Conjunctivitis ("Pinkeye")

Conjunctivitis, also referred to as "pinkeye", is a temporary disorder that can be easily treated and cured. This disorder is caused by an inflammation of the conjunctiva due to an infection or allergies. Symptoms associated with conjunctivitis are redness, pain, itching, watering, and discharges of pus. The cause is an infection either bacterial or viral that can easily spread by casual contact from one individual to another. TOP

Sties

The tiny pimple forming at the base of an eyelash is usually a sty. Most sties are superficial, but some can be deeper and affect one or more glands of the eye. The cause of sties is usually a bacterial infection. Warm, moist compresses usually help to eliminate the sty, but an antibiotic eye drop is most likely needed. TOP

Diabetic Retinopathy

Similar to wet AMD, diabetic retinopathy occurs when blood vessels leak into the eye, causing damage to the retina. Diabetic retinopathy affects about half of diabetes patients. With the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy some patients discover that they also have diabetes. As the disorder worsens, vision damage can become permanent. TOP

Floaters

Floaters are small spots or translucent threads that appear to be moving in an individual's field of vision. They consist of small lumps of gel (debris) that are moving around inside the vitreous of the eye. As we grow older, the vitreous jelly inside of our eyes may thicken and shrink, and this can lead to the debris within the eye. Floaters are seen because this debris casts shadows onto the retina of the eye. TOP

The Normal Eye

An emmetropic (em"e-trop'ik) or normal eye receives light through the cornea. When light hits the cornea, it slows down, bends, and is focused by the lens through the liquid center of the eye onto the retina. The amount of light on the retina tells the iris to expand or contract, allowing just the right amount of light to enter the inner eye through the pupil.

Light focuses on the retina, which sends the image to the brain. 20/20 vision does not mean perfect eyesight. 20/20 vision means that at a 20-foot distance a person is able to see a certain size letter that an average eye should be able to see at that distance. If a person has 20/40 vision, this means that at a 20-foot distance this person is able to see what a person with 20/20 vision can see at 40-feet distance. TOP

Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness or myopia (mi-o'pe-ah) means objects are seen clearly close up, but are blurry at a distance. This occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved to focus on the retina. Prescriptions for individuals with this condition are written with a minus sign. For example, Right eye = -2.25. Nearsightedness ... light focuses in front of the retina. TOP

Farsightedness

Farsightedness or hyperopia (hi"per-o'pe-ah) means objects are seen clearly far away but are blurry close up. In this case, the eyeball is too short for the lens to focus a clear image on the retina. Prescriptions for individuals with this condition are written with a plus sign. For example, Right eye = +2.25. Farsightedness ... light focuses beyond the retina. TOP

Presbyopia (pres"be-o'pe-ah)

Presbyopia, or "old age vision", is a common vision problem that can occur in an individual's early 40s. Presbyopia is caused by changes in the flexibility of the eye's internal lens. These changes impair the eye's ability to shift focus from distant objects to nearby objects smoothly. TOP

Astigmatism (a-stig'mah-tizm)

Astigmatism, named for the Greek word meaning "without a point", affects vision at all distances. It is caused usually when the cornea is shaped irregularly so light bends differently depending upon the angle of light when it hits the eye. Because light rays bend in different directions, the lens cannot focus in on a sharp point to create a clear image of light on the retina. Astigmatism is represented as a cylinder power on the prescription form. For example, pl -1.00 163, this prescription states that the sphere power is plano and that the cylinder power is -1.00 at 163 degrees.

Astigmatism causes scattered focal points. TOP

Color Blindness

Color blindness usually is hereditary and affects the individual from birth. Males are eight times more likely than females to be born with color blindness because of the genetics involved. The gene for color blindness is located on the X chromosome. If a male has an X chromosome with the color blindness gene, he will be colorblind. On the other hand, if a female has an X chromosome with the color blindness gene, she will only be colorblind if the second X chromosome also has the color blindness gene. The three types of color blindness are red, green and blue. TOP

Cataracts "clouding of the eye's lens"

The two main areas of the eye associated with cataracts are the lens and the retina. The lens is made up of protein and water, and its function is to help focus light on the retina. If the protein in the lens begins to clump together, this can cause the lens to become partially clouded. As a result, light will not be focused correctly on the retina and vision will be impaired.

There are different types of cataracts, and some of the ones to be aware of are:

• Age-related cataract - This type of cataract is associated with aging and is the most common form of cataracts.
• Congenital cataract - Some people are affected with cataracts at a young age, either through birth, or development of cataracts during childhood.
• Secondary cataract - Some people with health problems such as diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts then people without these problems.
• Traumatic cataract - After the eye has been injured, a cataract may develop, although it may not show up until a few years later. TOP

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a buildup in pressure in the eye, and can lead to permanent blindness if not treated. The location where the cornea and iris meet is known as the angle and problems here can cause glaucoma. TOP

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration is a deterioration of the macula (the central region of the retina), the region responsible for our central and sharpest vision. Although AMD can afflict people at an early age, it is the leading cause of permanent vision loss to the elderly. The two different forms of AMD are Wet AMD and Dry AMD. TOP

Common Eye Conditions

Flashes of Light

Whenever a patient sees flashes of light in their vision, immediate examination by an optometrist is warranted as such symptoms may indicate retinal traction, a precursor to retinal tears or detachments. Anyone who has had recent head trauma or who simply has a high degree of nearsightedness is particularly at risk for retinal complications. Diagnosis of migraine as well as low or elevated blood pressure may also present with light flashes. Ocular migraine may present with a 'scintillating scotoma' in which bands of zig-zaging light are present. Because migraines may occur without a headache present, an eye care professional should make this diagnosis. TOP

Dry Eyes

Dry eye is a common condition affecting millions of patients. This occurs due to lack of tear production from the lacrimal gland as well as poor distribution of the oil-like lipid layer. Common symptoms include burning, excessive tearing, and a sandy, gritty feeling in the affected eye. The eyes produce a reflexive over-production of tears, which do little to alleviate symptoms. Many medications as well as conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid may contribute to dry eye syndrome.

Artificial tears, once considered the mainstay of dry eye treatment, have been surpassed by newer treatments which now include cyclosporine 'anti-inflammatory' drops, omega-3 fatty acids such as flaxseed oil, and punctal plug inserts.

Punctal plugs are a simple and effective way of dealing with a majority of dry eye cases. Usually inserted into the inferior drainage ducts of each eye, approximately 80 percent of tear drainage will be slowed resulting in comfortable, relieved eyes. Consult the eye care professionals at Northern Illinois Optical to determine which solution works best for you. TOP

Red Eyes

Red eyes commonly plague patients and may indicate more serious underlying problems. Redness generally indicates a vasodilatation of the blood vessels within the eye accompanied by swelling and symptoms ranging from burning and itching to eye pain.

All red eyes should be examined by an eye care professional as many causes include bacterial or viral infections as well as allergies or poor fitting contact lenses. Never touch the affected eye, as transmission from eye to eye may be possible. Contact lens wearers should remove their lenses and consult their eye doctor immediately.

Most red eyes can be readily treated if the proper diagnosis is made. Red eyes may also indicate a reaction to certain medications or preservatives and therefore also require examination by an eye care professional. TOP