| What is a cataract? When the normally clear lens within your eye becomes cloudy and opaque, it is called a cataract. Cataracts can vary from extremely small areas of cloudiness to large opague areas that cause a noticeable loss of vision. Who gets cataracts? Cataracts are most often found in persons over the age of 55, but they are also occasionally found in younger people, including newborns. What causes cataracts? No one knows exactly what causes cataracts. It is known that a chemical change occurs within your eye that causes the lens to become cloudy. This may be due to advancing age or it may be the result of heredity, an injury or 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. Cataracts usually develop in both eyes, but often at different rates. Can cataracts be prevented? Currently, there is no proven method to prevent cataracts from forming. What are signs/symptoms of cataracts? Although cataracts usually develop without pain or redness, some indications that a cataract may be forming include blurred or hazy vision, the appearance of spots in front of the eyes, or the feeling of having a film over the eyes. A temporary improvement in ner vision may also occur and increased sensitivity to glare, especially at night, may be experienced. How are cataracts diagnosed? A comprehensive eye examination by a doctor of optometry can determine if you have a cataract forming. How are cataracts treated? If your cataract develops to a point that your daily activities are affected, you will be referred to an eye surgeon who may recommend the surgical removal of the cataract. Is surgery the only way to treat cataracts? Your optometrist can prescribe changes in your eyewear that will help you see more clearly until surgery is necessary, but surgery is the only proven means of effectively treating cataracts. The surgery is relatively uncomplicated and has a success rate of at least 95 percent. When will I need to have cataracts removed? Cataracts may develop slowly over many years or they may form rapidly in a matter of months. Some cataracts never progress to the point that they need to be removed. Your optometrist will arrange a consultation with a surgeon who will decide on the appropriate time for removal. Most people wait until the cataracts interfere with daily activities before having them removed. What happens after surgery? You, along with your doctors, will decide on the type of post-cataract vision correction that you will use. Intraocular lens implants, inserted in your eye at the time of surgery, serve as a "new lens" and are the most frequent form of visual correction. In some cases, however, eyeglasses or contact lenses may also be needed to provide the most effective post-cataract vision. |
| What is amblyoia (commonly called "lazy
eye")? Amblyopia is the loss or lack of development of vision in one eye that is unrelated to any eye health problem. It is not correctable with lenses alone and there is no apparent cause fo the poor vision. the brain, for some reason, does not acknowledge the images seen by the amblyopic eye. Who is likely to develop amblyopia? Amblyopia is generally the result of poor early visual development, and as such, usually occurs before the age of five or six. It is estimated that two to four percent of children under age six have anblyopia. The chance of amblyopia developing during adulthood is very small. What causes amblyopia? The exact cause is unclear. Amblyopia usualy results from a failure to use both eyes together. If there is a large enough difference in the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness between the two eyes, or if the eyes are crossed, the brain learns to ignore one image in favor of the other. How does amblyopia affect vision? Normally the images sent by each eye to the brain are identical. When they differ, double vision occurs. Rather than go through life with double vision, the brain soon learns to ignore the image sent by one and decides to "see" only with the good eye. The eye that is ignored becomes weaker from disuse. Is the amblyopic eye blind? The amblyopic eye is never blind in the sense of being entirely without sight. Amblyopia affects only the central vision of the affected eye. Peripheral awareness will remain. What are signs/symptoms of amblyopia? Amblyopia is usually accompanied by crossed-eyes or a large difference in the refractive error between the two eyes. A child may also exhibit noticeable favoring of one eye and may have a tendency to bump into objects on one particular side. How is amblyopia diagnosed? A comprehensive optometric examination can determine the presence of amblyopia. The earlier it is diagnosed, the greater the chance for a complete recovery. That is why it is important to have your child's vision examined before the age of three and again when entering school. Since amblyopia occurs only in one eye, the good eye takes over and the individual is generally unaware of the condition. How is amblyopia treated? Corrective lenses, prisms, contact lenses and/or vision therapy are often used to treat amblyopia. In less developed cases, patching the good eye often stimuates and strengthens the amblyopic eye. In more advanced situations, other vision therapy techniques are used. Does amblyopia get worse? The vision of the eye itself does not get worse, but the brain simply pays less and less attention to the imags sent by the amblyopic ye. Eventually, the condition stabilizes and the eye becomes virtually unused. Since it is quite difficult to correct amblyopia at this point, early detection and treatment are extremely important. Is amblyopia preventable? Early detection and treatment of crossed-eyes and severe refractive errors can help to reduce the chances of one eye becoming amblyopic. How great a handicap is amplyopia? Amblyopia is a handicap because it can limit the types of work and leisure activities you can do. In addition, should your good eye become injured or develop vision problems, you may have difficulty maintaining your normal activities. |
| What is color deficiency? Color deficiency occurs when your ability to distinguish colors and shades is less than normal. The term "color blind" is often used, but usually incorrectly. Only a very small number of people are completely unable to identify any colors. What causes color deficiency? Color deficiency is usually inherited, but can also result from certain diseases, trauma or as a side effect of certain medications. It happens when the color-sensitive cone cells in the retina of your eye do not properly pick up or send to the brain correct color signals. What types of color deficiency exist? There are several. Red-green deficiency is by far the most common and results in the inability to distinguish between certain shades of red and green. In very rare cases, color deficiency exists to an extent that no colors can be detected. This person sees all things in shades of black, white and grey. How is color deficiency detected? People who are color deficient are generally unaware of their condition. They assume that everyone sees things the way they do. As a result, a complete optometric examination, including a test for color vision, is recommended. The test for color deficiency is a relatively simple one, typically involving the viewing of a series of colored designs. The designs have been created in such a way that a person with normal color vision can see certain figures in the designs. A color deficient person will not be able to distinguish the figures. When should a person be tested for color deficiency? Every child should be checked for color deficiency by at least age five. It is important to detect color deficiency early because color coded learning materials are used extensively in the primary grades. In addition, color deficiency may affect the career path of an individual, since the ability to distinguish colors is an important aspect of some jobs, such as pilots, electricians, some military personnel, police officers and others. Can Color deficiency be cured? Unfortunately, a cure for color deficiency has not yet been discovered. A person with color deficiency can, however, be taught to adapt to the inability to distinguish colors. For example, you can be taught to recognize the brightness and location of a traffic light rather than the color itself. It is also possible to increase the ability to distinguish colors with the use of special filters. A special red tinted contact lens, used in one eye, and other devices are used, in some cases, to aid persons with certain color deficiencies. |
| What is conjunctivitis? Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin, transparent layer covering the surface of the inner eyelid and a portion of the front of the eye. This condition appears in many forms and affects people of all ages. What causes conjunctivitis? The three main types of conjunctivitis are infectious, allergic and chemical. The infectious form, commonly known as "pink eye" is caused by a contagious virus or bacteria. Your body's allergies to pollen, cosmetics, animals or fabrics often brin on allergic conjunctivitis. And, irritants like air pollution, noxious fumes and chlorine in swimming pools may produce the chemical form. What are the signs/symptoms of conjunctivitis? Common signs or symptoms are red eyes, inflamed inner lids, watery eyes, blurred vision and a sandy or scratchy feeling in the eyes. With the infectious form, there may be a pus-like or watery discharge around the eyelids. What measures can be taken to prevent spreading infectious conjunctivitis (the contagious form)? To avoid giving infectious conjuntivitis to others, keep your hands away from your eyes; thoroughly wash your hands before and after applying eye medication; do not share towels, washcloths, cosmetics or eyedrops with others and seek treatment promptly. Small children, who may forget to use precautions, should be kept away from school, camp and the swimming pool until the condition is cured. Will conjunctivitis harm my eyes? Certain forms of cojunctivitis can develop into a serious condition that may harm your vision. Therefore, it's important to have your condition diagnosed and properly treated quickly. How is infectious conjunctivitis treated? Infectious conjunctivitis caused by bacteria is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops and/or ointment. Other infectious forms, caused by viruses, can't be treated with antibiotics. They are fought off by your body's immune system. But, some antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections from developing. How are the allergic and chemical forms of conjunctivitis treated? The ideal treatment for both forms is to remove the cause of the allergy or irritation. For instance, avoid contact with any animal if it causes an allergic reaction. Wear swimming goggles if chlorinated water irritates your eyes. In cases where these measures won't work, other types of prescription and over-the-counter eye drops are available to help relieve the discomfort. |
| What is Corneal Refractive Therapy or CRT? Corneal Refractive Therapy is a relatively new treatment that uses contact lenses to reduce nearsightedness (technically called myopia). You wear a special type of contact lens that gently reshapes your eye so that you can see clearly even after you remove the lens. Generally, you sleep in the lenses and take them out in the morning. The reshaping is temporary, but generally it lasts long enough so that you can see during the day without glasses or regular contacts. In effect, you switch your 'normal' routine. Instead of taking your contacts out before you go to bed and putting them in each morning, you do just the opposite. The basic idea of corneal refractive therapy
isn't a new thing. Orthokeratology has been used by some eye doctors
for more than 15 years. Although Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) has had reports
of mixed results in the past, manufacturers have recently developed
new methods and lens designs that provide for much higher degrees of
success for both ortho-k and CRT. |
| What is strabismus (crossed-eyes)? Strabismus, more commonly known as crossed-eyes, is a vision condition in which your eyes are not properly aligned with each other. For a variety of reasons, one or both of your eyes turn in, out, up or down. What causes crossed-eyes? Coordination of your eyes and their abilitty to work together as a team develops in your first six years. Failure of your eyes (or more precisely, your eye muscles) to adjust properly can lead to crossed-eyes. Crossed-eyes may also have a tendency to be hereditary. Who is affected by crossed-eyes? Children under six are the ones most affected by crossed-eyes, but it often first appears between birth and age 21 months. It is estimated that 5 percent of all children have some type or degree of strabismus. Although rare, strabismus sometimes occurs in adults, but this is usualy the result of a stroke, tumor or other vascular disease. Will a child outgrow crossed-eyes? This is a common misconception. A child will not outgrow crossed-eyes. In fact, the condition may get worse without treatment. What are the effects of crossed-eyes? Children with crossed-eyes may initially have double vision. This occurs because both eyes are not focusing on the same object. In an attempt to avoid double vision, the brain will eventually disregard the image from one eye. In time, the ignored eye will become unable to function normally and will become largely unused. This may result in the development of lazy eye (amblyopia). How are crossed-eyes diagnosed? Parents may be the first to notice a slight wandering of one or both of a child's eyes. A comprehensive vision examination by a doctor of optometry is recommended if that happens. The examination can determine if strabismus is present. How are crossed-eyes treated? Treatment can include eyeglasses (regular or bifocal), prisms, vision therapy, and in some cases, surgery. Crossed-eyes can be corrected with excellent results if detected and treated early. |
| What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease that prevents your body from making or using insulin to break down sugar in your bloodstream. How does diabetes affect the eyes? Diabetes and its complications can affect many parts of the eye. Diabetes can cause changes in nearsightedness, farsightedness and premature presbyopia (the inability to focus on close objects). It can result in cataracts, glaucoma, a lack of eye muscle coordination (strabismus) and in decreased corneal sensitivity. Visual symptoms of diabetes include fluctuating or blurring of vision, occasional double vision, loss of visual field and flashes and floaters within the eyes. Sometimes these early signs of diabetes are detected in a throough optometric examination. The most serious eye problem associated with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy. What is retinopathy? Diabetic retinopathy occurs when there is a weakening or swelling of the tiny blood vessels in the retina of your eye, resulting in blood leakage, the growth of new blood vessels and other changes. If diabetic retinopathy is left untreated, blindness can result. Can vision loss from diabetes be prevented? Yes, in a routine eye examination, your optometrist can diagnose potential vision threatening changes in your eye that may be treated to prevent blindness. However, once damage has occurred, the effects are usually permanent. It is important to conrol your diabetes as much as possible to minimize your risk of developing retinopathy. How is diabetic retinopathy treated? In the early stages, diabetic retinopathy can be treated with laser therapy. A bright beam of light is focused on the retina, causing a burn which seals off leaking blook vessels. In other cases, surgery inside the eye may be necessary. Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is crucial. Are there risk factors for developing retinopathy? Several factors that increase the risk of developing retinopathy include smoking, high blood pressure, drinking alcohol and pregnancy. How can diabetes related eye problems be prevented? Monitor and maintain control of your diabetes. See your physician regularly and follow instructions about diet, exercise and medication. See your optometrist, an eye care specialist, for a thorough eye examination when you are first diagnosed as a diabetic, at least annually thereafter --- and more frequently is recommended. |
| What is glaucoma? Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal pressure of your eye rises to a point that the optic nerve is damaged. The pressure that builds up is due to a problem in the flow or drainage of fluid normally produced in your eye. 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. An injury, infection or tumor in or around the eye can also cause the pressure to rise. Who gets glaucoma? Glaucoma most frequently occurs in individuals over the age of 40 and there is a hereditary tendency for the development of the disease in some families. It is estimated that over 2 million Americans have glaucoma and this is expected to rise as more of our population grows older. Primary open-angle glaucoma is more common among blacks than whites, causes damage at an earlier age and leads to blindness at a much greater rate. There is also a greater tendendy for glaucoma to develop in individuals who are nearsighted or who have diabetes. Regular optometric examinations, including testing for glaucoma, is a particularly important eye care practice for those over age 35. Why is glaucoma harmful to vision? The optic nerve, at the back of the eye, carries visual information to the brain. As the fibers that make up the optic nerve are damaged, the amount and quality of information sent to teh brain decreases and a loss of vision occurs. Will I go blind from glaucoma? If diagnosed at an early stage, glaucoma can be controlled and little or no further vision loss should occur. If left untreated, side awareness (peripheral vision) and central vision will be destroyed and blindness may occur. How can I tell if I have glaucoma? The signs or symptoms of glaucoma can vary, depending on the type. Primary open-angle glaucoma often develops gradually and painlesly. There are no early warning signs. It can gradually destroy your vision without your knowing it. The first indication may occur after some visiion has already been lost. Acute angle-closure glaucoma, which results from a sudden blockage of drainage channels in your eye, causes rapid build up of pressure accompanied by blurred vision, the appearance of colored rings around lights and pain or redness in the eyes. How is glaucoma detected? A comprehensive optometric examination will include tests for glaucoma. A simple and painless procedure called tonometry measures the internal pressure of your eye. Your optometrist will also look into your eyes 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. In some cases, surgery may be required. The goal of the treatment is to prevent loss of vision by lowering the pressure in the eye. Will my vision be restored after treatment? Unfortunately, any vision loss as a result of glaucoma is usually permanent and cannot be restored. This is why regular preventive eye examinations are so important. Can glaucoma be prevented? No, but early detection and treatment can control glaucoma and reduce the chances of damage to the eye and a loss of sight. |
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Dr. Binford is always available to answer your questions personally about eye problems that may affect you or members of your family. Listed below are some common eye conditions. Click on the name to learn more. This information should not be used to self-diagnose, since symptoms and treatment vary depending upon the individual. Please contact Dr. Binford if you have any questions or need further clarification. |
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