Ocular Disease And Surgery
Adjust Text Size: A A A A
 
  • Glaucoma
    Summary: Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. In the early stages of the disease, there may be no symptoms. Experts estimate that half of the people affected by glaucoma may not know they have it.
     
  • Macular Degeneration
    Summary: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal degenerative disease that causes a progressive loss of central vision.
     
  • Cataracts
    Summary: A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens. The lens is mostly made of water and protein. As we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.
     
  • Chronic Dry Eye
    is a medical condition that can result from the eyes' reduced ability to produce tears due to chronic inflammation. The doctors at Heartland Eye Consultants can examine you for the signs and symptoms of chronic dry eye using several quick and painless tests to measure visual clarity, tear production, ocular surface dryness and damage to the cornea or conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the eyelids).

    Chronic dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce the right quantity or quality of tears. The main functions of your tears are to lubricate and protect them from bacteria and environmental irritants such as dust.

    A large percentage of Americans suffer from chronic dry eye, but it is more common among these groups of people:
    • People who live windy environments, like Nebraska, because of increased tear evaporation
    • Computer users, because they blink less when concentrating on the monitor
    • Contact lens wearers because of increased tear evaporation
    • People taking medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics, oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy
    • Menopausal women
    • Seniors, because tear production decreases with age
    • People with autoimmune disorders like Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis
     
    Symptoms of dry eye can vary greatly but often include one or more of the following: fluctuating or blurry vision, itching, irritation, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, dryness and foreign body sensation, excessive tearing and use of over-the-counter eye drops three or more times a day with little to no success.