Jordan Burnham

Diabetes can affect multiple different structures in the eye which may result in vision loss. All patients with diabetes need a dilated eye exam to look for diabetes related damage including diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina). Multiple treatments are available

Most common cause of floaters is shadows produced on the retina from vitreous opacities. The gel inside the eye (vitreous) can move around and cast shadows on the retina which appear as floaters in your vision. These will not cause blindness themselves but can be a warning sign of retinal damage such as a hole or tear which can lead to a retinal detachment. Floaters can also be caused by intraocular inflammation such as uveitis. A complete dilated eye exam is recommended.

Cataract is a gradual onset cloudiness to the lens that sit inside our eyes just behind the pupil. It happens to every human at some point in life and at different rates. Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial implant lens to correct vision.

Thyroid problems can affect your eyes in many ways including Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy (TAO). You need to schedule an examination with your ophthalmologist for diagnosis and treatment.

Risk of diabetes damage in the retina (Diabetic Retinopathy) increases with time. However, genetic predisposition, type of Diabetes (1 or 2), and blood sugar control all contribute to when or if you develop retinopathy. Even patients without complications should have a dilated eye exam every year. Diabetic retinopathy can be treated if it is caught promptly.

Lasik surgery can correct astigmatism. Your refractive surgeon will run tests to ensure that your type and/or magnitude of astigmatism can be corrected.

Vitrectomy is a general term used for retina surgery. Strictly speaking, "vitrectomy" is the removal of the vitreous gel from the inside of the eye. Removal of the vitreous gel is the first step of retina surgery, but the real procedure takes place after that. Vitrectomy can be combined with macular hole surgery, membrane peeling, retinal detachment repair, laser, air/gas exchange, and other procedures. The indications for surgery depend on the condition. Vitrectomy is a very safe surgery, however all vitrectomy and retina surgery involves microscopic manipulation of very delicate tissue inside the eye so there is always a risk for complication.

Most frequently, eye fatigue after using a computer is due to the eyes drying out. The cornea does not stay adequately lubricated after prolonged reading, watching TV, driving, and results in reduced image quality. Some people describe this as images "jumping around". Take a break every 20-30 minutes from the computer, be sure to blink plenty, and use artificial tear drops to lubricate the eyes.

Some people are more sensitive to sunlight than others. Just as some peoples skin is more sensitive to others. This worsens with age. This is generally normal, but there are some abnormal conditions that can cause this as well. You may want to try good UV blocking polarized sunglasses outside, and consider having a comprehensive eye exam.

Cataract surgery is one of the safest procedures you can have done to your eyes and the risks are very small. The risks of bilateral cataract surgery seem to be similar to cataract surgery performed one eye at a time. The concern, is that if you were to have one of these rare complications it would be much more devastating if it happened in both eyes at the same time. Discuss this risk with your surgeon.

Infantile cataracts are treatable. Most infantile cataracts are significant enough that they require surgery, unfortunately. Depending on the type and severity of the cataracts, your eye doctor will be able to council on the prognosis.

Depending on the type and severity, strabismus is corrected with either glasses, glasses with prisms, or eye muscle surgery.