Dry eye is one of the most common problems treated by eye physicians. It can be caused by several factors, including the quality of the tear film that lubricates the eye.
Symptoms of dry eye include redness, burning, excessive tearing, blurred vision, light sensitivity and foreign body sensations. One of the most common causes of dry eye is the normal aging process, but environmental factors, contact lens use, certain medical conditions and medications may also contribute. Dry eyes are more pronounced in persons who have reduced blink frequency, such as persons who frequently use the computer. Patients may also have increased discomfort after periods of reading, driving or watching TV. The physicians at Intermountain Eye Centers are experienced and committed to the treatment of dry eyes and related disorders. We take a multifaceted approach and address tear production, quality, distribution, drainage and maintenance. Careful management by our eye-care professionals can significantly improve a patient’s symptoms and quality of life.
About 36 million Americans wear contact lenses, 80 percent of whom wear daily wear soft lenses. Currently, there are four types of contact lenses in use:
The prescription for contact lenses includes more information than what is available on the prescription for eyeglasses. Special measurements will need to be taken of the curvature of the eye. In addition, the physician will determine if the eyes are too dry for contact lenses and if there are any corneal problems that may prevent a person from wearing contact lenses. Trial lenses are usually tested on the eyes for a period of time to ensure proper fit.
The contact lens prescription usually includes the following information:
Eye-care specialists are required by federal law to give you a copy of your contact lens specifications.
The cornea is the clear front window that covers the colored portion of the eye. A corneal erosion or abrasion refers to a scratch or injury to the outer layer of the cornea. Common causes of these painful abrasions include contact lenses, a baby’s fingernail, tree limbs, bushes or vigorous rubbing of the eye.
The most common treatment for corneal erosions is to patch the eye tightly. An antibiotic may be prescribed to prevent infection. A corneal erosion usually heals within a week.
If bacteria get into the tissues under the protective layer of the eye a corneal ulcer can occur. These complications can be very serious and cause loss of vision. Proper care by you and your doctor is necessary to prevent serious consequences.
A patient’s first encounter with the herpes zoster virus is usually childhood chickenpox. Later in life, the virus may reactivate, causing a rash of small blisters, frequently on the chest or forehead. This second encounter is known as shingles.
It is important to see a doctor when herpes zoster occurs on the face because the virus may invade the eye. A doctor will look for elevated pressure in the eye, inflammation and herpes zoster lesions on the surface of the eye. These problems can be treated but they are sometimes difficult to manage, so careful treatment and follow-up are required. New oral antivirus medications can provide patients with a quicker, more complete recovery.
A pterygium is a fibrous, fleshy growth on the surface of the clear cornea. It occurs most frequently in people who are exposed to lots of sun, wind, dust or harsh climates. Pterygium is most commonly seen in the tropics and areas with wide temperature swings, but it is also seen in temperate climates among people who work or spend much of their time outdoors. Pterygium is three times more common in men than women.
Sometimes patients mistake pterygium for cataracts, but cataracts are not as easily seen with the naked eye as pterygium is.
The best form of therapy is prevention, such as wearing hats and dark glasses in bright sunshine. If clear vision is threatened by the presence of a pterygium a surgical incision may be necessary.
According to the National Eye Institute, cataract types are subdivided accordingly:
Other sources, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, describe the different types of cataracts according to the cataract location on the eye lens, including:
Conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye,” is an inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye. The conjunctiva is the membrane that lines the inside of the eye and also a thin membrane that covers the actual eye.
There are many different causes of conjunctivitis. The following are the most common causes:
Conjunctivitis is usually divided into at least two categories: newborn conjunctivitis and childhood conjunctivitis. There are different causes and treatments for each.
The following are the most common causes and treatment options of newborn conjunctivitis:
Childhood conjunctivitis is a swelling of the conjunctiva and may also include an infection. It is a very common problem in children. Also, large outbreaks of conjunctivitis are often seen in daycare settings or schools. The following are the most common causes of childhood conjunctivitis:
The following are the most common symptoms of childhood conjunctivitis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
The symptoms of conjunctivitis may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your child’s doctor for a diagnosis.
Conjunctivitis is usually diagnosed based on a complete medical history and physical examination of your child’s eye. Cultures of the eye drainage are usually not required, but may be done to help confirm the cause of the infection.
Specific treatment for conjunctivitis will be determined by your physician based on:
Specific treatment depends on the underlying cause of the conjunctivitis.
Infection can be spread from one eye to the other, or to other people, by touching the affected eye or drainage from the eye. Proper hand washing is very important. Drainage from the eye is contagious for 24 to 48 hours after beginning treatment.
Glaucoma is a condition in which the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes (intraocular pressure, or IOP) slowly rises as a result of the fluid aqueous humor – which normally flows in and out of the eye – not being able to drain properly. Instead, the fluid collects and causes pressure damage to the optic nerve (a bundle of more than 1 million nerve fibers that connects the retina with the brain) and loss of vision.
While physicians used to think that high intraocular pressure (also known as ocular hypertension) was the main cause of optic nerve damage in glaucoma, it is now known that even persons with normal IOP can experience vision loss from glaucoma. Thus, the causes are still unknown.
Diabetic eye disease comprises a group of eye conditions that affect people with diabetes. These conditions include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), cataract, and glaucoma. All forms of diabetic eye disease have the potential to cause severe vision loss and blindness.
Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye conditions that can affect people with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy affects blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue called the retina that lines the back of the eye. It is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and the leading cause of vision impairment and blindness among working-age adults. Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy. It is swelling in an area of the retina called the macula. Diabetic eye disease also includes cataract and glaucoma.
The early stages of diabetic retinopathy usually have no symptoms. The disease often progresses unnoticed until it affects vision. Bleeding from abnormal retinal blood vessels can cause the appearance of “floating” spots. These spots sometimes clear on their own. But without prompt treatment, bleeding often recurs, increasing the risk of permanent vision loss. If DME occurs, it can cause blurred vision.
Diabetic retinopathy and DME can be detected during a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that affects an individual’s central vision. AMD is the most common cause of visual impairment in patients over the age of 55 in industrialized nations. It produces variable symptoms, ranging from no symptoms at all to profound central visual loss. Because only the center of vision is affected, people rarely go blind from this disease. However, AMD can make it difficult of read, drive, or perform other daily activities that require fine, central vision.
AMD occurs when the macula, which is located in the center of the retina and provides us with sight in the center of our field of vision, begins to degenerate. With less of the macula working, central vision – which is necessary for driving, reading, recognizing faces, and performing close-up work – begins to deteriorate.
There are two primary types of AMD:
A pinguecula is a small, yellowish lump on the surface of the white part of the eye. It appears at 3 o’clock and 9’oclock, if the eye is viewed as a clock. Dryness and exposure to the environment usually cause these fleshy elevations. People who work or spend much of the time outdoors are most prone to this condition.
Symptoms may include burning or stinging of the eyes. Sometimes a pinguecula may become red, irritated and inflamed. Treatment with appropriate drops will typically clear this redness in just a few days. In rare cases, surgery is necessary.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage appears as a sharply outlined, bright red spot on the white part of the eye. Most of the time, no symptoms accompany these hemorrhages. Many people become alarmed by the sudden onset of this common problem, even though it is not associated with any diseases that cause vision loss.
The most common cause of a subconjunctival hemorrhage is simple rubbing of the eyes. Only rarely is the condition associated with high blood pressure or other bleeding problems. No treatment is needed. Subconjunctival hemorrhages will go away and only be a cosmetic problem for a few days.
In order to better understand how refractive errors affect our vision, it is important to understand how normal vision occurs. For persons with normal vision, the following sequence takes place:
The following are the most common refractive errors, all of which affect vision and may require corrective lenses or surgery for correction or improvement.
Astigmatism is a condition in which an abnormal curvature of the cornea can cause two focal points to fall in two different locations – making objects up close and at a distance appear blurry. Astigmatisms may cause eye strain and may be combined with nearsightedness or farsightedness. Eyeglasses, contact lenses, or corrective surgery may help to correct or improve the condition.
Commonly known as farsightedness, hyperopia is the most common refractive error in which an image of a distant object becomes focused behind the retina, either because the eyeball axis is too short, or because the refractive power of the eye is too weak. This condition makes close objects appear out of focus and may cause headaches and/or eye strain.
Eyeglasses or contact lenses may help to correct or improve hyperopia by adjusting the focusing power to the retina. Corrective surgery may also help by changing the shape of the cornea to a more spherical, round shape instead of an oval shape.
Commonly known as nearsightedness, myopia is a condition in which, opposite of hyperopia, an image of a distant object becomes focused in front the retina, either because the eyeball axis is too long, or because the refractive power of the eye is too strong. This condition makes distant objects appear out of focus and may cause headaches and/or eye strain.
Eyeglasses or contact lenses may help to correct or improve myopia by adjusting the focusing power to the retina. Corrective surgery may also help by changing the shape of the cornea to a more spherical, round shape instead of an oblong shape.
Another type of farsightedness, presbyopia is caused when the center of the eye lens hardens making it unable to accommodate near vision. This condition generally affects almost everyone over the age of 50 – even those with myopia. Eyeglasses or contact lenses may be prescribed to correct or improve the condition.
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