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General
FAQ's
 Below
is a list of some frequently asked questions, but please feel free to call
our office if you need additional information. We are always pleased
to assist you.
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What
are cataracts? |
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A cataract is a
clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. The lens, which lies
just behind the pupil, helps the eye to focus. When the lens becomes
clouded, the passage of light to the back of the eye is partially
blocked, and a person's ability to see is reduced. This clouding of
the lens of the eye is called a cataract. Thus, a cataract is not a
growth or a tumor, but a change in the clarity of the lens.
Cataracts may form in the eyes of
people of any age, but they are most common in older adults. In fact,
after age 65, many people have a cataract. It is important to remember
that if you have a cataract, you may not necessarily require an
operation because many people have some minor clouding of the lens
that does not affect vision. An operation to remove the cataract
becomes necessary only if the patient's vision and ability to function
become impaired. If you do need an operation to remove a cataract, you
should know that advances that have been made in cataract operations
in recent years have made cataracts one of the most treatable of eye
disorders.
Remember, as common as cataract surgery
is — more than a million and a quarter such operations are performed
in the United States each year — no two people undergoing the
procedure are alike. The reasons for and the outcome of any
operation depend on your overall health, age, the severity of lens
opacity (cloudiness), and any other abnormalities of the eye or
existing health conditions.
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What
are ocular allergies? |
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Eye allergies
are no different than allergies that affect your sinuses, nose or
lungs. When an allergen comes in contact with your eyes, your body
releases histamine - a chemical produced in reaction to a substance
that the immune system can't tolerate. Special cells called mast cells
make histamine. These cells are present throughout the body but are
highly concentrated in the eyes.
Location of allergy symptoms depends
somewhat on where the allergen has come into contact with your body.
Ocular allergens tend to be airborne (as are most other allergens).
The most frequent allergic triggers include:
- Pollen
- Pet hair or dander
- Dust
- Some medicines
There also are some triggers that
irritate the eyes but are not true allergies, such as:
- Cigarette smoke
- Perfume
- Diesel Exhaust
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Important
facts about glaucoma? |
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- Glaucoma is a serious eye disease.
If left untreated, it can lead to vision loss and blindness.
- Glaucoma is the second most common
cause of legal blindness in the U.S. It is the leading cause of
blindness for African-Americans.
- Glaucoma is a chronic (ongoing)
condition that requires lifelong monitoring and treatment. It is
important for people with glaucoma to work with their Eye M.D.s to
find a treatment plan that is right for them.
- About 2 million Americans have
glaucoma -- but only half of them are aware of it.
- In glaucoma, the fluid (different
from tears) that normally flows through the front section of the
eye cannot drain properly. This causes a buildup of pressure in
the eye that can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss.
- Your Eye M.D. can use a series of
painless tests and exams to check you for glaucoma. Other tests
may be done if your Eye M.D. suspects you may have glaucoma.
- Vision loss is usually preventable
if glaucoma is detected early. There is no "cure" for
glaucoma, but early detection and ongoing treatment can control
the disease and usually preserve vision.
- Treatment for glaucoma can include
medication and/or surgery. The best treatment for each person is
determined by a number of factors, including type and severity of
glaucoma, and the person's medical history and lifestyle.
- Glaucoma usually has no symptoms
until vision loss has occurred.
- Approximately 80,000 Americans are
legally blind from glaucoma. Many more have visual impairment.
- Seniors, African-Americans and those
with a family history of glaucoma are at higher risk for the
disease and should have eye exams more often.
- Medications for glaucoma -- even eye
drops -- can affect the whole body and may interact with other
medications. It is very important for all your doctors to be aware
of any medication you take.
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What
is strabismus? |
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Strabismus is a
visual defect in which the eyes are misaligned and point in different
directions. One eye may look straight ahead, while the other eye turns
inward, outward, upward or downward. You may always notice the
misalignment, or it may come and go. The turned eye may straighten at
times and the straight eye may turn. Strabismus is a common condition
among children. About 4% of all children in the United States have
strabismus. It can also occur later in life. It occurs equally in
males and females. Strabismus may run in families. However, many
people with strabismus have no relatives with the problem.
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What
are floaters? |
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You may
sometimes see small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision.
They are called floaters. You can often see them when looking at a
plain background, like a blank wall or blue sky. Floaters are actually
tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous, the clear jelly-like
fluid that fills the inside of your eye.
While these objects look like they are
in front of your eye, they are actually floating inside. What you see
are the shadows they cast on the retina, the nerve layer at the back
of the eye that senses light and allows you to see. Floaters can have
different shapes: little dots, circles, lines, clouds or cobwebs.
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