A fluffy, white patch in your eye is called a “cotton-wool spot” and can represent a compromise to the circulation and vascular system. They can also indicate damage to the retinal nerve fibers, with build-up of material that doesn’t belong there. Sometimes you can have a sudden “blind spot,” blurry vision, or peripheral vision loss. Continue reading “A Fluffy, White Patch in Your Eye”
Tag Archives: opternative
A Freckle in Your Eye
You know about freckles on your skin, but did you know you can have a freckle in your eye? It can only be found on a dilated eye exam. And it must be carefully monitored for any changes.
When Your Vision Is Not Clear….
A soft multifocal contact lens wearer came in for an annual eye examination. Best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 right eye and 20/50 left eye. Dilated fundus examination revealed an epiretinal membrane in the left eye, which was the cause of decreased vision. Epiretinal membrane results when a a thin fibrous tissue forms on theContinue reading “When Your Vision Is Not Clear….”
What Shiny Yellow Spots Can Mean
By Dr. Yvonne Alomia Recently, I saw a 16 year old girl for a routine eye examination. Last exam had been 2-3 years ago. Her medical history was negative for everything. Picture of her right eye’s retina is above. Blood work by primary care physician shows she has HIGH LIVER ENZYMES but they don’tContinue reading “What Shiny Yellow Spots Can Mean”
When an Eye Exam Uncovers a Tumor
Did you know that an eye exam can uncover a serious medical condition that requires immediate treatment? I had a patient come in for his annual exam, reporting that his vision had been gradually getting worse. Peripheral vision testing uncovered a defect in both eyes, which is usually caused by a mass compressing the opticContinue reading “When an Eye Exam Uncovers a Tumor”
Severe Dry Eye
Chronic dry eye can be caused by inflammation which affects your eyes’ ability to produce tears. Dry eyes cause discomfort, burning, stinging, eye fatigue, sensitivity to light, eye redness, a sensation of something in your eye, and tearing. Only a thorough physical examination can determine the severity of your dry eye, with appropriate treatment. IfContinue reading “Severe Dry Eye”
When Contact Lenses Cause Oxygen Deprivation
Smoking is a Risk Factor for Macular Disease
Drusen are yellow, lipid deposits in the retina. These usually appear in age related macular degeneration, but sometimes they appear in persons must younger. In the case below, a young male in his 30’s with 20/25 visual acuity in both eyes. It is important to closely monitor this condition for bleeding in the choroid (whichContinue reading “Smoking is a Risk Factor for Macular Disease”
When Glaucoma Causes Devastating Vision Loss
by Dr. Luu I had a new 30 year old patient come in for an eye exam. There were no complaints reported and vision was 20/20 in both eyes. The patient reported that vision had always been clear. Intraocular pressures were measured 30mm Hg in both eyes, which is higher than normal. Dilated eye examContinue reading “When Glaucoma Causes Devastating Vision Loss”
When Contact Lenses Cause Inflammation
Sometimes contact lenses can cause inflammation of the cornea, with an accompanying bacterial infection. The white dot shown on the cornea above is an infiltrate, caused by bacterial inflammation. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort, feeling like there’s something in your eye, tearing, and redness, to severe pain, light sensitivity, and decreased vision. Corneal infiltratesContinue reading “When Contact Lenses Cause Inflammation”
When the Retina Detaches
by Dr. Lisa Shin I recently saw a 39 year old lady for an eye examination. She had no medical or eye conditions, but reported a “black spot” on her right eye, that had started 6 months prior to the exam. She also described a “floater” in her left eye, which had been persistent forContinue reading “When the Retina Detaches”
When Glaucoma Runs in the Family
by Dr. Lisa Shin A 38 year old healthy male needed more contact lenses and came in for an eye examination. Review of his medical history was normal, but he reported that his mother was currently being treated for glaucoma. Corrected vision was 20/20 in both eyes. The pressures in his eyes were measured toContinue reading “When Glaucoma Runs in the Family”
When You are at Risk for Glaucoma
by Dr. James Sanderson I saw a healthy, white, 36 year old female in my office for a routine eye examination. Her vision was 20/20 in both eyes, with no need for glasses. Her intraocular pressures measured 32 mm Hg OD and 28 mm Hg OS. With elevated pressures inside her eye, she needed additionalContinue reading “When You are at Risk for Glaucoma”
When Contact Lenses Harm Your Eyes
Q: How can contact lens wear be a risk? A: Contact lenses are considered a medical device, which can put you at risk for serious eye infections Q: Why does a contact lens prescription have a specified expiration date? A: Because the doctor must evaluate the health of your eye, to make sure that contactContinue reading “When Contact Lenses Harm Your Eyes”
Increased Pressure Inside the Head
by Dr. Yvonne Alomia 21 year old female came in for her first eye examination. She reported headaches, but this had been going on for years. Vision was 20/20. Dilated exam revealed a swollen optic nerve, which required an immediate referral from her primary care physician to see a neurologist. Diagnosis was pseudotumor cerebri. PseudotumorContinue reading “Increased Pressure Inside the Head”
When a Complete Blood Count is Recommended
By Dr. Yvonne Alomia A 26 year old patient came in for an eye examination. Vision was 20/20 in both eyes. Dilation of the eyes revealed a blood vessel abnormality right above the optic nerve (seen in the photo below). Complete blood count, with lipid profile, was recommended. A complete blood count provides important informationContinue reading “When a Complete Blood Count is Recommended”
A Diagnosis of Anemia
by Dr. Karl Stoler 26 year old woman came in for an eye exam. She reported blurry vision for the past few weeks, but her best corrected visual acuities were 20/25 in both eyes. Dilation of the eyes revealed hemorrhages in both eyes, with exudates (which occur with leakage from damaged blood vessels). She wasContinue reading “A Diagnosis of Anemia”
A Softball Size Frontal Lobe Meningioma
by Dr. Karl Stoler A 18 year old man came to my office because he needed new glasses for night driving. His visual acuities were 20/20 in both eyes. Peripheral vision test showed problems, and his optic nerves appeared slightly swollen. He was referred to a ophthalmologist. MRI of his head showed a frontal lobeContinue reading “A Softball Size Frontal Lobe Meningioma”
When a Vein to the Eye is Blocked
by Dr. Karl Stoler I had a 26 year old male patient who reported “slightly blurry” vision in his left eye. His visual test for the left eye was still 20/20, although not as clear as the right 20/20. A dilated examination showed a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). This patient was referred to theContinue reading “When a Vein to the Eye is Blocked”
Eye Cancer by Dr. Douglas Haigh
I saw a 32 year old female for her first eye exam. She had no complaints and her vision was 20/20 in both eyes. She was seen on the mobile clinic because she “never had time for an eye exam.” She presented with a chief complaint of “nothing, I can see fine, I just wantedContinue reading “Eye Cancer by Dr. Douglas Haigh”
A Blood Clot
by Dr. Lisa Shin A 20 year old man in good health, taking no medications, came in for an eye exam, with a complaint of “a spot of light.” Vision without correction was 20/20, in both eyes. Dilated exam revealed a bleed on his optic nerve, pictured below. He was referred to his primary careContinue reading “A Blood Clot”
When You’re 18 Years Old, with a Whole Life Ahead…
by Dr. Lisa Shin Early in my career, I saw a 18 year old man who came in for an eye exam because he needed more contact lenses. His vision was 20/20 in both eyes, with no change in contact lens prescription. I dilated his eyes, which means the pupils are enlarged to look atContinue reading “When You’re 18 Years Old, with a Whole Life Ahead…”
A Retinal Hole
Recently, a 32 year old patient came in for an eye examination with no vision complaints or systemic conditions. She was interested in being evaluated for Lasik. Best corrected visual acuities were 20/20 in both eyes. I dilated the eyes for a full view of the retina and found retinal holes with underlying fluid. Continue reading “A Retinal Hole”
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