Adult VisionSome vision conditions affect us from birth because they’re related to irregularities of the Cornea. Others like Cataracts and Presbyopia creep up on us as we age. Some are the result of the wear and tear from sports during the active teen years. Regular comprehensive eye exams are the best way to detect and address any and all vision issues.

Comprehensive Eye Examination Tests:

Age Related Vision Problems

Blepharitis
Blepharitis is an eye disease involving inflammation of the eyelids. Symptoms can include redness, itching and irritation in one or both eyes. Blepharitis is sometimes confused with Conjunctivitis. It is also often mistaken for Dry Eye because of the gritty sensation that accompanies it; however, eye drops rarely improve the condition. If you are diagnosed with Blepharitis, Dr. O’Day will recommend an ongoing eyelid hygiene program. Severe Blepharitis may require topical and oral medicine and nutritional supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids.

Flashes and Floaters
Flashes and Floaters are very common occurrences and usually not a cause for concern. However, they could be a symptom of a more serious eye condition that would need treatment.

  • Flashes: Flashes or streaks of light could mean that the jelly-like fluid which fills the eye is shrinking and might be detaching from the inside of the eye or retina. A severe headache sometimes causes flashes, but it is important to have your eyes checked.
  • Floaters: Floaters can be specks, spots, threads or even cobwebs when you are looking at a plain light background like a blank wall or the sky. If you try to focus on them they’ll move with your eye. Floaters can occur as part of the aging process and some eye conditions or injuries can cause floaters. Most people find that floaters are temporary but if you lose any peripheral vision, it could be a sign of something which requires treatment and you should consult Dr. O’Day immediately.

Fuchs’ Dystrophy
Fuchs’ Dystrophy is a slowly progressing Corneal Disease that usually affects both eyes, occurring more often in women than in men. Although doctors can often see early signs of Fuchs’ Dystrophy in people in their 30s and 40s, the disease rarely affects vision until people reach their 50s and 60s. The early sign of this condition will be blurred vision on awakening that will gradually clear during the day. As the cornea retains fluids while we sleep it is normally thicker in the morning causing blurred vision. These fluids evaporate once we are awake. As the disease worsens, this swelling will remain constant and blurred vision will continue without clearing. If you suspect you have symptoms of Fuch’s Dystrophy, schedule an eye examination immediately. Treatment can include:

  • Eye drops or ointments to reduce the amount of fluid in your cornea
  • Use of a warm hair dryer at arm’s length two or three times a day to evaporate excess fluid in the cornea
  • Wearing soft contact lenses to improve vision and reduce discomfort
  • Receiving a corneal transplant

Cosmetic Procedures

Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to reshape the upper or lower eyelid by removing or repositioning excess tissue and strengthening surrounding muscles. When upper eyelid skin protrudes over the eyelashes it causes loss of peripheral vision and difficulty driving or reading. Patients with less excess skin can have the procedure performed for cosmetic reasons. Lower eyelid Blepharoplasty is usually done to improve “bags” and reduce wrinkles. Blepharoplasty can take one to three hours depending on the type of surgery.

Botox® Cosmetic
BOTOX Cosmetic can temporarily smooth moderate to severe frown lines between your brows for up to 4 months. BOTOX Cosmetic, is a popular non-surgical injection that temporarily reduces or eliminates frown lines, forehead creases, crows feet near the eyes and thick bands in the neck. The toxin blocks the nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles while giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. Studies have also suggested that BOTOX is effective in relieving migraine headaches, excessive under-arm sweating and muscle spasms in the neck and eyes.

Fraxel® RE:FINE Laser Treatment
Fraxel RE:FINE is a laser treatment that helps remove years from your appearance. The treatment uses microscopic laser columns that penetrate deep into your skin to expedite your body’s remodeling of collagen. And since the laser treats only a fraction of tissue at a time, it leaves the surrounding tissue intact, which promotes very rapid healing. You will have minimal downtime, and you’ll have very little swelling or redness. Unlike treatments such as IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or Microdermabrasion, which target a very superficial layer of your skin, Fraxel RE:FINE treatment actually resurfaces your skin by stimulating the growth of new, healthy skin cells from the inside out. Regardless of the level of sun damage you have, or if you just want prevention and maintenance, there’s a Fraxel treatment for you. The Fraxel family of treatments has multiple FDA clearances. These include:

RE:PAIR

  • Wrinkles
  • Fine lines
  • Furrows
  • Skin texture
  • Pigmented lesions (age/sun spots)
  • Sun-induced redness
  • Laser blepharoplasty

RE:STORE and RE:FINE

  • Skin resurfacing
  • Fine lines around the eyes
  • Age/sun spots
  • Discoloration and uneven pigmentation
  • Melasma (mask of pregnancy)
  • Acne scars
  • Surgical scars

Juvéderm®
Juvéderm is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration. Your healthcare professional eases Juvéderm injectable gel under the skin to instantly restore your skin’s volume and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds, like your “smile lines” or “parentheses” (nasolabial folds—the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth). Juvéderm injectable gel provides a smooth, natural look and feel and is the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal filler that is proven to be safe and effective for persons of color. The injection process takes only about 15 minutes and results are immediate. Plus, there’s minimal recovery or downtime. So you can step into your doctor’s office for treatment and step right back into your life.

Restylane®
Restylane injections are intended for wrinkle correction and lip augmentation. It is a natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that already exists in the human body and is used to provide volume and fullness to the skin. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane is a crystal-clear gel called NASHA, or Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA is biodegradable and completely biocompatible. Restylane requires no pretesting and has been used safely by dermatologists and plastic surgeons since 1996. Because Restylane is non-animal based and fully biocompatible, allergy testing is not required. There is virtually no risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reaction. The most commonly reported side effects are temporary redness and swelling at the injection site. These effects typically resolve within two to three days. Restylane lasts twice as long as collagen, so treatments are typically scheduled twice a year. Evidence shows that having a touch-up treatment before the product has fully dissipated will enhance the lasting effect.

No matter what your vision-related issues are, it is crucial to have a skilled, caring, and trusted health care provider. If you live in Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, and Myrtle Beach SC or surrounding areas, consider visiting Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery for help with a variety of age related vision issues. Ask about cosmetic procedures that can enhance your look. Call us at (843) 856-5275 for more information.