glaucoma until vision loss has occurred. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the US and is not a curable disease – it can only be managed and the disease progression slowed. Therefore, it is essential that glaucoma patients be seen regularly for checkups so that proper interventional treatment, if necessary, can be given.

Glaucoma can affect anyone but individuals who are age over 60, have a family history of glaucoma and / or diabetes, or are of African American descent or are severely nearsighted, are at greater risk.

Dry Eye – a condition where the body does not produce enough tears, or produces low quality tears, to properly lubricate the eye. Without good lubrication, the cornea becomes damaged. In severe cases, this may require a corneal transplant. Symptoms of Dry Eyes are gritty, scratchy, or burning eyes and excessive tearing.

While anyone can be affected by Dry Eyes, females and individuals over the age of 65 are at an increased risk. There are many solutions to treat dry eye depending on your presentation. Speak with your doctor to learn what the right solution is for you.

Diabetic Eye Disease - an umbrella term for a variety of eye conditions that can affect individuals who are prediabetic or have Type I or Type II diabetes. These conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and glaucoma

can cause significant damage to the back of the eye, potentially leading to vision loss.

Therefore, diabetics and pre-diabetics are highly encouraged to have a yearly dilated exam to monitor any diabetic changes to the back of the eye. Do not wait for symptoms – these conditions, if treated early can save your vision.

Macular Degeneration - Age Related Macular Degeneration, or ARMD, is the degeneration of the cells in the macula, the area of the eye responsible for highly detailed vision needed for activities such as reading. ARMD can affect anyone, but individuals who have smoked in the past or have a family history of ARMD are at an increased risk.

There are two types of ARMD; dry and wet. Dry ARMD usually precedes wet ARMD. Initial symptoms may include blurred or distorted vision. As the disease progresses, patients may notice a “blank spot” in their central vision. Comprehensive eye examinations are therefore important for early detection and monitoring of ARMD because there are now new treatments available to help people maintain their vision and potentially prevent further loss.

Looking for more information on any of the diseases listed here (or not listed here)? Visit us online today at www.mabelchengmd.com or call us, Monday – Friday, at 518-782-7777 and ask a

staff member for literature regarding your condition.

Healthy Vision and You, Part I – Structures of the Eye and Common

Ocular Diseases

A Reference for Patients

Mabel MP Cheng, MD -&-

Nicole A Lemanski, MD

Board Certified Eye Physician and Surgeons for Comprehensive

Ophthalmology

Mabel MP Cheng MD, PLLC 3140 Troy Schenectady Road

Latham, NY 12309 www.mabelchengmd.com

Copyright © 2016, Mabel MP Cheng MD, PLLC

Rev: April 2016, All Rights Reserved

Good Healthcare Begins with a Well Informed Patient

We at the offices of Dr. Mabel MP Cheng greatly value patient education. We believe a well-informed patient is not only a more proactive patient in his or her eye health, but is also a happier and healthier patient. As such, we would like to take a few minutes of your time so that you can better understand your own eye health and what is required to maintain great vision for a lifetime. In this first installment of Healthy Vision and You, you will learn about some common eye conditions that you may experience in your lifetime.

Before examining these issues in detail, let us review some general structures of the eye.

General Structures of The Eye

Cornea – The clear tissue on the outside of the eye.

Lens – A crystalline matrix of proteins that focuses light onto the retina.

Iris – The colored part of the eye. These muscles regulate the size of the pupil.

Pupil – A “hole” that controls the amount of light that enters the eye.

Vitreous humor – a clear gelatinous substance that fills the inner eye, giving it shape and rigidity.

Retina – wallpaper like tissue at the back of the eye; converts light into signals that are interpreted by the brain as images.

Macula – A yellow spot on the retina, it acts as a “sunscreen” by filtering out UV light. See also: Fovia.

Fovia – A spot in the macula containing the highest concentration of light sensing cells. It is responsible for our sharp central vision and for reading.

Optic Nerve – a delicate, non-repairable “wire” that links the retina to the brain.

Now that we have familiarized ourselves with the structures of the eye, let’s learn about some common eye problems and how they affect your vision.

Common Eye Issues / Diseases

Myopia – “nearsightedness,” this condition occurs when the eye is longer than average, resulting in blurred but correctable vision. Correctable with glasses, contacts or LASIK.

Hyperopia – “farsightedness,” this condition occurs when the eye is shorter than average, resulting in blurred but correctable vision. Correctable with glasses, contacts or LASIK.

Astigmatism – A condition where the cornea is shaped more like a football than a soccer ball, resulting in blurred but correctable vision. Correctable with glasses, contacts or LASIK.

Presbyopia - A term to describe the natural loss of our lens to focus light at different distances. This occurs around the age of 40 and generally results in the ability to see far but not up close.

Cataract - A clouding of the natural lens of the eye that prevents light from reaching the retina, making it very difficult to see. In age related cataracts, this process happens naturally over a period of time. More than half of the people in the US by the age 80 will have had a cataract. Symptoms include hazy and muted color tones in vision. While most cataracts are related to aging, some cataracts can be congenital. Others can be caused by trauma, or other eye problems, or certain drugs.

Cataracts can be treated by surgically removing the natural lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens (IOL). There are many different types of IOLs that can help restore your near and distance vision while potentially freeing you from glasses. Speak with a member of our staff to learn more about cataract surgery and IOL types to best meet your needs.

Glaucoma - A group of eye conditions that results in increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye. This pressure damages the optic nerve, permanently destroying vision. Because vision is lost gradually from the periphery before central vision is affected, and because there are generally no symptoms early on, many are unaware that they may have