There are many eye diseases that can affect your vision. This goes beyond the typical astigmatism, farsightedness or nearsightedness. There are some diseases that could mean the difference between keeping your vision and way of life and losing it. Only an eye examination can determine whether or not you may be showing signs of an eye disease.

There are a variety of diseases that affect the eye. These range from ocular herpes to macular degeneration. Ocular herpes occurs when the herpes virus makes its way to the surface of the eye. This condition could lead to clouded and scarred lenses or severe eye discomfort. It is generally treated by oral and topical, antiviral medications. Macular degeneration is another disease that affects eyesight. It is where the center of the eye thins, suffers atrophy or bleeding. This disease is treated with injections.

Eye examinations may also show whether or not you have glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment or diabetic retinopathy. If you have glaucoma, then the pressure of the inner eye increases and can lead to blindness. The only way to correct this problem is through surgery to eliminate the pressure. Cataracts develop when the lens becomes cloudy and you can no longer distinguish shapes from backgrounds. It can lead to blindness as well. The treatment for this disease involves an eye care professional removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a plastic lens.

Retinal detachment and diabetic retinopathy are diseases discovered through an in-depth eye examination. Retinal detachment occurs when the retina has detached from the rest of the eye. This condition is corrected by making a bridge so that the retina can heal. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when blood vessels are present in large numbers on the surface of the eye. Treatment by an eye care professional involves shrinking the blood vessels to help improve vision.

Having any one of the above eye diseases can mean a diminished quality of life. These are serious conditions that could mean the difference between seeing clearly and not seeing at all. Far too many people ignore their vision problems and do not have yearly checkups. You do not want to be one of these people. Make an appointment with an optical eye care doctor as soon as possible to have your eyes checked out. You will be glad you did.

Eye care is relatively simple. You make yearly check-up visits with your vision care specialist and you purchase the recommended eye glasses or more likely, contact lenses. However, are you aware that you can buy contact lenses online far cheaper than offered to you by your eye care specialist?

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When a person has an allergic reaction, the eyes frequently become affected. Eyes turn red, become itchy and irritated, and they can also become watery. Rubbing the eyes seems to offer comfort, but the reality is that rubbing eyes that are responding to an allergic reaction often compounds the discomfort.

What are Eye Allergies?

Most often, eye allergies accompany nasal allergies, but they can occur without involving the nose. Eye allergies are triggered when an allergen makes contact with the eyes. The mast cells, which are cells inside the eyes, release histamines and other chemicals and their release triggers symptoms including irritation and inflammation.

Conjunctivitis allergies are a specific category of allergies that affect the eyes. Conjunctivitis is generally triggered by an outdoor seasonal allergen such as ragweed or grass. Conjunctivitis allergies are also known as Hay Fever conjunctivitis.

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis is seasonal in nature and primarily impacts children. With this form of eye allergy, the edges around the outside of the cornea are affected. Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis is similar with the difference being that it affects adults. It is a chronic condition and it’s one that can cause the eyes to become scarred if not treated.

Symptoms of Allergies

When exposure to an allergen occurs, the body reacts by releasing histamines. Histamine release causes fluids to build up in the nasal cavity, sinuses and also on the surface of the eye as well as the insides of the eyelids. This release is also a source of significant irritation. In addition to irritation, the eyes may become red and watery, and the eyes and eyelids can become swollen. In addition to the visible symptoms, eye allergies may cause a feeling that something is stuck inside the eye or a feeling that the eye is being scratched. Vision can also become blurry or hazy or otherwise unclear.

Who is at risk?

Any person regardless of age can develop eye allergies.

Early detection/treatment of this eye problem

The most effective treatment for allergies is to stay away from those items that trigger allergic reactions. Many everyday cosmetics including mascara, eye liners and eye brow pencils and face creams can all trigger an allergic reaction. In some individuals, eye allergies can be caused by wearing contact lenses. Dust mites, mold and pet dander can also cause eye allergies.

When allergies are suspected, detection is the key to effective treatment. It’s important to note what a person had been exposed to immediately before the allergic reaction occurred. Over time, patterns will become apparent. Once the culprit has been identified, steps should be taken to restrict exposure to the allergen.

Changing the brand of cosmetics and other personal care products can help as can discussing the possibility of obtaining a different contact lens prescription with your eye care professional.

In addition to these changes, over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants and eye drops can all help alleviate the symptoms of eye allergies. If allergies are troublesome and/or persistent, it may be time to see an allergist who can recommend prescription medications and eye drops to treat the symptoms of eye allergies.

What is Blepharitis?

When the eyelids can become inflamed, the problem in most cases is a chronic eye disease called Blepharitis. Similar in nature to the skin condition called eczema, in case of Blepharitis, the eyelids become red, scaly and irritated.

There are two basic types of Blepharitis: Seborrheic Blepharitis and Staph Blepharitis. The most notable symptom of either type is inflammation on and around the eyelids that can be accompanied by irritation and painful itching. In some cases, tiny ulcers develop along the eyelid margins which are the areas that touch one another once the eyelid closes.

Symptoms of Seborrheic Blepharitis

Individuals suffering from Seborrheic Blepharitis generally also suffer from skin conditions that affect other parts of the body including the scalp, chest and back.

With Seborrheic Blepharitis, there is a problem with the tear film that the body produces to help protect and lubricate the eyes. It can be either a problem with the quality or the quantity but regardless, the resulting tear film causes greasy scales to form at the base of the eyelashes. These scales flake off easily and cause irritation. When insufficient quantities of tear film are produced, usually because the glands are blocked, the eye does not get lubricated properly. The dry spots cause the eyes to feel gritty.

Symptoms of Staph Blepharitis

Staph Blepharitis is actually a childhood eye disease that is caused by a bacterial infection. This condition generally does not go away. Its symptoms include the development and accumulation of crusty material at the base of the eyelashes. The crust often affects a person’s ability to open their eyes after sleep. Sometimes, after the crusty matter is removed, tiny ulcers remain that begin to bleed or otherwise ooze. Sties can develop, as can red eye, and the eyelashes can become weak and break. If the infection is not treated properly, over time, the cornea can become scarred.

Who is at risk?

Both adults and children can develop Blepharitis however it is more prevalent in adults. There is an increased risk in children diagnosed with Down’s syndrome.  

Early detection/treatment of this eye problem

As with other diseases of the eye, Blepharitis is typically diagnosed during a routine eye exam. Since one cause of this condition is poor hygiene, the most effective treatment for Blepharitis involves keeping the eyelid margin area super clean. To prevent irritation from excessive cleaning, it is often recommended that this area be cleaned with a shampoo that is formulated for babies. A washcloth can also be used to help remove the scaly deposits.

A hot pack or warm compress applied to the affected areas is effective at reducing pain and swelling. When ulcers are present, a hot pack can also help speed the healing process.

When the condition is caused by dry eyes, lubricants are effective treatments. If necessary, antibiotic ointments and creams can be applied to affected areas. Some people are prescribed steroids to help reduce the inflammation however their use should only be a short-term treatment option.  

The human visual system is both simple and complex. Complex, because there are so many parts that have to work together to make sight possible. Simple, because those parts and the process can really be explained without in-depth knowledge of anatomy and biology.

An ordinary glass lens, such as a magnifying glass, focuses the light that moves through it by bending the rays toward a focal point. That’s the bright spot you see when you hold one over a newspaper, for example. Something similar happens when light enters the eye through an opening called the pupil, behind a clear protective portion called the cornea.

The pupil is surrounded by the iris, the colored portion of the eye. The pupil can narrow or widen to regulate the amount of light admitted, from as small as about 2mm to as much as approximately 8mm. The iris contains the muscles that change the diameter of the opening. Just behind the pupil is the lens, the part that focuses the light rays similar to the magnifying glass.

But there’s an important difference between a magnifying glass and the eye. The magnifying glass’s focal point is fixed. The eye, by contrast, contains muscles that help shape the lens and that shaping process performs a number of important tasks. Most importantly, it makes it possible for the focal point to change.

A camera lens is a good analogy. Because the camera lens contains multiple pieces of glass that can be moved by turning the barrel, objects at different distances can be brought into focus on the film. The muscles attached to the lens perform a similar function in order to focus light onto the retina, which is like the film.

Focused light rays strike the cells of the retina, the cones and rods. The names come from the shapes of the cells. The cones – 7 million cells in the central part of the retina, called the macula – are responsible for sharp, detailed vision and color vision. The approximately 100 million rods around them help us see in dim light and provide peripheral vision.

When those focused light rays hit the cells chemical reactions occur that stimulate the optic nerve attached to the back of the retina to produce electrical impulses. Those impulses are then transmitted to the visual cortex, the part of the brain that organizes them. Many parts of the brain cooperate to cause the mind to conclude: ‘Ah, a car.’ But the visual cortex does the initial heavy lifting.

When the parts and process of vision work correctly, you see sharp, colored entities out in the world. When things go wrong, the need for contact lenses or eye glasses arises.

Every choice carries benefits and risks. Weighing them can be tricky. But the pros and cons of buying contact lenses versus having laser surgery can be boiled down to a few simple guidelines.

Any decision made between getting contacts or laser surgery on your eyes should be made in consultation with your eye care professional, of course. But getting them to stand still long enough to answer your questions can be a challenge. Here are some guidelines that will help you go in prepared.

Cost is the first consideration for most people, and it’s a valid one. While everyone rightly considers his or her health paramount, most people won’t look into the health risks until they know whether they can afford the options.

Contact lenses are not cheap. But, they’re relatively low cost compared to laser surgery and are more often covered by insurance programs. A pair of contact lenses may run anywhere from $20 to $100, but there are other costs associated with this option, including cleaning solution and doctor visits. Still, the total may be less than $200 per year, not including the value of your time spent in the doctor’s office.

Laser surgery, by comparison, can cost anywhere from $2,000 per eye to $5,000 per eye. Include doctor visits and the total is about $4,500 to $11,000. On the upside, it is a one-time cost and some insurance programs will help in part to offset it.

The convenience factor involved is no small matter to most people, either. The thought of having one procedure that is (usually) painless, brief and reliable versus having to wear contacts for a lifetime is very attractive to many. And, rightly so. While contacts have evolved considerably over the years, they still require daily to monthly changing and replacement every two to three years. Disposables are changed from every day to once per month.

Still, the health risks – while low for either option – should not be dismissed.

Laser surgery rarely results in any long-term negative health impact. But some patients do experience dry eye (lowered ability to produce tears, leading to discomfort and reduced vision). While rare, it’s possible for surgery to actually reduce vision acuity. More often, though still very uncommon, patients report halos, reduced ability to see clearly in fog or lower light, and other issues that interfere with good vision.

Contact lenses, even today though, are not entirely without risk. All contact lenses reduce the amount of air that gets to the surface of the eye. That increases the odds of corneal infection. Modern RGP (rigid gas permeable) lenses allow five times more oxygen through than contact lenses of the past. But it’s still not the same as wearing no contacts at all.

Contact lenses can also lead to corneal or sclera scarring. Sclera is the relatively hard surface tissue of the outer eye that protects the eyeball. That is more likely if a piece of grit gets between the contact and eye. Unlikely, but not unknown.

Still, both options carry very little health risk overall. The overwhelming majority of people come through laser surgery with greatly improved vision. Nearly everyone who wears contact lenses of any type daily, whether extended wear or daily-wear, have no problems at all. They adjust rapidly, keep them clean and sanitary, and don’t need to think about them during use.

Look to your budget and consult your eye care professional about the options, making sure to have a frank conversation about risks and likely benefits. You’ll then arrive at the choice that’s best for you.

Contemporary contact lenses are comfortable, long-lasting (unless by design, as in disposables) and very safe. Yet, there are some risks and limitations in wearing them and knowing what those are can help you choose the type that’s best for you. Of course, any such decision should be made in consultation with your eye care professional.

Since 1986 many have opted for Rigid Gas Permeable contact lenses. Modern designs allow for up to five times more oxygen diffusion through the plastic than those of the past. That feature is important in minimizing the odds of corneal infection. The less oxygen that makes it to the eye, the higher the odds of an infection.

On the downside, RGP lenses are a little less flexible than other types, making them less comfortable for some. But, they may be better for correcting astigmatism as a result. They also can last up to 2-3 years, which is longer than typical soft contact lenses.

Many will want some type of soft lens, made from special hydrophilic plastic polymers that provide a lens that is flexible and therefore more comfortable. Current manufacturing techniques make possible a lens that doesn’t suffer from a high likelihood of tearing, as did those in previous decades, but they do require more frequent replacement. Soft lenses also stay in place extremely well and require a shorter adjustment period.

Yet, for many, a hard lens is still the only option. While often less comfortable, and even though they raise the odds of scarring or infection slightly, their inflexibility is important. The eyes of some patients simply require the rigidity of this type and they prefer not to fall back on glasses. Those with certain types of astigmatism may not be able to wear soft lenses and require these instead.

Beyond those categories there are still several options.

Daily wear contacts lenses are intended to be worn during the day, then removed before bed. They’re used by about 80% of contact lens wearers. Here the pros and cons become more evident. It can be a minor hassle to insert and remove contact lenses every day. Whenever they’re removed they have to be sterilized, usually overnight, before re-inserting the next morning.

But daily wear contacts (currently) provide the best possible option for those looking to achieve the absolute minimum risk of eye infection and scarring. Allowing the eye to relax and get exposed to air keeps it in the best health. All contacts today reduce oxygen exposure somewhat and usually well below the level the eye would receive without them.

Removing them at night also reduces the odds to zero of having the contact slide off the cornea during sleep, where it could be a pain (literally and figuratively) to retrieve in the morning.

Still, touching the eye and/or the contact is also not completely without risk, and the process is a little inconvenient. Fewer changes can also be good. For those whose doctors say it’s safe, extended wear contacts are a good option. They’re designed to be worn anywhere from overnight (2 days) to a week or even up to a month at a time, depending on the design and the patient.

That convenience factor comes at a price, in dollars and risk.

They tend to be more expensive though prices change over time, of course, usually falling from a high. They also reduce the air-eye contact, which ups the odds of infection slightly. Extended wear lenses also up the odds slightly of something going wrong, since they sit in the eye longer.

Some models, particularly the 30-day type, are somewhat stiffer and therefore slightly less comfortable. In every case, the odds of problems with contemporary contact lens models is still quite low for those individuals whose eyes allow long-term wearing.

Investigate the options in consultation with your eye care professional and you’ll soon find the right pair of contact lenses for you.