Our top priority is the health of your eyes. We want to keep your eyes healthy through regular eye health evaluations, communication, and education. This page lists a few of the most common eye diseases. Scroll to learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for:

Conjunctivitis

The conjunctiva is a thin tissue that covers the white portion of the eye and the insides of the eyelids. Conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as “pink eye”, is an irritation of the conjunctiva. Symptoms may include redness, swelling, tearing, itching, watering or pus like discharge.

There are four main types of conjunctivitis: Viral, Bacterial, Allergic and Toxic. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are contagious, while allergic and toxic are not. The appropriate treatment depends on the type of conjunctivitis diagnosed. Examination is important because conjunctivitis can easily be confused with conditions more harmful to your eyes and vision.

Recommended Link
Kids health for Parents: Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Blepharitis

There are two types of blepharitis. Seborrheic blepharitis is often part of an overall skin condition of seborrhea, which may also affect the scalp, chest, back and the area behind the ears. The second form of blepharitis – staph blepharitis – is a more severe condition, caused by bacteria, that begins in childhood and may continue through adulthood.

Hormones, nutrition, general physical condition, and even stress may contribute to seborrheic blepharitis. Build-ups of naturally occurring bacteria contribute to staph blepharitis.

Blepharitis could be described as dandruff of the eyelids. Seborrheic blepharitis results in redness of the eyelids, flaking and scaling of eyelashes, and greasy, waxy scales caused by abnormal tear production. Staph blepharitis can cause small ulcers, loss of eyelashes, eyelid scarring, and even red eye.

Careful cleaning of the eyelids can reduce seborrheic blepharitis. Application of hot packs to the eyes for 20 minutes a day can also help. Staph blepharitis may require antibiotic drops and ointments.

Recommended Link
Eye Disease Information Resource: Blepharitis

Dry Eye Syndrome

If your eyes are constantly itchy or dry, you may have dry eye syndrome, which affects almost 10 million Americans. Dry eye syndrome is caused by a lack or poor quality of tears. Tears lubricate the outer layer of the eye, the cornea and conjunctiva. If the tears do not have the proper balance of mucous, water, and oil, the eye becomes irritated.

Dry eye syndrome leads to a number of symptoms, including itching, irritation, burning, excessive tearing, redness, blurred vision that improves with blinking, and discomfort after long periods of watching television, using a computer, or reading.

There are many factors that can contribute to dry eye syndrome. These include dry, hot, or windy climates, high altitudes, air-conditioned rooms, and cigarette smoke. Contact lens wearers, people with drier skin, and the elderly are more likely to develop dry eye syndrome. You may also be more at risk if you take certain medications, have a thyroid condition, a vitamin-A deficiency, Parkinson’s or Sjorgen’s disease, or if you are a woman going through menopause.

There are a number of dry eye tratments available to patients which include both no prescription and prescription eye drops.

Recommended Link
American Optometric Association: Dry Eye Syndrome

Cataracts

Cataracts are a cloudiness that occurs in the lens of the eye. The cloudiness of the lens can cause blur, glare, reduced color perception or faded colors, poor night vision or double vision. Early vision changes due to cataracts are minimized with a glasses prescription change, anti-glare lenses and sunglasses.

Cataracts are most commonly caused by aging and UV sunlight exposure.

Your eye doctor can detect the presence of cataracts through a thorough eye exam, including a visual acuity test and dilation of the pupils. In most cases, cataract surgery is required to remove the clouded lens.

Recommended Link
National Eye Institute: Facts About Cataracts

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition associated with diabetes. Diabetes damages small blood vessels throughout the body. The retina is the portion of the eye that is particularly susceptible to the effects of diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association reports that diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness in people between the ages of 20-74 years.

The development of diabetic retinopathy are primary related to the two major risk factors: blood sugar control and the length of time the person has had diabetes.

A comprehensive eye examination which includes the dilated retina evaluation enables Dr. Healey or Dr. Gavin to view the retina and observe any damage. Yearly eye examinations are essential for patients with diabetes.

Recommended Link
National Eye Institute: Facts About Diabetic Retinopathy

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases which cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve - the nerve that carries information from the eye to the brain. It is believed that pressure in the eye causes this damage. Most of the time there are very few signs of glaucoma in its early stages. As the disease progresses, people slowly lose side vision and ultimately they can go completely blind. Any vision lost due to glaucoma is permanent.

One major risk factor for glaucoma is family history. If someone has a relative with glaucoma, their risk for developing the disease goes up substantially. Race and increasing age are also major risk factors. It should be noted, however, that people of any age can develop glaucoma. History of eye injury, corneal thickness and use of steroid medications also play a role glaucoma.

Glaucoma is most commonly treated with eye drops. In rare cases, laser procedures or surgical intervention are required.

Recommended Link
Glaucoma Research Foundation

Macular Degeneration

Most often, macular degeneration is accompanied by formation of yellow deposits called “drusen” under the macula, which dry out or thin the macula. This is called “dry” macular degeneration. In rare cases, abnormal blood vessels develop under the macula and leak fluid. This is called “wet” macular degeneration. About 90% of older patients with macular degeneration have the dry form.

No highly effective treatment is know but certain vitamins and minerals have been shown to slow the progression. Use of a laser and injections into the eye have been shown to slow vision loss

Currently, there is no cure for macular degeneration, but treatment is available to slow the effects.

Recommended Link
Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc.

Retinal Detachment

The part of the eye which collects light and transmits the light messages to the optic nerve and brain is the retina. It lines the inner back wall of the eye. When the retina separates from the back wall, it is known as retinal detachment. It is a serious condition which can cause permanent damage and vision loss if not treated quickly.

A retinal detachment may result in a sudden defect in your vision, cause a blind spot too small to notice or cause a noticeable shadow which obscures your vision. It may just cause a blind spot too small to notice, or it may cause a noticeable shadow which obscures your vision. An increase in “floaters,” which look like small particles or fine threads, may also be noticed. Finally, flashes of light may associated with retinal detachment. Near-sighted individuals and the elderly are at greater risk for spontaneous detachment.

Recommended Link
Hendrick Health System