Your eyesight is the most important of all human senses. Up to 80% of our understanding and interactive perception of the world around us, which is processed by the brain, is done so via interpreted information delivered from the eyes.
Our eyesight allows us the enjoy the beauty of the world around us, and the beauty in others. People, places, and events can bring forth emotions of enjoyment, love, excitement, and adoration. Conversely, it allows us to judge those things we find less appealing and that instill negative feelings such as hatred, distrust, and even disgust.
Our eyesight helps to keep us safe by allowing us to avoid dangerous situations and potential hazards. Child development, learning and cognitive progression is heavily dependent of eyesight. Our eyesight enhances our ability to socially interact and communicate with others. It also gives us independence in our professional lives, with most careers and jobs requiring us to have at least a reasonable level of eyesight.
How do the Eyes Work?
The images that we see are interpretations of light diffracted off of objects, so how does this come about? Initially, the cornea allows light to enter the eye. The cornea is a clear defensive membrane covering the outer surface of the eye. It is the iris, which is the colored part of the eye, which regulates the amount of light that entering the eye by controlling the size of the pupil.
Immediately behind the iris is the lens, which is able to alter its shape enabling it to focus on objects at differing distances which it then projects onto the retina which is at the rear of the eye and also includes the eye’s photoreceptors.
Ther are two differing photoreceptors, the rods, and the cones. The rods are responsible for low light vision. The cones collect brighter diffracted light and colors. As the photoreceptors take in a constant stream of diffracted light, it converts it into electrical signals which are sent to the brain.
These electrical signals are then converted into the images that we are familiar with. This is done by the visual cortex, as part of the cortical region of the brain, which is part of the primary cerebral cortex, which is the rear most part of the brain.
This collection and delivery of diffracted light to the brain means that the eyes are very complex organs, but they are also extremely delicate. It is only doctors that are highly trained in ophthalmology that can assess, diagnose, and repair the functions of the eyes when a person’s vision becomes impaired. Fortunately, there is in Bangkok, the dedicated Bangkok Eye Clinic, part of the internationally renowned, Samitivej Hospital.
Commonly Treated Eye Complaints
We generally think of eye problems as being refracted errors. This is when we are unable to focus properly on an image, in effect, images are blurred. These issues can normally be corrected by the wearing of glasses, following a professional eye test and examination. Refraction issues with eyesight will usually fall into one of four main areas of diagnosis.
Myopia, often referred to as short sighted, or near sighted. This is when a person can see clearly up close, but objects further away appear to be blurry. Hyperopia, sometimes called long sighted, or far sighted, is the opposite of myopia. Someone with hyperopia can see objects clearly in the distance, but objects up close appear to be blurred.
An astigmatism, simply put, is myopia and hyperopia combined. A person suffering with an astigmatism will be unable to focus properly on any object, be it near or far. The fourth common complaint is presbyopia, which tends to affect older people from around 40 or 50 years and older. This is the inability to focus up close.
Of course, it’s not just refracted light and blurred vision that the doctors deal with at the Samitivej Bangkok Eye Clinic, there are many more issues that can beset the eyes. The clinic is able to diagnose and treat all eye health problem, from the very minor, to the very serious.
Another common, and growing eye complaint is that of Glaucoma. This when the optic nerve, which carries electric signals of refracted light to the brain, become damaged. This is often caused by fluid building up in the front of the eye, thus creating pressure on the rest of the eye. Undiagnosed and treated, this can lead to vision loss.
Another common eye health issue, which is also on the increase, is cataracts. This is when proteins in the eye’s lens begin to breakdown, which gives the lens a cloudy appearance. This will lead to blurred vision, colors becoming less distinguishable and deteriorating night vision.
Pinguecula affects the conjunctiva, this is the clear covering of the white area of the eye. It appears as a yellowish lump, normally to be seen on the part of the eye closest to the nose. It is normally caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, be it natural or artificial. Pinguecula, apart from some degree of irritation, does not usually pose a threat to overall eye health.
However, pinguecula can lead to pterygium. Although very similar, a pinguecula is made up of proteins, and may contain fat and calcium. On the other hand, a pterygium is made up of tissues, and can contain blood vessels. These conditions rarely cause serious eye problems. Although, in very severe cases surgical removal may be an option.
Eye Health and Technology
At the Samitivej Eye Clinic the very latest technology and treatment methods combine with the highest possibly trained ophthalmologists resulting in a facility and service second to none. Check-up, diagnostic and treatment suites modern and are excellently appointed with state-of-the-art equipment.
The facility is equipped with YAG and argon laser equipment as well as a Phacoemulsification machine, computerized visual field analyzer and autorefraction measuring equipment. The clinic is able to view and photograph the eye’s retina for diagnostic purposes in their dedicated Fundus camera room. The lens can also be viewed and assessed in isolation in the clinics visual field analyzer and lens measurement room.
There can be no doubt that the Samitivej Eye Clinic in Bangkok is an unequalled facility. This is apparent with the growing number of clients opting to choose it. It’s growing client base is not only from within the nation, but there is an ever-increasing number of expats and visitors from abroad opting to attend the clinic.
