Dr. Johnathon Eric Downing, MD

Hello,

To answer your question, I would say yes, it can go away on its own. However, I would never recommend waiting to find out. If you are concerned you have an eye infection, you should seek out an evaluation by an ophthalmologist, be treated with appropriate antibiotics, and monitored throughout the course of your recovery. Although not always the case, bacterial eye infections can result in severe and sometimes permanent vision loss. There just isn’t an upside to not seeking out care.

Hope you feel better soon,

Eric Downing, MD

To my knowledge, there isn’t any evidence that vision therapy/training has any benefit for an eye with strabismus, commonly referred to as a, “lazy eye.” There are some optometrists that do advocate for it, but I don’t think there is any real science behind it. The only real way to improve a misaligned eye is with surgery, or if you’re asymptomatic, then simple observation my be all that is necessary.
Hope that helps. If you have any additional questions, I recommend making an appointment with an ophthalmologist to discuss your condition, and/or any treatment that may be available to you.

Regards,

Eric Downing MD

I'm sorry you had a less than great outcome with your cataract surgery. In general, cataract surgery is a very common and safe procedure. Complications are rare, but do sometimes occur. More mature lenses, as it sounds like you had, are at a higher risk of complication, and/or longer healing times. The particular complication you had, a posterior capsular break or rupture, is the most common complication to occur with cataract surgery. Sometimes a lens fragment can fall into the posterior segment, also called the vitreous as your surgeon described. It sounds as though he performed the surgery correctly, and similar to what I would have done in those circumstances (i.e., implanting a lens, and referring you to a retina
surgeon a few days or a week later for a vitrectomy).
I hope everything turns out well for you. Even with complications such as yours, many patients still obtain and enjoy good vision afterwards.

Take care,

J. Eric Downing, MD

Once you get a new prescription and pick out a pair of frames, it usually takes one to two weeks to get your new glasses.

Regards,

Eric Downing, MD

Hello, and thank you for your question.

The typical regimen of eye drops after cataract surgery consist of an antibiotic, a steroid, and an NSAID. These are usually taken four times per day for about a week, and then the steroid is tapered (twice a day for a week, then once per day for a week). More and more, surgeons (myself included) are employing drop-less techniques for cataract surgery. I do this by injecting some antibiotic inside the eye during surgery, and placing a small amount of steroid under the skin of the eye (the conjunctiva). In addition to being much easier on you, the patient, it has shown to be safer and more effective than using the drops. Either way, the risk of substantial complications after cataract surgery are very rare -- <1%.

Warm regards,

Eric Downing, MD

Hello,

Cataracts are a very common condition. Virtually everyone over the age of 60 has some degree of cataracts. They get a little worse every year until, eventually, they start to affect your vision sufficiently to warrant surgery to remove them. That will be decided in consultation with your doctor as to when the right time is for you. In general, I would just go for your eye exams annually, or as directed by your doctor. Then, as your cataracts worsen, they may want to see you a little more frequently until you’re ready for surgery.

Hope this helps. Stay safe and take care,

J. Eric Downing, MD

You can’t really blink during the operation. We place a lid speculum to hold your eye open during the procedure. You generally just need to look straight ahead (at the light) and blink normally (don’t squeeze). The procedure only takes about 10-15 minutes, and blinking isn’t something you should generally be worried about. I’m sure it will go just fine.

Hope that helps,

Eric Downing, MD

Everyone gets cataracts eventually. Virtually every patient I see over the age of 55-60 has some degree of cataracts. Some develop and become symptomatic faster, and need to be removed sooner, but nearly everyone will need cataract surgery eventually if they want to retain good vision. That being said, there are a few things you can do to slow their progression. You can wear sunglasses when outdoors, eat a healthy balanced diet, don’t smoke tobacco, and if you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control. While none of these will stop the development of cataracts, or even slow it dramatically, they are small steps you can take to slow their progression.

Sincerely,

Eric Downing, MD

Generally speaking, dry eye in children is treated the same way it is treated in adults -- artificial tears. Use them anytime the eyes feel dry or irritated, just like you would use chapstick for your lips or lotion for your skin. The thing about kiddos, is that they may not be cooperative with drops (I know I wasn't). In that case, I find the easiest solution is to have them lie down and close their eyes. You place a drop in the inside corner of each eye and then tell them to open; the drops will simply fall in. That way you can avoid the (sometimes traumatic) struggle of holding their eyes open to administer them. If that doesn't solve the problem, or you're still having trouble, I would recommend making an appointment with my office or your eye care provider and discuss other solutions, which do exist.

Regards,

Eric Downing, MD

The most common (and least invasive) fix is to simply be fitted for glasses or contacts. Other, more permanent solutions are refractive surgery such as LASIK/PRK/SMILE (if you're younger) and/or cataract surgery (if significant cataracts are the culprit). There are many causes for suboptimal vision though, so I would recommend a formal eye exam with myself or your eye care provider. That way you can determine the best solution for you.
Hope this helps.

Regards,

Eric Downing, MD

I would not recommend salt water as a treatment for any type of ocular infection, especially for someone who wears contact lenses. If you are concerned you have an infection, I would recommend making an appointment and seeing an eye care specialist as soon as possible. Eye infections can get worse without treatment, and in some cases, cause serious or permanent vision loss. Further, I would discontinue any contact lens wear until you’ve been evaluated and determined it is safe to resume contact lens wear.

Thank you,

Eric Downing, MD

Small floaters that you have had for several months or more are rarely serious. If you get a new floater or floaters, you should be examined by and ophthalmologist. They can sometimes be a sign of a retinal tear or detachment which can be serious.

John D.

Symptoms of a torn retina are most commonly new floaters and flashes in your vision, and can be loss os peripheral vision, like a curtain coming in. They are not painful.

John D.

If it has been going on more than two or three days, would be a good idea to see an ophthalmologist. 
John D.