Eye Associates

Do you have an annoying or painful lump on or inside of your eyelid? It might be a stye or chalazia. A stye is created when an eyelash follicle becomes infected with bacteria and is painful, red, and swollen. A chalazion is caused by an infection in an oil gland of the eyelid. Both conditions are frustrating and might look similar, but they are different.

Stye symptoms

• A stye will start off as a red bump on the edge of the eyelid that looks similar to a pimple.
• A stye will make the surrounding area feel swollen and painful and look irritated and red.
• A stye will typically last for three days before draining and healing. In total, they last about one week.

Chalazia symptoms

• Chalazia begin as a lump or cyst-like formation beneath the skin of the eyelid.
• Chalazia don’t usually hurt.
• They grow slowly but will go away after a few months without treatment.
• A chalazion may grow to the point where it gets in the way of your vision.

Treatment Techniques

Although styes and chalazia are distinct conditions, they can be treated similarly. First, use a warm compress to hold against the infected area for up to ten minutes, three to six times during the day. The warmth and pressure will help relieve some of the pain while helping unblock the pore. You can also visit your pharmacist and request an over the counter treatment, like an ointment. Remember to let the chalazion or stye open and heal on its own. By touching and tampering with the infected area, you may increase irritation or introduce more bacteria. Also, do not wear eye makeup or contact lenses until the infected area is completely healed.

Schedule a consultation

If you have tried the at home remedies and treatments for a stye or chalazion and still see no improvement, don’t hesitate to call The Eye Associates today. Remember, the best care is preventive care. If you have not had a general eye exam lately, schedule yours today. You can reach our team by calling us at Meridian: 208-342-5151or Caldwell: 208-459-0717.

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Keratoconus is a rare eye disease. It can be genetic and typically develops during the teenage years, though it has been diagnosed later in life. Keratoconus is a condition wherein the cornea changes from a dome to a cone shape. This basic overview will help you understand the signs of keratoconus and how it can affect your eyesight.

The cause

Keratoconus occurs when miniscule protein fibers, known as collagen, are not strong enough to hold the structure of the cornea intact. Collagen will weaken when antioxidant levels become too low. As a result, the normal dome-shaped cornea will progressively take on the form of a cone. Studies show that keratoconus can run in families. If you have the condition and have children, be sure to schedule them for regular eye exams beginning at age 10.

The diagnosis

As the cornea transforms from a dome to a cone shape, the eye will have a more difficult time focusing. Keratoconus will change vision in two specific ways. First, as the shape of the cornea alters, the surface of the cornea will start to become wavy. This is known as astigmatism. Second, as the shape of the cornea begins to expand, you will become nearsighted and will only be able to see objects right in front of you. The symptoms that point to keratoconus include: lights streaking, seeing double or triple, double vision when using just one eye, an abrupt change in eyesight, and bright lights that seem to have halos.

The treatment

After you are diagnosed with keratoconus, your doctor will likely begin treatment by fitting you to new eyeglasses or contact lenses. If your case is mild, glasses may be all you need. If this does not help, a treatment called cornea collagen crosslinking can halt the progression of keratoconus. Another treatment involves using a laser to smooth out the eye and help your contact lenses rest more comfortably in place. In severe cases, a corneal transplant may be necessary.

Schedule an exam

The best way to keep your eye health in check is to make sure you regularly visit your eye doctor. At the Eye Associates, we pride ourselves on quality eye care and look forward to addressing your concerns and questions. Arrange your appointment today by calling MERIDIAN: 208-342-5151 or CALDWELL: 208-459-0717.

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