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Glaucoma • Spots & Floaters • Allergy Eyes
Cataracts • Dry Eye • Lenses to help protect your eyes

GLAUCOMA

What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal fluid pressure of your eyes rises to a point that the optic nerve is damaged.

The pressure that builds is usually due to inadequate drainage of fluid normally produced in your eyes. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S.

What causes Glaucoma? The exact cause of glaucoma is not known. For some reason, the passages that normally allow fluid within your eye to drain out become clogged or blocked. This results in fluid building up within your eye and increasing pressure on the optic nerve. The nerve fibers and blood vessels in the optic nerve can easily be damaged by this pressure, resulting in loss of vision.

An injury, infection or tumor in or around the eye can also cause the pressure to rise.

How is Glaucoma detected? A comprehensive optometric examination will include tests for glaucoma. A simple, painless procedure called tonometry measures the internal pressure of your eye. Your optometrist will also look into your eye to observe the health of the optic nerve and measure your field of vision.

How is Glaucoma treated? Glaucoma is usually effectively treated with prescription eye drops and medicines that must be taken regularly. In some cases, laser therapy or surgery may be required. The goal of the treatment is to prevent loss of vision by lowering the fluid pressure in the eye.

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SPOTS & FLOATERS

What are Spots and Floaters? Spots (often called Floaters) are small, semi-transparent or cloudy specks or particles within the fluid inside the eye that become noticeable when they move within the line of sight. They may also appear with flashes of light.

Does everyone have Spots? Almost everyone sees a few spots at one time or another. They can occur more frequently and become more noticeable as you grow older. If you notice a sudden change in the number or size of the spots, you should contact your doctor of optometry right away for an examination to be sure they are not the result of a more serious problem.

How are Spots diagnosed? In a comprehensive eye examination, your doctor of optometry will look into your eyes with special instruments such as a slit lamp (biomicroscope) and an ophthamloscope. Your optometrist uses these instruments to examine the health of the inside of your eyes and may also observe the spots within your eyes. This is often done after the doctor puts special drops in your eyes to make the pupils larger (called dilation) to allow a larger view of the insider of your eyes.

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ALLERGY EYES

What is Allergy Eyes? It is a medical condition known as allergic conjunctivitus that occurs when allergens such as pollen, pet hair or dust mites irritate the clear layer of mucous membrane that surrounds the eye. Those who suffer from allergy eyes can experience any or all of the following symptoms: itching, redness, tearing, burning, swelling of the inner eyelids, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, a scratchy feeling or a sensation of something in the eye.

What causes Allergy Eyes? Pollen is the most common cause, and it is released into the air by trees, flowers, grasses and weeds primarily during the spring and fall. But allergens that cause itchy, watery eyes are found year-round. These include pet hair, especially dander from cats, mold spores found in bathrooms and basements, dust mites and pollution.

Is there a treatment for Allergy Eyes? There's no need to put up with allergy eyes any longer. Your doctor can prescribe a safe, rapid and effective treatment.

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CATARACTS

What is a Cataract? When the normally clear lens within your eye becomes cloudy or opaque, it is called a cataract. Cataracts vary from extremely small areas of cloudiness to large opaque areas that cause a noticeable loss of vision.

Who gets Cataracts? Cataracts most often develop in persons over the age of 55, but are also occasionally found in younger people, including newborns.

What causes Cataracts? Many factors can contribute to the development of cataracts. Chemical changes occur within the lens in your eye that cause it to become cloudy. This may be due to advancing age or it may be the result of heredity, an injury or a disease.

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation present in sunlight, cigarette smoking or the use of certain medications are also risk factors for the development of cataracts.

What are signs/symptoms of Cataracts? Cataracts usually develop slowly and without pain. Some indications that a cataract may be forming include blurred or hazy vision, decreased color perception, or the feeling of having a film over the eyes.

A temporary improvement in near vision may occur, and increased sensitivity to glare, especially at night, may be experienced. Cataracts usually develop in both eyes, but often at different rates.

How are Cataracts diagnosed? A comprehensive eye examination by a doctor of optometry can determine if you have a cataract forming.

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DRY EYE

What causes Dry Eye? If there are not enough lubricating tears on the surface of your eyes, you may experience dry eye symptoms such as dry, red, itchy, burning or watery eyes, irritation and pain. Tear related problems are the most common medical reason people visit eye doctors.

Common causes for dry eye are:
Environment
Tear Drainage
Contact Lens Wear
Aging
Medications

Are there treatments available for Dry Eye? A simple procedure called the Lacrimal Efficiency Test will help determine if you will benefit from a lacrimal occlusion. With this test, your doctor will place small dissolvable plugs into your tear drainage ducts. The plugs last 4 to 7 days, during which time you may notice that your eyes feel cool, comfortable and refreshed, and a reduction in other symptoms.

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LENSES TO HELP PROTECT YOUR EYES

Anti-Reflective Lenses: Ordinary lenses don't let all of the light pass through. A significant amount is reflected off the front and back surfaces of the lenses. Some of this light hits your eyes as reflective glare, causing strain and fatigue. And this can be a significant problem in situations like driving at night, when oncoming lights are harsh and bright, or during extended computer use.

Anti-Reflective lenses eliminate nearly all of these reflections, so you see more of what you want to see, regardless of the light conditions around you.

Transition Lenses: Transition lenses lighten and darken based on ultraviolet conditions and temperature. In high UV (outdoors, sunny), they darken. In low UV (indoors), they lighten. In colder temperatures, your lenses will activate to a darker tint. In extremely hot conditions, they will be lighter. Transition lenses offer 100% UV protection, are available in a wide range of prescriptions and are lightweight plastic with built-in scratch protection.

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