Climate conditions in the Kingdom are not easy in any respect, but optometrists warn that particular attention must be paid to the eyes and the impact such intense weather conditions have on them. In an interview with Saudi Gazette, Dr. Khaled Abdullah, a Saudi optometrist based in Riyadh urged that there needs to be more awareness about how to take care of the eyes in arid and humid weather conditions. These include scorching heat during much of the year, desert storms and blinding dust, as well as humidity. These conditions also vary across the country; Jeddah and Dammam suffer from intense humidity, for instance, and this is a leading factor behind vision trouble. Parents must also be on the lookout for reading trouble and other indications of a weak vision (including squinting and excessive rubbing of the eyes among others) in their children, even including infants. “It is imperative that everyone has a regular check-up done every six months so that potentially serious eye-related problems in the future can be averted,” said Dr. Abdullah. Eye-related medical conditions are rife in the Kingdom, and this is perhaps why there are so many optometrists, clinics and eyewear stores catering to the ever-expanding market. According to Dr. Abdullah, refraction is the first step of any eye check-up. “The process is divided into two parts: technical check-up of the eyes using tools and machinery, and the patient's answers to critical questions. Only then can the optometrist come to any conclusion about the condition of the patient's eyes,” he explained. Refraction ascertains whether the patient is long or short sighted as well as whether he or she is suffering from Astigmatism, an optical defect which results in distorted vision because of the inability of the optics of the eye to focus a point object into a sharp, focused image on the retina. This alarmingly common condition may be due to an irregular or toric curvature of the cornea or lens, and can be corrected through contact lenses or glass lens. Dr. Abdullah advises everyone to wear dark glasses when outside and while driving as well. Over-exposure to the sun is extremely damaging, as are the elements like sand and dust particles. “Polarized sunglasses are the best protection for eyes since they eliminate the blinding glare of the sun, and this is particularly important for drivers to understand,” he said. “These sunglasses also present the natural colors of the environment.” Dr. Abdullah received his education at King Saud University in Riyadh, and at the Mayo Clinic in Minnosota, USA. He makes frequent trips to eye centers worldwide in order to bring back the best possible services back to the country.
