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Eye check-up and spectacles for patients from Canacona: sun, salt and sea

From Palolem, Patnem, Agonda, Cola and Galgibag, much of Canacona earns its living by the sea: fishing canoes and trawlers, shacks, kayaks and guest houses. That means years of strong sun, glare off sand and water, wind and salt spray. This page explains what that does to the eyes and how to plan an eye check-up and spectacles from Canacona. ReNew Vision Eye Hospital is in Vasco, not in Canacona: 2nd floor, Pai Hospital building, Vaddem Merces Road, Vaddem, Vasco da Gama.

What does the sea do to the eyes?

• Pterygium: a pink, fleshy triangle that grows from the corner of the eye on to the cornea, common in people who work outdoors near the sea. Small ones may only need protection and lubricating drops; one that keeps growing towards the centre, or blurs vision, may need surgery, which is done at ReNew Vision when the eye doctor advises it.
• Red, gritty, dry eyes from wind and salt, worse at the end of a long day.
• Earlier cataract, because years of ultraviolet (UV) light are one of the things that speed it up.

The protection is simple: wrap-around sunglasses marked UV400 and a cap or hat with a brim, every day, not only in the hottest months. See power sunglasses in Goa.

What the check-up covers

The eye doctor tests your vision and spectacle power, measures the eye pressure, and examines the front of the eye, where pterygium and dryness are seen, and the lens and retina, often after drops that widen the pupils. A colour vision test can be added for a job or licence form. Details are on the eye check-up page.

Spectacles and sunglasses for the coast

The Vision Correction Centre is in the same building, so you can choose frames and lenses after the test. For a life by the sea, ask about:

• power sunglasses, so you can see clearly on the water and stay protected;
• a frame that does not corrode easily in salt air, and a hard case;
• a cord or strap, so the spectacles are not lost overboard.

Rinse salt and sand off with fresh water before wiping, or the lenses scratch. In the humid months, dry the frames after rinsing; see caring for spectacles in humid weather.

How to get there from Canacona

By car, about 63 km: NH 66 north through Gulem and the Karmal Ghat to Balli and Margao, on through Verna to the Cortalim junction, and the Vasco road (NH 366) into Vasco. Allow about an hour and a half. Konkan Railway trains run from Canacona station to Madgaon, where you can take a bus or taxi on to Vasco, about 27 km more. KTC and private buses link Canacona with Margao, and Margao buses run to Vasco often. We can collect you from your home and drop you back, at zero cost to the patient; call 072489 88039. See also coming from another town.

Picking a good time to come

• The Eye OPD runs Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm, Friday included; Sunday OPD is closed.
• If you work through the tourist season, the monsoon months, when shacks close and boats stay in, may be the easiest time for a full check-up.
• Leave Canacona by about 2 pm if drops may be used. Afterwards close vision is blurred for a few hours, so do not drive or ride home over the ghat.
• Ask when your spectacles will be ready, so you can plan whether to wait, come back or collect them on another trip north.

Injuries at sea and on the beach

A fish fin, a hook, sand blown hard into the eye or a splash of fuel can hurt the cornea. Rinse with plenty of clean fresh water, do not rub, and do not pull out anything stuck in the eye. For a severe injury, go to the nearest hospital first. Emergency eye care at ReNew Vision is available 24 hours on 072489 88039.

Questions patients ask

What is the fleshy growth on the white of my eye?

It may be a pterygium, common in people who work in the sun near the sea. An eye examination confirms it. Small ones need protection; one that grows or blurs vision may need surgery, which ReNew Vision does when advised.

Which sunglasses are right for fishing?

Wrap-around sunglasses marked UV400, with a strap so they stay on. If you wear spectacles, power sunglasses let you see clearly on the water. The Vision Correction Centre can advise.

How do I reach ReNew Vision from Canacona without a car?

Take a Konkan Railway train from Canacona to Madgaon, or a bus to Margao, then a bus or taxi to Vasco. We can also collect you from your home and drop you back, at zero cost to the patient.

When is a good time for an eye check-up if I work in tourism?

Any OPD day works, Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm. Many people who work on the beaches find the monsoon months easier to spare an afternoon.

Is ReNew Vision in Canacona?

No. ReNew Vision Eye Hospital is only in Vaddem, Vasco da Gama, about 63 km from Chaudi.

This page is general eye-health information, not personal medical advice. Your eye doctor advises you after examining your eyes.