Got Floaters?

Often patients either complain of or casually mention that they see little floating spots in front of their eyes.  They are often described as worms, dust, spiders, gnats, cobwebs, or ghosts (okay, no one has ever called them ghosts to me but it would be interesting).  But why do we see them?

If you have ever put your hand in front of a beam of light, you’ve seen the shadow it makes on the wall.  Now let’s think of light entering the eye.  Anything in the path of the light will create a shadow on the retina (or inside wall of the eye).  So “floaters” are actually inside of the eye and creating a shadow on the retina.  But how do they get there?

The eye is filled with a gel-like substance called vitreous humor. It is common for the collagen fibers that make up the vitreous to clump together or change shape.  We see these as a few strings (or worms, floaters, etc.) that usually come and go and for the most part are not too bothersome or noticeable. 

But, as part of the normal aging process, this vitreous humor becomes more liquid and begins to shrink so that it no longer completely fills the space it originally did. As the gel shrinks, it pulls away from the retina and this event is called a posterior vitreous detachment or PVD.  It is usually signified by new larger floaters and even sometimes flashes of light.  In most cases, these new visual changes are annoying and concerning for a period of time but eventually go away without causing any further problems. 

However, as the vitreous pulls away, there is a possibility that it will tear the retina or cause one of the blood vessels of the retina to hemorrhage. A retinal tear, if detected early, can often be treated with lasers to reinforce the retina and prevent a subsequent retinal detachment.  It is important to not ignore any new floaters or flashes of light and always have them checked out to determine if they are being caused by something usually benign like a PVD or something more serious like a retinal tear or detachment.

While We’re on the Topic of Allergies…

As we begin Spring allergy season, another season is also starting…allergy medication commercial season.  Have you ever wondered why the commercials say, “consult your doctor before taking this medication if you have glaucoma”?

 

The truth is that antihistamines (allergy medications) do not pose a risk for most people with glaucoma.  The most common type of glaucoma is called “open-angle glaucoma” which means that the “drain” inside of the eye is open but there is still a problem with eye pressure.  This type of glaucoma is not affected by allergy medications. 

A less common type of glaucoma is called “narrow-angle glaucoma”.  This means that the “drain” of the eye is partially closed off and therefore it is harder for fluid to exit the eye.  Antihistamine medications may cause the drain to actually close off which in turn causes the eye pressure to increase dramatically.  This “angle closure” usually accompanied by significant pain and blurred vision.

The good news is that narrow angle glaucoma can be detected with a comprehensive eye health examination.

Spring Has Sprung!

And allergy season is in full-bloom!  If you have the itchy-red-watery-eye blues, here are three quick tips to get you on the right track.

 

1. Daily disposable contacts: Contact lenses are like magnets for allergens in the air.  Allergens, such as pollen, grab onto the contact lens and are then held against the surface of the eye all day.  If you wear contacts and have allergies, it is generally much more comfortable to have a new, clean lens every day instead of a dirty one.  Daily disposables are very affordable these days too.  And you don’t have to bother with solutions!

2. Prescription allergy eye drops: Tests done in the office can determine if you would benefit from a prescription eye drop.  There are some great ones, and usually they work well with only one drop in each eye once a day.  Not too hard to do!  Whatever you do though, please avoid over-the-counter drops that “get the red out”.  They cause the blood vessels in the eye to temporarily constrict but do nothing to help fix the problem.  And, due to a “rebound” effect, can cause your eye to get even redder when you stop using them.

3. Don’t rub your eyes:  Rubbing itchy eyes is a natural response. However, rubbing usually worsens the allergic reaction due to the physical impact on the mast cells, which causes them to release more histamine. Translation: Do not rub your eyes!

For even more tips for allergy eyes, check out one of our first blog entries.  If you feel like you might benefit from a prescription allergy drop or daily disposable contacts, give us a call at 217-345-6600.

Multifocal Contact Lenses!

Multifocal contact lenses work very differently than multifocal (or bifocal) glasses.  When you wear bifocal or no-line bifocal (progressive/multifocal) glasses the reading prescription is towards the bottom of the lenses.  As a result, you must move your eyes down and the clear reading area will be found.

However, multifocal contact lenses (we call them multifocal due to their ability to address far, computer, and reading distances...bifocal implies only two distances) work on a completely different concept.   Most multifocal contacts work based on pupil reactions.  When an individual looks up close to read, the pupils constrict and become a completely different size than when that individual is looking at street signs far away.   Multifocal contacts take advantage of this natural variation in pupil sizes by placing distant and near prescriptions in different areas of the lenses.

There are several different manufacturers of multifocal contacts, and they each have their own unique method of distributing the prescription across the lens.  The two most common designs are concentric and aspheric.
Translating design can be found in some rigid gas permeable (hard) contacts.

Yet, the best multifocal contact lens design will ultimately depend on your prescription, visual requirements, and pupil size.    But with several brands, there are many options for those who need multifocal glasses and want to experience the convenience of contact lenses.

With all of the technology that goes in to the lenses, it seems like they should look like this!!!

Who Needs an HD TV When You've Got an HD OCT?

The newest technology now available at Lifetime Eye Care allows us to scan a patient’s retina for glaucoma and macular degeneration, and it does it without dilation! This new instrument is called the Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT and it is truly state of the art. The Zeiss OCT uses ultrasound and a scanning laser to make a very high resolution, 3D image of the inside of your eye, much like that of an MRI. We can now identify retinal objects as small as 4 microns. So how small is 4 microns? A single sheet of 20 lb copy paper is 100 microns thick. This new technology allows us to detect glaucoma and macular degeneration much earlier as well as allowing us to detect and track subtle retinal changes.
Who is a candidate for this new technology? Anyone with a family or personal history of glaucoma, glaucoma suspect or macular degeneration should take advantage of this technology.  It is completely painless, completely safe and only takes a few seconds to complete.

Top 10 Reasons You Should Buy Your Contacts from Us!

1. You are guaranteed to get the correct lenses in the correct parameters

2. You are guaranteed to get unexpired lenses
3. If your lenses are not performing properly you don’t have to worry about exchanging your old lenses
4. You can exchange unopened, unexpired, unmarked boxes in new condition at your yearly eye exam
5. If you have a defective lens, we will replace it free of charge
6. We have the latest manufacturer’s rebates available to save you money
7. Competitive pricing (Don’t just assume because we offer the best service our prices are higher)
8. FREE shipping
9. You will be getting the lenses from an authorized distributor of the brand you wear
10. You will have the satisfaction of supporting a local business that cares about you and your eye

Have You Seen Your Retina Lately?

The retina is the back surface of the eye and contains all of the really important parts for our vision. A retina examination should be a part of any comprehensive eye examination. Even when vision seems fine, annual eye health evaluations are important for monitoring ocular health and detecting early signs of ocular conditions. Many of these conditions may only become noticeable to patients after significant damage has occurred. By this time, treatment becomes a complicated process. But annual eye exams can facilitate earlier diagnosis and earlier treatment.

So, here’s my retina, and I would be happy to show you yours.

Also, for extra-credit, here is a video of a segment from The Doctors featuring the instrument used to take this image. Pretty cool!