Category → Adult problems
MORE INFORMATION AND A VIDEO ON GLAUCOMA
Click This for Video: GlauMediacoma on YouTube
Glaucoma refers to a category of eye disorders often associated with a dangerous buildup of internal eye pressure (intraocular pressure or IOP), which can damage the eye’s optic nerve that transmits visual information to the brain.
If untreated or uncontrolled, glaucoma first causes peripheral vision loss and eventually can lead to blindness.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the most common type of glaucoma — called primary open-angle glaucoma — affects an estimated 2.2 million people in the United States, and that number is expected to increase to 3.3 million by 2020 as the U.S. population ages.
Glaucoma can be very destructive to your vision; in fact, it's the second-leading cause of blindness in the United States.
Glaucoma Treatments
Treatment can involve glaucoma surgery, lasers or medication, depending on the severity. Eye drops with medication aimed at lowering IOP usually are tried first to control glaucoma.
Because glaucoma often is painless, people may become careless about strict use of eye drops that can control eye pressure and help prevent permanent eye damage.
In fact, non-compliance with a program of prescribed glaucoma medication is a major reason for blindness caused by glaucoma.
If you find that the eye drops you are using for glaucoma are uncomfortable or inconvenient, never discontinue them without first consulting your eye doctor about a possible alternative therapy.
Select information from Gary Heiting, OD, and Marilyn Haddrill;
contributions and review by Charles Slonim, MD at http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/glaucoma.htm
How to reduce “smart phone squint”
Young Woman Texting by Petr Kratochvil
Do you spend hours every day staring at your smart phone, texting, reading, playing games and browsing websites? Do you often suffer from headaches, dry or tired eyes, blurred vision or focusing problems after doing so?
If this sounds familiar, you could be suffering from “smart phone squint,” a condition that can cause the same symptoms as computer vision syndrome, as well as (gasp!) fine lines and wrinkles!
Studies have shown that people tend to hold their smart phone about four inches closer to their eyes than they would hold a newspaper or book. This, combined with smaller font sizes, means the eyes must work harder to focus on the text, which ultimately leads to eye strain.
While there is no evidence that reading from a smart phone causes permanent damage to the eyes, there are a few things you can do to help reduce the strain:
Hold the phone an arm’s length away from your eyes.
- Increase the font size on your device, especially if you will be reading for a sustained period. Many devices have a digital magnifier, or you can search for apps that may help magnify the screen. Load web pages in “landscape” mode.
- Take frequent breaks so your eyes can relax. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Turn down the brightness on your device and reduce the glare on your screen. Don’t use your phone to read in any place you wouldn’t normally read a book.
- Try to save the majority of your web-browsing for when you have access to a regular computer screen. The less time you spend staring at a tiny screen, the better. At the least, consider a larger, touch screen phone.
Do you suffer from “smart phone squint?” Let me know your experiences and what you do to avoid the “smart phone squint.”
Watch out for pink eye during cold and flu season
Here we are, in the heart of the cold and flu season. But there is another infection to be on the lookout for during the winter months – Pink Eye.
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a common bothersome, but usually harmless, eye disease typically caused by viruses (such as those responsible for the common cold), bacteria, allergens or other irritants, such as chemicals.
In simple terms, conjunctivitis is an inflammation (-itis) of the thin membrane (conjunctiva) covering the white of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. Infection causes the small blood vessels to become irritated and enlarged, giving the eye a red or pink appearance.
I can see fine…why do I need an eye exam?
Eye exam time
Blurry vision, red and irritated eyes, and headaches are common symptoms that might prompt a visit to the eye doctor. But what if you can see perfectly fine? Do you still need to get your eyes checked?
Those who wear corrective lenses should visit their eye doctor regularly to update their prescription. But even if your eyes are “perfectly healthy,” it’s a good idea to schedule a comprehensive eye exam to check for potential problems and diseases, which, in their early stages, may not present with any obvious symptoms.
Why Do People Develop Dry Eyes?
Many women come into the office complaining that they are having trouble seeing to drive, read or watch television. Most of them are going through menopause, but don’t know that one of the main causes of dry eye is menopause. Men also have dry eyes as they age.
What Keeps a Person from Having Dry Eyes?
The eye depends on tears to give continuous moisture and to lubricate the eye for healthy vision and comfort. Tears are made of a combination of oils for lubrication, water for moisture, mucus for even distribution, and antibodies and special proteins for infection resistance. The components are secreted from glands located around the eye. When something is out of balance, the result may be dry eyes.
