FAQ’s

False: Patients with eye conditions such as red eyes, allergic eye symptoms, and foreign bodies in the eyes can be seen at our office. Your medical insurance can be billed for these types of visits.

A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the human eye, that is located just behind the pupil of the iris. The lens is normally transparent and clear, but age, sunlight exposure, smoking, and heredity can cause the lens to become yellowed in color and eventually fully cloudy.

Although cataract formation can be evident at birth or can form early in life, it is most common in seniors. Cataracts are commonly found in both eyes but one eye can have an earlier start than the other. The eyes can then suffer from increasingly cloudy vision at a variety of rates.

Since light enters the eye through the pupil, any degree of cataract can blur vision. At first, the cataract can cause vision prescription changes which can be corrected with new eyeglasses or contact lenses. Advancing clouding can cause blur that is not correctable with a new prescription, and that is when cataract surgery is considered.

If a person experiences poor vision in dim lighting, glare around lights at night, doubling of vision, or an inability to see subtle differences in colors like black and blue, cataracts may be progressing. When cataracts cause enough symptoms to impair daily function, a cataract surgeon will review them and offer surgery if appropriate.

Cataract surgery is very technologically advanced and very safe. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are risk factors associated with cataract surgery so caution must be taken when considering surgery. Today surgeons can perform the entire surgery without sedation and through incisions in the front of the eye that are so small that they can close on their own without stitches.

Implant lenses that are put into the eyes after cataract surgery can restore clear, sharp vision. Depending on the type of implant lens, glasses may be less necessary after surgery than they were before.

Please make time to have a complete eye and vision examination annually. Your next appointment should be scheduled

AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in the United States for people over 65 years of age. It is the result of a deterioration of the absolute center of the retina, an area called the macula. With the macula, the eye sees detailed visual sharpness and colors, and can detect 3-D vision. AMD results from deterioration of the sublayers of the retina. There are two types of AMD, Dry and Wet, both of which cause loss of central vision that glasses cannot improve.

In Dry AMD, excess metabolism causes waste material to develop under the retina through a process called oxidation. This is similar to the rusting process that happens to the side of a car. This results in deterioration of a layer of darkly pigmented cells at the bottom of the retina and loss of the photoreceptor cells that give the eye clear and distinct sight. A person suffering from Dry AMD may notice that straight lines become wavy. Eventually the retina can become very irregular or wavy resulting in serious loss of central, detailed vision.

Eventually, Dry AMD can lead to severe retinal damage that causes the body to attempt to grow new blood vessels under the retina. These new vessels are very weak and typically bleed under the retina, causing Wet AMD. Wet AMD comprises about 10% of AMD cases. People who have Wet AMD see very large dark or empty spots in their vision.

Research has been focused on preventing the advancement of Dry AMD and on the treatment of Wet AMD. Studies have shown that high doses of vitamins and minerals can stabilize the retinal damage seen in Dry AMD. The recommendation for people with advanced stages of Dry AMD signs are: Zinc 80 mg, Beta Carotene (Vitamin A) 15,000 IU, Lutein 10 mg, and Omega-3 (from fish oil, 1000 mg.) Please note that high doses of Beta Carotene are not recommended for people who smoke.

In cases of Wet AMD, immediate examination by a retinal specialist is critical to preserve any remaining vision. Injections can be made directly into the center of the eye with drugs that block the formation of blood vessels. The goal of this treatment is to reduce the bleeding which typically occurs over many weeks or months of treatments.

People who have suffered visual loss from AMD can benefit from “low vision” eye examinations that result in prescriptions for visual aids such as magnifiers and telescopes that increase the size of viewed images to allow them to be seen despite the central blindspot that exists. Other devices such as specialized computer-attached cameras can provide magnified views of printed materials. Finally, special items such as talking watches and large-button calculators can be recommended to improve a person’s independent daily living.

Since family history and medical conditions can contribute to AMD, eye doctors frequently counsel about the steps needed to reduce AMD risk and use examining processes and equipment designed to detect the earliest signs of AMD. The doctor may also recommend a simple at-home visual testing with a grid of straight lines that can make a person with early AMD aware of vision changes that should be examined by the eye doctor before significant vision loss occurs.

Please make time to have a complete eye and vision examination annually. Your next appointment should be scheduled

The conjunctiva is the thin membrane, like cellophane wrap, that covers the white of the eyes and the underside of the eyelids. It is transparent but contains many blood vessels, and it is in direct contact with the tear film where bacteria, viruses, and allergens can be found.

Inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva is called conjunctivitis. The common appearance of conjunctivitis is a pink or red eye, associated with discharge that may be watery or mucousy. Often the eyelids also become swollen, and the patient may feel itching, irritation, or even eye pain.

Allergic conjunctivitis often is seen in both eyes, unless the person has touched only one eye with the allergic material. The conjunctiva becomes swollen, thick, and pink in color. Watering and itching are common. The eyes may also discharge a white mucusy material. Treatment can include artificial tears, cold compresses, and eye drops that reduce swelling, itching, and redness.

Viral conjunctivitis, often known as “pink eye”, can happen in either eye or both, and is often associated with the common cold. Some people can get this condition from other people who carry viruses, or from contaminated surfaces at home, work, or elsewhere. The eyes usually become very red and watery, with little mucusy discharge. The eyelids can become mattered together upon awakening, but are not commonly mattered during the day. Antibiotic drops will not make this condition get better, but are often prescribed as part of the expectation of day care, school, or work guidelines.

The condition resolves in a few days, just like a common cold, and can look and feel better with the use of decongestant eye drops. New antiviral medications may be of help in shortening the length of viral conjunctivitis. To avoid transmitting the infection to others, perform regular handwashing and do not share towels or other household items.

Bacterial conjunctivitis occurs when bacteria overgrow on the eyelid margins or in the tear film. This condition is often associated with a very mucusy discharge that continues throughout the day. Young children and older adults are at highest risk for bacterial conjunctivitis. The eyes must be treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointments and caution must be taken to avoid spreading the infection.

Irritative conjunctivitis occurs when outside factors cause the conjunctiva to become swollen and irritated. The most common cause is contact lenses, especially when the lenses are worn for more hours or days than recommended by the eye doctor. These conditions require special examinations and treatments that reduce the risk of serious infection, inflammation, and even scarring.

Please make time to have a complete eye and vision examination annually. 

Diabetes mellitus is categorized as Type I (formerly called insulin-dependent) and Type II (non-insulin dependent). Serious eye problems can arise from diabetes that is not well controlled, and sometimes even when blood sugar levels are well controlled. For this reason, yearly eye examinations including dilated eye health evaluations are recommended.

If blood sugar levels change drastically, temporary changes in the size and shape of the lens within the eye can cause rapid and large prescription changes. Any noticeable visual sharpness changes with current eyeglasses or contact lenses, especially blurriness when viewing far distances, should result in an immediate eye and vision examination. The vision prescription changes are reversible when blood sugar levels return to normal levels. Your eye doctor should be contacted immediately if you notice this type of sudden vision change.

The primary cause of permanent eye damage from diabetes is the poor condition of the small blood vessels inside of the eye. As blood sugar levels become elevated and stay high for long periods, the blood vessel walls become leaky. When blood cells and plasma leak from the blood vessels on the retina, the light sensitive membrane on the inner wall of the eye, the fluid can interfere with visual sharpness and can begin a process of damage to the normal retina tissue. A lack of oxygen to the increasingly swollen retinal tissue can cause more severe problems that include the growth of new, poorly formed blood vessels on the retina surface. These new vessels are quite fragile and frequently break causing catastrophic effects on vision. They may even grow on the surface of the iris, the colored tissue at the front of the eye,which could cause a unique type of glaucoma.

The eye doctor’s role in your health care for diabetes is to evaluate your eyes to determine if any diabetic changes are present and whether notable damage can be simply observed through repeat exams or referred to a retinal specialist for examination and possible treatment. If surgical treatment is required, it is often a type of laser surgery to the retina and the eye doctor can make the appropriate referral to a retinal specialist who has expertise in taking care of diabetic patients. The eye doctor will make an effort to inform your primary care provider of any examination that is completed and will convey the status of the eyes to help guide the medical management that you are given.

Please make time to have a complete eye and vision examination annually.

The tear film that coats the front of the eye is very complex. The outer layer of the tear film is oily, produced by special glands within the eyelid, and it serves to prevent evaporation of the salt water middle layer. The inner layer is made of mucus secreted from cells on the front surface of the eye and is important in helping the salt water layer spread across the front of the eye. The middle layer of salt water contains special anti-infective cells to prevent infections, but also collects the dust and debris that the tears are exposed to as they face the air.

The eyelids have a normal blinking rate of about fifteen blinks per minute. Blinking spreads the tears across the front of the eye while also causing excess tears to be pushed out of a drainage system that leads from the inner corner of the eyelids into the nose. Anything that causes disruption of blinking, such as staring at a computer, or wind or blowing fans, can compromise the tears.

Dry eyes can also result from medications like antihistamines and antidepressants, and medical conditions including arthritis or menopause. In some cases, poor tear quality and reduced tear quality have no specific causes and are simply due to the aging process.

Dry eyes can range from a truly dry eye surface to a very disrupted tear film. The person suffering from dry eyes might actually experience excessive tearing or eye watering as the tear gland tries to resolve the dry eye condition. When the tear levels are low, the eye senses burning and grittiness. Itching and discomfort can also be signs of dry eyes. As the condition worsens, the eyes can become continually red and vision can become blurry. Contact lenses may become coated with mucus, disallowing the contact lens wearer from wearing them for long periods of time.

Dry eyes can be diagnosed with special eye tests done by the eye doctor. Treatments for dry eyes range from simple artificial tear drops or ointments to special tear drainage plugs that keep the natural tears on the eye. In some cases dry eye can be treated with oral supplements containing Omega-3 fatty acids and in others it can be treated with a prescription eyedrop that stimulates tear production.

Your eye doctor should be made fully aware of any dry eye symptoms to maintain the long-term health and vision of your eyes.

Please make time to have a complete eye and vision examination annually.

Blepharitis is a long-term inflammation of the borders of the eyelids. It is commonly associated with a pink or red eyelid margin, along with scaly skin at the base of the eyelashes and even dandruff flakes on the lashes. In some cases of blepharitis, the oils of the eyelid margins are thick. Any of these factors can lead to minor bacterial infections of the eyelids or eyes, dry and irritated eyes, and mucusy or crusty eyelids.

Blepharitis is commonly managed by simple cleaning techniques. The use of a mild shampoo like baby shampoo, rubbed carefully along the eyelash areas, can clean the area and reduce symptoms. In some cases, the eye doctor can prescribe ointments or eyedrops to reduce the risk of infection and inflammation.

A chalazion is a blockage of oil flow out of one of the oil glands in the eyelid. The eyelid often shows a non-tender bump that grows over time. These oil entrapments can be treated by applying pressure with a warm cloth, as well as with oral antibiotic medication that reduces oil production. In some cases, a chalazion must be excised through an in-office surgical procedure.

Styes occur when the eyelid oil glands become infected. The medical term for a stye is a hordeolum, and it can appear like a pimple at the base of an eyelash, called an external hordeolum, or a large eyelid cyst that is red, inflamed, and tender called an internal hordeolum. These infected glands should not be drained by pressing or squeezing them, but instead should be examined by an eye doctor who will prescribe the proper oral or eye medications to reduce the infection.

Eyelid conditions should be carefully examined by an eye doctor to reduce the risk of scarring of the eyelid margin, which can cause the eyelashes to be turned outward from, or inward to, the eye.

Please make time to have a complete eye and vision examination annually. 

Floaters are wispy, shadowy vision symptoms that arise from small particles that float within the vitreous, a transparent jelly-like fluid that fills the inner part of the eye. They are typically best seen against a bright background, like a white wall or a blue sky, because such lighting causes the most distinct shadows of the floaters to be cast upon the retina, the light sensitive membrane that covers the inside wall of the eye.

Floaters can appear like a singular cobweb or particle, or they may be widespread and take on many different shapes or curvatures. They are caused by breakdown of the protein substance that creates the vitreous which leads to the strand-like particles. In many cases, floaters exist for a lifetime but are more noticed with aging.

Occasionally, floaters can be due to detachment of the vitreous from the inner wall of the eye. This condition is called a posterior vitreous detachment, or PVD. Rarely, a large number of floaters can signify the sudden onset of a more serious condition of the retina such as a tear or detachment.

When a PVD or retinal tear/detachment occurs, the retina can be mechanically tugged upon causing flashes of light to appear in the peripheral or side vision. People seeing new flashes of light should seek an immediate eye appointment for examination of the inside of the eye.

Other causes of flashes of light in vision include migraine aura, which may or may not be associated with headaches. The shimmering, flickering lights of a migraine aura occur in the brain due to spasm of blood vessels that are supposed to be feeding the brain’s vision cells with oxygen. These events are usually short in duration, between ten and twenty minutes, and resolve spontaneously.

Floaters and flashes are symptoms that should prompt you to contact your eye doctor, especially if the symptoms are different than those that you normally see.

Please make time to have a complete eye and vision examination annually.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that typically has no symptoms and can cause blindness that starts at the outer edges of vision so that it is undetectable. The most common risk factor for glaucoma is elevated eye pressure, which is checked during a comprehensive eye examination. The pressure of the inside of the human eye is not felt by the person, so it can be significantly high without any symptoms. The increased pressure can cause painless and permanent damage to the optic nerve head that enters the back of the eye from the brain. This damage results in death of some of the one million cells that carry electrical signals from the eye to the brain.

Glaucoma does not always have a known cause. Some other glaucoma risk factors include African descent, family history, age over 60, and extreme nearsightedness. Since the parts of the eyes that become damaged in glaucoma are easily seen by eye doctors, glaucoma can be detected at its earliest stages if a person has regular eye examinations.

In rare cases, glaucoma can cause eye pain, clouded vision, and sudden loss of vision. Anyone who has a fast onset of these symptoms should contact an eye doctor for an assessment immediately. If deemed appropriate, special surgery can relieve eye pressure and save vision.

In all other glaucoma cases, the typical treatment is the use of eyedrops that lower the amount of fluid inside the eye. These drops are very tolerable and can be taken for life, unless they lose their effect or cause allergic or irritative side effects. Drops can be supplemented by special laser surgeries, and in some advanced cases glaucoma must be treated by special surgery called drainage procedures.

Eye doctors monitor for glaucoma risk by testing eye pressure, examining the optic nerve through dilated pupils and specialized photography, and by testing side vision with computers. Glaucoma is manageable and can be kept at non-threatening levels for life with early detection and treatment.

Please make time to have a complete eye and vision examination annually.