Eye Problems and Diseases
Low Vision
Low Vision (also known as vision rehabilitation) refers to individuals who have less than normal vision even with the most accurate eyeglass prescription, contact lenses, medication or surgery available. It can result from congenital factors or eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease. Patients with non-correctable reduced vision are considered to be visually impaired.
The Indiana Eye Clinic (IEC) provides low vision examinations and recommendations for low vision aids. Low vision patients may need stronger than usual reading glasses sometimes with base-in prism, hand or stand magnifiers, special filters, and other devices available at the Indiana Eye Clinic. Patients with more profound vision loss often require more extensive exams and instruction on the proper use of low vision aids. Patients needing occupational therapy services for orientation and mobility or activities of daily living training, may be referred to vision rehabilitation services.
Low vision aids offer an improved visual experience for everyday tasks such as reading, writing and watching television. Rehabilitation programs, aids, and technology are designed to help the patient adapt to vision loss and to continue enjoying life.
Macular Degeneration Treatment
Macular degeneration is a disease of the macula, the small area in the retina at the back of the eye which allows you to see fine details needed for such things as reading and driving. If the macula doesn’t work properly, your central vision can be blurry or may have areas that are dark or distorted. Usually, peripheral (side) vision is not affected. It is the most common cause of severe vision loss in people over age 50 and is generally caused by the natural aging process.
The two most common types of macular degeneration are:
- Dry Macular Degeneration – most common
It is caused by damage and thinning of the macular tissue. Vision loss is usually gradual. - Wet Macular Degeneration
It results when abnormal blood vessels develop underneath the retina, and these new blood vessels leak fluid or blood. Vision loss may be rapid and severe.
Some people hardly notice macular degeneration in the early stages. Others notice that words on a page look blurred, straight lines look wavy, or a dark or empty area appears in the center of vision.
Your ophthalmologist can detect early signs of macular degeneration during an eye exam and will recommend treatment options to help preserve remaining vision. In early stages, treatment may include nutritional supplements. For the wet form, treatment may involve injections in the eye to stop blood vessel growth and bleeding. Some conditions may require laser surgery or a combination of special drugs and laser treatments.
Ptosis Treatment
Ptosis (pronounced “toe-sis”) is the drooping of the upper eyelid, where the lid may droop slightly or may cover the pupil entirely to block normal vision. Congenital ptosis (present at birth) requires treatment for normal visual development. Ptosis in adults is commonly caused by separation of the levator muscle from the eyelid as a result of aging, cataract or other eye surgery, injury, or an eye tumor. Adult ptosis may occur as a complication of other diseases involving the levator muscle or its nerve supply, such as diabetes. Treatment is usually surgical to raise the lid sufficiently.
Red Eye
Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of red eye or “pink” eye. The white of the eye (sclera) is covered by a thin membrane called the conjunctiva which produces mucus to coat and lubricate the surface of the eye. It normally has fine blood vessels within it, but when the conjunctiva becomes irritated or inflamed the blood vessels can enlarge and become much more prominent. This turns the eye red.
- Viruses – common causes of conjunctivitis, usually producing a watery discharge that lasts 1-2 weeks.
- Bacterial infections – cause a red eye with pus, and you should see your eye doctor. More chronic bacterial infections may produce little or no discharge except for mild crusting of the lashes in the morning.
- Infectious conjunctivitis – whether bacterial or viral, can be contagious. Hand washing after contact with the patient, patient’s tears, towels or linens, helps to prevent the spread of the infection.
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage – is a bruise beneath the delicate transparent tissue that covers the eye. The bright red hemorrhage is blood trapped between the conjunctiva and the white coat of the eye. It may appear alarming but does not affect vision and shouldn’t cause pain. Most disappear in 10-14 days. “Eye bruises” may be caused by coughing or, rarely, bleeding disorders, and if they happen frequently, testing may be warranted.
- Eye Diseases – also produce a red eye and can lead to blindness unless recognized and treated. A medical evaluation by an eye doctor is always a good idea, especially if pain, blurred vision, or severe light sensitivity are present. These symptoms are not typically found in simple conjunctivitis and may signal the presence of other eye problems.
Retinal Disorders
High blood pressure and other vascular diseases pose risks to overall health and can affect eyesight by damaging the arteries in the eye. A retinal vein occlusion means that a vein in the retina of the eye has become blocked. Blockage or occlusion prevents adequate blood flow in the affected area. Blurred vision or floaters in your vision are symptoms. In severe cases, the blocked vein causes painful pressure in the eye. Retinal vein occlusions commonly occur with glaucoma, diabetes, age-related vascular disease, high blood pressure, and blood disorders.
Stye or Chalazion
A stye is an infection of a lash follicle that often appears as a red, sore lump near the edge of the eyelid. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection or inflammation of the eyelid from blepharitis.
A chalazion (pronounced “kuh-LAY-zee-uhn”) is sometimes confused with a stye, which also appears as a lump in the eyelid. It refers to a swelling in the eyelid caused by inflammation of one of the small oil producing glands located in the upper and lower eyelids. A chalazion tends to occur farther from the edge of the eyelid than a stye, and tends to “point” toward the inside of the eyelid.
