Ocular migraine refers to a neurological syndrome which is characterized by abnormal visual sensations followed by nausea, vomiting and headaches. In some extreme cases, a patient may feel heightened sensitivity to light and sound at the early stage of the attack. People suffering from classic migraine are the victims of this type of migraine.

It is a temporary problem and there is high possibility that you may lose vision for few minutes. You may experience lines or bright spots that float slowly across your vision field.

Migraines occur due to body’s neurological response to certain triggers like hormonal changes, chemicals in medications or food or flashing lights. One of the most common causes of this trigger can be headache, which if left untreated can last for hours and days.

Symptoms of Ocular Migraine :

Patients suffering from ocular migraine experience a wide variety of visual symptoms. Generally, you will see a small and enlarging scotoma (a blind spot) in your central vision with shimmering zig–zag lines, flickering and bright lights inside the blind spot. The complete migraine pain ends within few minutes, however, it normally lasts for 30  to 45 minutes.

In some cases, somatic or neurological disturbances accompanied by migraine headaches turn out to be the only manifestations of an ocular migraine attack.

Rarely, a patient suffers from  permanent neurological deficit following migraine attack because of the irreversible cerebral ischemic (low oxygenation and blood flow) damage.

Generally, they are harmless and painless. Moreover, they do not cause any permanent brain or visual damage.

Tiredness, particularly after extended periods of watching television, computer work, reading or any other work that requires focus also leads to Ocular Migraine.

Causes of Ocular Migraine :

Certain food products may lead to attacks including chocolate, milk, meats preserved in nitrates, red wine or food items prepared with mono sodium glutamate, chicken liver or aged cheese. According to the experiences of some patients, exercise or exposure to sunlight can also trigger migraine attacks.

Birth control pills, hunger, changes in menstrual cycle of women, nerve weakness and hunger are few other causes of this eye pain.

Treatment of Ocular Migraine :

• Ocular migraine, commonly requires no treatment. During severe attacks, many patients prefer to rest in a darkened and quiet room until symptoms subside.
• An analgesic , like aspirin, consumed immediately provides relief  however sometimes it becomes necessary to consume extracranial vasoconstrictors and other drugs.

• Try to keep your stress levels down and make sure that you sleep properly.

Surgery for Ocular Migraine :

Patients sufferings from ocular requires no surgery as it can be treated with medicines only.

Diploma refers to the treatment of a condition in which whenever you look at an object, you see it in two images rather than one. It is commonly called double vision.  Sometimes it is confused with blurred vision. However, if you are someone who has burr vision than you will see single images appearing unclear and in case of double vision, you will see two images at a time.

It is difficult to lead a life with this eye problem. It can affect your decision making capacity and can also put your life at risk.

Disorder of the nerves that stimulate the muscles or a defective or faulty function of the extra ocular muscle causes this eye problem. double vision

Diplopia Symptoms:

Double Vision can occur due to impairment in any part of the vision system that is eye including nerves, eye muscles, lens, cornea or the brain. Here are few symptoms of Diplopia:

• Misaligned or crossed eyes, “wandering eyes” in layman’s language
• Seeing double images when they are single
• Squint, turning head in unusual ways are few other symptoms of double viison or diplopia.

Causes of Diplopia :

• Complications in the Brain:
  Aneurism is an area in which the brain arteries bulge and can cause the problem of Double Vision. Increased pressure and strokes are other brain problems that may lead to Diplopia. Cancer or brain tumors behind the eye can distort the image or picture produced by the eye.

• Diseases:
  One of the most common causes of Diplopia is diseases. Diabetes, thyroid problems,  Multiple sclerosis and  myasthenia gravis  are few other causes of double vision.

• Lens Problem:
  Problems associated with lens such as dislocated lens or cataract are some common causes of Double Vision. Cataract is one of the most common causes of monocular Diplopia.

• Corneal Problems:
  Corneal problems also leads to Double Vision. These corneal problems occur due to the infections in the cornea such as herpes zoster or shingles.

Treatment of Diplopia:

The ideal treatment for Diplopia depends upon the condition that is responsible for vision problem. If you develop this problem then immediately seek the advice of an ophthalmologist.

If the problem occurs due to  misalignment then there is high possibility that an ophthalmologist may treat the condition with eyes exercise or surgical intervention. Some condition requires a combination of therapy and surgery. If it occurs as a result of some other health problem then doctors will reduce that problem. There are many diseases that may cause this problem and managing the signs is one of the best ways to reduce the symptoms.

Diplopia Surgery:

Nowadays, Diplopia can be cured by opting for an eye surgery. Diplopia surgeries are highly successful and one can lead a normal life after undergoing a surgery.

Keratoconus is an eye infection in which the round shaped cornea thins and swells into a triangular shape. This cone shaped cornea deflects the light as it penetrates the eye, thus causing distorted vision. Keratoconus can occur in one or both the eyes and usually begins during the early 20s of a person.

Signs and Symptoms :

It is difficult to detect this eye disease as it develops slowly, in other words, it is a silent killer. However, sometimes it proceeds rapidly. Gradually cornea becomes uneven in shape causing irregular  and nearsightedness leading to additional problems like blurred and distorted vision.

Following are the some common symptoms of this eye infection:

• Regular changes in eye glass no.
• Blurred vision that cannot be rectified with eye glasses
• Difficulty while driving at night and night vision problems like Ghosting, flares and Halo’s
• Irregular astigmatism and shortsightedness
• Allergies, dry eyes, excessive rubbing of eyes and eye irritation
• General eye pain, squinting, eye strain and headaches
• Increased light sensitivity

There is high possibility that a patient suffering from this eye disease may not experience any or all pf the above listed symptoms. Some of these symptoms are related with the different stages of eye infection. It is difficult to diagnose it and all of the above mentioned symptoms may be associated with some other eye disease.

Causes of Keratoconus :

One of the major causes of this eye disease is the weakening of corneal tissue  due to the disparity of enzymes in the cornea. Because of this disparity the cornea becomes more susceptible to oxidative damage from free radical compounds which further leads to weakening and bulging of cornea.

This eye infection is also related with the excessive eye rubbing, over exposure to the ultraviolet rays coming from the sun, chronic eye irritation and a history of improperly fitted contact lenses.

Risk factors for the weakening and oxidative damage to the cornea of the eye also include a genetic predisposition.

Keratoconus Treatment :

The mildest form of this eye disease can be rectified with the aid of soft on tact lenses and eyeglasses. But as the disease is progressive in nature, soft contact lenses and glasses fails to provide adequate vision.

Keratoconus Treatment for advanced and moderate type of eye disease includes:

• Gas permeable contact lenses

The rigid gas permeable contact (RGP) lenses are prescribed to the patients when soft contact lenses or eye glasses fails to control this eye disease. Their firm lens material allows RGP lenses to leap over the cornea, thus, replacing its cone shape with a uniform and smooth refracting surface for better vision.

• Corneal cross linking

This is a non invasive process that strengthens the corneal tissue to stop the bulging of eyes. Different methods are under analysis; one brand name linked with this process is C3-R, commonly known as corneal cross linking with riboflavin. In this procedure, riboflavin eye drops are placed into the patient’s eyes which are activated by ultraviolet light to strengthen the connection between connective tissues in the cornea.

• Corneal transplant

Some patients suffering from Keratoconus cannot tolerate rigid contact lenses or reaches a point where different therapies fail to provide corrected vision. One of the last remedies considered for this eye disease is cornea transplant, also called penetrating keratoplasty.  After transplant, patients need contact lenses or eye glasses for clear vision.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to the cluster of diseases affecting retina. Retina is located at the back of the eye and functions like a camera. It captures images from the surroundings. It is fragile layer of cells which captures the images and sends it to the brain. In this eye disease, degeneration of retina causes night vision and peripheral vision to diminish, and gradually the central vision diminishes as well.

Types of Retinitis Pigmentosa and related problems include Refsum disease, rod-cone disease, Usher syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Leber’s congenital amaurosis.

Symptoms of Retinitis Pigmentosa:

Symptoms of RP depend on whether cones or rods are primarily involved or not. In most of the cases, rods are affected first. As rods are located in the outer parts of the cornea and are activated by dim light, their deterioration affects night and peripheral vision. When centrally located cones accountable for color and sharp vision are involved, there is loss major loss in color sensitivity and central vision.

Night blindness is one of the most frequent and earliest symptoms of this eye disease. Patients suffering from cone degeneration first experiences diminished central vision and failure to distinguish between different colors.

It is normally diagnosed during the adolescent and young age. RP is a progressive disorder. The degree of visual loss and the rate of progression differ from person to person. Most of the RP patients are blind by the time they turn forty. As it is a genetic eye disease, it is always inherited.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Treatment :

The detection of RP is overwhelming to the patients. As there are few therapies to treat this eye condition, doctors should emphasis on the therapies that may help the patients. There are many devices to help the patients suffering from night blindness. Regular examination including periodic ERG evaluation and visual field testing helps with the diagnosis of this eye disease. Often these examinations provide assurance that the changes are not rapid.

Following are few treatments for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) patients:

• Acetazolamide :

Macular edema reduces patients vision in the in the later stages of this eye disease. Of the many treatments, oral acetazolamide proved to be most beneficial as it improved the visual function of the patients. Topical acetazolamide is also effective but not as oral therapy.

• Vitamin A/beta-carotene :

Antioxidants are useful for the treating the patients suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa. However, there is no clear evidence that supports vitamin supplements for treating this eye disease. According to a recently conducted, epidemiologic study, high doses of vitamin A reduce the progress of RP by 3 percent per year. Annually check vitamin A liver enzyme levels. Doctors recommend 25,000 IU doses of Beta-carotene.

• Although doctors recommend ascorbic acid but there is no evidence to prove that this medicine is helpful in treating this eye disease. Some doctors recommend   bilberry as an alternative medicine but no study documents its safety in treating the patients suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa.

A Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) or retinopathia Pigmentosa is a genetic disease that affects the functioning of retina causing damage to their cells. Patients suffering from this eye disease slowly loose their vision. At first, they loose their night vision and gradually they even loose their vision during the day. The loss of perception of shades and colors in contrast also slowly affects the patient.

Retinitis Pigmentosa refers to a cluster name of inherited eye disorders. These eye disorders affects the functioning of retina , which is situated inside the layer lining at the back of the eye, light sensitive tissue, in which the first stages of viewing takes place. In this eye condition, vision loss is gradual and slow but progressive. It is unusual and abnormal for the patients suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa to become completely blind because most of them retain some useful vision in old age.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Symptoms:

href=”http://eyecaremanual.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/RetinitisPigmentosa.jpg”>One of the most common symptoms of RP is difficulty in seeing in poor light, such as, in a dimly lit room or outdoors at dusk. Secondly, there is reduction of the visual area, in which a patient fails to see things from above, below or from the sides.

In many types of RP, glare from dazzling lights increases trouble and problems, although some patients do not experience it until the more advanced stage.

In some cases of Retinitis Pigmentosa, vision loss appears first. The primary symptoms of this are facing difficulty in reading books or carrying detailed work. Although, symptoms of retina develops slowly and gradually but the pace at which deterioration occurs varies from patient to patient.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Causes:

Not much is known about the causes of RP except that it is genetically inherited. Even if either your mother or father carries a modified gene related with the trait, there is high possibility that you may develop this eye disease. A shrinking vision field is one of the early warning signs of RP.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Treatment:

Currently, there is no treatment available to treat this eye disease. However, according to some ophthalmologist increased consumption of Vitamin A may delay vision loss. There is high possibility that occupational therapy may prove helpful as it is easy to adjust to waning vision in former stages of vision loss.

Patients suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa can use low vision devices that can help in illuminating and magnifying objects in work places and home.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Surgery:

Researchers are looking into different ways to treat this eye condition through retinal implants and artificial retina. However, all these surgical options are being tested in laboratories.

Sjogren’s Syndrome refers to an autoimmune disease. Generally, autoimmune ailments are characterized by the abnormal production of additional antibodies in the blood that are oriented against several tissues of the human body. This specific autoimmune disease features inflammation in certain specific glands of the human body. Because of the inflammation of the glands, there is decline in water production for tears and thus leads to eye dryness. Inflammation of the glands that helps in the production of saliva in the mouth (salivary glands and parotid glands) leads to dry lips and dry mouth.

Sjogren’s Syndrome Symptoms:

There are many people who have some form of dry eyes because of many reasons including living in desiccate region or environment, wearing contact lenses, taking certain specific medicines such as antiarrhythmics for heart regulation and antihistamines for allergies , or experiencing age related decrease in the ability of the eyes to provide sufficient lubrication.

However, Sjogren’s Syndrome is identified with few other symptoms in addition to dry eyes that is caused by diminishing function of glands required to moisten even other parts of the body. Some of these symptoms include the following:

• Sore and Dry skin
• Sore and dry mouth
• Unusual feeling of dryness in the vaginal area
• Muscle and joint pain without any swelling
• Inability to swallow and chew properly.
• Frequent sinus infections and dry sinuses

Some of the other symptoms associated with this eye disease includes sensation of grittiness, blurred vision, light sensitivity and burning sensation.

Sjogren’s Syndrome Causes:

The exact and accurate causes of Sjogren’s Syndrome are unknown. However, over the past few years, there has been rise in scientific support for inherited factors. This eye disease is often found in some other family members as well. It is commonly found in families who have members suffering from other type of autoimmune diseases such as juvenile diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, systemic lupus erythematosus etc. More than ninety per cent of Sjogren’s Syndrome patients are women.

Sjogren’s Syndrome Treatment:

There is no cure for Sjogren’s Syndrome. Dryness of the eyes can be treated with eye-lubricants at night, artificial tears and by reducing the use of hair dryers. When the dryness becomes more persistent, an ophthalmologist plugs the tear duct so that tears can cover the eyes for a longer period. Recently approved Cyclosporine eye drops helps in reducing the inflammation of the tear glands, hence, improving their function.

Following steps may help you in easing the symptoms of Sjogren’s Syndrome:

• Avoid alcohol and do not smoke
• Humidify the air in order to improve dry skin
• use vaginal lubricants
• Increase  the intake of fluids, specially water
• Use saline spray for nose
• Chew hard candies or sugarless gum to moisten your mouth

Sjogren’s Syndrome Surgery:

Patients suffering from this disease requires no surgery as it can be treated with medicines.

Macular holes is a severe form of eye defect that results in the vision of one of your eyes suddenly become blurry and distorted.

Before we get into the details of Macular holes, it is important to understand the basics of eye anatomy. The macula of the eye where the holes tend to develop, is a very tiny spot which is there at the back of the eye. It is in the center of the retina. The light that passes through the eye, focuses exactly at the center of the macula. It is  a sharp point and Macula is the only area of the eye that has crystal clear colour vision.

The macula is also full of cones which are the light sensitive cells in the eye. The rest of the retina is made of the photosensitive cells which are also called rods. These rods are able to recognize the black and white shading and also the shape and movement like the side vision and night vision.

The Macular holes are often related to the process of aging. Thus it is more likely for it to develop if you are over the age of 60years. Women are more prone to suffer from Macular holes as compared to men. If anyone suffers from Macular holes they will experience a sudden decrease in vision in the eye affected by it.

The Macular holes, cysts and tears are different from other eye diseases, macular degeneration that is related to the aging process. This eye problem can also happen to people who have already passed the age group of 60 years.

The different causes of Macular holes are given below:

• Eye Injury
• A detached retina
• Best’s disease i.e. is a inherited condition which causes Macular damage
• Macular pucker
• Diabetic eye disease
• Myopia or high level of nearsightedness
• Seperation or Vitreous Shrinkage

Macular Holes Caused Due to Separation or Vitreous Shrinkage:

In the back of the eye there is a thick gel which is also the vitreous humor. This gel like stuff helps to keep the eye in shape. As one grows old the vitreous begins to shrink and becomes more liquid in form. This in turn causes it to slosh around.

The vitreous is attached with the retina with some tiny cell strands. So when the vitreous shrinks it pulls the retina. When it pulls the retina it results in a hole after some period of time. When this missing piece of retina is there in the macula of the eye it is called the Macular hole.

Another type of Macular Hole is caused as a result of vitreous shrinkage is when the strands break away from the vitreous and stay attached to the retina. The macula is contracted all around by these strands    and thus due to traction it results in a hole to develop in the macula.

This in turn results in a fluid to develop, which seeps into the macular hole and results in distorted and blurred vision.

The Types of Macular Holes and Its Treatments:

There are three stages of Macular Holes:

• Foveal Detachments
• Full Thickness Holes
• Partial Thickness Holes

The most common form of treatment for Macular holes is vitrectomy.

Diabetic Retinopathy treatment depends upon the type of diabetic retinopathy, its severity and the way it will respond to a .particular treatment. During the early stages of this disease, signs and symptoms may be non-existent or mild, thus requiring little treatment. To prevent the development of this eye disease, diabetic patients should maintain their blood cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.

However, in case of advanced diabetic retinopathy, patients need timely surgical treatment. Ophthalmologists recommend surgery for serious non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Following are the three methods for Diabetic Retinopathy treatment:

Focal laser treatment:

Focal laser treatment, commonly known as photocoagulation stops the leakage of fluid and blood in the eyes. Generally, ophthalmologists perform this therapy at their office or eye clinic. In this procedure, doctor’s use laser burns to seal the abnormal blood vessels from where the leakage occurs. This type of Diabetic Retinopathy treatment usually occurs in single session. Patient’s undergone Focal laser treatments have blurry vision for a day after the surgery. At times, the spots caused by the laser therapy appear in visual field. However, these spots disappear and fade with time. If you have blur vision due to the swelling of the macula prior to surgery, then you may not recover your normal vision completely.

Vitrectomy:

Doctors use this procedure to eliminate blood from the eyes and scar tissues. This type of Diabetic Retinopathy treatment usually occurs at hospital or surgery center under general or local anesthesia. In this procedure, surgeons make small incision in your eyes. Surgeons then remove scar tissues, blood filled tissue with delicate instruments, and replace it with salt solution, which in turn helps in maintaining normal shape of the eye. Sometimes, doctors place gas bubble’s in the eyes cavity to help reattach the retina to its actual place. You may have to stay in hospital for a night after surgery. You have to wear an eye patch and use eye drops for few weeks after the surgery.

Scatter laser treatment:

Commonly known as panretinal photocoagulation, scatter laser treatment shrinks the abnormal blood vessels. Surgeons perform it in an eye clinic. In this type of Diabetic Retinopathy treatment, doctors treat the area around retina with scattered laser burns. The burn forces new blood vessels to disappear. Doctors perform scatter laser treatment in more than two sessions.

Surgery stops or slows the progression of this type of eye disease but it is not a cure. As diabetes is lifelong disease, there is high possibility of  future vision loss or retinal damage.

It is impossible to reverse the vision loss and nerve damage caused by glaucoma. However, it is possible to control this disease. That is, through Glaucoma treatment, it is possible to normalize the intraocular pressure and thus, retard or prevent further vision loss and damage. Glaucoma treatment involves pills, surgery, eye drops or laser.

In the United States, Ophthalmologists recommends eye drop for treating different types of open angle glaucoma whereas in Europe surgery or laser is the first choice more often than in the United States. Depending upon the severity of glaucoma, doctors recommend different types of eye drops several times a day to reduce intraocular pressure. These eyes drop works either by decreasing the aqueous fluid or by escalating the fluid drainage out of the eye. Each treatment has its potential complications and benefits.

Eye Drop:

• Beta-adrenergic antagonists block or act against substances like adrenalin.These eyes drop are beneficial for the patients suffering from glaucoma as they help in decreasing the production of aqueous fluid from the eyes. These medicines include levobunolol (Betagan), metipranolol (Optipranolol), timolol (Timoptic) and carteolol (Ocupress).

Used twice a day, these yes drop are an effective Glaucoma treatment. However, few side effects are associated with eye drops .These includes emphysema, low blood pressure, worsening of asthma, bradycardia and fatigue. Betaxolol is a beta-adrenergic antagonist that works effectively on the eye. Therefore, it carries reduce risk of lung and heart side effects.

• Prostaglandin analogs are analogous to the chemical structure of the body’s prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are similar to hormones and are involved in various functions through out the body. These drops increase the fluid drainage from the eyes.

The prostaglandin analogs replaced timolol as the commonly prescribed eye drops for the patients suffering from glaucoma. Doctors advise to use these drops just once a day. Prostaglandin analogs have fewer side effects than timolol but there is high possibility that it can change the iris colors and darken and thicken the eyelashes. These drops cause redness of the eyes as compared to other eye drops. In some patients, these eye drops caused inflammation. These medications include brimatoprost (Lumigan), travoprost (Travatan) and latanoprost (xalatan).

• Adrenergic agonist’s acts like adrenalin. They work in the glaucoma treatment by both increasing the damage and reducing fluid production in the eye. Brimonidine (Alphagan) is one of the most popular adrenergic agonist. These eyes drop protects the optic nerve from injury by reducing the intraocular pressure. However, there is risk of developing allergic reactions. Other medications of this class of eye drops include apraclonidine (iopidine), epinephrine and dipivefrin (Propine).
• Osmotic agents are a group of medications used for the glaucoma treatment acute type of glaucoma where eye pressure continues to remain high despite treatments. These medicines include Mannitol (administered through veins) and Isosorbide (given by mouth). Doctors recommend patients to use these medicines carefully because of the side effects associated with their consumption. These side effects include fluid accumulation in the lungs or heart, kidney problems, bleeding in the brain and nausea. Patients suffering from liver, heart, diabetes or kidney problems should avoid taking these medicines.

Anti – oxidants:

Deficiencies in antioxidants (especially zinc and vitamin A, C and E, zeaxanthine, copper, selenium and lutein) have been found in some patients suffering from macular degeneration. There is high possibility that anti oxidants may protect against this eye disease by preventing unstable oxygen or free radicals from damaging the retina.

The wet form of AMD causes more damage to the eyes than the dry form of AMD. Following are different treatments for age related macular degeneration:

Laser treatment:

This treatment may lessen or stop vision loss during the early stages of macular degeneration. Doctors perform it with a particular wavelength which is designed to cauterize the irregular blood vessels. Krypton and argon layers are commonly used for the treatment of patients suffering from macular degeneration.

A laser beam destroys abnormal blood vessels and there is high possibility this treatment may end the growth of new blood vessels. After undergoing the laser treatment, a scar appears. This leads to the permanent vision loss in that specific area of retina.  But this saves the rest of the eye layer from damage. This is similar to axing down the trees standing in the path of the forest fire to stop the fire from spreading to the remaining forest.

Generally, vision does not improve after undergoing the laser therapy. This laser treatment is successful in only half the cases, and only few people are recommended this laser therapy.

Photodynamic Therapy:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved this treatment in April 2000. Verteporfin, a light activated drug is administered intravenously. Thereafter doctors use specially designed laser to slam the irregular blood vessels while leaving the retina undamaged. As there is high possibility that these closed blood vessels may reopen within the rectified area, you may have to undergo several treatments for one or two years. As Verteporfin is stimulated by light, avoid exposure to sunlight for a week after the treatment. This laser therapy is different from Argon laser treatment. In photodynamic therapy, a wide ray of laser light covers the complete macula whereas in case of Argon laser therapy ophthalmologists precisely control the entire treatment to cauterize particular leaking blood vessels under the biomicroscope.

Lucentis:

FDA approved this treatment for the wet form of macular degeneration in June 2006. Lucentis is similar to the colorectal cancer healing drug, Avastin. It works by slowing down the proteins called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which helps in activating the growth of new abnormal blood vessels in the body.