Probably one of the most frequent diseases that we get questions about is Macular Degeneration.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a medical condition which usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina. It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults (>50 years). Macular degeneration can make it difficult or impossible to read or recognize faces, although enough peripheral vision remains to allow other activities of daily life.
The macula is the central area of the retina, which provides the most detailed central vision.
In the dry (nonexudative) form, cellular debris called drusen accumulate between the retina and the choroid, and the retina can become damaged. In the wet (exudative) form, which is more severe, blood vessels grow up from the choroid behind the retina, and the retina can also become detached.
Age-related macular degeneration begins with characteristic yellow deposits (drusen) in the macula, between the retinal pigment epithelium and the underlying choroid. Most people with these early changes (referred to as age-related maculopathy) have good vision. People with drusen can go on to develop advanced AMD.
Macular degeneration does have a genetic component, and those with close relatives with the disease are at a greater risk. Also, macular degeneration is much more prevalent in smokers and those with extended UV exposure over a long period of time. Discontinuation of smoking in patients with AMD is 10 times more effective than any other treatment therapy.
New research is exploring a combination of vitamins which may slow or even stop the progression of the disease. Vitamins C, E, Zinc, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Omega 3 (fish oil) have been found to be beneficial and are currently recommended for individuals with AMD and those at high risk for the disease. If you have or are at risk for macular degeneration, speak to your eye doctor before starting or changing your medications.
To evaluate your risk for macular degeneration or any other eye condition, contact our office at 336-760-2020 for an appointment.

We all know about Springtime allergies – those runny eyes, sniffly noses, and clogged sinuses that plague so many in North Carolina. What some people may not know is that fall has its own set of allergies and the symptoms can be the same or different from the springtime ones. In the spring, we have tree, grass, and plant pollens in the air. In the fall, we have tree pollens, but they are different from the ones that bloom in the spring.

The good news is that regardless of your specific allergens, there is help available! You probably know about Claritin, Zyrtec, and the like – they are great for nasal allergies. But these oral anti-allergens can actually make eye symptoms worse. Their job is to dry out your mucous membranes, and your eye is a mucous membrane, so it gets dried out too! The problem is that when the eye is too dry, it isn’t able to flush allergens out, so they get stuck in there and irritate even more.

It is much better to use an allergy eye drop, such as Pataday, Optivar, Zaditor, or Alaway, to clear your ocular allergies – separate from your oral meds. Because these eye drops do drain into your nasal passages as well, most people get a bonus relief of nasal symptoms and sometimes, that’s all you need to keep allergies at bay. Most of these drops are only taken 1 or 2 times a day, which is very convenient.

Talk to your eye doctor about your eye allergies – don’t just assume that they are something you have to live with just because you live in a lush, beautiful, green state!

For most Americans, the start of spring is welcomed by thoughts of warmer weather, beautiful flowers and picnics in the park. But, for the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies, the early signs of spring more closely resemble sneezing, coughing and itchy, watery eyes.

Eye allergies, also called “allergic conjunctivitis,” are a reaction to indoor and outdoor allergens – pollen, mold, dust mites and pet dander – that get in the eyes and cause inflammation of the tissue that lines the inner eyelid.

While eye allergies can affect anyone, the spring can be particularly hard on contact lens wearers. Extended wear time and infrequent lens replacement are two of the main reasons contact lens wearers face more severe symptoms. Optometrist Barbara Horn, O.D., recommends contact lens wearers consider the following to make the spring season more comfortable:

•Reduce contact lens wearing time when possible.
•Talk to your optometrist about changing your cleaning method or using daily disposable contact lenses.
•Use eye drops as prescribed by a doctor of optometry.

When it comes to treating symptoms of allergies, the American Eye-Q®, a recent nationwide survey conducted by the American Optometric Association (AOA), found more than one-third (36 percent) of allergy suffers use antihistamines or other medications to treat their symptoms. While antihistamines can help with typical symptoms like runny noses and sneezing, the medication can make ocular symptoms worse by reducing tear quality and quantity.

“To effectively treat and relieve the symptoms caused by eye allergies, patients should see their optometrist,” said Dr. Horn. “In most cases, we can soothe allergy-related conjunctivitis with prescription or over-the-counter eye drops depending on the patient and his or her medical history.”

While eye allergies can be a nuisance and affect job performance, leisure and sporting activities, symptoms of allergies can be curtailed and prevented by following these recommendations from the AOA:

•Don’t touch or rub your eyes.
•Wash hands often with soap and water.
•Wash bed linens and pillowcases in hot water and detergent to reduce allergens.
•Avoid sharing, and in some cases, wearing eye makeup.
•Never share contact lenses or contact lens cases with someone else.

Beyond discussing allergy relief with your optometrist, the AOA also recommends adults age 60 and under have a comprehensive eye exam every two years. Adults over age 60 should have eye exams annually. Based on an individual’s eye health and the severity of their eye allergies, the eye doctor may recommend more frequent visits.

For additional information on how best to cope with seasonal allergies, please contact Dr. Juawana Hall at Hillcrest Vision at 336-760-2020 or visit us online at www.hillcrestvision.com.

Uveitis is inflammation of the eye’s uvea, an area that consists of the iris, the ciliary body and the choroid. The iris is the colored part of the eye that surrounds the pupil. The ciliary body is located behind the iris and produces the fluid that fills the anterior part of the eye. The choroid is the layer of tiny blood vessels in the back of the eye that nourishes the light-sensitive retina.

Uveitis is classified by which part of the uvea it affects: Anterior uveitis refers to inflammation of the iris alone (called iritis) or the iris and ciliary body. Anterior uveitis is the most common form. Intermediate uveitis refers to inflammation of the ciliary body. Posterior uveitis is inflammation of the choroid. Diffuse uveitis is inflammation in all areas of the uvea.
Many cases of uveitis are chronic, and they can produce numerous possible complications that can result in vision loss, including cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachment.

Uveitis signs and symptoms

Uveitis most commonly affects people in their 20s to their 50s. Signs and symptoms of uveitis include red eyes, pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision and dark spots moving across your field of vision (floaters). These signs and symptoms may occur suddenly and worsen quickly.
If you experience any of these potential warning signs of uveitis, see your eye doctor immediately.

What causes uveitis?

The cause of uveitis is often unknown. However, in some cases, it has been associated with:
Eye injuries.
Inflammatory disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Viral infections, such as herpes simplex or herpes zoster.
Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.
Other infections, including toxoplasmosis and histoplasmosis.

Uveitis treatment

To treat uveitis, your eye doctor may prescribe a steroid to reduce the inflammation in your eye. Whether the steroid is in eye drop, pill or injection form depends on the type of uveitis you have. Because anterior uveitis affects the front of the eye, it’s easy to treat with eye drops. Intermediate uveitis can go either way, and posterior uveitis usually requires orally-administered medication or injections.
If an infection is suspected as the cause of your uveitis, your doctor may also prescribe additional medications to bring the infection under control. And if your uveitis has caused elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in your eyes, drugs to reduce IOP to normal levels may also be used.
The duration of treatment for uveitis is often determined by the part of your eye that’s affected. With proper treatment, anterior uveitis can clear up in a matter of days to weeks. Posterior uveitis, on the other hand, may require a much longer period of treatment before it is completely under control.
Episodes of uveitis can recur. See your eye doctor immediately if signs and symptoms of uveitis reappear after successful treatment.
For more information on uveitis and other eye conditions, visit All About Vision®.

Article ©2008 Access Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited

A stye (or hordeolum) develops when an eyelid gland at the base of an eyelash becomes infected. Resembling a pimple on the eyelid, a stye can grow on the inside or outside of the lid. Styes are not harmful to vision, and they can occur at any age.

Signs and symptoms of styes

A stye initially brings pain, redness, tenderness and swelling in the area, and then a small pimple appears. Sometimes just the immediate area is swollen; other times, the entire eyelid swells. You may notice frequent watering in the affected eye, a feeling like something is in the eye or increased light sensitivity.

What causes styes?

Styes are caused by staphylococcal bacteria. This bacterium is often found in the nose, and it’s easily transferred to the eye by rubbing first your nose, then your eye.

Treatment for styes

Most styes heal within a few days on their own. You can encourage this process by applying hot compresses for 10 to 15 minutes, three or four times a day over the course of several days. This will relieve the pain and bring the stye to a head, much like a pimple. The stye ruptures and drains, then heals.
Never “pop” a stye like a pimple; allow it to rupture on its own. If you have frequent styes, your eye doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment to prevent a recurrence.
Styes formed inside the eyelid either disappear completely or (rarely) rupture on their own. This type of stye can be more serious, and may need to be opened and drained by your eyecare practitioner.

Chalazion: Another type of eyelid bump

Often mistaken for a stye, a chalazion is an enlarged, blocked oil gland in the eyelid. A chalazion mimics a stye for the first few days, and then turns into a painless hard, round bump later on. Most chalazia develop further from the eyelid edge than styes.
Although the same treatment speeds the healing of a chalazion, the bump may linger for one to several months. If the chalazion remains after several months, your eye doctor may drain it or inject a steroid to facilitate healing.
To learn more about a stye, visit All About Vision®.

Article ©2008 Access Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited