Questions? We've got answers

Gen. Refraction
Does it hurt?
No, a refraction exam is completely painless.
Do I need eye drops for the test?
Sometimes, eye drops are used to dilate the pupils or to temporarily stop the eye from focusing (cycloplegic refraction) to get a more accurate measurement, especially in children.
Why is the vision blurred after drops?
Dilation drops relax the focusing muscle, which can make near vision blurry for several hours.
How often should I have a refraction test?
It is recommended to have an eye exam once a year for adults and children, or more often if recommended by an eye care professional.
Can I get my prescription from a computer machine?
The auto-refractor provides an estimate, but manual, subjective testing by an optometrist is required to confirm the best prescription for your daily comfort.
What is a "lazy eye" (amblyopia) in children?
It occurs when the brain favors one eye over the other, usually caused by untreated, severe refractive errors. Early detection is essential.
When should I bring my child for a, refraction?
Children should have their first eye exam at six months of age, then at age three, and again upon starting school.
What if I can't decide between two lenses during the test?
It is okay to guess or tell the examiner that the choices look the same. The process involves repeating steps to confirm findings.
Are glasses or contacts better?
Both correct refractive errors equally well. The choice depends on your lifestyle, comfort, and, for some, the severity of the error.
Can refraction detect other eye diseases?
While the primary purpose is to find a prescription, the comprehensive exam accompanying it helps detect diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal issues.
Gen. OPD
Do I need a referral to visit the eye hospital?
Yes, if you are active member of Health insurance Board, Nepal or you have card of Health Insurance Board. Walk-in patients are welcomed in the general OPD.
What are the operating hours?
Most hospitals operate their general OPD from early morning 7:00AM to early afternoon 3:00 PM, with emergency services available 24/7.
How can I book an appointment?
Appointments can be booked via phone, Website, or through in-person registration.
Can I choose my doctor?
Yes, you can request a specific doctor, though not all doctors offer all services at Nava Dristi Eye Hospital.
Binocular Vision
What is Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD)?
BVD is a condition where the eyes are slightly misaligned, making it difficult for the brain to fuse the images from both eyes into one clear picture.
What are the common symptoms of BVD?
Symptoms include eye strain, headaches (especially after reading or computer use), dizziness, vertigo, double vision, and difficulty with balance or coordination.
What causes BVD?
Causes include nerve or eye muscle abnormalities, facial asymmetry, stroke, or head injury/concussion.
How is BVD treated?
Treatment often involves customized micro-prism lenses to help the brain fuse images, along with binocular vision therapy (eye exercises) to improve coordination.
What does a binocular vision assessment involve?
It includes testing motility (how eyes move together), phoria/tropia assessment (alignment), stereopsis (depth perception), and vergence testing (how eyes move inward/outward).
Can BVD happen suddenly?
While some BVD is chronic, a sudden onset of double vision (diplopia) can happen, which may indicate a serious neurological condition and requires immediate attention.
How does a binocular vision exam differ from a standard eye exam?
While a standard exam focuses on sharpness of vision (acuity), a binocular exam focuses on how well the eyes function together, focusing on eye teaming, tracking, and focusing skills
Oculoplastic Surgery
What is Oculoplastic Surgery?
It is a sub-specialty of ophthalmology dealing with the structures around the eye—eyelids, tear duct system, and the orbit (socket). It includes both functional reconstruction and cosmetic enhancement.
Is the surgery painful?
Most surgeries are done under local anesthesia with sedation, minimizing pain, though swelling and bruising are normal.
What is the recovery time?
While recovery varies, most patients can return to normal activities in a few weeks, with significant improvement within 1–2 weeks.
Will there be visible scarring?
Surgeons make incisions in natural eyelid creases or behind the lid to minimize visible scars.
Is eyelid surgery covered by insurance?
Procedures that improve vision or correct functional issues (e.g., severe ptosis, entropion) are often covered, whereas purely cosmetic procedures are not.
What are the risks?
As with any surgery, risks include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, dry eyes, or temporary visual disturbances.
Can it correct dark circles?
Surgery can remove excess fat and skin, but may not address pigment-related dark circles.
When can I wear makeup or contact lenses?
Patients are usually advised to wait 1–2 weeks before using eye makeup or wearing contact lenses.
How do I prepare for surgery?
Patients are often advised to stop taking blood thinners, fish oil, and certain supplements before the procedure.
What is the difference between oculoplastic and regular plastic surgery?
Oculoplastic surgeons are trained ophthalmologists first, protecting the eye and vision while improving the surrounding tissues.
Corneal Surgery
What is a corneal transplant and who needs one?
It is a procedure to replace damaged corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue, often needed for conditions like keratoconus, Fuchs' dystrophy, or scarring.
Will I feel pain during surgery?
Usually, local anesthesia and numbing eye drops are used, so you will not feel pain, though you might feel slight pressure.
How long does the surgery take?
The procedure typically takes about one to two hours.
What is the recovery time?
Full recovery can take several months, though many patients resume normal activities within one to two weeks.
Will my vision be clear immediately?
No, vision is often blurry for several weeks or months and gradually improves.
What are the risks?
Risks include infection, astigmatism, or rejection of the donor tissue.
What are signs of rejection?
Watch for pain, sudden vision loss, sensitivity to light, or increased redness, and contact the doctor immediately.
Will my eye color change?
No, the cornea is transparent, so your eye color will not change.
Can I shower and wash my hair?
You will need to avoid getting water in your eye for a few days to a week after surgery, often needing to wash hair backward
Contact Lense
Can I sleep in my contact lenses?
Doctors strongly advise against sleeping in contacts, even those labeled for extended wear, to avoid infection.
Can a contact lens get lost behind my eye?
No, a membrane (conjunctiva) covers your eye and prevents lenses from going behind it.
Can I wear contact lenses while swimming or showering?
No, water should never touch contact lenses because it can contain harmful bacteria/parasites and cause the lens to change shape, sticking to the eye.
Are contact lenses bad for my eyes?
No, they are safe when used properly, but they are medical devices requiring careful hygiene and regular check-ups.
Do contact lenses hurt?
They should not hurt when applied correctly. Initial, mild discomfort is normal, but they should feel comfortable after a short adaptation period.
What should I do if my contacts feel itchy or scratchy?
This may indicate a dry eye, a dirty lens, or a torn lens. If discomfort persists, remove them and consult your eye doctor.
Can I use tap water to clean my lenses?
Never use tap water, saliva, or homemade saline. Always use approved, fresh contact solution to prevent severe eye infections.
How often should I replace my contacts?
Follow your practitioner’s advice, which can range from daily disposables to monthly replacements.
What if I cannot get the lens out?
Do not panic. Keep your eyes lubricated with drops and try again. The lens is likely stuck in the eyelid fold.
Can I wear makeup with contacts?
Yes, but put contacts in before applying makeup to avoid contamination.
Are contact lens prescriptions the same as glasses?
No, they are different because glasses sit in front of the eye, while contact lenses sit directly on it.
Optical
How long does it take for my glasses to be ready?
Generally, glasses are ready within 1-2 hr but somehow 3-7 days, depending on specific prescription needs.
What is the return/warranty policy on glasses?
That depends on the brand of glasses.
What is the difference between single-vision and progressive lenses?
Single-vision lenses have one prescription power throughout, while progressive lenses ("no-line bifocals") provide multiple prescriptions for near, intermediate, and distance viewing in one pair.
Why are my glasses uncomfortable/hard to see with?
It often takes time (sometimes a few days to two weeks) to adjust to a new prescription, especially if you have high astigmatism or are moving from a weak to a strong prescription.
Laboratory
What tests are available?
Specialized laboratories offer comprehensive services including CBC (Complete Blood Count), Blood Sugar (RBS), Blood Urea, Lipid Profile, ESR, TPHA, Uric Acid, Urine/Stool Routine Examination, and infectious screenings like HBsAg, HCV, and HIV.
Do I need an appointment for lab tests?
Generally, walk-ins are welcomed, but specific tests may require scheduling or specific timing (e.g., fasting for blood sugar).
When can I get my reports?
Most routine reports are available the same day or within 24 hours, though culture tests may take longer.
What is the microbiology laboratory?
It specializes in analyzing eye samples for bacteria, fungi, or viruses, offering culture and sensitivity services.
What is a corneal ulcer scraping?
A procedure to identify the cause of a corneal infection (using Gram's stain and KOH mount) to prescribe the right antibiotic.
How should I prepare for a blood test?
Patients may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours for tests like blood sugar or lipid profiles.
Do you offer home collection?
No, It is best to call the laboratory department directly.
How do I receive my reports?
Reports can usually be collected in person from the laboratory reception or you can get it by email/Whatsapp.
What precautions do you take?
Labs strictly follow infection control protocols, especially when handling contaminated eye samples, to ensure safety.
Oculoplasty
What is Oculoplasty?
It is a specialized area of ophthalmology that focuses on the health and appearance of the structures around the eye, including eyelids, tear ducts, and the eye socket (orbit).
What Conditions Does Oculoplasty Treat?
Yes. Procedures like ptosis correction and blepharoplasty can enhance vision by removing excess skin or lifting eyelids that obstruct sight.
Is Oculoplasty Painful?
Most procedures are done under local anesthesia, resulting in minimal discomfort during the surgery. Post-surgical pain is typically managed with medication.
What is the Recovery Time?
Recovery varies by procedure, but most patients can resume normal activities within 1 to 2 weeks, with complete healing potentially taking a few months.
Will I Have Visible Scars?
Surgeons make incisions in natural eyelid creases to minimize visible scarring.
How Long Do Results Last?
While procedures are long-lasting, natural aging processes can influence the longevity of the results.
What Are the Risks?
Risks include infection, bruising, scarring, or asymmetry. Choosing a specialist minimizes these risks.
What Should I Do Before Surgery?
Patients are often asked to stop taking blood thinners (like aspirin) 3 weeks before surgery and stop smoking.
Pharmacy
How long should I wait between different types of eye drops?
It is generally recommended to wait at least 5 minutes between different types of eye drops and 10 minutes between eye drops and ointments.
How do I use eye drops and ointments properly?
Pharmacists typically advise washing hands first, tilting the head back, pulling down the lower lid, and avoiding touching the dropper tip to the eye.
What if I miss a dose of my eye medication?
If a dose is missed, it should be applied as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, the missed dose should be skipped.
How long can I use eye drops after opening?
Many eye products should be discarded 4 weeks after opening, even if they are not yet expired, due to contamination risks.
Should eye drops be stored in the refrigerator?
Most eye drops should not be stored in the refrigerator unless specifically told by a pharmacist, as cold drops can sting.
What should I do if my eyes feel itchy or sting after using drops?
Some drops can cause temporary blurring or discomfort. It is best to consult the Ophthalmologist if the sensation is severe.
What are the opening hours of the pharmacy?
Department of Pharmacy, Nava Dristi Eye Hospital offer pharmacy services 24 hours a day.
Uveitis
What causes Uveitis?
Uveitis is an inflammatory response, frequently secondary to autoimmune diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis or sarcoidosis), infections (such as herpes or tuberculosis), or eye injuries. 
What happens if Uveitis is left untreated?
Untreated uveitis can result in serious, permanent complications, including cataracts, glaucoma, band keratopathy, and macular edema.
Who is at risk?
It can affect anyone, but it is most common in individuals aged 20 to 50.
Vitreo Retinal Surgery
What is diabetic retinopathy?
A complication of diabetes where high blood sugar damages retinal vessels, leading to bleeding or leakage.
What is a retinal detachment?
A medical emergency where the retina peels away from the back of the eye. Requires urgent surgery to prevent permanent blindness.
What are intravitreal injections (AVASTIN/Tricort)?
Medication injected directly into the eye to treat conditions like macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic macular edema.
What is a vitrectomy?
A surgical procedure where the vitreous gel is removed, and the retina is repaired (e.g., removing scar tissue, sealing tears).
Will I need laser treatment?
Laser (e.g., Green Laser) is frequently used to treat retinal tears, seal leaking blood vessels, or shrink abnormal vessels.
Retina
What is Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is a safe and common eye procedure used to restore clear vision by removing a cloudy natural lens (called a cataract) from the eye and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. As a cataract develops, the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision, glare, difficulty seeing at night, and faded colors. Cataract surgery removes this cloudy lens and implants an intraocular lens (IOL), allowing light to focus properly on the retina again.
Is cataract surgery painful?
Cataract surgery is a safe and common eye procedure used to restore clear vision by removing a cloudy natural lens (called a cataract) from the eye and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. As a cataract develops, the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision, glare, difficulty seeing at night, and faded colors. Cataract surgery removes this cloudy lens and implants an intraocular lens (IOL), allowing light to focus properly on the retina again.
How long does cataract surgery take?
Cataract surgery is a safe and common eye procedure used to restore clear vision by removing a cloudy natural lens (called a cataract) from the eye and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. As a cataract develops, the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision, glare, difficulty seeing at night, and faded colors. Cataract surgery removes this cloudy lens and implants an intraocular lens (IOL), allowing light to focus properly on the retina again.
Will I need to stay in the hospital?
Cataract surgery is a safe and common eye procedure used to restore clear vision by removing a cloudy natural lens (called a cataract) from the eye and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. As a cataract develops, the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision, glare, difficulty seeing at night, and faded colors. Cataract surgery removes this cloudy lens and implants an intraocular lens (IOL), allowing light to focus properly on the retina again.
When will my vision improve after surgery?
Cataract surgery is a safe and common eye procedure used to restore clear vision by removing a cloudy natural lens (called a cataract) from the eye and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. As a cataract develops, the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision, glare, difficulty seeing at night, and faded colors. Cataract surgery removes this cloudy lens and implants an intraocular lens (IOL), allowing light to focus properly on the retina again.
Can cataracts come back after surgery?
Cataract surgery is a safe and common eye procedure used to restore clear vision by removing a cloudy natural lens (called a cataract) from the eye and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. As a cataract develops, the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision, glare, difficulty seeing at night, and faded colors. Cataract surgery removes this cloudy lens and implants an intraocular lens (IOL), allowing light to focus properly on the retina again.
Glaucoma Surgery
Will surgery cure my glaucoma?
No. There is no cure for glaucoma. The primary goal of surgery is to lower eye pressure to a safe target level to prevent further vision loss. Any vision that has already been permanently damaged by the disease cannot be reversed.
Will I be asleep during the procedure?
Mostly awake. The majority of glaucoma surgeries are performed under local anesthesia, meaning the eye is completely numbed with drops and the patient remains awake, though mild intravenous sedation is often provided to help you relax.
What are the risks and side effects?
All surgeries have some risks. Common but manageable side effects include swelling, redness, temporary blurry vision, and eye irritation. More severe but rare risks include infection, bleeding, or the development of cataracts.
Will I still need to use eye drops after the surgery?
It depends. The success rate for eliminating the need for eye drops is about 60% to 70%. However, depending on how your eye responds, some patients may still require a reduced regimen of eye drops to keep their pressure controlled.
How long is the recovery process?
Recovery involves following strict postoperative care instructions to avoid infection and pressure changes. You will need to wear an eye shield (especially while sleeping) for several weeks, avoid strenuous activities, and refrain from rubbing your eye or bending your head forward.
Glaucoma
What are the symptoms?
Most types have no early symptoms, making it a "silent thief of sight." Advanced cases may cause peripheral vision loss (tunnel vision).
Can glaucoma blindness be reversed?
No, damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, which is why early detection is critical to prevent further loss.
What are the risk factors?
Key risks include older age (over 40-60), family history, high eye pressure, African/Hispanic ethnicity, thin corneas, and diabetes.
How is it diagnosed?
Nava Dristi Eye Hospital’s Ophthalmologist use tests like tonometry (measuring IOP), optic nerve imaging (OCT), and visual field tests.
Do I have to use eye drops forever?
Yes, in most cases, glaucoma requires lifelong management with daily eye drops to maintain eye pressure, even if you feel fine.
Is it hereditary?
Yes, a family history of glaucoma increases your risk significantly.
Does high eye pressure mean I have glaucoma?
Not necessarily. High eye pressure (ocular hypertension) is a risk factor, but some people have "normal tension glaucoma" where the nerve is damaged at average pressure levels.
How often should I have check-ups?
Frequency is decided by your doctor, but patients with glaucoma usually require frequent, regular check-ups to monitor progression.
Is surgery a permanent fix?
While surgery lowers eye pressure and can reduce the need for medicine, it does not guarantee a total cure, and some patients may still need drops afterward.
Cornea
What is a corneal transplant?
A surgery to replace a damaged or diseased part of the cornea with healthy donor tissue, often used for severe infections or conditions like keratoconus.
What is keratoconus?
A condition where the cornea thins and weakens, changing shape to a cone, causing distorted vision. It often develops during puberty and may require collagen cross-linking to strengthen the cornea.
How are cornea problems diagnosed?
Doctors use a slit lamp exam (a microscope with a bright light) and sometimes fluorescein eye dye to see scratches or damage.
What are symptoms of a corneal problem?
Redness, extreme pain, watery discharge, hazy vision, and sensitivity to light.
Can corneal haze be corrected?
It can, often taking 6–9 months to improve following injury or surgery, with doctors sometimes prescribing drops to help.
What is Collagen Cross-Linking (CXL)?
A minimally invasive procedure using UV light and riboflavin drops to stop the progression of keratoconus.
Will I need a new cornea?
A transplant is only necessary if your cornea is severely damaged or scarred; corneal diseases often start in one of the five layers and can be managed in earlier stages.
What is the success rate of a corneal transplant?
Success rates are high, typically ranging from 72–92%.
Cataract Surgery
Does cataract surgery hurt?
Most patients feel no pain, only slight irritation or pressure, due to numbing eye drops.
How long does it take?
The surgery itself takes about 15 minutes, but the total stay including prep and recovery is roughly 3 hours.
Will I be awake?
Yes, local anesthetic drops are used, allowing you to be awake but relaxed.
What is the recovery time?
Many patients see clearly within a few days, though full stabilization can take a few weeks.
When can I resume normal activities?
You can usually return to light activity quickly, but you must avoid heavy lifting and bending over for several weeks.
Can I have both eyes done at once?
No, surgery on each eye is typically scheduled weeks apart to manage risks.
Will I need glasses after?
Often, you may only need glasses for reading, or not at all depending on the IOL chosen, but some patients still require glasses for certain activities.
What are the risks?
While highly successful (98%+ success rate), potential risks include infection or swelling, though these are rare.