Andrew A. Dahl, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. Dr. Dahl's educational background includes a BA with Honors and Distinction from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, and an MD from Cornell University, where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. He had an internal medical internship at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Cataracts are relatively simple to diagnose by an ophthalmologist or an
optometrist during a routine eye examination. It is important, when making the
diagnosis of cataract, to also examine the entire eye for evidence of any other
eye disease which may be compromising the vision. In addition to taking a
medical and ocular history and visual acuity test, the ophthalmologist will
check eye movements and pupillary responses, measure the pressure inside the
eyes and examine the front and back of the eyes after the pupils have been
dilated with drops.
What is the treatment for cataracts?
People with early cataract will find that changing their glasses, using
sunglasses to decrease glare and having better lighting to read can
significantly alleviate their symptoms. Magnifying lenses for close work and
reading fine print may also be helpful.
Many cataracts are not bothersome, causing few symptoms. In that situation,
no surgical treatment is necessary. However, the only true treatment for
cataract is surgical removal of the cloudy lens. Surgery is suggested if the
patient loses the ability to perform necessary activities of everyday life, such
as driving, reading, or looking at computer or video screens, even with glasses,
and there is the expectation that vision will improve as a result of the
surgery.
Depending on a patient's specific visual needs, surgery is sometimes done on
cataracts that are not very dense or surgery can wait until the cataract and the
vision gets more cloudy. Patients' responses to cataracts vary. A cataract in
only one eye may be disturbing to a particular patient and may not cause
significant symptoms in another patient.
Cataracts usually do not harm your eye, so you can have surgery when it is
convenient for you. Once you understand the benefits and risks of surgery, you
can make an informed decision about whether cataract surgery is right for you.
In most cases, delaying cataract surgery will not cause long-term damage to your
eye or make the surgery more difficult.
If the eye has other diseases that have caused visual loss such as glaucoma,
macular degeneration,
diabetic retinopathy, or optic nerve damage from glaucoma,
cataract surgery may not improve the vision.
Occasionally, your doctor may recommend removal of a cataract if it prevents
diagnosis or treatment of another eye problem, such as macular degeneration or
diabetic retinopathy.
If both eyes have cataracts and surgery is agreed upon, the surgery on the
second eye is generally planned at least a week after the first eye. There is
usually no harm in waiting a much longer period of time between the two eye
operations.
Since the lens of the eye is necessary to accurately focus light onto the
retinal surface and removal of the cataract involves removal of the lens, modern
cataract surgery combines removal of the lens with placement of a new artificial
lens into the eye. Measurements for the size, shape, and power of this lens will
be taken at least a week prior to the surgery so that the lens can be ordered
and available at the time of surgery.
More than 2 million cataract surgeries are performed annually in the United
States. It is extremely safe and effective, improving vision in the vast
majority of patients.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
Retinal detachment is the separation of the retina from its attachments to the underlying eye tissue. Symptoms of retinal detachment include flashing lights and floaters. Highly nearsighted young adults and those who've had cataract surgery are at higher risk for retinal detachment.
Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law.
Glaucoma is a common eye condition in which the fluid pressure inside the eye rises because of slowed fluid drainage from the eye. If untreated, glaucoma may damage the optic nerve and other parts of the eye, causing the loss of vision or even blindness.
Eye floaters are deposits or condensation that forms in the eye's vitreous humor. These deposits cast shadows on the retina, and as the eye moves, the deposits shift position, making it appear as though the shadows are moving or floating.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Many common eye disorders resolve without treatment and some may be managed with over-the-counter (OTC) products. It's important to visit a physician or ophthalmologist is the problem involves the eyeball itself or the condition hasn't improved after 72 hours of use of an eye-care OTC product.
Uveitis is inflammation of the eye. Symptoms include blurred vision, eye pain, eye redness, and floating spots before the eyes. Treatment may involve prescription eyedrops, antibiotics, and wearing dark glasses.
Sunburn is caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun. UV rays can also damage the eyes. Repeated overexposure to UV rays also increases the risk for scarring, freckles, wrinkles, and dry skin. Symptoms of sunburn include painful, red, tender, and hot skin. The skin may blister, swell, and peel. Sun poisoning (severe sunburn) include nausea, fever, chills, rapid pulse, dizziness and more. Treatment for sunburn depends upon the severity. Sun protection and sunscreen for an individual's skin type is recommended to decrease the chance of sunburn.
Blindness is the state of being sightless. Causes of blindness include macular degeneration, stroke, cataract, glaucoma, infection and trauma. Symptoms and signs may include eye pain, eye discharge, or the cornea or pupil turning white. Treatment of blindness depends upon the cause of the blindness.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that gradually destroys the central vision. In people over 60, AMD is a leading cause of vision loss. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula, leaking blood and fluid and causing rapid vision loss. In dry AMD, light-sensitive cells slowly break down in the macula, resulting in gradual vision loss. Pain is not associated with either form of AMD.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a genetic condition that causes retinal degeneration and eventual vision loss. Symptoms include night blindness and tunnel vision. Visual field testing and electrophysiological testing are essential in diagnosing RP. Though there is no cure for RP, vitamin A therapy and an omega-3-rich diet may be recommended for patients to slow disease progression.
Diabetes and eye problems are generally caused by high blood sugar levels over an extended period of time. Types of eye problems in a person with diabetes include glaucoma, cataracts, and retinopathy. Examples of symptoms include blurred vision, headaches, eye aches, pain, halos around lights, loss of vision, watering eyes. Treatment for eye problems in people with diabetes depend on the type of eye problem. Prevention of eye problems include reducing blood pressure, cholesterol levels, quitting smoking, and maintaining proper blood glucose levels.
Double vision (diplopia) is a symptom that my indicate Graves' disease, myasthenia gravis, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, diabetes, cataracts, aneurysm, brain tumor, or migraine. Symptoms and signs include eye pain, droopy eyelids, nausea, headache, and a cross-eyed appearance. Treatment of double vision depends upon the underlying cause.
eye. Read about symptoms, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
Coats' disease is a rare eye condition that typically progresses to vision loss or blindness in one eye. Gradual vision loss is usually the first symptom, followed by a cloudy white or yellow pupil due to the presence of a cataract. Treatment focuses on limiting the blood vessel progression and may involve cryotherapy or laser photocoagulation.
Nonprescription eyeglasses are available over the counter (OTC) and are typically used by people who can no longer read fine print. OTC trifocals are helpful for those who require multiple distances or focal lengths for near and intermediate tasks. OTC sunglasses should offer 100% protection from the sun's UVA and UVB rays. OTC magnifying glasses are useful for viewing tiny objects or fine print.
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