryness, sometimes even a sensation of foreign body in the eyes, pain from irritation or a brief period of blurred vision, and may even lead to dry eye syndrome.

What are the subjective symptoms of dry eye syndrome?

Have you ever experienced dry eyes, pain, a foreign body sensation, light sensitivity, or blurred vision? Or do you feel that your tears flow less than usual? But does having these symptoms mean you have dry eye syndrome?

In fact, dry eye is not a disease; it is simply an eye discomfort caused by external factors. As for dry eye syndrome, most patients experience the following subjective symptoms, including:

• Dry eyes
• Foreign body sensation
• Burning sensation
• Pricking sensation
• Eye pain
• Fear of light
• Red eyes
• Easily fatigued
• Vision blurred
• Visual acuity fluctuations

The reason for the above symptoms is that dry eye patients have a poor stability of their tear film, which makes them prone to experiencing many of the symptoms mentioned above. The reason is that the discomfort caused by dry eye irritates the tear glands, causing them to secrete large amounts of reflex tears, while also making the patient very sensitive to wind and light, often resulting in temporary blurred vision.

How can you objectively determine whether you have dry eye syndrome?

To accurately diagnose whether you have dry eye syndrome, the most important factor is the combination of symptoms and test results. However, if you simply suspect that you have dry eye syndrome, you can try self-testing for dry eye using the OSDI, an internationally recognized eye disease index.

One, eye sensation over the past week

	At any time	Most of the time	About half the time	Occasionally	無
Dry	4	3	2	1	0
Fear of light	4	3	2	1	0
Red with blood streaks	4	3	2	1	0
Pain	4	3	2	1	0
Foreign body sensation	4	3	2	1	0
The secretion is sticky	4	3	2	1	0
Blurred vision	4	3	2	1	0
Poor eyesight	4	3	2	1	0

Two.Over the past week, the following activities have been affected due to eye discomfort:

	At any time	Most of the time	About half the time	Occasionally	無	Not applicable
Read	4	3	2	1	0	NA
Using a phone/computer	4	3	2	1	0	NA
Driving at night	4	3	2	1	0	NA
Watching TV	4	3	2	1	0	NA

Three,Over the past week, my eyes have felt uncomfortable in the following situations:

	At any time	Most of the time	About half the time	Occasionally	無	Not applicable
When it's windy (my eyes are afraid of the wind)	4	3	2	1	0	NA
Dry environment	4	3	2	1	0	NA
Air-conditioned room	4	3	2	1	0	NA

Dry eye assessment method

OSDI = (Total score x 25) / Total number of questions answered

OSDI score	Symptoms
0~12	No, it's normal.
13~22	Mild dry eye syndrome
23~32	Moderate dry eye syndrome
33~100	Severe dry eye syndrome

If you complete this self-test and find that your score is around 13 points or higher, you may need to seek a more accurate examination. To determine the diagnosis of dry eye, ophthalmologists usually use the ocular surface epithelial analysis instrument (OSA) or perform the Schirmer’s test to evaluate the condition.

One, the ocular tear film analyzer (OSA)

The ocular tear film analyzer (OSA) is an advanced examination method that can accurately detect the condition of various aspects of the eyes, including the structure and function of the eyelid line, the thickness and analysis of the tear film lipid layer, the tear break time, the tear duct height, automatic blink recording, and the quantification of gland disruption.

2. Tear fluid secretion test (Schirmer’s test)

The Schirmer’s test is a common method for measuring tear secretion. A special filter paper is placed on the lower eyelid for about five minutes. The level of moisture on the filter paper indicates the basic tear secretion. The normal value should be above 10 millimeters. The tear rupture time refers to the time after the patient blinks when the tear film is completely ruptured. The normal value should be more than 10 seconds.

According to the above criteria, if a patient only has eye symptoms but no changes in tear secretion during an eye examination, it is dry eye syndrome. If it is just simple dry eye, it can be relieved after applying eye drops; it does not constitute dry eye syndrome. It may simply be a case of visual fatigue, such as temporary eye discomfort, dry eye, blurred vision, and watery eyes that occur after prolonged reading or computer use.

What causes dry eyes?

There are many causes of dry eye syndrome, mainly related to the condition of the tear film and the function of the tear glands. These include insufficient tear secretion or poor quality of the tear fluid. Therefore, dry eye syndrome can be divided into two categories:

• Water deficiency type dry eye syndrome
• Evaporative dry eye syndrome

Many people mistakenly believe that dry eyes are caused by a lack of water. By avoiding dry eyes, you can improve dry eye syndrome. However, the lipid layer on the outside of the eye can prevent the evaporation of the tear film. The lipid layer is secreted by the meibomian glands and produces clear oil that locks onto the protective film that forms on the surface of the eyeball, preventing the tear film from evaporating easily. This keeps the eyes smooth and supple. When the patient’s lipid secretion is thick or even solid, it can cause the tear film to evaporate quickly, resulting in dry eyes. Therefore, the cause of dry eye syndrome is not necessarily caused by a lack of water, but may also be caused by a lack of oil, that is, the cause of dry eye syndrome can be divided into four major types: insufficient lipid secretion, improper lipid secretion, uneven distribution of the tear film, and improper secretion of the mucous membrane.

One, insufficient secretion of water-based secretions

Insufficient aqueous secretion is the most common cause of dry eye syndrome. This may be due to age-related reduced tear gland function, and women are more prone to dry eye symptoms after menopause. This may be related to changes in hormone secretion in the body. Additionally, some autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus), blood diseases (lymphoma, leukemia), trauma, infection, autonomic dysfunction, prolonged use of certain eye medications or drugs, can also cause insufficient aqueous secretion. Long-term wearing of contact lenses can also affect aqueous secretion, as contact lenses reduce the sensitivity of the cornea, resulting in reduced aqueous secretion, which can also lead to dry eye syndrome.

2. The lipid layer secretion is not proper

Improper lipid secretion is also a common cause of dry eye syndrome. This is usually caused by eye lid diseases that impair the function of the eyelid sebaceous glands, thereby affecting the lipid layer on the outer surface of the tear film, preventing the tear from effectively maintaining its surface on the eyeball, resulting in dry eye syndrome.

3. The tear film is not evenly distributed

Excessive evaporation of tears and uneven distribution of the tear film are also among the causes of dry eye syndrome. Eye lid diseases can lead to poor eyelid closure, which causes excessive evaporation of tears. In addition, activities such as driving a car for long periods of time, staring at the television, and using a computer can reduce the number of times the eyes are opened, thereby affecting the distribution of tears. Long periods of work in air-conditioned rooms or in environments with strong wind and heat can also affect the stability of the tear film, thus causing dry eye syndrome.

4. Abnormal secretion of mucin layer

The mucous layer is the innermost layer of the tear film. It is secreted by the epithelial cells and has a lubricating effect, maintaining the uniform distribution of tears on the surface of the eye. A lack of vitamin A, chronic conjunctivitis, or diseases such as keratoconjunctivitis may lead to insufficient mucous layer secretion, thereby affecting the stability of the tears. Additionally, exposure to chemical agents or harmful substances can damage the epithelial cells, thereby affecting the normal secretion function of the mucous layer.

Who are the "high-risk groups for dry eye syndrome"?

Dry eye syndrome has many causes, and factors such as age, living environment, autoimmune diseases, and daily habits can all contribute to it.

1. People over 50 years old

Age is one of the main causes of dry eye syndrome, as aging tear gland function and hormonal imbalance can lead to insufficient tear production. The risk of developing dry eye syndrome is highest between the ages of 50 and 55.

2. Long-term wearing of contact lenses

When wearing contact lenses for extended periods of time, it can interfere with the normal secretion and distribution of tears, leading to the phenomenon of dry eye syndrome. Especially with soft contact lenses, wearing these water-absorbing soft contact lenses is like placing a sponge that absorbs water on a place where there is water; it will absorb all the water in the surrounding area.

Third, long-term use of electronic products

When using electronic products such as smartphones and tablets for extended periods of time, the blink rate decreases, making it easy to experience insufficient tear secretion and prone to dry eye syndrome.

Fourth, long-distance driving

Air conditioning and ventilation systems in vehicles can make the air dry, which accelerates the evaporation of tears and leads to dry and uncomfortable eyes. Additionally, staring at the front for a long time and paying attention to traffic conditions also causes the eyes to remain focused for a long time, reducing the number of blinkings, which further increases the risk of dry eye syndrome.

5. Unhealthy eating habits

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for maintaining healthy tear secretion and reducing eye inflammation. When there is a lack of Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet, such as insufficient intake of fish (salmon, trout, sardines), flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts, the risk of developing dry eye syndrome increases.

6. Patients with chronic diseases or who have had eye injuries in the past

Research has found that people with conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, thyroid disease, and high blood pressure are more likely to develop dry eye syndrome than others, because these chronic diseases can affect the secretion of tears or the composition of the tears, leading to dry eyes and discomfort. Additionally, if the eyes have been injured, such as from trauma or surgery, this can lead to reduced or damaged tear gland function, as the healing process after an eye injury affects the secretion of tears and the protective layer on the eye surface, increasing the risk of developing dry eye syndrome.

What are the methods to improve dry eye syndrome?

Many patients want to know how long it will take for dry eye syndrome to improve and what methods can be used to immediately improve the symptoms of dry eye syndrome. However, to improve dry eye syndrome, it depends on the individual patient's symptoms and the severity of the condition. Currently, the medical community mostly uses methods such as artificial tears, autologous serum, thermal pulse therapy, and pulsed light therapy to help patients improve dry eye syndrome.

One: Artificial Tears

Patients with milder symptoms can improve dry eye syndrome through treatment with conventional artificial tears, including aqueous, gel, and ointment forms. This improves dry eye symptoms and prevents corneal damage while maintaining the smoothness of the eye surface. However, the effectiveness of artificial tears may not be immediately noticeable. Most dry eye patients need more time to improve. However, how long it takes to improve with this method depends on the individual situation. Some patients may see improvement in just a few days, but others may take longer, possibly several weeks or even longer.

Two, autologous serum

In recent years, it has been discovered that autologous serum contains components closer to tears, and it has therefore been used in various eye diseases, including improving the symptoms of severe dry eye syndrome. When artificial tears are unable to alleviate symptoms, ophthalmologists recommend using autologous serum eye drops. However, the production of autologous serum eye drops is complex, requiring the extraction of a patient’s blood and subsequent centrifugation to separate the blood from the serum. Finally, the appropriate concentration of eye drops is prepared and stored frozen. These serums contain growth factors that have anti-inflammatory and healing effects. One sample of blood can usually produce between 6 and 10 eye drops, as it is preservative-free; therefore, care must be taken when using it to avoid contamination of the eye drops and they usually don’t improve symptoms until after a longer treatment period, but they can also improve the symptoms of dry eye syndrome and allow patients to lead comfortable lives again.

Three. Thermal pulse therapy

If dry eye syndrome is more severe, thermal pulse therapy (Lipidflow) can be performed. Using a device to continuously heat to 40°C for 12 minutes, and using regular pulse massage on the eyelid gland, it softens and clears the blocked eyelid gland, improving dry eye symptoms and preventing further gland blockage that could lead to further atrophy, thereby improving eye health.

Fourth, pulsed light therapy

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is suitable for patients with all degrees of dry eye syndrome. It can unclog the clogged eyelid and help restore normal oil secretion, reducing the evaporation of tears. The number of treatments usually needs to be 3 to 4, and dry eye syndrome will gradually improve.

Are the dry eye care methods in common use effective?

To improve eye fatigue and alleviate dry eye syndrome, many people choose to supplement with health foods such as lutein. However, while lutein can help filter blue light and prevent retinal degeneration, it does not provide much help in improving dry eye syndrome.

Additionally, many people believe that dry eyes can be cured simply by using eye drops. However, eye drops can only temporarily alleviate symptoms; excessive and frequent use of eye drops can actually hinder the natural secretion of tears from the eyes, leading to the development of dry eye syndrome.

How to prevent or improve dry eye syndrome?

Rather than trying any of the above methods haphazardly, it is better to protect your eyes’ health by adopting proper eye habits and avoiding bad habits, and to stay away from dry eye problems.

One, correct eye habits

When using electronic devices or working or studying, you should take regular breaks for your eyes. One widely recommended method is the 20/20/20 eye protection rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and move your gaze to an object about 20 inches (about 6 feet) away. This helps reduce the pressure caused by prolonged near-vision use and helps maintain healthy eyes.

2. Maintain a good environment

When working or resting indoors, special attention should be paid to the humidity in the air to avoid the adverse effects of an excessively dry environment on the eyes. Additionally, we should avoid direct exposure to the direct blowing air from fans or air conditioners and adjust the angle of the fans or air conditioners to avoid blowing directly into the eye area or, if possible, stay away from direct contact with the airflow.

Three. Supplementing antioxidant nutrients

Antioxidant nutrients are the basic nutrients for protecting the eyes because the eyes need light to form images. Eating foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, and flax seeds, can reduce inflammatory reactions and stabilize the tear film. At the same time, consuming foods rich in vitamins A and C, such as carrots, oranges, and mangoes, helps combat the damage caused by free radicals and protects the eye tissues.

Fourth, supplement anti-inflammatory phyto-ingredients

Dry eye syndrome is often associated with inflammation in the eyes. Anti-inflammatory substances can help reduce inflammation in the eyes and alleviate discomfort, while also promoting the repair of eye tissues. Many phytoestrogens have anti-inflammatory effects, such as quercetin, gingerol, anthocyanins, and cineole, which all help improve dry eye syndrome.

#How long does #dry eye usually take to improve? Is dry eye treatment effective? How can # #dry eye be improved?

Floaters are sometimes very annoying. People who suffer from them see "black spots" floating in their eyes that are neither painful nor itchy, and when you look directly at them they disappear instantly. The shape of floaters varies; for example, they can be black dots, linear, circular, oval, or tadpole-shaped. They are especially easy to spot when looking at bright, clean backgrounds. Floaters are a degenerative eye disease; in mild cases, people generally have no problems with living with the black spots and floating matter in their eyes; daily life is not affected; they do not need to undergo treatment for floaters. However, if the black spots or floating matter in the eyes are too large or too numerous, or if floaters suddenly appear or flash, causing visual impairment, it is necessary to seek ways to improve the situation and consult an ophthalmologist specializing in treating floaters for treatment and surgery or laser treatment for floaters; otherwise, the longer it is delayed, the more serious the problem may become and lead to blindness!

What is fly eye syndrome?

Migraine is medically described as a phenomenon of degeneration of the vitreous humor in the eye. The vitreous humor is a transparent gel-like substance located behind the lens and in front of the retina. Under normal conditions, the vitreous humor fills the entire vitreous cavity to support the shape of the eyeball. However, with age and problems such as nearsightedness, the vitreous humor liquefies and shrinks, forming a cloudy fiber. These fibers then float around in the vitreous humor, and when light rays refract through these fibers, the patient will feel a black spot in the eye. This is a precursor to migraine.

Migraine is medically described as a phenomenon of degeneration of the vitreous humor in the eye. The vitreous humor is a transparent gel-like substance located behind the lens and in front of the retina. Under normal conditions, the vitreous humor fills the entire vitreous cavity to support the shape of the eyeball. However, with age and problems such as nearsightedness, the vitreous humor liquefies and shrinks, forming a cloudy fiber. These fibers then float around in the vitreous humor, and when light rays refract through these fibers, the patient will feel a black spot in the eye. This is a precursor to migraine.

Who is most likely to develop fly-eye?

Floaters usually become more common as people age, so older adults are more likely to experience this symptom of having black spots in their eyes. However, in addition to age factors, other factors that may increase the risk of developing floaters include: nearsightedness, a history of eye surgery, eye trauma, or eye inflammation. Clinical research has found that the high-risk group for floaters includes:

• Middle-aged and elderly people
• High myopia
• Patients with high blood pressure/diabetes
• Had eyelid surgery
• Head injuries, such as in car accidents or diving sports
• Other eye problems, such as: eye inflammation

However, most cases of floaters are benign; factors such as aging and degeneration of the vitreous humor or excessive eye fatigue can all cause the symptoms of floaters. As long as the black spots in the eye do not become more numerous and remain in a fixed position, there is no need to worry too much.

Conversely, if sudden black spots appear in the eyes and affect vision or there is flashing light, it may be vitreous detachment, causing the retina to be pulled into the hole or even detached. This condition must be promptly examined, improved methods sought, or treatment for retinal detachment administered.

Causes of fly eye syndrome

The causes of fly eye syndrome can be roughly divided into three types: physiological, degenerative, and pathological.

• Rationality

About 80% of cases of floaters are considered to be physiological. Physiological floaters usually occur in people under the age of 40 or those who spend a long time working with their eyes. Most people see black dots in their eyes; these are impurities in the lens that usually do not affect vision and do not require immediate treatment for floaters. Over time, they usually disappear on their own.

• Degradation

As we age, the vitreous humor in the eye gradually deteriorates, just like the other organs in the body. During this process of degeneration, the vitreous humor forms tiny fibers as it shrinks; these fibers then float in the vitreous humor. When light enters the eye and refracts against these impurities, we see the black spots in our eyes.

• Pathological

Pathological floaters are caused by eye diseases or systemic vascular diseases. Eye diseases refer to holes (or fissures) appearing in the retina during external forces or as the retina deteriorates, resulting in vitreous hemorrhage and even retinal detachment, which impairs vision. In the most severe cases, it can lead to permanent blindness. Additionally, systemic vascular diseases, such as eye floaters, diabetes, high blood pressure, or macular degeneration, if not treated promptly and aggressively, may also lead to pathological floaters. Patients should seek methods or treatments to improve floaters as soon as possible.

Complications of Glaucoma—Retinal detachment/rupture

Although glaucoma is not a serious disease, retinal detachment caused by glaucoma is an emergency in ophthalmology. One-fourth of patients with glaucoma may suffer from vision impairment due to retinal detachment or retinal tear. Please note that if you experience any of the following symptoms of retinal detachment caused by glaucoma, including:

• There are a large number of black spots in the eyes within a short period of time.
• Abnormal flash
• The dark shadow
• The line of sight is blocked

This means that the retina may be at risk of tearing, and it is essential to seek medical attention immediately to seek treatment; otherwise, people with fly-eye will suffer permanent damage to their vision or even go blind.

How to treat fly eye syndrome?

If your condition is benign floaters, you do not need to seek immediate treatment. When you notice black spots in your eyes, you can try moving your eyes to allow the fluid in your eyes to flow so that the fibers leave your line of sight. Of course, some people cannot tolerate the floating black spots in their eyes; their attention is often distracted by the black spots, which seriously affects their mood. In this case, you may consider seeking treatment for floaters.

According to current technology, the methods for treating and improving Glaucoma mainly include laser therapy and vitreous removal surgery.

I. Laser treatment for Glaucoma

This treatment method is suitable for larger and concentrated vitreous fibers. It uses laser to shatter these fibers into smaller fragments, improving and eliminating the symptoms of vitreous floaters. The laser treatment is performed under local anesthesia, with no pain during the procedure. The entire treatment takes only 15 to 20 minutes. However, not everyone is suitable for laser treatment to improve vitreous floaters. If the fibers are loose or located too close to the retina or lens, it is not advisable to perform the procedure to avoid complications such as cataracts or damage to the retina.

2. Glaucoma surgery for retinal detachment

Corneal transplant surgery involves removing the cornea from the eye through a small incision and replacing it with a solution to maintain the shape of the eye. The procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes. However, corneal transplantation cannot always completely remove the fibers; if the procedure itself causes bleeding or retinal tearing, new floaters may form, so most doctors do not recommend using this procedure to treat cataracts.

Methods for improving and maintaining fly eye syndrome

Once fly eye syndrome occurs, it is almost impossible to reverse; even after laser or surgical treatment, there is a possibility of recurrence. What we can do is coexist peacefully with it, or we can improve the symptoms through the following methods to alleviate the condition slightly.

One, daily care for benign floaters

• Avoid excessive eye strain

Be careful not to strain your eyes too much on a regular basis. Especially for heavy users of 3C devices, you should take a 5-10 minute break every hour to rest your eyes. During this time, blink your eyes and look at the distance to relax your eyes.

• Good lifestyle habits

In daily life, it is recommended to reduce the time spent on mobile phones; especially, it is important to avoid staying up late at night to use them, ensuring that you get enough sleep and engage in physical activity at the right time are also ways to improve night blindness.

• Regular check-ups and follow-up

Do not assume that you have benign blepharitis and can relax; patients with blepharitis must undergo regular check-ups to avoid other complications and miss out on the best treatment opportunity.

• Eye-care eating habits

On weekdays, it is recommended to include a variety of vitamins and foods with antioxidant properties in your diet, such as berries, green or yellow vegetables, carrots, soybeans, milk, and deep-sea fish oil; these are all effective ways to improve night blindness.

2. Postoperative care and maintenance for malignant glaucoma

• Receiving medical treatment

After the procedure, you must take the medication according to the doctor’s instructions. Remember to thoroughly wash your hands with soap before each dose to avoid cross-infection.

• Improve your lifestyle

For the first week after the surgery, you should avoid rapidly moving your eyes or overusing your eyes. During this time, try to avoid reading, using a mobile phone, computer, or television. Additionally, it is recommended not to engage in strenuous exercise, climb mountains, dive, or fly on an airplane for 1 month after the surgery, as these activities can stimulate the eyes and affect the speed of post-operative healing.

• Use eye mask

During the eye repair process, it is recommended to wear an eye mask at all times to prevent collisions and to avoid unintentionally rubbing your eyes during sleep at night. When using it, it is essential to ensure that the eye mask is clean, and it is recommended to wash and disinfect the mask daily to prevent infection caused by bacteria.

• Daily diet

In addition to avoiding eating irritating foods, it is also important to avoid consuming legumes, as these foods can easily cause nitric oxide in the blood to flow into the eyes, causing the inert gas within the eyes to become bloated and increasing intraocular pressure.

• Safe home environment

The home should be kept clean and tidy, reduce dust and avoid second-hand smoke. During recovery, do not change the layout of the home or place items on the hallway to avoid collisions or falls that could cause eye irritation in an unfamiliar environment.

• Regular check-ups

In addition to regular follow-up visits as instructed after the surgery, if you notice any discomfort in your eyes, such as persistent pain, sudden blurred vision, nausea, increased or enlarged shadows, etc., please remember to immediately consult your ophthalmologist to prevent the situation from worsening.

How to prevent fly eye syndrome?

Although we cannot completely avoid the occurrence of retinal edema, we can slow down the aging of the eye and reduce the risk of developing retinal edema through daily care.

One, develop good eye-care habits

• Avoid excessive use of 3C products (use your eyes for 1 hour, take a 5-10 minute break).
• Work in conditions of sufficient light and stable lighting without flickering.
• Avoid staying up late to increase eye strain

Two: Intake of eye-healthy nutrients

• Carotenoids (deep green, deep yellow and red vegetables)
• Anthocyanins (Berries)
• Vitamins (vitamins A, B, C and E)
• Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

3. Properly control systemic vascular diseases (such as diabetes and hypertension)

• Maintain a balanced diet and reduce the intake of high-fat, high-salt, and high-sugar foods.
• Regular exercise (running, cycling)
• Regularly undergo a comprehensive physical examination

Although most cases of fly eye syndrome do not require treatment, it should not be completely ignored. Regular check-ups are necessary, and if symptoms worsen, seek immediate medical attention to avoid missing the golden period for treating fly eye syndrome.

#Black shadows are floating in and out of my #eyes. The dark spots on my eyes are improving #. There are dark spots in my #eyes.