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and eyes - The eyes
rarely are a cause of headache. The lack of glasses to correct
a significant vision problem, eye muscle imbalance, severe glaucoma,
and eye inflammation are occasional causes of headache. More
commonly headache comes from stress, fatigue, poor diet, hypertension,
sinus problems, dental or jaw problems, injury, or viral infections.
Persistent headaches should be evaluated by your personal physician.
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migraine - Migraine may consist of severe headache, blurred
vision and upset stomach. Vision disturbance such as flashing
lights (kaleidoscope, zigzag, whirling, sprinkling stars) is
often followed by vision loss which may be partial or total.
It usually lasts 30 minutes. A headache may follow which is
severe, piercing and often incapacitating. Finally, a queasy,
upset stomach may follow. A person may have one part of the
migraine syndrome only. Vision loss in migraine lasts longer
than momentary vision loss or disturbance associated with poor
circulation or retinal problems. Severe, persistent headaches
should be reported to your family doctor.
dry
eye - Dry eye is very common as we age, becoming increasingly symptomatic after the age of 40. Women seem to be affected more than men. Complaints consist of tearing (paradoxical but true), irritation, red eye, burning, itching, and blurred vision. Treatment is frequent use of artificial tears available at your pharmacy without prescription. Artificial tears cannot be used too often and have no side effects. Tear duct plugs may be placed to help control the dry eye problem. The tear ducts drain the tears away, so plugging allows what tears the person has to remain longer. Dietary supplementation with Flax seed and/or fish oil often helps. Restasis eye drops are very effective in helping this problem. [-back to topics
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tearing - Any time the eye is irritated it will tear (infection,
foreign body, scratch, allergy or even dry eye (see dry eye).
Tearing and a red, painful eye require a visit to the eye doctor.
Sometimes the tear duct, which is like a drain pipe, is blocked
and the tears cannot drain so the eye tears. This condition
requires an office visit for evaluation and treatment.
irritation - See tearing. Any tearing which does not respond
to over the counter drops should be evaluated by the eye doctor.
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painful
lid - The usual cause of painful lid is an inflammation
of the oil glands which line the margin or edge of the lid.
This condition can lead to a sty or chalazion. Hot compresses
will usual help or cure this condition. Any lid pain which does
not respond to this home remedy must be evaluated by the eye
doctor.
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sty
or chalazion - Blocked inflamed oil gland of the eyelid. This
may require surgical drainage, but first hot compressing may
help. [-back
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sty |
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eyelid growth
- Any growth which is growing progressively, causes loss of
lashes, flakes, bleeds, or is firm or irregular should be
evaluated for possible biopsy. [-back
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Skin cancer
of eyelid
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painful eye
- Any eye pain which is more than momentary should be evaluated
by your doctor. Possible problems include glaucoma, inflammation,
injury, or infection. One source of a sharp sudden stab-like
pain is the eye drying out: artificial tears would help this
condition.
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macular
degeneration - A deterioration of the central portion of the retina. The retina is like film in a camera, and the macula is responsible for detailed, fine vision. Central vision becomes distorted or blurred and in severe cases reading or driving vision is very poor.
While central vision (reading, driving, and color vision) may be lost, fear of total blindness is unfounded. The cause of macular degeneration is unknown.
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Macular Degeneration
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Central
vision blurred
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There is no definite prevention for macular degeneration, but a good diet, anti-oxidant vitamins, protecting the eyes from sunlight with UV dark glasses, and not smoking give the eyes a better chance of retaining vision.
There are now treatments for some macular degeneration conditions. See Dr. Cies for a full evaluation.
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glaucoma - Diseases of the eye in which the optic nerve
is damaged, usually slowly but progressively, by a level
of pressure in the eye which interferes with the normal
blood flow to the nerve. Most cases are called chronic
simple glaucoma.
This glaucoma is usually
painless, and the vision loss is very subtly progressive
so that a person with it is unaware of any problem without
an eye exam.
Glaucoma
is an increase of the eye's pressure to a harmful level.
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The vision loss is permanent so
it is vital that eye exams be regular in adults. Eye exams by
an ophthalmologist for glaucoma include pressure measurement,
evaluation of the optic nerve, and peripheral visual field checkup.
Treatment is usually quite successful with drops, laser or surgery.
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normal optic nerve
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damaged optic nerve
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Laser treatments to iris to permit
proper flow of fluid within the eye.
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glaucoma
and pain - A type of
glaucoma called narrow angle glaucoma can cause intense pain
with a sudden pressure rise. Such pain is uncomfortable but
may be a helpful warning that a serious condition exists.
This "attack" can usually be broken and then be treated
with a laser for long term protection. [-back to topics
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crossed
eyes - This is the non-medical term for strabismus. The
eye muscles are out of balance. Double vision, poor depth perception,
poor vision in one eye, or poor cosmetic appearance can result.
This can be treated with glasses, exercises, patching or surgery.
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Crossed eyes.
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amblyopia - Medical term for an eye with poor vision despite
glasses. That eye's messages to the brain are weak, and the
other eye is preferred by the brain.
lazy
eye - A term usually meant by patients to mean crossed
eyes, but actually is a lazy eye with poor vision (amblyopia).
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red
eye - Can be caused by a variety of conditions including
injury, infection, allergy, internal inflammation, glaucoma,
or dry eye. A red eye should usually be evaluated by an ophthalmologist.
conjunctivitis - Inflamed conjunctiva (the white of the eye) is
usually caused by allergy or infection. This requires a medical
evaluation. [-back
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lid
margin infection or blepharitis
- Inflamed lids caused by excessive oil secretion build-up,
scaling skin, bacteria, and poor hygiene. A sty or chalazion
can result. The initial home remedy is hot compressing and careful
cleansing of the lash area. [-back
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blepharitis
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flashing
lights - See vitreous degeneration
and migraine
floaters,
cobwebs in vision -
See vitreous degeneration [-back
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vitreous
degeneration - The vitreous is a gel like substance which fills
the center of the eye. With age or injury it liquifies and pulls
away from the retina. Cells, membranes, and protein like strands
float in the vitreous and appear to the person like cobwebs,
spots, or lines. They are called floaters.
Flashing lights are caused by the gel pulling away from the
retina. Retinal tears can occur and as a result a retinal detachment
can occur. The flashes and floaters are troublesome but are
good warning signs that a full eye exam is necessary to rule
out damage to the retina.
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retinal detachment -
The retina pulls away from deeper layers of the eye and cannot
function. If unrepaired the retina will degenerate. Surgery
is usually necessary.
Also see vitreous
degeneration. [-back
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retinal detachment
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hemorrhage
on the eye white -
See sub-conjunctival hemorrhage.
subconjunctival
hemorrhage - the blood
beneath the white of the eye cannot enter the eye and is completely
safe. This is usually caused by rubbing the eye, often in
our sleep. [-back
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subconjunctival
hemorrhage
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| sun
callous of the eye -
See pterygium, pinguiculum |
pterygium - Similar to pinguiculum in all ways except the callous grows
onto the cornea. This can damage vision and may require surgical
removal. Sun protection with good dark glasses is important.
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pterygium |
diabetes
- Disease involving a disorder of sugar metabolism. This condition
affects many parts of the body and requires close control of
blood sugar and evaluation, in particular of the eyes, yearly. |
diabetic
retinopathy - Altered sugar metabolism results in poor circulation
and abnormal metabolism of the retinal cells. Vision can be
damaged by cell loss and hemorrhage. Careful frequent eye examinations
are necessary to detect diabetic damage in early stages. Treatment
can limit the possible harm and increase a person's chances
of good vision for a lifetime. [-back to topics
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diabetic retinopathy
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