Month: January 2017

 

Is it difficult for you to see while driving at night? Do you have to strain to see the street signs? How well can you see the traffic lights or other cars on the road? Millions of people suffer from difficulties driving during the night, it is called Night Blindness and there are treatments.

What is Night Blindness?

Night Blindness or Nyctalopia is when a person has difficulty seeing at night or it becomes impossible to see in the dark. Night blindness is often a symptom of certain medical or vision conditions. Often patients with night blindness can not participate in normal activities at night or in the dark.

What are the Causes of Nyctalopia?

Nyctalopia or night blindness is often a symptom of certain medical or vision conditions. Many include Cataracts, Macular degeneration, Retina Detachment, Diabetes, and even Keratoconus. But you can also have Nyctalopia at birth, through injury, or from malnutrition or lack of vitamin A (Retinol).

What are the Symptoms of Nyctalopia?

• Blurred/Double Vision
• Eye Strain
•  Pain
• Halos/Glares
• Excessive Rubbing
• Watering of the eyes

What are the Treatments for Night Blindness?

When it comes to treatment options for those who suffer with Night blindness  largely depends on the overall cause of the onset. Treatment options can include everything from a simple change in the patients eye glass prescription, to a change in medication. In some cases the patient may need surgery if the symptom creates too many complications.

Night blindness can be a very difficult symptom but with the help of your eye care professionals you can get help.

Keratoconus occurs in 1 in 500 people.  Studies suggest that the weakening of the eyes corneal tissue may be caused by the imbalance of enzymes in the cornea which causes the cornea to bulge into a football shape instead of its natural rounded shape.  Keratoconus is also said to be linked with overexposure of  ultraviolet sun rays, eye rubbing and poorly fitted contact lenses. Other studies suggest that keratoconus  is linked with hereditary predispositions as either a dominant or recessive trait. If you are having keratoconus symptoms it is important to review your families eye history. Below are some symptoms  to help you detect the early stages of Keratoconus.

• Constant Squinting
• Discomfort of the eyes
• Frequent changes in Prescriptions
• Sensitivity to glare & halos
• Ghosting
• Double Vision
• Frequent eye rubbing

 

Your vision is an essential part of living a normal life. When it comes to your eyes, detecting early symptoms of Keratoconus is important. Knowing your family history and scheduling regular eye exams can help you with the diagnosis of the condition before it worsens. If the condition is left untreated it can cause difficulty driving at night, while decreasing the ability to see well with glasses or contacts. Below is a list of signs and symptoms.

• Blurred vision
• Glasses or Contacts do not improve the vision
• Frequent rubbing of the eyes
• Prescription changes
• Halos or glare around lights
• Decreased night vision

Treatments for Keratoconus 
• Holcomb C3-R Cornea Collagen Crosslinking
• Intacs
• CK for Keratoconus
• Visian ICL

Since 1999 Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, expert in Keratoconus Treatments has been treating patients from all over the world every week. Early detection can slow the progression of your Keratoconus while saving and preserving your vision. Call our office today to schedule an appointment at (310) 860-1900.

 

1. If you drop don’t drag

If a lens is dropped avoid dragging it along a surface, instead wet your finger with solution and gently touch the lens to lift it.

2. Clean your lens nightly

After removing your lens from your eyes leave them soaking in solution until the morning. Soaking your lens overnight increases the effectiveness of disinfecting chemicals.

3. Never mix and match solutions

You should always use the same care system for disinfecting, soaking and rewetting your lens. Mixing different types of solutions can cause clouding of the lens, leading to eye irritation.

4. Replace your case

Cases become contaminated over time, each time you buy a new solution you should also be replacing your case. Another option would be cleaning the case with a toothbrush and cleaner.

5. If your lenses dry out, soak them

 If you leave your lenses out, soak them for at least 4 hours before you re- wear them.

6. Removing lenses with a suction cup

Suction cups need to be cleansed with contact solution before and after each use. Remember to know where the lens is before inserting the suction cup on your eye.

Contact lenses for Keratoconus patients come in many different designs. Here at our Beverly Hills office, we create the best design possible ensuring comfort, vision and eye health. There are six different options for contact lenses.

HydraKone, KeraSoft, FlexLens or Soft KC Toric Lenses– These soft lenses supply improved comfort and is an ideal  lens for patients with mild to moderate Keratoconus.

Custom Piggy Back Contact Lens System– This lens system involves wearing two lenses on one eye. The soft lens protects the cornea, while allowing it to hold the RGP lens in place.

Synergeyes-This lens is a highly oxygen permeable rigid material, while the outer skirt is a soft lens. This requires only a single lens to be inserted, and has successfully fit over 90% of patients.

Rose K2 IC– This lense has been one of the longest and most commonly used Keratoconus RGP lense.

Intra-Limbal Dyna-Z-  This lens design is based on the topography. The comfort level is excellent due to larger diameter.

Scleral Lenses- These RGP lenses are very comfortable because they do not sit on the cornea, but rest on the eyes white portion. Inserting these lenses may be a little difficult.

The newest len is called the Eye Print Pro lens which increases comfort, enhances vision and decreases red areas.

Eye Print Pro  is  designed to align over the individual eye allowing a 360 degree view and 26 inches around the eye. The mold then undergoes 3D scanning and is used to make an exact match to the other eye. Eye Print Pro is as unique as a finger print.

 

While contact lenses can improve vision, they do NOT stop your Keratoconus from getting worse and losing more vision.  That’s the reason we recommend the non-invasive Holcomb C3-R procedure to strengthen and stabilize your Keratoconus.  Please call our office for more information at 310-860-1900 or click here.