General Eye Care and Common Eye Disorders

Common eye disorders and conditions we diagnose and treat include:

• Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids that often occurs when the oil glands near the base of the eyelashes become clogged, leading to irritation and redness along the edges of the eyelids. Blepharitis typically affects both eyes. Several diseases and conditions can cause the condition.
• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Better known as pink eye, conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva – the thin, clear membrane that protects your eyes and lines the inside of the eyelids. Pink eye causes small blood vessels in the conjunctiva to become swollen and irritated so that the whites of the eyes appear reddish or pink. Most often, pink eye is caused by a viral infection, making it very contagious. However, bacterial infection and allergic reactions can also cause pink eye.
• Dry Eye Disease: This condition occurs when the eyes do not get enough moisture, causing them to feel dry and gritty. Causes of dry eye include low humidity, smoke, certain diseases, certain medicines and aging. The Dry Eye Center at University Hospitals Eye Institute provides advanced care for patients suffering from dry eye disease.
• Excessive Tearing (Epiphora): Epiphora occurs when something causes the eyes to produce too many tears or prevents the normal drainage of tears away from the eyes. The disorder is often temporary and many of its causes do not require treatment. However, sometimes epiphora is a sign of a serious eye infection or a blockage in your tear ducts that requires treatment.
• Presbyopia: A natural part of aging, presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eyes' ability to focus on objects that are nearby. This condition can initially occur as early as age 40 and worsen until around age 65. Presbyopia can be detected during a basic eye exam. Eyeglasses or contact lenses can be prescribed to correct or improve close vision. Other treatment options include optional refractive surgery and lens implant surgery.
• Stye: A stye (or hordeolum) is a painful red bump on the edge of the eyelid. Similar to an acne pimple, a stye forms when an oil gland near the eyelashes becomes blocked and infected. Styes are very common and can often be managed at home. However, some may require assessment and treatment by an eye doctor
• Preseptal Cellulitis: Also called periorbital cellulitis, preseptal cellulitis is an infection of the eyelid or skin around the eye. The infection can be caused by minor trauma to the eyelid, such as a scratch or insect bite, or another infection. Symptoms include redness of the eyelid and swelling of the eyelid and surrounding tissue. Though it can occur at any age, preseptal cellulitis is more commonly seen in children younger than five years old. Preseptal cellulitis can be treated with antibiotics and close monitoring, but can be serious if left untreated.