Dry Eye Syndrome

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Your tears function to protect the eyes and keep them lubricated and comfortable.  Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is the decline of the quantity and/or quality of the tears produced.  It is caused when the tear glands in the upper and lower eyelids do not produce enough tears, or they don't produce the right kind of tears.  This phenomenon causes the eyes to feel irritated, scratchy, burning, red, and uncomfortable.  Dry Eye Syndrome is the most common of all eye disorders, affecting approximately 20% of our population.

The Complexity of Tears
Your eyes are moistened by two different types of tears: lubricating tears and reflex tears.  Lubricating tears are produced continuously to moisturize the eye and contain natural infection-fighting antibiotics.  Reflex tears are produced in response to sudden irritation (smoke, onions, foreign particles), injury, or emotion.  Ironically, the irritation from dry eyes can trigger reflex tears, which flood the eye.  But because reflex tears do not have the proper lubricating composition, the discomfort persists.  Thus, "watery eyes" can actually be a symptom of DES.                               

Cataract     Click for **News for Cataract Patients**

What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye.  It can be compared to a window that is frosted or "fogged" with steam.

There are many misconceptions about cataract.  Cataract is:

• Not a Film Over the Eye

• Not Caused by Overusing the Eyes

• Not Spread From One Eye To the Other

• Not a Cause of Irreversible Blindness

Common symptoms of cataract include:

• A Painless Blurring of Vision

• Glare, or Light Sensitivity

• Frequent Eyeglass Prescription Changes

• Double Vision In One Eye

• Needing Brighter Light to Read

• Poor Night Vision-difficulty seeing to drive

• Fading or Yellowing of Colors

The amount and pattern of cloudiness within the lens can vary.  If the cloudiness is not near the center of the lens, you may not be aware that a cataract is present.                                         ^top^

What causes a Cataract?
The most common type of cataract is related to aging of the eye.  Other causes of cataract include:

• Family History

• Medical Problems, Such as Diabetes

• Injury to the Eye

• Medications, Such as Steroids

• Long-term, Unprotected Exposure to Sunlight

• Previous Eye Surgery

• Unknown Factors

Remove the cataract from inside the eye and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).  Cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure and takes only minutes.  Dr. Armesto performs his cataract  surgeries under topical anesthesia and no sutures.  The lens of your eye (cataract) is removed by ultrasound called phacoemulsification.  The cataract is broken into microscopic particles with high-energy sound waves and gently suctioned from the eye.  An IOL is then implanted.

The most commonly used IOL is a single-vision lens (monofocal).  With a monofocal IOL, you will definitely need glasses to read, and you may also need glasses for some distance activities.

The new presbyopic-correcting implants are designed to improve your vision to see near, far and in between.  These new IOLs are available as a multifocal or accommodating lens.

Medicare has recently decided to allow cataract patients the option of choosing a new technology lens implant.  Medicare and most private insurance carriers will pay 80% of your cataract surgery and the single-vision (monofocal) lens.  You will have some out-of-pocket cost for the new technology lens implant.  Please call our office so that we may send more information to you on the new lens technology.                                                                                                         ^top^

Glaucoma

What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness throughout the world affecting millions of people.  Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that causes damage to the optic nerve.  The optic nerve is the pathway that carries the images we see to the brain.  If left untreated, the disease can destroy the optic nerve leading to loss of vision.

At Risk For Glaucoma
Glaucoma may affect anyone.  However, factors that increase a person's risk include:

• Increasing Age

• African-American Heritage

• High Blood Pressure

• Family History

• Diabetes

• Nearsightedness

• Long-Term Steroid Treatment

• Injury or Trauma to the Eye

How is Glaucoma Detected?
To date, with proper medical care, glaucoma may be treated and controlled.  Since most people with glaucoma experience no noticeable symptoms, an eye examination for glaucoma, including specialized testing, is the most important tool in preventing vision loss from the disease.  During your exam, your doctors may determine that the Heidelberg Retinal Tomography test (HRT) is needed.                                                                                                                      

The Heidelberg Retinal Tomography is a system that combines a laser-scanning camera and specialized software that evaluates the optic nerve.  The HRT may diagnose glaucoma years before symptoms become apparent to the patient.  The HRT gives measurements of size, depth and shape of the optic nerve and is especially useful at detecting small changes over time.                      ^top^