Category: Eye Conditions
Pink Eye: Should I See an Eye Doctor?
Have you ever woken up with itchy, red eyes that won't disappear? The discomfort and frustration are all too familiar for those who have experienced pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis. That nagging eye condition strikes at the most inconvenient times, like the day before a big meeting or a family vacation. But don't let... read more
There are lots of misconceptions about what causes conjunctivitis, which is more commonly referred to as pink eye. It’s a minor condition typically associated with affecting children and is known for being extremely contagious. There is some truth to both of those statements, but the reasoning behind why it happens is not as straightforward. The... read more
What is Keratoconus?
People have heard of most eye conditions, such as macular degeneration or glaucoma. But if you really want to stump people at a party ask them what “keratoconus” is. You’ll hear the sound of crickets. Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease where the person’s normally round cornea thins and then begins to bulge into a... read more
Amblyopia
Most people have heard of amblyopia, just not by that clinical name. You’ve probably heard it called “lazy eye.” This occurs when the vision in one of a child’s eyes doesn’t develop normally. It is caused when visual information is transmitted poorly or incorrectly between the optic nerve and the brain. If left untreated, amblyopia... read more
School’s Back. So Will Be Pink Eye.
We’re all glad that kids are back in actual school, rather than the Zoom variety. But if there’s one thing that is pretty much guaranteed with school, other than bad school lunch, it’s that kids will be sharing pink eye. Clinically known as conjunctivitis, pink eye isn’t really serious, but the dramatic pinkening of the... read more
Problems with the Retina
The retina is the layer at the back of the eye containing cells that are sensitive to light. These cells receive the light coming into the lens of the eye and nerve impulses then send that information to the brain via the optic nerve. The brain then interprets that information and forms the visual images... read more
When Your Eyelid Turns Outward
Sometimes our eyelids can turn the wrong way. This is usually due to the weakening of the controlling muscles and tendons that operate our eyelids. When the eyelid involuntarily turns outward, this is known as ectropion. When a person has ectropion, the condition prevents tears from draining from the eye correctly, resulting in irritation. At... read more
Corneal Ulcers
The cornea of our eyes is a thin, transparent membrane that protects the interior of the eye. The surface of the cornea is called the epithelium. If there is a defect or break in this outer layer, the underlying layer called the stroma can develop a corneal ulcer. Often called keratitis, these ulcers are usually... read more
A Stye on the Eyelid
This morning your alarm went off, you shuffled to the bathroom, and now you see a lump on your eyelid. That’s disconcerting. Don’t sweat it; you most likely have a chalazion. That’s a serious-sounding word for eyelid stye. There are different ways to address chalazions and our team at Millennium Park Eye Center is well... read more
The Sun, the Wind, the Pterygium
Living in Chicago, we’re no strangers to wind. And we spend plenty of sunny days either out on Lake Michigan in a sailboat or on a frozen lake playing hockey. Either way, when you combine UV exposure and wind what you can end up with a condition known as pterygium. We treat pterygium at Millennium... read more