Common Conditions you may be experiencing
Floaters & Flashes As we get older we expect to have problems with our eyes, so we tend to ignore them.
One minor symptom that can cause a bigger problem, if not treated, is the occurrence of floaters and flashes. These are those tiny lights that seem to blink through your vision and that you can never catch when you direct your focus toward them.
Almost everyone sees floaters at some time, but they can occur more frequently and become more noticeable as we get older.
Because floaters or flashes can be an indication of a serious problem, you should contact our doctor when:
You see floaters for the first time
You notice an increase in the number or size of floaters
You experience the sudden onset of flashes
In most cases no serious problems are found, but a complete eye examination is important. If there is damage to the retina, it needs to be diagnosed and treated immediately to prevent vision loss.
Cataracts A cataract is a clouding of the eye's normally clear lens, leading to a progressive blurring or dimming of vision. It is the world’s leading cause of blindness and among the most common conditions related to aging – by age 65, you have a 50 percent chance of developing a cataract and by age 75, it jumps to 70 percent.
Cataracts can also result from injury, chronic eye diseases, diabetes, or past use of corticosteroid medications or radiation treatments. Some researchers believe that lifestyle habits such as smoking and not wearing sunglasses to protect eyes against ultraviolet light are also risk factors.
A cataract occurs when proteins in the lens begin to clump together, forming a cloudy area. As the cataract progresses, it interferes with vision by distorting or blocking the passage of light. Many cataracts begin to form in your 40s or 50s, but don’t affect vision until years later. Cataracts can even occur in infants, usually the result of an infection during pregnancy.
Symptoms: Blurred vision, as if you are looking through a cloudy piece of glass
Double vision
A sense that colors appear faded or decreased ability to distinguish some colors
Seeing halos around lights
Glare or sensitivity to light or from oncoming headlights while driving
Difficulty seeing at night
Treatment In the early stages, your doctor may simply recommend changing the prescription of your glasses to maximize your vision. When cataracts disrupt your daily life, it may be time for cataract-removal surgery.
Dry Eye
For many, the feeling of grittiness, dryness, burning or stinging or even excessive tearing cannot be relieved simply by blinking, or with over the counter methods. It may be the sign of a chronic condition known as dry eye syndrome. Yes, even tearing eyes are a sign of dry eye.
The tears your eyes produce are necessary for overall eye health and clear vision. Dry eye means that your eyes do not produce enough tears or that you produce tears that do not have the proper chemical composition. Dry eye is more common as we age. It can also be caused by blinking or eyelid problems, medications like antihistamines, oral contraceptives and antidepressants, a dry climate, wind and dust, general health problems like arthritis or Sjogren's syndrome and chemical or thermal burns to your eyes.
Symptoms: Irritated, scratchy, dry, uncomfortable or red eyes
Burning sensation
Excessive tearing
Blurred vision, or a feeling of something foreign in your eyes
Excessive dry eyes may damage eye tissue, scar your cornea (the front covering of your eyes) and impair vision and make contact lens wear difficult.
An estimated one-fifth of visits to eye care practitioners are related to ocular complaints secondary to dry eye, and as many as 25 percent of American adults may be affected by dry eye or have dry eye symptoms. These statistics indicate a significant need for access to professional care.
If you are experiencing any of these common symptoms, make an appointment and see us - we can test, diagnose and prescribe what is needed to make your eyes healthy and comfortable again!!
Floaters & Flashes As we get older we expect to have problems with our eyes, so we tend to ignore them.
One minor symptom that can cause a bigger problem, if not treated, is the occurrence of floaters and flashes. These are those tiny lights that seem to blink through your vision and that you can never catch when you direct your focus toward them.
Almost everyone sees floaters at some time, but they can occur more frequently and become more noticeable as we get older.
Because floaters or flashes can be an indication of a serious problem, you should contact our doctor when:
You see floaters for the first time
You notice an increase in the number or size of floaters
You experience the sudden onset of flashes
In most cases no serious problems are found, but a complete eye examination is important. If there is damage to the retina, it needs to be diagnosed and treated immediately to prevent vision loss.
Cataracts A cataract is a clouding of the eye's normally clear lens, leading to a progressive blurring or dimming of vision. It is the world’s leading cause of blindness and among the most common conditions related to aging – by age 65, you have a 50 percent chance of developing a cataract and by age 75, it jumps to 70 percent.
Cataracts can also result from injury, chronic eye diseases, diabetes, or past use of corticosteroid medications or radiation treatments. Some researchers believe that lifestyle habits such as smoking and not wearing sunglasses to protect eyes against ultraviolet light are also risk factors.
A cataract occurs when proteins in the lens begin to clump together, forming a cloudy area. As the cataract progresses, it interferes with vision by distorting or blocking the passage of light. Many cataracts begin to form in your 40s or 50s, but don’t affect vision until years later. Cataracts can even occur in infants, usually the result of an infection during pregnancy.
Symptoms: Blurred vision, as if you are looking through a cloudy piece of glass
Double vision
A sense that colors appear faded or decreased ability to distinguish some colors
Seeing halos around lights
Glare or sensitivity to light or from oncoming headlights while driving
Difficulty seeing at night
Treatment In the early stages, your doctor may simply recommend changing the prescription of your glasses to maximize your vision. When cataracts disrupt your daily life, it may be time for cataract-removal surgery.
Dry Eye
For many, the feeling of grittiness, dryness, burning or stinging or even excessive tearing cannot be relieved simply by blinking, or with over the counter methods. It may be the sign of a chronic condition known as dry eye syndrome. Yes, even tearing eyes are a sign of dry eye.
The tears your eyes produce are necessary for overall eye health and clear vision. Dry eye means that your eyes do not produce enough tears or that you produce tears that do not have the proper chemical composition. Dry eye is more common as we age. It can also be caused by blinking or eyelid problems, medications like antihistamines, oral contraceptives and antidepressants, a dry climate, wind and dust, general health problems like arthritis or Sjogren's syndrome and chemical or thermal burns to your eyes.
Symptoms: Irritated, scratchy, dry, uncomfortable or red eyes
Burning sensation
Excessive tearing
Blurred vision, or a feeling of something foreign in your eyes
Excessive dry eyes may damage eye tissue, scar your cornea (the front covering of your eyes) and impair vision and make contact lens wear difficult.
An estimated one-fifth of visits to eye care practitioners are related to ocular complaints secondary to dry eye, and as many as 25 percent of American adults may be affected by dry eye or have dry eye symptoms. These statistics indicate a significant need for access to professional care.
If you are experiencing any of these common symptoms, make an appointment and see us - we can test, diagnose and prescribe what is needed to make your eyes healthy and comfortable again!!