Eye Conditions

Caplan Eye Clinic diagnoses and treats a wide variety of eye conditions. Learn more about these conditions.

Astigmatism is one of several eye conditions known as refractive errors. Refractive errors are those that deal with the angle at which the light enters the eye. This effects the focus of the light on the retina, the nerve that interprets the light into images for the brain.

An astigmatism usually results from an irregular curvature of the cornea, the front surface of the eye. It is not a disease, and is actually a common problem. It can cause a blurring or both distant and nearby objects. This blurred vision can cause headache, fatigue, squinting, and eye discomfort or irritation.

Individuals who suffer from hay fever or seasonal allergies may also experience seasonal conjunctivitis. Individuals suffering from this usually experience symptoms in the spring. Symptoms include red itchy and watery eyes. One form of allergic conjunctivitis, perennial conjunctivitis, results in year-round symptoms. Causes include: animal dander, dust, and allergens that are continually in the individual’s environment.

Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis is usually quite simple. The symptoms can often be controlled with over-the-counter medications available at most drug stores. These might include oral and topical medications. If the symptoms are severe, it may require stronger medications available by prescription from physicians.

Blepharitis is a common and persistent inflammation of the eyelids frequently occurring in people with oily skin, dandruff, or dry eyes. Symptoms include irritation, itching, dandruff-like flaking along the lashes and eyelids, and occasionally a red eye. While everyone’s skin has bacteria on its surface, in certain individuals the bacteria thrives at the base of the eye lashes.

Blepharitis can be a stubborn condition. While there is no cure, it can be controlled through simple treatment at home.

Cataracts cause a loss of transparency (or cloudiness) in the lens of the eye. This cloudiness causes a loss of light entering the eye and results in foggy vision. Cataracts are most common in people who are over age 55. While it is a condition generally associated with aging, it can effect people of all ages.

While there is no know prevention for cataracts, there is evidence that exposure to ultraviolet light (a part of sunlight) and cigarette smoking may speed its development. In its later stages, it may seriously impact vision and require corrective surgery.

A chalazion is a lump-type swelling of the eyelid that is often confused with a stye. It is caused by an inflammation of the small oil producing glands located in the upper or lower eyelids. It is typically caused by trapped oil secretions and may involve a secondary bacterial infection. If it is not too large or does not cause blurred vision, it may disappear on its own. However, a chalazion can be treated by a variety of methods. These include: antibiotic and/or steroid drops or injections; warm compresses (warm water washcloth compresses held against the eye for five to ten minutes); massage of the area; or in severe cases, a surgical procedure.

Chalazions usually respond well to treatment, but some individuals are prone to recurrence that might be symptomatic of other conditions.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. You may have heard of this as “pink eye”. Conjunctivitis has many causes including: bacterial infections; viral infections; allergies; and environmental irritants such as smoke and chemical fumes. The eyes normal reaction to this is to increase blood flow to the area that creates the red appearance.

If the amount of discharge from the eye is great or if puss is present, the infection may be acute (intense). Yet, some infections are chronic (long-lasting) and produce very little symptoms. You may experience little or no discharge and may only notice crusting of the eye lashes in the morning in addition to the redness.

Tear fluids are very important to eye health, as they distribute natural lubricants that protect eye tissue. Individuals continually experiencing irritated eyes may be suffering from dry eyes. Over thirty million Americans suffer from this condition. Ironically, dry eyes often results in excessive watering of the affected eye. The excess watering is a reaction to irritation. While the eyes may be wet, the fluid lacks one or more of the necessary natural lubricants. If left untreated, serious damage to the eye tissues may result causing a loss of vision.

Dry eyes may be caused by: a disruption in the normal blinking reflex; medications like antihistamines; environmental factors such as low humidity and wind; chemical or thermal burns; and some health problems such as arthritis. Treatments vary according to the cause.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States and the single most common cause of blindness in African-Americans. Glaucoma has often been referred to as “the silent thief of sight” since most people with the disease are unaware that they have it until detected by an eye physician. It may cause permanent vision loss if not detected and treated early. Since the damage caused by glaucoma is irreversible, early detection is extremely important.

Glaucoma occurs when pressure within the eye is elevated enough to cause progressive damage to the optic nerve. This first results in loss of peripheral vision and then, in the later stages, loss of central vision.

Macular degeneration is a deterioration or breakdown of the eye’s macula. The macula is a small area in the retina – the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. The macula is the part of the retina that is responsible for your central vision, allowing you to see fine details clearly.

With Macular Degeneration, you may experience symptoms such as blurriness, dark areas or distortion in your central vision, and perhaps permanent loss of your central vision. There are two forms of Macular Degeneration: Dry and Wet. Only about 10% of cases have the wet form.

There are several different Retina Disorders including torn and detached retinas, Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR), and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

A retinal detachment is a very serious problem that almost always causes blindness unless treated. The appearance of flashing lights, floating objects, or a gray curtain moving across the field of vision are all indications of a retinal detachment. If any of these occur, see an ophthalmologist right away.

Some people may begin seeing specks or threadlike strands drifting across their vision. When they try to look at them, these objects seem to speed away. These are called spots and floaters by ophthalmologists and are commonly experienced by older individuals.

Most spots and floaters are normal and rarely cause blindness, but spots can be an indicator of serious problems. If you notice an increase in the number of spots you occasionally see or if you begin noticing them on a regular basis, you should immediately consult with an eye-care professional.

Eye Conditions

Top-Quality Care

We’re Here to Help