COMMON EYE CONDITIONS

What is Severe Dry Eye? Moisture imbalances cause dry eyes, and our eyes rely on tears to provide this moisture. In severe cases, the dryness leads to compromised corneas, which can result in poor vision and pain. In most cases, a combination of treatments may be needed to manage the symptoms, including: artificial tears and ointments, steroid eye drops or Scleral contact lenses with Hydra-PEG coating.

What is Irregular Astigmatism? Astigmatism is typically found during comprehensive eye exams, which is why it is important to have regular vision exams. Irregular astigmatism creates distortion in your vision and may not be correctable with spectacles, as compared to medically necessary contact lenses.

What is Radial Keratotomy (RK)? Radial Keratotomy (RK) is a surgical procedure used to decrease nearsightedness. RK patients who experience minor vision changes will need spectacles or normal contact lenses. For those who suffer from ectasia (thinning of the corneal tissue) and distortion, rigid contact lenses may be necessary improve vision.

What is GVHD (Graft-Versus-Host-Disease)? Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) occurs in patients who have undergone allogenic hematological stem cell transplantation. Treatment options for GVHD are similar to those for severe dry eye disease. These may include scleral contact lenses to correct blurry or distorted vision and topical medications and artificial tears.

What is Post-Lasik Ectasia? Over time, vision previously corrected by LASIK may begin to blur again, necessitating additional surgery or a return to wearing glasses or contacts. In rare cases, a condition called corneal ectasia can occur after many years and results in a thinning of the cornea. In these cases, rigid contact lenses may be required to provide the best vision possible.

What is a Cornea Transplant? A cornea transplant replaces central corneal tissue, damaged due to disease or injury, with healthy corneal tissue donated from an eye bank. Although the transplanted corneas will instantly provide a clear visual window, they are often irregularly shaped and, thus, generally require that the patient wear medically-necessary contact lenses to correct the resulting vision conditions.

What is Keratoconus? Keratoconus is a condition that occurs when the cornea begins to thin and bulge forward in a cone shape. The cornea is the clear surface on the front of your eye, and is usually an evenly-shaped dome, protecting the pupil and iris beneath. It is also responsible for how light is transmitted through the pupil and focused on the retina at the back of the eye.

What is Corneal Scar Tissue? Corneal scar tissue can be defined as any opacity on or within the corneal surface. Healthy corneas are transparent and allow light to pass through to the retina, unobstructed. Corneas with scar tissue, however, can cause distortion or complete vision obstruction, depending on the severity.