AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (ARMD)
Causes: Generally, it is believed that ARMD is caused by poor circulation in the blood vessels that are found in the retina and macula. It is also believed that as people age, their levels of antioxidants decrease, allowing pollution and ultraviolet light to have harmful effects on the eye. Additionally, ARMD can be hereditary.
Symptoms: Occasionally, if ARMD occurs in only one eye, the disease may be unnoticed by a patient. Other symptoms may include a loss in central or color vision that can make reading and close work more difficult than in the past. Change in vision is usually gradual with “dry” macular degeneration, but sudden loss may indicate “wet” degeneration.
Treatment: There is no cure for vision that has been lost due to ARMD. Diagnosis of the disease at its early stage can help our doctors recommend the best treatments for preserving your vision.

BLEPHARITIS
Causes: Blepharitis is commonly known as inflammation of the eyelids, caused by an immune reaction to bacteria, as seen with acne, rosacea, scalp dandruff or even lice.
Symptoms: Patients diagnosed with blepharitis usually have symptoms of scaling or flaking around the eyelashes, redness and swelling of the eyelids, hard crust around the eyelashes, small ulcers near the eyelids or stye formation.
Treatment: It is important to treat blepharitis because it can lead to more serious eye problems such as an infection of the eye, scarring of the cornea, or the development of a sty or chalazion. Often anti-inflammatory antibiotic drops may be prescribed. Our doctors may also inform a patient with blepharitis to perform eyelid scrubs

CHALAZION
Causes: A chaplain is formed when the oil-producing gland known as the meibomian gland becomes clogged.
Symptoms: An area of the upper or lower lid can become red, swollen, and tender. It can even blur vision if it is large enough and can cause the entire eyelid to appear swollen.
Treatment: A chalazion can be treated with warm compresses, antibiotic ointments or steroid injections. If the chalazion is large and does not clear up with other methods, it may have to be drained surgically in office.

CONJUNCTIVITIS
Causes: Conjunctivitis is an infection of the outer-most layer of the eye known as the conjunctiva. Viral Conjunctivitis often occurs when a person is suffering from an upper respiratory infection, sore throat, or common cold. Allergic conjunctivitis can be caused by a reaction to cosmetics, perfume, medications or seasonal allergens. Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually caused by a bacterium such as staphylococcus or streptococcus.
Symptoms: Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis include eye irritation, redness, and a watery discharge. This type of conjunctivitis usually starts in one eye and may spread to the other eye. Allergic conjunctivitis usually affects both eyes and can be accompanied by tearing, itching, or swollen eyelids. Tearing, redness, swelling of the conjunctiva, a thick discharge, and irritation are usually symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis.
Treatment: An evaluation can help determine the type of conjunctivitis a patient may be suffering from. There is no cure for viral conjunctivitis, but symptoms can be reduced with cool compresses, artificial tears, and occasionally prescription steroid drops. Allergic conjunctivitis may be treated with cool compresses, artificial tears, prescription antihistamines or prescription steroid drops. Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually treated with antibiotic drops or ointments. Additional recommendations may help prevent those who are suffering from conjunctivitis from spreading it to others and shortening its course in the patient.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Causes: High blood sugar levels can cause damage to the blood vessels that are found in the retina. The early stage of diabetic retinopathy is known as NPDR (nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy), which occurs when blood vessels in the retina leak fluid, blood or fat. This stage of retinopathy may affect the vision. Another type of diabetic retinopathy is known as PDR (proliferative diabetic retinopathy), which occurs when new fragile vessels grow on the surface of the retina, optic nerve, or vitreous gel. PDR can affect both central and peripheral vision because it can lead to a vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, or neovascular glaucoma.
Symptoms: Diabetic retinopathy can cause fluctuating or blurred vision, floaters, or a more sudden loss of vision. Other symptoms should be discussed with our staff to determine whether or not your symptoms are related to retinopathy.
Treatment: Controlling blood sugar is the best way to prevent vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy, but it is not guaranteed. It is very important for patients to have an eye examination every year. However, if retinopathy has already been diagnosed, laser surgery and more frequent follow-ups may be recommended.

DRY EYE SYNDROME
Causes: Both the production of tears and the balance of tears can normally decrease as the body ages. Dry eye can also be caused by a variety of medications including, antihistamines, sleeping pills, pain relievers, diuretics, and beta-blockers.
Symptoms: Stinging or burning eyes, scratchiness, foreign body sensation, stringy mucus in or around the eyes, excessive eye irritation from smoke or wind, excess tearing or discomfort when wearing contact lenses usually accompany dry eye.
Treatment: Dry eye can be treated with eye drops known as artificial tears. People who are sensitive to preservatives may need special drops. Our doctors may recommend other forms of treatment that can help reduce the irritation of dry eyes.

GLAUCOMA
Definition: Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve by high pressure inside the eye and other factors such as poor blood flow. Age, a family history of glaucoma, African ancestry, smoking, diabetes, and past eye injuries are all risk factors for glaucoma. It is important to maintain yearly visits to our office in order to reduce your chances of developing glaucoma.
Symptoms: The most common type of Glaucoma, Open-Angle Glaucoma, usually has no symptoms. The pressure in the eye builds up slowly and gradually; therefore, causing the disease to be virtually unnoticed by a patient until peripheral vision begins to fade. Angle-Closure Glaucoma is much less common and may produce an eye ache or blurred vision; however there may be no symptoms. Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma is the most serious form of the disease and is associated with a sudden rise of pressure within the eye. Symptoms can include severe pain, blurred vision, rainbow halos around lights, headaches, nausea and vomiting.
Treatment: Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for Glaucoma. Any vision lost to the disease cannot be repaired. Therefore, if the disease goes untreated, it will only worsen and a patient could eventually become totally blind. Treatment is necessary to lower intraocular pressure and clear the passage for aqueous fluid. Glaucoma is primarily treated with eye drops, but if eye drops alone cannot control intraocular pressure, then a laser procedure or surgery may be necessary.

HEADACHES
Causes: Many suffer headaches; in fact they are one of the most common health complaints. There are several types of headaches including tension-type headaches, migraines, cluster headaches, and headaches associated with diseases. Headaches can be triggered by a number of factors, which include stress, fatigue, certain foods, alcohol, seasonal allergies, hormonal changes, high blood pressure, eye diseases, or even serious medical problems.
Symptoms: Tension-type headaches are usually associated with pain over the entire head and sometimes pain in the neck and back. Migraines are usually accompanied with more severe head pain and some people may suffer from nausea and blind spots. Cluster headaches occur repeatedly on only one side of the head and can be accompanied with congestion and watery or red eyes. Other symptoms that are accompanied with a headache may be associated with a more serious problem and should be talked about with one of our doctors.
Treatment: It is important to contact our office if you have already talked to your family physician about your symptoms or if you continue to suffer from chronic or recurring headaches. We can provide treatment for your symptoms, after a proper eye examination has been preformed.

LOW VISION
Causes: Low vision can be caused by cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, as well as other eye diseases or injuries.
Symptoms: Low Vision refers to the inability to correct vision with typical glasses, medicine, or surgery. Therefore, when these inabilities are present, the need for additional assistance is made apparent.
Treatment: There are several low vision devices that can be prescribed to help a patient enhance their ability to see more clearly. Dr. Colletti, our low vision expert, can help recommend a device that can best suit a patient. Hand magnifiers can help with reading and various other tasks. Video magnifiers are devices that use a camera and television screen to enlarge small objects and printed materials. Stand magnifiers may be prescribed for patients with arthritis because they rest directly on reading material.

RETINAL DETACHMENT
Causes: As we age the vitreous naturally may be separated from the retina at the back of the eye. Retinal detachments are more common in people who are nearsighted, have had cataract surgery, have glaucoma, have had a severe injury, have had previous retinal detachments in the other eye, have a family history of retinal detachments or have weak areas in the retina.
Symptoms: A sudden onset of flashing lights, new floaters, or a dark curtain that appears in the field of vision may mean that you have a detached retina. It is important to call us as soon as possible if these symptoms occur.
Treatment: Most patients that are diagnosed with a retinal detachment are required to undergo surgery to have the retina put back in its proper place.

UVEITIS
Causes: Uveitis is the inflammation of the uvea, which includes the iris, the choroid, and the ciliary body. It can be caused by an eye injury, eye surgery, virus, bacteria, fungus, parasite, genetic abnormality or disease such as arthritis. Many times the cause of uveitis may remain unknown.
Symptoms: Different combinations of symptoms may be present depending upon the structures of the uvea that are inflamed. There are three different types of uveitis: iritis, cyclitis, and choroiditis. Generally, redness, light sensitivity, floaters, blurry vision, or pain may occur.
Treatment: Uveitis may be treated by steroid eye drops, injections, or dilating eye drops. If left untreated, uveitis can lead to other serious complications such as glaucoma, cataracts, or damage to the retina. An examination can help determine the best treatment and can help prevent the risk of vision loss.