What is Astigmatism?

I'm probably asked this question more than any other so here's a little primer on how the optics of the eye work.

Let's first go over how light rays behave as they enter the eye.

In a normal eye, light rays enter the eye, are bent by the tear film, cornea, and lens, and then come to one point focus on the retina. The retina is where rods and cones pick up the light signals which are then transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve.

FDA Approves New Eyelash Enhancing Treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Latisse, a new topical treatment to increase length, thickness, and darkness of eyelashes.

Available only by prescription, Latisse is applied to the base of the upper eyelashes with a sterile applicator, typically after makeup removal. Users should see a difference after 8 weeks of treatment, but full results are apparent after 16 weeks. The effect is maintained as long as you continue to use the product. Lashes will gradually return to their untreated state if Latisse is discontinued.

The active ingredient in Latisse is one that was originally used to lower eye pressure in people with certain types of glaucoma, and the side effect of the drug was eyelash growth.  The safety of the ingredient has been confirmed by clinical trials and more than 13 years of use.

Negative side effects are typically mild and include eyelid irritation and redness.  These can easily be resolved by discontinuation of the treatment.

Diabetic Eye Disease

November was National Diabetes Awareness Month and with so many Americans who are suffering from this disease and its increasing prevalence, I felt it was important to discuss some of the ways in which diabetes can affect your eyes.

In addition to impaired kidney function and nerve damage, uncontrolled diabetes can also have some ocular consequences:

• Glaucoma – this is a progressive disease that, when untreated, can eventually lead to loss of peripheral vision.  Having diabetes increases the risk of glaucoma by an astonishing 40%! 
  
  Glaucoma is a disease that is without symptoms until very late in the disease stage.  By the time you would notice peripheral vision loss, half of the retinal nerve fibers would already have been destroyed and can never be regenerated. 
  
  That’s why I check for signs of glaucoma every year, even if you have no complaints.
  
  
• Cataracts – Most people develop cataracts as part of the normal aging process, but those with diabetes are up to 60% more likely to develop them and at a younger age than those without diabetes.  There are several different types of cataract, all of which develop at different rates.
  
  Your optometrist, as part of your annual examination will check for the presence of cataracts as well as monitor them for changes and provide you with visual aids that will help improve visual function.
  
  
• Diabetic Retinopathy – There are small cells that line the interior of blood vessels throughout the body including the retina.  The retina is the membrane that receives the light signals that enter the eye.  It sends these signals on to the brain which then interprets them to help us understand our environment.
  
  Diabetes can destroy the cells that line blood vessels, leaving gaps along the interior vessel walls through which blood and fluid can leak out.  The end result is hemorrhages, swelling, and overall poor quality of circulation. 

Because retinal nerve fibers cannot regenerate, it is important for diabetics to have annual dilated retinal examinations.  This way any signs of impending disease are noticed early and further damage may be prevented. 

In fact, other health conditions such as hypertension or high cholesterol often manifest in the eyes as well.  That’s why annual comprehensive ocular health examinations should be an essential part of your health care regimen regardless of whether or not your prescription changes.

If you would like more information on glaucoma, cataracts, or diabetic eye disease, stop by our office to chat or pick up some educational materials.   Educating yourself is a vital part of being an active participant in your own well-being.

Give Your Allergies the Brush-Off

Sure signs of the arrival of Spring are the itchy noses and watery eyes that herald the new bloom.  And what comes as no surprise to St. Louis residents, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has named it one of the worst places for allergy sufferers.  

The word allergy comes from the Greek “allos” meaning “other” and “ergon” meaning “work”.  The body’s immune system, whose job is to fight infection causing agents, attacks harmless particles like dust and pollen.