Focus on Vision Health
        *   Glaucoma
        *   Floaters

Glaucoma: The Silent Thief

What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is called the "silent thief of sight" , and for good reason. It strikes without any obvious symptoms. Individuals with glaucoma are usually unaware of the disease until serious loss of vision occurs. In fact, half of those suffering damage from glaucoma do not even know it. Unfortunately, damage from glaucoma cannot be reversed.

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries the images we see to the brain. Many people know that glaucoma has something to do with pressure inside the eye. The higher the pressure inside the eye, the greater the chance of damage to the optic nerve.

The optic nerve is like an electric cable containing a huge number of wires.
Glaucoma can damage these wires (nerve fibers) causing blind spots to develop. Often people do not notice these blind spots until a great deal of optic nerve damage has already occured. If enough nerve fibers are destroyed, blindness results.

Who has Glaucoma?
Everyone should be concerned about glaucoma and it's devastating effects. It is important for each of us from infants to senior citizens to have our eyes checked regularly, because early detection and treatment of glaucoma are the only ways to prevent vision loss and blindness.

Who is at Risk?
One or more of the following factors puts you at risk for glaucoma:
  • Anyone over 45 years of age.
  • A history of glaucoma in your family.
  • High intra-ocular pressures.
  • Diabetes.
  • Myopia (nearsightedness).
  • Hyperopia (farsightedness).
  • Previous eye injury.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Long term steroid or cortisone use.
  • African-american, Caribbean or Asian decent.

Early detection and treatment are the keys to preventing optic nerve damage and blindness from glaucoma.

 
 Flashes and Floaters
Floaters are a common eye symptom that occurs as the eye age. if you have ever seen "bugs", specks, faints strings, or flashes of light in your field of vision, you have experienced flashes and floaters.

Generally these phenomena are harmless, Floaters, however, that appear suddenly as a cloud of dark spots or a spider web, especially when accompanied by flashes of light, may signal a torn as detached retina.The key symptom of a detached retina is a curtain over the vision. The is a serious problem if you experience these symptoms, it is important to see as ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
Floaters can Signal Retinal Problems:
A tear in the retina allows fluid to
build up underneath, causing a detachment.

Occasionally floaters signal a more serious eye problem, such as a retinal tear. The retina is a very fragile membrane that lines the inside of the eye, coming in direct contact with the vitreous.The vitreous and retina attach to each other in places. As the vitreous separates, it can pull on the retina at these attachments and cause it to break or tear, especially if the retina has weak spots.

When a tear is present, fluid from the vitreous leaks under the retina and separates it from the underlying layer in the eye. When this happens, the retina ceases to work , resulting in loss of vision.
How Floaters Occur?

Floaters are actually tiny particles that float around within the eye. Usually they are the result of changes in the vitreous gel which fills the large middle portion of the eye.The vitreous is a clear, jelly-like material which changes with age .During childhood it is solid like gelatin. As we age, the vitreous begins to liquefy.

Sometime when the vitreous ages and become more liquid , a sudden collapse or vitreous separation causes .microscopic particles to "float" within the eye, casting tiny shadows on the retina. we see these as specks or webs depending on their shape.

    Shown below is the vitreous gel
                  Seprated from the retina.
     
 
Watch Out for these Conditions:

1) Floaters are the specks, "bugs" and threads that dart in and out of your field
    of vision.

2) Floaters occur as the eye ages, and while annoying, are usually harmless.

3) Floaters that appear suddenly or are accompanied by flashes of light can signal
    a retinal tear or detachment.

4) Early diagnosis of retinal tears and detachments can lead to early treatment and
    may prevent vision loss.

5) A black curtain over the vision is a sign of a detached retina and is an urgent
    medical condition.
An Eye Exam is Your Best Assurance:

Not everyone who has floaters develops a retinal tear .About 1 in 10 who experienced a shower of floaters and flashes of light will have tear.The sudden appearance of a cob wen-type floaters by itself is only rarely associated with a torn retina, but still needs to be evaluated. Early detection ana treatment of retinal tears can prevent vision loss.

What about harmless flashes and floaters? Will they ever go away?

Flashes may persist for several months and may occasionally last close to a year.They are caused by the movement of the collapsed vitreous within the eye and are most apparent in the dark.

Floaters may gradually diminish as time goes by, but they usually will not go away completely.They are most apparent against a light background .Lowering the lights while reading can help.
If you experienced flashes or floaters, we recommend you have an eye examination. For further information call (630) 232-7112, www.genevaopt@sbcglobal.net or www.coopervision.com