Along the “water line” or “eyelid margin,” there are microscopic glands called meibomian glands, which secrete an oily substance. These oils make up a part of the tear film that prevents the tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become clogged, inflamed, or unhealthy, there is a reduction in the amount of oils entering the tear film. This can cause dryness and discomfort.

When the meibomian glands become clogged and infected, the formation of a “stye” occurs. Treatment may include warm compresses or medications, such as antibiotics, prescribed by an eye doctor. 

Rosacea is often known to occur on the face. Most commonly, people may have redness on their cheeks and nose.  Surprisingly, it can also affect the eyelids; this is  known as ocular rosacea. Ocular rosacea alters the meibomian glands, causing inflammation and discomfort. Ocular rosacea is treated with medications and natural remedies, such as high dose omega-3 supplements.

There is currently no medical cure for cataracts, however, it can be surgically removed when you and your eye doctor agree it is the proper time. Cataracts are a normal aging change that occurs in the body. Certain conditions, such as diabetes, steroid use, myopia, and trauma may accelerate the formation of cataracts.

Floaters are opacities in the liquid portion inside the eye, which cast a shadow on the retina. Floaters can be described as many different shapes and sizes. Some people describe them as “bugs” or a “spider web” floating in their vision. An eye doctor’s main concern when hearing symptoms of new flashes/floaters is making sure the retina is not torn or detached. This is done with a dilated fundus exam to check for any tears, breaks, or disruptions in the retina. Floaters are also a normal aging process that occurs in the eye. It is the composition of the liquid in the eye changing over time. Conditions such as high myopia or trauma may cause floaters to happen earlier in life. The chances of getting floaters increase with age.  Floaters are permanent. Sometimes the brain learns to ignore the floater due to constant exposure, or gravity will pull your floater down and out of your line of sight.  Generally, the risks outweigh the benefits for surgery to treat floaters. Surgery will be offered only if a retina specialist feels it is absolutely necessary.

Flashes, which are often described as a lightning bolt, are caused when the gel inside the eye (vitreous) is tugging on the retina. If you are experiencing flashes of light, you should immediately see your doctor, as this is a sign of something occurring inside the eye. Flashes commonly precede floaters.

A retinal detachment is when the tissue in the back of the eye becomes torn and detached from its original location. It is extremely sight-threatening and is considered an emergency.

Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve, usually due to high eye pressure. The optic nerve is the cable connecting the eye to the brain, which sends all visual information to the brain to be interpreted. Scans and tests are routinely done to check for progression or change over time.  Glaucoma is usually a slowly progressing condition, which initially has no symptoms. Therefore, glaucoma is typically detected during routine eye exams. Treatment includes prescribed eye drops, lasers, or surgery to decrease eye pressure, although any loss of vision and damage to the optic nerve due to glaucoma is currently irreversible. Glaucoma can be hereditary, making it even more important to be checked if you have a family history of this disease. Effects of glaucoma include decreased peripheral vision, which can progress toward the center of the eye and eventually lead to permanent blindness.

Diabetes can affect the blood vessels in the entire body, including the eyes. Diabetic changes to the eye may include bleeding in the retina, accumulation of fluid in the retina, retinal detachment, and the acceleration of cataracts. Advanced disease in the eye can cause blindness due to the changes that occur in the retina. Keeping sugar and blood pressure levels stable can prevent these changes from occurring. Prolonged spikes in blood pressure can cause changes in the retina, which may remain permanent. Typically, mild cases are monitored by your primary eye doctor. More severe cases are sent to a retina specialist for injections or lasers into the eye. A yearly dilated exam is important for patients with diabetes, a family history of diabetes, or pre-diabetes, to check for changes to the retina, which may affect your vision.

Strabismus is the medical term for an “eye turn” or “lazy eye,” which occurs when the eyes are no longer aligned. This can cause complications such as double vision in adults and amblyopia, or loss of vision, for children. Not all people with strabismus have double vision, but they may be bothered by the appearance of a deviated eye. There are many optical and surgical treatments for strabismus and these should be discussed with a strabismus specialist. You should always consult a doctor for an eye turn. You may be surprised at the different treatment options that are available to make you more comfortable in regards to your vision and appearance. 

Some of the treatments available include exercises, glasses and contact lenses, Botox, and surgery. You should have a discussion with a strabismus specialist to find out which would be the best fit for you. There are also many options for surgical and non-surgical correction of eye-turns . Glasses very much depend on why you have an eye turn, how large of a turn it is, and the reason for the eye turn. Only a strabismus specialist will be able to answer all of these questions. 

Commonly known as nearsightedness, myopia is typically when you can see well at near, but have difficulty at distance without glasses or contacts. It occurs when the shape of the eye is longer than normal or when the cornea is too steeply curved. 

Myopia progression in children can pose risks such as retinal detachments, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. In these cases, there are many options of myopia control to slow the progression. 

There is no cure for myopia, but lenses can improve vision to help reach optimal visual acuity. Myopia control is a set of treatments to prevent myopia progression in children. It usually includes progressive-lens glasses, specialty contact lenses, and a low-dose of an eye drop called atropine. When it comes to wearing glasses all the time, it depends on each individual and their age.

Otherwise known as farsightedness, hyperopia typically causes difficulty with both near vision and possibly distance vision. It occurs when the shape of the eye is smaller than normal or when the cornea is too flat. Complications that occur with hyperopia are eye strain and headaches with prolonged computer or near work.  Headaches are sometimes associated with eye strain and an eye exam can help determine if glasses will help alleviate the discomfort.