Lasik and Dry Eyes

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What is Lasik

Lasek has fewer complications of dry eye than Lasik.

Lasik (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is an eye surgery that reshapes the cornea in order to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses.  Epi Lasek is meant to achieve the same outcome as Lasik.  There is no stromal corneal flap with Epi Lasek which eliminates some potential complications.   Both Lasik and Epi Lasek can provide excellent refractive outcomes.Lasik | Epi Lasek | Dry eyes| Alaina Kronenberg MD

Lasik and Dry Eyes

Dry eyes is the most common complication from refractive eye surgery.  Dry eyes can be due to either inadequate tear production or excessive evaporation of the tears.  There can be inflammation of the ocular surface.

It often occurs in the immediate post operative period and it is usually transient and often resolves during the first year after the surgery.  It is important for your ophthalmologist to perform a detailed comprehensive eye examination prior to your surgery to diagnose dry eyes or risk factors for dry eyes.

Dry Eyes

Symptoms of dry eyes can include burning, stinging, a foreign body sensation, fluctuating or blurry vision and a gritty sensation in the eyes.  Dry eyes can range from mild to severe.  Dr. Stanley Grandon, Dr, Cindy Wang and I will treat your dry eyes with a combination of over the counter and prescription medications depending on the severity of the condition.

Lasik and Dry Eye

When traditional Lasik is performed, a flap is cut in the cornea.  This causes some of the corneal nerves to also be cut.  This can cause the sensation of the cornea to be reduced.  You may not sense the need for more lubrication and therefore less tears are made by the glands around the eyes.

Dry eyes after refractive surgery can not only affect the comfort of the eye but also the quality of the vision.  If you suffer from dry eyes after your surgery, it is important that we treat it promptly.

Epi Lasek

When Dr. Stanley Grandon and I perform Epi Lasek, no stromal corneal flap is cut.  Therefore the corneal nerves are not disrupted.  This may decrease the chances you will develop dry eyes after your surgery.  You may be a better candidate for Epi Lasek if you suffer from dry eyes before your surgery.

Alaina Kronenberg, M.D.
Cataract Specialist
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
Dearborn, Michigan 48126

Eye Pain

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Eye Pain Can Be an Emergency

What are the causes of eye pain?  Is it an emergency?  Sometimes it is hard for you to know if you should seek urgent attention.  You should seek urgent attention if you have had recent eye surgery or trauma to the eye.  There are many causes of eye pain.  Many eye diseases such as cataracts, most types of glaucoma and macular degeneration do not have pain.  I will discuss some of the more common causes of eye pain.

Corneal AbrasionEye Pain

A scratch on the cornea can be very painful.  The cornea is one of the most sensitive tissues on the body.  It may feel as if there is a foreign body in the eye.  Your vision may or may not be blurry depending on where the abrasion is.  If you think you have a corneal abrasion it is important to have an examination.  Sometimes, Dr. Stanley Grandon, Dr. Cindy Wang and I can control the pain with a bandage contact lens on the eye.  You will also be prescribed an antibiotic drop.  Call us at the Eye Surgery Institute for evaluation.

Foreign body

A foreign body in the eye can be very uncomfortable.  Sometimes a foreign body can be underneath the upper lid or the lower lid and may be difficult to see.  It may also be embedded in the cornea.  If you think you have a foreign body make an appointment for an urgent eye evaluation.  We offer same day appointments for eye pain.

Eyelid pain

Pain and swelling of the eyelid can often be caused by a stye (or hordeolum).  You may feel tenderness and swelling of a portion of the eyelid.  This is often treated with heat and either eye drops or ointment.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis may cause irritation, redness and discharge in either one or both eyes.  This may be either bacterial or viral.  An eye examination can determine what treatment is required.

Iritis

Iritis is when you have inflammation inside the eye.  You will often feel a sore type pain and feel light sensitive.  Iritis can be difficult to diagnose unless your doctor performs a slit lamp examination.  It is treated with steroid eye drops that need to be tapered once you are feeling better.  Iritis can sometimes be associated with other conditions inside your body so we may decide to order more tests such as blood work and a chest x ray.

If you are suffering from eye pain, call us at the Eye Surgery Institute for an urgent appointment.  We offer same day appointments for any urgent eye conditions.

Alaina Kronenberg, M.D.
Cataract Specialist
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
Dearborn, Michigan 48126

Floaters

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What is a Floater?

 Floaters  are when you see a small clump or cloud moving around in your vision.  You may notice them more when looking at a white background.

Floaters become more common as we age.  They form when the jelly that fills the back of our eye liquefies with age.  Portions of the vitreous often clump together and you notice a floater moving around in the vision.

A floater may present in different shapes and sizes.  For example, you may notice a circle, a line or strand, a clump or a cobweb shape.

Why do we get Floaters?Floaters and Flashes | Eye Surgery Institute | Alaina Kronenberg MD

As we age, the vitreous jelly that fills the back of our eye liquefies.  As the jelly liquefies and shrinks, you may notice new floaters.  The vitreous jelly often pulls away from the back of our eye as we age causing a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).

Why do we get Flashes?

Flashes are when you see lightning streaks or stars in your vision.  We often see flashes when the vitreous jelly is trying to pull away from the retina.  Traction can occur and this can give the sensation of flashes of light in your vision.  Flashes related to your retina usually last a only a few seconds.  Flashes lasting several minutes can be caused by other problems such as a migraine.

Why Do I Need To Have an Urgent Eye Examination?

New floaters and flashes can possibly be a symptoms of a retinal tear or a retinal detachment.  This can be vision threatening.   As the vitreous gel liquefies and shrinks it pulls away from the retina.

It is possible that your new floaters or flashes could signal a serious ocular problem.  There is no way to tell if you have a retinal tear or retinal detachment without an examination.  It is important to have an urgent dilated eye examination to check for a retinal problem.  It is also important to call if you notice a curtain or window shade in your vision.

Alaina Kronenberg, M.D.
Cataract Specialist
Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
Dearborn, Michigan 48126