With AMD, dark areas may appear in the patient's central vision.

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is an eye disease that damages the central part of the retina, called the macula. The macula is responsible for seeing fine detail.

Macular degeneration causes loss of central vision, but not side (peripheral) vision. It is called age-related when it happens in people 50 or older as part of the aging process.

Macular degeneration has two forms: dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration is more common, but wet macular degeneration causes faster vision loss. Dry AMD sometimes turns into wet AMD.

Dry macular degeneration

About 90 percent of people with AMD have the dry form. Dry macular degeneration happens when the macula thins and breaks down over time. Protein deposits called drusen build up under the retina, causing vision loss.

Symptoms of dry AMD can include:

• Blurry vision
• Gradual vision loss in one or both eyes
• Problems reading, driving or doing other activities that require sharp vision
• Needing more light or a magnifying lens for activities

If you have these symptoms, see an eye doctor. A dilated eye exam is the only way to tell if you have AMD.  

Wet macular degeneration

About 10 percent of people with AMD have the wet form. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. They leak and bleed, damaging the macula.

Symptoms of wet AMD can include:

• Distorted vision – Straight lines might look wavy or objects might look different with each eye
• Loss of vision at the center of your sight

What if I have age-related macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration produces central vision loss, but not total blindness. It can affect your ability to:

• Drive safely
• Maintain balance and direction – People with AMD fall more often and have more broken hips than people without AMD
• Recognize faces
• Read, watch TV or do other activities that require sharp vision
• Do everyday activities, such as cooking

There are tools and techniques that can help you live a full life with AMD. Ask your eye doctor about seeing a low vision specialist for vision rehabilitation to make the most of your sight.

Learn more about macular degeneration from Oregon Eye Specialists

Watch a video on macular degeneration (Click on Macular Conditions in the video library’s main menu)

See a simulation of macular degeneration

Make an appointment

If you have symptoms of macular degeneration, want a second opinion on AMD or have not had an eye exam recently, request an appointment online or call Oregon Eye Specialists at 503-935-5580.

6^th Annual Oregon VisionWalk

Saturday, June 22, 2013 - 8am
Willamette Park, Portland, OR

Join the Foundation Fighting Blindness and Oregon Eye Specialists, PC for a fun-filled, family-friendly 5K (3.1 miles) walkathon. VisionWalk is the Foundation’s signature fundraising event and aimed at increasing awareness and raising critical research dollars for retinal diseases such as macular degeneration. To register or make a donation visit www.fightblindness.org/goto/OregonEye

Even if you’re just thinking about new glasses, our Providence Spring Frame Sale is the perfect time to meet our Sight Shop opticians and see the latest eyewear styles, including sunglasses. We’re offering this expanded selection at outstanding prices for just one day.

The Sight Shop’s Annual Sunglass Sale is also running through the month of May. Come in and update your look for spring!

Update your eyewear prescription

Our Providence clinic optometrist is Dr. Eric Brown. He provides vision exams and prescribes glasses and contact lenses.

The Providence clinic also has four ophthalmologists (eye MDs) for comprehensive medical eye exams. We’re always welcoming new patients.

• Dr. Thomas Crawford
• Dr. Grant Lindquist
• Dr. Jennifer Lyons
• Dr. Christen Richard

Did you know you can use your flex spending account to purchase prescription eyewear? Get a head start on spending those flex dollars now. Be sure to check with your individual plan for specific details.

Questions?

Call 503-935-5580 or contact us. We have 10 convenient locations for your eye care needs.

Sunglass frames are 40 percent off

If you wear prescription sunglasses, take 20 percent off sunglass lenses through May. Our Annual Sunglass Sale includes polarized sunglasses, prescription sunglasses and designer sunglasses – Coach, Fendi, Nike, Ray-Ban, to name a few.

May is the perfect time to check out The Sight Shop’s fit, quality and style. We take the guesswork out of finding the right sunglasses.

Before you shop, learn how to buy the right sunglasses.

Find your Sight Shop to shop the Annual Sunglass Sale through the entire month of May. At up to 40 percent off, you can’t afford to miss it!

Yoga for dry eye

The magazine cited a 2006 study from the journal Head and Face Medicine. People who practiced a yoga program reported fewer dry eye symptoms.

This study looked at computer workers who spent at least six hours a day, five days a week at the screen. Half the workers did an hour of yoga five days a week. The rest did an hour of other activities. Participants completed a symptom questionnaire at the beginning and end of the study. After 60 days, the yoga group reported less bothersome dry eye symptoms and the non-yoga group, worse symptoms.

Researchers noted that yoga tends to relax people, and relaxed people usually blink more. Doctors, including Oregon Eye Specialists, recommend blinking to relieve computer eye strain, which can include dry eye. While it’s possible yoga could help, researchers did not include certain people in the study, like those who had already seen a doctor for dry eye and those taking medications or with health conditions that can cause it.

Supplements for dry eye

The Prevention article recommended gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) supplements for dry eye syndrome. Research shows that essential fatty acids can help symptoms of dry eye. An ophthalmologist can recommend a supplement—including the right dose and supplement type—if he or she thinks it could help.

Acupuncture for dry eye

Prevention magazine cited a 2012 study from the journal PLoS One. In a four-week study, patients with dry eye used artificial tears or had three acupuncture sessions a week. Results for the groups were about equal after four weeks, but the acupuncture group felt better at eight weeks.

This study spelled out how the acupuncture was done, so if you receive the same treatment from an acupuncturist with similar experience, it’s possible you could benefit. Before you head for the acupuncturist, though, see your eye doctor to make sure your dry eye symptoms aren’t caused by something with an inexpensive solution, such as changing your allergy medication, or a sign of a serious medical condition such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Make an appointment

The doctors at Oregon Eye Specialists are experts in treating dry eye. Learn more about what could be causing your dry eye symptoms and get personal treatment recommendations. Request an appointment or call 503-935-5580.

Copyright 2013 Eyemaginations, Inc.

Dry eye is a common condition that can make the eyes red, painful, and irritated. You might have blurry vision or trouble wearing your contact lenses, or feel like there is something in your eye.

Over-the-counter treatments

If you have any eye symptoms for more than a few days, see your doctor. Artificial tears are a common dry eye treatment you can buy without a prescription – but first, it’s important to make sure your eye irritation is not caused by a serious condition. A doctor can also recommend the right brand and form of artificial tears (liquid, gel or ointment) and tell you how often to use them.

Prescription treatments

Only one drug, cyclosporine (Restasis®) is approved for dry eye treatment. You need to use it twice a day for three to six months. Or your doctor might prescribe steroid eye drops. The medicine in these drops decreases inflammation, which can make your eyes more comfortable.

Dry eye and contact lenses

If contact lenses are the source of your dry eye, switching lenses can sometimes solve the problem. Some people need to wear their lenses less, or not at all. If this happens, your doctor can talk with you about other vision correction options.

Surgical procedures for dry eye

Surgical solutions for dry eye include plugging the tiny holes at the corners of your eyelids where tears drain out of the eye into the nose. An eye doctor can place tiny silicone or collagen plugs, called “punctal plugs,” in the holes temporarily to see if they solve the problem. If you have severe dry eye, you might have punctal plugs inserted permanently.

Another surgical option is to close the drainage holes for good. An eye doctor can do this in a simple procedure called “punctal cautery.” Both punctal plus and punctal cautery keep tears on the eye longer. This can make you more comfortable.

Some eye doctors recommend fish oil supplements for dry eye. Talk with your eye doctor to see if this might work for you.

Preventing dry eye at home

Depending on the cause of your dry eye, there are a few things you can do to prevent it or reduce symptoms.

• Wear glasses or sunglasses that wrap around your face. This can slow down the evaporation of moisture from your eyes. You can buy devices called “moisture chambers” that fit on your glasses and hold moisture in.
• Blink often, especially when reading, driving or using the computer. Ask your doctor if you should use eye drops before doing these activities.
• Control your indoor environment. Stay out of rooms that are heavily air conditioned or heated, and don’t sit near vents that are blowing air. Try a humidifier, air cleaner, or both in places you spend a lot of time. Removing dust and particles from the air and adding moisture can help your symptoms.

Talk with a doctor about your dry eye before trying any of these tips. Request an appointment with your Oregon Eye Specialists doctor or meet our caring, experienced physicians for personal help with dry eye.

People get dry eye for two basic reasons:

• The eyes don’t make enough tears
• The tears evaporate too quickly to keep the eye moist

About one-third of older adults have dry eye, and about twice as many women as men.*

Symptoms of dry eye

Common symptoms are:

• Eye pain, such as burning or stinging
• A sandy or gritty feeling, like something is in the eyes
• Red eyes
• Blurry vision
• Watery eyes or eye discharge that looks stringy
• Sensitivity to light

Symptoms might be worse at certain times. For example, dry eye can get worse when you work on the computer, read or do other activities that require steady focus. Your eyes might feel especially dry in cold or windy weather or environments with dry air, such as airplanes. If you wear contact lenses, they might feel uncomfortable or be hard to keep in.

Causes of dry eye

Dry eye can be caused by eye problems, other health conditions, medications and environmental factors. Some of the causes are:

• Not blinking often enough – Staring at a computer or video screen can cause dry eye.
• Allergies
• Medications, inc.luding some allergy medications. Other medicines that can cause dry eye include nasal decongestants, blood pressure medicine, antidepressants and birth control pills. Taking estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of dry eye much more than estrogen-progestin HRT.**
• Eyelid problems, such as diseases of the eyelid glands and skin around the eyelids.
• Diseases that affect the immune system, including a disease called Sjogren’s syndrome that causes drying of many mucus membranes in the body.
• LASIK or other refractive surgery.

If too much of the eye’s surface is exposed, this can cause dry eye. Some people have cosmetic surgery that opens the eyes too wide. A thyroid condition called Graves disease can cause bulging eyes and dryness (former First Lady Barbara Bush had this condition). Some people have a condition that keeps their eyelids from closing completely when they sleep. This can make the eyes dry.

Only an eye doctor can find the cause of your dry eye. Request an appointment with your Oregon Eye Specialists doctor or meet our caring, experienced physicians to find out what’s causing your symptoms.

Learn about your options for dry eye treatment and prevention.

* Sources: Up To Date™, National Eye Institute.
**Source: National Eye Institute.

Do kids need sport goggles or sports glasses?

Yes! Nine in 10 sports eye injuries are preventable with proper sports eyewear. Baseball, basketball and racquet sports pose the highest risk of eye injuries, along with fishing and full-contact martial arts.

Sports sunglasses are a must for kids and adults. Wondering about sports goggles for spring skiing? Learn more.

What’s the best sports eyewear?

Kids’ sports eyewear should be appropriate for the sport, comfortable and well fitting. If sports glasses or goggles are uncomfortable or uncool, kids will leave them on the bench.

Sports goggles are stronger than sports glasses to resist higher impact. The right sports eyewear depends on the sport, and proper eyewear carries an ASTM rating. Find ratings for different sports.

Polycarbonate lenses are ideal for soccer, field hockey, basketball and racquet sports. Kids who play baseball, ice hockey or lacrosse need a helmet with a polycarbonate face shield.

Talk to your child’s coach and share information on sports eye protection from the American Academy of Ophthalmology if necessary.

Where can I find sports eyewear for kids?

The best sports eyewear is professionally fitted so you know it’s right for the sport, comfortable, fits well and even flatters your child’s face.

The Lake Grove Sight Shop carries Rec Specs for kids and adults in a range of styles and colors. All the Sight Shops carry sports glasses, sunglasses and goggles in prescription and non-prescription models. With eight convenient locations, there’s sure to be a Sight Shop near you.

Do adults need sports eye protection?

Yes. Trips to the emergency room, time off work and eye damage are potential consequences of taking an elbow in that pickup basketball game. Popular racquet sports carry a high risk of eye injury and skiing, snowboarding or boating without sports sunglasses can lead to painful eye sunburn.

Visit a Sight Shop to find the right sports eyewear.

What if I already wear glasses or contacts?

Regular glasses don’t provide sports eye protection, and contacts can absorb irritating dust and debris. Prescription sports eyewear is available for sports from running to snorkeling.

The Sight Shop can put your prescription in sports goggles, sports sunglasses or a custom mask for the best protection and improved performance.

Make an appointment

Oregon Eye Specialists doctors are active in sports and experts on eye safety. Request an appointment or call 503-935-5580.

Do you have eye allergies?

If you already have allergies, red eyes might simply be one of the symptoms. Do you also have:

• An itchy nose?
• Sneezing?
• Congestion in your nose or throat?
• A hoarse voice?

If red, itchy and swollen eyes go along with these symptoms, chances are your eyes are also suffering seasonal allergy symptoms. The medical name for eye allergy symptoms is allergic conjunctivitis.

Seasonal allergy relief

If your allergy symptoms start at certain times, like spring or fall, talk to your primary care doctor about allergy medicines that can bring relief. Treating seasonal allergies can relieve many symptoms, including itchy, swollen eyes.

Eye allergy relief

To relieve red, watery and itchy eyes, you can:

• Try over-the-counter allergy eye drops, such as ketotifen (Alaway, Zaditor and other brands). Prescription allergy eye drops are more effective for some people, so talk to an eye doctor if the non-prescription drops don’t relieve your allergy symptoms.
• Use artificial tears, such as GenTeal or Refresh Tears. Some artificial tears are made specifically to help with eye allergies. Look for a formula that says “no preservatives” to be on the safe side. Some people are allergic to the preservatives used in artificial tears. They can make your red, swollen eyes worse.
• Place a washcloth soaked in cool water over your eyes for temporary relief.

Learn more about eye allergy treatments.

Make an appointment

If your eyes are swollen, itchy and watery after trying these allergy relief tips, talk to an eye doctor. The doctors at Oregon Eye Specialists can talk to you about eye allergy symptoms and diagnose any other conditions that are causing your symptoms. Request an appointment online or call us at 503-935-5580.

Red eye causes

Many different conditions can cause red eyes, including:

• Conjunctivitis—allergic, bacterial or viral. This is the most common cause of red eye. It is common in children but can also happen in adults. Learn more.
• Common eyelid conditions—stye, chalazion and blepharitis
• Dry eye syndrome
• A subconjunctival hemorrhage

Wearing your contact lenses too much, getting something in your eye or having a scratched cornea can also cause a red eye.

Red eye warning symptoms

If you have red eye symptoms, it’s a good idea to call your doctor. Some symptoms are an emergency. Stop what you’re doing and call right away if you have:

• A red eye and severe headache
• Trouble opening your eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Vision loss
• A red eye after an injury, such as a blow from a fist
• A round white spot on your eye

Red eye treatments

Treatment for a red eye depends on the cause. Some red eye conditions can be treated at home, but others need immediate medical attention. Call your primary care doctor, eye doctor or Oregon Eye Specialists at 503-935-5580. Our doctors diagnose and treat all types of red eye at 10 convenient locations.

Scleritis

Scleritis is inflammation of the white of the eye, called the sclera. It causes a very red eye that can be intensely painful. This is a serious condition that sometimes causes vision loss. Symptoms can include:

• Severe, constant pain that keeps you from normal activities and sleep—It can be worse at night, in the early morning and when you move your eyes. The pain can spread to the face and even the jaw.
• Headache
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision, double vision or vision loss
• Sensitivity to light

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has more information on scleritis.

What causes scleritis?

About half of people with scleritis have an inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. It can also happen with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), lupus, herpes, HIV and Lyme disease or by itself.

How is scleritis treated?

Scleritis is treated with medication. If you have scleritis, you need treatment from an ophthalmologist.

What is episcleritis?

Episcleritis is inflammation of the tissue over the white of the eye (sclera). It can make the eyes bright red, but without the intense pain of scleritis.

If you have a red eye, call your doctor or Oregon Eye Specialists at 503-935-5580. Our experienced, caring doctors are happy to help.

What is blepharitis?

Blepharitis is chronic (long-lasting) eyelid inflammation. It usually happens in both eyes. Symptoms include: 

• Eyelid itching
• Burning or gritty sensation in the eyes, or dry eyes
• Crusted or matted eyelashes, especially first thing in the morning
• Blurry vision, or being more sensitive to light
• Watery eyes

Your eyelids might look red and swollen and you might see flakes or scales on your eyelashes. People with certain conditions, including dandruff and acne rosacea, are more likely to get blepharitis. For more information, the Oregon Eye Specialists doctors recommend the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s blepharitis page.

If you have any of the symptoms above, talk to your eye doctor, especially if they happen in just one eye.

What is a stye?

A stye is an inflamed lump on the eyelid. It happens when an eyelash follicle becomes infected, and usually looks like a red, tender bump with pus inside. Your eye might also water or itch. You can get a stye on the inside or outside of the eyelid. Styes usually happen in just one eye at a time.

If you get a stye, you can try home treatment. Soak a clean washcloth in very warm water and wring it out. Then hold the washcloth over the area with the stye. When the washcloth cools, soak and wring it out again before placing it back on your eye. Do this for 10 to 15 minutes, three to five times a day. Use a fresh washcloth each time.

If a stye does not get better in about a week, talk to your eye doctor.

What is a chalazion?

Like a stye, a chalazion is a lump or bump on the eyelid. Unlike a stye, it usually isn’t red or painful. It happens when an oil gland in the eyelid is blocked. A stye can occasionally turn into a chalazion if it does not heal.

If you think you have a chalazion, you can try the same home treatment used for a stye. However, a chalazion usually takes much longer to go away. Some last for weeks or months. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has more information on chalazia and styes.

Make an appointment

The Oregon Eye Specialists doctors are experts in treating common eyelid conditions. Request an appointment or call us at 503-935-5580.