Lakeway
Eye Physicians and Surgeons, PA
Dr. Corina A. Stancey, MD
Dr. Corina A. Stancey, MD
›› What is a cataract?
A cataract is a gradual thickening and yellowing of the natural lens in the eye that occurs with age. Cataracts can be accelerated by steroid use and diabetes to occur in younger patients. Cataracts slowly affect vision by causing a halo around lights, blurriness, and a loss of color brightness. When cataracts begin to affect a patient's lifestyle and quality of life, a small surgery can be performed to remove the cataract and place an artificial lens in its place, thereby restoring vision.
›› What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is usually a disorder of high intraocular pressure that results in damage to the optic nerve in the back of the eye and loss of peripheral vision. Other variants of glaucoma may have a normal eye pressure. Glaucoma is usually painless and produces no symptoms until significant peripheral loss has occurred. If not treated, glaucoma can lead to complete blindness. Early detection and treatment with eye drops can usually halt the progression of damage. Sometimes laser or surgery may also be needed. A yearly visual field test is an important tool to determine if progression is occurring.
›› Why is it important for diabetics to have a yearly dilated examination?
Uncontrolled or long-standing diabetes can damage the small vessels in the back of the eye (retina) leading to leakage and new vessel growth - diabetic retinopathy. This can result in blurry vision but is often silent early on. It is important for diabetics to have a yearly dilated examination to determine if damage is occurring. If so, laser treatment can be performed to help halt the damage.
›› What is macular degeneration?
Macular Degeneration often runs in families and is an age related process that damages the most sensitive portion of the retina - the macula. The macula is what helps us to see centrally and gives us our fine vision. Patients with advanced macular degeneration lose their central vision, but never lose their peripheral vision or go totally blind. New studies have shown that high doses of certain anti-oxidant vitamins may help slow the progression of moderate or advanced cases of macular degeneration. New techniques and drugs have recently become available to help stop the progression of the wet form of macular degeneration, thereby preserving vision.
›› What is an astigmatism?
An astigmatism is a deviation of the curvature of the cornea from a perfect sphere, like a baseball, to one that is slightly pointed like a football. It's just another reason many of us need glasses. Astigmatism is not a disease, but rather a common variation in the shape of the eye. Extreme cases of astigmatism often make it difficult to wear certain types of contact lenses.
›› What causes dry eyes?
Dry eyes occur when there is an insufficient amount of tears produced, resulting in discomfort and a decrease in vision. Dry eye symptoms may range from a mild irritation to severe burning, pain, tearing and even a permanent loss of vision. The tear film is made of many different layers that provides the smooth optical surface necessary for clear vision. It also protects the surface of the eye (cornea) from irritating substances and it bathes the surface cells with oxygen and other essential nutrients. The symptoms of dry eyes may be associated with a variety of diseases and with some medications. Treatment options include the instillation of tear supplements and a variety of methods to conserve what tears are made.
›› What is a stye?
A stye is a blocked oil gland in the margin of the eyelid. Stye's are often painful because they irritate the little nerve endings at the base of the eyelashes. They can become quite large and even sometimes get infected. The most common treatment is warm compresses to help open the blocked pore but sometimes a small surgical procedure needs to be performed to help drain the backed up oils. Patients with recurring styes can be placed on a medicine to help prevent their recurrence.
›› Why have my eyelids become droopy as I age?
As we age, gravity continues to work and our skin and muscles begin to lose their elasticity and strength. This leads to an excess of skin on the upper eyelid or a stretching of the muscle in the eyelid leading to droopy eyelids. Often, this begins to interfere with vision, especially vision when looking up. Surgical correction can give a more youthful appearance as well has relieving any visual deficit.
›› What are floaters?
Floaters are dots or irregular shapes in the field of vision that move around as we move our eyes. Floaters are caused by the jelly of the eye (vitreous) pulling away from the back of the eye (retina) and folding on itself to cause these little shadows we see as floaters. Flashes may accompany floaters when they first develop. In most cases, floaters are of no consequence and do not require treatment. Rarely, a small hole or tear develops in the retina as the vitreous is pulling away possibly resulting in a retinal detachment. A dilated examination is necessary with new floaters to ensure no further treatment is necessary.
›› What is a retinal detachment?
A retinal detachment is a separation of the layers in the retina – the film in the back of the eye that transmits messages to our brain. These can occur spontaneously or with trauma. Retinal detachments often cause lots of new floaters and flashes to occur. They can also present as a loss of part of the peripheral vision and eventually the central vision. When diagnosed early, treatment with laser can help prevent the progression of a retinal detachment and further vision loss. Sometimes surgery of the retina is needed to reattach it.
›› What is the role do vitamins and diet play in the health of the eye?
A recent study, the Age Related Eye Disease Study, has shown that high doses of certain antioxidants may help to slow the progression of moderate and advanced cases of macular degeneration. There has been not studies to show that vitamins or other herbal supplements can treat glaucoma or help cataracts from forming. It is never a bad idea to supplement a healthy diet with a multivitamin though.
›› What is Lasik/PRK and how do I know if I'm a candidate?
Lasik and PRK are laser procedures that help change the curvature of the surface of the eye, cornea, to help rid a patient of glasses or contact lenses. Often, patients find themselves 20/20 after such a laser procedure without the further need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Lasik and PRK aren’t for everyone though. Careful measurements need to be taken of the surface of the eye to see if a patient would be a candidate.
Contact Us:
Phone: 512-402-9919
Fax: 512-402-9151
Address:
1310 RR 620 South,
Suite B-201,
Austin, TX 78734
We accept Medicare as well as most HMO’s and PPO’s. Call our office today to see if we take your plan.