Posts Tagged ‘glaucoma’

A Few Words on Glaucoma

Glaucoma affects the optic nerve and reduces the patient’s vision quite dramatically. If the optic nerve becomes damaged then it can no longer carry information to the retina or the brain. Your eye requires a certain amount of pressure to keep the eyeball in place if eye pressure is raised then this can cause glaucoma or a weakened optic nerve may cause this disease.

There are two main different categories of glaucoma: open and closed angle glaucoma. Closed angle is the worst of the two as it can appear quickly and painfully however this means that it is more likely to be treated sooner and less damage occurs. Open angle glaucoma takes longer to become noticeable and once sight has been lost the disease has caused major damage. There are two other rarer types of glaucoma secondary glaucoma which is caused by eye pressure rising and congenital glaucoma that is caused malformations in the eye in babies. Unfortunately there are few symptoms of glaucoma so regular checkups to the ophthalmologist or optometrist are important as they are trained to notice any changes to your optic nerve. Read more…

How to Get Long Eyelashes Naturally Without Eyelash Transplant Surgery

Numerous different brands of eyelash conditioners are available over the counter for growing long and full eyelashes. These products were discovered as a surprising side effect of a common drug used to treat glaucoma in the eye. Glaucoma patients using this prescription eye drop treatment started to notice that their eyelashes were growing longer and longer like weeds. Cosmetics companies quickly jumped on this accidental discovery and started to include this drug as an ingredient in eyelash growth conditioner formulas.

The active ingredient responsible for causing eye lashes to grow longer and faster is Bimatoprost or sometimes Latanoprost. Sometimes analogs of these drugs are used as the secret ingredient in eyelash conditioner formulas. These prostaglandins and prostaglandin analogs are safe to use and have relatively few side effects as long as they are used correctly according to the eyelash growth serum’s instructions.

The eyelash growth product should be applied either in the morning or in the evening to clean eyelids. The applicator used in these products is usually a brush much like an eyeliner brush but sometimes different brands will use mascara wands. This is an ineffective way to apply the eyelash growth treatment. You want the eyelash growth gel to be applied to your eyelids as close as possible to the root of your lash hairs where the hair grows out of the hair follicle. This is because the lash growth gel needs to get to your hair follicle to work. Applying the lash accelerator to your actual eyelashes will not help them grow since your eye lashes like the rest of the hairs on your body are made up of cells that are already dead. Read more…

Glaucoma: Prevention and Treatment

Glaucoma is a sneaky condition that can cause blindness. It is a lot like having high pressure in your eyes. The key to treatment is early diagnosis and prevention. It is sad to think that almost all people who lose their eyesight to glaucoma didn’t have to. Glaucoma is easily preventable in virtually every case.

Don’t think that just because you are young that you are safe. Even babies can get glaucoma. The fastest growing group of people to develop glaucoma and blindness are in the twenty year old to thirty year old range. Long hours at a computer raise the pressure and swelling in your eyes and don’t allow them to drain normally. Many people resort to drug treatment to increase drainage of the fluid. The next step is laser surgery to open up drainage ducts in the eyes.

People of Asian descent and African Americans are at the highest risk of developing the disease. People over forty are always at risk and should see their eye doctor every year for a glaucoma check. People with frequent migraines or headaches should be checked yearly. People who work outside in the sun or at a computer should be checked yearly. If you are diabetic you are at an increased risk. If you’ve ever had an eye injury or if you have ever used cortisone or steroid medications, you’re at higher risk.

So, how can you save your eyesight before glaucoma creeps up on you? Early recognition and prevention are key. See your eye doctor if you feel overly sensitive to light, are having more frequent headaches, or if you fall into one of the higher risk categories listed above.

If you are diagnosed, your ophthalmologist will probably give you a strict regimen of eye drops, medications and laser treatments that you must follow to hopefully keep from going blind. The medications must never be missed. The eye drops must be administered exactly as prescribed. You must never stop treatment, even if you can’t tell that there is anything wrong.

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Why Wearing Glasses Doesn’t Have to be Testing

Traditionally relegated to the bottom of the fashion bin, glasses have received a lot of stick over the years. However, thanks to improvements in frame designs and a bigger selection of different types of glasses, the previously frowned upon item has grown to become a highly sought after fashion accessory.

Indeed, there are a number of unique and designer glasses available from the likes of Prada, Oakley and Vivienne Westwood. Good news then for the fashion conscious glasses wearers of you out there, as it means you can easily find a style to suit your look, as well as experiment with the different types of frames. Read more…