Red eye can be a sign of a minor irritation or a serious medical condition such as an infection. Conjunctivitis or pink eye is a common red eye in Malaysia. This eye condition is very contagious, most of the time a patient gets the red eye from either a family member or a friend who has it. It can affect one eye or both eyes can be involved as well. Common symptoms of conjunctivitis are tearing, redness, discomfort and sandy sensation in your eye. This eye disease can be resolved with medication. To avoid it spreading, patients should wash their hands frequently and avoid rubbing their eyes.

Another type of red eye is allergic eye disease which is common among children. It is associated with a history of allergic rhinitis, allergy to seafood or medication, asthma and eczema. Unlike conjunctivitis, patients will develop very severe itching associated with redness and tearing. The severe itching will lead to constant eye rubbing which eventually causes thinning of cornea (keratoconus).

Next, dry eyes are also very common in Malaysia. Those who are affected are those who are frequent contact lens wearers. Long hours of contact lens wear can cause dry eyes. Normally mild dry eyes are quite tolerable but severe dry eyes can lead to redness, frequent discomfort such as sandy feeling. In some severe cases, patient vision can be affected as well.

Red eyes can also be caused by a foreign body attaching to the eye which leads to irritation. Foreign body can be attached to the eyelid or cornea causing pain when blinking, tearing and blurry vision. Labourers are at most risk of getting this type of red eye.

The most serious cause of red eyes is corneal ulcer. It is an infection of cornea that causes thinning and perforation of the cornea as the disease progresses. It is a painful red eye. Common causes can be poor handling of contact lenses. If a corneal ulcer is not treated immediately, it can lead to severe vision loss.

An ophthalmologist will be able to assess your eye and diagnose the type of red eye you have. Some red eyes are benign while some others are serious and may need serious medical attention. Red eyes accompanied with severe pain and impaired vision should be treated immediately.

Oasis EyeQ – The Official Newsletter of OasisEye Specialists (Issue 2 / June 2021: Congratulations OasisEye Specialists)

Congratulations OasisEye Specialists!

We are extremely honoured to have been awarded Malaysia’s Specialty Clinic of The Year by Healthcare Asia Awards. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our patients, staff and well-wishers for all the support and encouragement to always strive for the best.

Also, in conjunction with cataract awareness month, here are some interesting myths and facts about cataracts. Do stay up-to-date by subscribing to the Oasis EyeQ newsletter. Find out all about the latest eye-related topics, news and events.

A balanced nutritional intake is important for eyes to remain healthy. Adding certain nutrients to our diet can help preserve vision and reduce risk of certain eye diseases.

1. Vitamin C
   Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables. Excessive sun exposure, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption will create free-radicals molecules that can damage and kill body cells. Thus, we need vitamin C to repair and grow new cells. Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits (orange and lemons), kiwis, blueberries, strawberries, chili peppers and broccoli. According to the Age-Related Eye Diseases Study (AREDS), antioxidants when taken in combination with other nutrients, it can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
2. Vitamin E
   Another powerful oxidant is Vitamin E which also helps to repair cells. It is commonly found in nuts (almonds and peanuts), vegetable oil (wheat germ oil and sunflower oils) and sunflower seeds. Similar to Vitamin C, it helps to reduce risk of progression from intermediate to advanced AMD by about 25% when combined with certain nutrients.
3. Lutein and Zeaxanthin
   Lutein and zeaxanthin are important nutrients found in green leafy vegetables and other brightly colored foods. They are key nutrients to protect the macula, which is the area of the eye that gives us our central vision. Spinach and peas have plenty of these nutrients. Other foods with useful amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin include romaine lettuce, brussels sprouts, pumpkin, broccoli and carrots. And while not all are leafy and green, eggs and wolfberries also are a good source of these nutrients.
4. Zinc
   Zinc is an essential mineral or “helper molecule”. It is needed for the production of vitamin A from the liver to retina to produce melanin (a protective pigment in the eyes). Foods rich in zinc include red meat, shellfish, legumes and whole grains. Deficiency of zinc can cause night blindness.

Generally, it is best to obtain most nutrients through our daily food intake, including two to three servings of fish per week and plenty of colourful fruits and vegetables. Taking multivitamins or eye vitamins can fill the nutritional gap in a less optimal diet. If you plan to begin a regimen of eye vitamins, be sure to discuss with your ophthalmologist as taking too many supplements can cause problems especially if you are taking prescription medications.

If you are looking for some new and home cooked recipe, you can find several great recipes from “Food for your eyes” which are designed to boost your eye health.

“Food for your eyes” is a unique recipe-cum-self-help book aimed to educate the public about the prevention of AMD through diet. The author Ms Goo Chui Hoong, dietitian and Ophthalmologist Dr Kenneth Fong has translated the recent scientific research of dietary methods to prevent AMD into simple recipes for the Asian diet. This book also contains a lot of detailed information on common eye conditions and various supplements for the eye. The book is now available for purchase in OasisEye Specialists.