| |
A cataract is a cloudiness or haze in the natural lens of the eye. This is a natural progression as the eye ages. More than 50 percent of people over the age of 60 will have some degree of cataract. Younger people may have significant cataracts if they are diabetic, sustained trauma to the eye of have taken certain medications, such as prednisone.
The progressive clouding of the lens can cause symptoms such as blurred vision at distance or near, halos and glare with lights, difficulty driving or reading, double vision or glare symptoms, especially while driving with oncoming headlights or bright sunlight. Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions may also be a sign of cataract formation.
Currently, the only option to improve vision in patients with cataracts is surgery. There are no drops, pills, exercises or glasses that can reverse or arrest cataract formation. Fortunately, modern cataract surgery is a relatively quick, painless way to improve vision that has deteriorated from cataracts.
Cataract surgery is outpatient surgery that can be done at a hospital, or more commonly in an ambulatory surgery center. There is no overnight stay involved. Mild sedation is given and the eye is numbed either with eye drops alone or with an injection around the eye. In either case, the patient does not feel the surgery. A small incision is made in the cornea, and an ultrasonic probe is placed in the eye. The cataract is then broken up by ultrasound waves, and the small pieces are removed from the eye using the probe. A lens implant, or intraocular lens is then placed into the space formerly occupied by the cataract. Most times the wound is closed without sutures. The surgery usually takes only 30 to 45 minutes. The patient is then discharged home with a light shield or a patch, and instructions to use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops.
Glaucoma is the term for when the pressure inside the eye rises high enough to damage the optic nerve. The condition often develops over many years without causing pain - so you may not experience vision loss until the disease has progressed. Glaucoma cannot be prevented, and vision lost to it cannot be restored. Left untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness. For these reasons, regular eye exams and early detection are critical.
The high eye pressure associated with glaucoma is caused by blockages in the eye's fluid drains. No one knows yet why the blockages form.
Symptoms are occasionally present and should be taken as warning signs that glaucoma may be developing; these include blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, halo effects around lights and painful or reddened eyes. People at the greatest risk include those who are over the age of 40, diabetic, near-sighted, African-American, or who have a family history of glaucoma.
Once diagnosed, glaucoma can be controlled. Treatments to lower pressure in the eye include non-surgical methods such as prescription eye drops and medications, laser therapy, and surgery.
Dr. Tennen is a fellowship trained corneal surgeon, and performs corneal transplants when the cornea is misshapen or scarred so that glasses and contact lenses are no longer an option. The cornea is the clear, front layer of the eye, and is the structure that bends the incoming light to focus it on to the retina. If it is damaged or scarred, a transplant can be performed with a donor cornea. The surgery is performed as an outpatient, and is done under local anesthesia to alleviate pain.
Corneal transplants are among the most common types of transplants performed, and the donor cornea can be expected to last for 20 plus years. Risk of rejection is very low, as there are few blood vessels in the cornea. Visual recovery often requires months, and most patients will use a contact lens following a corneal transplant.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is commonly used to reduce or eliminate the appearance of facial wrinkles. It is injected under the skin into areas surrounding the eyes, and forehead to smooth crow's feet, frown and worry lines. Made from a purified protein, BOTOX® injections work by blocking nerve impulses. This temporarily relaxes the muscles which cause wrinkles and gives the face a rejuvenated look. BOTOX® usually needs to be repeated every three to six months, and may also be useful for migraine headaches, excessive sweating, and eye and neck muscle spasms.
Macular degeneration is the number-one cause of severe vision loss in the United States. It occurs when the macula -- a part of the retina in the back of the eye that ensures that our vision is clear and sharp -- degrades or "degenerates," causing a progressive loss of vision.
The "dry" (and most common) form of macular degeneration has no treatment, but the "wet" form may be helped by medications or laser procedures if it is detected early. Three new medical treatments were approved for the treatment of macular degeneration in early 2005, and have greatly helped in the treatment of this devastating disease. Because of this, and because vision lost to the disease is irrecoverable, regular eye exams are highly recommended. Certain vitamins and minerals may also aid in slowing or preventing vision loss.
Symptoms often associated with macular degeneration include:
- A gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly
- A gradual loss of color vision
- Distorted vision
- A dark or empty area appearing in the center of vision
Dry eye is the term for when your eyes are insufficiently moisturized, either because they do not produce enough tears or because the tears have an improper chemical composition. It often occurs during the natural aging process, but it can also form as a result of eyelid or blinking problems, certain medications (antihistamines, oral contraceptives, antidepressants), climate (low humidity, wind, dust), injury, and various health problems (arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome).
In addition to being uncomfortable, dry eye can damage eye tissue, scar the cornea and impair vision. Dry eye is not preventable, but it can be controlled before harm is done to your eyes. Regular eye exams can detect dry eye early, even before symptoms become noticeable. Symptoms include:
- Irritated, scratchy, dry, uncomfortable or red eyes
- A burning sensation or feeling of something foreign in your eyes
- Blurred vision or light sensitivity
Treatment for dry eye can take many forms. The first line of treatment is the frequent use of artificial tears or moisturizing ointment. If these methods fail, small plugs may be inserted in the corners of the eyes to limit tear drainage. Finally, a new medication is available to actually promote the production of more of your own tears; this medicine is called RESTASIS and has been very helpful to a great many of our patients.
We provide routine eye exams for patients from infancy to well, adulthood and beyond!!! Kids should have their first eye exam before school, or earlier if there is a question of crossing eyes, or if parents notice their kids holding books very close to the eyes. Exams are recommended every two years for patients with normal vision, until age 55 when annual exams are helpful to rule out disorders which occur more frequently in patients in this age group. We test for glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration for all patients. If you currently use glasses, eye exams are advised every year to check for changes in the eyeglass prescription.
We also provide contact lens fitting and training for all types of contact lenses, including soft disposable, rigid gas permeable and cosmetic lenses. |
|
