Treatment

Uveitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

September 16, 2018 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Uveitis is a inflammatory condition of the middle layer of the eye, the uvea, which provides most of the blood supply to the retina. Similar to arthritis of the joints, Uveitis is not an infection, but rather an inflammation.

While, in most cases, the cause is idiopathic, Uveitis can be associated with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis, infection, exposure to toxins, bowel and abdominal inflammation, and even trauma. The whole body is connected and sometimes an injury to a completely unrelated area of your body, like your back, can trigger Uveitis.

Signs and Symptoms

Uveitis symptoms may develop rapidly, affecting one or both eyes, and can include:

• Blurred vision

• Dark, floating spots in the vision

• Eye pain

• Redness of the eye

• Sensitivity to light

Forms of Uveitis

Uveitis is the third-leading cause of blindness in developed countries, behind Cataracts (#1) Glaucoma (#2).

The most common form of Uveitis is Anterior Uveitis, also called Iritis, which involves inflammation in the front part of the eye. The disorder may affect one eye or both eyes and is most common in young and middle-aged people.

Posterior Uveitis, also referred to as Choroiditis, affects the back part of the uvea and primarily involves the chorid, which is a layer of blood vessels under the retina. If the retina is involved, it is called Chorioretinitis.

The final form of Uveitis is Pars Planitis, which is an inflammation affecting the area just behind the iris. This particular type of Uveitis occurs primarily in young men.

Treatment

Treatment for Uveitis involves the use of steroid eye drops, though additional treatments may be helpful, including: wearing dark glasses, using eye drops that dilate and relax the pupil to relieve pain, using oral steroids, and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin.

With proper treatment, most cases of Uveitis are resolved in a few days or, more commonly, a few weeks. However, relapses are common.

Call your eye doctor immediately if you are suffering from blurry vision or any of the other previously mentioned symptoms. Your doctor may refer you to an eye specialist.

Eye pain and reduced vision are serious symptoms that require prompt medical attention from you optometrist or ophthalmologist.

If you have any questions about what you have just read, please contact Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010.

Sources:

PubMed Health

Uveitis Mayo Clinic

Corneal Disease: Explanation, Symptoms, and Treatment

October 10, 2017 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Your cornea – the clear, protective outer layer of the eye – not only protects your eye from dirt and germs, but also plays a key role in your vision. As light enters the eye, it is focused or refracted by the shape of the cornea. If your cornea sustains damage through disease, infection or injury, the resulting scar tissue can interfere with your vision by blocking or distorting light as it enters your eye.

There are several different conditions including infections, degenerations and other disorders that affect the cornea. These include:

Astigmatism: Caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, astigmatism is a refractive error in which the eye has trouble focusing light. Astigmatism is the most common form of corneal problem. Treatment typically involves the use of glasses or contacts.

Corneal Abrasion: Caused by trauma to the eye, a corneal abrasion refers to a scratch on the outer layer of the eye. It is the second most common form of corneal distress. Treatment traditionally involves patching of the eye, though newer bandage contact lenses are beginning to see more use. These allow people to stay functional during the healing process.

Keratits: This form of corneal disease is an inflammation of the cornea that occurs with viral, bacteria or fungal infection. Symptoms of keratitis include severe eye pain, reduced visual clarity, and discharge.

Ocular Herpes (Herpes of the Eye): Similar to cold sores on the lip, this reoccurring viral infection produces sores on the surface of the cornea that, in time, can spread deeper into the cornea and eye. There is no cure for ocular herpes, but it can often be controlled with the use of antiviral drugs. You can also try using Valtrex. Valtrex (Valacyclovir) is an antiviral medication used to treat infections caused by certain viruses. It helps the body fight infection by slowing the growth and spread of the herpes virus. It is used to treat shingles (caused by herpes zoster), genital herpes, and cold sores around the mouth. Valtrex is also a treatment for cold sores in children over the age of 12 years old and as a chickenpox medication in children who are over the age of 2 years. Read the full article here: anti-viral-meds.com

Herpes Zoster (Shingles): This is actually a recurrence of the chickenpox virus, since most of us have already had the disease. Symptoms of Herpes Zoster include blisters or lesions on the cornea, fever, and pain from inflamed nerve fibers.

Corneal Dystrophies

There are over 20 of these diseases that cause structural problems with the cornea. The most common forms include:

Keratoconus: This is a progressive disease in which the cornea thins and even changes shape, creating either mild or severe distortion (astigmatism) and nearsightedness (myopia).

Map-Dot-Fingerprint Dystrophy: As the basement membrane of the epithelium of the cornea grows irregularly, abnormalities resembling maps, dots and fingerprints form in the cornea. While this form of corneal disease is mostly painless and causes no vision loss, epithelial erosion may occur, exposing the nerves lining the cornea and causing severe eye pain.

Fuchs’ Dystrophy: Seemingly happening for no apparent reason – although you may have a genetic predisposition to the disease – Fuch’s Dystrophy involves the gradual deterioration of endothelial cells. As these cells thin, they can no longer remove water from the corneal stroma. This causes the stroma to swell and distort vision.

Lattice Dystrophy: This disease is characterized by the presence of abnormal protein fibers throughout the stroma. This can result in the clouding of the cornea and reduced vision and in rare cases, epithelial erosion.

Symptoms of Corneal Disease

The cornea has the ability to quickly repair itself after most injuries or diseases. However, more serious situations may result in a much more prolonged healing process. If this is the case, the following symptoms should serve as an immediate indicator of a deeper medical issue:

Eye pain
Blurred/blurry vision
Tearing
Redness
Extreme sensitivity to light
Corneal scarring

If you feel you may be experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor immediately. Any sudden change in your vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Although corneal disease resulting from hereditary factors cannot be prevented, infectious corneal disease caused from bacteria and viruses can be avoided. You should never share eye makeup, contact solution, lens cases, and eye drops with anyone as this may increase the risk of infection.

However, if you do contract some form of corneal disease, vision can be preserved through early detection and treatment. This is just another reason why regular eye exams are so important.

If you have any questions about what you have just read, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010.

Led by Dr. Boles, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers complete ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

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

Sources:

Your Cornea: Conditions, Symptoms and Treatments

Cataract Treatment in Annapolis

August 11, 2014 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

As we grow older, our eyes age along with the rest of our body. The end result: the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, known as a cataract. Don’t worry; it’s a natural part of the aging process. If we live long enough, we will all develop cataracts at some point in our lives. Today, more than nearly 22 million Americans age 40 and older are affected by cataracts. By age 80, more than half of all Americans will develop a cataract. Fortunately, cataracts are very treatable.

Cataract Treatment in Annapolis

Every year, more than three million Americans undergo cataract surgery, making it the most frequently performed surgery in the country. Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens and, in most cases, replacing it with a clear, intraocular lens implant (IOL). Cataract surgery is a painless outpatient procedure and has the highest success rate of any surgery practiced today. Most patients can resume their normal, everyday function in very little time, including driving.

Click Here to learn about the LenSx Laser Surgery for cataract treatment.

“The LenSx Laser offers significant improvement of precision, safety, and accuracy for even better results and I recommend this as an option for all of my patients,” said board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center (AAEC), led by Dr. Boles, is a regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, cataracts and other eye diseases. Dr. Boles and the eye care specialists at AAEC have helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision. They can help you too.

Cataract Signs and Symptoms

Blurred vision
Double vision
‘Halos’ — the eyes become dazzled by bright light
Difficulty driving at night
Colors may become faded
Eyeglasses prescription changes frequently

If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with AAEC as soon as possible. Any sudden change in your vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention.

If you have any questions about Cataract Treatment in Annapolis or wish to schedule an appointment with Anne Arundel Eye Center, please contact Board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, Dr. Kathryn Gurganus Turner, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010 or visiting AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

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

Keratoconus Signs and Symptoms :: Keratoconus Treatment Options in Maryland

May 24, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Keratoconus is a degenerative eye disorder affecting the shape of the cornea, the clear structure covering of the front of the eye (similar to the glass faceplate on a watch). Over time, in Keratoconus, the normally round cornea begins to bulge into a cone-like shape, deflecting light entering the eye and causing distorted vision.

The cause of Keratoconus is currently unknown, although several researchers believe allergies and excessively rubbing one’s eyes may play a role.

Signs and Symptoms of Keratoconus

The cornea becomes more irregular in shape
Subtle blurring of the vision
Causes progressive nearsightedness and irregular astigmatism
Glare and light sensitivity may occur
Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription

If you are experiencing the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. Any sudden change in your vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Keratoconus Treatment

The primary treatment option for Keratoconus patients remains the use of contact lenses, including:

Custom soft contact lenses specially designed to correct mild-to-moderate forms of this eye disease.
Rigid gas permeable (RGP or GP) contact lenses, which, with their rigid shape, replace the irregular shape of the cornea with a smooth refracting surface.
Some eye care professionals recommend “piggybacking” two different types of contact lenses on the same eye to increase the wearer’s comfort.

Other Keratoconus treatment options include:

Collagen cross-linking, which is still in clinical trials, is a technique that uses UV light and a photosensitizer to strengthen chemical bonds in the cornea to halt progressive and irregular changes in corneal shape.
Severe cases of Keratoconus may require corneal transplantation. Still, even after a transplant, you will likely need glasses or contact lenses for clear vision.

Your eye doctor will be able to better inform you of your treatment options.

More on Corneal Collagen Crosslinking: The Methods

Collagen crosslinking, an investigational treatment in the United States, was first performed in Europe in the late 1990s for the treatment of ectatic corneal conditions. The treatment combines riboflavin and ultraviolet A (UVA) light, allowing the formation of reactive oxygen species, with the goal of halting the progression of corneal disease.[1-4]

For riboflavin to act as a catalyst in this process, it must first be absorbed into the corneal stroma. Because the corneal epithelium acts as a barrier to riboflavin absorption, it can be removed before treatment with UV light.

The Dresden technique, or “epi-off” crosslinking, is initial removal of the central 9 mm of epithelium, followed by 30 minutes of riboflavin administration. Subsequently, UVA light is applied for 30 minutes, followed by bandage contact lens placement. Epi-off crosslinking can be effective in reducing keratometry readings.[1,3-5] The potential risks of this procedure include initial worsening of vision in the first month, pain, haze, corneal melt, and infection.[6]

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler was the first to perform transepithelial crosslinking, or “epi-on” crosslinking, in 2004. Because the epithelium is not removed, riboflavin loading requires more time than with epi-off techniques. Epi-on crosslinking has several distinct advantages: faster visual recovery; reduced pain; and reduced risks for delayed epithelial healing, infection, and visually significant corneal haze.

To learn more about Keratoconus and proper eye health, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

Presbyopia, Glaucoma, and Cataracts may be a common part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

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:

Keratoconus

May is Healthy Vision Month :: Eye Care Tips :: Anne Arundel Eye Center

May 11, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Millions of people in the United States alone have undetected vision problems, eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). So in order to raise awareness of this very real problem and promote the importance of proper eye care, early detection and treatment, and eye safety, May was named Healthy Vision Month by the National Eye Institute (NEI) in 2003.

The NEI is one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the country’s primary medical research agency. The NEI helps develop the federal government’s research on the visual system and eye diseases.

One of the best ways you can protect your vision is to schedule regular checkups with your eye doctor – Ophthalmologist or Optometrist. Your eye doctor will not only evaluate your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, but he/she will also inspect your eyes for common eye diseases and other problems that could lead to vision loss.

Your vision may change as you age, but vision loss is not a normal part of aging. Any loss of vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Anne Arundel Eye Center

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, Anne Arundel Eye Center (AAEC) is a regional leader in both the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, cataracts, and other vision related problems. Not only does AAEC Offer a wide range of advanced procedures to improve and preserve your vision, but Board Certified Dr. Samuel Boles and the rest of the staff are also passionate about educating patients and their families about the various eye diseases or eye conditions they may be afflicted with.

Early detection and treatment can help to save your sight!

To learn more about Healthy Vision Month and proper eye health, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles and ocular disease specializing optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank as the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre- and post-surgical eye care.

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:

HVM – May is Healthy Vision Month