Prevention of Blindness Society...

MACULAR DEGENERATION NETWORK NEWS

NOVEMBER 1999

A Tour of the Eye

Howard Weiss, M.D. outlined the common maladies and solutions of the eye for attendees at the Aging Eye Network at the Holiday Park Senior Center on October 20^th. He started with the front of the eye and moved to the back.

Dr. Weiss explained that because the eyelids blink many times a day, they lose elasticity. The muscle slips back and becomes loose, which causes drooping eyelids that block vision. An ocular plastic surgeon specializes in lids, and can gather and snip away the excess skin. New technology enables the surgeon to use a laser rather than a knife and thread.

Continuing Dr. Weiss’ tour of the eye, he noted that glands of the eyelids secrete an oil layer and a watery layer which coat the eye. If the oil layer is not healthy, the discomfort causes the water layer to secrete more.

Even with the added tears, the eye will feel dry and scratchy. This is a common condition that can be treated by using warm compresses to open the oil layer gland. Artificial tears will often work, and there are plenty of new products on the horizon for this condition.

The cornea is a delicate tissue with a compact and clear active cell that pumps water continuously. If those cells become damaged, the cornea will become swollen and cloudy. Corneal transplants will replace a damaged cornea. Because the cornea has no blood vessels, corneal transplants are among the most successful of all organ transplants. New drugs are making corneal transplants even easier, and organ donors are needed to provide the corneas to help those with this need.

Be part of the solution for cornea problems by being an organ donor!

The eye is like a balloon filled with water, and if it doesn’t have proper pressure, the fluid will build up and doesn’t drain properly. This is glaucoma. If there is too much pressure, tunnel vision will occur. There are lots of ways to relieve the pressure, including different kinds of eye drops. Lasers can also decrease the pressure, and surgery can provide new drainage channels. These therapies will help a person with glaucoma to retain their remaining vision as long as possible.

The lens of a healthy eye is clear. A cloudy lens is a cataract. The word "cataract" actually means white water – as in a waterfall. Over the years, cataract surgery has come a long, long way. In the past, doctors would wait until the cataract condition was quite severe before operating. Now the procedure can be done as soon as a person notes that vision is inadequate. A cataract is the size of a chocolate M&M candy. The surgeon makes a tiny incision and uses sonar (sound waves and ultrasound are the same) to break up the cloudy lens. The incision is so small that stitches are usually not needed – it seals up on its own.

The last stop on the tour is the retina. Think of the retina as the film in a camera. Two major conditions threatening the retina are diabetes and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Diabetes causes the retina’s blood vessels to become abnormal. A person with diabetes should have an annual eye exam to insure that these abnormal blood vessels are not leaking or blocked. If this becomes the case, a laser can seal up leaky blood vessels. This will not restore vision, but will preserve remaining vision.

AMD is very common among those over 65. It takes away a person’s central vision. There are two forms of AMD – dry and wet. There are some devices that can help a person make the most of their situation, and eliminating smoking will help prevent its onset. Diet, sun exposure, and vitamins are all possible factors that may affect AMD. Much research is being done to find the cause and the cure of AMD.

© 2000 Prevention of Blindness Society of the Metropolitan Area, Washington, DC. All Rights Reserved.