Glaucoma is often called the "sneak thief of sight" because, in its most common form, it progresses slowly and painlessly before victims realize that they have lost their sight. It is a serious eye disease that usually strikes adults 40 years and older. Glaucoma is a degeneration of the optic nerve, usually caused by a build-up of pressure inside the eye.

​​​​​​​This excessive pressure prevents retinal cells and optic nerve fibers from getting the proper blood flow, which causes them to degenerate and die. Normal pressure ranges are from 10-22. Patients can have elevated eye pressure (ocular hypertension) and never develop glaucoma. Conversely, although it is not fully understood, patients with normal eye pressure can also develop glaucoma. This is called normal tension glaucoma. Both types left untreated may lead to severe, irreversible vision loss.

Macular Degeneration is a disease characterized by loss of central vision from deterioration of the central retina (macula), which usually starts after the age of 65. The exact cause is not known. However, genetics, UV exposure, and tobacco are known risk factors. It is the leading cause of vision loss among patients 65 and older.

Blepharitis or inflammation of the eyelid is a very common condition. It is a dandruff-like scaling of the skin on the lid margins which results in soreness, redness, and crustiness. In its most severe stages, it can affect the lash follicle and cause the lashes to fall out.

A cataract is simply a clouding of the lens inside the eye. There are several causes of cataracts. Most are caused by years of UV exposure from the sun. Everyone will eventually get a cataract. A cataract is not, as many people believe, a "skin" growing over the eye.

The affected lens is on the inside of the eye located behind the pupil which normally appears as a small, black hole in the center of the colored part of the eye. Normally, the lens is transparent and clear. But, because of age, disease, injury, or a birth defect, the lens becomes cloudy or yellow and loses its transparency. It becomes translucent. Light rays are scattered as they pass through, causing blurred vision and glare.

• Conjunctivitis also is known as pink eye, is a condition in which the eye produces excess mucous, tears or becomes red.

• It can only be accurately diagnosed by an eye doctor.

• While conjunctivitis itself does not threaten your sight, there are conditions that mimic its appearance which can cause permanent loss of vision. Therefore, it is important that, if you are having any of the symptoms listed, you do not self-diagnose. Call our office for an immediate appointment. We set aside times for emergency visits like this.

• Detached retina, very simply, is when the retina breaks away from its normal position against the back wall of the eye.

• The retina is a delicate sheet of tissues lying snugly against the back wall of the eye. It functions much like the film in a camera transforming light into a "picture" which, in the case of the eye, is transmitted through the optic nerve and "developed" in the brain.

• Once the retina is detached, it no longer functions properly in transmitting “pictures” to the brain. The blindness or blind spots caused by the detachment are permanent unless the retina is promptly put back in place. Retinal detachments are often preceded by holes or tears in the retina, which can occur for no reason. The vitreous, a gel-like substance filling the interior of the eye, will seep under the retina and cause detachment.

• It is painless.

Diabetes can produce varying degrees of vision loss.Diabetes threatens vision because it may damage the retina, the delicate inner lining that sends visual messages to the brain. Diabetic retinopathy is “silent” with no outward symptoms in its early stages. It's not until the later stages that vision loss is noticeable. Anyone who has had diabetes for more than 10 years is a prime target for diabetic retinopathy. Detected early, it can be monitored and treated most of the time. Left untreated, it may lead to blindness and other complications.​​​​​​​

As many as 33 million Americans may have dry eye. While there are many different causes of dry eye, simple and generally effective forms of treatment are available. The majority of those suffering from dry eye have not consulted an eye doctor. Dry eye can also make wearing contact lenses more difficult. In some cases if left untreated, dry eye cause damage to eye tissue.

​​​​​​​Dry eye symptoms can result from the normal aging process, exposure to environmental conditions, problems with normal blinking, or medications such as antihistamines, oral contraceptives, or antidepressants. Dry eye can also be symptomatic of general health problems or can result from allergy or injury to the eye.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva -- the pink mucous membrane lining the eyelids and the structures of the eye.

​​​​​​​Giant papillary conjunctivitis, also known as GPC, is a condition of the conjunctiva in which the structures known as papillae (glands) in the upper lid become enlarged. In severe cases, the enlargement of papillae is accompanied by itching and mucus discharge. IT IS NOT CONTAGIOUS. It is not an infection. Protein coating and lipid deposits on soft lenses are a common cause of GPC. With the incresed use of daily disposable lenses, GPC is much less common.

Keratoconus (KC) is a thinning of the cornea that can significantly interfere with vision. Instead of being round and smooth, it bulges at its thinnest point which causes distortion and warpage as shown in the pictures below. It usually affects both eyes, but at different degrees.

This distortion has been compared to viewing a street sign through your car windshield during a very bad rain storm. Its progression is generally slow and can stop at any stage from mild to severe. As KC progresses, the cornea becomes thinner and bulges even more producing more distortion and scarring. Usually, vision can only be fully corrected with contact lenses. Glasses can only provide partial correction.

The center of the eye is filled with a clear, jelly-like fluid known as the vitreous humor. Often, small flecks of protein or other natural matter become trapped in the vitreous during the formation of the eye before birth. These particles remain in the vitreous throughout life and are occasionally seen as spots or floaters. Spots and floaters can also be caused by deterioration of the vitreous or the retina as part of the natural aging process. During childhood, the vitreous is like jello.

As we age, the vitreous begins to become more liquid and loses its gel-like consistency. Then if a sudden collapse of the gel occurs, this can cause the vitreous to separate which causes microscopic particles to "float" within the eye, casting tiny shadows on the retina. We see these floaters as specs, bugs, strings or webs depending on their shape.

• Styes are a bacterial infection of the eyelid, usually resulting from a clogged oil duct next to the eyelash. They present as a painful, bump on the eyelid. They may or may not be red. You may or may not be able to see a "white head" at lid margin.

• Styes usually occur when the tiny oil glands of the eyelids secrete too much oil and become clogged and infected with bacteria.

• Styes are not contagious, can appear as if one has “pink eye”, can cause the eyes to feel dry or gritty, can cause intermittent blurred vision, can be caused by Blepharitis and can evolve into a much more serious condition known as Orbital Cellulitis. DO NOT ever try to "pop" the stye.

• Styes can affect both the upper and lower eyelids. The infection is mild and simply consist of slight tenderness around the lid. Or they can come on rapidly and become extremely painful, red bump on the eyelid.