Several daily precautions according to Kraff eye institute must be taken to protect your eyesight and prevent possible future eye diseases. Below are the eight main habits to be taken.
- Watch out for the sun: wearing sunglasses reduces eye exposure to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.
- Beware of excessive exposure to TV, computer, and smartphone screens: spending too much time in front of screens can cause dry eyes, eye strain, and sleep disturbances.
- Avoid scratching your eyes: it can cause irritation, eye damage, or even a corneal problem. In dry weather, moisturize your eyes with lubricating eye drops.
- Beware of excessive use of eye drops: self-medication should be avoided. Corticosteroids are of particular concern because of the risk of inducing glaucoma and cataracts.
- Sleep at least 8 hours a day: sleeping too little can cause eye irritation and eye strain.
- Eat a balanced diet: a rich and diverse diet, including dark green vegetables and legumes, fish, and seeds, provides beneficial vitamins for the functioning of the retina.
- Seek medical help if you notice abnormal vision: early diagnosis avoids complications. Carry out regular consultations to assess the quality of your vision and update your eyeglasses if necessary.
- Beware of products that are too close to the eyes: chemicals, makeup, and dyes can cause irritation and allergies in the eyes and eyelids. Permanently remove your eye makeup before bed.
How To Treat Eye Diseases?
To meet the demands and needs of the population’s eye health care, the Unified Health System (SUS) offers comprehensive and free assistance for all types of eye diseases, including:
- Consultations
- Diagnostic tests.
- Follow-up.
- Surgical treatment.
- Drug treatment.
In 2018, 8.8 million medical consultations with ophthalmologists and 17.3 million eye exams were performed by SUS, including evaluation of ametropias (myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism), retinal mapping, and computerized keratoscopy (corneal topography). Investment in all eye care, including glaucoma and cataracts, reached R $ 1.2 billion last year.
Last year, 4,575 inpatient procedures and 9,767 thousand outpatient procedures were performed for glaucoma. For more severe cases where there is an indication, SUS also offers corneal transplantation. In 2018, 14,700 transplants were performed.
To be referred to the Specialized Care Services, SUS patients must first look for one of the 42,000 Family Health Units available in Brazil for referral and diagnosis of eye diseases. An ophthalmologist must accompany patients with a confirmed diagnosis, and the local managers are responsible for regulating the health services that have this professional.
All children, when they are born, also take the Olhinho Test in public maternity hospitals. It is a simple, quick, and painless examination capable of detecting changes in the visual axis that can cause problems such as cataracts and congenital glaucoma. The examination evaluates the reflection of light that enters the baby’s eye, allowing for the identification of parts such as crystalline, vitreous, and retina and the comparison between the eyes. If any changes are noted, the newborn is referred to a specialist.