Anterior
uveitis
Anterior uveitis is an inflammation of the iris (colored part of the
eye) and adjacent tissue, known as the ciliary body. It can occur as
a result of trauma to the eye, such as a blow or foreign body penetrating
the eye. It can also be a complication of other eye disease, or it may
be associated with general health problems.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a chronic or long term inflammation of the eyelids and
eyelashes. It affects people of all ages. Among the most common causes
of blepharitis are poor eyelid hygiene; excessive oil produced by the
glands in the eyelid; a bacterial infection (often staphylococcal);
or an allergic reaction.
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of all or part of the normally clear lens within
your eye, which results in blurred or distorted vision. Cataracts are
most often found in persons over age 55, but they are also occasionally
found in younger people.
A chemical change occurs within your eye to cause
the lens to become cloudy. This may be due to advancing age, heredity
or an injury or disease. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation
in sunlight, cigarette smoking or the use of certain medications are
also risk factors for the development of cataracts.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva,
the thin, transparent layer that lines the inner eyelid and covers the
white part of the eye. The three main types of conjunctivitis are infectious,
allergic and chemical.
Diabetic
Retinopathy
Diabetes is a disease that interferes with the body's ability to use
and store sugar and can cause many health problems. One, called diabetic
retinopathy, can weaken and cause changes in the small blood vessels
that nourish your eye's retina, the delicate, light sensitive lining
of the back of the eye. These blood vessels may begin to leak, swell
or develop brush-like branches.
The early stages of diabetic retinopathy may cause
blurred vision, or they may produce no visual symptoms at all. As the
disease progresses, you may notice a cloudiness of vision, blind spots
or floaters.
Early treatment is important because once damage has
occurred, the effects are usually permanent. It is important to have
your eyes examined regularly by your doctor of optometry. This is especially
true if you are a diabetic or if you have a family history of diabetes.
Dry eyes
The tears your eyes produce are necessary for overall
eye health and clear vision. Dry eye means that your eyes do not produce
enough tears or that you produce tears which do not have the proper
chemical composition. There are other reasons for dry eyes, but often,
it is part of the natural aging process.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal pressure in your eyes
increases enough to damage the nerve fibers in your optic nerve and
cause peripheral vision loss. Late stages of glaucoma will also have
central vision loss. Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored.
People with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans, and those
who are very nearsighted or diabetic are at a higher risk of developing
the disease. The most common type of glaucoma develops gradually and
painlessly, without symptoms.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a vision disorder that occurs when the normally round
cornea (the front part of the eye) becomes thin and irregular (cone)
shaped. This abnormal shape prevents the light entering the eye from
being focused correctly on the retina and causes distortion of vision.
Macular
Degeneration
Macular degeneration results from changes to the macula, a portion of
the retina that is responsible for clear, sharp vision and is located
at the back of the eye. Causes are hereditary and/or environmental.
Central vision that is lost to macular degeneration cannot be restored.
However, low vision devices can be prescribed to make the most out of
remaining vision.
Ocular
Hypertension
Ocular hypertension is an increase in the pressure in your eyes that
is above the range considered normal with no detectable changes in vision
or damage to the structure of your eyes. Ocular hypertension has no
noticeable symptoms. The term is used to distinguish people with elevated
pressure from those with glaucoma, a serious eye disease that causes
damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. There is an increased risk
of glaucoma among those with ocular hypertension.
Retinitis
Pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited diseases that damage
the light-sensitive rods and cones located in the retina, the back part
of our eyes. Rods, which provide side (peripheral) and night vision
are affected more than the cones which provide color and clear central
vision.
Usually during childhood or adolescence, the first
sign is often night blindness followed by a slow but progressive loss
of side vision.
Also, there are many new low vision aids that are
available that help people maximize the vision that they have remaining.
