Naples, FL - tel. 239-262-5883 Bonita Springs, FL - tel. 239-949-2020
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Patient Education


Advanced Eye Care & Laser Center was established to provide our community with a multipurpose facility dedicated to vision care.


Personalized expert eye care is our philosophy.

To learn more about each of the conditions below please click on the links:

Dry Eye Treatment / Allergies

What are Ocular Allergies?

Ocular allergies or allergic conjunctivitis have several forms and may be either seasonal or perennial in nature. It is caused by airborne allergens and may result in itching, excessive tearing, and swollen eyelids. 90% of allergic conditions affect the eye.

Symptoms

  • Itchiness, redness, swelling
  • Burning sensation and excess tearing
  • Watery or mucus discharge

The eye develops a specific reaction that is easily diagnosed by an eye care specialist. Medicated eye drops may be prescribed to provide immediate relief from the symptoms caused by airborne allergens to alleviate swelling and redness and perhaps to provide long-lasting relief from symptoms. Over-the-counter drops are available as well, but BE CAREFUL – ocular allergies are often misdiagnosed and mistreated. They are very common in patients wearing contact lenses and require prompt diagnosis and proper treatment. At Advanced Eye Care we specialize in treating and preventing ocular allergies with the most advanced eye drops available. Call 239-949-2020 and get rid of red, itchy, burning eyes for good.


Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a common condition that causes an inflammation of the eyelids, usually caused by excess growth of bacteria that is ordinarily found on the skin, and occasionally caused by allergies.

Blepharitis causes the eyelids to become red, irritated and itchy. It also causes the formation on dandruff-like scales on the base of the eyelashes. It affects people of all ages. Although uncomfortable, blepharitis is not contagious and generally does not cause any permanent damage to eyesight.

What are the symptoms of Blepharitis?

The symptoms of blepharitis include:

  • Foreign body sensation
  • Burning of the eye
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Red and swollen eyes or eyelids
  • Blurry vision
  • Dry eyes
  • Excessive tearing
  • Crusting of the eyelashes upon awakening
  •  

    What causes Blepharitis?

    Blepharitis can be caused by allergies, skin conditions and make-up.

    Blepharitis occurs in two forms:

    Anterior blepharitis affects the outside front of the eyelid, where the eyelashes are attached.

    Posterior blepharitis affects the inner edge of the eyelid (that comes in contact with the eyeball) and is caused by problems with the oil glands in this part of the eyelid.

    How is blepharitis diagnosed?

    Blepharitis can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Testing will be performed with special emphasis on evaluation of the eyelids and front surface of the eyeball.

    How is Blepharitis treated?

    Treatment depends on the specific type of blepharitis. The key to treating most types of blepharitis is keeping the lids clean and free of crusts.

    Warm compresses can be applied to loosen the crusts, followed by gentle scrubbing of the eyes with a mixture of water and baby shampoo or an over-the-counter lid cleansing product. Because blepharitis rarely goes away completely, most patients must maintain an eyelid hygiene routine for life. In cases involving bacterial infection, an antibiotic may also be prescribed.

    How do I prevent Blepharitis?

    There are steps that you can take to prevent blepharitis. These include:

    • Keeping your face and hands clean
    • Avoiding rubbing your eyes with dirty fingers, a soiled handkerchief, etc
    • Removing all eye makeup before going to bed

    If are in the early stages on treating blepharitis, avoid the use of eye makeup to prevent further irritation.

    Self-Care

    An important part of controlling blepharitis involves treatment at home.

    Directions for a Warm Soak of the Eyelids:

    1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
    2. Moisten a clean washcloth with warm water.
    3. Close eyes and place washcloth on eyelids for about 5 minutes,   reheating the washcloth as necessary.
    4. Repeat several times daily.

    Directions for an Eyelid Scrub:

    1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
    2. Mix warm water and a small amount of non-irritating (baby) shampoo or use a commercially prepared lid scrub solution.
    3. Using a clean cloth (a different one for each eye) rub the solution back and forth across the eyelashes and edge of the closed eyelid.
    4. Rinse with clear water.
    5. Repeat with the other eye.

    If you have symptoms of Blepharitis make your suffering disappear by calling 239-949-2020 and making an appointment at Advanced Eye Care & Laser Center.


    Flashes & Floaters

    Floaters are little cobwebs or small specks moving in front of your eyes. They are actually tiny clumps floating through the clear gel in your eye. They are small, dark, shadowy shapes that move as your eyes move and seem to dart away when you try to look at them directly. Flashes look like flashing lights or streaks of lightning.

    In most cases, floaters are part of the natural aging process and are simply an annoyance. They can be distracting at first, but eventually they tend to settle at the bottom of the eye, becoming less bothersome. Most people that have floaters learn to ignore them; they are usually only noticed when they become numerous or prominent.

    Floaters occur when the vitreous, a gel like substance that fills about 80 percent of the eye and helps it maintain a round shape, slowly shrinks. As the vitreous shrinks, it becomes somewhat stringy, and the strands can cast tiny shadows on the retina.

    Floaters are more common in people who are very nearsighted, have diabetes, or who have had a cataract operation. There are other, more serious causes of floaters, including infection, inflammation, hemorrhaging, retinal tears, and injury to the eye.

    A sudden increase in floaters may be a symptom of a tear in the retina, accompanied by light flashes or peripheral (side) vision loss. A retinal detahcment is a serious condition and if left untreated could lead to permanent visual impairment. Those who experience a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light in peripheral vision, or a loss of peripheral vision call Dr. Stanciu at 949-2020 for an eye examination as soon as possible.

    A prompt evaluation is necessary to prevent vision loss from a possible retinal detachment.


    Pink Eye / Conjunctivitis


    Pink Eye also known as conjunctivitis is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface. Inflammation causes small blood vessels to become more prominent which can cause the red or pink color in the eye.

    Pink eye is usually brought on by either bacterial, viral, or numerous allergic factors. It can also be caused by a chemical splash in the eye or a foreign body.

    Though the inflammation of pink eye makes it an irritating condition, it rarely affects your sight. Because pink eye can be contagious, early diagnosis and treatment is best to help limit its spread.

    The most common symptoms include:

    • Pink or redness on one or both eyes
    • Irritation and itchiness in one or both eyes
    • A gritty feeling in one or both eyes
    • A discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust over night
    • Tearing

    Types of Conjunctivitis:

    Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis

    Viral conjunctivitis is induced by viruses that spread from various ailments such as colds, sore throats, and respiratory infections. Bacterial conjunctivitis often produces a thicker, yellow-green discharge and is caused by certain bacteria that have made their way to the eye. Examples of bacteria include staphylococci and streptococci. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can be associated with colds.

    Both viral and bacterial types are very contagious. Adults and children alike can develop both of these types of pink eye. However, bacterial conjunctivitis is more common in children than it is in adults.

    Allergic conjunctivitis

    Allergic conjunctivitis affects both eyes and is a response to an allergy-causing substance such as pollen. If you have allergic conjunctivitis, you may experience intense itching, tearing and inflammation of the eyes — as well as itching, sneezing and watery nasal discharge. You may also experience swelling of the membrane (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelids and part of your eyeballs, resulting in what may look like clear blisters on the whites of your eyes.

    Conjunctivitis resulting from irritation

    Irritation from a chemical splash or foreign object in your eye is also associated with conjunctivitis. Sometimes, flushing and cleaning the eye to rid it of the chemical or object causes redness and irritation.

    Treatment

    Bacterial Conjunctivitis

    If your infection is bacterial, Dr. Stanciu may prescribe antibiotic eye drops as pink eye treatment, and the infection should clear within several days. Antibiotic eye ointment, in place of eye drops, is sometimes prescribed for treating bacterial pink eye in children. An ointment is often easier to administer to an infant or young child than are eye drops, though they may blur vision for up to 20 minutes after application. With either form of medication, you should notice a marked improvement in signs and symptoms within one to two days.

    Be sure to use the medication for the entire time your doctor prescribes it, to prevent recurrence of the infection.

    Viral conjunctivitis

    Viral conjunctivitis doesn't respond to treatment with antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Like with a common cold, you can use an over-the-counter remedy to relieve some symptoms, but the virus just has to run its course. You may notice a worsening of symptoms in the first three to five days. After that, your signs and symptoms should gradually clear on their own. It may take up to two to three weeks from the time you were infected for the virus to go away.

    Allergic conjunctivitis

    If the irritation is allergic conjunctivitis, Dr. Stanciu may prescribe one of many different types of eye drops. These may include antihistamines, decongestants, mast cell stabilizers, steroids and anti-inflammatory.

    In conclusion, it is important to have your eye conditions promptly diagnosed and properly treated call 239-949-2020 today!


Lid Lesions


The eyelids play a vital role in the health of the eye, but they also can be prone to problems. The eyelids can play host to dozens of different conditions and growths- some serious, some minor and some that are merely cosmetic nuisances. Eyelids can be a breeding ground for bacterial activity, particularly in combination with sweat, make up, allergies, rubbing or poor hygiene.

Many growths occur on the eyelid and around the eye. They can be in the form of a lesion, chalazion, stye, basal cell or other neoplasm. Any lesion that is growing in size is pigmented or causes loss of lashes should be evaluated immediately to rule out a malignant lesion.

 

For the latest treatment options available contact our office today at 239-949-2020 for an appointment.





Call to Make an Appointment: 239-949-2020