CATARACTS
A cataract is a cloudiness that develops in the natural lens of the eye. Cataracts occur because of the aging process, may be inherited, and may occur as the result of eye injuries, systemic diseases or medications. As the lens becomes cloudy, vision becomes blurred.

Your doctor will guide you when the blurring of your vision prevents you from seeing to do your normal activities such as reading or driving.

GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is a disease of the eye usually associated with an elevated intraocular pressure. The elevated eye pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve, with resulting vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma may be inherited or may be caused as a result of the aging process, following eye injuries, or be secondary to medications and systemic diseases.

The two most common types are:
Open angle glaucoma - This is the most common type. It occurs in about 2% of the population, and makes up 90% of all glaucoma patients. It is associated with elevated intraocular pressure because of deterioration in the channels which drain fluid from the eye. Unfortunately, there are no symptoms so that it has to be diagnosed by having an eye exam. Symptoms only occur in the advanced stage when an individual is losing vision. Eye exams are very important to detect this type of glaucoma.

Narrow angle glaucoma - This usually occurs in the older age group. In this type of glaucoma, the iris or colored part of the eye obstructs the drainage channels of the eye. This may occur very suddenly, resulting in a rapid increase in ocular pressure, and is usually very painful, with blurred vision and nausea.

MACULAR DEGENERATION
The macula of the eye is the central part of the retina, the part which is used for detailed vision such as reading and recognizing people. Damage to or destruction of the macula is known as macular degeneration. When macular degeneration is fully developed, the individual is unable to read, drive or recognize people. There are two primary types of macular degeneration, the dry type and the wet type.

Dry-Type Macular Degeneration - In the dry type, the deterioration in the macular area of the retina and the deterioration in the vision are slow and gradual, and may occur over a period of years. There is often a family history of macular degeneration, and frequently changes in the retina, called drusen, are present before the actual degeneration occurs. There is no treatment of proven value for the dry type of macular degeneration, although nutritional supplements are used often.

Wet-Type Macular Degeneration - The wet type of macular degeneration usually begins abruptly with a change in or loss of vision associated with a hemorrhage or an abnormal blood vessel membrane developing in the macular area of the retina. Vision loss is often severe immediately. Treatment consist of both laser and injections of Lucenta.