Medical Center, professional approach

Cataract
This is a clouding of the normally clear lens within your eye, resulting in blurred or distorted vision. Cataracts are most often found in people over the age of 55, but occasionally found in younger people as well.

No one knows what actually causes cataracts, but it is known that a chemical change in your eye usually causes the lens to become cloudy. This may be due to advancing age, heredity, injury or disease. Excessive exposure to sunlight, cigarette smoking or the use of certain medications are also risk factors. Although cataracts develop without pain or discomfort, there are some warning signs that a cataract may be forming. These symptoms include blurred or hazy vision, the appearance of spots in front of the eyes, increased sensitivity light or the feeling of having a film over the eyes. A temporary improvement in near vision may also indicate formation of a cataract.

 

Computer Vision Syndrome
Computers are in high use today, so it is not surprising that there have been increased complaints of headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision and other symptoms of eye strain. Though there is no evidence that using computers can cause vision problems, it can cause Computer Vision Syndrome. CVS is a catchall term for the eyestrain symptoms that can affect computer users' productivity and leave them feeling tired and miserable at the end of the day. The good news is that CVS can be eliminated...

 

 

Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes is a disease that interferes with the body's ability to use and store sugar, causing many health problems. One, called diabetic retinopathy, can weaken and change small blood vessels that nourish the eye's retina. The retina is the delicate, light sensitive lining in the back of the eye. These blood vessel say begin to leak, swell or develop brush-like branches. The early stages of diabetic retinopathy may cause blurred vision or may produce no symptoms at all. As the disease progresses, you may notice a cloudiness of vision, blind spots or floaters. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness. The best way to catch this early is to have regular eye exams, especially if you are a diabetic or if you have a family history of diabetes.

 

Dry Eye
Dry Eye, or Keratitis Sicca, is one of the most common chronic conditions that affect the human eye. Put very simply, it is an eye that has lost some of it moisture balance. The eye should naturally produce its own tears throughout the day. The symptoms can range from nothing at all to blurred vision and severe pain. Most commonly, patients will complain about a gritty or scratchy feeling made worse with contact lenses or environmental influences. Dry eye is treatable. Please ask Dr. Tran if you are suffering from dry eyes.

 

 

Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal pressure in your eyes increases enough to damage the nerve fibers in your optic nerve and cause vision loss. The increase in pressure happens when the passages that normally allow fluid in your eyes to drain become clogged or blocked. The reasons that that passages become clogged or blocked. The reasons that the passages become blocked are not known.

Noticeable symptoms of glaucoma may be a gradual loss of side vision or blurred vision. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the US. It most often occurs in people over age 40. People with a family history of glaucoma, African-Americans, those who are very nearsighted and diabetics are at a higher risk of developing the disease. The most common type of glaucoma develops gradually and painlessly, without symptoms. A more rare type occurs rapidly and its symptoms may include blurred vision, loss of side vision, seeing colored rings around lights and pain or redness in the eyes. Glaucoma cannot be prevented, but if diagnosed and treated early, it can be controlled. Vision lost from glaucoma cannot be restored. That is why it is very important to get annual checkups regardless of any changes in vision.

 

Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a degenerative non-inflammatory disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than its normal gradual curve. Keratoconus can cause substantial distortion of vision, with multiple images, streaking and sensitivity to light all often reported by the patient. Though frequently thought of as a rare contition, keratoconus is the most common dystrophy of the cornea, affecting around one person in a thousand, and it seems to occur equally in all ethnic groups worldwide. It is typically diagnosed in the patient's adolescent years and attains its most severe state in the twenties and thirties. The first symptoms of keratoconus are usually blurred or distorted. At first, the vision becomes more and more nearsighted. Vision irregularity and astigmatism will develop. Once a person reaches a moderate degree of keratoconus, contact lens will be necessary to correct vision. In severe cases, scarring will be form and corneal transplantation may be discussed.

 

 

Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in America. It results from changes to the macula, a pinpoint sized portion of the retina that is responsible for clear, sharp vision and is located directly in the back of the eye. As macular degeneration advances, a distorted, dark or empty area often appears in the center of vision. There are two forms of MD. The dry form is more prevalent is usually milder and slow to progress. The retina slowly deteriorates and there is no know treatment. There is some recent evidence that certain combinations of vitamins may help to slow the progression. The wet form is so name due to the bleeding that can occur underneath the retina. Sometimes prior to bleeding, the retina will become rippled which will distort vision in a wavy pattern. For monitor each eye at home on a daily basis to watch for subtle changes in your vision that may indicate changes in your condition. Sometimes, the wet form of MD responds to laser therapy.