Eye Health

If your vision has gradually changed with age, and things don’t seem quite as sharp or in focus as they used to, you may be suffering from cataracts, a clouding of the normally-transparent lens of the eye. Cataracts can be treated with a quick, outpatient procedure.

Learn more about our cataract services.

Open-angle glaucoma often has no symptoms until after vision loss has occurred. It is a leading cause of blindness, but if caught early it can be controlled. If you are African-American, have a relative with glaucoma, are diabetic or very nearsighted, you should have your eye pressure checked every year

Narrow-angle glaucoma is much rarer and is very different from open-angle glaucoma in that eye pressure usually goes up very fast. There may be a feeling of fullness in the eye along with reddening, swelling and blurred vision. If not treated promptly, this glaucoma produces blindness in the affected eye in 3 to 5 days. Contact us for a general eye health evaluation here.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

---

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision.

When blood sugar levels are too high for extended periods of time, it can damage capillaries (tiny blood vessels) that supply blood to the retina.

In people with diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels may leak fluids or bleed, causing edema (swelling) of the retina, distorting vision. In an advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy, these vessels can close off, called ischemia. The retina responds by growing new blood vessels on the surface of the retina. This is called neovascularization. However, these new blood vessels are abnormal and do not supply the retina with proper blood flow, which can lead to scarring or cause retinal detachment.

If you have diabetic retinopathy, at first you may not notice changes to your vision. But over time, diabetic retinopathy can get worse and cause vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes.

Who is at risk for diabetic retinopathy?

---

People with all types of diabetes (type 1, type 2, and gestational) are at risk for diabetic retinopathy. Risk increases the longer a person has diabetes. Between 40 and 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have some stage of diabetic retinopathy, although only about half are aware of it. Women who develop or have diabetes during pregnancy may have rapid onset or worsening of diabetic retinopathy. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, click here to schedule your comprehensive eye examination.

Have you ever turned your head quickly, thought you saw a small bug or a floating spot, then reached out only to discover that there wasn’t really anything there? Sometimes these appear as a flash of light, rather than a spot. Flashes and floaters can be alarming. An eye examination will confirm that they maybe harmless and may not require any treatment.

Macular degeneration is a retinal disease that occurs when the macula, an area at the retina at the back of the eye, begins to gradually deteriorate, usually because of age. A partial or total loss of central vision can occur. There are treatments available for some types of macular degeneration.

When you blink, a film of tears spreads over the eye, making the surface of the eye smooth and clear. Without this tear film, good vision would not be possible. Sometimes people don’t produce enough tears or the right quality of tears to keep their eyes healthy and comfortable. This condition is known as dry eye. Advanced dry eyes may damage the front surface of the eye and impair vision.

 

Symptoms of Dry Eyes:

---

 

Signs and symptoms, which usually affect both eyes, may include:

---

• A stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes
• Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Eye redness
• A sensation of having something in your eyes
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses
• Difficulty with nighttime driving
• Excessive eye irritation from smoke or wind
• Watery eyes, which is the body’s response to the irritation of dry eyes
• Blurred vision or eye fatigueSchedule an appointment for your dry eye evaluation and treatment if you’ve had prolonged signs and symptoms of dry eyes, including red, irritated, tired or painful eyes.
  

  What Causes Dry Eye Disease?

  ---

  Dry Eye is a chronic disease that can be caused by advanced age, contact lens wear, certain medications, eye diseases, other medical conditions, or environmental factors. Failure to blink regularly, such as when staring at a computer screen for long periods of time, can also contribute to drying of the eyes. One type of Chronic Dry Eye disease is caused by reduced tear production due to inflammation such as blepharitis.

  Other conditions that may cause dry eyes are:

  ---

• The natural aging process, especially menopause.
• Side effects of certain medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, birth control pills, and antidepressants. These medications can reduce tear production causing dry eyes.
• Diseases that affect the ability to make tears, such as diabetes, thyroid problem, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Sjogren’s syndrome.
• Structural problems with the eyelids that don’t allow them to close properly.
  

  How are dry eyes treated?

  ---

  The primary approaches used to manage and treat dry eyes include adding tears using over-the-counter artificial tear solutions, conserving tears, increasing tear production, and treating the inflammation of the eyelids or eye surface that contributes to the dry eyes.

  Adding tears Eyedrops called artificial tears are similar to your own tears. They lubricate the eyes and help maintain moisture. Preservative-free eyedrops are available for people who are sensitive to the preservatives in artificial tears. If you need to use artificial tears more than six times a day, preservative-free brands may be better for you.

  Conserving tears. Keeping natural tears in the eyes longer can reduce the symptoms of dry eyes. This can be done by blocking the tear ducts through which the tears normally drain. The tear ducts can be blocked with tiny silicone or gel-like plugs that can be removed, if needed. This is called Punctal Plugs. Or a surgical procedure can permanently close the tear ducts. In either case, the goal is to keep the available tears in the eye longer to reduce problems related to dry eyes.

  Increasing tear production. Some people may find dry-eye relief by supplementing their diet with omega-3 fatty acids, which are found naturally in foods like oily fish (salmon, sardines, anchovies) and flax seeds. Ask us if you should take supplements of omega-3 fatty acids and, if so, in what form and dosage.

  Treating the contributing eyelid or ocular surface inflammation. Dr. Auker might recommend prescription eye drops or ointments, warm compresses and lid massage, or eyelid cleaners to help decrease inflammation around the surface of the eyes.

  Other methods

  ---

  Tears evaporate like any other liquid. You can take steps to prevent evaporation. In winter, when indoor heating is in use, a humidifier or a pan of water on the radiator adds moisture to dry air. Wraparound glasses may reduce the drying effect of the wind. A person with dry eye should avoid anything that may cause dryness, such as an overly warm room, hair dryers or wind. Smoking is especially bothersome.

  Schedule an appointment for your dry eye evaluation and treatment if you’ve had prolonged signs and symptoms of dry eyes, including red, irritated, tired or painful eyes.

Coming soon…

Coming soon…

Coming soon…

Coming soon…

Coming soon…

Coming soon…

Coming soon…

Coming soon…

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. Redness of the eyelids, frequent styes or a sticky discharge may all be symptoms of this easily-treatable condition.

Coming soon…

Coming soon…