Hello! And welcome to the new Dry Eye and Scleral Lens Information Center. Blog ….sounds too much like social media and if you know me and Shadyside Eye Associates (SEA) …we struggle with social media. But I do want to help get information out to you all to help guide, remind, and educate you on dry eye, scleral lenses, ocular health, technology, and anything else that might be useful knowledge that I can pass along! Feel free to ask questions – DM on Instagram. Or message on Facebook are probably the easiest way.
A little background on SEA and myself, Dr. Telega – I started SEA in 2013 with a strong interest in dry eye (more on that later) and specialty contact lens fittings. These two concepts go hand in hand and I felt they really were underserved in the Pittsburgh area. Dry eye is more of an umbrella term, like “pink eye”, it doesn’t really mean much anymore. Dry eye is multifactorial and oftentimes related to both internal and external causes. And, in my opinion, “dry eye” really downplays how severe, painful, and life altering it can be. But, I still use the term anyway….trust me though, I get it. Ocular inflammation is more appropriate but still not specific enough.
So, I’m hoping to leave some information here from time to time to help anyone suffering to learn about new treatment options, and new science but without being too formal and science-y. Also try to follow us on Instagram and facebook for images and helpful times as well.
With love,
Dr. Telega
Dry Eye and Scleral Lens Information Center
Well, of course, the answer may be it’s both! I get a lot of patients this time of year with dry eye symptoms – the dryness, scratchiness, burning, stinging, tired eyes, discomfort, variable vision – and the questions is… is this dry eye or is it allergies?
If you are over the age of 40 (ish) and wear (or want to wear) contact lenses – then you’ve probably realized that reading and computer can be more difficult (this phenomenon is called “Presbyopia”). The good news is that there are some really excellent solutions available!
Consider an Individualized Approach to Dry Eye Treatment
A Little Bit About Cataracts
Curious about cataracts? Most people are… especially since we will all develop cataracts to some extent in our lifetimes – provided we live long enough. Cataracts are a natural part of aging. That’s right… it happens to everyone, just like getting grey hair. And the way I explain this to my patients is that - just like any age related change – it all depends on the individual as to how fast and how aggressive the cataract process is. Several factors can cause the natural lens of the eye to age more quickly and I will go over those factors, but first, what are cataracts?