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标签： ocular disease

发表于 通过 Dr. Elisa Xiao

Is it Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is when you have inflammation of your eyelids. Sometimes the cause is from skin conditions
such as dandruff or rosacea while other times the cause could be from overpopulation of bacteria or
even parasitic mites called demodex.

Image from: https://www.allaboutvision.com

Some signs or symptoms you may be experiencing include:

  • Red, swollen eyes
  • A gritty or burning sensation in your eyes
  • Excessive tearing or itching
  • Dry eyes or crusted eyelashes
  • Increased sensitivity to light
  • Dandruff-like scales on the eyelashes
  • Blocked eyelid glands
  • Eyelashes may fall out of be misdirected inwards causing damage to the cornea
  • Increased risk of infection

So what can you do?

With so many varying signs and possible causes it is important to have a comprehensive eye exam in
order to determine the type of blepharitis you may have. Once determined a specified treatment plan
can be made to manage the condition. Luckily, in many cases taking care of your eyelid hygiene,
whether in office or at home, is a simple enough method in keeping the symptoms of blepharitis at bay
and from affecting your daily life. It is important to remember that this will likely be a long term plan.
Treatments in office or at home may help jump start your recovery, but proper hygiene must be
maintained overtime, or the symptoms of blepharitis may return.

At-home ocular hygiene tips:

  • Frequently wash your the scalp and face
  • Warm compresses to help soften crust and help unclog oil glands present in eyelids
  • Use artificial tears (often helpful when placed in the fridge to bring down inflammation)
  • Limit or stop using eye makeup during treatment, as it makes lid hygiene more difficult.
  • Nutrition changes/supplements such as omega-3s

More severe cases may warrant in-office treatments:

Photo credit: Eye Health Shop, 2023

  • Intense Pulsed Light therapy, involving the application of bright red light pulses to your eyelids
  • BlephEx®, which involves cleaning your eyelid margins with microblepharoexfoliation.
  • Lipiflow or other dry eye focused treatments may be used concurrently
  • Depending on your case antibiotics or steroids or tea tree oil products may be prescribed
  • Products may be available in office to complement treatment, such as BIHOCL or eyelid scrubs
发表于 通过 Dr. Elisa Xiao

Why Do I Need To Get My Eyes Dilated?

It’s not the most comfortable experience, but…

拍摄者 Mārtiņš Zemlickis 在 不飞溅

Dilation is a crucial component of your eye exam. Dilating drops enlarge your pupils to allow more light to enter the eye, giving the doctor a better view of the interior and back of your eye. Think of it as looking through a keyhole – the larger and wider the keyhole, the more you can see into the room behind the door.

Why is dilation important?

  1. It enables your optometrist to more accurately determine your prescription by unmasking the effect of accommodation.
  2. It helps to identify eye conditions in children, such as amblyopia (lazy eye).
  3. It helps detect retinal conditions, glaucoma, and other neurological conditions
拍摄者 v2osk 在 不飞溅

If it’s so important, why isn’t it done in every eye exam?

Although it is recommended for everyone, dilation is not absolutely necessary for all patients and situations. Dilation can cause blurry near vision and light sensitivity for several hours after the drops are applied. To determine if dilation is needed and appropriate, your optometrist considers several factors:

  1. Age. The risk of eye diseases increases with age, so dilation is highly recommended for adults/seniors. In children, it helps to determine a more accurate prescription that is not masked by their accommodation system.
  2. Ocular history/ Family history. Having a history of eye diseases can predict your risk for developing certain conditions. Genetics plays a role in many ocular diseases.
  3. Overall health. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and other systemic conditions increase the likelihood of developing eye problems.
  4. Presenting symptoms. Symptoms that draw patients into the exam room may warrant a dilated exam. Flashes, floaters, or curtain veil over vision warrant immediate dilation, as they can be a sign of a serious condition.
发表于 通过 Dr. Elisa Xiao

色素性视网膜炎

图片来源： 凯西·霍纳 在 不飞溅

视网膜色素变性（RP）是一种遗传性眼病，会影响视网膜——位于眼球后部，负责捕捉光线并将视觉信号传递至大脑。这种疾病由基因突变引起，随着视网膜内感光细胞的逐渐退化，会导致视力逐渐丧失。虽然有些人的视力会在数十年内缓慢下降，但另一些人的视力恶化速度可能更快。.  

症状

视网膜色素变性最显著的症状之一是夜盲症，患者在光线昏暗或黑暗的环境下视力下降。随着视网膜色素变性病情加重，通常会导致视野狭窄（管状视野），甚至影响色觉。.  

治疗

目前尚无治愈视网膜色素变性的方法，但研究人员正在积极探索各种可能性。基因疗法旨在将正常基因导入视网膜，以替代突变基因。另一研究方向是视网膜植入，该疗法试图通过电子设备刺激剩余的正常细胞来恢复视力。.  

患有视网膜色素变性（RP）的患者应与眼科专业人员密切合作，共同管理病情。定期眼科检查有助于追踪病情进展，并确定保护视力的最佳策略。此外，患者还可以了解有助于改善日常生活的低视力辅助工具和技术。.

发表于 通过 Dr. Sherman Tung

圆锥角膜

拍摄者 Sigmund/ 不飞溅

The cornea plays a crucial role in focusing light onto the retina. In individuals with keratoconus, the cornea progressively thins and bulges, taking on a cone-like shape. As a result, vision becomes distorted and blurry, often accompanied by nearsightedness and astigmatism.  

症状

Keratoconus doesn’t appear overnight; rather, it develops gradually, usually during adolescence or early adulthood. As the condition progresses, several symptoms become noticeable:

  1. Blurry and Distorted Vision
  2. Light Sensitivity
  3. Prescription Changes
  4. Halos and Glare
  5. Eye Strain and Headaches

治疗

Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the condition, but may include

  • Eye glasses
  • Soft contact lenses
  • Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses
  • Surgical interventions like collagen cross-linking or corneal transplant

If you suspect you have keratoconus or experience any unusual changes in your vision, it’s crucial to consult an eye doctor. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can make a significant difference in preserving your vision and overall well-being.