Red, Itchy Eyes From Eye Allergies

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Itchy, Red Eyes

If your eyes are itchy and red it can be quite uncomfortable and cause difficulty with your vision.  You may have trouble wearing your contact lenses also.  You may also have other symptoms such as burning, watery eyes and swollen eyelids.  Your symptoms may be from eye allergies, also called allergic conjunctivitis.  Many eye problems such as infections can have similar symptoms so it is important me to perform an examination to assess for other conditions.

Eye Allergies
Itchy Red Eyes Due to Eye Allergies

If you have allergic conjunctivitis you may have other symptoms such as sneezing, sniffling, nasal congestion and a runny nose.  Your eye symptoms will often be in both eyes if they are due to eye allergies.   Fortunately, allergic conjunctivitis usually causes no threat to your eyesight.  It may cause temporary blurriness, though.

Triggers

It is important to try to avoid the triggers that cause your symptoms.  Your allergies may be seasonal or perennial.  If your allergies are seasonal, you may be allergic to pollen, grass or trees.  Perennial allergies can be due to dust, mold and pet dander.

Home Remedies for Allergies

If you have seasonal allergies, it is important to try to not be outdoors during peak allergen times.  It can be helpful to wear eyeglasses or sunglasses and to keep your windows closed when you drive.  If you are allergic to dust mites, washing your sheets frequently can be helpful.  Not rubbing your eyes can be helpful also.

Cool compresses and chilled artificial tears can be soothing if your eyes are bothersome.  Over the counter allergy drops such as ketotifen can be very helpful also.  There are oral over the counter allergy pills that can help.  It is important to choose an oral medication that will not be sedating if during the daytime hours.

How Can We Help You?

Red eyes can be caused by many conditions.  Allergies are just one possibility.  Dr. Stanley Grandon, Dr. Cindy Wang and I can perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine the exact cause of your symptoms.  There are many prescription eye drops available for eye allergies.  Allergy drops are more effective if taken regularly during your allergy season.  For more severe symptoms, if due to allergies sometimes a short course of steroid eye drops can relieve your symptoms faster.

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

Blurry Vision After Cataract Surgery

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Secondary Cataract Causes Blurry Vision

Most patients decide to have cataract surgery because their vision is blurry.  The purpose of your cataract surgery is to correct your blurry vision.  Sometimes, months or years after cataract surgery the vision can become blurry again.  We call this a secondary cataract.

You may worry that the cataract grew back.  This is not the case.  Once the cataract (the cloudy lens in the eye) is removed, it cannot grow back.

When the cataract is removed, an intraocular lens implant is placed into the capsular bag that the cataract previously sat inside.  Up to 50% of the time after cataract surgery, the back of the capsule can become cloudy after cataract surgery.  Some people call this a secondary cataract.  This can occur months or even years after cataract surgery.  A secondary cataract is extremely common.

Symptoms of Secondary Cataractsecondary cataract causes blurry vision

You may notice increased in blurry vision or an increase in glare and mistiness of the vision.   You may notice halos around lights.  It is important for your comprehensive ophthalmologist to perform a comprehensive eye examination to determine the cause of your blurry vision.

Symptoms of a secondary cataract are very similar to the symptoms of having a cataract.

If I feel the blurry vision is due to opacification of the capsule (in layman’s terms a secondary cataract), I will discuss the risks, benefits and alternatives of the the treatment plan.

Yag Laser Capsulotomy

A Yag Laser Capsulotomy is a relatively simple procedure typically performed in my office.  The laser procedure is painless and only takes a minute or two.  No anesthesia is required and you can drive yourself home.

I will give you drops to dilate the pupil and numb the eye.  After, I will place a lens on the surface of the eye.  I will use a laser to make an opening in the capsule.   The purpose of the procedure is to improve your vision.

After a Yag Laser Capsulotomy

Your vision may be blurry for an hour or so after the procedure because of ointment used in the eye during the procedure.  I will give you a drop to use for approximately 5 days.  I will check you in my office 2-3 weeks after your procedure.

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

When Do I Adopt New Technology?

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Changes in Intraocular Implants

As a comprehensive ophthalmologist, my primary surgery is cataract surgery.  The methods and technology used for cataract surgery are constantly evolving.  For example, in the past, patients had to wear very thick eyeglasses after cataract surgery.  This is no longer necessary since intraocular implants became available.  When I completed my residency training, almost all intraocular implants were monofocal.  This means they only correct vision for one distance.  If the intraocular implant is corrected for distance, the patient still needs glasses for computer and reading.  Over the years, much new technology has been developed.

New TechnologyCataract Surgery | Intraocular Implants

It is important that I stay educated on new technology that is developed.  I focus on technology that is relevant to my practice.  I educate myself by reading peer reviewed journal articles, articles regarding experiences of other doctors, and attending local and national conferences.  I also discuss with colleagues their experiences.

I use the information I learn to gather my own opinion on the value of the new technology.  It is important that I feel it is safe for my patients and that it will offer an improved outcome.  I often wait a few months after the technology is approved by the FDA to learn from the real world experience of other ophthalmologists.

Initially when I implement a new technology, I may try in in a very select group of patients.  I evaluate the results before proceeding with a larger group of patients.

Cataract Surgery Intraocular Implants

When I first trained in cataract surgery, monofocal intraocular implants were primarily used.  Most patients still required glasses after their cataract surgery due to either astigmatism and/or near vision needs.

Many patients have astigmatism and benefit from a toric intraocular implant.  I discuss the option of this implant with all patients who have corneal astigmatism.  It reduces the dependence on glasses after cataract surgery.

Multifocal implants can help correct vision both at distance and for near activities.  These intraocular implants can work well for patients who wish to be less dependant on glasses for both distance and near.  I am cautious about recommending these intraocular implants due to the potential for decreased contrast sensitivity and difficulty with night driving.

The Symfony implant corrects vision provides more of a continuous vision by using an extended range of focus technology.  This lens will be a good option for patients who have a desire to be less dependent on glasses for all activities.  It does not run the same risk of halos and glare.

Staying Educated

It is important that I continue to learn and evolve the technology that I utilize.  This will provide my patients with the best outcomes possible.

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

What is Astigmatism?

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What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a very common cause of blurry vision.  The eye is shaped more like an egg or football rather than an orange.  Either the cornea or the lens of the eye is not round if you have astigmatism.  Instead it is oblong.

It is often hereditary and you are often born with it.  Most people have astigmatism in their glasses prescription.  The amount and direction can change over time.  If you have astigmatism, objects can look elongated either vertically or horizontally.

Children and AstigmatismWhat is Astigmatism?

It is important that astigmatism is diagnosed in children at an early age.  Children may not complain of blurry vision.  If your child has a lot of astigmatism that goes undiagnosed, the visual system may not develop properly.  This can lead to a condition called amblyopia (lazy eye).  If your child does not pass a screening evaluation at either their pediatrician or school, it is important that they have a comprehensive eye examination to determine the reason.

Undiagnosed astigmatism can cause blurry vision and possibly difficulty seeing at school.  Refractive error is not affected if you child sits too close to the TV or reads in low light.

What Causes Astigmatism ?

Astigmatism can be caused by either the shape of the cornea or the lens.  The cornea is the windshield of the eye and the lens focuses light inside the eye.  If either structure is shaped more oblong, you may have astigmatism.

How Do I Treat Astigmatism?

You will want to have your astigmatism treated to provide the best possible vision.  It can be treated with glasses and / or contact lenses.  There are many contact lens options available.

It can also be treated with Lasik or Epi Lasek eye surgery.  Dr. Stanley Grandon and I can perform a thorough eye examination to determine if you are a candidate.

If you have astigmatism and require cataract surgery, we can evaluate you for a special implant to correct the astigmatism.  This implant is called a toric implant and can greatly reduce your dependency on glasses after cataract surgery.

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