When it comes to eyesight, everyone has the goal of being able to have perfect vision. Unfortunately, for most people there are limitations to the perfect vision. Eye conditions extend beyond the common myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. There are a number of eye conditions that can successfully impair your vision if not treated.

Dry Eyes:

Most of us have no problems shedding a few tears when we are feeling emotional but their is a minority of people that cannot create tears. It is a condition known as dry eyes and a person may feel as though there is a constant irritant in their eyes. The reason for the discomfort is that your eyes are not producing enough tears to cover the eyes. Healthy eyes are covered by a thin tear film that acts as a barrier and allows you to see more clearly.

While there is no one specific cause to dry eyes, doctors have found a number of variables that could play a role. A persistent irritant to an eye may cause dry eye. Contact Lenses may play a role in causing dry eye. Other causes may be related to your work environment or lifestyle. The causes may not be well defined but the symptoms are noticeable. Dry eye patients often experience:

• scratchy and irritations to the eye
• heightened sensitivity to wind or smoke
• light sensitivity either from the sun or entering a room
• decreased vision
• tired eyes from trying to focus on an object or read
• becoming immune from being able to wear contacts

If you feel as though you suffer from dry eye(s) you should make an appointment to see your local doctor. Your doctor will have a series of questions for you about your lifestyle, work environment, and even eating habits so that they may begin to access your condition. A tear volume or production test is used to determine the dryness and location of the dryness in your eye(s).

There are a variety of treatments for dry eyes that include eye drops, eye ointments, punctal plugs, or even lifestyle changes. Traditional treatments often provide patients with comfort but these treatments cannot help with the tear composition that may cause the dryness.  Studies are being performed on a regular basis by doctors who are looking for better ways to treat dry eyes.

Saggy Eyelids:

There are a number of conditions out there that cause Saggy Eyelids and can lead to impaired vision if not treated properly.

A condition known as dermatochalasis is the most common reason for eyelids to appear sagging.The eyelids are not actually sagging but rather there is an excess of skin. The excessive skin makes the eye look saggy and tired. If enough skin begins to overhang the eye then vision may become obstructed. The dermatochalasis is caused by the aging skin because as our skin ages it becomes less tight thus allowing it hang and drape over eyes.

Ptosis is an eye condition where the eyelid actually droops. The droopiness is much like dermatochalasis as it relates to the aging of the skin. The connection at the eyelid muscle becomes loose or fully detached from the eyelid plate, and a droopy eyelid occurs. The drooping eyelid causes concerns for most people when their vision becomes impaired or it may be more of a cosmetic concern.

What can be done for sagging eyelids?

Treatment options are available for both ptosis and dermatochalasis, typically it requires surgery. Both types of surgeries require a small incision to be made on the eyelid crease. During surgery for dermatochalasis after the incision is made the excess skin is to then be removed. For ptosis surgery, the incision is made so that it reveals the eyelid plate and eyelid elevator muscle tendon. Since the tendon has become detached the goal of the surgery is to reattach the muscle tendon to the eyelid plate. After the surgery the skin is closed together with a small suture that is barely noticeable.

What will I experience during eyelid surgery?

Most eyelid surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis. Depending on the evasiveness of the procedure, it may be able to be done right in the clinic. Valium or intravenous drugs are often used to make the patient feel comfortable before surgery. A local anesthesia will be given to numb the eyelids before surgery. The doctor will then perform the surgery which will last between 20 minutes to an hour depending on how severe the condition may be.

What is the recovery period like after eyelid surgery?

Like most surgeries that require an incision stitches are to be involved. Most eyelid surgeries use dissolving stitches that are absorbed by the body. Most doctors will prescribe an anti-botic ointment to place on the wounds to help with the healing process and to reduce scarring. Often patients experience bruising on their eyelids as a result of the surgery. Doctors suggest that patients use ice to help reduce the bruising.

What are the risks of eyelid surgery?

All surgeries that involve an incisions present a risk of bleeding or infection. Complications with eyelid surgery are very rare but a still worth noting. The complications can lead to the loss of vision, or in extremely rare instances, the loss of an eye. Scarring is minimal & usually unnoticeable. However, scarring could lead to poor functioning of the lid. In ptosis, the outcome of the surgery sometimes does not achieve the desirable outcome and a second surgery may be necessary.

Presbyopia:

Presbyopia is a condition that affects patients as they enter into their early 40's. They begin to have trouble reading menus and newspapers. A patient with perfect eyesight their entire life may suffer from presbyopia. Age is the main cause of presbyopia and it is not something that you can prevent from happening.

Typically, a pair of reading glasses will do the trick to help you read items that are at near distances. There are alternatives to glasses in the form of surgery that may help improve your vision for the rest of your life. If you think you may be suffering from presbyopia and would like to learn more about your treatment options you should contact Valley Eye Institute.