General Eye Care

Dry Eye

Dry eye is a condition in which there is insufficient tear production to lubricate and nourish the eye. This lack of proper tear production results in a continuous irritation in the eyes. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye, known as the cornea, and for providing clear vision.

Tears are spread across the cornea with each blink of the eyelids. These tears provide lubrication, reduce the risk of eye infection, displace foreign matter in the eye, and keep the surface of the eye smooth and clear.

Dry eye is caused by a multitude of factors. These include age, gender, medications, medical conditions, environmental factors, and others. Dry eye is part of the natural aging process, so older patients are more likely to experience symptoms. Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid issues may develop dry eyes as well. Other factors affecting the ocular surface include exposure to smoke, wind, usage of contact lenses, and failure to blink regularly.

The doctors at the Bentz Eye Center diagnosis dry eye by patient history and examination of the eyes. Special dyes are used to determine if the corneal epithelium is intact. These dyes include sodium flourescein and rose bengal staining. Additionally, Schrimer tear testing is performed to determine the level of tear production for each patient. Once all diagnostic tests are performed, appropriate treatment options are determined.

Dry eye can be a chronic condition but many treatments are available to keep eyes healthy, more comfortable, and seeing clearly. Mild cases of dry eye can often be managed using artificial tear solutions. These can be used as often as needed to supplement natural tear production. In addition to artificial tear solutions, punctual plugs may be inserted to help retain further moisture. The doctor inserts plugs into the tear ducts, which are the openings at the inner corners of the eyelids. These plugs block the holes where the tears drain in order to keep more fluid on the ocular surface. A more recent treatment in the fight against dry eye is Restasis. Restasis is a solution that actually improves the patient's own tear production. So, instead of just replacing tears, this medication improves the patient's ability to produce their own tears.

Diabetic Eye Exams

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common complication associated with diabetes and is a leading cause of blindness. Diabetics cannot regulate blood sugar levels correctly, and high blood sugar levels can cause damage to the tiny blood vessels inside the retina. Damage to the blood vessels causes fluids to leak into the retina and obstruct blood flow, both of which will damage your vision. The retina is the part of the eye that senses light and helps send images to the brain. Damage to the retina, diabetic retinopathy, can ultimately cause loss of vision.

There are usually no changes in vision in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. However, as the disease progresses, the walls of the blood vessels weaken and leak fluid. This fluid may cause the retina to swell and as the swelling increases, the vessels can close off, creating new blood vessels to form. These new vessels may bleed and cause severe vision loss. Many diabetics do not receive the recommended vision care, and as a result, may be at risk for blindness.

All people with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, are at risk for diabetic retinopathy. This makes it crucial for all diabetics to have a comprehensive eye exam annually. Between 40-45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have some stage of diabetic retinopathy. In addition to retinopathy, diabetics are at greater risk for glaucoma and cataracts. Patients who are able to effectively control their blood sugar reduce their chance of having diabetic retinopathy.

A comprehensive diabetic eye exam includes a measurement of visual acuity, a measurement of the eye pressure, and a dilation. It is very important to notice any changes in your vision. If vision becomes blurry, spotty, or hazy, it is vital to contact your eye doctor.

Early stages of diabetic retinopathy usually do not require treatment. To prevent progression of retinopathy, patients with diabetes should control their blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. When there is sufficient bleeding into the retina, laser treatment may need to be applied. The laser is used to shrink the abnormal blood vessels. When the bleeding is severe, a patient may need a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy. A vitrectomy is a surgical procedure in which the vitreous gel of the eye is removed and a salt solution is inserted. This procedure is commonly performed by a retinal specialist. Both laser treatment and surgical treatment of diabetic retinopathy is very effective in reducing vision loss.

Both Dr. Bentz and Dr. Ball perform diabetic eye exams. The Bentz Eye Center is equipped with the latest technology to diagnose and manage diabetic retinopathy. Digital photos of the retina are taken yearly in order to compare the level of retinopathy. The office is also equipped with a laser that enables Dr. Bentz to treat early stages of diabetic retinopathy. If retinopathy is severe, a retinal specialist may be consulted.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye's optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. However, with early treatment, patients can protect their eyes against serious vision loss. There are two main types of glaucoma: open angle and closed angle glaucoma. Open angle glaucoma is the most common form and will often go undetected during the early stages. This is because it causes no pain and the vision remains normal. However, as the disease progresses, vision slowly decreases with loss of peripheral vision first. If left untreated, total loss of vision may occur. Patients at higher risk for open angle glaucoma include African Americans over the age of 40, all ethnic groups over the age of 60, and people with a family history of glaucoma.

Angle closure glaucoma is the other main type of glaucoma. It is not as common as open angle glaucoma, but the damage to the optic nerve is more severe. Patients with this type of glaucoma have a sudden increase in eye pressure. The increased eye pressure causes the patient to experience severe pain and nausea, as well as redness of the eye and blurred vision. The increased pressure in the eye leads to faster damage to the optic nerve.

Damage to the optic nerve is apparent when the tissue in the center of the nerve is lost. This loss of tissue is visible to a doctor, and can be used to monitor the patient's status. Gradual loss of optic nerve tissue causes the vision to deteriorate over time.