Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that weakens the blood vessels that supply nourishment to the retina (the light-sensitive lining in the back of the eye where vision is focused). These weak vessels can leak, swell or develop thin branches, causing a loss of vision.
Although damage caused by diabetic retinopathy cannot be corrected, patients diagnosed with the condition can be treated to slow its progression and prevent further vision loss. Your risk is reduced if you follow your prescribed diet and medications, exercise regularly, control your blood pressure, and avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Regular eye exams are an integral part of making sure your eyes are healthy.
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Macular Degeneration
The macula is a part of the retina in the back of the eye that ensures that our central vision is clear and sharp. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs when the arteries that nourish the retina harden. Deprived of nutrients, the retinal tissues begin to weaken and die, causing vision loss. Patients may experience anything from a blurry, gray or distorted area to a blind spot in the center of vision.
Read more about macular degeneration on the following websites:
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Nearsightedness, Farsightedness and Astigmatism
Myopia (nearsightedness) is a vision condition where the eye focuses properly on nearby objects, but distant objects appear blurry. This imbalance typically occurs because the cornea either has an oblong shape or is excessively curved, so that only some of the light entering the eye focuses on the retina.
Hyperopia (farsightedness) occurs when the cornea is too flat or irregularly shaped, causing nearby objects to appear blurry while objects in the distance are clear. Common signs of hyperopia include difficulty maintaining a clear focus on nearby objects, and eyestrain or headache after close work.
Presbyopia is a natural change in our eyes' ability to focus. It occurs when the soft crystalline lens of the eye starts to harden. This loss of flexibility affects the lens' ability to focus light in the eye, causing nearby objects to look blurry. Presbyopia happens to everyone starting in about our 40s or 50s -- even in patients who have had laser vision correction.
Astigmatism is the term for when the cornea is oblong rather than spherical in shape. This irregular curvature prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, so objects that are close or at a distance may appear blurry or doubled.
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Dry Eye
 Dry eye occurs when the eyes aren't sufficiently moisturized, leading to itching, redness and pain. People usually begin experiencing dry eye symptoms as they age, but the condition can also result from certain medications, conditions or injuries.
Dry eye is not only painful, it can also damage the eye's tissues and impair vision. Fortunately, many treatment options are available. Non-surgical treatments for dry eye include blinking exercises, increasing humidity at home or work, and use of RESTASIS® artificial tears. If these methods fail, small punctal plugs may be inserted in the corners of the eyes to limit tear drainage, or the drainage tubes in the eyes may be surgically closed.
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Allergic Conjunctivitis and Pink Eye
Allergic eye disease, or allergic conjunctivitis, makes the eyes feel itchy, red, watery and light-sensitive, and can cause swelling of the eyelids. The allergy may be seasonal, often occurring alongside hay fever, or it may occur throughout the year, known as perennial, as a result of exposure to allergens such as dust mites, mold or animal dander. Both are very common conditions, especially for patients with family histories of asthma, eczema or rhinitis. Less frequently, people can develop allergic eye disease from wearing hard or soft contact lenses, as a complication of atopic eczema, or for other reasons. Patients with this condition may also suffer from dry eyes and blepharitis.
Allergic eye disease is uncomfortable but it rarely causes injury. Treatment varies depending on the cause, history and symptoms, and may include topical or oral antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers or topical corticosteroids. Cold compresses may also relieve discomfort.
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Uveitis
Uveitis is an often chronic condition that involves inflammation of the uvea. The uvea is the middle layer of the eye, which contains the iris, ciliary body and choroid and is located between the retina and sclera (white of the eye). This condition is most common in patients between the ages of 20 and 50 years old, and may be caused by a viral, fungal or bacterial infection. In many cases of uveitis, the cause is unknown.
There are three different types of uveitis, classified by the area of the uvea that is affects:
- Anterior uveitis - inflammation of just the iris or the iris and ciliary body
- Intermediate uveitis - inflammation of the ciliary body
- Posterior uveitis - inflammation of the choroid
Patients with anterior uveitis, the most common type, are often only affected in one eye, and may experience mild to strong pain, redness, light sensitivity and blurred vision. Intermediate and posterior uveitis are usually painless and may cause blurred vision and floaters in both eyes.
Most cases of uveitis are treated through steroids in the form of eye drops, pills or injections to reduce inflammation in the eye. A new, FDA-approved treatment called Retisert may be used to treat chronic posterior uveitis by placing a drug implant in the eye that delivers medication to the eye as needed for over two years. The type and cause of your condition will be used to determine the best treatment option for your individual case.
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