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Grave’s Disease
Graves’ disease is due to an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) causing weight loss, insomnia, heat intolerance, and hyperactivity. This disease causes exophthalmos (bulging of the eyes) and ophthalmoplegia (limitation of eye movement). As the disease worsens, the connective tissue in the muscles increases, pushing the eye forward. Closing the lids becomes more difficult, because of…
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Herpes Keratitis
Herpes simplex keratitis is an infection of the cornea, or clear outer tissue of the eye, caused by the herpes simplex virus. This is the same virus associated with cold sores. This is not the herpes type II associated with sexual transmission. A herpes eye infection often involves an ulcer or break in the corneal…
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Herpes Simplex Keratitis
Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is a virus affecting the front clear part of the eye, the cornea. It usually affects one eye, and since the cornea is the front lens of the eye, it much be watched carefully to guard against vision loss. Vision loss can occur due to the loss of corneal transparency. The…
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Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
Herpes zoster, or “shingles,” is a painful viral infection of the nervous system that causes a characteristic rash and blistering usually limited to one side of the body. The rash is associated with the areas of skin served by these same affected nerves. A herpes zoster attack may begin with skin pain, followed by a…
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High Order Aberrations
In an ideal world, everyone would have perfectly-shaped eyes. The reality, however, is that practically every eye has some form of aberration somewhere in it. These aberrations may or may not cause vision problems, but don’t be too surprised if your eye doctor informs you that you are having difficulties due to some such imperfection.…
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Hordeolum – Chalazion
A hordeolum or external hordeolum is commonly called a stye. It is caused by an acute bacterial infection of the sebaceous glands of the eyelid. These glands are small and reside at the base of the hair follicles that form the lash-line for the upper and lower lid. Another condition is internal hordeolum or chalazion.…
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How the Eyes Work
Every morning, we open our eyes and become immersed in a wealth of visual information. The eyes and related brain structures are a complex system that allows us to experience visual information from the surrounding world. It is easy to take clear vision for granted, but even subtle changes in the structure or functioning of…
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How to Read Prescriptions
Vision that is 20/20 describes a normal level of clarity and sharpness in your vision. This is called visual acuity. This measurement offers a way to compare the quality of your vision to a professional standard. Using this tool helps your eye care provider to accurately gauge whether you need corrective lenses and to diagnose…
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How Vision Therapy Helps
The goal of vision therapy is to treat vision problems that cannot be fully addressed through eyeglasses, contact lenses or surgery. For example, studies show that vision therapy may be beneficial for addressing eyestrain and other issues that can affect a child’s reading abilities. The human brain has significant neuroplasticity, which means it can change…
