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Our Physicians
Larry W. Kreider, M.D.
Rajiv Kumar, M.D.
Todd Maus, M.D.
Jan Harris Stahl, M.D.
Kathy Milano, O.D.
Dry Eye Syndrome — a condition not to be ignored.
Dry Eye Syndrome is a common condition affecting an estimated 20.7 million people in the United States - women more often than men. In some instances, it's characterized by dry, irritated eyes from the lack of lubricating tears. Surprisingly, it can also result from excessively watery eyes when there's an imbalance in the mucous, water and oil that coat the eyes. Chronic dry eye can damage the eye's surface, increase the risk of eye infections and eventually impair the ability to produce tears. Left untreated, severe forms of dry eye can even damage your vision.
Symptoms of dry eyes may include burning and stinging. A foreign body sensation, like sand being in the eye, is often felt. Vision can be blurred. There may also be reflex tearing and excessively watery eyes. Sometimes the eyes become red and seem to lose their normal clearness and luster.
End your eye discomfort and contact us today at 303.279.6600. Schedule an appointment for an eye exam and learn about options in treating your dry eye disease.
Macular Degeneration — what you need to know
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative condition of the macula. It is the most common cause of vision loss in the United States in those 50 or older, and its prevalence increases with age. AMD is caused by hardening of the arteries that nourish the retina. This deprives the sensitive retinal tissue of oxygen and nutrients that it needs to function and thrive. As a result, the central vision deteriorates.
Macular degeneration varies widely in severity. In the worst cases, it causes a complete loss of central vision, making reading or driving impossible. For others, it may only cause slight distortion. Fortunately, macular degeneration does not cause total blindness since it does not affect the peripheral vision.
What is the difference between wet and dry macular degeneration?
AMD is classified as either wet (neovascular) or dry (non-neovascular). About 10% of patients who suffer from macular degeneration have wet AMD. This type occurs when new vessels form to improve the blood supply to oxygen-deprived retinal tissue. However, the new vessels are very delicate and break easily, causing bleeding and damage to surrounding tissue. The dry type is much more common and is characterized by drusden and loss of pigment in the retina.
What causes macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration may be caused by variety of factors. Genetics, age, nutrition, smoking, and sunlight exposure may all play a role.
Signs and symptoms
- Loss of central vision. This may be gradual for those with the dry type. Patients with the wet type may experience a sudden decrease of the central vision.
- Difficulty reading or performing tasks that require the ability to see detail
- Distorted vision (Straight lines such as a doorway or the edge of a window may appear wavy or bent).
Detection and Diagnosis
Contact your ophthalmologist if you experience any of these systems. Denver Eye Surgeons has a consulting specialist in the medical and surgical management of retinal diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment. To learn about new treatments, information or to make an appointment, call 303.279.6600.
When you think of Denver LASIK, Cataracts or Glaucoma, think of the Denver Eye Surgeons.
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Drs. Kreider, Coulter, Stahl, Maus and Kumar are the Glaucoma,
Denver Cataract Surgery and LASIK Eye Surgery specialists.
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