Dr. Hull checking internal ocular health with the Bio-Microscope This instrument gives a great steroptic view of the retina. It is important to have an annual Dilated eye examination. Eighty percent of blindness could be prevented if detected early. Dilation allows the Optometrist to see all the retina. Through a non-dilated pupil an Optometrist can only see about thirty percent of the retina. Therefore, how can a doctor tell you your eyes are healthy if your eyes weren't dilated?   OCULAR DISEASES

Some of the more common eye diseases are discussed below. Many systemic diseases also have ocular manifestations such as diabetes, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, and AIDS.

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage occurs suddenly and without warning. Blood is trapped between the clear conjunctival tissue and the white scleral tissue below. It is painless, and generally clears in ten to fourteen days. Causes of this type of hemorrhage are usually unknown.

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

GPC

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis or GPC is an inflammation of the inside lining of the upper eyelid. It is usually caused by wearing an old or dirty contact lens. However, it can also be caused by an exposed suture following eye surgery. Treatment consists of removing the contact lens or suture. Eye drops may also be prescribed.

Internal Horedlum or sty is an infection inside the upper or lower eyelid. Most of the time, it is caused by staph bacteria that is present on our skin. These infections can be very uncomfortable and very unsightly. Treatment is varied and surgical incision and drainage is not uncommon.

Internal Sty

Cornea Foreign Body Scratch

Foreign Bodies under contacts can be and usually are very painful. Damage to the corneal tissue can be superficial or severe. With prompt and proper treatment, serious damage to the eye can be avoided.

Herpes Simplex can cause corneal scarring, loss of vision, and even blindness. It can be very painful at onset, and must be treated as soon as possible. If you have a history of fever blisters and a red eye, see Dr. Hull right away.

Red eyes have many causes. If your doctor says you have pink eye or red eye, then this is not a diagnosis, but a description of how your eye looks. The vessels in the conjunctiva are dilated and engorged with blood, hence the red or pink color to the white part of the eye. Contact lens wear, eye diseases, systemic diseases, foreign bodies, chemicals, allergies, trauma, or dry eye syndrome can all cause conjunctiva hyperemia or red eye. If you have a discharge, pain, or any loss of vision when your eye is red, you should contact your eye doctor immediately. If your red eye persists for more than a couple of days, then you should visit your eye doctor.

Conjunctival Hyperemia

Treatment of red eye or pink eye is dependent upon the cause or etiology and is not something that can be done via a phone call to your doctor.

Open Angle Glaucoma Aqueous Flow Path Aqueous Drainage

Glaucoma is an eye disease that has many causes. It presents as acute glaucoma or chronic glaucoma. Persons with acute glaucoma generally have eye or brow pain, headaches, and sometimes vomiting. It is sometimes misdiagnosed by the patient and doctor as the flu or other stomach disorders. It requires quick treat to prevent damage to the optic nerve and loss of vision. Chromic glaucoma is present in about 1% of the population. It has no outward signs or symptoms for the patient and can only be detected by your eye doctor. After age forty, everyone should have a yearly-dilated eye exam to check for glaucoma. If you have glaucoma, the pressure inside the eye is higher than normal and causes the optic nerve tissue to die. Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops, laser, or conventional eye surgery. If not treated, glaucoma will cause blindness.

Diabetic Retinopathy occurs when the retinal vessels inside the eye leak blood and fluids into the surrounding tissue. About 80% of patient with diabetes develop diabetic retinopathy. A retinal specialist using a laser does treatment of this retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy may cause blindness if left untreated. Yearly dilated fundus exams are necessary for all diabetic patients.

Dot & Blot Hemorrhages

Hypertensive Retinopathy is very similar to diabetic retinopathy except it is caused by hypertension. All hypertensive patients should have a yearly-dilated fundus exam. It is also treated by laser.

Horseshoe Tear in Retina

Retinal Tears or breaks in the retinal tissue can lead to retinal detachments. If not treated quickly, blindness may occur. Many times, there will not be any signs or symptoms when a person has a small retinal tear. Should you ever notice flashes of light, small spots in your vision, or a white or black curtain blocking your sight, contact your eye doctor for a dilated fundus examination.

Macula Degeneration is a disease of the retinal tissue that affects a person's central vision. Portions of the retinal light receptors die and cause loss of sharpness and shape. Upon examination, the retina looks as if a moth has eaten many small holes into the macula tissue. The only treatment for dry macula degeneration is daily intake of antioxidant vitamins and minerals. Macula degeneration usually occurs after the age of sixty. While your central vision is reduced, most patients retain some vision and never go totally blind.

Macular Degeneration

 
 

Henry A. Hull, O.D.
147 Fredericksburg
New Braunfels, Texas 78130
Ph 830-625-5716
Fx 830-625-5773

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