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Archive for the ‘Dry Eyes’ Category

A Closer Look at Potential LASIK Complications

Monday, February 13th, 2012

Although LASIK has generally proven to be a safe and highly effective treatment for vision conditions including astigmatism, hyperopia and myopia, the procedure—like any surgery—is not without risk.

Prior to your LASIK procedure, your ophthalmologist will discuss the potential side-effects with you in detail. The most commonly reported complications of LASIK surgery include:

Dry eyes
Vision overcorrection or undercorrection
Fluctuation in visual clarity
Appearance of “halos” or “starbursts” around light sources
Sensitivity to light
Double vision or “ghosting”
Corneal flap complications

Dry eyes are the most frequent aftereffect of LASIK surgery, and the condition is often temporary. Most cases of post-LASIK dry eyes dissipate within the healing period, which may be around six months.

If you suffer from dry eyes following LASIK, your ophthalmologist may recommend moisturizing eye drops to manage your discomfort.

Other complications, such as overcorrection or undercorrection, may require a revision procedure. Corneal flap problems, such as a displaced flap or folded flap, may also necessitate a follow-up procedure.

Visual side-effects, such as halos, starbursts and double vision, are rare and, like dry eyes, may be temporary. However, it is important to acknowledge that while LASIK has a high success rate and a patient satisfaction range that most research pegs between 94 and 98 percent, some complications may be permanent and irreversible.

Again, your ophthalmologist will help you determine if LASIK is the best treatment option for your specific visual condition, answer any questions about LASIK you may have and help you develop a thorough grasp of the possible complications.

To locate an experienced ophthalmologist in your area, please contact eyes.com.

Posted in Dry Eyes, Eye Surgery, LASIK | Comments Off

What Causes Bloodshot Eyes?

Monday, October 24th, 2011

Posted in Dry Eyes, Ocular Rosacea, Pink Eye | Comments Off

When Will Night Vision Problems Fade After LASIK?

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Temporary night vision problems are a common side effect of LASIK. The most common night vision issues that patients experience include:

Halos
Starbursts
Glare

These symptoms are the result of the intense dryness that can occur in your eyes after LASIK surgery. Your LASIK surgeon should evaluate your eyes beforehand to gauge their current moisture levels and estimate how severe the problem might be after surgery. For the vast majority of patients, dry eyes can be easily controlled through the use of artificial tears and other common therapies.

The amount of time that it takes for your night vision symptoms to fade generally depends on how your quickly your eyes heal. This can vary from patient to patient. For some, night vision problems only last a couple of weeks. Others may struggle with halos and glare for months. Your LASIK surgeon will closely follow up with you to ensure your condition is controlled and any unusual symptoms are treated appropriately. If your symptoms do not go away after six months, it may be necessary to undergo a LASIK follow-up treatment.

Thankfully, modern LASIK technology – such as CustomVue WaveFront technology – has significantly reduced the frequency and severity of dry eyes and night vision problems after LASIK. An estimated 85% of patients who undergo CustomVue WaveFront LASIK experience much less glare at night once their eyes have healed from LASIK.

For more information about LASIK and night vision, contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area.

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Study Finds No Difference Between LASIK, PRK for Dry Eye Patients

Friday, July 29th, 2011

Conventional wisdom has held that PRK is better suited for patients with dry eye than LASIK. But a randomized study led by Dr. Edward E. Manche of the Stanford University School of Medicine suggests that the procedures are essentially equals in terms of discomfort and vision fluctuations.

In a randomized study of 34 people, subjects had one eye treated with wavefront-guided LASIK and the other eye treated with wavefront-guided PRK. Following the procedure, researchers tracked symptoms of dry eye, the severity of dry eye, foreign body sensations and vision fluctuations.

The study found no difference in dry eye symptoms, and eye dryness remained the most common side effect of both LASIK and PRK. Likewise, the research revealed little difference in foreign body sensations between the two procedures.

The primary separation between the surgical methods was in vision fluctuations, which were initially higher among PRK patients, although these effects dissipated in the months following surgery.

Although the procedure that’s best for you depends on your vision condition and physical factors and can be determined during an examination with a qualified ophthalmologist, LASIK remains a more popular choice than PRK largely due to its rapid recovery time.

“PRK takes longer and the visual fluctuation is because there are still epithelium irregularities at one month,” Dr. Manche said in the May issue of EyeWorld USA. “That’s why I think we don’t see as many PRKs done as LASIK procedures, because people want fast recovery.”

If you have questions about PRK or LASIK, please contact an ophthalmologist in your area.

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Research May Point Way to Dry Eye Syndrome Treatment

Friday, June 17th, 2011

Dry eye syndrome is a condition in which your eyes are unable to produce tears sufficient to properly lubricate and moisten your eyes. More than 10 million Americans are thought to experience the scratchy sensation, blurry vision and light sensitivity that are symptomatic of dry eye syndrome.

Causes of dry eye syndrome include abnormalities in the production of mucus or lipids in your eye’s tear system, certain autoimmune diseases, some medications and health problems such as a stroke. LASIK surgery has also been known to cause similar symptoms to dry eye syndrome.

New research, however, may point toward another cause for dry eyes and may even lead to new methods for treating dry eye syndrome.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School’s Schepens Eye Research Institute have linked dry eye syndrome to cells known as natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells naturally occur in the eyes and aid in the eye’s immune system; they also contribute to inflammation. Researchers believe this inflammation could be key in causing dry eye syndrome.

Research focused on two groups of mice infected with dry eye syndrome. One group of mice had otherwise normal eyes, while the other group had depleted NK cells.

The group with fewer NK cells suffered less severe symptoms of dry eye than the other group.

Researchers believe the findings of this study could lead to an actual treatment for dry eye syndrome, rather than merely its symptoms. Currently, eyedrops are the most recommended option for lessening the uncomfortable symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

But armed with these new findings, focus can be placed on developing a means to target NK cells and reduce the inflammation that contributes to dry eye syndrome.

If you would like to learn more about dry eye syndrome or treatment options for dry eyes, please contact an eye doctor in your area.

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New Device Focuses on Dry Eye Diagnosis

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

Dry eye syndrome affects more than 10 million Americans, and while there are treatment options available, there is no cure. Reliable methods for diagnosing dry eye have been nearly as difficult to create as a cure, although that may be changing thanks to a new invention by a group of Rice University bioengineering students.

Dry eye, an often painful condition which is caused by a lack of tear production, is currently evaluated primarily via two methods. Your eye doctor may use a specialized lamp and microscope to evaluate the condition of your tear film and cornea, or measure the level of tear production in your eyes by analyzing your tear fluid. These tests, however, are far from perfect; the slit lamp exam may yield no visible findings, and the tear test can be affected by ambient temperature and humidity.

Thus a professor of ophthalmology at the Baylor College of Medicine’s Cullen Eye Institute approached the Rice bioengineering department about inventing a device to help clinicians standardize dry eye testing. The students were challenged to find a way to control temperature, humidity and air flow around the eyes while devising a method to track and record changes in ocular dryness.

The team of five Rice seniors devised a portable unit consisting of modified laboratory goggles featuring data sensors that monitor temperature, humidity, air flow and blink rate. A small hose funnels air into the goggles, which can maintain a humidity level between 15 and 45 percent to stimulate the symptoms of dry eye—including redness, itching and light sensitivity—so doctors can see them.

While the patient wears the device, which the students dubbed “ClimaTears,” a cable transmits data regarding the conditions within the goggles every 10 seconds. Patients without dry eye syndrome will produce tears while wearing the unit, but those who suffer from dry eye exhibit symptoms of varying extremes that will hopefully provide additional clues on how to properly treat dry eye.

ClimaTears testing is ongoing, although the students have already received numerous awards and grants for the further development of their work.

If you would like more information about treatment for dry eye syndrome, please contact an eye doctor in your area.

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Treating Dry Eye Syndrome

Friday, April 29th, 2011

More than ten million Americans suffer from dry eye syndrome. This all-too-common condition occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears to stay lubricated. You may have dry eye syndrome if you regularly experience:

Scratchy or gritty eyes
Itching or burning in eyes
Blurry vision
Oversensitivity to light

Unfortunately, there is no cure for dry eyes, but several treatment options are available to help alleviate your symptoms and prevent constant discomfort. If you are interested in LASIK, dry eye syndrome may prevent you from being a candidate. An ophthalmologist will need to treat your condition before you can undergo surgery.

Home treatment for dry eye syndrome generally involves use of a humidifier, over-the-counter eye drops, hot compresses on your eyelids, and lubricating ointments that are worn at night while you sleep. It’s also a good idea to keep any household fans at a low speed, or turn them off whenever possible, as excessive air movement dries out your eyes faster.

If none of these methods are controlling your symptoms, you may want to speak to your eye doctor about obtaining prescription medications, such as Lacrisert or Restasis, to provide more lasting relief. Surgical options are available as well for patients seeking permanent relief.

If you suffer from dry eye syndrome and are looking for an effective treatment, contact an eye doctor in your area today through eyes.com.

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Cold Temperatures May Cause or Worsen Dry Eye Syndrome

Friday, March 11th, 2011

If you live in a cold weather climate, you may be increasing your chances of having to deal with dry eye syndrome. A recent study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science has indicated that cold weather may have a serious impact on dry eye syndrome.

According to the study, temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius on the eye and eyelid could cause you to develop dry eye syndrome, or exacerbate the condition if you already suffer from it. Researchers found that cold temperatures cause the meibum, the oily substance comprising the outer layer of tear film, to become thick and stiff, preventing it from spreading across the surface of your eye. According to the study, windy conditions seem to intensify this effect when the weather is cold.

Additionally, researchers found that even if the thicker, stiffer meibum were to reach the surface of your eye, it will most likely not spread properly the way it does in warmer weather. As a result, your tear film may evaporate more quickly, diminishing its protective properties.

So if your dry eye syndrome has seemed particularly bothersome over the past few months, you should take comfort in the fact that help is on the way. Spring is just around the corner, and it will bring warmer temperatures that should help you find some relief from your condition.

If you are suffering from dry eye syndrome and would like to seek treatment for the condition, please contact eyes.com to locate an experienced ophthalmologist in your area.

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Study Links Drop in Temperature with Worse Dry Eye Syndrome

Friday, March 4th, 2011

According to a study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, a temperature that is less than 30 degrees Celsius may have a worsening effect of dry eye syndrome. The study showed that the meibum, the oily substance that spreads across the eye as it tears up, thickens up in the cold air and cannot cover the eye. This plugged up the meibomian gland. While nearly everyone experiences some of this occurring in colder weather, people who have severe dry eyes may find cold air unbearable.

This is an important study because it can help future studies in tightly controlled temperature settings, such as in the formulation of over-the-counter and prescription eye lubricants. One of the authors of the study states, “Our experiments provided strong evidence that even a small drop in the ocular surface and eyelid temperatures is critical.” He goes on to say that using this information while designing future eyedrops for consumers would be “logical.”

The tear film should be as normal as possible all the time under any condition. Due different weather conditions that might make this difficult, people should wear protection over their eyes. For example, wind goggles worn during windy conditions.

If you have questions about dry eye syndrome, please contact an experienced eye doctor through www.eyes.com.

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Electronic Eye Strain Fixes

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

It may be a sad fact that nearly every single working adult who sits in a cubicle all day is staring at a computer screen. Then there are the iPads, Kindles, smart phones, television, gaming systems, and more that people look at while they’re at home. The result is the ubiquitous question of how to avoid eye strain due to electronic devices. And this is a complaint that is on the rise across the nation.

According to many ophthalmologists, the answers to solving the problem are fairly easy: start blinking. The reason for this is eye strain invariably begins with dry eyes. When you stare at the computer screen, your rate of blinking goes down. An ophthalmologist in private practice at Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver has likened this to a dirty windshield. When you blink, it’s like turning on the wipers.

Another thing people can do to avoid eye strain is to increase the size of the text on the computer. “Bigger is always better,” says the eye doctor at Porter.

One thing many eye doctors will say is that “eyestrain” is a nonmedical term and can mean whatever you want it to. As a result, telling your eye doctor about strain doesn’t really help. They will tell you that all these electronic devices we’ve surrounded ourselves with are not necessarily hurting us. It’s how we react to them.

More advice from the doctors includes using eye drops, taking breaks to get away from the screen, and adjusting the length of time you use these devices to avoid feeling fatigued. One thing some hardcore gamers have discovered, and others are adopting, is the use of yellow tinted glasses. This reportedly cuts down on glare and fatigue.

If you have questions about eye strain, please contact eyes.com to find an experienced eye doctor in your area today.

Posted in Computer Vision Syndrome, Dry Eyes | Comments Off