Diabetic Eye Care

Patients with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. These and other serious conditions often develop without pain, so significant damage may be done to the eyes by the time the patient notices any symptoms. For this reason it is very important for patients with diabetes to have their eyes examined once a year. Diagnosing and treating eye disease early can help prevent vision loss. It is also important to properly maintain your blood-sugar level, take your prescribed medications, follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly and avoid smoking.

Ectropion & Entropion Repair

An ectropion is a "turning out" of the lower eyelid that causes redness, irritation, tearing and an increased likelihood of infection. Common causes of ectropion include aging, sun damage, tumors and trauma.. An ectropion can be corrected in a surgical procedure under local anesthesia in which the lid is tightened or repositioned. Occasionally, Dr Barowsky needs to graft a small segment of skin to ensure that the eyelid is fully repaired.

Ptergium Surgery

A pterygium is a raised growth on the surface of the eye (the conjunctiva) made mostly of collagen and tiny red blood vessels. They are usually caused by extended exposure to the ultraviolet light present especially in sunlight. They may remain stable after appearing, or they may grow onto the cornea and affect vision.

Treatments include eye drops for irritation and redness, protection from sunlight and dust to prevent the pterygium from worsening, and occasionally steroids to lessen inflammation. If the pterygium grows onto the central cornea, surgical removal is recommended. This prevents the pterygium from creating scar tissue that mayalter the cornea’s shape and affect vision.

Glasses & Contact Lens

Over 140 million people in the U.S. wear eyeglasses, and over 30 million wear contact lenses. Glasses and contact lenses improve vision by adjusting the way the eyes bend and focus light. Ideally, light rays are refracted (bent) as they pass through the cornea so that they focus on the retina in the back of the eye. In a healthy eye, this means that objects can be seen clearly. However, many people’s corneas have a shallow or steep curvature which causes light rays to focus in front of or behind the retina. Objects may then appear blurry at certain distances or at all distances.

Glasses and contact lenses correct these refractive errors. Prescriptions are measured for each eye so patients can enjoy optimal vision clarity, usually 20/20. Eyewear may be used for certain activities, such as reading for farsighted (hyperopic) patients and driving or watching television for nearsighted (myopic) patients, or may be worn at all times.  Regular eye exams test for the development and progression of refractive errors and help your optometrist provide a proper prescription if eyeglasses or contact lenses are needed. Exams are also an invaluable tool in the early detection of eye disease.

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