Cataracts

A cataract is the clouding of the clear lens of your eye. Cataracts can vary from very small areas of cloudiness to large opaque areas that cause a noticeable loss of vision.

Cataracts are most often found in people over the age of 55, but can be found in younger people and even newborns.

Although the exact cause of cataracts is unknown, studies have shown that chemical changes in the eye due to aging, heredity, an injury or disease, as well as exposure to ultraviolet radiation, cigrarette smoking and certain medications are major risk factors.

Cataracts generally form without pain. The main indications of cataracts include blurred or hazy vision or the feeling of having a film over the eyes.

Cataracts may develop slowly over many years or rapidly within a matter of a few months. Some cataracts never progress to the point that they need to be removed. Most people wait until they interefere with daily activities to go ahead with cataract surgery.

Diabetes & Your Eyes

Diabetes and its complications can affect many parts of the eye and can cause premature presbyopia and changes in near or far vision. In addition, if can cause cataracts, glaucoma, strabismus and decreased corneal sensitivity. The visual symptoms of diabetes include fluctuations or blurring of vision, double vision, loss of visual field and flashes or floaters within the eyes.

Diabetic retinopathy the most serious eye problem associated with diabetes. This occurs when there is a weakening or swelling of the tiny blood vessels in the retina, resulting in blood leakage, the growth of new blood vessels and other changes. If left untreated, it may result in blindness.

Glaucoma

One of the leading causes of blindness in the United States, this is an eye disease in which internal pressure of the eye rises to a point that it damages the optic nerve and impairs sight.

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form. With this type of glaucoma, pressure rises slowly and destroys vision gradually, started with peripheral vision.

Closed-angle glaucoma is less common. This is when pressure inside the eye rises suddenly and must be lowered quickly to prevent permanent vision loss.

If diagnosed at an early stage, glaucoma can usually be controlled. If left untreated, peripheral vision (side awareness) and central vision will be destroyed and blindness may occur.

Macular Degeneration

“Dry Macular Degeneration” is a natural aging process of the retina that causes gradual vision loss. This type of vision loss occurs in the central vision – causing a person to see out of the corners of their eyes, but not straight ahead. Although there is no way to prevent age-related macular degeneration, research has shown that certain vitamins and minerals, as well as decreased exposure to UV light may slow the process and help preserve sight.

“Wet Macular Degeneration” is when leakage or bleeding in the macula occurs from abnormal growth of new blood vessels. The earlier this is detected and treated, the better the chance of preventing loss of sight.

The Amsler Grid Test is a simple series of vertical and horizontal lines forming many small squares. By focusing on the spot in the middle, you can observe if you have any areas that are not square, blurry, missing or lines that are not straight.

Spots & Floaters

Spots or floaters are small, semi-transparent or cloudy specks within the eye that become noticeable when they fall within the line of sight. They may also appear with flashes of light. In addition, they appear as threadlike strands or cobwebs within the eye. Since they are within the eye, they move as the eye moves and seem to dart away when you try to look at them directly. Almost everyone sees a few spots at one time or another. They can occur more frequently as a person ages.

Spots or floaters can be caused by the deterioration of eye fluids or its surrounding parts, by certain injuries or eye diseases. If you notice a sudden change in the number or size of spots or floaters, you should contact Dr. Kennedy immediately. While most spots and floaters are normal, they can be an indication of a more serious problem.

Common Vision Conditions

Amblyopia

Also known as lazy eye, amblyopia is the loss or lack of full development of vision in one eye. This is not fully correctable with lenses and is not the result of any identifiable eye health problem. Amblyopia is usually due to strabismus or a large difference in the refractive error between the two eyes. In children, patching the good eye may help the amblyopic eye improve.

Astigmatism

This is a vision condition that occurs when the cornea (the front surface of the eye) is slightly irregular in shape (less rounded). This results in blurred vision at all distances.

Hyperopia

Hyperopia is also known as farsightedness. It is a vision condition in which a person only sees distant objects clearly; objects up close are blurred.

Myopia

Myopia is commonly known as nearsightedness. It is a vision condition in which a person sees close objects clearly; objects in the distance are blurred.

Presbyopia

A vision condition that occurs with the crystalline lens of the eye gradually loses its ability to bring close objects into clear focus. It is a natural part of aging and generally occurs in the early to mid-forties.

Strabismus

Also known as crossed-eyes, strabismus is a vision condition in which a person’s eyes are not properly aligned with each other. One or both eyes may turn in (esotropia), out (exotropia), up (hypertropia) or down (hypotropia). Treatment often includes the use of eyeglasses, prisms and vision therapy. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed.

Other Issues

Conjunctivitis

This is the inflammation of the conjuntiva, which is the thin, transparent layer covering the surface of the eyeball. The three main types are infectious (commonly known as pink eye), allergic and chemical. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat pink eye; prescription or non-prescription drops many be used to relieve the discomfort of allergic or chemical forms