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Cataract

A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light. Early in the development of age-related cataract the power of the lens may be increased, causing near-sightedness (myopia), and the gradual yellowing and opacification of the lens may reduce the perception of blue colors. Cataracts typically progress slowly to cause vision loss and are potentially blinding if untreated. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.

Cataracts develop from a variety of reasons, including long-term exposure to ultraviolet light, exposure to radiation, secondary effects of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and advanced age, or trauma (possibly much earlier); they are usually a result of denaturation of lens protein. Genetic factors are often a cause of congenital cataracts and positive family history may also play a role in predisposing someone to cataracts at an earlier age, a phenomenon of "anticipation" in pre-senile cataracts. Cataracts may also be produced by eye injury or physical trauma.

A cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.

TheEyePharmacy, the Internet’s leading authoritative site, dedicated solely to the eye, provides valuable health information to the consumer and the professional, with timely and credible content.

TheEyePharmacy is the source for the latest ophthalmologic news and most reliable information about health care procedures and technologies, enabling you to take informed, confident steps toward improving your eye’s health and your life.

TheEyePharmacy,  with online communities and forums and soon through its much anticipated specialty ecommerce pharmacy business, focuses on supporting individuals ho require instant access to relevant information pertaining to cataracts, glaucoma, LASIK, macular degeneration, and general health issues pertaining to the eye.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a medical condition usually of older adults which results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina. It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a major cause of blindness in the elderly (50 years +). Macular degeneration can make it difficult or impossible to read or recognize faces, although enough peripheral vision remains to allow other activities of daily life.

Advanced AMD, which is responsible for profound vision loss but never total blindness, has two forms: dry and wet. Central geographic atrophy, the “dry” form of advanced AMD, results from atrophy to the retinal pigment epithelial layer below the retina, which causes vision loss through loss of photoreceptors (rods and cones) in the central part of the eye. While no treatment is available for this condition, vitamin supplements with high doses of antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin, have been demonstrated by the National Eye Institute and others to slow the progression of dry macular degeneration and, in some patients, improve visual acuity.

An early symptom of wet AMD is that straight lines appear wavy. If you notice this condition or other changes to your vision, contact your eye care professional at once. You need a comprehensive dilated eye exam.

TheEyePharmacy, the Internet’s leading authoritative site, dedicated solely to the eye, provides valuable health information to the consumer and the professional, with timely and credible content.

TheEyePharmacy is the source for the latest ophthalmologic news and most reliable information about health care procedures and technologies, enabling you to take informed, confident steps toward improving your eye’s health and your life.

TheEyePharmacy,  with online communities and forums and soon through its much anticipated specialty ecommerce pharmacy business, focuses on supporting individuals who require instant access to relevant information pertaining to cataracts, glaucoma, LASIK, macular degeneration, and general health issues pertaining to the eye.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases of the optic nerve involving loss of retinal ganglion cells in a characteristic pattern of optic neuropathy. Raised intraocular pressure is a significant risk factor for developing glaucoma (above 22mmHg). One person may develop nerve damage at a relatively low pressure, while another person may have high eye pressure for years and yet never develop damage. Untreated glaucoma leads to permanent damage of the optic nerve and resultant visual field loss, which can progress to blindness.

To begin with there may be no symptoms, so it is important to have regular eye checks to diagnose the disease. Patchy peripheral vision is sometimes noticed as the nerve cell layer is affected and there is often a loss of contrast sensitivity. A contrast sensitivity test should be performed along with a field test to measure visual loss. A field test has to be performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist, but a contrast sensitivity test can be performed regularly at home. If any loss of contrast sensitivity is detected an eye specialist consultation is recommended. Symptoms may include pain in or behind the eye ball, headache and sensitivity to pressure.

There is no cure for glaucoma—yet. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. The appropriate treatment depends upon the type of glaucoma among other factors. Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease.

It was once thought that high pressure within the eye, also known as intraocular pressure or IOP, is the main cause of this optic nerve damage. Although IOP is clearly a risk factor, we now know that other factors must also be involved because even people with “normal” levels of pressure can experience vision loss from glaucoma.

TheEyePharmacy, the Internet’s leading authoritative site, dedicated solely to the eye, provides valuable health information to the consumer and the professional, with timely and credible content.

TheEyePharmacy is the source for the latest ophthalmologic news and most reliable information about health care procedures and technologies, enabling you to take informed, confident steps toward improving your eye’s health and your life.

TheEyePharmacy,  with online communities and forums and soon through its much anticipated specialty ecommerce pharmacy business, focuses on supporting individuals who require instant access to relevant information pertaining to cataracts, glaucoma, LASIK, macular degeneration, and general health issues pertaining to the eye.

LASIK

LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A mechanical microkeratome (a blade device) or a laser keratome (a laser device) is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middlesection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced. There are other techniques and many new terms related to LASIK that you may hear about.

The cornea is a part of the eye that helps focus light to create an image on the retina. It works in much the same way that the lens of a camera focuses light to create an image on film. The bending and focusing of light is also known as refraction. Usually the shape of the cornea and the eye are not perfect and the image on the retina is out-of-focus (blurred) or distorted. These imperfections in the focusing power of the eye are called refractive errors. There are three primary types of refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Persons with myopia, or nearsightedness, have more difficulty seeing distant objects as clearly as near objects.  Persons with hyperopia, or farsightedness,  have more difficulty seeing near objects as clearly as distant objects.  Astigmatism is a distortion of the image on the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens of the eye. Combinations of myopia and astigmatism or hyperopia and astigmatism are common.

Glasses or contact lenses are designed to compensate for the eye's imperfections. Surgical procedures aimed at improving the focusing power of the eye are called refractive surgery. In LASIK surgery, precise and controlled removal of corneal tissue by a special laser reshapes the cornea changing its focusing power.

TheEyePharmacy, the Internet’s leading authoritative site, dedicated solely to the eye, provides valuable health information to the consumer and the professional, with timely and credible content.

TheEyePharmacy is the source for the latest ophthalmologic news and most reliable information about health care procedures and technologies, enabling you to take informed, confident steps toward improving your eye’s health and your life.

TheEyePharmacy,  with online communities and forums and soon through its much anticipated specialty ecommerce pharmacy business, focuses on supporting individuals who require instant access to relevant information pertaining to cataracts, glaucoma, LASIK, macular degeneration, and general health issues pertaining to the eye.