At Bonner Eye Clinic, we believe patient education plays a very important role in proper eye care. Patients who understand various eye conditions and diseases can take a more active approach in maintaining the health of their eyes. Our knowledgeable staff members take the time to educate patients on various eye conditions and diseases, as well as the latest treatments that are available.
Eye diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma can significantly impair your vision and make everyday tasks very difficult to perform. Since most diseases can be detected during annual eye exams, many of them can be treated early to prevent further loss of vision.
Although cataracts occur as part of the normal aging process, they can severely reduce your vision. Studies show that virtually everyone over age 65 has some cataract formation in their eyes. At one time, cataracts were a leading cause of blindness in the world. Today, fortunately, they can be treated successfully. Modern surgical techniques, intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and "same day surgery" make treating cataracts safe, fast, and effective.
A cataract occurs when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy. As the cataract develops, the cloudiness prevents the lens from properly focusing light on the back of the eye. This unfocused light causes vision to appear blurry or hazy. Development of cataracts has been associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation. They are particularly prevalent in people who spend significant amounts of time in the sun, such as fisherman. There is no known way to prevent the formation of cataracts.
At Bonner Eye Clinic, we focus on proven cataract treatment options that will allow you to recover clear vision. Treatment is usually recommended once decreased vision begins to affect your everyday activities or hobbies. To determine how much your vision has decreased, we use the latest test called contrast sensitivity. This allows us to determine to what extent the cataract is interfering with your normal vision.
Armed with this information, the doctors at Bonner Eye Clinic use cataract surgery -- a very successful procedure in which the normal cloudy lens is removed -- to help restore your vision. The most commonly used technique is called phacoemulsification. During this procedure, a very small incision is made, and a tiny ultrasonic probe is used to break up the cataract and gently suction it away. A ReZoom™ intraocular lens (IOL) is then placed behind the eye's clear membrane. The IOL replaces the focusing power of the removed natural lens and renders thick eyeglasses or contact lenses unnecessary.
The small incision cataract surgery that we use at Bonner Eye Clinic has several benefits. Cataract surgery and IOL implantation are generally very safe. IOLs must pass through a stringent approval process before they can be used. The procedure is very quick, sometimes taking less than 20 minutes. Also, the recovery time is short, and the results of the surgery are almost immediate. You will notice significant improvement in your vision soon after the surgery is completed.
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Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Although the disease most commonly affects older people, it can occur at any age. Loss of vision is preventable, however, if the disease is detected early and treatment is begun.
Glaucoma causes the destruction of the nerve fibers that run from the back of the eye to the brain. It was once thought that the loss of nerve fibers was due strictly to high pressure in the eye. Eye pressure is high in many glaucoma patients because the fluid in the eye, the aqueous humor, does not drain as quickly as it should. Now it is known that even patients with normal eye pressure can have glaucoma and lose the nerve fibers that allow them to see.
In many patients, the disease is not detected in its early stages because there is no pain and no noticeable change in vision. Early diagnosis by an eye doctor is the key to the prevention of vision damage from glaucoma. At Bonner Eye Clinic, we include glaucoma tests in routine eye examinations.
The most common form of glaucoma is called chronic open angle glaucoma. The eye's drainage system lies in a part of the eye called the angle, which is between the outer layer and the iris of the eye. This angle can be open or closed, depending on the type of glaucoma. In chronic open angle glaucoma, the eye fluid does not drain as quickly as it should, even though the angle is open.
Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle closes, and almost no eye fluid can escape. During closed-angle glaucoma, eye pressure can become very high, resulting in pain. Closed-angle glaucoma is an emergency and must be treated immediately. If the high pressure is allowed to continue for too long, blindness can result.
Some people are more likely to have glaucoma than others, including people who are older, nearsighted, or diabetic. A family history of glaucoma, past eye injury, and past history of vascular shock increase a person's risk as well. Also, African-Americans are six times more likely to have the disease than people of other races.
At Bonner Eye Clinic, we begin treatment with eye drops that lower eye pressure. If the pressure does not fall low enough with the drops alone, surgery may be necessary. In glaucoma surgery, we open up the drainage system in the angle so that the eye fluid can flow more freely.
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Diabetes is a disease that affects the blood vessels throughout the body, particularly vessels in the kidney and eye. When the blood vessels in the eye are affected, the condition is known as diabetic retinopathy.
A multi-layered tissue, called the retina, lies at the back of the eye. The retina detects visual images and transmits them to the brain. There are major blood vessels, which lie on the surface, or the front portion, of the retina. When these blood vessels are damaged due to diabetes, they may leak fluid or blood and grow scar tissue. This leakage affects the ability of the retina to detect and transmit images.
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness among adults in the United States. The longer a person has diabetes, the higher the incidence of developing diabetic retinopathy. Approximately 80 percent of the people who have had diabetes for 15 years have some damage to their retinal vessels. Still, with treatment, only a small percentage of people have serious vision problems today. If you have diabetes, please schedule an appointment at Bonner Eye Clinic as soon as possible.
There are two phases of diabetic retinopathy. Background retinopathy is considered the early stage. Reading vision is typically not affected during this stage, but the disease can advance and can cause severe vision problems later on. There are usually no symptoms with background diabetic retinopathy. An eye exam is the only way to diagnose the changes occurring in the vessels of the eyes.
When the retinopathy becomes advanced, new vessels grow and proliferate in the retina. These new vessels are the body's attempt to replace the vessels that have been damaged by diabetes. But these new vessels are abnormal. They may bleed, causing vision to become hazy or sometimes causing a total loss of vision. These new vessels can also damage the retina by forming scar tissue that pulls the retina away from its proper location. Retinal detachment is a serious, sight-threatening condition. Thus, this stage, called proliferative retinopathy, requires immediate medical attention.
Treatment of diabetic retinopathy is necessary to prevent severe loss of vision. Regular eye exams are crucial for all persons with diabetes. The progressing damage to the blood vessels in the eye can be slowed with treatment. Please schedule an appointment at Bonner Eye Clinic today. Your sight is worth preserving!
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The macula is the tiny central part of the retina, which is responsible for fine detail vision and for color perception. Macular degeneration is a disease of this very important portion of the eye. Macular degeneration usually begins in one eye, but may eventually affect them both. Although it is typically an age-related condition (it occurs most often in people over the age of 50), certain hereditary forms of macular degeneration sometimes affect children or teens.
In many cases, patients are not aware of macular degeneration that occurs in one eye because the stronger eye compensates for the weaker one. Regular eye examinations are the best way to catch macular degeneration in its early stages. If you do notice symptoms, among the most common are difficulty reading and seeing up close and seeing distorted lines.
There is no cure for macular degeneration, but recent research suggests that certain vitamins and nutrients may slow the progress of the disease in certain patients. If the disease is advancing, we can use laser surgery to slow its development. Bonner Eye Clinic can help inform you about macular degeneration and the best steps to take in your particular case. Remember, regular examinations and early detection are crucial, so please schedule a visit to Bonner Eye Clinic today.
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Eye disorders and infections such as retinal detachment, dry eyes, sties, and blepharitis can cause a lot of irritation and discomfort. Some disorders can even lead to loss of vision. Individuals suffering from these conditions should seek help right away so that the problem does not get worse.
Lying in the back of the eye is the retina, a multi-layered tissue responsible for detecting visual images and transmitting them to the brain. The retina is similar to the film inside a camera in that it records an image that is later "developed" by the brain. A retinal detachment occurs when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye; a tear occurs when the retina is only partially disconnected.
Retinal tears and detachments can have many causes:
- Vitreous shrinks naturally with age and pulls away from the retina, causing a detachment
- External injury to the eye
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Small tears in the retina that allow liquid to seep through
- Tumors
- Sometimes a detachment occurs spontaneously, without known cause or explanation.
Following a retinal detachment, unusual types of images may appear. These include flashing lights, an apparent covering or curtain over part of the visual field, or many floaters. These symptoms, however, can also be present without a retinal detachment, so an immediate exam is necessary to determine the cause. Please contact Bonner Eye Clinic today if you believe you may be suffering from a retinal tear or detachment.
If the retina does not fully detach but only tears, we use a laser or freezing technique called cryotherapy to seal the tear. If the retina is fully detached, you will need surgery to place the retina back into position. Your vision is important to us at Bonner Eye Clinic. Retinal tears and detachments can be serious conditions, but we can help. Please contact us as soon as possible.
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Sudden changes in your vision may be the indication of a serious condition. If you have experienced an onset of unusual visual images, such as flashes of light or small "floaters" within your vision field, please contact Bonner Eye Clinic today.
The origin of flashes and floaters is the retina. The retina, located at the back of the eye, is a multi-layered tissue that detects and transmits images to the brain. In front of the retina lies the vitreous humor. The vitreous is the jelly-like material that fills the large central cavity of the eye. It is composed primarily of water, but it is also made up of proteins and other substances that are more fibrous. The water and fibrous elements together give the vitreous the consistency of gelatin.
The vitreous is normally connected to the retina. With age, the watery portion of the vitreous separates from the fibrous portions. As this occurs, the fibrous elements contract and can pull the vitreous away from the retina, causing a posterior vitreous detachment. Contraction on the retina can be responsible for flashers. The floaters are frequently caused by the fibrous elements changing position during the posterior vitreous detachment. They can also be caused by pieces of the retina being dislodged as the vitreous contracts. Besides aging-related posterior vitreous detachment, flashers and floaters are also associated with nearsightedness and injuries to the eye.
All patients who have experienced a recent onset of flashers and floaters should be examined immediately by their eye doctors. Most of the time nothing unusual is found, the flashers eventually subside, and the floaters diminish with time. However, in about 10 percent of the patients with a posterior vitreous detachment, there is also a retinal tear. If left untreated, such tears may lead to full retinal detachment -- a very serious, sight-threatening condition that requires a major surgical procedure to repair. Therefore, when symptoms such as flashers and floaters appear, it is important to examine the eye within a day of their onset. Changes can occur rapidly, and time is critical if a retinal detachment is present. Retinal tears can be sealed with a laser or freezing technique called cryotherapy.
The doctors at Bonner Eye Clinic are trained to recognize and diagnose the cause of your flashes and floaters. If you have experienced these symptoms, please contact us today to schedule an appointment.
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The tear film that coats the outer layer of the eye is very important for the lubrication and comfort of the eye, as well as for clarity of vision. With age, the protective tear film diminishes, leaving the eye more exposed to the drying effects of air, wind, and dust. Symptoms include burning, stinging, or a gritty sensation that may come and go. Itching, tearing, and light sensitivity may also occur. Occasionally, long strings of mucus can be stretched from a dry eye. For many people, dryness worsens in the afternoon and evening.
Dry eye is not caused by a lack of tear production. In fact, during dry eye, the eye can still make so many tears that many patients complain of wet eyes and tearing. Dryness causes the eye to produce more tears in an effort to replace those lost through the defective tear film. Dry eye is probably the most commonly seen problem in any eye doctor's office, and at Bonner Eye Clinic, we offer multiple solutions to our patients.
Treatment helps most patients, although the condition cannot be cured. Treatment is an ongoing project. Blinking is very important for the maintenance of your tear film, but when performing such activities as reading or working on a computer, you blink less frequently. This aggravates the symptoms of dry eyes. Environmental factors can also aggravate dry eye symptoms. Dry weather, either in hot or cold temperatures, robs the eye of needed lubricants. Cigarette smoke, fumes, dust, and airborne particles are common irritants. In most patients, this condition is not associated with systemic disease.
There are numerous treatment options available. Artificial tears, available over-the-counter, soothe the eyes and give temporary relief. They work for only an hour or two, at best, however, and must be repeated at frequent intervals. Ointments last longer, but they can blur vision and are most effective at night. Newer techniques to treat dry eyes include plugs that block the tear duct. These plugs can be placed in the two tear ducts, top and bottom, or in only the lower ducts. Some test plugs are also available which dissolve a few days after insertion. If the dry eye symptoms disappear when the temporary plugs are inserted, then permanent plugs should be considered as a treatment option.
Please contact Bonner Eye Clinic for more information or to schedule an appointment. We can help relieve your dry eye discomfort!
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Blepharitis is an infection of the eyelids. It is very common, and it is a permanent condition. Once it is present, it will always be present, but the severity may change over time. In some cases, the symptoms can disappear for long time periods, months or years, before returning.
There are two main causes of blepharitis: staphylococcus bacteria and seborrhea. Blepharitis caused by staphylococcus bacteria often begins in childhood. Common symptoms include collar scales on the lashes, crusting, and chronic redness at the lid margin. Dilated blood vessels, loss of lashes, sties, and chalazia also occur. Treatment is very important. In addition to eliminating the redness and soreness, treatment can prevent potential infection and scarring of the cornea and conjunctiva.
Blepharitis can also result from seborrhea. Seborrhea can cause greasy, waxy scales to accumulate along the eyelid margins. Seborrhea may be a part of an overall skin disorder that affects other areas as well. Hormones, nutrition, general physical condition, and stress are factors in seborrhea.
Careful daily cleansing of the eyelashes with warm water and mild shampoo (such as baby shampoo) can help control blepharitis. Once the redness and soreness are under control, cleaning may be decreased from daily to twice weekly. However, if the symptoms return, daily cleansing must be resumed immediately.
In some cases, we may prescribe eye drops or ointment to be used along with daily cleansing. However, medication alone is insufficient; keeping the eyelids clean is essential. Warm, moist compresses can also help relieve the symptoms of blepharitis when used in conjunction with regular eyelid cleansing.
The doctors at Bonner Eye Clinic can help you to determine whether you have blepharitis and which type you have. We can also prescribe an appropriate medication if you need one. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment!
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A stye, or hordeolum, is a bacterial infection of a gland along the edge of the eyelid (usually near an eyelash follicle). The result is a small, itchy red bump at the lash line. The doctors at Bonner Eye Clinic can help confirm the diagnosis for you. Sties may eventually drain and heal on their own, usually in about one week.
The first step in easing your discomfort and encouraging the stye to drain is to apply a warm compress to the area, usually three to four times a day. This can help bring the pimple-like bump to a head. If the stye does not drain on its own, we can prescribe an antibiotic ointment. In some cases, we may use an alternate medication or oral antibiotics instead. Rarely, an in-office procedure is needed to physically drain and remove the stye.
You should never attempt to puncture or squeeze a stye, because this can spread infection and lead to further complications. Instead, if you do not find relief from warm compresses, please seek additional care from one of the doctors at Bonner Eye Clinic. A stye itself is not usually a serious condition but, if left untreated, excessive irritation or complication could occur.
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Sometimes called "lazy eye," amblyopia is a vision problem that affects two-to-three percent of the population. The condition refers to a situation in which one eye has significantly lower visual acuity than the other. If left untreated, the brain will eventually stop processing the blurry images from the weak eye, becoming fully dependent on the stronger one. This can result in problems with both clarity and depth perception. Amblyopia is more easily treated in children under the age of six, so early diagnosis is important. Some progress can be made in older patients as well, however, and the difference is worth the effort.
Amblyopia can be caused by trauma to one eye, by a large refractive difference in vision between the two eyes, or by strabismus (where the eyes cross or one wanders). Whatever the cause, the earlier treatment is begun, the greater the success. If parents notice that their child frequently squints or closes one eye to see, an appointment should be scheduled as soon as possible.
Bonner Eye Clinic can help you treat your own or your child's amblyopia through a number of means. Vision exercises may help in some cases, and patching can teach the brain to use the weaker eye. Glasses that take the difference in prescription into account can also help treat amblyopia. In some cases, surgery may be required to adjust the muscles of the eye. In any case, amblyopia will not correct itself; in fact, it will progressively worsen, eventually resulting in functional blindness in the weak eye. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment and receive the care you or your child will need.
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Strabismus refers to a condition in which one or both eyes squint, cross, wander, or turn in. Strabismus can be either constant or intermittent and, in some cases, it may be difficult to detect for the average observer or even for a regular physician. Strabismus can cause blurred or double vision, and it can also lead to amblyopia, or "lazy eye".
The doctors at Bonner Eye Clinic can help treat strabismus. The treatment process may include eye drops, prescription eyeglasses, vision exercises, patching, or surgery. Infants may appear to have strabismus, but by age four months the eyes should be aligned. It is important to see your eye doctor in order to determine whether there is true strabismus or not. Sometimes, the condition may be caused by an underlying problem. Please contact Bonner Eye Clinic today for more information or to schedule an appointment!
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Although headaches can have many causes, eyestrain is a common culprit. Chronic headaches can occur when the muscles of the eye are continually overworked. They may be the symptom of more than one visual problem. The possibilities include myopia, hyperopia, amblyopia, incorrect glasses or contact prescriptions, or overuse. If you have persistent headaches, an eye examination can help to determine whether eyestrain is a contributing factor or cause.
The doctors at Bonner Eye Clinic can help to diagnose a myriad of eye problems, including those that lead to headaches. If you suffer from headaches, please make an appointment for an eye examination today. Eyestrain can be alleviated with the correct eyeglass or contact lens prescription. Please contact Bonner Eye Clinic today to schedule an appointment.
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At Bonner Eye Clinic, we offer a variety of treatment options for eye diseases, disorders, and refractive errors. Our doctors use the latest in laser technology to treat glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other eye diseases. Our optical shop also features a wide variety of brand-name prescription eye and sunglasses as well as different types of contact lenses to help patients see the world clearly.
The doctors at Bonner Eye Clinic use advanced laser technology to treat many eye problems and diseases. Lasers are powerful and versatile medical tools that reduce recovery time and make eye surgery safer and more effective.
To treat most retinal conditions, the doctors at Bonner Eye Clinic use the Coherent Novus® 2000™ laser. This laser can help relieve intraocular eye pressure in glaucoma patients. It can also be used to treat retinal detachments and macular degeneration. The Novus® 2000™ is an argon laser and can be used for many retinal surgeries.
For posterior capsulotomy surgery, the doctors at Bonner Eye Clinic use the Coherent® 7900™ YAG laser. This laser can be effective in restoring good vision after cataract surgery.
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Eyeglasses can help to correct a variety of vision problems, including presbyopia, myopia, and hyperopia. Through the use of prescription lenses, glasses can help most people achieve optimal vision.
Frames and lenses are both more durable and lighter today than in the past. At Bonner Eye Clinic, we offer our patients a wide variety of options from which to choose. Frames are available in numerous styles to accommodate the diverse tastes of our patients, and lenses now offer more options for you to select from as well.
Progressive lenses are the most popular. They offer all of the benefits of bifocals and trifocals without the lines.
Patients who need bifocal or trifocal lenses can have their prescriptions arranged in several different configurations. Bifocals can take the traditional slit form, but the near vision prescription can also be placed in a half-moon, a round section, or a rectangular area. Trifocal lenses can help people who need a separate prescription for intermediate vision, such as for working at a computer.
Come to Bonner Eye Clinic for an eye examination, as well as for your new glasses. We will provide you with the latest options and enough variety to ensure that we have the right pair of glasses for you!
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Bonner Eye Clinic also offers you many contact lens options. Like eyeglasses, contact lenses can help correct most refractive vision errors successfully. After a short initial adjustment period, wearing contacts is comfortable and convenient. We offer you many choices so that you can find the type best suited to your needs. One of our doctors can help you make the decision, if you need some additional guidance.
Generally, contacts fall into two categories: soft and rigid gas permeable. Soft contacts are more comfortable, but rigid gas permeable lenses last longer, cost less in the long run, and offer some patients clearer vision. There are also many sub-types of contact lenses that you can choose. Disposable contacts are replaced frequently (sometimes every day, sometimes weekly or biweekly), planned replacement contacts last one or more months, and conventional contacts last one year (soft) to several years (rigid gas permeable). If you would like to be able to sleep in your contact lenses, extended wear contacts are also available.
Contact lens bifocals can also be prescribed, and lenses specially designed to treat astigmatism are available. Monovision contact lenses use one contact to correct for near vision and the other contact to correct for distance vision. Monovision works by training the brain to use one eye for distance vision and the other eye for near vision. It usually takes some time for patients to adjust to monovision contact lenses, but many people are satisfied with the results.
Bonner Eye Clinic provides you with lots of options. Call us today for more information or to schedule an appointment!
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Contact our practice for more information about eye conditions, diseases, and treatments, or to schedule an appointment for vision correction surgery.
