Common Ocular Problems

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

MYOPIA

BLEPHARITIS

A common condition of the eyelashes that causes irritation and redness. Often, the most common symptom is a gritty, sandy feeling in the eyes. Antibiotics may be needed to treat this in severe cases.

​​​​​​​CONJUNCTIVITIS, BACTERIAL

A bacterial eye infection is characterized by redness, yellowish discharge, and irritation. This can be very serious if left untreated.

CONJUNCTIVITIS, ALLERGIC

This is caused by an allergen that gets into the eye, such as dust, pollen, or pet dander. Most cases are red and itchy. In extreme cases, marked swelling of the eyelid or white part of the eye may occur.

DRY EYES

A common condition, especially in Southern California, is caused by a tear film problem, medications, the environment, and an array of other sources. Symptoms usually include burning, excess tearing, and/or a gritty, sandy feeling in the eye.

CATARACTS

These are caused by UV damage to the lens inside of your eye. Symptoms of cataracts include decreased vision, cloudy vision, and glare while driving at night. Surgery is needed to treat cataracts.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Occurs in persons with diabetes, which causes progressive damage to the retina, the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye. It is a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes and is the result of damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. They leak blood and other fluids that cause swelling of retinal tissue and clouding of vision. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness.

FLOATERS

Characterized by small black or clear lines/dots/spots that move in the vision, these are common in many patients, especially after the age of 50. A sudden increase of these floaters is a concern and should be examined immediately, especially if there are associated flashes of light.

GLAUCOMA

A condition that affects the optic nerve. Typically it affects the peripheral vision first but can lead to total vision loss. This is a very slow, painless disease so often it can be unnoticed by patients until vision loss is severe. Routine eye exams are the best way to prevent early glaucoma damage.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over age 50. This eye disease occurs when there are changes to the macula, a small portion of the retina that is located on the inside back layer of the eye. AMD is a loss of central vision that can occur in two forms: “dry” or atrophic and “wet” or exudative.

PINK EYE

“Pink eye” itself is not a medical diagnosis and can be any one of many conditions that make the eye get red or pink. “Pink Eye” can be caused by many things: bacteria, viruses, allergens, irritants, dryness, or a number of other things. There is not one individual treatment for “Pink Eye” because a treatment plan will depend on the cause.

RETINAL DETACHMENT/RETINAL TEAR

These are both serious conditions that can lead to blindness if left untreated or undiagnosed. Typically, the symptoms of these are bright flashes of light upon eye movement, a suddenly increased number of "floaters" in the vision, or a black "veil" that comes up or down in the vision. If you have these symptoms, please contact our office immediately.

UVEITIS

Inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, which includes the iris (colored part of the eye) and adjacent tissue, known as the ciliary body. If untreated, it can cause permanent damage and loss of vision from the development of glaucoma, cataract, or retinal edema. It usually responds well to treatment; however, there may be a tendency for the condition to recur.