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Name
Farah
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
Thank you for this chance to talk to you. Every year when summer begins my eyes become irritated and they are very itchy. What can I do to stop this?
Answer
Most probably you are suffering from allergic conjunctivitis. This can be treated by anthistaminic eye drops which can be bought over the counter. If there is no response, then more powerful drops may be needed such as fluorometholone (FML) eye drops, but these need to be supervised by an eye doctor. FML eye drops are poorly absorbed steroids that have much less side effects than other steroids. You can also use cold compresses as frequently as necessary.
Name
Ali
- Australia
Profession
Question
I wanted to ask about lazer therapy of the eye to stop using glasses. What are the side effects? How long does the therapy last? Does it remain for the rest of one's life? How risky is the operation? Can it be used to treat near-sightedness and far-sightedness?
Answer
Laser therapy for correction of refractive errors started about 15 years ago, so we can tell about what will happen in this period. As far as we know, the effect of laser treatment is pretty stable. It is more effecient in the treatment of short-sightedness, but it is also effective in treating long-sightedness and astigmatism.
The rate of success (i.e. stopping using glasses) is about 95% for short-sightedness. Side effects are very infrequent and the serious ones (i.e. losing part of the sight) is very rare.
Name
Somaia
- Syria
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaikum. The skin under my eyes is dark sometimes. What I can do about that, and why does that happen?
Answer
This is a fairly common and innocuous problem. The main cause is fatigue, but it can be familial. I advise you to use cold compresses in the morning. This will ameliorate the problem.
Name
Mowzah
- Bahrain
Profession
Question
Salaam.
Thank you for this opportunity.
My brother who is 15 years old has little white spots that cover both of his eye lids. What are these? How do we remove them?
Answer
This is most probably due to inflamation of the eyelid margin (Blepharitis). It is known that no cure for this problem is present but it can be effectively controlled by rubbing the eyelid margin (the roots of the eyelashes) by a diluted solution (1 teaspoonful of baby shampoo in a cup of coffee filled with boiled water) using ear cotton swabs. This should be used twice daily for two weeks then once every three days for a very long time.
Name
Moneer
- Palestine
Profession
Question
Jazakum Allahu khairan for this chance.
I feel that my eyes are dry this year. What do we do for dry eyes?
Answer
This is a frequent problem during spring and summer. The hot and dry weather together with the lack of tears and prolonged reading, watching TV, and using the computer can add to the problem. Washing the face and eyes with cold water as frequent as necessary is the simplest thing to do. However, there are drops that can be bought over-the-counter like "Hypotears" and "Refresh" eyedrops that can be used 3 or 4 times daily to ease the problem. In severe cases I advise you to see an eye doctor as this could be linked with systemic diseases like dry mouth and joint problems.
Name
Faisal
- United States
Profession
Question
Do you recommend the contact lenses? I tried them for 1 year and they caused me much distress. Are there personal differences in this? Or are there types of lenses that would be better for me?
Answer
Intolerance for contact lenses can be due to either the lens or the patient or both. If you use contact lenses that do not fit your eyes, they will definitly cause problems. Sometimes if you have been comfortable with the lenses and then you started to have problems with them they could be soiled, damaged, or scratched. If the problem is related to one eye only, then again the problem could be in the lens. Your optician should be able to recognize all these problems and solve them for you.
Sometimes one can develop an alergic reaction to the protiens stuck to the contact lenses, a condition similar to chronic allergic conjunctivitis.
Dry eyes can cause intolerance to contact lenses. Your eye doctor should be able to diagnose the problem.
Name
Mariam
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Salamualaikum.
What advice can you give me regarding general eye care? What are the best ways to protect the eyes and to make them always look healthy and young?
Thank you.
Answer
Allah has created the eyes so perfectly that they take care of themselves without you even knowing about it. However, excessive use of the eyes can cause eye strain which can show as redness, tiredness, burning sensation, and tearing.
It is important to give yourself a few minutes of rest every hour or so during prolonged periods of using the computer or watching TV or reading. During this time you should watch a distant object, e.g. sunset view, mountains, look through the window or even watch the clouds to give your eye muscles a break.
Direct sunlight and dust are known enemies of the eyes. One should avoid exposure to direct sunlight especially at noon hours as the content of the ultraviolet light is very high at this time.
Regular eye examination, especially after the age of forty, can detect silent eye problems like glaucoma. If you feel that your sight is not as good as it used to be, then it is important to check your eyes. The problem can be as simple as the need for glasses / new glasses, but more serious problems can be detected by the eye doctor.
Name
Naima
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
I wanted to know a solution to the problem of my mother's. She is in her 50's and complains of constant need for scratching near the eyebrow area and in and around the eyes area. She has visited many doctors, received many medications but to no effect so far.
Can you provide an effective solution?
Answer
I need to know more info about the condition. For example, does this affect one or both eyes, did the problem start acutely or gradually?
Are there any rashes or other lesions? Is the color of the skin changed? Has she had shingles (herpes zoster) infection before?
I need to know all of this before I can answer the question..
Name
Shabana
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
How can one reduce the redness of eyes and lines in the eyes?
Answer
Most of these cases are related to chronic fatigue or exposure to dust and sunlight. Avoiding such factors is half of the answer to your problem.
You can also use cold compresses as frequent as needed.
Antihistaminic/decongestant eyedrops can be used but not frequently as they may lead to more redness if used frequently and then stopped. If symptoms persist or get worse, you should see an eye doctor as there may be an underlying cause for this.
Name
Richard
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Doctor,
How does the health care system in Palestine compare to that in any other country? How have the recent events since the beginning of the current Intifada affected health care in the Occupied Territories?
Answer
Health care in Palestine is mainly provided by 3 sectors. The government, the UN, and the private sector. All have suffered during the Intifada. In addition to the burden of treating the casualties of the Intifada, which is a problem by itself, there has been marked deterioration in the standard of living of the population and hence their ability to pay for health care. Government services have been overloaded by the people who shifted from using the private sector services which they could not afford anymore. In addition, this sector suffered from a lack of resources due to delays in getting the tax money that should have been paid by the Israeli government. There are, however, other resources coming from the EU and the Arab countries but they are not enough to cover the deficit.
Name
tajudeen
- Nigeria
Profession
accountancy
Question
Asalamu Alaykum,
Dear Doc, I read that the Isreali army is suspected to be using chemical called Ammo on defenseless Palenstine . Could you please confirm this? If yes, what is the effect of such chemical on the victim?
Tajudeen
Answer
Actually there has been news today on IslamOnline that the Israeli soldiers used chemical ammunition on Palestinians, but I can neither confirm nor deny this. We know, however, that the Israelis use different types of tear gas that cause a lot of irritation and sometimes suffocation to the Palestinians.
Thank you for your interest about this subject.
Name
Susan J.
- United States
Profession
Question
Hello Dr. Arafat,
I was wondering what might be the most common eye injuries you see in your practice as a result of Israeli aggressions?
Answer
Thank for your interest about this subject. During the Intifada I was responsible for the eye care at Specialized Arab Hospital in Nablus. I have seen many eye injuries most of which were due to rubber-coated bullets and shrapnels from exploding amunition. The results of such injuries were tragic.
I have witnessed many cases in which BOTH eyes were lost. I have also seen cases in which rubber-coated bullets were aimed at the eyes causing massive destruction to the eye and orbit and threatening the other eye.
Many of these casualties were among women and children. Some of them involved not only the eye but also the brain and other surrounding tissue. One feels helpless when dealing with such cases as blindness of the eye is inevitable in many of them. A lot of these cases need rehabilitation and plastic surgery to correct the bad cosmetic consequences. Unfortunately, such facilities are not available most of the time.
Name
Sarah Mostafa
- United States
Profession
Student
Question
Assalamu Alaikum
Has the occuption in Palestine affected your studies and the notion that your opening your own private clinic?
Is there a great demand for such convenient private owned clinics? (as, in the area your located in Palestine)
Answer
There were times during the last Intifada that nobody was able to get out of his home including medical staff as he might be shot by the Israelis. However, in other times the doctors and medical staff were allowed to move in ambulances after their identities were verified. In all cases the patients had difficulty in coming to the clinics and hospitals from the surrounding areas of Nablus.
This continues to be the case and resulted in hardship on the Palestinian population. As an example, I send patients home after eye surgery without knowing whether they will be able to come back for futher follow up which could be dangerous but one cannot stop doing his job and we all have to take the risk.
Note from Editor:
Doctor Arafat apologizes for not being able to answer all your questions. He will answer them inshallah in the coming week. Please visit this page in one week's time to find your answers.
Name
Umm Ibraheem
- United States
Profession
Question
Assalamu Alaikum,
I have a daughter with slight neurological problems. Essentially, at 4 years old, she has deficiencies with fine and gross motor skills, and general knowledge.
Her occupational therapist has reccomended that she see an opthalmologist (for a second time) to see if some of her problems are sight related.
Her older sister had many of the same symptoms as a child, but also was diagnosed with exotropia and had correctional surgery at age 3.
With the child's upcoming appointment with her opthalmologist, what questions do you suggest that I ask, besides my concerns with a very slight noticed (by me) misalignment of her eyes?
Jazakum Allahu Khairan..
Salam and sorry for the long question..
Answer
Wa alaykomossalam. Many of the generalized neurological conditions are accompanied by eye motility problems. It is important to know whether these problems are of the concomittent ( i.e. the degree of squint is the same in various directions of gaze) or not.
The latter type may point to a weak muscle due to poor innervation of the muscle/s. The aim should be to maintain binocular single vision if possible. If this is not feasible then we try to maintain the best vision possible in each eye using the appropriate method ( usually occlusion of the good eye to excersize the weak eye).
Glasses &/OR surgery may be needed in many of the cases. Your doctor will discus with you the appropriate measure/s to be taken in the case of your child.
Name
Muslimah
-
Profession
Question
Assalaamalaikum,
Recently I got 4-5 styes on both my eyes at the same time. Why do we get styes. Are they harmful in anyway?
Jazaakallaahkhairan.
Answer
Wa alaykomossalam. It is important to ditsinguish between a stye & a chalazion. A stye is an infection of one of the glands attached to an eyelash. It is usually painful & tender & continues to be so until its head opens & discharges pus. This is different from a chalazion which is an engorgement of one of the sebaceous glands normally present in the sustance of the eyelid.
The condition at the beginning is slightly painful but become painless after 2-3 days leaving a small lump in its place. One or more of these lumps can be present at the same time. Both conditions are best treated with warm compresses: A pot filled with boiled water cooled to a degree that you can count to ten while your hand in it before you are forced to get it out of water is used to do the compresses. The processes should be done three times daily & each session should last for 10 minutes ( Use the clock to count the time!).
Both lesions usually resolve in a period of 1-2 weeks. The stubborn lesions may need surgical evacuation. The predisposing factors include chronic eye fatigue, uncorrected errors of refraction, longstanding inflammation of the eyelid margins ( blepharitis), and in rare cases high blood sugar.
Name
abu abdulawwal
- Nigeria
Profession
Question
Asalamu Alaykum,
Please advise me, my right eye is bad. Infact I cannot see with it. Something whitish if formed inside it. I was told I had a severe retina detachment and that surgery operation is late as the detachment was not discovered on time.
Could please give me advise as to how to maintain the left eye so that I will not completely go blind.
Answer
Wa alaykomossalam. It seems that the whitish thing you have described in your right eye is the detached retina. It is true that the longer the retina has been detached the more difficult it is to put it back in place.
Regarding your left eye it is important to do regular eye examinations including dilated examination of the back of the eye done by an eye doctor or a retina specialist. Symptoms that you should be aware of are flashinf lights especially in the dark, floaters appearing infront of your left eye and curtain-like dimming of your sight in the left eye. If you experience any of these you should report to your eye dictor immediately. Another thing to be aware of is to avoid blows to the head & the eyes.
Name
Raihanah
-
Profession
student
Question
Asalamualaikum! suran for taking time out to answer my question. i am from jamaica (in the caribbean) where it gets really hot in the summer. the problem is, whenever i go out in the sun, my eyes get really blurry, what do you suggest i do?
Answer
Wa alaykomossalam. The best thinf to do is to protect your eyes from the sun. This is best done by wearing sunglasses (polaroid type or the ultraviolet absorbing type), wearing a hat with a cap & avoiding going out in the mid-day hours.
Name
Ala'ul'Deen
- United States
Profession
Question
Assalamu Alaikum..
Would you say it would practical if one wanted to relocate a private business in medical administration to affected parts of the world as Palestine or Iraq, Kashmir, (as a form of medical help to these places) ..i.e..would one recieve many problems in doing so.
Answer
The work in such areas always carries risk of variable degree. I would strongly advise you to liase with a local group who had an experience in such work. In palestine as an example you can contact the ministry of health or one of the many regisetered NGOs. Many of these are also registered in the United States.
Name
MUHAMMAD
- Nigeria
Profession
Question
Salaamu Alaykum..
My eyes are blood shot. What do I do to make them whiter?
Answer
Wa alaykomossalam. Chronic redness ( with no other symptoms) of the eyes has many causes. The commonest are exposure to dust & dry weather. Eye fatigue & lack of sleep can produce similar picture.
Dry eyes give the same symptoms. There are many eye drops that can be be bought without prescription like Visine, Albalon among others that make your eyes temporarily white but I donn't advise using them as a long term measure as your eyes may get used to them. I prefer the use cold compresses & avoid prediposing factors mentioned previously.
Name
Salma
-
Profession
Question
My eyes go red when and irritated and people often say I have sleepy eyes.Why is that?
Answer
Redness & irritation of the eyes have many causes. The commonest are exposure to dust & dry weather. Eye fatigue & lack of sleep can produce similar picture. Dry eyes give the same symptoms. Artificial tears such as Refresh Plus & Hypotears Plus can be of help. If all fails I advise you to see your eye doctor for a comprehensive exam.
