As the kids head back to school and the weather changes, we and ourselves doing more activities that put us in
close quarters with others. These circumstances make us more susceptible to infections, including conjunctivitis,
better known as “pink eye.”

“Symptoms of pink eye, or conjunctivitis, include red eyes and discharge that may cause the eyes to feel irritated,” says Dr. Lisa Porter.

About three million cases of pink eye are reported in the U.S. every year. According to the National Eye Institute,
pink eye is one of the most common and treatable eye conditions in children and adults. Here’s what Dr. Porter wants patients to know about how pink eye spreads, how to prevent it, and how to treat it.

3 TYPES OF PINK EYE:
Pink eye may be caused by a virus, bacteria, or allergies. Viral pink eye is the most common type of conjunctivitis. Sparked by the same virus that causes runny noses and sore throats in people with the common cold, it is extremely contagious. It may cause burning, red eyes with a watery discharge.

Bacterial pink eye, caused by a bacterial infection, and is also contagious. It causes sore, red, and goopy eyes.
Allergic pink eye is not contagious. It comes from an allergic reaction to environmental factors like; pollen,
smoke, or pet dander. It can result in itchy, red, and watery eyes and may cause puffy eyelids. Children are most likely to get viral or bacterial pink eye. That’s because they’re in close proximity with others at schools and daycares. Contagious pink eye commonly spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids—usually through hand-to-eye contact.

PREVENT THE SPREAD OF PINK EYE
Here are some steps you can take to help prevent the spread of pink eye: Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer when available. Don’t touch or rub your eyes. Don’t share anything that touches the eyes, including eyeglasses, makeup, masks, or costumes. Make sure to use your own towel, blanket, and pillowcase.

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
Please visit your eye doctor immediately if a person experiences these symptoms:
Vision changes
Goopy or matted eyes
Significant discomfort
Light sensitivity
Increased redness
Swelling of the eyelids
Fever
Your doctor will prescribe prescription eye drops as needed.

Imagine the discomfort of having sandpaper scrape across your eyes, leaving them gritty, irritated, and desperately
longing for relief. This is the reality for millions of individuals suffering from dry eyes, a common condition
that can disrupt daily life and impact overall eye health. Many people think that having dry eyes is a normal part
of the day and are surprised to hear of the many treatment options available. Dry eyes can be a serious ocular
condition that can affect vision long term. It can be brought on with certain medications, environmental factors
or just slowly develop over time. The problem with dry eye is that if it is left untreated it causes inammation in
the eye and progresses until some intervention happens. Symptoms of dry eyes include dry, gritty or burning
sensation in the eyes, redness, watery or teary eyes and mucus that make the eyes feel “glued shut” after sleeping.

For the majority of people that experience occasional dry eyes, artificial tears can be enough to treat the symptoms. Some worry that they can become dependent on these eye drops, but studies have shown that we continue
to make the same amount of tears whether we are using them or not. They help lubricate the front surface of
the eye and alleviate the symptoms. At times, though, it can be more serious and require a more in-depth evaluation
and intense treatment.

There are two main types of dry eye and are usually both present to some degree. Aqueous deficient dry eye is
when not enough tears are produced which can leave the eye barren and dry. The second type is evaporative
dry where the lipid layer (the top layer of the tear film) isn’t well formed. The lipid layer is important in keeping the tears from evaporating and drying out. There are many different ways to target each type including prescription drops, warm compresses, eyelid scrubs and many more.

The best thing to do in order to prevent worsening of symptoms is to have a comprehensive eye exam and determine the cause of the dry eye. At A-B-See Vision Care we will customize your treatment so that the problem area is taken care of and you can enjoy comfortable clear vision.

Dr. Scott Hyatt
A-B-See Vision Care

Dr. Lisa Porter OD A-B-See Vision Care

1. Difficulty reading small print: In your early to mid 40’s the focusing muscle inside your eye becomes less flexible, this condition is known as Presbyopia. It often causes people to have blurred vision when viewing objects up close. The best treatment is prescription lenses that allow you to focus on tasks such as reading and while working on the computer. Soft contact lenses that have a reading prescription built-in can often be prescribed in place of glasses.

2. Sandy, gritty, irritated eyes: The most common cause of eye discomfort is dry eye syndrome. This condition usually occurs as we age and is very common in women experiencing hormonal changes. Dry Eye Symptoms can also include an itching or burning sensation coupled with excessive tears. When our eyes are too dry our bodies can often overcompensate by causing a gush of tears at random times. Dry eye syndrome can also be caused when there are insufficient tears or unstable tear chemistry. Treatments can include: artificial tears, omega­3 fatty acid supplements, and a procedure that implants a small silicone plug into the drainage opening in the inner corners of the eyelids which will allow the tears you make to stay in your eyes longer. In some cases, prescription drops may be necessary.

3. Floaters and Flashes: An occasional floater in your field of vision is normal. Floaters are very common and occur when the gel­like fluid in your eye (vitreous gel) starts to shrink as we age. As it shrinks it releases tiny clumps of cells and debris that cast shadows on the retina and disrupting your vision. If the gel shrinks too much it can cause a retinal tear which will cause flashes of light. Many people report that the flashes look like a bolt of lightning or a jolt of electricity. If you see flashes you need to see your eye doctor right away! If a retinal tear is involved you only have 24­48 hours before permanent vision loss can occur.

4. Having a hard time driving at night or seeing street signs: If you are over the age of 50 this is probably related to a cataract formation. As we age, the lenses inside of our eyes become cloudy and blur our vision. Treatments we can provide to help decrease the onset of cataracts include wearing UV protection sunglasses or wearing a wide­brimmed hat outside, and also taking a daily multi­vitamin. If cataracts become severe enough that they inhibit vision, then cataract surgery will be necessary.

5. Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness in the US, yet over half of all cases go undiagnosed. Glaucoma will often have NO obvious symptoms in the early stages, and by the time a patient notices decreasing vision, nothing can be done to restore what has been lost. The best way to check for glaucoma or increased pressures in the eyes is to have an annual eye exam. The risk for glaucoma increases dramatically in midlife and whenever there is a history of the condition within your family.

6. Macular Degeneration: Macular degeneration occurs due to changes in the retina most often due to aging that causes cellular debris to build up. Vision loss is usually gradual and painless.

Patients may complain of missing letters in words or difficulty seeing small print. In more severe cases there may be a profound loss or graying of vision. Precautionary measures can be taken by wearing good UV protection sunglasses, regular exercise, eating a healthy diet that includes green leafy vegetables, and monitoring your cholesterol and blood pressure regularly.
Experts recommend that everyone have a baseline vision exam by the age of 40. Working with your eye doctor will help to maintain healthy eyes and great vision. If you feel that you are suffering from any of the symptoms listed, please give us a call so we can help you see and feel better.