Cataracts

Cataracts are the most common cause of visual impairment in the senior population though cataracts are found to a lesser extent in younger people.

Vision problems due to cataracts can significantly affect a person’s everyday lifestyle. Fortunately, great strides have been made in cataract surgery.

Some causes of cataracts are:

Typical Symptoms include:

How we can help in managing cataracts:

• Awareness of patients at greater risk for developing cataracts
• Diagnosing cataracts
• Providing the best possible eyeglass prescription that often allows the patient to delay surgery
• Educating patients on what a cataract is and what could be expected as time goes on
• Having a strategy for appropriate follow-up to monitor cataracts
• Assisting a patient in deciding to pursue cataract surgery and being an advocate for quality surgery
• Resume being the patient’s eye care provider shortly after the surgery

Detection

Diabetes Mellitus

How we can help manage diabetic mellitus:

• Identify patients with undiagnosed diabetes
• Accurately diagnosing diabetic retinopathy
• Notifying primary care physicians of a patient’s retinal status after his or her dilated exam

Educating patients on the importance of:

• Regular dilated exams
• Controlling glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol
• Potential ocular complications from diabetes
• Having a strategy for appropriate, timely follow-up
• Knowing when to refer to a retinal specialist for consultation and treatment, if indicated

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is much less common than cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, but if left untreated, can be the most visually devastating of them all.  The general condition of glaucoma is made up of multiple entities with different causes, but all are associated with loss of visual field, secondary to optic nerve damage. Our optometrists are educated and trained to identify and treat glaucoma.

Risk Factors:

Our Role:

• Identifying patients at risk for developing glaucoma
• Diagnosing glaucoma
• Monitoring glaucoma suspects and glaucoma patients with appropriate testing and follow-up
• Consulting with eye physicians when necessary
• Knowing when to refer a patient to a retinal specialist
• Educating patients on glaucoma’s effect on vision, treatment options, if indicated, and the importance of follow-up testing

Detection

Macular Degeneration

Risk Factors:

How we can help in managing AMD:

• Accurately recognizing clinical signs of AMD
• Having a strategy for appropriate, timely follow-up
• Educating patients on vitamin supplements, home Amsler grid use, and environmental risk factors
• Recommending appropriate prescription eye wear
• Continuing to co-manage patients with retinal specialists

Detection

Conjunctivitis

Typical symptoms:

Treatment and Management:

• For the allergic type, cool water constricts capillaries, and artificial tears may relieve discomfort in mild cases.
• In more severe cases, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications and antihistamines may be prescribed.
• Some patients with persistent allergic conjunctivitis may also require topical steroid drops.

Iritis

Risk Factors:

• Inflammatory and autoimmune disorders
• Infections
• Complications of other diseases

Typical Symptoms:

• Ocular pain
• Blurred or cloudy vision
• Light sensitivity
• Reddening of the eye, especially adjacent to the iris

Treatment and Management:

• Steroid anti-inflammatory eye drops may be prescribed
• Dilating eye drops may help relieve symptoms

Dry Eye

If your eyes are often itchy or dry, you may have Dry Eye Syndrome.  Dry Eye Syndrome is caused by a lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture in the eye.  With dry eye, the eye doesn't produce enough tears, or the tears have a chemical composition that causes them to evaporate too quickly.  Dry eye symptoms can range from subtle but constant irritation to inflammation of the anterior—front—tissues of the eye.

Risk Factors:

• Part of the natural aging process
• Side effects from certain medications
• Dry, dusty, or windy climates
• May be related to systemic diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

Typical Symptoms:

• Dryness
• Scratchiness
• Burning
• Blurred vision and discomfort

Treatment and Management:

• Treatment aims to restore a more normal tear film to minimize dryness
• Artificial tears may be prescribed for mild cases
• Methods to keep your natural tears around longer may be recommended. This is done by partially or completely closing your tear ducts, which normally serve to drain tears away. The tear ducts are plugged with tiny silicone plugs to conserve both your own tears and artificial tears you may have added.

Blepharitis

Risk Factors:

• Caused by either bacterial or a skin condition such as dandruff of the scalp or acne rosacea
• It affects people of all ages
• Less common, may be the result of allergies or an infestation of the eyelashes

Typical Symptoms:

Treatment and Management:

• Can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination
• The key to treating most types of blepharitis is keeping the lids clean and free of crusts.
• Warm compresses may be recommended
• If bacterial in nature, an antibiotic may be prescribed

Corneal Abrasions

Risk Factors:

• Any physical contact with the eye-i.e. a finger poke, tree branch, etc
• Grit or debris in the eye worsened by rubbing of the eye
• Any foreign body in the eye may also cause a scratch if the eye is rubbed

Typical Symptoms:

• A sensation of a foreign body in the eye
• Excessive tearing
• Blurred vision
• Eye pain when exposed to bright light
• Spasms of the muscles surrounding the eye

Treatment and Management:

• Small abrasions may require no specific treatment and may heal on their own
• Larger abrasions are typically treated for a few days with a topical antibiotic to prevent infection
• A topical medication may be prescribed to reduce pain and improve comfort

Contact Lens Related Disorders

Risk Factors:

• Poor hygiene when wearing contact lenses
• Lack of cleaning of lenses on a daily basis
• Damaged, warped or torn lenses

Typical Symptoms:

• A sensation of a foreign body in the eye
• Excessive tearing
• Blurred vision
• Eye pain when exposed to bright light

Treatment and Management:

• A thorough exam of the eye and lenses to determine causes
• Proper procedures for keeping lenses clean and free from contaminants
• Lens correction if necessary