Do you use eye drops several times a day? Did you know that even over-the-counter eye drops can be harmful if used too often? Nearly all multi-dose eye drop bottles contain preservatives (such as benzalkonium chloride), and those preservatives come with potential problems. What is benzalkonium chloride? Benzalkonium chloride (aka BAK or BAC), a quaternary …
What is an epiretinal membrane? An epiretinal membrane (ERM), also known as a macular pucker or cellophane maculopathy, is a thin layer of tissue that forms on the inner surface of the retina (the tissue that lines the back of the eye). **Look out, jargon ahead.** Specifically, an ERM forms when glial cells proliferate in a …
Glaucoma can be hard to describe, because there are no symptoms early on and nothing to “look out for.” So visuals like the one below are very helpful! A visual comparison of a healthy optic nerve (right) vs a glaucomatous optic nerve (left) The round structure there is the optic nerve (aka cranial nerve II). The optic …
What is a macular hole? To describe a macular hole and how it forms, we need to first discuss the anatomy of the eye. Check out this video for a concise overview of the structures of the eye (it’s less than a minute long). The anatomy of the eye Image: ASRS The inside of the eye is basically …
What are meibomian glands? Meibomian glands are sebacous (oil) glands located in the upper and lower eyelids. There are more in the upper lid than the lower lid, and they are also larger in the upper lid (1). The glands sit vertically in the eyelids, and their openings are right behind the lash line. The …
Fundus cupcake sprinkled with drusen February is Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month. AMD is one of the leading causes of irreversible vision loss among Americans over 60 (1). Let’s preface our AMD discussion with a quick anatomy review. The tissue that lines the back of the eye is called the retina. The retina has millions …