Cataract

My four-year-old son is squint-eyed. There’s also a white spot. Is it a case of cataract?

It seems to be a case of cataract. If the opacity is high and congenital, one must exclude the possibility of other diseases like retinoblastoma (malignant tumour) and endophthalmitis (infection inside the eye). To ascertain the degree of refractive error (if any), you must get a retinoscopy done. Surgery is required only when vision is hindered. Extra capsular cataract surgery is done in patients below three years; in those above three, intra-ocular lens implantation is helpful.

Double vision

My daughter, 19, suffers from strain in the eyes on reading. She has double vision, misses lines and encounters running of letters. She has a squint in her left eye. Please advise.

Double vision is caused by squinting, convergence deficiency, paralysis of the eyeball muscles or early-stage cataract formation. The movement of each eyeball needs to be studied. Fundus examination, retinoscopy, thyroid and sugar tests, and CT scan are needed. The vision of each eye should be checked by closing the other eye. It is necessary to verify whether both eyes have equal vision. If the vision in one is less than normal even with spectacles, the good eye is occluded (blocked) for six weeks to stimulate the bad eye. Intermittent check-ups are necessary to assess the condition of both eyes. If the squint does not improve with glasses and other exercises, surgical intervention is necessary.

Glaucoma

I am 34 years old, diabetic and myopic. I find it difficult to track fast moving objects. Sometimes I collide with others, unknowingly. I also need to change glasses very frequently. What is wrong with me? Please advise.

You are probably suffering from primary open angle glaucoma, which is asymptomatic in nature. Visual field examination by automated perimeter must be done to confirm the diagnosis. In this, central vision remains intact, but peripheral vision becomes defective. Vision check-up and measurement of intra ocular pressure is necessary. If the pressure is more than 21 mm of mercury, it might cause damage to the optic nerve. The disorder can be controlled by medication, so contact an eye specialist at the earliest.

Itchiness

My son, 10, has been frequently suffering from itchiness and redness in both eyes associated with watering and a ropy discharge for the last four months. What is wrong with his eyes?

Your son is probably suffering from allergic conjunctivitis or vernal conjunctivitis. It requires prolonged treatment. Anti allergic drugs and mast cell stabiliser can help. Low dose of cortico steroid can also be used. But do not use it over a long period. Contact an eye specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Self treatment may cause more damage than the disease itself. Your son may get some relief if ice cold water is applied on the eyelids.

redness in eye

I have been suffering from acute redness in one eye. However, it neither pains nor is there any discharge. Please advise.

Redness in one eye without pain and discharge may be due to sub-conjuctival haemorrhage, which often occurs in aged people. One needs to get one’s blood pressure and blood sugar level tested along with clinical examination of the eye. The symptoms could also be due to an insignificant trauma or unknown cause. In case of young patients suffering from whooping cough, the symptoms may occur in both eyes. Redness in one eye associated with mucous discharge is due to viral conjunctivitis. Contact an ophthalmologist.