I recently went on an overseas medical mission trip, and it got me thinking. Thinking about a lot of things, but as it pertains to this blog: worldwide blindness. So this post will unpack some of the major diseases affecting vision globally. The leading causes of preventable blindness world-wide are cataracts, glaucoma, trachoma, …
What is a cataract? A cataract is a clouding of the part of the eye called the lens. The lens sits right behind the colored part of the eye (iris), and it helps focus light onto the light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye (retina). It is normally clear. Over time, the proteins …
After reading this story about a teen’s experience with costume contact lenses that were purchased without a prescription, I thought it would be a good time to review a few tips to minimize the risk associated with decorative contact lens wear. If this sounds familiar, it might be because you read last year’s post on Halloween …
What is central serous chorioretinopathy? Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), sometimes called central serous retinopathy or choroidopathy, is a condition in which fluid builds up under the retina, almost like a blister. This causes a serous detachment of the neurosensory retina, which results in sudden blur and distortion of central vision, usually in one eye only. Retinal …
According to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), one in four children struggle with reading and learning unnecessarily because of undiagnosed vision problems, and approximately 60% of problem learners have undiagnosed vision problems contributing to their difficulties (1). So what does a child need visually to be able to read well? Clear vision up close. Pretty obvious, …
What is eyelid myokymia? The short answer: it is a sudden spasm, or twitch, of the eyelid muscle. The long answer: it is an involuntary misfiring of the neurons that innervate the orbicularis oculi muscle (the muscle that closes the eye). (1)Eyelid myokymia typically involves one eye (unilateral), affects the lower lid more often than the …
Ishihara cupcakes What allows us to see color? The retina (the tissue that lines the back of the eye) contains specialized cells called photoreceptors that respond to light. There are two types of photoreceptors: rods and cones. Rods are responsible for vision in dim light, and cones are responsible for vision in bright light as …
Food and lifestyle choices can influence your eye health and may help to reduce the risk of some age-related eye diseases. Check out this quick summary of the nutrients essential for good eye health.*Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist or a dietician. Zinc (red meat, poultry, oysters, beans, fortified cereal) The Food and Nutrition Board recommends: …
A topographical map of the front surface of the eye in a patient with keratoconus. The red indicates the steepest part of the cornea (the cone). What is keratoconus? Keratoconus is a degenerative disease in which the cornea (the clear tissue of the front of the eye) progressively thins and bulges. This area of …
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, so I think we all know what this month’s post is about. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness world-wide (1), and Open Angle Glaucoma affects more than 2 million people in the US alone (2). A cupcake rendition of the optic …
