Eye Health

• Age Related Macular Degeneration
• Cataracts
• Conjunctivitis
• Dry Eye Syndrome
• Retinal Detachment
• Glaucoma
• Hyperopia
• Myopia
• Presbyopia

Age Related Macular Degeneration

Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)

• Principal cause of permanent vision loss within the elderly community
• Increased incidence with age, smoking, and sunlight exposure
• Most common in the Caucasian population

What is ARMD?

• With ARMD, the central vision is distorted and blurred
• ARMD is the deterioration of the retina at the site of the macula
• The macula is the structure used for central vision

Types of ARMD

• Degenerative changes and deposits (drusen) occur in the macula.
• No bleeding
• Less vision loss

• Degenerative changes and deposits (drusen) occur in the macula.
• New blood vessel growth.
• Bleeding occurs from new blood vessels
• Greater vision loss.

Treatment

• Does not require ancillary treatment.
• Recent studies found vitamin therapy is helpful from progression to Wet ARMD
• Ocuvite Preservision
• Lutein
• Omega 3 Fatty Acid
• Other preventive measures
  • Sunglasses
  • Healthy lifestyle
  • No smoking

• Medical intervention is necessary
• Several treatment methods available or under study

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Cataracts

What is a cataract?

• A cataract is the clouding of the crystalline lens inside the eye
• It is caused by long-term exposure to sunlight
• A cataract impedes light from entering the eye

Different types of cataracts

• Age-related cataract
• Congenital cataract
• Traumatic cataract
• Steroid-induced cataract

Symptoms

• Blurred or dimmed vision
• Starbursts, halos, and glare
• Needing a bright light when reading
• Fading of colors

Treatment

The treatment of a cataract is dependent upon the size of the opacity, along with the degree of symptoms the patient is experiencing. Early cataracts have milder symptoms, and a few modifications can greatly improve things. Denser cataracts may require surgery.

• Early cataracts
• Current eyeglass prescription
• Strong sunglasses for glare
• Bright light when reading

• Moderate to dense cataracts
• Cataract surgery

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Conjunctivitis

What is conjunctivitis?

• The conjunctiva is a thin clear membrane that lies on top of the white (sclera) of the eye.
• Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of this membrane

Different types of conjunctivitis

Allergic Conjunctivitis

• Severely itchy eyes
• Redness and tearing

• Artificial tears and cold compresses
• Prescription antihistamine, mast cell stabilizer, or steroid eye drops

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

• Staphylococcus (most common)
• Streptococcus
• Pseudomonas

• Thick yellow or green discharge that persists throughout the day
• Severe ocular redness
• Markedly swollen eyelids

• Eye wash and cold compresses
• Prescription antibacterial eye drop

Viral Conjunctivitis

• Common cold
• Recent upper respiratory infection
• Near someone with an eye infection

• Redness
• Mild watery discharge
• Discomfort, irritation, and burning

• Artificial tears and cold compresses
• Prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or antibacterial eye drops

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Dry Eye Syndrome

• When the tear layer begins to decrease in production
• A chronic condition
• Leads to irritation, discomfort, & tearing
• Caused by several systemic and environmental factors

Causes of Dry Eye Syndrome

• Age related changes to the glands of the eyes
• Medical conditions, such as Sjogrens, Lupus, Rhematoid Arthritis
• Medications that cause drying of the body’s glands
• Environmental factors, such as heat, air conditioning, dust, allergens

• Tearing, burning, redness
• Blur relieved by blinking
• Irritated with computer, TV & reading

• Artificial Tears
• Lubricating gels
• Ointments at bedtime
• Flax Seed Oil
• Prescription medications (Restasis or mild steroids)

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Retinal Detachment

• The retina is a structure that enables sight
• A retinal detachment is when this membrane pulls off the eye
• Vision loss occurs in the area corresponding to the detachment
• Retinal tears or detachments are an Eye Emergency!

• Flashes of light
• New floaters
• Sudden vision loss

• Trauma
• Retinal thinning
• Age related changes
• Spontaneous occurrence

• Laser treatment
• Surgical treatment

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Glaucoma

• Glaucoma is a silent disease that will lead to blindness if not treated
• It is detected through specific testing from the eye doctor
• Glaucoma affects the side vision and moves to the central vision in later stages
• Treatment for glaucoma, in most cases, is quite successful in slowing the progression of this disease

• African Americans
• Those over 55 years old
• A family history of glaucoma
• Those highly nearsighted

1. Anti-glaucoma eye medication
• First line agent of treatment
• Anti-glaucoma eye drops decrease the pressure within the eye
• Begin with one eye drop, and if necessary, a combination of anti-glaucoma medications can be used
2. Laser treatment
• Resorted to when glaucoma continues to advance despite multiple ocular medications
• Laser markings are made within in the drainage system to promote openings and improve outflow
3. Trabeculectomy
• Used when ocular medications laser treatment together have not succeeded with controlling the glaucoma
• A surgical procedure where an alternative drainage system is made within the wall of the eye

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Hyperopia

• Hyperopia is when one has difficulty seeing up close
• The eye has a shorter length or the cornea is flatter than average
• The image focuses behind the eye, causing blur
• A glasses or contact lens prescription makes things clear

• Blur with close work
• Eyestrain with prolonged computer or near work
• Headaches towards the end of the day
• Some eye-turns in children

• Glasses
• Contact lenses

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Myopia

• Myopia is when one has difficulty seeing at distance
• The eye is longer or the cornea has a steeper curvature than average
• The image is focused in front of the retina, causing blur
• There are several treatment options for clearing one with Myopia

• Squinting
• Difficulty seeing objects in the distance
• Strained eyes with distance viewing
• Headaches from squinting

• Glasses
• Contact lenses
• Corneal Refractive Therapy
• Refractive Surgery

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Presbyopia

• Presbyopia occurs when the physiologic lens inside the eye, used to focus for reading, begins to lose its function
• This is an age-related change
• Reading glasses or bifocals are prescribed to improve ones clarity and comfort

• Holding reading material farther away
• Blurriness or tired eyes with extended close work.
• Eyestrain with computer work

• Glasses
• Contact lenses

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