Cataract is the clouding of the eye lens.
Lens of the eye refracts the light on to the retina of the eye. The lens changes its size and shape to properly focus the light on the retina so that the correct image of the distant or near object is formed on the retina.
   
Causes Of Cataract

• Aging – Lens of the eye is made up of proteins. The protein in the lens maintains the clarity of the lens.  With advancing age the chemical composition of the lens proteins changes and proteins generally gets distorted. This causes clouding in the eye lens.
• Congenital Cataract- Due to hereditary causes, cataract can be present at the time of birth. This condition is rare.
• Recent researches have shown that prolonged exposure to ultra-violet radiations can also cause cataract.
• Severe trauma or injury to the eye.
• Other medical conditions like Diabetes, obesity
• Long term uses of steroids like prednisone.
• Hereditary causes – People with family history of cataracts are more prone to develop the cataract.

Symptoms OfCataract

• Blurring and gradually loss of vision
• Diminished color vision
• Difficulty in glare
• Increased nearsightedness
• Double vision in one eye
• Increased difficulty of vision at night

Diagnosis

• Visual Acuity test – This test is done to evaluate the problem with the vision. It is done to test the vision. By reading the letters or numbers from the card held 14 inches from the face.
• Dilated eye test- Pupil us dilated or widened by putting some eye drops in the eye. The eye is then examined by the doctor. This test allows the doctor to see more of the lens and retina.
• Glare sensitivity test

Treatment Of Cataract
The symptoms of the early cataract can be improved by

• New eyeglasses for altered vision
• Brighter lighting and magnifying glasses during reading, watching TV
• Anti glare sunglasses
• Surgery – Surgery is done only when symptoms of the cataract doesn’t improve with above methods and are so severe that they cause difficulty in performing daily life activities. In cataract removal surgery the natural lens of the eye that has developed opacification is removed and artificial lens implant is inserted.

Killeen Eyecare Center provides consultation and treatments for various eye problems.

It is the infection of the cornea which causes disruption of the cornea’s epithelial layer. Corneal ulcer is generally an open sore on the cornea.

What is cornea?
Cornea is the outermost, transparent, convex layer of the eye that shields the rest of the eye from external particles. It also transmits and focuses light in to the eye. Cornea does not have blood vessels and blood supply and thus it’s more prone to infections. It gets its nourishment from tears and other liquids present in the eye chambers.

Causes of Corneal Ulcers

• Infection Cornea is the outermost layer of the eye and hence its prone to different kinds of the infection. Bacterial, viral or the fungal infection in the cornea may initiate the inflammatory process in the cornea and thus lead to ulcers on the cornea.
• Injury to the cornea by certain foreign particles like glass, metal may lead to tiny tears on the cornea. These tears can easily get infected and ulceration of the cornea.
• Wearing contact lenses for long time may also act as a source of infection and injury to the cornea and thus it may lead to the corneal ulceration. Extended use of contact lenses (wearing lenses for many days without removing them at night) is also a common cause of corneal ulcers.
• Dry eyes – Certain medical conditions that causes dry eyes . Since tears are the main source of the corneal nourishment, all the conditions that causes dry eyes may lead to corneal ulceration
• Inadequate Eyelid Closure – Certain medical conditions like Bell’s palsy can cause inadequate eyelid closure. This exposes the cornea to dust, infection or trauma which may again lead to corneal ulceration

Symptoms of the corneal ulcers

• Pain in the eye
• Redness of eye
• Inching and burning sensation in eye
• Discharge from the eye
• Impaired vision
• Sensitivity to light

Diagnosis
Optometrist will do detailed physical examination of the eye with the help of special eye microscope. Ulcers can be detected by using the microscope.
If infection is the cause of the ulcer, sample can be drawn from the eye and sent to laboratory for the identification of the causative organism.

Treatment

• Causative organism for the infection is detected by the culture sensitivity of the sample drawn from the eye
• If the ulcers are caused by bacterial infection then antibiotic eye drops are given.
• For viral infection antiviral eye drops and for fungal infection antifungal eye drops are used.
• If ulcer is severe, hospitalization is done and IV antibiotics are given.
• Pain medications to relieve pain in the eye
• Cyclopegic eye drops give rest to the eye
• For non-healing or progressive corneal ulcers, surgery is performed (Corneal transplantation)

Eyecare at home

• Apply cool compresses to soothe the eye
• If discharge is coming out of the eye and forms crusts on the eyelid, apply warm compresses. Gently wash the eyes with clean water.
• Rest the eye to relieve pain and discomfort
• Avoid sunlight.
• Wear dark glasses
• Do not touch or rub the eye with fingers
• Limit the spread of the infection by washing hands regularly
• Avoid wearing contact lenses for few days

Seek immediate medical help if

• The discharge from the eye becomes greenish
• Vision is decreased
• Excessive pain in the eye
• Excessive sensitivity to light

Just like our body, our eyes need adequate relaxation and exercising. Exercising eyes, keep eye muscles active and well maintained. A person who exercises his eyes regularly can focus well and has lesser chances of developing eye problems.

Below are some of the exercises that can be performed easily. Please do consult an eye specialist if you have some serious eye problems.

• After sitting in a comfortable position, rub your hands to make them warm and place them on eyes. You should keep your hands in such a way that there is no pressure on your eyeballs and no light should pass between your eyes and nose. Your eyes should be closed. Start focusing on pitch black color. In start you will see different colors but continue till you can view pitch dark black color. Once you view it, remove your hands. You should repeat this exercise for 3 minutes.
• You can release stress by closing your eyes tightly for 3-5 seconds and then opening them for 3-5 seconds. This exercise should be repeated 7-8 times. 
• Light massage of eyes in circular motion for 1 to 2 minutes can relax them. Do not press your eyes very hard as you can hurt them.
• Stress of eyes can be relieved by pressing 3 fingers of each hand on upper eyelids. Hold your hand in the same position for 1-2 seconds and then release. You can do this exercise 5 times.
• Rolling your eyes in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction and frequent blinking can relax your eyes from stress. It should be repeated minimum 5 times.
• You can increase vision focus and concentration by sitting about 6 inches from a glass window and making a small round mark on the glass (at eye level). Now you should focus on something far away for 10-15 seconds and then focus again on the mark made on the glass. You can repeat it 5 times.
• Hold a pencil in front of you at arm’s length and slowly move it towards your nose. Until you can maintain it in focus keep following the pencil with your eyes. Repeating the exercise at least 10 times is useful in enhancing concentration.
• Imagine that you are writing something on the wall in front of you with your eyes. Try to write bigger words. This exercise is good for eye muscles.
• Focus your eyes on a nearby (less than 30 ft) object and then focus them on something far (more than 150 ft). Repeat this exercise 5 times
• For few minutes, focus on some far off object with low contrasting background. This exercise is beneficial for maintaining your eyesight level.

Performing eye exercises is simple and do not take much time. It is important to do them on regular basis. While working on computer or watching TV, one should take a little break and try to refresh your eyes. You should blink your eyes as much as possible. Splashing your eyes with cold water relieves strain and is also very useful. With the help of these few eye exercises; one can easily take good care of eyes and enjoy colors of life.

For Complete Eyecare in Harker Heights, Killeen, Fort Hood area visit Kileen Eyecare Center.

Conjunctivitis is swelling (inflammation) or infection of the membrane lining the eyelids (conjunctiva). The conjunctiva is a thin membrane of the eyelid and the white part of the eyeball. The inflammation of the conjunctiva makes the white of the eye appears red.

Types

Conjunctivitis can be classified as infectious or non infectious.

• Infectious conjunctivitis accounts for 70% of all cases. It is caused either by a bacteria or a virus. Infectious conjunctivitis is very contagious.
• Non infectious conjunctivitis is caused by allergies, chemicals or underlying diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis or crohn’s disease.

Symptoms of Conjuctivitis

• Soreness, often described as gritty or burning feeling.
• Itchiness
• Redness of the whites of the eyes
• Watering or discharge
• Slight sensitivity to light
• Bacterial conjunctivitis likely to have some yellow pus- like discharge, which might make your eyelids stick together after sleep.
• Viral conjunctivitis is more likely to cause a watery discharge that can be crusty in the morning but is not pus like.
• Allergic conjunctivitis have symptoms like intense itching of the eye, swelling of the eye, redness in the eye, sneezing and running nose

Treatment

Treatment of the conjunctivitis depends on the cause. Allergic conjunctivitis may respond to allergy treatment. It may disappear on its own when the allergen is removed. Cool compresses may soothe allergic conjunctivitis. Antibiotic medication, usually eye drops, is effective for bacterial conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis will disappear on its own. Discomfort in eyes can be soothed by applying warm compresses (clean cloths soaked in warm water) to the closed eyes.

Preventions and care

• Change pillowcases frequently
• Do not share eye cosmetics
• Do not share towels or handkerchiefs
• Handle and clean contact lenses properly
• Keep hands away from the eye
• Wash hands often

Seek immediate care if

• Sudden pain and swelling in your eyelids around the eyes become worse, even after taking pain medicine.
• Vision suddenly becomes worse 
• Eye begins to bleed

For consultation with Eye Doctor in Harker Heights, Killeen and Fort Hood Texas, contact Killeen Eyecare Center.