While the feeling of dry eyes, for many, is not a regular occurrence, it is a chronic condition for some and can cause permanent damage to the eye if not properly diagnosed and treated by an eye health practitioner. The following will discuss some dry eye symptoms and treatment that can help alleviate the discomfort.

In order to understand dry eye symptoms and treatment, a basic understanding of the underlying cause is essential. As you are likely aware, tears are the natural lubricants for your eyes. They are a complex mixture of oils, water and mucous that stop your eyes from drying out and help bathe away small particles that may irritate the eyes.

According to the National Eye Institute, chronic dry eye occurs when the eyes are not producing enough of the watery portion or tears, or not enough of the oils that keep tears from evaporating too quickly. Since the health the outer layer that covers the colored part of your eye (cornea) depends on keeping your eyes properly lubricated, chronic dry eye can cause permanent damage and potentially affect your vision. The following are some symptoms you may experience:

— Burning or stinging in your eyes — A constant …

Age-related cataract development is one of the leading causes of blindness world wide, according to All About Vision. Characterized by a clouding of the lens in the eye, currently the only treatment to restore vision is surgical removal of the natural lens and replacing it with an artificial one. While the surgery is usually successful, research is showing some important links between diet and cataract prevention.

The general thought is cataracts form due to the breakdown of healthy cells that create the lens of the eye during the regular metabolic process that leads to cell-aging. Also known as oxidative stress, cells become damaged when there is not an ample oxygen ratio in our bodies. An excess of oxygen can turn this life-sustaining gas into free radicals that work to destroy healthy cells. For optimum cell reproduction, the more antioxidant-rich nutrients we digest the less unused oxygen will remain which will result in fewer cell-damaging free radicals.

With the concept of oxidative stress in mind, research is growing in the area of diet and cataract prevention. According to All About Vistion, in most of the studies conducted, positive results for a reduction or slowed progression of cataracts were found in those who had a …

As an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, Crohn’s disease also causes complications in the eyes of 10 percent of those who suffer from the disease, according to Everyday Health. In fact, the chief medical officer of Bausch & Lomb, Dr. Calvin Roberts, suggests being tested for Crohn’s if you experience eye inflammation repeatedly. If your eyes are not affected directly by your Crohn’s disease, it is possible to experience eye diseases due to the medications used in your treatment.

Oral steroids are often prescribed to treat Crohn’s and have been known to cause conditions such as high eye pressure, glaucoma and cataracts. Here are the four most common eye diseases that affect Crohn’s disease patients:

Uveitis The uvea is inside of your eye and is rich in blood vessels that supply nutrition to your cornea, lens, iris and retina. Uveitis is when this lining becomes swollen due to inflammation and causes the retina to swell. The swelling causes blurry vision which may occur suddenly, or over a period of time. Left untreated, uveitis can lead to glaucoma and ultimately, vision loss. Due to the inflammatory nature of Crohn’s, uveitis is the most common of eye diseases associated with the illness.

Episcleritis Also fairly …

According to an article published in Retina Today, Optos ultra-widefield (UWF™) retinal system technology, specifically the Optos 200TX™, is making great strides in diagnosing and treating eye problems in children and infants. Due to the cutting-edge modalities and ease-of-operation with an optomap® exam, signs of retinal disease can be found in the periphery, often before children and infants become symptomatic.

Before the use of optomap, obtaining just a 75 degree view of the fundus was a cumbersome, multi-stage effort made more complicated by children and babies’ natural tendencies to become impatient during exams. The Optos ultra-widefield imaging system provides a 200 degree view in a single scan and without dilation, making the imaging process easier and faster.

According to the article, as the leading cause of blindness in in babies and children, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is gaining the most advantage with the implementation of UWF technology. ROP generally occurs in premature babies (born at 31 weeks or less) that have extremely low birth weights (2 3/4 pounds or less). With advances in medicine, more premature babies are being saved earlier in the gestation period. The ease of obtaining high definition images and the ability to compare and …

Awareness of the damage the sun’s rays can cause to your skin has become widespread. However, not enough of the population realizes the damage also extends to the sensitive tissues that form our eyes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) wants to stress the fact that, especially during the summer months, UV protection for eyes is essential.

According to the AAO, overexposure to UV rays can increase the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and tumors that can lead to melanoma. One type of common damage is a condition called  photokeratitis. In the simplest terms, photokeratitis is sunburn of the eyes. Similar to how lighter-skinned people burn easily in the sun, those who have light eye colors are also more susceptible due to the lack of pigmentation through the layers of the eyes.

Mild cases of photokeratitis can feel like there is grit in your eyes. More extreme cases include intense burning in the eyes, caused by damaged and peeling corneal layers. An immediate visit to your ophthalmologist is essential if you’re showing signs of photokeratitis. In most cases, the condition will clear up after several days, and treatment involves cold compresses, anti-inflammatory eye drops without steroids and darkness or wearing …

According to a 2011 report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), more than 2.5 million eye injuries occur annually. With more than 40 percent of injuries occurring at home or at play, treating eye injuries as soon as they occur is important.

The first thing to know when treating eye injuries is that you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if the eye injury seems insignificant, it is best to have it looked at because even minor injuries can lead to vision loss or blindness.

If faced with treating an eye injury, refer to these tips from eyeSmart:

– Refrain from rubbing or touching the surface, or applying pressure to the affected eye. – If an object is stuck in the eye, do not try to remove it yourself. – Never use medications or ointments on the injured eye unless your doctor has counseled you otherwise. – Always have the injury looked at by doctor.

Punctures or Cuts to the Eye Do not take ibuprofen, aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) because they thin the blood and may cause excessive bleeding. Be sure not to flush the eye and do not try to remove any objects, …

As part of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), healthier diets and meat consumption were tested to learn their effects on the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). While a healthier diet resulted in slowing down the progression of AMD, a particularly interesting result was found in meat consumption. Those who ate large quantities of red meat showed a greater occurrence of AMD and those who consumed larger amounts of chicken were more inclined to develop late AMD. The most impressive statistics were for women who followed a suggested diet designed for better health: 46 percent of women who followed the diet closely were less likely to develop AMD.

While more studies are required to further prove the efficacy of diet and eye health, studies are showing conclusive evidence that specific nutrients are contributing directly to better retina health.

Antioxidants and Zinc Antioxidants help clear our cells of free radicals that can damage our health and speed up the aging process. Zinc is instrumental in helping your immune system fight off bacteria and viruses, as well as helping in the production of proteins and DNA.

In all studies, increasing the amount of antioxidants and zinc contributed to slower …

Measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), normal eye pressure falls in the range of 10-21 mm Hg. Patients diagnosed with ocular hypertension have eye pressure over 21. In and of itself, ocular hypertension is not an eye disease, but a possible precursor to the development of glaucoma. Some doctors refer to the condition as “glaucoma suspect.”

Increased eye pressure does not generally cause noticeable side effects in the early stages, so it is vital to maintain regularly scheduled comprehensive eye exams to ensure your eyes are healthy. If you are glaucoma suspect, your doctor may increase the frequency of your exams and use Optos ultra-widefield retinal display imaging to compare your images from one exam to the next to diagnose and treat any complications as soon as possible.

Since higher intraocular eye pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve and impair your vision, it is necessary to understand what it is and what the risks are of developing the condition. The production and drainage of fluid your eyes (aqueous humor), is normally balanced. In the case of elevated pressure, the drainage system does not function properly, resulting in the higher pressure. Some of the risk factors may …

It is common knowledge that a nutrient-rich diet and exercise contribute to greater overall health. Recently, however, a study of more than 3,000 people was published with evidence that certain nutrients and supplements greatly reduce the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and enhance AMD treatment.

Titled the “Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS),” the researchers conducted clinical trials examining the effects of antioxidants and zinc on patients at high risk for developing advanced stages of AMD. The antioxidant vitamins included Vitamins C, E and beta-carotene, with zinc and copper added to the formula. Twenty-five percent of patients who were at high risk of developing category three or four advanced AMD reduced their risk. When compared against a placebo, the AREDS formula also reduced the loss of visual acuity in these two categories. There was no significant response from patients in category 2.

Upon further review of other published studies, the AREDS researchers found significant evidence that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, lutein and zeaxanthin also contributed to reduced risk of developing or advancing AMD. The study concluded that while there was no significant improvement for patients with early-stage AMD, the findings for patients with advanced stages or a predisposition to advanced …

Central serous retinopathy (CSR) is an affliction that can cause vision loss or make objects appear much smaller than they are in actuality. A buildup of fluid results in swelling and raised retinal tissue close to the macula and may result in retinal detachment. CSR is most commonly diagnosed in men between the ages of 20 and 60, however, it can affect women as well. Most cases of  acute CSR heal on their own, but chronic cases may require special attention. Treatment of CSR comes down to the severity of the case, whether it is chronic (lasting more than six months), or the urgency of vision restoration.

Risks of developing the condition include antihistamine use, type-A personalities, pregnancy, hypertension that has not been treated and other causes of metabolic stress to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Since there are risks involved in any treatment, Francesco Boscia, MD writing for Retina Today, chooses to monitor the condition closely in his patients and treat only in certain cases. Typically, these include chronic conditions, the disease causes changes in the RPE or if the patient’s profession relies heavily on their vision and they must have excellent vision as soon as possible.

Where treatment is indicated, …