Author: Dana Felipe B.
The main reason is exposure to sunlight and screens. Vision is one of the most affected.
Strong solar radiation warning
Over the past five years, more and more people in Arequipa are visiting eye clinics for different visual conditions. Proving this are the cases of the three major sins; cartilage, cataracts and macular degeneration which increased by 20% during the said period. José Corrales, head of ophthalmology services at EsSalud Arequipa Medical Network, said that although the age group affected has been decreasing.
According to experts, the first disease is characterized by, as the name suggests, the appearance of fleshy eyes. This is like a string from the iris to the sclera (the white part). An affected person’s eyes may become stinging and red when exposed to sunlight or water. The second condition occurs when the eye’s natural lens (lenticular lens) begins to become cloudy. At the same time, the third leads to the loss of the central area of the visual field. “For example, when a person can only see the picture of the television but not the content,” explains Corrales Aragón.
enemy of eyes
The head of the EsSalud Arequipa Eye Service points out that the main cause of these diseases is the blue light emitted by sunlight and technological devices such as mobile phones, tablets and computers. Regarding the UV radiation in Arequipa, it is very harmful. This is because we are in an area with a very weak ozone layer.
He also noted that people spend so much time in front of screens that they forget to blink. This action is important for tear secretion. Likewise, many people have developed the bad habit of using devices with the lights off, which has led to an increase in cases of certain diseases.
The number of people suffering from these visual disorders is getting younger and younger. The panorama worries the expert, who, for example, has treated patients with cataracts as young as 50 years old, whereas before this the disease was not present in patients younger than 70 years old. What’s more, conjunctivitis in infants is also becoming more common.
suggestion
In light of this, doctors urge Arequipa residents to use sun protection, wear hats and good-quality glasses, and avoid excessive exposure to blue light. Again, if you have any visual questions, please consult a professional in the field. That is, an ophthalmologist, because instead of helping you, others who provide these services may make your condition worse.
Beyond that, he says it’s the professional’s responsibility to check that your optician is fitting your lenses correctly, whether they’re tanning, prescription or rest lenses. It is recommended that these products have protection against blue light and UV radiation.
“We are doctors before specializing in ophthalmology. We are ready to treat and, if possible, resolve vision problems. So don’t hesitate to get checked once a year if you don’t wear glasses, or twice a year if you wear them. You You must remember that your eyes are the windows to the world,” the expert concluded.