Cataract

With a clear normal lens, the images are focused clearly on the retina and vision is sharp. With a cataract, the lens is cloudy, causing the image to become blurred and yellowed. Vision is hazy and colors become faded.

Over fifty percent of people over the age of 60 and quite a few younger than that suffer from cataracts. A cataract is a progressive clouding of the eye’s natural lens that interferes with light passing through the retina. Sufferers usually describe the condition as being similar to looking through a waterfall, or a piece of wax paper, with a gradual blurring or dimming of vision. Reading may become more difficult and driving a car can actually become dangerous.

Cataract sufferers may also be troubled by bothersome glare, halos around lights, or even double vision. Currently, there is no treatment to reverse or prevent the development of cataracts. Once they form, the only way to achieve clear vision again is to physically remove the cataract from the eye.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is often called the "silent thief of sight" because, in its most common form, it progresses gradually before victims realize they're losing their sight. Eventually all vision may be lost. Sight lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, but glaucoma can usually be controlled if it is detected early. Because it is silent and strikes adults, Dr. Allison recommends yearly eye exams for people over 35 years of age.

A serious eye disease, glaucoma is caused by a build-up of pressure inside the eye. This excessive pressure can cause the retinal cells and optic nerve fibers to die. Left untreated, glaucoma may lead to total, irreversible blindness.

A Look at Two Types of Glaucoma

There are many different varieties of glaucoma, but the most common are:

• Chronic open-angle Glaucoma
• Acute closed-angle Glaucoma

Chronic Glaucoma

Chronic glaucoma, the most prevalent type, is painless. It slowly destroys vision without warning. By the time a vision problem is noticeable, irreversible damage may have occurred.
Those at higher risk for this form of glaucoma are people with a family history of normal tension glaucoma, people of Japanese ancestry, and people with a history of systemic heart disease, such as irregular heart rhythm. Chronic glaucoma can be detected through a routine eye exam.

Acute glaucoma

Acute glaucoma is marked by a sudden, severe pain in and around the eye, sharply decreased vision, nausea and vomiting, and halos around lights. Acute glaucoma can lead to blindness in less than 24 hours. To alleviate the pressure, emergency treatment is required. Surgery or laser treatment may also be necessary to prevent further attacks. In cases where a predisposition is detected, surgery can prevent an attack from happening.
Those at higher risk for this form of glaucoma are people with a family history of normal tension glaucoma, people of Japanese ancestry, and people with a history of systemic heart disease, such as irregular heart rhythm. Normal tension glaucoma is usually detected after an examination of the optic nerve.

Glaucoma Treatment

The most common treatment for Glaucoma is the use of medications in the form of eye drops and pills. In some cases Laser surgery is required. Both eye drops and surgery work by helping the fluid to drain from the eye and/or decreasing the amount of fluid that is produced in the eye. Dr Allison and his team will determine what is the best treatment.

Diabetic Retinopathy

You may have heard that diabetes causes eye problems and may lead to blindness. People with diabetes do have a higher risk of blindness than people without diabetes.

If you are between 10 and 29 years old and have had diabetes for at least 5 years, you should have an annual dilated eye exam. If you are 30 or older, you should have an annual dilated eye exam, no matter how short a time you have had diabetes.

But most people who have diabetes have nothing more than minor eye disorders. You cankeep minor problems minor. And if you do develop a major problem, there are treatments that often work well if you begin them right away.

It is estimated that 90% of diabetic patients may experience some form of diabetic retinopathy over the course of their life. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes mellitus, which causes abnormality in the tiny blood vessels nourishing the retina. These vessels weaken, leak fluid and blood, and fail to provide nutrients necessary for good health in the retina. Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can result in severe visual loss, including blindness.

Call 497-Eyes (3937) to set up your consultation.