Tag: nutrition

Glaucoma

~ joannerambling ~ 4 Comments

Today I am writing about glaucoma, I always thought it to be a single disease concerning the eye; however, my research says it is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, usually because of increased pressure inside the eye.

It’s one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide but with early detection and treatment, most people keep their vision.

The optic nerve is like a high‑speed cable carrying visual information from your eye to your brain. When pressure inside the eye rises (or when the nerve is unusually fragile), those nerve fibres slowly die. Once they’re gone, they cannot be repaired.

Your eyes are filled with fluid that constantly flows in and out of your eyes, bringing nutrients to your eyes.

If the fluid doesn’t leave your eye as easily as it enters, pressure can build up inside the eye.

The increase in eye pressure can damage your optic nerve. Your optic nerve links the back of your eye to your brain and allows you to see. Damage to your optic nerve results in damage to your vision.

Glaucoma can sometimes occur even when the fluid pressure in your eye is normal.

Most glaucoma develops silently over years, which is why it’s often called the “silent thief of sight.”

There are 2 main types of glaucoma.

Open-angle — where fluid pressure builds up in the front part of your eye, even when the fluid drainage pathways are open.

Closed-angle (or angle-closure) — where the eye’s fluid drainage pathways are narrowed or closed, so fluid pressure builds up quickly. This may cause pain in the eye and sudden loss of vision.

It can also be categorised as either, primary glaucoma, with an unknown cause or secondary glaucoma, caused by an eye condition, such as surgery, trauma, drugs or eye disease

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma in Australia.

Usually, the deterioration in vision is very gradual and not noticeable. From the age of 40 regular eye examinations.

Once found, glaucoma can be treated to prevent or delay further vision loss.

You are at higher risk of developing glaucoma if you:

have a close relative with glaucoma

have high eye pressure

are aged over 50 years

are either short or long sighted

use (or have used) cortisone (steroid) medicines for long periods

have diabetes or either high or low blood pressure

get migraine headaches

have had an eye operation or eye injury

If you have chronic angle-closure glaucoma you sometimes get vision problems. This may be halo-like images around lights or you may have no symptoms.

If you have acute angle-closure glaucoma you may get:

sudden, severe eye pain

nausea and vomiting

headache

watery eyes

blurred vision

halos around bright lights

Since acute angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency, you should seek treatment straight away so you don’t lose vision. You need urgent treatment if:

one or both of your eyes quickly becomes painful and red

your vision gets blurred

you notice halos (rings) around lights

Treatment for chronic angle-closure glaucoma is designed to prevent or slow further damage, mainly by reducing the pressure in the eye. This may involve, eye drops, oral medicine or laser surgery or other surgery to open or create a new drainage channel. The surgery is usually an outpatient or day-surgery procedure.

Nerve cells damaged by glaucoma can’t be repaired.

Cataracts

~ joannerambling ~ 5 Comments

Hello everyone today we are looking at cataracts how many of us know what that is.

Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which normally sits just behind the iris and focuses light. As the lens becomes cloudy, vision gradually becomes blurry, hazy, or dim, much like looking through a fogged‑up window. Cataracts are extremely common with age and are one of the leading cases of vision impairment worldwide.

How does having cataracts feel, well from what I could find out this, blurred or foggy vision, glare or halos around lights usually at night. There is a sensitivity to bright lights and the need for brighter light when doing stuff and reading. There can be Double vision in one eye.

These symptoms usually develop slowly, and early cataracts may cause no noticeable problems.

Why do cataracts happen well over time, the proteins that make up the lens break down and clump together, forming cloudy patches. The most common causes are ageing, UV exposure from sunlight, family history of cataracts, diabetes, long‑term steroid use, smoking or previous eye injury or surgery

In rare cases, babies can be born with cataracts (congenital cataracts).

Often an optometrist will diagnose cataracts during a comprehensive eye exam. This is why regular eye exams are recommended from age 40 onward, even without symptoms.

There is no medication, diet, or eye drop that can reverse cataracts. Treatment depends on how much they affect daily life.

In the early stage’s things like stronger lighting, updated glasses, and anti‑glare sunglasses may help.

However, when vision is significantly affected cataract surgery is the only effective treatment. This involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens (an intraocular lens, or IOL)

The procedure is quick (about 30 minutes), usually done under local anaesthetic, and has a very high success rate. Most people notice clearer vision within days.

You can’t completely prevent them, but you can reduce risk or slow progression by wear UV‑blocking sunglasses and a hat outdoors, quit smoking, make sure your diabetes is under control and have regular eye exams.

Eye diseases and disorders

~ joannerambling ~ 7 Comments

This week we are looking at eye diseases or disorders at least 2.2 billion people worldwide have some form of vision impairment or eye condition that’s about 28% of the population. This figure doesn’t include things like dry eye or conjunctivitis or any other condition that doesn’t affect sight, if it did the percentage would be more like 50% of the population.

Eye diseases include any condition that affects the cornea, lens, retina, optic nerve, eyelids, or the visual pathways in the brain. Some are mild and temporary; others can cause permanent vision loss if untreated.

Eye conditions for into one of eight categories these are the following.

Refractive Disorders (Most Common Worldwide)

These affect how light bends in the eye.

  • Myopia (short‑sightedness) – distant vision blurred
  • Hyperopia (long‑sightedness) – near vision blurred
  • Astigmatism – uneven focus due to irregular cornea
  • Presbyopia – age‑related loss of near focus (40+)

Treatment: glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

Lens Disorders

Cataracts

Clouding of the lens causing blurred or dim vision.

  • Extremely common with age
  • Treated with cataract surgery (one of the safest surgeries worldwide

Retina Disorders

These affect the light‑sensitive layer at the back of the eye.

Age‑Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

  • Damages central vision
  • Leading cause of blindness in older adults
  • Two types: dry and wet

Diabetic Retinopathy

  • Caused by diabetes damaging retinal blood vessels
  • Can lead to blindness if untreated

Retinal Detachment

  • Retina pulls away from the back of the eye
  • Medical emergency
  • Symptoms: flashes, floaters, curtain over vision

Macular Hole / Macular Pucker

  • Distortion or loss of central vision

Optic Nerve Disorders

Glaucoma

  • Damage to the optic nerve, often due to high eye pressure
  • Causes gradual, irreversible vision loss
  • Requires lifelong management

Optic Neuritis

  • Inflammation of the optic nerve
  • Often linked to autoimmune conditions

Corneal Disorders

Keratoconus

  • Cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape
  • Causes distorted vision
  • Treated with cross‑linking, contacts, or corneal transplant

Corneal Ulcer

  • Open sore, usually from infection
  • Painful and urgent to treat

Eyelid & Surface Disorders

Blepharitis

  • Inflammation of eyelid margins
  • Causes irritation, crusting, dryness

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

  • Viral, bacterial, or allergic
  • Causes redness, discharge, irritation

Dry Eye Disease

  • Very common
  • Caused by poor tear quality or quantity

Childhood Eye Disorders

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

  • Brain favours one eye
  • Treatable if caught early

Strabismus (Eye Turn)

  • Eyes misaligned
  • May require glasses, exercises, or surgery

Rare but Serious Conditions

·       Uveitis – inflammation inside the eye

·       Retinoblastoma – childhood eye cancer

·       Graves’ Eye Disease – autoimmune swelling behind the eyes

·       Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension – pressure on optic nerve

When it comes to our eyes people should seek immediate help if they experience any of the following

  • Sudden vision loss
  • Flashes or a curtain over vision
  • Severe eye pain
  • Sudden double vision
  • Chemical injury

These can indicate emergencies like retinal detachment, acute glaucoma, or infection.

Eye Issues Part 1

~ joannerambling ~ 7 Comments

Good afternoon we are looking at some of then issues that can arise with our eyes.

Now you may or may knot know there is a clear layer of membrane that covers the eye, this is usually colourless, and it has tiny blood vessels which are too fine to see.

First off is bloodshot eyes, this happens when the eye becomes infected or irritated these tiny blood vessels which is seen as fine red threads thus the name “bloodshot”. Bloodshot eyes usually return to normal slowly after the cause has gone.

Second off we have conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, this is caused by infections, allergies, or irritants that inflame the membrane covering the white of the eye and inner eyelid.

There are three different types, viral, bacteria and allergic.

Viral is most commonly caused by adenoviruses but can also stem from herpes simplex or varicella-zoster viruses. Often associated with colds or respiratory infections. It is highly contagious.

Bacterial infections are caused by bacteria like Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, or Haemophilus. Spread through contact with contaminated items (e.g. towels, cosmetics, hands). This is also contagious.

Then we have allergic which is triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or certain cosmetics. Typically affects both eyes and may accompany hay fever symptoms like sneezing and itchy nose.

Third we have spots and floaters, these are quite common and appear as black or gray spots, squiggly lines or could be blurry or shadowy spots. They move as your eyes move and are most noticeable against bright backgrounds like the sky or a white wall.

They are caused by changes in the gel-like substance inside your eye, but sudden or severe symptoms may signal a serious condition.

You should seek medical attention if, floaters suddenly increase in number, you see flashes of light, there’s a loss of peripheral vision or floaters begin to impair your vision.

More next week

Eye Care

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

Ok I am going to share a bit more about our eyes today I am focusing on eye care. Our eyes are so important, and we need to try and take care of them.

One simple thing we can do is to wear eye protection not just when working around or with things that capable of harming our eyes, but we now know that our eyes also need to be protected from the sun thus, the reason we should wear sunglasses. Most of us know we shouldn’t look directly at the sun.

However, there are some who do not realise that snow reflects a lot of light and the glare can also damage our eyes through snow blindness, this is why snow goggles should be regarded as essential when enjoying the snow.

Something many don’t think about is cleaning our eyes this is simple to so by washing our face of a morning to remove what many will call the sleep around our eyes overnight. We also should remove any make up before going to bed at night. Then there are those who wear contact lenses, some have left their contacts in longer than what is considered safe and do not clean their contacts as often as they should.

Now days there is the damage that can be done by sitting in front of a computer screen, if you are finding your eyes feeling itchy and dry then you need to take a break from staring at the screen. Apparently when we are looking at the computer screen we don’t blink enough, anyone who finds their eyes feeling dry or itchy they should consider using some dry eye drops also know as artificial tears.

As we age having our eyes checked by an optometrist which here in Australia is free to do. I have my eyes checked every year as I have diabetes.

I will write more about the different conditions that can affect the eyes in future posts.

Falling over

~ joannerambling ~ 1 Comment

Today we are looking at falling over, something that can happen to some people more as they age or if the develop a medical conditioned affecting someone’s balance and coordination. Falling is something I have done a few times in the last 4 years, thankfully I haven’t broken any bones but have had concussion a couple of times and have needed stitches after a couple of falls.

In fact, people fall for a variety of reasons, including environmental factors, physical and cognitive conditions, and even medication side effects. Common causes range from tripping hazards and poor lighting to muscle weakness, balance problems, and vision impairments. 

Medications, especially those causing dizziness or drowsiness, and certain health conditions like diabetes or Parkinson’s disease can also contribute to falls. 

Environmental Factors are things like wet floors, icy patches, or uneven pavement can easily cause a slip or trip. 

Insufficient lighting can make it difficult to see hazards and navigate obstacles like furniture, cords, or other items safely.  

Lack of support can make it difficult to maintain balance, especially on stairs or in the bathroom. 

Physical and Cognitive Conditions include things like weak leg and core muscles can reduce stability and make it harder to recover from a stumble. Difficulty with balance, walking patterns, or coordination can increase the risk of falls. 

Then we have impaired vision, or hearing which, can make it harder to identify hazards and react appropriately. Then we have conditions like dementia can affect judgment and awareness of surroundings, increasing fall risk. 

Low blood pressure can be an issue especially when rising from a seated or lying position, low blood pressure can cause dizziness and falls. 

Conditions like arthritis, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and heart disease can all impact mobility and balance. 

Certain medications, especially those affecting the nervous system, can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or confusion. Taking multiple medications, particularly those with overlapping side effects, can increase fall risk. 

The fear of falling can lead to reduced activity, which can further weaken muscles and increase the risk of falls. 

Diabetes Risk Factors

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Ok this week will look at the risk facts of both types of diabetes.

Some of the risk factors for type 1 diabetes include:

  • Family history: Having a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes increases your risk 
  • Age: Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children, teens, or young adults, but it can occur at any age 
  • Genetics: Certain genes can increase your risk of developing type 1 diabetes 
  • Geography: The number of people with type 1 diabetes increases as you move away from the equator 
  • Environmental factors: These include the amount of sunlight you get, the food you eat, and cold weather 
  • Diseases in early life: Diseases like measles, varicella, rhinitis, and eczema can increase your risk

Some of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

  • Weight: Being overweight or obese, especially around the waist 
  • Activity: Having a low level of physical activity 
  • Diet: Having unhealthy eating habits 
  • Family history: Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes 
  • Age: Being 45 or older 
  • Smoking: Smoking cigarettes 
  • Blood pressure: Having high blood pressure 
  • Cholesterol: Having high cholesterol 
  • Gestational diabetes: Having had gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby who weighed over 9 pounds 
  • Medication: Taking antipsychotic medication 
  • Sleep: Having unusual, disturbed, or reduced sleep 

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthily, and being regularly active. 

A bit about diabetes

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

This week we are looking at diabetes, I thought I had written about it before but couldn’t find one, so here is one.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin properly, resulting in high blood sugar levels.

There are two main types of diabetes type one and type two but there is also Gestational diabetes which is diagnosed during pregnancy with a blood sugar test, however after giving birth this type often goes away. However, having it increases your chances of developing type two later on.

Type one is often diagnosed in childhood, but it can develop at any age. It’s less common than type 2 diabetes, affecting about 5–10% of people with diabetes. The exact cause is unknown, but it’s likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. No, you are not born with it as I have heard some people say.

Then there is type two with this one there isn’t a clear pattern of inheritance, but the risk increases with the number of affected family members. This is likely due to shared genetic factors and lifestyle influences, such as diet and exercise habits. Other risk factors include being overweight, having high blood pressure, and being older. 

In both types of diabetes, sugar builds up in the bloodstream because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. 

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:

  • Urination: Frequent urination, including bedwetting in children
  • Thirst: Excessive thirst
  • Weight loss: Unintentional weight loss
  • Hunger: Excessive hunger
  • Vision: Blurred vision
  • Fatigue: Feeling very tired
  • Skin: Very dry skin
  • Healing: Sores that heal slowly
  • Infections: More infections than usual
  • Nausea: Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains
  • Mood: Feeling irritable or having other mood changes 

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can develop over a few weeks or months and can be severe. They typically start mild and get progressively worse. 

Type 1 diabetes can be managed with lifestyle changes, blood glucose monitoring, and medications, such as insulin. 

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include:

  • Thirst: Feeling very thirsty 
  • Urination: Urinating more often than usual, particularly at night 
  • Vision: Blurred vision 
  • Fatigue: Feeling tired and lethargic 
  • Weight: Unintentional weight loss or loss of muscle bulk 
  • Healing: Slow-healing cuts, ulcers, sores, or other infections 
  • Hunger: Increased hunger

Symptoms can be mild and may take many years to be noticed. Some people with type 2 diabetes may not have any symptoms at first.

As I don’t like doing really long posts I will split into two or three parts, so will end this here.