Medical Topics

Millions of people around the world wear contact lenses — more than 24 million in the United States alone. Depending on your lifestyle, your motivation and the health of your eyes, contact lenses may provide a safe and effective alternative to eyeglasses when used with proper care and maintenance. What … Read More

As more people use computers in the workplace, complaints of eye fatigue, difficulty focusing and dry eye are becoming common. Lighting, furniture and desk configurations that worked fine for typewriters, could add to eye fatigue and discomfort when working with computers. Although you may experience painful eyestrain and dry eye … Read More

Use the eyedrops as prescribed Be careful not to rub or press on your eye Avoid strenuous activities until your ophthalmologist tells you to resume them Ask your doctor when you can begin driving Wear eyeglasses or an eye shield, as advised by your doctor Infection Bleeding Swelling Detachment of … Read More

for Treating Facial Wrinkles Minimizing the Signs of Aging The first signs of aging often appear as wrinkles around our eyes, forehead, cheeks and lips. While wrinkles are normal, defining features of the human face, they can sometimes falsely portray a tired or more aged appearance. BOTOX® injections are used to … Read More

What are floaters? 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, … Read More

What are refractive errors? In order for our eyes to be able to see, light rays must be bent or refracted by the cornea and the lens so they can focus on the retina, the nerve layer that lines the back of the eye. The retina receives the picture formed … Read More

How the Eye Works Light rays enter the eye through the clear cornea, pupil and lens. These light rays are focused directly onto the retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. The retina converts light rays into impulses, sent through the optic nerve to your brain, where … Read More

Complete eye health includes having healthy eyes and healthy eyelids. Common eyelid problems include excess eyelid skin, droopy eyelids or eyelids that turn inward or outward. These problems can cause eye discomfort, limit vision and affect appearance. Fortunately, they can be corrected with surgery. Ptosis: Upper Eyelid Drooping Ptosis (pronounced … Read More

Approximately 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts. Cataracts are the clouding of the eye’s clear lens-similar to a window that is “fogged” with steam. When the lens becomes cloudy, light rays cannot pass through it easily and vision becomes blurry. Cataracts are not a growth or a … Read More

A Message From Your Eye M.D.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye disease associated with aging that gradually destroys central vision. It’s one of the leading causes of legal blindness and vision impairment in older Americans. Macular degeneration affects central vision, but not peripheral vision — therefore, it doesn’t … Read More

The following diabetic retinopathy questions have been answered by an American Academy of Ophthalmology member. QUESTION #1: Why is it important that a child receive a dilated examination once a year if the child is diagnosed with juvenile diabetes? Approximately how many children under age with juvenile diabetes are treated … Read More

A Closer Look Diabetes Can Affect Sight If you have diabetes mellitus, your body does not use and store sugar properly. High blood-sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses light and helps to send images to the … Read More

Your Eye M.D. (ophthalmologist) recommends the following schedule for pediatric eye examinations. Children Screening for eye disease by trained personnel-Eye M.D. (ophthalmologist), pediatrician or trained screener should be conducted at: Newborn to 3 months 6 months to 1 year 3 years (approximately) 5 years (approximately) Some factors may put your … Read More

Some problems with vision can be a natural part of growing older. Because many of the eye problems or diseases that occur with advancing age do not have noticeable symptoms or pain, early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing serious damage and blindness. Those at increased risk of these … Read More

LASIK — Is It For You? BackgroundLaser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a surgical procedure to reduce nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism by reshaping tissue in the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye. It evolved from a variety of refractive surgery techniques including photorefractive keratectomy … Read More

The eyes are one of the most sensitive and vulnerable organs in the body. Airborne allergens and other particles can land directly on the surface of the eye, causing irritation and redness. Although tears constantly wash the eyes, they can’t always keep out allergens like pollen or pet dander. Because … Read More

What Is Dry Eye? Normally, the eye constantly bathes itself in tears. By producing tears at a slow and steady rate, the eye stays moist and comfortable. Sometimes people do not produce enough tears or the appropriate quality of tears to keep their eyes healthy and comfortable. This condition is … Read More

New Windows for Sight Ophthalmologists (Eye M.D.s) perform more than 40,000 corneal transplants each year in the United States. Of all transplant surgery done today — including heart, lung and kidney — corneal transplants are the most common and successful. What Is the Cornea? The cornea is the clear front … Read More

What Is Eyelid Margin Disease? Eyelid margin disease is a common and persistent inflammation of the eyelids. Symptoms include: • Eye and eyelid irritation• Itchiness of the eye• Redness of the eye This condition frequently occurs in people who have a tendency towards oily skin, dandruff or dry eyes. With … Read More

Pterygium (pronounced tur-IJ-ee-um) and pinguecula (pronounced pin-GWEK-yoo-la) are growths on the cornea (the clear front window of the eye) and the conjunctiva — the thin, filmy membrane that covers the white part of your eye (sclera). Both types of growths are believed to be caused by dry eye and environmental … Read More

An intraocular lens, commonly called an IOL, is a tiny artificial lens for the eye. An IOL permanently replaces the eye’s natural lens when it is removed during cataract surgery. Why Is the Eye’s Natural Lens Removed During Cataract Surgery? Normally, the eye’s natural lens is clear, allowing light to … Read More

Wondering when you or your family members should have their eyes examined by an Eye M.D.? Read below to see when you and your family should visit your Eye M.D. for a complete eye examination. If you have any of these risk factors for eye problems, you will need to … Read More

The distinction between ophthalmology and optometry is a frequent source of confusion. In addition to the fact that both are concerned with eye care, several other factors contribute to this misunderstanding. One source of confusion stems from the fact that optometrists are often referred to as “eye doctors” although, unlike … Read More

A Closer Look What Is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve — the part of the eye that carries the images we see to the brain. The optic nerve is made up of many nerve fibers, like an electric cable containing numerous wires. When damage to the … Read More