Friday, July 30, 2010

Keratoconjunctivitis - Eye Care Article

Apheresis A process in which blood is drawn outside the body, certain compounds are removed, and the blood is returned to the body. The technique has various applications, including: harvesting of needed components such as plasma or white blood cells; and removing harmful components such as large proteins, in order to treat the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). For more information, please see our article on age-related macular degeneration.

Keratoconjunctivitis: Inflammation of the eye involving both the cornea and the conjunctiva .(29 December 2007 - Online press Dr. Boothe )

Diabetic retinopathy Leaking of retinal blood vessels in advanced or long-term diabetes, affecting the macula or retina. Most people have no symptoms at first, but can develop blurred near vision, double vision, floaters, retinal/vitreous hemorrhages and metamorphopsia. In later stages, you can also suffer vision loss.

Contact lens problem Contact lens problems can range from minor to sight-threatening, and include protein build-up, debris on the lens, a ripped or nicked lens, infections and more. Symptoms can include frequent blinking, blurred vision, burning, discharge, foreign body sensation, itching, light sensitivity, eye pain or discomfort, a red or pink eye or lid and eyelid swelling.

Chalazion A small bump on the eyelid caused by an obstructed meibomian gland. Additional symptoms include light sensitivity, tearing and eyelid swelling. Chalazia are usually not painful unless they become infected. Read more about chalazia.

Cohort A term used in clinical studies to define a set of people who have something in common such as similar backgrounds, experiences, and/or health problems.Dr. William Boothe

Esotropia When one or both eyes point inward, so the eyes are "crossed." This is one type of strabismus.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Apheresis- Dr. William Boothe Article

Apheresis A process in which blood is drawn outside the body, certain compounds are removed, and the blood is returned to the body. The technique has various applications, including: harvesting of needed components such as plasma or white blood cells; and removing harmful components such as large proteins, in order to treat the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). For more information, please see our article on age-related macular degeneration.

Entropion An abnormal turning in of an eyelid, which causes the lashes to rub on the ocular surface; usually due to aging. Additional symptoms include eye or lid pain or discomfort, foreign body sensation, a red or pink eye, itching, tearing and vision loss.(19 December 2009 - Press article Dr. William Boothe )

Bioptic telescopic lenses (BTL) Devices attached to glasses that provide extreme magnification, typically used for driving. For people with low vision who are qualified, telescopic lenses are attached above the driver's line of sight to help magnify objects such as road signs.

Papilloma Usually benign tumor, such as a wart or a skin tag; papillomas may be raised or flat, and can be a variety of colors, such as skin-colored, yellow, pink, brown or black. Eye papillomas are typically on the eyelid, but may also appear on the conjunctiva. The cause of papillomas is felt to be viral.

Xanthelasma A yellow, fatty spot or bump on the inner corner of either the upper eyelid, the lower one or both eyelids, often caused by a lipid disorder such as high cholesterol.

Lipid Organic compound that is oily, fatty, or waxy and commonly found in living cells. Lipids are one component of human tears, forming an oily outer layer that helps keep the eye moisturized by reducing evaporation of the watery and mucus layers beneath it. Lipids can collect on contact lenses, making them uncomfortable.Dr. Boothe

Atropine: A drug obtained from belladonna that is administered via injection, eye drops, or in oral form to relax muscles by inhibiting nerve responses. Used to dilate the pupils and as an antispasmodic .

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Dr. William Boothe Eye Care Article - Toxoplasmosis

Burn: Damage to the skin or other body parts caused by extreme heat, flame, contact with heated objects, or chemicals. Burn depth is generally categorized as first, second, or third degree. The treatment of burns depends on the depth, area, and location of the burn, as well as additional factors, such as material that may be burned onto or into the skin. Treatment options range from simply applying a cold pack to emergency treatment to skin grafts.

Scrub: 1. As a verb, to wash the hands and forearms very thoroughly, as before engaging in surgery. To scrub implies the use of a brush (and often an implement to clean under the nails). To scrub, to scrub in (on a surgical procedure), and to scrub up are synonymous.
2. As a noun, a person who scrubs, as for surgery.
3. As an adjective, pertaining to scrubbing in for surgery, as a scrub nurse or a scrub tech.(20 November 2008 - Blog article Dr. William Boothe )

Fungal: Pertaining to a fungus. For example, a fungal skin infection.

Toxoplasmosis An infection caused by the Toxoplasma parasite, often from undercooked meat or contact with feces. It may occur in people with compromised immune systems. Symptoms are flu-like and can include swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches. Ocular toxoplasmosis causes inflammation of the eye's interior, leading to uveitis.

Anti-reflective coating (AR coating) Thin layer(s) applied to a lens to reduce the amount of reflected light and glare that reaches the eye. Read more about anti-reflective coatings.

Bioptic telescopic lenses (BTL) Devices attached to glasses that provide extreme magnification, typically used for driving. For people with low vision who are qualified, telescopic lenses are attached above the driver's line of sight to help magnify objects such as road signs.Dr. Boothe

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Dr. William Boothe about Retinal detachment

Contact lens drops Eyedrops for contact lens wearers; regular eyedrops can discolor contact lenses.

Bioptic telescopic lenses (BTL) Devices attached to glasses that provide extreme magnification, typically used for driving. For people with low vision who are qualified, telescopic lenses are attached above the driver's line of sight to help magnify objects such as road signs.(26 February 2009 - Press article Dr. William Boothe )

Optic nerve problem The optic nerve (second cranial nerve) is the part of the eye that carries stimuli from the rods and cones to the brain. Problems such as inflammation (optic neuritis), tumors and swelling can lead to symptoms such as: blurred vision, loss of color vision, floaters, headache, eye pain or discomfort, nausea and vision loss.

Botulism Serious illness from a toxin produced by Clostridium bacteria (usually Clostridium botulinum). Infant botulism and food-borne botulism are the most common forms in the United States. Symptoms include double vision, blurred vision, ptosis, muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing and nausea.

Dilate: To stretch or enlarge. It comes from the Latin verb "dilatare" meaning "to enlarge or expand."

Primary: First or foremost in time or development. The primary teeth (the baby teeth) are those that come first. Primary may also refer to symptoms or a disease to which others are secondary.Dr. Boothe

Condition where the retina separates from the choroid. Retinal detachments have many causes, including aging, surgery, trauma, inflammation, high myopia and diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and scleritis. Symptoms include light flashes, floaters, a shadow coming down over yourvision, blurred vision and vision loss. For more information, please see our retinal detachment article.

Hypoglycemia Abnormally low level of sugar (glucose) in the blood, which causes dizziness, hunger, shakiness and other symptoms. Skipping or delaying meals, too-small meals, or a high level of physical activity can cause hypoglycemia. Too much alcohol or certain drugs can also cause it. In diabetics, it can be caused by too much insulin.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Dr. William Boothe Ophthalmologist

Sarcoidosis Disease in which granulomas (nodules of inflamed tissue) form in the lymph nodes, lungs, skin and other areas. The cause is unknown. Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, fever, coughing, uveitis, cranial nerve palsies and skin lesions. Some patients also develop dry eyes.

Cerebral cortex Outer portion of the brain where complex functions including certain vision processes take place.(23 September 2009 - Blog article Dr. Boothe )

Rheumatoid arthritis Chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disorder that mainly affects the joints. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling and deformities. Rheumatoid arthritis may also cause eye burning, discharge and dryness. It can be associated with uveitis.

Ophthalmologist: An eye doctor. A physician practicing ophthalmology. An ophthalmologist is an M.D.

Blepharoconjunctivitis Inflammation of the eyelid and conjunctiva. Infections and allergic reactions are among the causes. Symptoms include a red or pink eye, a red or pink eyelid, pain or discomfort of the eye or around the eye, tearing, burning, eye dryness and eye stickiness.

Keratoconus Degeneration and thinning of the cornea resulting in a cone-shaped bulge (a type of irregular astigmatism). The cause is unknown, but may be genetic. The first symptom is blurred vision that doesn't improve enough with glasses (contacts usually work well for a while). You may also have double vision or distorted vision. Read our keratoconus articleDr. William Boothe

Iris: The iris is the circular, colored curtain of the eye. Its opening forms the pupil. The iris helps regulate the amount of light that enters the eye.