Photo: Diego A. Rodriguez Fonseca - Ophthalmologist. Specialist in Retina, Cataract, and Refractive Surgery / Courtesy: "Berdi".
Take care of your eyes: visual deficiency increases around the world
Approximately 2.2 billion people have vision impairment, and 1 billion of these could have been avoided, according to the World Health Organization.
Cataracts, refractive errors, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration are the most common causes of visual impairment and blindness worldwide.
In this regard, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) notes:
“In many countries, it is estimated that for every million people in the population, there are 5,000 blind people and 20,000 people with visual impairment.
At least two-thirds of this is due to treatable causes.”
Furthermore, myopia is a latent problem among young people due to the increased use of screens and mobile devices.
In this regard, Colombian ophthalmologist Diego Armando Rodriguez Fonseca, a Specialist in Retina, Cataracts, and Refractive surgery, tells us in more detail about these eye diseases, including possible care options, treatments, and prevention.
He also talks about visual well-being, which is important for seeing the magic of the environment. As the phrase written on the mouse pad in his office says:
“Half of beauty depends on the landscape, and the other half on the person who looks at it.”
– Lin Yutang.
Possible contingencies
Sources: WHO / PAHO / “Berdi” Vision Without Borders – Dr. Diego A. Rodriguez F.
Preventive habits
*Reduce the indiscriminate use of electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets.
*Rest your eyes for 10 minutes for every hour of desk work, reading, or using screens.
*Wear eye protection for jobs such as welding.
*Have dietary or nutritional habits recommended to reduce the subsequent development of hypertension, cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Differences based on gender, age, or sociodemographic factors
According to the medical organization “Berdi” Vision Without Borders:
There are eye diseases that are more common by ethnicity, such as open-angle glaucoma in African Americans.
By age, such as cataracts in people over 60.
In addition, genetic diseases that affect the eyes may have a predilection or greater impact on men or women.
Photo: Eye exam – Dr. Diego A. Rodriguez F.
When to start an eye exam and how often?
Source: “Berdi” Vision Without Borders – Dr. Diego A. Rodriguez F.
Recommendations
It is important to visit an eye exam or ophthalmologist once a year for eye checkups or for people without known ocular or systemic pathologies.
This frequency may change and may be more frequent if the patient has been diagnosed with a particular eye problem, depending on the condition.
Signs that may indicate a vision problem
In Children
Sources: WHO / PAHO / “Berdi” Vision Without Borders – Dr. Diego A. Rodriguez F.
In Adults
Sources: WHO / PAHO / “Berdi” Vision Without Borders – Dr. Diego A. Rodriguez F.
Some Eye Diseases
Myopia in Young People
Treatments and surgeries to reduce the impact or minimize the progression of myopia can improve patients’ quality of life.
They can also help maintain good vision in those who are completely dependent on glasses through medical alternatives.
Other Deficiencies
Source: “Berdi” Vision Without Borders – Dr. Diego A. Rodriguez F.
Innovative Technology for Eye Diseases
Advanced treatments using technology can help with early and efficient diagnoses at the forefront of eye medicine.
Likewise, new pharmacology and high-standard devices are ready for use in patients with eye deficiencies or problems.
For example, for glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
Support with Artificial Intelligence
Using equipment with specialized software and smart mobile applications, images or CT scans can be captured to detect eye diseases.
Its effectiveness can detect changes and analyze abnormalities in ocular structures to alert patients to attend priority appointments and seek specific preventive, improvement, and control treatments.
Additionally, in some countries, people can self-monitor with smartphones and telemedicine so that doctors can remotely identify any potential eye damage.
From these perspectives, innovative technological tools based on Artificial Intelligence are advancing in the service of eye health.
Intraocular Lens Implants
Removing the natural lens from the eye and replacing it with an artificial one can contribute to the quality of vision of patients with conditions such as cataracts.
It is an option and well-being resource.
Berdi Services
“Berdi” Vision Without Borders offers diagnoses and treatments for various eye and vision problems.
More information on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berdioftalmologos/
Facebook: Berdi Oftalmologos
Multimedia special report by:
Jackeline Gonzalez L.
Copyright ©
