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Eye Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

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Eye allergies can be an annoying complication of seasonal changes but there’s important information that can help you treat those symptoms. An allergic reaction affecting the conjunctiva, the clear layer overlying the eye, is commonly referred to as allergic conjunctivitis. There are several subtypes/subdivisions of allergic conjunctivitis, with the most common being seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) and perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC). Both SAC and PAC are triggered by an immune reaction involving a particular allergen.

Common allergens include: pollen, grass, weeds, dust, and pet dander.

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Managing Cataracts in the Winter

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With the days getting shorter, have you started to notice changes to your vision while driving at night? If so, this could be an early warning sign of cataracts.

As you age, proteins begin to build up and clump together in the eye’s lens, preventing light from passing clearly through the lens and obscuring vision. These protein deposits are known as cataracts and are a normal part of the aging process. Currently, more than 22 million Americans age 40 and older, and half of all Americans over the age of 80 are affected by cataracts, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI).

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Glaucoma Drops are a Vacation Essentials

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Glaucoma is a chronic condition that must be treated over the course of one’s life, and high IOP (intraocular eye pressure) must be managed daily. When caught early and treated diligently, vision loss can be halted 95% of the time. This means maintaining regularly scheduled appointments with your eye doctor – ophthalmologist or optometrist – and using your eye drops as prescribed. However, according to research done by the Glaucoma Research Foundation, approximately 40% of patients fail to adhere to their treatment plan, either forgetting to take their medication daily or failing to refill their prescription when it runs out.

“Glaucoma care is a team approach,” says Dr. Gail F. Schwartz in an article for the Glaucoma Research Foundation. “Preventing eye damage only works if the patient follows the treatment plan at home in-between visits to the doctor.”

There is no vacation from glaucoma care…even when you’re on vacation.

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Cataract Treatment in Annapolis, Maryland

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What is a Cataract?

A cataract is clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. Board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles, M.D. likes to compare cataracts to the clear plastic window on a convertible car.

“Just like the little plastic window in the back of a convertible, the natural lens inside the eye can become cloudy after many years of natural exposure to the sun and through the normal aging process,” said Dr. Boles.

There are three categories of cataracts:

  • Subcapsular Cataract: Beginning in the back of the lens, subcapsular cataracts are most common among those with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa, or those taking high doses of steroids.
  • Nuclear Cataract: The most common form of cataracts, nuclear cataracts forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, as a result of natural aging.
  • Cortical Cataract: Forming in the lens cortex and gradually extending its spokes from the outside in, cortical cataracts are most common in people with diabetes.

What causes Cataracts?

Cataracts are usually caused by age, when the protein in the lens may start to clump together and cloud a small area of the lens. No one knows for sure why this occurs, however, several studies claim that exposure to ultraviolet light could be to blame.

Are Cataracts Common?

Simply put, yes. Nearly 50% of all adults will develop cataracts by the time they turn 65 years old.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts?

Common cataract signs and symptoms include:

  • Blurry sight
  • Double vision
  • Halos
  • Difficulty driving at night
  • Colors may become faded
  • Frequent changes in glasses prescriptions

If you feel as if you may be suffering from one or more of these symptoms, you should schedule an eye exam at your earliest convenience. Early detection is the key to slowing or even stopping the spread of cataracts.

What is the Treatment for Cataracts?

If cataract symptoms persist and become bothersome, surgery may be your best option. Cataract surgery is a quick outpatient procedure, taking just about 10 minutes (not including pre and post-op preparation). Cataract surgery involves removing the damaged lens and replacing it with a new synthetic one.

Best of all, cataract surgery has the highest success rate of any surgery practiced today. And recovery is a breeze. Most patients can resume their normal, everyday function in very little time and can even drive a few days after surgery.

Where can I have my Cataracts treated in Maryland?

Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and cataracts, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers complete ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or seeking surgical treatment, our state-of-the-art treatment center can meet all your eye care needs.

To learn more about Cataracts, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, our state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Anderson Cooper, Eye Protection, Sunburn on the Eyeballs, & Photokeratits!

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Photokeratits

A survey by the American Optometric Association recently discovered that 35% of Americans are unaware of the risks that ultraviolet light poses to the eye. Are you one of them? If so, you are not alone. Popular journalist and television personality Anderson Cooper had no idea about the risks of UV rays until recently.

Last week, Cooper learned about those risks the hard way. While reporting on a trip for CBS’ 60 Minutes, Cooper spent one fateful afternoon on a boat in the waters on Portugal. And not thinking anything of it, the reporter did so not wearing any eye protection.

Cooper explained what happened next: “I wake up in the middle of the night and it feels like my eyes are on fire, my eyeballs. [I was] temporarily blinded.”

So what happened to Cooper? Sunburn of the Eyes! You see, while the sun may not have been particularly bright that day, what caused Cooper’s condition was the ultraviolet light reflecting off the surface of the water.

Symptoms of Sunburned Eyes

  • Redness
  • Irritation
  • Tearing
  • Pain
  • Feeling like something is in your eye
  • Blurry Vision
  • Temporary Vision Loss (Photokeratits)

Preventing Sunburn of the Eye

Protection is simple and easy. The American Optometric Association recommends sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. And just in case you thought you were safe because it is winter, the same thing can happen from UV rays bouncing off snow. This is often referred to as snow blindness. So please be careful and cautious!

Treating Sunburned Eyes

If not too serious, sunburned eyes can easily be treated at home with rest and lubricating eye drops. And, of course, you should stay out of the sun. However, if the pain is too severe, if you experience temporary vision loss, or if the symptoms worsen, you should schedule an appointment with your eye doctor – ophthalmologist or optometrist – as soon as possible.

To learn more about Sunburned Eyes and other common eye conditions, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, our state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Anderson Cooper Recovers From Sunburned Eyeballs

Sunburned Eyes

 

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