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Factors Associated With Dry Eye Syndrome

There are numerous factors that can make you more prone to having dry eyes. Some of these factors are:

  1. Extended Computer Use

When using a computer, laptop or any portable device with a screen like a smartphone or a tablet, our eyes tend to blink less frequently and less thoroughly, which leads to an increased rate of tear evaporation. Low tear quantities result in dry eyes.

  1. Wearing Contact Lenses

It is not easy to determine how much wearing contact lenses contributes to dry eye symptoms. However, one of the main reasons why people stop wearing contact lenses is dry eye discomfort.

  1. Aging

People of all ages can suffer from dry eye syndrome. However, the older you get (especially if you are over 50), the more likely you are to suffer from the condition.

  1. Menopause

Women who have reached menopause are at a higher risk of suffering from dry eye syndrome than men of similar age.

  1. Indoor Environments

Most indoor spaces have lower levels of humidity due to air conditioning systems and ceiling fans expelling water from the air. Low-humidity air promotes/increases tear evaporation which leads to dry eye syndrome.

  1. Outdoor Environments

Dry, windy and arid outdoor environments can all increase the risk of dry eye syndrome. Also, people who fly often, such as pilots, can be exposed to extremely dry and windy air which results in dry eyes.

  1. Smoking

Apart from causing dry eyes, smoking is also known to cause a plethora of other eyes problems such as uveitis, cataracts and macular degeneration. Smoking is not good for your eyes.

  1. Health Conditions

Certain chronic and systemic health conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, diabetes and thyroid-linked diseases are known to cause dryness in the eyes.

  1. Medication

Both prescription and non-prescription drugs like birth control pills, blood pressures medication, antidepressants, and antihistamines can increase your risk of suffering from dry eye syndrome.

  1. Eyelid Problems

Not completely closing your eyelids when blinking or during sleep – a condition known as lagophthalmos – can also lead to dry eyes. Lagophthalmos is said to be caused by aging and also cosmetic procedures among other cause. If left untreated, the condition can cause corneal ulcers in the affected eye(s).

On top of this, there are certain medical procedures like corneal refractive surgeries and LASIK surgeries that can increase the risk of suffering from dry eye syndrome. However, the dry-eye discomfort that arises from these procedures is usually expected to last for weeks.

People who suffer from dry eye syndrome should consult their doctor before undergoing any of the above-mentioned procedure as you may benefit the most from specialty contacts.

Treatment Options For Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

In previous years, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction or MGD was treated with an application of warm compresses to the eyelids, which was followed by eyelid massaging. This treatment was supposed to get rid of any wax or thickened oil blocking the meibomian glands’ opening. However, it was discovered that massage and warm compresses are unable to treat the problem adequately and cannot effectively restore the normal functioning of meibomian glands. Thankfully, several new and more effective treatments are available these days.

Modern Treatments for MGD

Antibacterial Eye Drops

Some research studies have shown anti-bacterial eye drops to be highly effective in providing relief from the symptoms of meibomian gland dysfunction. Your eye doctor should be able to advise during the eye exam whether such eye drops are the right option for you.

Meibomian Gland Probing

This simple technique unclogs the main duct and opening of the meibomian glands. The doctor uses a hand-held instrument for probing and dilating the meibomian gland openings that are near the base of eyelashes. This procedure is done after an application of an anesthetic eye drops. One research study has reported that more than 96% of patients experience immediate relief from symptoms after this procedure. Within one month, 100% of patients experienced relief after this procedure.

Another research study has also confirmed that around 76% of patients treated with this procedure experienced relief from symptoms within 24 hours after the procedure. The study also reported that patients who received a combination of corticosteroid eye drops and probing had much more complete and faster relief from symptoms as compared to patients treated only with corticosteroid eye drops.

Cyclosporine Eye Drops

Cyclosporine is an agent that is capable of modifying the immune response of the body in a particular manner. The prescription eye drops Restasis (Allergan), which is used for managing dry eye symptoms, contains cyclosporine.

Omega-3 Supplements

Some eye doctors also recommend omega-3 fatty acids dietary supplements as an adjunct treatment to other MGD treatments. Omega-3 fatty acids may also decrease the risk of meibomian gland dysfunction in the future. Omega-3 may help in suppressing inflammation and may also help in decreasing the risk of buildup of wax within the meibomian glands.

Lipiflow

This thermal pulsation system (TearScience) is an in-office procedure. In this procedure, sufficient heat is applied to the eyelids to melt away the waxy deposits in these glands. At the same time, pulse pressure is also applied to eyelids to open and thoroughly expose the contents of the glands. In a typical treatment session of 12 minutes, the device is attached to the eyelids to get rid of the waxy deposits.

The system is designed in a manner to keep the eyeballs safe and no pressure or heat is transferred from the eyelids. Some recent research studies have shown that this process is highly effective in reducing the symptoms and signs of MGD.

Be sure to ask Dr. Bassiri what specialty contact lens options there are as well.

Is Amblyopia Treatment Even Possible In Adult Patients?

We take inquiries from across the nation and even around the globe about adults getting amblyopia treatment. We always hear the same question: Have I gotten too old for lazy eye treatment? We always answer the same way every time: Individuals of any age can get treatment for their amblyopia.

Why does so much confusion revolve around this issue? Two reasons are actually in play here:

First is it possible for lazy eye, formally known as amblyopia, to be treated in the first place? Second, does treatment have an age cut-off? In order to provide answers to both questions, the condition of lazy eye or amblyopia must be defined.

Amblyopia is a situation in which one or even both eyes have a visual acuity that is less than would be expected when prescription lenses are used. The nickname of lazy eye comes from the thought that one eye with better vision would do the majority of the work of seeing things.

Lazy Eye: Two Eyes That Don’t Get Along

Many folks actually confuse lazy eye with the condition of strabismus, which is any kind of eye turn or ‘crossed eyes’. That’s not something they should do, because the conditions are distinct from one another and can exist either with or even without each other.

The primary issue here is that one simply isn’t seeing with clarity. Why is this? Given the high levels of astigmatism, constant eye turn, farsightedness, and nearsightedness, the human brain learns how to suppress or even turn off information from an impacted eye, and that suppression has a negative impact on developing clear vision.

Most of the time, the brain gets a pair of images from slightly varying angles which it combines into a three-dimensional image. This isn’t what happens in the event of amblyopia.

What Does Happen When Binocular Vision Isn’t Working Right?

In the case of amblyopia, the brain winds up suppressing one of the two images to the detriment of the binocular vision of a person. That individual could have numerous problems with their functional vision, like poor eye tracking or substandard depth perception.

Is It Possible To Treat Amblyopia At All?

Amblyopia is treatable given the plasticity of the brain. The brain’s circuitry is something that can change in any decade of life. We apply vision therapy in retraining the patient’s visual system. That includes not only their eyes, but even their brain and visual pathways.

The College of Optometrists in Vision Development has a website with a page covering the treatment of amblyopia, including the following:

-Contact lenses or eyeglasses, as the appropriate lenses can mean reducing stress so that an under-utilized eye might start working with increased efficiency

-Using eye drops, an eye patch, or special lenses to fog or block the favored eye, making the weaker eye work better or harder

-The restoration of single and clear vision, improvement of eye coordination, and visual equilibrium in both eyes through a program of specific vision therapy

Brain Plasticity Does Decrease And That Has Impact

It’s well-established that vision therapy is more effective when it gets administered in the earlier stages of life. As a patient ages, the plasticity of their brain generally starts to decline.

The visual system of a person adapts so they’re able to function, despite any present visual limitations. Dr. Susan Barry certain is one notable instance of this. A neurobiologist, she found ways to succeed in her own life, even in spite of her own vision issues.

Many adult patients have been able to adapt and then even persevere, despite having vision complications. That’s not to say it’s easy. For example, some students might make it to college with good grades but need twice as many study hours.

Adult Treatment For Amblyopia

The confusion over amblyopia treatment in adults might be relative to Harvard Medical School research which oversaw amblyopia treatment in cats. Researchers held the belief that cats couldn’t recover their stereovision since they had lived past the age range of 2 to 8 years old, which is the critical period of their vision development. It’s now known that the critical period ending does mean that amblyopia treatment is more difficult, yet not impossible.

So, things circle back to the central question: Are adults able to get amblyopia treatment? Certainly. The upside is that adults diagnosed with amblyopia can possibly get enhanced vision. However, no guarantees exist. Each patient and case is distinct, and all patients need thorough evaluation using a Functional Vision Test.

On the other hand, we strongly advise you to consult a developmental optometrist in order to see if treatment is even possible for your situation. Consult The Vision Therapy Center if you are a resident of Wisconsin.

To learn more about amblyopia treatment, please call us today at (919) 977-7480. Dr. Bassiri and the Fusion Eye Care team look forward to ensuring you get help with your amblyopia.

Understanding Scleral Lenses

While they are lenses, scleral lenses are specially designed to offer better performance than traditional contact lenses do. For starters, just like conventional contact lenses, the scleral lenses can and are used to correct vision. However, they are also used to restore the ocular surface even when other treatment options have failed.

As such, patients who are uncomfortable or do not get good vision using traditional contact lenses or glasses, or patients looking to treat certain eye ailments can turn to scleral lenses as a treatment option. In fact, while scleral lenses began as a specialty treatment option, they are now widespread and as popular as other treatment options, even for individuals with normal corneas.

Scleral contact lenses are custom-made for each patient’s eye which set them apart from regular contact lenses. When custom designing the lenses, each lens is fitted and shaped to vault over the cornea, thereby retaining a constant reservoir of fluid between the cornea and the lens. This, in turn, ensures that the users’ eyes remain hydrated all through while wearing the lenses. Additionally, the reservoir fluid helps to compensate the natural irregularities that a cornea may have, thereby enhancing one’s vision.

At Fusion Eye Care, we have specialized in fitting the scleral lenses. We design and make lenses that are highly permeable to oxygen which improves the comfort levels our patients get. However, we also ensure that our lenses achieve high-quality vision improvement, much the same as the rigid gas permeable lenses do. As such, our patients end up with soft lens comfort and improved comfort. In most cases, our patients say they do not feel the lenses at all, despite wearing them for hours.

Scleral Contact Lenses Design

For the scleral contact lenses, they tend to have a larger diameter. As such, while they are designed to vault over corneas, their larger design allows them to sit on the sclera – the white part of the eye. Consequently, users benefit from improved vision and at the same time, they enjoy better comfort as the lenses do not sit on the cornea. Typically, lenses that sit on the cornea are uncomfortable and more so among individuals who suffer from corneal irritation or individuals whose corneas are irregularly shaped.

As you can appreciate, such as lens design has numerous health benefits. They correct distorted and blurred vision, they promote the healing of the ocular surface, and they also protect the cornea from the eyelids and the general environment. Therefore, when compared to other lens designs, these are the best lenses on the market.

At Fusion Eye Care, we are passionate about our work and we fully appreciate that our products have the potential of improving our patients’ quality of life. As such, we work closely with each of our patients to get an optimal fit for the specialty scleral lenses. To furthermore differentiate ourselves from other eye-care providers, we have taken a keen interest in understanding what is needed to develop scleral lenses for patients with corneal irregularities. Therefore, regardless of the state of your eyes, you can rest assured that we will come up with a solution for you.

Importantly, we are constantly updating and expanding our knowledge of the lens technology. Our mission is to provide the best and greatest lens technology as a solution for their vision problems. At this point in time, the scleral lenses are the best lens technology available for the mass market. As such, we have made this our focus.

Conditions That Scleral Lenses Treat

  • Dry Eye Syndrome
  • Corneal dystrophies and degenerations
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
  • Chemical and burn injuries
  • Keratoconus and ectasia
  • Post-corneal transplant
  • Eyelid abnormalities
  • Radial Keratotomy (RK)
  • Sjogren’s Syndrome
  • Graft vs Host Disease
  • Corneal ectasia (and many other complications arising from LASIK)

Scleral Cost

The cost of the lenses is not constant as they are customized for individuals. Therefore, the price of these lenses will vary from individual to individuals. Contact us with your questions.

Using Scleral Lenses

For individuals who have been wearing contact lenses, it will take some time to get used to these lenses. This is because the lenses sit differently and occupy a different position, hence the putting in and removal procedures for this particular lenses is different from the typical lenses. However, if you are new to contact lenses, you will get used to using them quite fast.

To learn more about scleral lenses, please call us today at (919) 977-7480. Dr. Bassiri and the Fusion Eye Care team look forward to ensuring you get help with your scleral lenses.

What Is Anisometropia?

Only a few people in the world are born with both eyes having the same optical power. However, the brain often compensates and the condition often goes unnoticed. However, people suffering from anisometropia have a significant difference in the vision between both eyes which interferes with their normal binocular vision.

That means they will see a larger image in one eye and a smaller one in the other resulting in overall blurriness in their vision. Also, they are likely going to get a lazy eye (amblyopia) where one eye has blurry vision for a while and becomes weaker permanently. Anisometropia might present at birth in some cases. An estimate reveals that at least 6% of children between 6 and 18 are definitely going to suffer from this condition.

Types Of Anisometropia

The condition can be categorized into 3.

  1. a) Simple: Here, one eye will be affected and the other doesn’t have a refractive error (the spectacle prescription). The affected eye will be long-sighted (hyperopic) or short-sighted (myopic).
  1. b) Compound: Here, both eyes will be short-sighted (myopic) but there will be some significant difference in the refractive errors (spectacle prescriptions). As a result, one eye will see a blurrier image than the other.
  1. c) Mixed: Here, both eyes will have appreciable refractive errors with one being hyperopic and the other being myopic.

Symptoms Of Anisometropia

The condition presents the following symptoms.

  1. a) Lazy Eye (Amblyopia): Here, the refractive power found in one of the eyes presents lack of visual stimulation resulting in transmission of insufficient information to the brain through the optic nerve.
  1. b) Crossed Eye (Strabismus): Here, you will unable to align both eyes. There is lack of coordination in both eyes making it hard to focus on the same point at the same time.
  1. c) Double Vision (Diplopia): As a result of double vision other symptoms will pop up including headaches, eyestrain, light sensitivity, nausea, tiredness and dizziness.

Causes Of Anisometropia

Anyone with normal vision can suffer from 5% difference in their refractive power of each individual eye. However, anyone with a difference of between 5 and 20% will experience anisometropia, often uneven vision. Some of the causes include defects in the eyes, especially during childbirth, including unevenness in the size of both eyes.

Treatment Options

Once the condition is diagnosed, it should be treated immediately. If left untreated, the brain will select the eye with a clearer image and often ignore the other one. It causes a lot of vision dependence on the better eye. With time, the neglected eye becomes weaker progressively. That’s why you need to seek treatment before the condition becomes acute. Be sure to ask your eye doctor about treating the condition via specialty contact lenses.

Anisometropia can be treated in a few ways, often depending on the severity of the condition. For some people, the difference between the two eyes can be managed, especially if the difference is minimal. Other people will require corrective or contact lenses as well as corrective surgery. If you use corrective or contact lenses, you need a different prescription for each eye for the best results.

A person with severe anisometropia is not recommended to wear glasses. Keep in mind that glasses have a magnification effect that causes a huge difference in the image size seen by each individual eye. As a result, wearing glasses with a very severe condition will often prevent exceptional binocular vision.

To learn more about anisometropia, please call us today at (919) 977-7480. Dr. Bassiri and the Fusion Eye Care team look forward to ensuring you get help with your anisometropia.