World Sight Day

On occasion World Sight Day, Dr. Nikolay Staykov, ophthalmologist at MC Haelan Care, reminds of the importance of regular preventive examinations and lifelong eye care. The global initiative, celebrated every year in October, aims to raise public awareness about eye diseases and their prevention.

Vision is our most valuable sense — through it we perceive nearly 80% of the information about the world around us. Thanks to our eyes, we recognize faces, colors, shapes and details that shape our perception of life. Therefore, it is important to take care of them daily and not underestimate prevention.

The most common eye diseases

Refractive anomalies - Myopia, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia are among the most common vision problems. They are usually successfully corrected with glasses, contact lenses or by modern surgical methods such as laser correction.

Cataract (veil of the eye) -It is a leading cause of reversible blindness, especially in people over the age of 50. It is manifested by a gradual clouding of vision and fading of colors. Operative treatment today is safe and gives excellent results.

Glaucoma — known as the “silent thief of sight” because it often proceeds without symptoms. Without timely detection and treatment, it can lead to irreversible loss of vision. Regular measurement of intraocular pressure and examination of the optic nerve are key to early diagnosis.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — affects central vision, which is necessary for reading, driving and recognizing faces. The disease is more common after the age of 60 and can seriously hinder daily activities.

Diabetic retinopathy - It is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. High blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels of the retina, which can lead to hemorrhages and loss of vision. In diabetics, regular follow-up by an ophthalmologist is mandatory.

The importance of prevention

Many eye diseases develop quietly and painlessly in their early stages. This makes them insidious and often leads to late detection, when the damage is already irreversible. The only sure way to get an early diagnosis is a regular preventive examination.

It is recommended:

• To be held review every 1—2 years, even in the absence of complaints.

• Patients with arterial hypertension, diabetes or hereditary predisposition to be under regular control.

• Pay attention to each change in vision — blurring, double vision, dark spots or flashes.

How to maintain good eyesight?

Good eyesight requires constant care. Here are some simple but effective habits:

• Do regular breaks when working at a computer— follow the 20—20—20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 meters away for 20 seconds).

• Use enough lighting when reading and working.

• Wear sunglasses with UV protection, especially in the summer months and in the mountains.

• Maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins A, C, E and omega-3 fatty acids, which support the function of the retina and optic nerve.

World Sight Day is an occasion to remind ourselves that timely prevention and eye care are the key to good vision and a high quality of life.

To preserve our eyesight is to preserve the way we see the world.

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Book an appointment with a specialist ophthalmologist at MC Haelan Care and take care of your eye health.