How to Treat Astigmatism and Lupus

Astigmatism belongs to a category of eye conditions with refractive errors. This condition usually affects the front and outer surface of the eye or the cornea. When this eye structure has an irregular curvature, vision will be distorted or blurred, which is usually associated with headache or eye strain.Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. When it affects the skin, it is termed as discoid lupus erythematosus. If it involves internal organs such as the kidneys, lungs, or heart, it is called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This disease is more prevalent in women than in men and affects people of all ages; although it is most common among individuals between 20 to 45 years of age.

Instructions

How to Treat Astigmatism

• 1

  Set an eye exam schedule for your eyeglasses. Prescription eyeglasses is the most affordable and practical way of correcting mild astigmatism. Here, you can choose your kind of glasses, that will fit your own style and comfort. Although eyeglasses helps correct impaired vision of astigmatism patients, this is not something that provides permanent cure for the condition. So it is advisable to visit your optometrist often to regularly monitor your prescription.

• 2

  Wear contact lenses that can help improve your vision. Toric contact lenses are usually the lens of choice for astigmatism to help correct the shape of an irregular cornea. After undergoing some eye test, your optometrist will determine the type of toric lenses that suite your condition. These plastic lenses can either be hard or soft, and possess great refracting power that is beneficial in correcting the vision of the patient.

• 3

  Consult your optometrist regarding orthokeratology treatment. Orthokeratology (Ortho_K) is a treatment that involves the use of rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses to correct astigmatism. Rigid gas permeable contacts are usually worn at night to help improve the condition of the eyes. This is a very potent method, which can lead to a permanent reshaping of an irregular cornea, that can improve the vision of the patient. This type of lenses are mostly applicable for individuals who are not into wearing contact lenses during the day such as professional athletes where lenses have a great possibility of being dislodged out of the eyes.

• 4

  Go for a laser surgery to treat your astigmatism. This type of surgery otherwise known as LASIK eye surgery, involves the use of a sterile mechanical device and laser. A certain type of eye drop is placed on the eyes of the patient to numb it and so that the patient will not feel any pain. Then, a sterile mechanical apparatus known as the microkeratome, is used to create a thin flap of corneal tissue. The flap is carefully lifted back to expose corneal layers to have it ready for laser treatment. Laser is then applied on the exposed corneal layers underneath the flap. And then the eye surgeon places the flap back to its original position. Your operated eyes will then be covered with transparent shields to protect it and prescription anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops will then be given by your doctor.

• 5

  Ask your doctor if a procedure known as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is applicable for your astigmatism. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) also known as advanced surface ablation (ASA), is a procedure that involves the use of laser, that can either be wave-front guided or conventional. Here, no corneal flap is made to correct astigmatism. The laser is directly administered into the surface of the cornea to help reshape its irregularity.

• 6

  Correct your astigmatism with the newest procedure called photoablative inlay (PAI LASIK). This new state of the art method is excellent for severe visual problems of astigmatism. With the use of a sterile mechanical device, a corneal flap is created. The flap is then lifted back to expose corneal layers. A synthetic photoablative inlay is then positioned on the stromal bed, following the application of laser energy. Here the laser applies the corrections through the inlay instead of having it directly into the corneal tissues. The flap is then placed back to its original position and by then the patients visual acuity is corrected.

• 7

  Discuss with your doctor if your case is a candidate for phakic intraocular lens (PIOL). If your condition is so severe that LASIK eye surgery won't help, your doctor may recommend this procedure. This does not involve the use of surgery and the inserts involve with the correction can be removed. So this is not really a permanent cure for astigmatism--unlike LASIK eye surgery. Depending on the condition of the patient, a rigid or flexible lens is implanted into the patients' eyes to improve vision. When these inserted lenses are in place, they can not be seen unlike regular contact lenses. And they do not require regular maintenance just like regular contact lenses do.

How to Treat Lupus

• 8

  Protect your skin. If you have discoid lupus, you are strictly advised to stay out of the sun to avoid triggering skin rashes such as the malar rash--the butterfly-shaped rash that covers the nose and the cheeks. Even glaring lights inside your home can activate rashes, so be cautious. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and put an ample amount of sunblock or sunscreen when going outdoors to fully shield yourself from the sun. Make sure to use a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.

• 9

  Apply helpful topical creams for your skin rashes. Topical corticosteroid creams can be used in treating skin rashes to alleviate inflammation of skin cells. But not all discoid lupus skin rashes respond well with steroid therapy--especially for skin eruptions caused by exposure to sunlight. For this type of cases, a cream called Tegison which is derived from vitamin A, may be beneficial. Severe skin rashes can be treated with oral steroid medications but only for a short-term use because of its existing side effects. Medications for malaria disease, such as Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), are also useful in treating discoid rashes.

• 10

  Ease up the pain on your muscles and joints. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used to reduce pain and swelling of muscles and joints associated with lupus. Some over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). If you need stronger kind of NSAIDs, you have to check with your doctor for prescriptions. Even if you are taking just the mild over-the-counter NSAIDs, it is advisable to ask your doctor about it to prevent complications.

• 11

  Take some immunosuppressive drugs to treat major symptoms. In serious cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), where internal organs are affected, drugs that suppresses the immune system is taken. These immunosuppressive drugs are mainly used to control the disease and minimize the damage on affected organs. Examples of these drugs are azathioprine (Imuran)--which is taken orally, and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)--which can be given both orally and intravenously. For severe cases of kidney problems caused by lupus, a drug called mycophenolate mofetil (Celcept) are administered. Immunosuppressants are sometimes used with high dose corticosteroids to reduce the dosage of each drug that can possibly lead to reducing the risk of side effects.