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Glaucoma is a serious disorder that can damage the optic nerves of your eyes if left untreated. The optic nerve carries images from your eyes to your brain. If the nerve is damaged, full or partial vision loss can occur. In some cases, people develop glaucoma because the pressure in their eyes begins to increase while, in others, ocular (eye) pressure is not an issue.

Although the word "glaucoma" is used as a blanket term to describe this condition, there are actually several different forms of the disorder.

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

This type of glaucoma occurs when you produce too much aqueous humor, the clear liquid that fills your eyeball, or when channels that drain the aqueous humor become blocked. In both cases, pressure in your eye begins to increase, which can lead to optic nerve damage. If you do not have a glaucoma test at your optometrist's office regularly, you probably will not know that you have primary open angle glaucoma until you begin to notice problems with your side, or peripheral, vision.

Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma

Acute angle closure glaucoma occurs due to a sudden blockage in the drainage channels in the eye. Eye pressure rises quickly, causing severe pain, redness, decreased vision and nausea. If you develop any of these symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately. If the problem is not corrected promptly, you may experience permanent vision loss.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

In normal-tension glaucoma, optic nerve damage occurs even though the pressure in your eye remains at normal levels. The first sign that you have this form of glaucoma is often tunnel vision.

Less Common Forms of Glaucoma

Pigmentary glaucoma occurs when a tiny piece of pigment breaks loose from your iris and blocks the drainage channels in your eye while secondary glaucoma develops after an eye infection or injury. Some children are born with congenital glaucoma, an inherited form of the disorder.

Who Gets Glaucoma?

Although anyone can get glaucoma, some people have an increased risk of developing the disorder. Your chances of getting glaucoma may be higher if:

• You have structural abnormalities in your eyes.

• You are very nearsighted or have a family history of glaucoma.

• You are over 60, or are black, Hispanic or Asian.

• You recently had an eye infection or eye surgery.

• You have sickle cell anemia, diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure.

• You take corticosteroids.
   

How Is Glaucoma Treated?

Optometrists prescribe a variety of eye drops that work by either decreasing fluid production or improving drainage. In some cases, oral medication also helps lower the pressure in your eye. Surgery can help improve drainage in your eye and is the recommended treatment if you suddenly develop acute angle closure glaucoma. Both traditional and laser surgery is used to treat the disorder.

How Can I Find Out If I Have Glaucoma?

Yearly eye checkups can help you avoid vision loss due to glaucoma. Since symptoms do not usually occur until there is already damage, frequent glaucoma tests are a must. Optometrists use several painless screening tests. Tonometry measures the pressure inside your eye while visual field testing tests your peripheral vision.

Special eye drops that dilate the pupils allow doctors to take a close look at your eyes and spot any signs that could indicate that you have glaucoma. Optic nerve imaging provides a picture of your nerve and is useful for spotting changes or damage.

Concerned that you are at risk for glaucoma? Call us today to schedule an exam and testing.

Diabetic retinopathy refers to several eye problems that are characterized by damage to the light-sensitive retina, caused by excessive blood sugar levels. Almost half of Americans with diabetes suffer from some level of diabetic retinopathy. When glucose levels in the blood are not properly controlled, it can result in the formation of glaucoma, cataracts or blood vessel damage in the retina — all of which can cause vision loss if not diagnosed and treated early.

Damage to the blood vessels in the retina can eventually lead to permanent vision loss. High blood sugar levels can lead to the blood vessels in the retina swelling and leaking. This leaked blood in the eye damages vision. In severe instances, the retina can thicken and crack, causing new blood vessels to grow under the retina and through those cracks, which severely affects visual acuity.

Symptoms

For many people, the earliest stages of diabetic retinopathy do not have any easily noticeable symptoms. By the time vision loss is prominent enough to be noticed, most individuals have progressed to advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy that are harder to treat and manage.

Thankfully, regular eye examinations can help monitor the eyes for many of the common initial warning signs of diabetic retinopathy, including the following:

• Floaters or spots roaming around in your field of vision

• Poor night vision

• An empty or dark spot in the middle of your field of vision

• Blurred vision
   

Treatment

Treatment of diabetic retinopathy depends on the stage and severity of the condition. Through regular eye examinations and pupil dilation, diabetic retinopathy can be monitored closely to ensure accurate treatment. Keeping blood sugar levels within recommended ranges can also help manage or slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

In more severe cases, treatment also includes:

• Laser surgery to repair retinal detachment

• Intravitreal injections of medications into the jelly-like vitreous, near the retina, to stop the proliferation of blood vessels and halt further retinal damage

• Laser photocoagulation (to close leaking blood vessels in the retina)

Specialty contact lenses are a fun way to change your eyes to look like your favorite entertainer or to create a spectacular costume. Specialty contacts, sometimes called decorative, fashion or theater contact lenses, temporarily change the look of your eyes without correcting your vision. Eye care professionals can prescribe specialty contact lenses that fit well and look amazing. Wearing specialty contacts without a prescription, however, can be dangerous.
 

Specialty Contacts Safety

Health regulators warn that buying contact lenses without a prescription is dangerous. Contact lenses are medical devices; incorrect use or poorly fitting contacts can cause real damage to eyes. There is no such thing as a “one size fits all contact lens,” as eyes vary slightly in size and shape from person to person.

All contact lenses, including specialty contacts, can pose a danger when they do not fit the wearer correctly. Poorly fitting contacts can scratch the surface of the eye or even cause blood vessels to grow into the cornea, which is the transparent window covering the front of the eye. Improper use and care of specialty contacts may lead to painful eye infections that cause blurred vision and require weeks of medication. Damage to the eye may be permanent and affect lifelong vision.

You may be tempted to leave specialty contacts in too long, especially in cases where you are wearing them as a disguise or as part of theatrical makeup. If you do not wear contact lenses regularly, you may not be aware of the signs telling you that it is time to take out your lenses. To reduce your risk for eye damage, remove your lenses if you notice signs like red eyes, swelling, excessive discharge, or pain in or around your eyes.

You can reduce your risk for eye problems associated with specialty contacts by taking a few precautions, such as:

• Getting a prescription from a licensed eye care professional

• Asking your eye care professional for instructions on inserting, taking out, and caring for your contact lenses, and following these instructions

• Purchasing contact lenses only from an eye product dealer who requests a prescription

• Never sharing specialty contacts with others

• Removing contacts at the first sign of trouble

• Getting regular follow-up exams with a licensed eye care professional
   

Source:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Decorative Contact Lenses." 2014.

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), beginning approximately around the age of 40, most adults begin to experience age-related vision changes collectively known as presbyopia. The most common symptom first experienced by sufferers is usually an increase in the difficulty of clearly seeing items at close distances, such as reading books or text on a computer screen. Typically, the usual temporary solution is to hold the printed word or adjust the computer screen to present the material further away from the eyes. Individuals who work in fields that require excellent close-up vision or have hobbies -- such as sewing of needlework -- often notice their decreasing visual acuity first because they depend upon it so frequently. It is not true, however, that such work or recreational activities cause the condition or make it occur sooner than usual.
 

Just a Little Bit of a Problem?

Age-related visual changes are very common. They often develop slowly and are not recognized to be as advanced as they actually are as individuals assume temporary coping skills to deal with the situations. For instance, individuals who are nearsighted and already wear eyeglasses to correct their distance vision, characteristically remove their glasses or pull them down to perch upon the tip of their noses to see smaller items without or "over" their corrective lenses. This behavior can become habitual and such sufferers may not recognize the habit as a sign of increasing presbyopia. Indeed, this type of reaction is so common that businesses manufacture eyeglass "holders" so that the eyeglasses remain hanging from a cord or chain around the wearer's neck instead of becoming misplaced if they are taken off entirely.
 

Other Signs of Age-Related Presbyopia

The following are additional symptoms of presbyopia:

• Problems Reading or Performing Tasks with Small Items
   

As noted above, difficulty in reading or performing tasks requiring the manipulation of small items is often the first symptom noticed by the sufferer. Just as our joints can stiffen up with time, so can the lenses in our eyes, making focusing on smaller items more difficult.

• Requiring More Light for Sight-Related Tasks
   

As our eyes age, many individuals find that they require more overall light or more focused light to more easily accomplish sight-related tasks. For example, some people may begin to use reading lamps over their chairs or on their desks. Anatomical changes within the eye cause a decreased ability to use available ambient light and "focus" it within the eye, thus the overall level of light in the area must be increased.

• Glare-Related Issues When Driving
   

Many individuals report an increased difficulty in driving at night, citing the intense glare of other cars' headlights. Driving in the rain is often markedly more difficult. These symptoms are again related to the inability of the eyes' lenses to focus properly and light is thus "scattered" throughout the eye. This scattering effect is experienced as "glare" and the situation is further compounded when water causes even more light to scatter by its prism effect.

Talk to your optometrist if you notice any changes in your vision.

Source:

American Optometric Association. “Adult Vision: 41 to 60 Years of Age.”

Choosing laser eye surgery is a big decision. Whatever your treatment goal, proper preparation before surgery will help you obtain optimal results, speed up recovery, and minimize potential risks. If you've done your homework, then this advanced procedure can lead to a quick and healthy recovery. Here's a guide to how to prepare for your laser eye surgery.
 

Before the Initial Consultation

When it is determined that you are a good candidate for eye laser treatment, ask how you should prepare for the appointment. Your optometrist and the laser treatment clinic can offer valuable suggestions to help you obtain the best results. For instance, most optometry and laser surgery clinics ask that you refrain from wearing contact lenses for a few weeks because they can change the shape of your cornea, making it harder to accurately measure and evaluate your eyes and eyesight.

You may also want to bring a list of your current and past eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions, your overall health history including conditions such as diabetes, and any questions you have about the surgery or recovery. Sunglasses are recommended as your eyes may feel light sensitive after the evaluation tests.
 

Before the Surgery

Wear glasses rather than contact lenses for a few weeks. Makeup and lotions, especially those in the eye area, should be avoided for the days leading up to the surgery. Similarly, haircuts and hair treatments should be avoided as well.

Since the procedure uses a local anesthetic, there are few restrictions on what you may eat or drink before the surgery. The exception is alcohol, which should be avoided for 48 hours in advance to prevent the eyes from becoming dehydrated.
 

The Day of the Surgery

Arrange for someone to drive you to and from the clinic; you will not be able to drive or take public transportation. Don't use any hairspray, perfume or cologne; these may contain alcohol. Avoid wearing wool clothing; the lint can enter the eyes and cause infection. Take a shower before your surgery, since showering over the next days may be inconvenient.

With careful preparation, you can exert control over the outcome of your laser eye treatment. A few inconveniences before the procedure will pave the way for a lifetime of clear vision without the hassles of corrective lenses or other aids.

Sources:

Laser Surgery Eyes (2012). Preparing for Laser Eye Surgery.

Eye Health Web (2013). LASIK & Laser Eye Surgery.

Since the infancy of laser vision correction services in the 1980s, the field has made leaps and bounds in increasing the safety and efficacy of these procedures. Today, over 28 million LASIK surgery procedures have been performed worldwide, reports the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Furthermore, 9 out of 10 patients achieve vision quality between 20/20 and 20/40, making it an in-demand choice for correcting vision.
 

What Is Laser Vision Correction?

Laser correction surgery refers to a class of surgeries in which a high-powered laser is used to reshape the surface of the eye. The surgery begins with a small incision being made in the cornea, or the front of the eye. After this corneal flap is created, it is peeled back to reveal the surface of the cornea. The ophthalmologist then uses a laser to change the shape of the cornea’s surface, allowing light to focus more accurately. The result of the procedure is vision that is corrected to normal, removing the necessity of wearing contacts or glasses.

LASIK (standing for laser in situ keratomileusis) is the predominant vision correction surgery worldwide. In some cases, the ophthalmologist uses a small blade called a microkeratome to create the corneal flap. A newer procedure employs a special laser to create the flap, followed by corneal resurfacing by a second laser. This newer procedure is thought to improve physician accuracy and reduce the risk of side effects.
 

Weighing the Effects and Benefits of Laser Surgery

With millions of individuals choosing to receive laser surgery, it is a safe and affordable option for vision correction. One of the primary benefits of the procedure is eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses. However, laser vision correction isn’t for everyone. In general, the following groups of people should exercise caution when choosing laser surgery correction:

• People under age 18. Because vision continues to change in late adolescence and early adulthood, laser surgery is not recommended for individuals under age 18.

• Pregnant women or nursing mothers. Pregnancy and nursing can lead to eye changes, causing incorrect measurements of refraction that could impair surgical accuracy.

• Those taking steroid medications. Certain prescription drugs are not appropriate for use before undergoing laser surgery. Discuss your options with your regular physician and eye doctor to see if your prescription medications are safe.
   

Those with poor general health. Individuals with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, cataracts, diabetes, or retinal disease may be poor candidates for laser eye surgery.

Overall, laser vision correction is a procedure that millions of individuals undertake each year with excellent results. Discuss your medical history and eye health with your optometrist before making a decision.

Source:

Stuart, Annie. "A Look at LASIK: Past, Present and Furture." EyeNet MagazineAmerican Academy of Opthalmology.

Studies show that dry eyes are one of the most common eye problems throughout the United States. Dry eyes are caused by a lack of quality tear production, and are most common in both men and women over the age of 50. Tear production can be limited by a variety of causes; one of the most common is a specific eye inflammation known as blepharitis. Here, we discuss ways to alleviate dry eye caused by blepharitis.

What Is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid that is often associated with an infection.

Dry eye is one of the most common symptoms of blepharitis. However, other symptoms may include red or swollen eyelids, sensitivity to light, blurry vision and crusting of the eyelashes.

Blepharitis is classified in two different types:

• Anterior blepharitis. The two most common causes of anterior blepharitis are bacteria and a skin disorder that causes itchy, flaky skin called seborrheic dermatitis. Anterior blepharitis usually occurs near the eyelashes and affects the front of the eyelids.

• Posterior blepharitis. This condition is usually caused by problems with the oil glands in the lid margin, and is often associated with acne rosacea and dandruff on the scalp. It affects the inner surface and the edge of the eyelid that comes into contact with the eye.
   

How Is It Treated?

Treatment for blepharitis varies depending on the specific type. Keeping your eyelids clean and free of crusts is typically the key to treating blepharitis. In addition, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following.

• Wash your eyelids with a mixture of diluted baby shampoo and warm water.

• In some cases, artificial tear solutions may be prescribed.

• The eyelids may need to be massaged to wash out oil accumulated in the eyelid glands if the glands in the eyelids are blocked.

• Using an anti-dandruff shampoo on the scalp can also help.

• Using eye makeup will make lid hygiene more difficult, and limiting or stopping its use is recommended.

• In some cases, artificial tear solutions may be prescribed.
   

If you wear contact lenses, you may have to temporarily discontinue wearing them during treatment.

Want to Know More?

If you suffer from red or irritated eyes, discuss the problem with your eye doctor right away. He or she can provide self-care tips as well as share additional ways to prevent future eye infections and protect your eyes.

It feels like a natural thing to rub your eyes when they are itchy, watery, or otherwise irritated. Keeping your hands away from your eyes, however, is a smart choice for promoting better eye health. Rubbing your eyes can lead to everything from eye injuries to damaged vision. Rubbing your eyes offers only short-term relief at best, and isn't worth the problems it causes.
 

How Can Rubbing My Eyes Cause Damage?

Eyes can become itchy or irritated for multiple reasons. Sometimes, it is a reaction to pollen, dander or other allergens in the air. Other times, a foreign object can be the source of irritation when it becomes trapped inside your eyelid.

In either case, rubbing your eyes can be dangerous. Your eyes have a natural defense mechanism for removing irritants. Tears are produced by your tear ducts and these work to flush irritants from your eyes. Eye drops can be used as a supplement to natural tears in a person who has dry eyes and does not get enough tear production to relieve irritation.

Rubbing your eyes when a foreign object is trapped inside your eyelid can cause it to scratch your cornea. It will also increase irritation by releasing additional histamine into the affected eye and can potentially cause infections to develop.

Dark circles may also appear over time if you frequently rub your eyes. Rubbing causes blood vessels in the eyelids to break and leak blood. The blood pools under the skin to create dark circles. Once dark circles appear, it can be difficult to get them to disappear. Wearing an eye mask when you sleep may be necessary to fully eliminate dark circles caused by rubbing.
 

Rubbing Leads to Keratoconus

Consistent eye rubbing over an extended period can lead to a condition called Keratoconus. This condition causes a thinning of the cornea and results in the cornea losing its shape. Keratoconus can lead to blurry vision and sometimes cannot be fully corrected even with glasses or contact lenses.

Severe infections can accompany keratoconus. Fingers often carry germs, even if you wash your hands regularly. Those germs can result in pink eye and other similar complications if you rub your eyes. Chronic eye rubbing opens the door to suffering long-term vision damage that cannot be fully corrected or reversed.

Sources:

National Keratoconus Foundation. "What Causes Keratoconus?" Web. 2014.

Essilor USA. "Think Twice Before You Rub Your Eyes." Web. 2014.

A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, appears in the eyelid area as a red pimple-like bump, and is usually tender or painful. Styes typically occur near the lash line (external hordeolum), but can also appear on the underside of the eyelid (internal hordeolum). In addition to the telltale lump, a stye can cause swelling, tearing, eyelid pain, crusting around the eye, and an irritated/scratchy sensation on the eye.

Styes occur as the result of either an infected gland or hair follicle on the eyelid. An infected meibomian gland causes a stye on the underside of an eyelid, and an infected hair follicle causes an external stye. Commonly found on the surface of the skin, the bacteria staphylococcus aureus is responsible for 90 to 95 percent of all styes. Glands and follicles can become infected in a number of ways:

• frequently touching or rubbing eyes with unwashed hands

• inserting or removing contact lenses with unwashed hands

• using contact lenses which have not been properly disinfected

• sleeping with eye makeup

• using expired cosmetics

• sharing eye makeup

• using eye makeup used at the time a sty was present
   

Bacterial infections, however, are not the only cause of styes; complications from chronic inflammation due to a condition called blepharitis can also result in recurring styes. Other medical conditions can also increase the risk of developing styes. Seborrhea, diabetes mellitus, or other chronic ailments have been shown to make people more susceptible to styes. Also people with high lipid counts are more likely to develop blockages in their oil glands, leading to a greater chance of suffering from frequent styes. Notorious for compromising healthy immune systems, stress also commonly triggers styes.

You can reduce your risk of developing a stye by practicing good hygiene. Do not touch or rub your eyes with unwashed hands, always wash your face and remove makeup at the end of the day, thoroughly cleanse contact lenses, and discard old or expired makeup.

In most cases, a stye and its symptoms will clear up on their own within 48 hours. To help expedite the healing process and soothe symptoms, apply a warm compress on the eye for ten to fifteen minutes several times a day. Do not touch the sty or attempt to pop it, as this can spread the infection. If you have a stye, do not wear eye makeup, and go without contact lenses until the stye has healed completely.

Source:

Segre, Liz. “7 Things to Know About an Eye Stye.” All About Vision. November 2012.

In the summer of 2013, news spread quickly about a dangerous new trend, called "worming" or oculolinctus, and a serious outbreak of disease among Japanese youth. Upon further investigation, many news sources retracted or amended previously published stories, saying the stories of a sudden increase in illness were only a hoax. In popular culture and social media, however, eyeball licking has earned a prominent presence; a quick internet search reveals that - rumor or not - this new fad has in fact caught on in both the east and the west.

The act of eyeball licking is what it sounds like - licking another person’s eyeball. While children participate in any number of fads on dares or to fit in, this trend carries a number of serious health risks. By spreading the bacteria from one person's mouth to another's eye, "worming" can result in a number of serious infections and even blindness.

• Pink Eye or Conjunctivitis - Pink eye is highly contagious and common among children. It can be caused by both a viral and bacterial infection of the eye. Symptoms include: itching, redness, inflammation, and watery discharge (viral) or green/yellow discharge (bacterial).

• Herpes - Oculolinctus can easily spread the highly contagious herpes virus from one person's mouth (cold sores) to another's eye. Present in an eye, the herpes virus can lead to scarring of the cornea and eventually blindness.

• Corneal Ulcers - A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the outer layer of the cornea. Fungi, bacterial infections, and parasites normally cause corneal ulcers. The rough surface of a tongue, however, can easily scratch and infect the delicate surface of an eye leading to blurred vision, a bloodshot eye, pain, itching, watery discharge, and a white patch on the cornea. Minor abrasions can be treated with antibiotic drops, but a more serious abrasion might result in the need for a corneal transplant.
   

Talk to your teens. Find out whether they have heard about "worming," know someone who has tried it, or whether they already have. To stop this dangerous trend from spreading, inform your children about the serious, irreversible risks associated with eyeball licking.

Sources:

Vaesa, Janelle. “Eyeball Licking: Dangers of Oculolinctus, New Fad Sweeping Japan.” Decoded Science. June 2013.

Christian Nordqvist. “Eyeball Licking (oculolinctus) Warning Was a Hoax.” Medical News Today, August 2013.

Castillo, Michelle. “Japanese "Eyeball Licking" Trend Carries Blindness Risk.” CBS News, 2013.

Mohney, Gillian. “Experts Warn Eyeball Licking Trend Can Injure the Eye, Damage Sight.” ABC News, June 2013.