Acute Red Eye
While many of us will develop acute red eye in our lifetime, the exact etiologic cause may be difficult to determine. Although the most likely diagnosis of the red eye is acute conjunctivitus, the underlying cause may be elusive. A thorough history and examination of the face, lids, conjunctiva, and cornea will provide a presumptive diagnosis guiding initial treatment.

Cataracts
Cataracts do not have to change your life! They are a normal part of aging and can be treated. People regain most or all vision, and continue to do things they love to do. A cataract is a gradual clouding of the clear lens in the eye which results in a blurry or hazy image, and a sensitivity to light.

To correct it, an ophthalmic surgeon removes the damaged lens and replaces it with a clear, artificial one. Surgery is short, and you can go home the same day and resume normal activities shortly after. Speak to your eye doctor to see what you have to look forward to! Click here for more information on Cataract Surgery Wait Times at TOH.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness. Anyone can develop glaucoma, with most people not knowing they have it. You are at greater risk when:

Have your eyes checked regularly by an eye doctor to see what you have to gain. Early detection and treatment can save your sight!

Graves Disease
Graves Disease is typified by an apical enlargement of the eye muscles which stimulates other fibroblasts. Fluid is drawn into the muscle and stored, eventually leading to the development of scar tissue. In addition, the swelling of the muscles pushes the eye forward causing it to protrude.

As a result patients may have trouble closing their eyes, which causes drying, irritation and increased inflammation. Increased effort to bring the eyelids together may result in a frown, or swollen muscles may compress the optic nerve leading to loss of vision if treatment is not sought early on.

Low Vision
While sophisticated technologies and specialized treatment are improving sight for hundreds of Eye Institute patients, a small segment of the population continues to experience the impact of reduced visual function. Adjusting to the gradual changes can be difficult, but low vision specialists help patients learn to cope with the degree of vision that remains. Low vision affects people of all ages. It is, however most common in the elderly.

There are a variety of disorders that can affect the eye and the visual system causing low vision. These are: birth defects, injuries, certain diseases of the body and aging. The most common cause of low vision is macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a disease of the retina or the inner layer of the eye that senses light and allows you to see.

Reduced central or reading vision is the most common type of low vision. Other types of low vision are reduced side vision (peripheral), and loss of color vision. Your eyes also might lose the ability to adjust to light, contrast or glare. Different types of low vision may require different types of aids.

Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss. The macula is a small spot near the back of the eye that sends images you see to your brain. As it deteriorates with age, symptoms may include:

Speak to your eye doctor about possible treatment options or low vision aids.

Optic Neuropathy
Demyelinating Optic Neuropathy (optic neuritis or retrobulbar neuritis) is an acute inflammatory process of the optic nerve, generally occurring in young adults. It manifests as an acute onset of visual loss, almost always unilateral.

The visual loss generally progresses over several days, remains stable for one to two weeks, and then gradually improves. The prognosis for recovery of vision is excellent with or without treatment.

Patients experiencing such conditions are encouraged to seek treatment, as the condition carries a high risk of subsequent development of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Recent multicentre treatment trials indicate appropriate care within the first few days after onset are crucial.

While the application of intravenous steroid solutions does not alter the immediate visual prognosis, it does seem to retard the subsequent development of MS, over the next two years in patients for whom radiologic evidence suggests a higher risk of MS.

Retinal Detachment
The retina is a light-sensitive extension of the brain that lines the inner surface of the eyeball. It detects light and converts the image of the external world into electrical impulses that are sent from the eye to the brain for interpretation along the optic nerve.

The retina can be likened to the film of a camera. If the retina is not functioning properly vision can be hampered or even lost.

A retinal detachment can be of two main types:

- Exudative Retinal Detachments occur due to the collection of fluid between the retina and the outer coats of the eye. This fluid may have many origins including inflammation and tumors. When the retina is detached from the coats of the eye, it fails to function properly leading to blurred vision in the area of the detachment.

- Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachments are due to holes that occur in the retina allowing fluid from the vitreous cavity to lift the retina from the outer coats of the eye. These breaks or holes in the retina can be from trauma, high myopia or near-sightedness, or some rare familial eye diseases.

Strabismus 
Strabismus is the medical term referring conditions in which one or both eyes are not aligned properly. There are three common types of strabismus:

- Esotropia or in-turning of the eyes. This is often referred to as crossed eyes or a squint.

- Exotropia or out-turning eyes. This is also known as walleye or divergent eyes.

- Hypertropia - there is vertical strabismus, meaning the eyes are out of alignment vertically.

Nutrition and Eye Health

 Nutrition for Healthy Eyes

The following vitamins, minerals and other nutrients have been shown to be essential for good vision and may protect your eyes from sight-robbing conditions and diseases.

Incorporating the following foods in your diet will help you get the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of these important eye nutrients. Established by the Institute of Medicine (National Academy of Sciences), the RDA is the average daily dietary intake level of a nutrient sufficient to meet the requirements of nearly all healthy individuals in a specific life stage and gender group.

While the RDA is a useful reference, some eye care practitioners recommend higher daily intakes of certain nutrients for people at risk for eye problems.

(In the following list, mg = milligram; mcg = microgram (1/1000 of a mg) and IU = International Unit.)

Beta-carotene

- Eye benefits of beta-carotene: When taken in combination with zinc and vitamins C and E, beta-carotene may reduce the progression of macular degeneration.

- Food sources: Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, butternut squash.

- RDA: None (most supplements contain 5,000 to 25,000 IU).

Bioflavonoids (Flavonoids)

- Eye benefits of bioflavonoids: May protect against cataracts and macular degeneration.

- Food sources: Tea, red wine, citrus fruits, bilberries, blueberries, cherries, legumes, soy products.

- RDA: None.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

- Eye benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin: May prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.

- Food sources: Spinach, kale, turnip greens, collard greens, squash.

- RDA: None.

Eye benefits of omega-3 fatty acids: May help prevent macular degeneration (AMD) and dry eyes.Omega-3 Fatty Acids

- Food sources: Cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring; fish oil supplements, freshly ground flaxseeds, walnuts.

- RDA: None; but for cardiovascular benefits, the American Heart Association recommends approximately 1,000 mg daily.

Selenium

- Eye benefits of selenium: When combined with carotenoids and vitamins C and E, may reduce risk of advanced AMD.

- Food sources: Seafood (shrimp, crab, salmon, halibut), Brazil nuts, enriched noodles, brown rice.

- RDA: 55 mcg for teens and adults (60 mcg for women during pregnancy and 70 mcg when breast-feeding).

Vitamin A

- Eye benefits of vitamin A: May protect against night blindness and dry eyes.

- Food sources: Beef or chicken liver; eggs, butter, milk.

- RDA: 3,000 IU for men; 2,333 IU for women (2,567 IU during pregnancy and 4,333 IU when breast-feeding).

Vitamin C

- Eye benefits of vitamin C: May reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

- Food sources: Sweet peppers (red or green), kale, strawberries, broccoli, oranges, cantaloupe.

- RDA: 90 mg for men; 70 mg for women (85 mg during pregnancy and 120 mg when breast-feeding).

Vitamin D

- Eye benefits of vitamin D: May reduce the risk of macular degeneration.

- Food sources: Salmon, sardines, mackerel, milk; orange juice fortified with vitamin D.

- RDA: None, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 IU per day for infants, children and adolescents, and many experts recommend higher daily intakes for adults.

- The best source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun stimulates production of vitamin D in human skin, and just a few minutes of exposure to sunlight each day (without sunscreen) will insure your body is producing adequate amounts of vitamin D.

Vitamin E

- Eye benefits of vitamin E: When combined with carotenoids and vitamin C, may reduce the risk of advanced AMD.

- Food sources: Almonds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts.

- RDA: 15 mg for teens and adults (15 mg for women during pregnancy and 19 mg when breast-feeding).

Zinc

- Eye benefits of zinc: Helps vitamin A reduce the risk of night blindness; may play a role in reducing risk of advanced AMD.

- Food sources: Oysters, beef, Dungeness crab, turkey (dark meat).

- RDA: 11 mg for men; 8 mg for women (11 mg during pregnancy and 12 mg when breast-feeding).

In general, it's best to obtain most nutrients through a healthy diet, including at least two servings of fish per week and plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables.

If you plan to begin a regimen of eye vitamins, be sure to discuss this with your optometrist orophthalmologist. Taking too much of certain vision supplements can cause problems, especially if you are taking prescription medications for health problems.