Laser treatments are used for a variety of vascular occlusions. For central vein occlusion, the purpose of the treatment is to prevent further growth of new blood vessels in the front of the eye. For branch vein occlusions and macular edema (swelling), the treatment is used to close leaky blood vessels

Retinal vascular occlusions may involve both arteries and veins. Far more common are retinal vein occlusions. They occur when a retinal vein becomes obstructed by an adjacent blood vessel. This causes hemorrhage in the retina, which can result in swelling and lack of oxygen to the retina and sometimes

Uveitis is an inflammation of the eye's structures responsible for its blood supply. The structures, called the uveal tract, include the iris, ciliary body and choroid. There are three major types of uveitis, each classified by the structures it affects. 1. Anterior uveitis (also known as iridocyclitis)

Strabismus surgery is used to realign the muscles that control eye movements. The need for surgery depends on which way the eye is turning, the severity of the turned or crossed eye, and whether or not improvements can be made through glasses or vision therapy. This same day, outpatient surgery is performed

Summarized below are different laser treatments and surgical procedures applied for a variety of retinal problems. Diabetic Retinopathy Treatments Three laser treatments have been developed for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy at different stages of the disease. The goal for each of these procedures

One of the causes of a red eye is subconjunctival hemorrhage. This happens when a small blood vessel under the conjunctiva breaks and bleeds. A red patch of blood appears on the white of the eye, but causes no pain or change in vision. In some cases, the hemorrhage is caused by coughing, heaving lifting

Orbits and plastics are typically used to correct problems with the skin or muscle around the eye. Droopy or floppy eyelids; cysts, chalazion or other growths around the eye; or side effects from Grave's disease (a thyroid disorder) are common eye problems that benefit from orbits and plastics. These

Patients who are diagnosed with wet macular degeneration have new options for laser treatments. As macular degeneration progresses, new blood vessels may develop in the eye, which can cause scarring and a loss of central vision. To stop the progression of the disease and limit scarring, laser treatments

Presbyopia is a difficulty in focusing that many people begin noticing after age 40. Most people first notice difficulty in reading very fine print. Print seems to have less contrast and a brighter, more direct light is needed for reading. In many cases, patients begin holding reading material further

Keratoconus is a degenerative disease of the cornea that causes it to gradually thin and bulge into a cone-like shape. This shape prevents light from focusing precisely on the macula. As the disease progresses, the shape becomes more pronounced, causing blurred or distorted vision. Patients with keratoconus

Nearsightedness occurs when light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This is caused by a cornea that is steeper, or an eye that is longer, than a normal eye. Nearsightedness causes difficulty seeing at a distance. It is often discovered in school-age children who

LASIK (Laser-In-Situ Keratomileusis) For more than three decades, laser vision correction has been the dominant method for refractive surgery. Today, LASIK is most frequently used as an outpatient procedure for the correction of low, moderate and high prescriptions. Prior to LASIK surgery, your eye

Blepharitis is a common inflammatory condition that causes burning, itching and irritation of the eyelids. In severe cases, it may also cause styes and irritation or inflammation of the cornea (keratitis) or conjunctiva (conjunctivitis). Blepharitis is characterized by sandy, itchy eyes, red or swollen

Glaucoma is a disease caused by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting either from an overproduction of fluid or from a malfunction of the eye's drainage structures. Left untreated, an elevated IOP causes irreversible damage to the optic nerve and retinal fibers, which leads to progressive and

Two laser treatments and one surgery may be recommended at different stages in the treatment of glaucoma: Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI), Argonne Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) and glaucoma surgery. Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) This preventative technique is used to preempt the occurrence of a glaucoma

If you see black spots or spider webs that seem to float in a cluster or singly in your vision, or if you see spots that move or remain suspended in one place, or flickering or flashing lights that are most prominent when you look at a bright background, then you have experienced floaters and flashes.