Dry eye is exactly that: a lack of moisture on the surface of the eye. However, that simple lack of moisture can trigger chronic inflammation, occasionally with significant consequences. Everyone depends upon tears to keep their eyes comfortable and healthy, and their vision clear. For a variety of reasons, including advancing age, general health conditions […]
What is diabetes, and how does it affect the eye?
Diabetes is a disease that prevents your body from producing or using insulin effectively, which leads to increased levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. The elevated glucose levels damage the delicate lining of the blood vessels, causing swelling, bleeding, and poor supply of oxygen and nutrients to vital organs like the heart, kidneys, liver, […]
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What is age-related macular degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a degenerative process that affects the area of the retina (the light sensitive tissue lining the inside of the eye) responsible for central vision (the macula). It is more common as we age, and in certain demographic groups: in fact, as many as 15% of Caucasian women over the […]
What is a cataract, and what causes one to form?
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye, just behind the iris centered in the pupil. Contrary to common perception, it is not a ‘film’ on the surface of the eye, although it certainly can cause vision to appear ‘filmy’, among other symptoms. Cataracts are an inevitable consequence of aging: if […]
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What does ‘20/20’ mean, and why can some people who need to wear glasses see better than some people who don’t?
This may be the most commonly asked question during an eye exam, aside from “which is better, one or two?”. We’ve all heard about 20/20, or 20/40, but what do these numbers really mean? The two numbers both refer to distance measurements, in feet: the top number is always 20, because 20 feet is the […]
What can be done if I have glaucoma?
If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, your optometrist will usually initiate treatment with a topical (eye drop) medication to lower your intraocular pressure and improve blood flow to the optic nerve. Routine monitoring of your response to treatment, including optic nerve and peripheral vision assessment, is critical. If necessary, a second or third drop may […]
What can be done if I have dry eye?
First of all, the more accurate question may be “what can be done when I have dry eye?”, since most of us will experience dry eye at some point in our lives. Elderly patients, females, and contact lens wearers are particularly susceptible. Many systemic medications can trigger dry eye. Because it is difficult to increase tear production, […]
What can be done if I have diabetic retinopathy?
As with most diseases, the best treatment is prevention. Keep your blood glucose under tight control: monitor your sugar levels regularly, and aim for steady readings in the target range suggested by your family physician. The A1c laboratory test provides an overall picture of diabetes control, and should be 7% or lower for patients with […]
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What can be done if I have AMD?
90% of AMD is the “dry” form, involving no swelling or bleeding – the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) showed that anti-oxidant supplements can slow the progression of AMD: be sure to ask your optometrist if you are a candidate for this treatment. The other 10% of AMD is “wet”, involving new blood vessel growth […]
What can be done if I have a cataract?
With early cataracts, the symptoms may be addressed with nothing more than a change in eyeglass prescription. Given that cataracts typically change slowly, this may be all that is necessary in some situations. Should the symptoms continue to progress, cataract surgery may be recommended. In this case, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist […]
