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Glaucoma is a condition caused by increased pressure in the eye that can lead to optic nerve damage and ultimately blindness. Typically, fluid in the eye, also known as aqueous humor, drains out of the eye via a mesh-like channel. In glaucoma, this channel becomes blocked which increases the fluid levels and pressure in the eye. It’s unknown why this channel becomes blocked but hereditary links have been found, with parents passing this to children. Other known causes are trauma to the eye, chemical damage, severe eye infections, or blocked blood vessels in the eye. What are the symptoms? The majority of people do not experience symptoms of glaucoma, so regular eye exams are important. However, depending on the type and stage some people may experience symptoms. The two most common types of glaucoma are: Open-angle glaucoma:  also known as wide-angle glaucoma and the most common form. In open-angle glaucoma, the drainage angle is open but the mesh-like structure becomes blocked. Close-angle glaucoma:  also known as angle-closure glaucoma. In closed-angle glaucoma the iris bulges, causing the drainage angle to become narrowed or blocks. The most common symptoms with open-angle glaucoma are blind spots in side vision, or tunnel vision. Some symptoms associated with closed-angle glaucoma are severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, eye pain, blurred vision, halos around lights, and redness in the eye. How is glaucoma treated? Damage caused by glaucoma can’t be reversed but treatment to lower pressure in the eye can slow or prevent vision loss due to glaucoma, so early detection and treatment are important. Treatment usually starts with eye drops to help reduce pressure in the eye; however, if these don’t lower the pressure to the optimal level then oral medications may [...]

Multifocal and toric lenses are commonly used artificial lenses that can help patients with cataracts who have both nearsightedness and farsightedness or astigmatism. What are cataracts? Cataracts are a common eye problem that can cause blurry or double vision, challenges with differentiating colors, or make it difficult to see at night. Typically, light passes through a clear lens where it is focused, allowing the retina to receive a clear image. A cataract causes proteins to build up on the lens, making it cloudy, leading to a blurry image. Many times cataracts develop due to aging; however, other risk factors include diabetes, smoking, and prolonged exposure to UV rays. As cataracts develop, they usually start small with the cloudiness only affecting a portion of the lens and growing slowly. While cataracts can affect one or both eyes, they can’t spread from one eye to the other. How are cataracts treated? During the early stages, symptoms may be managed using glasses, anti-glare sunglasses, magnifying glasses, or brighter lights. As a cataract worsens and begins to interfere with daily activities surgery, the only effective treatment for cataracts, may be required. Cataract surgery is typically an outpatient procedure not requiring a hospitalization that replaces a cloudy lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Similar to glasses, there are several types of artificial lenses with varying levels of focusing strengths that may be used for cataract surgery, including monofocal lenses, multifocal lenses, and tonic lenses. Your doctor will discuss the different options to determine the best lens for you. Monofocal lenses have one focusing distance and are either set to a close, medium, or far range. Depending on the correction needed, reading glasses may still be required. Multifocal lenses have different focusing [...]

Diabetes, like many medical conditions, can impact eye health and lead to multiple eye problems including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Having diabetes nearly doubles the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma. The condition occurs when the fluids in the eye don’t drain properly causing eye pressure to build. This increased intraocular pressure eventually damages the optic nerve, causing vision loss. Glaucoma is a slowly progressive disease and symptoms typically don’t occur in the early stages. The first sign of glaucoma is often loss of peripheral (side) vision. Without treatment, vision loss continues to advance, leading to tunnel vision and, eventually, blindness. Once the damage occurs, vision cannot be restored. To identify glaucoma in the early stages, individuals with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Depending on your eye health, physical condition, and medical history, more frequent monitoring may be required. If you've been diagnosed with glaucoma, there are a number of treatment options that can successfully prevent or slow the progression of the disease. When used regularly, prescription eye drops and oral medication are often very effective in lowering intraocular pressure. If glaucoma cannot be sufficiently controlled with medication, laser therapy or surgery is the next step. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are increasing at alarming rates in this country, and the rising numbers pose a serious threat to eye health. A 2011 fact sheet from the American Diabetes Association lists diabetes as the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20-74 years. In addition to scheduling regular eye exams, protect your vision from complications of diabetes by not smoking, maintaining proper blood glucose levels, controlling your [...]

Macular degeneration is a term to describe the breakdown of the macula, a small area in the center back of the retina. This deterioration causes severe vision problems and interferes with the eye’s ability to distinguish precise details making it difficult to drive, read or perform other tasks requiring fine vision. There are two forms of macular degeneration, dry and wet. The overwhelming majority of individuals who suffer from macular degeneration have the atrophic or dry form. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is common form of dry macular degeneration that occurs as the eye ages. AMD is linked to family history, race (macular degeneration occurs more often in Caucasians) and smokers. Other risk factors include obesity, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol and a diet lacking fruits and vegetables. Most people don’t recognize the early symptoms of macular degeneration since vision changes happen gradually, but the condition is easily detectable on a medical eye exam. That’s why it’s important to have a vision screening every one to two years. Treatment options for macular degeneration include nutritional supplements such as vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, zinc and copper, which can be used in combination to reduce the chance of developing the advanced form of dry macular degeneration or even wet form macular degeneration. Other treatment options are based on the type and severity of macular degeneration but may include anti-angiogenesis inhibitor drugs that work to stop new blood vessels formation under the macula, laser therapy and photodynamic laser therapy. If vision loss is severe in both eyes, some patients may meet the criteria for a surgically implanted telescopic lens. Since macular degeneration doesn’t affect peripheral (side) vision, magnifying devices, large-print reading materials and closed circuit television systems for [...]

LASIK is an acronym for laser in situ keratomileusis, a surgical procedure designed to correct imperfections of the cornea that distort vision. It has become a popular solution for adults who are tired of wearing eyeglasses or contacts. Here’s how LASIK works: The shape of the cornea influences refraction. Refraction is the way light bends and focuses to create an image on the retina. Imperfections, called refractive errors, cause myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea or lens that causes blurring). By reshaping the cornea, it’s possible to correct refractive errors and improve vision. During the LASIK procedure, the eye is numbed with anesthetic drops and an instrument is placed to hold the eyelid open. A flap is then made on the cornea and a laser is used to reshape or remove corneal tissue so that the light moving through it is correctly focused on the retina. After LASIK, many individuals are eyeglasses or contact-free. The LASIK procedure takes approximately 30 minutes and is often performed on both eyes during the same visit. You will be awake during the procedure and most patients enjoy improved vision almost immediately. After surgery, an eye shield is used to protect the eye from injury until it is fully healed. Some patients temporarily experience some mild itching, burning or grittiness in the eye. Vision may also be blurry during the first few days, and some patients complain of discomfort for up to 48 hours after the procedure, but the symptoms gradually improve. Antibiotic or steroid eye drops may be prescribed for a short time following LASIK to assist in healing. LASIK isn’t perfect and not everyone realizes the same results, but statistics from the American Academy of [...]

Changes in vision are often what draw adults to schedule an appointment with their ophthalmologist, but even those with good vision can benefit from a yearly eye examination. An annual eye exam is about more than testing visual acuity, it is an opportunity for your ophthalmologist to evaluate eye muscle movement, determine how well your eyes work together and how well your pupils react to light and objects. Depending on your health history and any vision symptoms you may be experiencing, your ophthalmologist may perform additional tests during a routine eye exam as well. A comprehensive eye exam includes visual field tests, tests to evaluate how light reflects from your eyes and what the the fluid pressure is inside your eyes. It also includes an assessment of the overall condition of your eyes (including the cornea, iris, lens, anterior chamber, retina, vitreous and optic nerve head) and eyelids. Routine eye exams are vital since many eye conditions have no notable symptoms in the early stages. Glaucoma and retinal tears and detachments are examples of problems that often go undetected by patients. But without proper treatment, these conditions can lead to permanent vision loss. Regular eye exams also provide valuable insight to overall health. Ophthalmologists often uncover valuable clues on routine eye exams that indicate a patient is suffering from a serious medical condition. Damage to the small vessels in the retina or retinal bleeding can signal a patient is suffering from a disease like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol or cancer. Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis are other illnesses that sometimes manifest in vision symptoms. Bottom line – don’t wait for vision problems to surface before scheduling your annual eye exam. By the time [...]

It’s easy to take our eyes for granted, but a 2011 National Health Survey revealed over 21 million adults in the U.S. are living with some degree of vision loss. To keep your eyes healthy: Have Routine Vision Exams In the early stages, many eye diseases can only be detected through a comprehensive eye examination. Glaucoma and cataracts are two examples of conditions that are often discovered during routine eye exams. The sooner these diseases are identified; the sooner treatment can be started. Annual eye exams also provide an opportunity to address overall health issues and medications that could impact vision; test visual acuity; assess the condition of the eye including the cornea, retina, optic nerve and lens; determine eye pressure; check eye movement and focusing ability; and look for refractive errors or other factors that could impede vision. Maintain Nutritional Health The old saying, “You are what you eat” can aptly be applied to eye health. A long-term study published in February 2014 issue of the journal, Ophthalmology, found daily multivitamin supplements may lower the risk of cataracts in men. Other nutrients are also thought to boost eye health including, selenium, lutein, zinc, beta carotene and vitamins A, C and E. These nutrients can be found in healthy foods like green leafy vegetables, fruits, dairy, nuts, seafood and lean meats. Wear Eye Protection The sun’s ultraviolet light can hasten the development of cataracts and macular degeneration. Wear sunglasses designed to block both UVA and UVB rays and remember, quality doesn’t have to mean expensive. Many low-priced sunglasses offer UV protection, which should be designated on the label. Nearly half of all eye injuries happen at home. Always use appropriate eye protection when handling chemicals, [...]