EYEConditions
 
  Cataract
  Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide, affecting 66% of people over 60. Cataracts occur when the eye's lens becomes hardened and cloudy as part of natural aging. It can be compared to a window that is frosted or fogged with steam. The amount and pattern of cloudiness within the lens can vary. If the cloudiness is not near the optical center of the lens, you may not be aware that a cataract is present.
 
  Diabetic Retinopathy
  Diabetes mellitus affects approximately 16 million Americans. Diabetes occurs in two main forms: Type I (also called juvenile-onset) in which the pancreas does not produce enough insulin for a person to live; and Type II (also called adult-onset), in which the pancreas continues to produce insulin but the cells in the rest of the body have difficulty using the insulin effectively. Patients with Type I diabetes must always take insulin, while patients with Type II diabetes may be treated with diet alone, pills, and/or insulin.
 
  Flashes and Floaters
  Flashes and floaters are very common symptoms experienced by our patients. In order to understand their significance, it is helpful to review some of the internal anatomy of the eye.
 
  Glaucoma
  The most widely performed type of Glaucoma surgery is Trabeculectomy. This is usually performed when intraocular pressure cannot be lowered enough with medication or laser treatments. Trabeculectomy is often referred to as "filtering surgery" because a new filter is created within the wall of the eye for drainage of fluid.
 
  Living With Low Vision
  Age-related macular degeneration may cause loss of vision in the center part of your visual world in one or both eyes. You are not alone. Despite our best effort to find a cure for this disease, age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe visual loss in-patients over the age of 65 years in the United States. This year, approximately 745,000 people in this country will have severe visual impairment from ARMD.
 
  Macular Degeneration
 

Age-Related Macular Degeneration
The retina is a very thin tissue that lines the
back wall of the eye, the outer part of the retina
is nourished by a single special layer of cells
called the retinal pigment epithelium which lies underneath the retina like a pad under a carpet on the floor. The transparent cornea and lens in the front of the eye focus incoming images onto the center of the retina. The retina converts these images into a chemical message that is sent to the brain.
 
  Macular Holes
  A macular hole is a common problem among adults. In order to understand what causes macular holes and how they are treated, it is important to learn about the structure of the eye.
 
  Strokes Of The Retinal Vein
  Strokes are usually associated with a blockage of blood flow to a part of the brain. Strokes can occur in the eye, and are in fact a very common problem treated by retina specialists. In order to understand this problem and how it can be treated, it is important to first learn about the structure of the eye.
 
  Wrinkled Retina
  A wrinkle in the retina is a very common problem among older adults. In order to understand what causes this problem and how it can be cured, it is important to learn about the structure of the eye.
The Eye Institute of West Florida provides this on-line information for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice.  Information published on this Eye Institute of West Florida's website is not intended to replace, supplant, or augment a consultation with an eyecare professional regarding the viewer / user's own medical care.  The Eye Institute of West Floridadisclaims any and all liability for injury or other damages that could result from use of the information obtained from this site.