THE STAR, TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2016

WORLD SIGHT DAY

Stronger together
OUR eyes are one of the most delicate and
sophisticated organs in our body, yet we
often take our eye health for granted.
With our lives getting busier than ever,
we risk our eye health as we are now
constantly exposed to pollution and
harmful rays that can affect the delicate
tissues of the eyes.
Hence, there is a call for greater attention
to eye health and the welfare of those
affected with blindness or visual
impairment.
World Sight Day is an annual day of
awareness celebrated around the world to
focus on blindness and vision impairment.

Initiated by World Health Organization in

collaboration with the International Agency
for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB),
World Sight Day aims to spread awareness
through various events.
This year, World Sight Day 2016 will be
on Oct 13 and the theme is Stronger
Together.
Various events are conducted on a
global scale by eye health-related
non-governmental bodies and medical
institutions to educate people of all
ages on how they can take care of
their eyes as well as get involved with
welfare movements for the blind and

visually impaired.
For many years, a large number of
organisations around the world have
been involved with World Sight Day.
Some show their support by planting
trees while others get involved by
contributing to an international photograph
montage focusing on the theme of
blindness.
One such activity is the IAPB Photography
Competition, which calls for both
professional and amateur photographers
from all over the world to submit their
photographs on Instagram or Flickr and
include the hashtags #WSD2016 and

#StrongerTogether by Oct 13.

Many activities will be conducted in
conjunction with World Sight Day in
Malaysia as well. Among them are:
l A Day in the Dark Night World Sight
Day Concert on Oct 8
l 2016 World Sight Day Conference
Seeing Eye to Eye: Blindness Prevention in
ASEAN and Beyond on Oct 8
l Eye screening at SMK Taman Desa,
Kuala Lumpur, on Oct 9 and 10
l World Sight Day event by Columbia
Asia Hospital, Petaling Jaya, on Oct 15
l World Sight Day Charity Run 2016 by
Hospital Shah Alam on Oct 22

2 World Sight Day

THE STAR, TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2016

Revitalise dry eyes

DRY eyes can make it difficult to
perform some activities, such as
using a computer or reading for
long periods of time. It can also
lower your tolerance for dry
environments such as the air
inside an office or an airplane.
Dry eye is a general term used
to describe a lack of moisture in
the eye. It can be a chronic
medical condition, often called
ocular surface disease, caused by
factors such as ageing, hormonal
changes such as menopause,
surgery, contact lenses or certain
medications.
Another growing cause of dry
eyes is the prolonged usage of
electronic devices such as
computers and smartphones that
can lead to eyestrain.
If you have this condition, you
are not alone millions of people
suffer from dry eyes, making it
one of the most common
conditions reported to eye
doctors today.
Dry eyes symptoms include
irritation blurred vision, tired
eyes, excessive tearing, dryness,
grittiness, burning, stinging and
scratchiness.

evaporate too quickly, causing

your eyes to feel dry and
irritated.

Treatment of dry eyes

Tear film problems

The tear film is a thin layer of
liquid that washes over your
eyes to keep them moist and
protected. The tear film is made
up of three balanced components
the outer lipid (oil) layer, the
middle aqueous layer and the
inner mucin layer.
If anything affects the balance
of these elements, your tears may

The SYSTANE ULTRA enhances

and restores the mucin layer and
provides extended protection for
prolonged comfort.

Although there is usually no

cure for dry eyes, there are a
number of treatment options to
help relieve the symptoms and
make you more comfortable.
Your eyecare professional can
review treatment options and
help determine which is best for
you.
Dry eyes relief options include
over-the-counter artificial tears,
prescription medication and, in
some cases, minor surgery such

as closing of the tear outflow

ducts.

Relieve and protect with

SYSTANE ULTRA
The SYSTANE ULTRA eye drops
are designed to provide relief
from dry eyes symptoms.
Fast-acting and long-lasting
SYSTANE ULTRA eye drops team
up with your own tears to help
provide relief from the symptoms
of dry eyes.
It enhances and restores the
mucin layer and provides
extended protection for
prolonged comfort. SYSTANE

ULTRA eye drops are available in

5ml multi-dose bottles and
preservative-free unit dose vials.
The SYSTANE family includes
products such as the SYSTANE
BALANCE and SYSTANE Gel Drops
that are formulated to cater to the
different types of dry eyes.
SYSTANE Lid Wipes is a gentle
cleansing wipe that removes
make-up and unwanted build-up
as part of a proper eye-hygiene
regimen.
Ask your doctor which SYSTANE
product is right for you.

n This article is contributed by

Alcon Laboratories (M) Sdn Bhd.
KKLIU No.1937/2016

Looking at
things differently

Contact lenses prescribed by optometrists are safe and should not be a hindrance to daily
activities.
IF you are one who is struggling to decide
whether to stick to eyeglasses or switch to
contact lenses, you would not be the first.
Considering the wide use of both forms of
vision correction and the differences
between them, choosing the best visual
solution for you can be confusing.
In most instances, the choice of switching
or trying contact lenses for the first time
boils down to practicality, lifestyle, comfort,
aesthetics and budget. But if your decision is
greatly affected by the myths and problems
related to contact lenses, worry no further as
there are solutions and ways to ensure your
health and safety.
Do take note that these steps and pointers
are only a brief introduction to the use of
contact lenses. The eye is a sensitive and
complex organ of the human body and it is
always best to consult a professional
optometrist on which contact lenses to use
and how to take care of them.

Safety
It is safe to wear contact lenses throughout

the day without any complication. If you

worry that the lenses will slip behind the
eyes, rest assured that the conjunctiva
the transparent mucous membrane that
covers the front of your eye and lines the
inside of your eyelids will prevent this
from happening.
It is possible for first-time wearers to
place the contact lens inside out.
However, doing so will only cause a little
discomfort and it will not damage your
eye. If the lens forms a shape with the top
edges flaring outward when placed on
your finger, you know that the lens is
inside out.
While some people may consider
coloured contact lenses to be fashionable,
purchasing them from unknown retailers
can be dangerous due to the chemical
make-up and manufacturing defects.
Contact lenses are ultimately medical
devices and they should therefore be
prescribed by and purchased from
licensed eyecare professionals.

> SEE NEXT PAGE

World Sight Day 3

THE STAR, TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2016

A fitting solution
> FROM PAGE 2
Excessive ultraviolet (UV) light has been
linked to the formation of cataracts and may
result in a condition called photokeratitis.
Some contact lenses may be marketed as
having UV-blocking agents but these lenses
are not meant to replace a good pair of
sunglasses.

The Bates Eyesight Improvement Method is a training programme that aims to help regain good
vision without the use of drugs, surgery and special equipment.

Maintenance
While you may be used to cleaning your
pair of eyeglasses with just water and a
microfibre cloth, cleaning a pair of contact
lenses requires just a little more care. Make
sure you use a sterile contact lens solution
instead of tap water.
As a contact lens is placed directly on the
eye, it is important to eliminate the
possibility of contaminating the lens with
any deposits or bacteria that may be found
in tap water. Using your own saliva is also
highly discouraged.
Consider using daily contact lenses that
you can dispose of at the end of each day if
you do not wish to conduct nightly cleanings.

Dressing up
If you are planning a night out and intend

to put on some make-up or skincare

products on your face, it is best to apply
your contact lenses first. This is to avoid
having any oils and other substances on
the lenses that may have rubbed off your
facial products.
Cream eye shadows are generally less
likely to get into your eye than powder.
Choose a water-based eye cream over an
oil-based one as it will also cause less
irritation should it enter your eye.
There are also non-allergen and
eye-friendly make-up products available in
the market.

Quick safety tips

l Replace your
contact lenses
regularly according to
your optometrists
advice.
l Make it a habit to disinfect not
only the contact lenses but the storage
cases as advised by the optometrist.

l Do not use your saliva to

wet or clean your contact
lenses.
l Instead of topping
up the solution that is inside
your contact lens case,
discard the used solution and
replace with a fresh portion.

For natural
and clear vision
THERE is no denying that many children
today suffer from poor vision as well as
eyestrain. It has been estimated that as much
as 80% of a childs learning involves his or
her eyes. A childs eyes are constantly in use
in the classroom and at play.
Are eyeglasses or contact lenses really the
only viable solution to correct a childs
vision? While contact lenses and glasses are
certainly a safe way to ensure your child can
see properly, neither of these products really
cure the root of the vision problem.
The Bates Eyesight Improvement Method
is a 100-year-old eye-mind training
programme, where regaining good vision is
possible without the use of drugs, surgery
and special equipment.
Going without prescription glasses and
training the eyes and brain to see naturally
are facilitated by the use of the Vision
Therapy Eyewear. The method is suitable for
myopic, presbyopic and astigmatic adults

and kids.
The Bates Method Workshop is conducted
over a day, teaching key principles and
practical exercises. Some topics include:
1. The reason glasses do not help
2. Ways to cope without or with
weaker-powered glasses
3. Principles and habits to natural and
clear vision
4. Ways to exercise and train your brain
and eyes to see better
5. Vision therapy tips to help the entire
family to implement the Bates Method at
home
Natural Vision Therapy Sdn Bhd is
conducting Bates Method Workshop
Previews this month.

n For more information, visit

www.naturalvision.com.my/batesmethod
or call/text 016-205 6007.

4 World Sight Day

THE STAR, TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2016

Do away with glasses

WHERE are my glasses? is a
commonly heard phrase from
spectacles wearers, including those
who find themselves affected by
presbyopia, which is often referred
to as the ageing eye condition.
Wearing eyeglasses is not the only
solution.

Deterioration of the eye

Presbyopia is caused by the
reduction of elasticity in the lens
and muscles of the eye due to
ageing.
When focusing on objects up
close, the lenses in your eyes
change shape to help your eyes
focus.
Over time, the lenses and eye
muscles lose flexibility, resulting in
the gradual loss of the ability to
focus on nearby objects.

Some of the signs and

symptoms of presbyopia include
having a hard time reading
smallprint and having to hold
reading material at an
armsdistance to focus properly.
When performing work that
requires close-up vision such as
writing or sewing, headaches,
eyestrain and fatigue commonly
occur.

Goodbye glasses
Many are aware of multifocal
glasses but not many know of the
existence of multifocal contact
lenses.
Simply speaking, wearing
multifocal contact lenses is
hassle-free and gives you the
freedom that wearing eyeglasses
may not be able to.

Multifocal contact lenses are hassle-free and give you the freedom that
wearing eyeglasses may not be able to.

Multifocal contact lenses allow your eyes to work naturally and provide near to intermediate and distant vision.
Multifocal contact lenses are
just as effective as multifocal
glasses at providing good vision
correction while giving you an
added degree of freedom and
convenience.
One of the leading brands in
the market is Air Optix Aqua
Multifocal contact lenses
developed by Alcon, the global
leader in eyecare.
Thorough research and
development was conducted to
develop a unique feature of Air
Optix Aqua Multifocal contact
lenses, aptly named the Precision
Profile Design, which allows for a
range of prescription strengths to
blend across the lens.
It works with your eyes
natural function to provide
clear uninterrupted vision,
for near to intermediate and
distant vision.

This means you can smoothly

transition from checking your
mobile phone to working on a
computer or looking at the
television screen.
In other words, you can indeed
enjoy a crisp, clear vision at all
distances, near or far. The best part
is there is no hassle of looking for
or putting on and taking off your
glasses.
These contact lenses are
specially designed so that even
people who have presbyopia, but
require no assistance seeing at a
distance, can wear them
comfortably.
The Air Optix Aqua Multifocal
contact lenses is comfortable
throughout the wearing period
because it is highly breathable,
able to retain moisture and resist
irritating deposits on the lens
surface.

Act now
Regular eye examinations
by an eyecare professional are
recommended, especially if you
are above 40 years old.
This is to help address
presbyopia and any other
age-related eye issues.
If you already have presbyopia,
try out the freedom and
convenience of Air Optix Aqua
Multifocal contact lenses.
Sign up at www.aomtrial.
alconmalaysia.com for a free
one-month trial of Air Optix Aqua
Multifocal contact lenses.
The trial is limited to the first
1,000 sign-ups. Terms and
conditions apply.

n For more information,

call 03-7948 1888 or visit

www.alconmalaysia.com.