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Glaucoma - Cataracts
- Diabetes
- Age Related Macular Degeneration
- Contact Lenses Fatigue Syndrome
- Dry-Eye Syndrome: An Overlooked Side Effect of HRT
- Ocular Migraine
- Flashes - Floaters
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. It most often occurs in people over age 40. People with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans, and those who are very nearsighted or diabetic are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
The most common type of glaucoma develops gradually and painlessly, without symptoms. A rarer type occurs rapidly and its symptoms may include blurred vision, loss of side vision, seeing colored rings around lights and pain or redness in the eyes.
Glaucoma cannot be prevented, but if diagnosed and treated early, it can be controlled. Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored. That is why the American Optometric Association recommends annual eye examinations for people at risk for glaucoma (your doctor may, depending on your condition, recommend more frequent examinations). A comprehensive optometric examination will include a tonometry test to measure the pressure in your eyes; an examination of the inside of your eyes and optic nerves; and a visual field test to check for changes in central and side vision.
The treatment for glaucoma includes prescription eye drops and medicines to lower the pressure in your eyes. In some cases, laser treatment or surgery may be effective in reducing pressure.
AmericanOptometric Association
www.aoa.org
Cataracts
A cataract occurs when the eye’s natural crystalline lens becomes cloudy. This clouding is secondary to changes in the lens fibers and proteins and is mostly age-related, though cataracts may be present at birth in rare cases. Other factors such as diabetes, ultraviolet radiation, smoking, alcohol consumption and nutritional deficiency may also contribute to cataract formation. Cataracts may also result from ocular surgery, trauma and long-term steroid use.
Cataracts are painless and symptoms include yellowing or dimming of the vision, decreased night vision and increases in glare and/or light sensitivity. Most cataracts develop slowly and patients notice only gradual visual changes. Some cataract symptoms may be improved through a change in the glasses or contact lens prescription. Cataracts are corrected with surgery when their visual impact interferes with an individual’s activities of daily living. Modern cataract surgery replaces the cataract with an intraocular lens implant in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. Patients may enjoy more freedom from spectacles after cataract surgery due to advances in the intraocular lens implant technology. Toric (for astigmatism) and multifocal/bifocal options are available for those who qualify.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a systemic disease where the pancreas loses its ability to produce insulin or the body’s cells fail to use insulin properly. Insulin transports glucose (sugar) into the body’s cells and is critical for life. The precise cause of diabetes is unknown; however, genetics, environmental factors, obesity and sedentary lifestyle all may contribute.
In the United States, 7.8% of the population develops diabetes. Of these, 25% are unaware of their condition. Diabetes and its related complications remain the seventh leading cause of death in the United States as of 2006. Unfortunately, 40-45% of diabetics exhibit some form of diabetic retinopathy or diabetic eye disease. Ocular complications from diabetes remain the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults ages 20 through 74.
Diabetic eye disease includes small areas of blood leakage in the retina (inner layer of the eye), fluid leakage, areas of swelling, oxygen-starved areas, new blood vessel growth, and retinal detachment. Often, patients experience no symptoms even in advanced diabetic eye disease. However, early detection of diabetic eye disease and treatment with laser, injections and/or surgery can often save the remaining vision and may prevent further vision loss. All diabetics should have their eyes examined annually to monitor for progression to these complications. Some diabetics require more frequent examinations. Also, diabetics are at higher risk for other eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts.
To find out if you are at risk for diabetes, click on this link for a quick risk test: http://www.diabetes.org/food-nutrition-lifestyle/lifestyle-prevention/risk-test.jsp
Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)
Age-related macular degeneration is among the leading causes of legal blindness in our country. It occurs when there is a breakdown of the protective pigment layer within the retina located inside the eye. Many of the risk factors associated with macular degeneration are behavior related:
- Smokers are at a greatly increased risk. Speak with your doctor right away to help you quit.
- UV radiation exposure. Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection whenever you go outside – even on cloudy days.
- Diet. Unbalanced diets without enough vegetables may play a role.
There are, of course, some risk factors that we cannot control. Having a family history and light colored eyes are among these factors. And lastly, the longer a person lives, the greater the chance for all of these risk factors to accumulate.
There are two types of macular degeneration: Dry and Wet. The dry form is by far the most common and occurs when there are inconsistencies within the pigment layer. Patients with dry macular degeneration suffer from blurred vision that cannot be fixed with glasses or contact lenses. Obviously, the patient will want to make the best of the vision that they have by keeping their glasses prescription up to date and making behavioral changes. They will also benefit from prescription sunglasses.
Currently, there is no technology available to cure dry macular degeneration. However, research has shown that certain vitamins and dietary supplements are beneficial. There are over the counter vitamins available that include higher doses of vitamins A, C, E, and zinc. The pigment within the eye is related to a pigment found in vegetables, plants and flowers. Lutein is responsible for the brilliant colors found in marigolds and is sometimes harvested from them.
For some patients the pigment breakdown progresses to the point that blood leaks in to the retina. This is wet macular degeneration. It occurs much less frequently than they dry form, but it is visually devastating. In wet macular degeneration there may be complete loss of central vision, but the peripheral vision remains. So when the patient looks at someone's face, the eyes, nose, and mouth will not be seen, but the hair, eyes, and chin may still be visible. Previous treatment had been laser to stop the bleeding, but there were scars left behind that resulted in scattered blind spots. Nowadays, powerful medications are administered to the eye that can prevent the blood from leaking in to the eye.
Time is of the essence in many cases of macular degeneration and the value of regular eye exams with your Gaddie Eye Center doctor of optometry cannot be stressed enough. During your comprehensive eye examination with dilation, your optometrist will be able to detect any signs of macular degeneration and then discuss your treatment options. When necessary, your optometrist has excellent relations with the area's leading retinal experts, and will let you know when a referral is appropriate.
Contact Lens Fatigue Syndrome
Contact Lens Fatigue Syndrome is just as it reads! It is due to environmental and psychological reasons and manifests as a sore red and dramatically swollen eye. Environmental factors such as humidity or lack there of, chemical fumes or ultraviolet light exposure can precipitate this condition. Psychologically speaking, the eye may undergo frank measurable changes that make a once well fitting lens become an improper fitting lens. In some cases, a patient's eye may reject contact lenses altogether, no matter what material or solutions are used only to accept the contact lenses at a later time.
Treatments may be as simple as discontinuing lens wear for a short period or may be severe enough to warrant medication in the form of eye drops. With the advent of better contact lens technologies, contact lens fatigue syndrome is seen less frequently.
Dry Eyes
According to a recent gathering of international eye care experts, dry eyes have a significant impact on many people's quality of life. Some quality of life surveys have even listed dry eyes as second only to heart-related chest pains. A person may experience burning, stinging, itching, light-sensitivity, and if severe enough, decreased vision.
When a person has dry eyes, they are obviously dry due to a lack of tears. Most people do not realize the complexity of the human tear film that bathes and protects their eyes. The tear film has three main parts – mucus, water, and oil. The mucus is produced by cells on the surface of the eye and provide a sticky surface for the water to cling to. The water is the most abundant and is produced by cells on the surface of the eye and by the lacrimal gland located just under the brow. The oil layer floats on top and is secreted from glands within the eyelids located just behind the lashes.
Many people are affected by dry eyes. Those that are most commonly affected are women (especially post-menopausal), those over 50, allergy sufferers, and contact lens wearers. Certain medications such as anti-depressants and anti-histamines can also lead to dry eyes. And skin conditions, such as rosacea, play a significant role in dry eyes. People with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions are among the most severely affected.
Given all these factors, the proper treatment must be prescribed. The most commonly prescribed are artificial tears, but not all artificial tears are the same. Some artificial tears are better at treating mucus deficiency than those for a water deficiency. There are even prescription strength eye drops available. Certain anti-biotic eye drops have been found to be very effective in treating dry eyes due to lack of oil. In many cases, fatty acid supplements (flax seed or fish oils) may be prescribed. Be sure to discuss any dry eye concerns with your Gaddie Eye Center doctor of optometry.
Ocular Migraines
Migraine headaches are a common but potentially serious condition resulting from a spasm like effect on the blood vessels in the brain and also around the eye. However, most people that have headaches luckily don't suffer from a true "migraine" headache. Migraine headaches are much more severe in nature and can be a symptom of a life or vision threatening problem. Migraines are classified as a severe pulsating headache that's usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound. They can occur on one or both sides of the head. They will typically last anywhere from 6-72 hours if left untreated. They affect women more than men (3 times more likely). Migraines can be triggered from a variety of things including stress, certain foods, hormonal changes, and even certain medications.
It is important to realize that not all migraines are the same. A migraine type headache that does not produce typical visual symptoms is termed a COMMON migraine. On the other hand if someone has a visual disturbance with the migraine, it is considered a CLASSIC migraine. These visual disturbances can occur anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes BEFORE the migraine begins. Patients have described these disturbances as looking like fluttering ziz-zag lines in their field of vision (typically in the peripheral area). Others have described what appears to be "running water" around the edge of their vision or a kaleidoscope type disturbance. In addition, many patients have these strange visual disturbances for 15-30 minutes, but never suffer the headache afterwards. These are called OCULAR migraines and can occur as often as several times per week or as little as once every few years. Recently, migraine headache has been implicated as a contributing factor for glaucoma and stroke.
Treatment of migraines is relegated to two categories:- Pain relieving medications: taken during the headache to relieve the symptoms that have already begun.
- Preventative medications: taken regularly to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.
If you feel you suffer from any form of migraine, please feel free to discuss your symptoms with one of our doctors.
Flashes - Floaters
Floaters are the consequence of aging changes or trauma inside the eye. These are small semi-transparent specs, dots, or wiggly lines seen in the vision that appear to float around and move with eye movement. Floaters develop within the vitreous body, the clear gel that fills most of the inner hollow shell of the eye. Other causes of floaters include significant nearsightedness or inflammatory eye disease. Floaters are formed when small parts of the vitreous gel clump together, and act like small flakes in a snow globe. They tend to vary in number depending on the patient. Treatment for floaters is usually not recommended unless they are extremely severe, where the vision becomes non functional for the patient.
Typically, small floaters are harmless, but an unusual increase in the amount seen, or the addition of "camera-like flashes" in the vision can be a cause for concern. Sometimes the gel can pull away from the inner wall (or retina) of the eye and cause a sensation of flashing lights. The association of flashes with floaters increases the probability that a tear or detachment of the retina is imminent. Please be sure to tell your doctor if you experience floaters or any sort of flashing lights in your vision. A thorough dilated eye exam should be preformed to check for any potential problems.