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Photos Can Help Diagnose Children’s Eye Problems and Save Sight

Did you know that a photo could provide valuable and potentially life-saving information about the health of a child’s eyes?

When Tara Taylor posted a photograph of her 3-year-old daughter on Facebook, friends in her social network informed her that the glow in the girl’s eye could indicate something wrong. As a result, Rylee Taylor was diagnosed with a rare eye disease that can cause vision loss. But thanks to early detection, ophthalmologists were able to save her sight.

We are taking more pictures than ever, and sharing them with a growing audience of people using social and other digital media. Paying close attention to photos of children can actually clue us in to both common and rare eye problems signaled by the reflection of the camera flash off the retina, also known as the “red reflex.”

What do red eyes in photos mean?

A red reflex is produced when the flash of a camera lights up the blood-rich retina. If the eyes are looking directly at the camera lens and the color of the reflex in both eyes is red, in most cases that’s a good indication that the retinas of both eyes are unobstructed and healthy.

When a camera flash turns eyes white, yellow or black in photos

An “abnormal red reflex” is a white, yellow or black reflection in one or both eyes. This can be a warning sign for the presence of an eye condition, which can be diagnosed by a pediatric ophthalmologist.

Dr. Jane Edmond, MD, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, points out that it’s important to note whether a photo has been taken under optimal conditions to present a true abnormal red reflex. Be sure that:

  • the child is looking directly at the camera lens
  • the camera flash is on and the background is dimly lit
  • red-eye reduction is turned off

If you do spot an abnormal red reflex, bring the photo to your child’s pediatrician or a pediatric ophthalmologist.

Very often, a white reflex may not actually signal anything abnormal. “Instead, the child is probably looking off to the right of the camera, and the white reflection occurs in the left eye because the optic nerve is lined up perfectly with the camera and the flash.”

“Overwhelmingly, the most common cause of an abnormal red reflex is refractive error,” said Dr. Michael Repka, MD, Johns Hopkins Hospital. A refractive error means that due to its shape, your eye doesn’t refract the light properly, so the image you see is blurred. Myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism are types of refractive error.

“Most of the time, this is a problem fixed with glasses,” Dr. Repka said.

An abnormal red eye reflex in photos can help diagnose serious eye conditions

On rare occasions, abnormal red reflexes can signal more dangerous eye conditions.

An asymmetrical red reflex, when only one eye reflex appears red, or one eye’s red reflex is dimmer than the other, may be an indicator of strabismus, or misalignment of the eyes, a condition in which both eyes do not look at the same place at the same time. Treatment for strabismus may include eyeglasses, prisms, patching or blurring the strong eye, or eye muscle surgery. If detected and treated early, strabismus often can be corrected with excellent results.

A white reflex that covers most of the pupil, also known as leukocoria, can be a red flag for several serious eye disorders including cataracts, retinal detachments and infections inside the eye. It can also be a warning sign of retinoblastoma, an extremely rare and very serious childhood cancer of the eye. When caught and treated early, retinoblastoma is curable 95 percent of the time.

A yellow reflex can be a sign of Coats’ disease, when blood vessels inside the eye that provide blood and oxygen to the retina become twisted and leaky, creating a blockage in the retina that can cause vision loss or retinal detachment. It occurs mostly in boys under age 10, and usually affects only one eye. Treatment can include laser surgery, cryotherapy or, in later stages of the disease, more invasive surgery.

Coats’ disease can be difficult to distinguish from a retinoblastoma through photographs because the white and yellow reflexes look similar, Dr. Edmond said.

The red eye effect makes a picture worth a thousand words

Pediatricians should check for red reflex at every wellness visit using an ophthalmoscope. But it’s important to know that even the most serious eye conditions don’t typically cause children pain or visual impairment in early stages. In most cases, one of the child’s eyes is working normally, so complaints are rare — even when something is wrong.

“A young child isn’t going to tell you ‘By the way, when I cover one of my eyes I can’t see.’ They just go on with life,” Dr. Repka said.

Research is underway to develop software that can automatically detect leukocoria and other abnormal red reflexes in photographs. Meanwhile, screening and sharing pictures, both online and printed, may lead to early detection that could save vision or a life.

How your photos can help detect eye diseases in children

Photos are meant to memorialize special family moments, but every once in a while, a picture captures evidence of eye diseases in a child, revealing the need for medical treatment. 

What to look for in a photo of your child? Look for a white or yellow glow in one eye.

Doctors refer to this as abnormal red reflex, and it appears when the flash of a camera causes a reflection to bounce off of a misplaced or foreign object in the eye (such as a tumor) that is blocking or impeding the child’s optical pathway.

Misalignment of the eyes, a classic feature of these conditions, can also play a role. 

Normal red reflex, on the other hand, is indicated by two red eyes, and is generally not cause for concern. Not medically speaking, anyway — for aesthetic reasons, who doesn’t prefer photographs without the “red eye effect”?

SEE SOMETHING WORRISOME IN PHOTOS OF YOUR CHILD? Book an appointment with a pediatric vision specialist near you.

Signs of some childhood eye diseases seen in photos 

Photos of your child could show signs of these eye diseases (among others) in youngsters:

Coats disease is an ailment characterized by abnormal development of the blood vessels in the retina. Symptoms include a white pupil (or leukocoria), crossed eyes and vision loss. Eventually, Coats disease can lead to glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment and blindness. 

Retinoblastoma, a type of eye cancer that frequently involves an inherited genetic mutation, begins when malignant cells develop in the eye’s retinal cell layer. In addition to abnormal red reflex in photographs, symptoms include pain, crossed eyes and impaired vision. The cancer is treatable, with a cure rate of more than 90%, according to the American Cancer Society, but early detection is critical.

Cataracts, which are rare in children, are described as the clouding of the eye’s lens. Cataracts, when left untreated, can prevent a child’s eyes from properly developing. Serious long-term consequences, including blindness, are possible. 

Congenital toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that can pass from mother to fetus (the mother is often asymptomatic). The infection causes retinal inflammation and usually resolves on its own without complications, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. However, congenital toxoplasmosis can leave a scar. The scar is unlikely to impact vision, but it can cause abnormal red reflex in photographs. 

Strabismus is the clinical term for being cross-eyed. Coats disease, retinoblastoma and cataracts all can cause strabismus, but strabismus alone isn’t necessarily a sign of disease. Absent of other medical issues, the condition can be corrected with glasses and/or surgery.

Numerous other conditions, including Persistent Fetal Vasculature, other types of infections and tumors and trauma to the eye can also cause abnormal red reflex in photographs. 

SEE RELATED: What is a pediatric ophthalmologist?

Abnormal red reflex in your child’s photo

If you snap a photo of your child and later notice that one eye is glowing bright white or yellow — don’t panic, says Dr. Aaron Miller, a pediatric ophthalmologist in Houston and clinical spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 

The problem could be (and often is) as simple as a difference in prescription level between the two eyes, a problem easily solved with a pair of glasses. It could also be nothing. It could even be a camera-related fluke, or the direction in which your child was gazing when the photograph was taken. 

Instead of immediately assuming the worst, Miller recommends looking for consistency. Do you see abnormal red reflex in every photo, or is it just one isolated instance?

“If it is a single photo, and all other photos seem to appear normal, that would maybe be less concerning,” Miller says. “But if it is a recurring thing that is being noted in several photos, the first recommendation would be that families contact their pediatrician.”

The pediatrician will check for red reflex abnormalities in the child’s eye with a tool called an ophthalmoscope, Miller says. A healthy pair of eyes will be symmetrical, and the ophthalmoscope will show two red eyes. 

Anything other than that will warrant further investigation, and your child may be referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist for additional tests and/or imaging. Be sure to bring the suspicious photos (in digital or print form) to your child’s exams so the doctor(s) can take a look.  

“Most of the time, everything is normal,” Miller says. “But you don’t want to miss that (rare occasion) that it isn’t.”

Check your camera

Before heading to the doctor’s office, check your camera’s settings are optimal for capturing normal red reflex (this can help ease your mind, and it will also allow you to check for that needed consistency across photographs Miller referenced). 

The AAO recommends making sure photo subjects are looking directly into the camera’s lens. You should also turn off the red-eye reduction setting, and turn on the flash.

A smartphone app, too, may help you to spot abnormal red reflex in photos of your child, A 2019 study found that CRADLE, an app recently developed Baylor University scientists, is able to successfully detect incidences of abnormal red reflex in up to 80 percent of cases. 

“I think (CRADLE) is a very useful tool,” Miller says, adding that regardless of what the app indicates, a child with abnormal red reflex in photos should always be examined by a doctor. “But, right now, we are not at the point where we can rely on the app alone.”

CONCERNED ABOUT ABNORMAL RED REFLEX IN PHOTOS OF YOUR CHILD? Book an appointment with a children’s eye doctor near you.

Page published in May 2020

Page updated in September 2021

Vision Changes & Common Problems

How does aging affect your eyes?

Age sometimes brings changes that weaken your vision and eyes, but you can do certain things to maintain lifelong eye and overall health. The solution may be as simple as using brighter lights around the house to help prevent accidents caused by weak eyesight or seeing your doctor more frequently to screen for age-related diseases.

How can you help to prevent age-related eye problems?

While eye problems and eye diseases become more prevalent with age, many can be prevented or corrected if you:

  • See your family physician regularly to check for diseases that could cause eye problems, like diabetes.
  • Visit your ophthalmologist or optometrist every year. Having a complete eye exam with an eye doctor is important because most eye diseases can be treated if they are found early. The eye doctor may dilate or enlarge your pupils by putting drops in your eyes. The doctor will also test your eyesight and check for glaucoma.
  • Have an eye exam with pupil dilation at least once every year if you have diabetes or if you or a family have a history of eye disease. See an eye doctor immediately if you have any sudden loss of eyesight, blurred vision, eye pain, double vision, redness, swelling of your eye or eyelid, or discharge coming from the eye.

What are some common eye problems that can be related to getting older?

These are several eye problems that are more common as people age, but they can affect anyone at any age. You can do some simple things to reduce discomfort and improve vision no matter how old (or young) you are.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia refers to the loss of ability to see close objects or small print. Development of presbyopia is a normal process that happens slowly over a lifetime. You may not notice any change until after age 35 or 40. People with presbyopia often hold reading materials at arm’s length. Some people get headaches or “tired eyes” while reading or doing other close work. You can improve your vision with reading glasses or multifocal (bifocal) lenses if you have presbyopia.

Floaters and flashers

Floaters are tiny spots or specks that float across the field of vision. Most people notice them in well-lit rooms or outdoors on a bright day. Floaters often are normal, but can sometimes indicate eye problems such as retinal detachment, especially if they are accompanied by light flashes. If you notice a sudden change in the type or number of spots or flashes, see your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Dry eyes (also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca)

Dry eyes happen when tear glands can’t make enough tears or produce poor quality tears. Dry eyes can be uncomfortable, causing itching, burning or even some loss of vision. Your health care provider may suggest using a humidifier in your home or special eye drops that simulate real tears. Surgery may be needed in more serious cases of dry eyes.

Tearing (watery eyes, also called epiphora)

Tearing, or having too many tears, can come from being sensitive to light, wind, or temperature changes. Protecting your eyes by shielding them or wearing sunglasses can sometimes solve the problem. Tearing may also mean that you have a more serious problem, such as an eye infection or a blocked tear duct. In addition, people with dry eyes may tear excessively because dry eyes are easily irritated. Your eye doctor can treat or correct both of these conditions.

Eye diseases and disorders common in aging adults

What are cataracts?

Cataracts are cloudy areas that develop in the lens in the front of the eye. Normally, the lens of the eye is clear like a camera lens. Cataracts keep light from easily passing through the lens to the back of the eye (the retina), causing blurry vision. Cataracts usually form slowly, causing no pain, redness, or tearing in the eye. Some stay small and don’t alter eyesight. If they become large or thick and have a significant impact on vision, they can almost always be removed with surgery.

Cataract surgery is very safe and is one of the most common surgeries done in the United States and around the world. During surgery, the doctor takes out the clouded lens and, in most cases, puts in a clear plastic lens, restoring normal sight if the eye is otherwise healthy.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is usually related to increased pressure inside the eye. If it isn’t treated, this condition can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness, often without symptoms. Risk factors for glaucoma include heredity, age, race, diabetes and some medications. Glaucoma is less commonly caused by other factors such as a blunt object or chemical injury to the eye, severe eye infection, blockage of blood vessels, inflammatory disorders of the eye, and occasionally by corrective eye surgery. Most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain from increased pressure.

To detect glaucoma, your provider will examine your eyes to assess the appearance of the optic nerve, measure the eye pressure and test the visual field. Some people can have damage to the eye from glaucoma, even with normal pressure in the eye. Treatment may include prescription eye drops, oral medications, laser treatment or surgery.

What are common retinal disorders?

Retinal disorders are a leading cause of blindness in the United States and in other developed countries. The retina is a thin lining on the back of the eye made up of cells that detect visual images and pass them on to the brain. Retinal disorders interrupt this transfer of images. Common ones include age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

The macula is the small central portion of the retina containing millions of nerve cells (cones) that are sensitive to light. This area of the retina is responsible for detailed vision, such as facial recognition and reading. AMD is characterized by the loss of cells in this area causing blurred or distorted central vision. It contributes to vision loss but doesn’t cause total blindness. If advanced, there is no cure but in early stages there is benefit from nutritional supplements. People with the more severe type of AMD may benefit from laser or injection of medication.

Diabetic retinopathy

This disorder is a complication of diabetes. It occurs when small blood vessels stop feeding the retina properly. In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, the blood vessels may leak fluid, causing blurred vision or no symptoms at all. As the disease advances, you may notice floaters, blind spots or cloudiness of vision. New blood vessels may grow and bleed into the center of the eye, causing serious vision loss or blindness.

For diabetic swelling of the retina, drug injections and laser may improve or preserve vision. In most advanced cases, laser treatment can prevent blindness. It’s very important that people with diabetes have an eye exam with pupil dilation every year. Very importantly, the likelihood of diabetic retinopathy is significantly decreased with good blood sugar control.

Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment occurs when the inner and outer layers of the retina become separated. Without a retina, the eye can’t communicate with the brain, making vision impossible. Symptoms of retinal detachment include:

  • A sudden appearance of spots or flashes of light.
  • Vision that appears wavy, as if you were under water.
  • A dark shadow anywhere in your field of vision.

With surgery or laser treatment, doctors often can reattach the retina and bring back all or part of your eyesight.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is sometimes called “pink eye” or “red eye.” It happens when the tissue that lines the eyelids and covers the sclera becomes inflamed. It can cause redness, itching, burning, tearing, or a feeling of something in the eye. Conjunctivitis occurs in people of all ages and can be caused by infection, exposure to chemicals and irritants, or allergies. Pink eye caused by a bacterial or viral infection is very contagious.

Corneal diseases

Corneal diseases and conditions can cause redness, watery eyes, pain, reduced vision, or a halo effect. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped “window” at the front of the eye. It helps to focus light that enters the eye. Disease, infection, injury, toxic agents and other elements can damage the cornea. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicated eye drops. Some corneal diseases may require surgery.

Eyelid problems

Problems with your eyelids can happen with many different diseases or conditions. The eyelids protect the eye, distribute tears and limit the amount of light entering the eye. Pain, itching, tearing and sensitivity to light are common symptoms of eyelid problems. Other problems may include drooping eyelids (ptosis), blinking spasms (blepharospasm) or inflamed eyelids near the eyelashes (blepharitis). Eyelid problems often can be treated with medication or surgery.

Temporal arteritis

Temporal arteritis causes the arteries in the temple area of the forehead, as well as other areas of the body, to become inflamed and possibly obstructed. It can begin with a severe headache, pain when chewing, and tenderness in the temple area. You may have a chronic fever, shoulder or hip weakness, and scalp tenderness. It may be followed by sudden vision loss, which is usually permanent. It’s more commonly diagnosed in elderly women. If you have any of these symptoms, see your healthcare provider immediately.

What aids are available to help with loss of vision?

If you have problems seeing despite wearing glasses, you may find low-vision aids helpful. These are special devices that are stronger than regular eyeglasses. Some people with only partial sight are able to increase their vision significantly by using these devices.

Low vision aids include:

  • Telescopic glasses.
  • Lenses that filter light.
  • Magnifying glasses.
  • Electronic devices that you can either hold in your hand or put directly on your reading material. E-Books, iPads® and similar electronic devices often can be adjusted to provide large dark fonts and are helpful for many patients with moderate impairments.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Whether or not you have an age-related sight condition, there are simple things you can do to improve your vision and maintain good eye health. See your eye doctor regularly for comprehensive eye exams and take special precautions if you have diabetes or a family history of eye disease.

Types of Vision Problems

Most Common Adult Vision Problems

Most Common Childhood Vision Problems

Blurred vision (refractive errors)

  • Nearsightedness (called myopia) is when you can see clearly up close but blurry in the distance.
  • Farsightedness (called hyperopia) is when you can see clearly in the distance but blurry up close.
  • If you are older than 40 and have trouble reading small print or focusing up close, this is usually due to a condition called presbyopia. One in every three people 40 years or older in the U.S. will need glasses to read smaller print.
  • Astigmatism is another condition that causes blurred vision, but it is because of the shape of the cornea.

These conditions affect the shape of the eye and, in turn, how the eye sees.  They can be corrected by eyeglasses, contact lenses, and in some cases surgery.

What are the risk factors for developing refractive errors?
  • Family history – parent(s) who have one or more refractive errors
  • Advancing age – presbyopia affects most adults over age 35

Crossed Eyes (strabismus)

Strabismus occurs when the eyes do not line up or they are crossed. One eye, however, usually remains straight at any given time. Common forms of strabismus include:

  • Esotropia – one or both eyes turn inward toward the nose
  • Exotropia – one or both eyes turn out; also called wall-eyed 
  • Hypertropia – one or both eyes turn up
  • Hypotropia – one or both eyes turn down

If detected early in life, strabismus can be treated and even reversed.

If left untreated strabismus can cause amblyopia.

What are the risk factors for strabismus?
  • Family history of strabismus
  • Having a significant amount of uncorrected farsightedness (hyperopia)
  • Disabilities such as Down syndrome and cerebral palsy
  • Stroke or head injury

Lazy Eye (amblyopia)

Amblyopia — often called lazy eye — is a problem that is common in children.

Amblyopia is a result of the brain and the eyes not working together. The brain ignores visual information from one eye, which causes problems with vision development.

Treatment for amblyopia works well if the condition is found early. If untreated, amblyopia causes permanent vision loss.

What are the risk factors for amblyopia?
  • Premature birth
  • Low birth weight
  • Retinopathy of prematurity diagnosis
  • Cerebral palsy diagnosis
  • Intellectual disability diagnosis
  • Family history of certain eye conditions
  • Maternal smoking, drug or alcohol use
  • Surgery on eye muscles for esotropia (eyes turn in toward nose)

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)

All people with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, are at risk for DR.  It is caused by damage to blood vessels in the back of the eye (retina).  The longer someone has diabetes, the more likely he or she will get DR.

People with this condition may not notice any changes to their vision until the damage to the eyes is severe.  This is why it is so important for people with diabetes to have a comprehensive eye exam every year.

There are four stages of DR.  During the first three stages of DR, treatment is usually not needed.  To prevent progression of diabetic retinopathy, people with diabetes should control their levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol.  For the fourth stage of DR, called proliferative retinopathy, there are treatments that reduce vision loss, but are not a cure for DR.

Warning signs of diabetic retinopathy includes blurred vision, gradual vision loss, floaters, shadows or missing areas of vision, and difficulty seeing at nighttime.

People with diabetes are at greater risk for cataract and glaucoma as well.

What are the risk factors for diabetic retinopathy?
  • Type 1 or 2 diabetes
  • Poor control of blood sugar level
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Pregnancy
  • Being African American or Hispanic
  • Smoking



Normal visionVision with diabetic retinopathy

Photos courtesy of the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is a disease that blurs the sharp, central vision needed to see straight-ahead.  It affects the part of the eye called the macula that is found in the center of the retina. The macula lets a person see fine detail and is needed for things like reading and driving.

The more common dry form of AMD can be treated in the early stages to delay vision loss and possibly prevent the disease from progressing to the advanced stage. Taking certain vitamins and minerals may reduce the risk of developing advanced AMD.

The less common wet form of AMD may respond to treatment, if diagnosed and treated early.

What are the risk factors for AMD?
  • Type 1 or 2 diabetes
  • Poor control of blood sugar level
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Pregnancy
  • Being African American or Hispanic
  • Smoking



Normal visionVision with AMD

Photos courtesy of the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Glaucoma

There are different types of glaucoma, but all of them cause vision loss by damaging the optic nerve.  Glaucoma is called the “sneak thief of sight” because people don’t usually notice a problem until some vision is lost.

The most common type of glaucoma happens because of slowly increasing fluid pressure inside the eyes.

Vision loss from glaucoma cannot be corrected.  But if it is found early, vision loss can be slowed or stopped. A comprehensive eye exam is important so glaucoma can be found early.

What are the risk factors for glaucoma?  Anyone can have glaucoma, but some people are at higher risk of developing the disease.
  • African Americans over age 40
  • Everyone over age 60, especially Mexican Americans
  • Those with a family history of glaucoma



Normal visionVision with glaucoma

Photos courtesy of the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye.  It often leads to poor vision at night, especially while driving, due to glare from bright lights.

Cataracts are most common in older people, but can also occur in young adults and children.

Cataract treatment is very successful and widely available.

What are the risk factors for cataracts?
  • Age, cataracts are more common after age 60
  • Certain diseases such as diabetes
  • Smoking and alcohol use
  • Too much exposure to sunlight



Normal visionVision with cataract

Photos courtesy of the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

Detecting Early Signs of Eye Diseases From a Photo – There’s a Free App for That

Eye Disease testing app surpasses the ‘gold standard’ of sensitivity, Baylor University researchers say.

A Baylor University researcher’s prototype smartphone app — designed to help parents detect early signs of various eye diseases in their children such as retinoblastoma, an aggressive pediatric eye cancer — has passed its first big test.

The CRADLE app (ComputeR Assisted Detector LEukocoia) searches for traces of abnormal reflections from the retina called leukocoria or “white eye,” a primary symptom of retinoblastoma, as well as other common eye disorders. The study, published in the journal Science Advances, found the app is an effective tool to augment clinical leukocoria screenings, allowing parents to efficiently and effectively screen their children more often throughout their development.

CRADLE — developed by Baylor University researchers Bryan F. Shaw, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and biochemistry, along with Greg Hamerly, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science — searches through family photographs for signs of leukocoria.

According to the study’s first author, Baylor senior University Scholar Micheal Munson, researchers determined the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the prototype by analyzing more than 50,000 photographs of children taken prior to their diagnosis. For children with diagnosed eye disorders, CRADLE was able to detect leukocoria for 80 percent of the children. The app detected leukocoria in photos that were taken on average of 1.3 years prior to their official diagnosis.

The effectiveness of traditional screenings during a general physical exam is limited, with signs of retinoblastoma via the detection of leukocoria in only 8 percent of cases. CRADLE’s sensitivity for children age 2 and younger surpassed 80 percent. That 80 percent threshold is regarded by ophthalmologists as the ‘‘gold standard” of sensitivity for similar devices, Munson said.

Researchers found the CRADLE app to be more effective simply by the breadth and frequency of its sample sizes: everyday family photos, according to the study. Given the number of photos taken by family and friends and the variety of environments, there is a variety of opportunities for light to reflect off the ocular lesions regardless of its location in the eye.

As the app’s algorithm has become more sophisticated, its ability to detect even slight instances of leukocoria has improved.

“This is one of the most critical parts of building the app,” Shaw said. “We wanted to be able to detect all hues and intensities of leukocoria. As a parent of a child with retinoblastoma, I am especially interested in detecting the traces of leukocoria that appear as a ‘gray’ pupil and are difficult to detect with the naked eye.”

Initially, the CRADLE app was used primarily to identify retinoblastoma — a rare eye disease that is the most common form of eye cancer in children up to age 5. Shaw’s own experience as a parent of a child with retinoblastoma formed the genesis of the app.

Shaw and Hamerly created the app in 2014 for the iPhone and in 2015 for Android devices after Shaw’s son Noah lost his right eye, but his left eye was able to be salvaged. He is now 11.

“We suspected that the app would detect leukocoria associated with other more common disorders and some rare ones,” Shaw said. “We were right. So far parents, and some doctors, have used it to detect cataract, myelin retinal nerve fiber layer, refractive error, Coats’ disease, and of course retinoblastoma.”

Said Munson: “I just kept the goal in mind: saving the sight and potentially the lives of children throughout the world,” Munson said.

Shaw said they are retraining the algorithm with Baylor undergraduates currently tagging and sorting about 100,000 additional photos. He said they also are looking at additional features to cut down on false positive detections.

The app can be downloaded for free and can be found under the name “White Eye Detector.”

Reference: “Autonomous early detection of eye disease in childhood photographs” by Micheal C. Munson, Devon L. Plewman, Katelyn M. Baumer, Ryan Henning, Collin T. Zahler, Alexander T. Kietzman, Alexandra A. Beard, Shizuo Mukai, Lisa Diller, Greg Hamerly and Bryan F. Shaw, 2 October 2019, Science Advances.
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax6363

PHOTOS: Top 3 Early Signs of Cataracts in 2020

Just because cataracts can be a natural part of the aging process doesn’t mean you shouldn’t remain on the lookout for the early signs of cataracts. Discover the top three early signs of cataracts, including what those signs may look like (cataract pictures provided) and how to address those signs.

For more information on the early signs of cataracts (including fast-growing cataracts), take a look at our previous articles.

1. General changes in vision quality

The early sign of cataracts that brings in the most patients are general concerns about changes in vision quality: the inability to see distant objects clearly, sensitivity to light, double vision, and halos around lights at nighttime. These changes are rarely drastic, and many patients assume that they simply need a change in prescription.

2. Blurred / cloudy vision

The first sign of cataracts will vary from person to person, but the next sign is usually blurriness. Blurred vision from cataracts occurs due to the buildup and clumping of proteins in your eye’s lens, which will block light from reaching your retina.

At first, only part of your vision may be blurred, but this area will likely grow over time if your cataract(s) remain untreated.

3. Eye discoloration

Eye discoloration is easily the most visible early sign of cataracts. The buildup of proteins may cause your lens to begin to yellow or brown. Unlike the other early signs of cataracts, however, your family and friends may be able to spot lens discoloration. It’s not uncommon for us to meet patients who have come to visit us due to the urging of individuals close to them.

This image shows what a cataract looks like in an advanced stage.

Not all eye doctors are advocates for early cataract surgery. Depending on the types of cataract a patient is facing and the severity of vision loss they’re contending with, your doctor may opt to wait for a later date.

At the same time, many patients feel that the earlier you treat cataracts, the fewer sights you’ll miss out on. Ultimately, whether or not to pursue cataract surgery is a decision that should be made between you and your doctor.

In the meantime, we highly recommend learning how to avoid cataracts naturally and reading up on cataracts and sun exposure.

Eye Center of Texas provides the latest in blade-free cataract treatment: laser eye surgery for cataracts. Our nationally-recognized surgeons have performed over 80,000 successful laser cataract surgeries and are recommended by over 300 referring doctors.

Miss less of life’s special moments. Call us at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online today to get started on your journey to better vision.

Related Resources

Smartphone App Can Help Detect Leukocoria, A Sign Of Eye Cancer : Shots

An app uses a smartphone camera to detect leukocoria, a pale reflection from the back of the eye. It can be an early sign of disease. Here it appears light brown compared the healthy eye.

Munson et al., Sci. Adv. 2019; 5 eaax 6363


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Munson et al., Sci. Adv. 2019; 5 eaax 6363

An app uses a smartphone camera to detect leukocoria, a pale reflection from the back of the eye. It can be an early sign of disease. Here it appears light brown compared the healthy eye.

Munson et al., Sci. Adv. 2019; 5 eaax 6363

It’s hard for doctors to do a thorough eye exam on infants. They tend to wiggle around — the babies, that is, not the doctors.

But a new smartphone app takes advantage of parents’ fondness for snapping pictures of their children to look for signs that a child might be developing a serious eye disease.

The app is the culmination of one father’s five-year quest to find a way to catch the earliest signs of eye disease, and prevent devastating loss of vision.

Five years ago, NPR reported the story of Bryan Shaw’s son Noah, and how he lost an eye to cancer.

Doctors diagnosed Noah Shaw’s retinoblastoma when he was 4 months old. To make the diagnosis, the doctors shined a light into Noah’s eye and got a pale reflection from the back of the eyeball, an indication that there were tumors there.

Noah’s father Bryan is a scientist. He wondered if he could see that same pale reflection in flash pictures his wife was always taking of his baby son. Sure enough, he saw the reflection or glow, which doctors call “white eye,” in a picture taken right after Noah was born.

“We had white eye showing up in pictures at 12 days old,” Shaw said at the time, months before his ultimate diagnosis

Shaw is a chemist, not an eye doctor nor a computer scientist, but he decided to create software that could scan photos for signs of this reflection.

“If I would have had some software in telling me ‘Hey, go get this checked out,’ that would have sped up my son’s diagnosis and the tumors would have been just a little bit smaller when we got to them. There might have been fewer,” he says.

Now, that software exists.

Along with colleagues at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, Shaw created an app called CRADLE. It uses artificial intelligence to find white eye, which can be a sign of several serious eye diseases such as retinoblastoma, pediatric cataracts, and Coats’ disease.

To test the app, they analyzed more than 50,000 pictures taken of 40 children. Half had no eye disease and half had been diagnosed with eye cancer or some other eye disease.

The app can scan picture on your phone and find the ones that might have signs of leukocoria. Inserts in upper right show magnified view of leukocoric pupil, which appears paler than a normal black pupil.

Munson et al., Sci. Adv. 2019; 5 eaax 6363


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Munson et al., Sci. Adv. 2019; 5 eaax 6363

The app can scan picture on your phone and find the ones that might have signs of leukocoria. Inserts in upper right show magnified view of leukocoric pupil, which appears paler than a normal black pupil.

Munson et al., Sci. Adv. 2019; 5 eaax 6363

“On average the app detected white eye in pictures collected 1.3 years before diagnosis,” says Shaw.

In other words, the app could give an early alert to parents that something might be amiss with their child. The results appear in the journal Science Advances.

The app isn’t perfect. It sometimes misses white eye when it’s there, and sometimes says it’s there when it’s not.

That latter condition is a problem. Even though those so-called false positive occur less than 1% of the time, ophthalmologist Sean Donahue of Vanderbilt University Medical Center says that’s not good enough. Donahue explains that there are about 4 million children born in the U.S. each year. A 1% false positive rate would mean tens of thousands of children showing up at the doctor unnecessarily.

Still, Donahue is upbeat about the promise of the app.

“This is exciting new technology, and this is how I think we’re going to go for screening for a number of diseases in the future,” he says.

Alison Skalet, an eye cancer specialist at the Oregon Health and Sciences University agrees. “There’s certainly promise here and it makes sense to me to be harnessing the technology that we have,” she says. She expects the app will get more accurate as time goes on and its artificial intelligence gets smarter.

Bryan Shaw would like to see that, but to train the app to better recognize white eye, he needs people to send him pictures who’ve been diagnosed with leukocoria.

“We need more pictures. Especially from kids in Africa and Asia,” he says. That will make the app more globally relevant, and Shaw hopes, save more children’s vision.

90,000 Treatment of visual impairment. Prevention of eye diseases

Diseases are easier to prevent than to cure. Everyone agrees with this, but few are able to change their lives and habits in order to stay healthy. These statements fully apply to eye diseases, so prevention of eye diseases is so necessary.

Eye diseases are often a reflection of general health conditions. It is not for nothing that many specialists: neurologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, pediatricians, refer to an ophthalmologist for consultation.The fundus pattern can indicate the state of intracranial and arterial pressure, indicate the stage of diabetes mellitus. The anterior segment and conductive media of the eye can confirm a rare diagnosis or syndrome. And there are many examples of this, but there is only one conclusion. Most eye ailments depend on lifestyle, so they are classified as diseases of “civilization”. A striking example is diabetes mellitus. In the 18th century, it was called confectioners’ disease. Sugar was not as widespread as it is today 150 years ago.Now it’s worth going to a fast food cafe and getting a daily dose of sugar at a time, or even more. Therefore, we will start talking about the prevention of eye diseases with nutrition.

  • “Watch your mouth – diseases enter through it” , – wrote L.N. Tolstoy. You can go on: form the right eating habits. The general rules are as follows: the diet should contain a lot of vegetables, grains and fruits – 60%. At the same time, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of sugar.Eliminate it in pure form or reduce it to 6 teaspoons (30 grams) per day. Remember, sugar reduces the strength of the immune system by 17 times!

    Reference: The average citizen of Russia eats about 100-140 grams of sugar in one day. This is about 1 kg of sugar per week. At the same time, the human body does not have the slightest need for refined sugar.
    Food should be light and freshly prepared. A heavy side dish can always be replaced with salad.It is not at all necessary to fry potatoes or cook mashed potatoes. Make it a delicacy! There are delicious salads made from carrots and pears, apples and radishes. And eggplant with herbs, nuts and garlic! By the way, you need to eat nuts every day. Handful! But greenery – a whole mountain can be built on a plate. Then it is not scary to add lean meat, stewed or boiled. And of course the fish. Do not forget about fermented milk products, digestion regulators.

    Taste for healthy food can be formed at any age!

  • “A person who has given up exercise often withers away, because the strength of his organs weakens as a result of refusal to move,” stated the medieval philosopher and physician Ibn Sina.This idea can be expressed in modern language, but its essence does not change from this. Unfortunately, modern man has begun to lead an even more immobile lifestyle. Newspapers have made their contribution here. Therefore, in terms of recommendations, active movement comes out on top.

    If a person loves sports, then, of course, it is easier and more accustomed to go jogging, swimming, skiing or visiting a fitness club. If not, then you need to start with walking. The benefits of a daily walk can hardly be overestimated! This is movement, and being in the fresh air, and also, which is very important for the eyes, in the open space, since the eyes begin to function differently, to produce other biologically active substances that are useful for the retina.

    Scientific studies have shown that regular walking can slow the progression of myopia by 30% if done for at least 14 hours per week.

    A quick step of 45 minutes is essential for everyone to keep their heart working properly. As a tip, walk at least part of the way to work or back. It remains only to agree with the author: “Movement can replace any means in its action, but all the remedies in the world cannot replace the action of movement” .T. Tasso, 16th century.

  • Good sleep. The rhythm of people’s life has accelerated, a modern person needs to be in time for everything, which often happens due to sleep and sooner or later leads to fatigue and fatigue. And this, along with chronic stress, is the trigger factor for many diseases. So, residents of megalopolises are characterized by chronic fatigue syndrome, which can also manifest itself with frequent viral diseases. Healthy sleep should be at least 8 hours.A day, in general, is easily divided into 3 parts: 8 hours – work, 8 hours – sleep, 8 hours – rest. Making the right daily routine is one of the key ways to prevent eye diseases.

  • “A person gets sick for many reasons: some get sick from colds, some from fatigue and grief.” (Confucius). “The patient’s despondency is the most active ally of the disease.” (Gorky M.) Employees of Yale University (USA) found that people who are optimistic about their health, on average, live seven years longer than hypochondriacs. Mental health also affects vision.

    How to maintain peace of mind? How to avoid negative emotions? Look for positive moments in a negative situation, and if it doesn’t work out, then create them yourself. Find more reasons to be happy, and over time they will become an integral part of your life.

    A very important point in the fight against depression is the ability to switch attention. Once you find something to your liking, all the positive emotions will return.For some it will be reading or knitting a sweater to a loved one, for someone – fishing or painting on glass. The list is endless, and everyone has his own, you just don’t need to forget about him.

  • According to the WHO, in 80% of cases, blindness can be prevented. And here the main principle is the early detection of visual impairments. These, first of all, include optical defects: hyperopia, astigmatism, myopia. It is very important to timely select an accurate optical correction, which will prevent the development of complicated forms.

    At the same time, it was found that half of those in need do not have the necessary glasses or contact lenses. At the same time, according to the Institute for the Study of Vision (Australia), defects in optics left without optical assistance are the cause of blindness in 22% and in 55% of eye diseases. Therefore, one should not resist glasses with age-related hyperopia, it is not reasonable to leave a child without prescribed glasses because of unreasonable fears. It’s time to say goodbye to these prejudices:

    • “Glasses spoil your eyesight.”No, glasses are an optical device that transfers the focus of clear vision to the retina of the eye. Therefore, glasses return the ability to see well.
    • “Contact lenses are harmful to the eyes, especially for children.” Delusion. For special indications (congenital myopia, lack of iris, etc.), lenses are prescribed from birth, with hyperopia – at preschool age, and with myopia and astigmatism – from 7 years.

    Prevention of eye diseases is the timely detection of optical defects and the appointment of optical correction: glasses and / or contact lenses.Therefore, the annual examination by an ophthalmologist is an effective preventive measure.

  • “Habit is strongest when it begins in adolescence; this is what is called upbringing, which is, in essence, nothing more than early habits. ” Francis Bacon. What habits can harm your eyesight:

    • The habit of reading and writing “with the nose” is the direct cause of the development of myopia in children.The distance to the book should be 40 cm, and to the computer – 65 cm.
    • Incorrect posture. The ability to keep your back straight is developed from childhood. Sports and dancing help.
    • Long-term continuous visual load. Children should take a break after 30-40 minutes of classes, adults after 1 hour. This applies to books, tablets, computers, phones. The smaller the display, the closer it is to the eyes, and the longer the time spent behind it, the more damage is done to vision.
    • Reading and watching TV and movies lying down. We read and watch only while sitting!
    • Lessons in poor lighting. There should be an overhead light and an additional one at the workplace.
    • It is harmful to watch TV in the dark, especially with glaucoma. Intraocular pressure rises.
    • Refusal of sunglasses contributes to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation on the organ of vision.
    • Unwillingness or laziness to do eye exercises. In our computer age, this is simply necessary to prevent eye fatigue and fatigue, from which many eye diseases begin.

    This should be understood and learned to use your eyes correctly, that is, to form new useful habits of vision. It will take volitional efforts, time, but it is possible. Especially if you see the goal – to maintain good vision for life.

    So, the conclusion suggests itself, “the more science advances in the study of the causes of the disease, the more the general position appears that it is much easier to prevent diseases than to cure them.”(I. I. Mechnikov).

  • 90,000 Visual field loss: what to do?

    What are the fields of view? Everything you see when you look in front of you and don’t move your head is your field of vision. The picture directly in front of you enters the central field of view. What you do not see clearly on the sides is peripheral. The loss of parts of the central and peripheral vision is an alarming sign.

    Vision falls out in different ways. Sometimes a person notices that the picture of the world seems to have been driven into a tunnel, and on the sides it is cut off.Sometimes in both or one eye, vision is lost on the right or left side, leaving only half of the picture. Different reasons lead to different types of loss of vision, which we will talk about in this article.

    What disease does the loss of visual fields warn about?

    Loss of visual field is not a disease, but a symptom. If there was a loss of visual fields, the reasons may be as follows:

    • Ophthalmic diseases
    • Volumetric processes in the central nervous system
    • Inflammatory diseases of the brain
    • Traumatic brain injury

    Only some of the problems are directly related to eye diseases.In this article, we will discuss the common causes of violations, but in each case, the reasons are subtle and specific – after all, the matter lies in the peculiarities of the functioning of the optic nerves and the brain of a particular person. Loss of visual field is a symptom of various diseases, therefore, in no case should you engage in self-diagnosis.

    If you notice that something is wrong with your vision, you need to urgently check with a neurologist and ophthalmologist. Diagnosis of vision in our clinic will help determine if there are eye problems, or the reason lies elsewhere.

    Loss of visual field is a symptom of various diseases, therefore, in no case should you engage in self-diagnosis.

    What does the narrowing of the peripheral boundaries of vision say

    With this defect, the ring of blindness begins to take possession of the boundaries of vision, approaching ever closer to the center of the eye. The field of vision can narrow evenly and unevenly. With a uniform narrowing, equal parts from all sides fall out of the field of view. If uneven, more can fall out on one side than on the other.

    The reason for the uniform narrowing of the peripheral boundaries of vision can be lesions of the optic nerve, retinal pigmentary dystrophy.

    Uneven narrowing of the boundaries can develop due to glaucoma, retinal detachment, optic nerve atrophy, diseases of the central retinal artery.

    What does the loss of a part of the field of view indicate

    If separate areas of vision have fallen out in two eyes, this is called hemianopsia. Typically, hemianopsia affects both eyes, although rarely appears in only one.If the visual fields fall out in only one eye, this may be a signal of damage to the optic nerve or retina. If both eyes are affected, the causes are different:

    Loss of right visual fields indicates damage to the left optic tract. Loss of left visual fields – about damage to the right.

    1. Homonymous hemianopsia. In this case, at the same time, an area falls out in the region of the temple in one eye and at the bridge of the nose – in the other. Half or part of the vision may be lost in each eye.Loss of right visual fields indicates damage to the left optic tract. Loss of left visual fields – about damage to the right optic tract.
    2. Heteronymous hemianopsia. With this violation in both eyes, the visual fields fall out symmetrically. Temporal or nasal fields may fall out.

    Such a partial loss of the visual field indicates a disturbance in the functioning of the brain. These can be tumors, the consequences of a stroke and other diseases affecting the optic tract and chiasm – the place of intersection of the optic nerve fibers in the brain.

    What blind spots are talking about

    Blind spots are called scotomas. In the area of ​​the scotoma, vision may be completely lost or blurred. If a person himself is able to feel that there is a blind spot in his eye, this is a positive scotoma, the cause of which may be damage to the optic nerve. If the patient does not understand that his visual field is imperfect, the scotoma is called negative and diagnosed. Often the cause is a malfunction of the structures of the brain.

    You can also understand the cause of a blind spot by its shape and location:

    • If a scotoma appears in or near the visual center, macular or optic nerve disease may be the cause.
    • If a scotoma surrounds the central portion of the visual field with a ring, it may indicate retinal pigmentary dystrophy.
    • If the blind spot is located at the edges of the visual field, problems may be with the choroid.

    Scotomas are more likely to report damage to the eye than to the brain.

    How to understand that the field of view has dropped out

    If you notice that the visual fields have dropped out, you need to immediately consult a neurologist and ophthalmologist. However, the problem of diagnosing a loss of visual fields is that a person does not always himself realize that vision is impaired. Get diagnosed, even if there is a slight suspicion of poor vision.Especially if you have recently suffered or are suffering an illness that leads to loss of visual fields: stroke, swelling, glaucoma, nervous strain, etc.

    There are indirect signs of impairment: migraine, flare-ups, haze or pressure in the eyes, dizziness and disruption of the vestibular apparatus. Their appearance is also a reason to be diagnosed by a doctor. Starting treatment on time will relieve uncertainty and anxiety.

    Summarize:

    1. Loss of visual fields is not a disease in itself, but a symptom of other diseases.
    2. Areas of vision can fall out not only due to eye damage, but also due to brain diseases.
    3. Each disturbance in the functioning of the eye or brain causes a specific problem with the visual field.
    4. Visual impairment – a serious reason to see a doctor.

    Eyes are complex tools, and their malfunction indicates serious internal problems. Loss of vision is one of the signals to watch out for.

    Diagnosis of eye diseases in animals

    At the reception with a specialist.

    In our clinic, a unique method is used to study the state of the retina of an animal eye – electroretinography (ERG) . This is the most modern method; it is suitable for all dogs and cats, and is especially relevant for breeds that are prone to hereditary eye diseases. This is very important for maintaining comfort in the pet’s life and at the same time excluding it from breeding. In order to accurately determine exactly how the animal sees and how its retina reacts, electrodes are applied to the head, eyelid and cornea and certain retinal pulses are generated using flashes of LED lamps.It is a safe and reliable method for diagnosing eye diseases. You can read more about this medode in the article on electroretinography.

    Why do you need a comprehensive diagnosis of the organ of vision?

    Diagnostics of the state of vision is the most important stage in the treatment of eye diseases in animals. After all, a dog or cat, unlike a person, will not be able to tell the doctor what bothers her with her eyes and how well she sees. Without thorough instrumental examinations, it is impossible to assess the severity of eye pathology and choose a method of medical or surgical treatment.In addition, after passing the diagnostics,

    You can understand what awaits the eyes of your four-footed friend in the future.

    How to properly prepare and pass the examination?

    To be examined, you need to come to the doctor’s appointment at the clinic. It is advisable not to feed the animal for 8 hours before the examination. Blood tests may be needed. Do not drip any drops into the eye on the day of diagnosis. They can blur the clinical picture of the disease. If you have old extracts, analyzes or appointments from other clinics – bring them with you to clarify the dynamics of the disease.Nothing else is required.

    How long does the examination take and is it comfortable for my pet?

    A comprehensive examination takes about an hour on average, including a full diagnosis and a doctor’s consultation. Your pet will not be given any unpleasant procedures or injections. Almost all examinations (with the exception of Maklakov tonometry) are non-contact and painless.

    What does the diagnosis include?

    Comprehensive diagnostics in our clinic includes a large number of instrumental examinations:

    • biomicroscopy of the anterior segment of the eye,
    • measurement of intraocular pressure,
    • Schirmer test,
    • determination of the patency of the nasolacrimal canal,
    • examination of the retina and optic nerve,
    • Ultrasound of the eyeball.

    After a thorough and complete examination, the doctor makes a diagnosis, conducts a conversation with the owner, prescribes treatment, warns about all possible prospects and treatment options.

    Tell us more about the methods of examination and what are they for my pet?

    Examination of the eye using a forehead microscope.

    At the first stage of the examination, after evaluating the complaints of the owners, the doctor examines the anterior segment of the eye (eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior chamber, iris, lens).Using a PS LED HeadLight headlamp binocular microscope. Manufacturer – HEINE Germany . With the help of a forehead biomicroscope, a doctor performs a panoramic examination of all structures of the eye and its appendages. Thanks to 50,000 lux LED lighting, innovative optics and 4x magnification, the doctor receives an excellent picture of the eyeball, eyelids and its appendages at the reception. Infinitely adjustable brightness level and convenient adjustment of the light spot protects the eyes of the animal from excessively bright light.It should be noted that the use of a headlamp leaves the doctor’s hands free to perform the necessary manipulations.

    Heine Head Light microscopes produce high-quality bright light without changing the natural color of the eyeball. This allows the doctor to make accurate and fast diagnostics without glaring the eyes of our patients.

    Biomicroscopy of the anterior segment of the eye.

    This is one of the most important diagnostic procedures, with the help of which we diagnose over 70% of various eye diseases.Biomicroscopy is carried out using a special device – a slit lamp. The slit lamp creates a narrow, sharply limited beam of homogeneous color, the focus of which can be placed at different depths and in different parts of the eye. Such a beam of light allows you to get a thin section of transparent tissue and see minor changes. The slit lamp allows you to explore all layers of the cornea, see its edema, inflammatory or dystrophic changes. Using a slit lamp, they measure the depth of the anterior chamber, the presence of blood or exudate in it, study the structure of the iris, establish the presence of cysts, inflammatory or post-traumatic changes.With biomicroscopy of the lens, its position is visualized, the degree of opacity, its intensity, and localization are diagnosed. Examining the vitreous body, determine the presence of hemorrhages or opacities in it. On the fundus with the help of special lenses, the state of the retina, optic nerve head and choroid is differentiated.

    Measurement of intraocular pressure.

    Intraocular pressure is measured to exclude glaucoma, a very dangerous disease that quickly leads to blindness.In our clinic, intraocular pressure is measured with the most high-precision device TONOVET (Finland). The new measuring technique is to instantly touch a small, disposable tip in the center of the cornea. This principle of operation makes it possible to quickly and accurately measure intraocular pressure without the introduction of anesthetic agents that affect the measurement result.

    The device is designed specifically for animals, the measurement of pressure with its help is completely painless, takes no more than 20 seconds and can be carried out even by the smallest animals, such as rats and hamsters.

    Advantages of Tonovet:

    • No need for anesthetics
    • Rapid measurement of intraocular pressure in all animal species
    • No risk of infection due to use of disposable handpiece
    • Does not have any harmful effects on the patient.

    In a number of the most severe cases, intraocular pressure is additionally measured by the traditional method – a Maklakov tonometer.This double pressure monitoring with a high degree of accuracy avoids diagnostic errors in difficult cases.

    Examination of the retina and optic nerve.

    Examination of the retina and optic nerve is performed after pupil dilation under the control of intraocular pressure. Monocular and stereoscopic examination of the fundus is carried out using the forward and reverse Beta 200 ophthalmoscopes manufactured by Heine (Germany).

    Investigate the condition of the optic nerve, central and peripheral parts of the retina, including the most distant areas. Fundus examination diagnoses diseases of the retina and optic nerve (retinal detachment, progressive retinal atrophy, chorioretinitis, retinal hemorrhages and dystrophy, edema and atrophy of the optic nerves, neuritis and glaucomatous excavations of the optic discs). Fundus examination is very important for breeders and owners of purebred dogs, because many of the retinal diseases are hereditary and can be transmitted to offspring.In addition to ophthalmic diseases, the fundus picture helps to diagnose a number of common diseases (hypertension, renal and heart failure, stroke, increased intracranial pressure).

    What is the difference between direct and reverse ophthalmoscopy?

    With direct ophthalmoscopy, the doctor sees the fundus of the eye under a very high magnification, which is especially valuable for examining the optic nerve head.

    Indirect ophthalmoscopy is performed using a binocular head-mounted ophthalmoscope and a set of special lenses.With indirect ophthalmoscopy, the doctor sees a stereoscopic image, a large field of view and is able to examine even the most peripheral areas of the retina.

    Ultrasound diagnostics of eye diseases.

    Ultrasound examination of the eyeball.

    Ultrasound examination of animal eyes is a non-invasive highly informative method that allows you to visually assess the internal structures of the eye, even in cases of opacity of its membranes (for example, with corneal leucorrhoea or cataract).

    Indications for ultrasound of the eye are:

    • Damage to the eyeball, to exclude hemorrhages in the vitreous body, intraocular foreign bodies, traumatic lens luxation, scleral ruptures.
    • Assessment of localization, size, clarity of the contours of intraocular neoplasms and tumors of the retrobulbar space.
    • Ultrasound examination shows the presence of retinal and choroid detachment: their shape, height, localization.
    • Helps to diagnose opacities, moorings and destruction of the vitreous body.
    • Makes it possible to differentiate diseases with exophthalmos (bulging eyes).
    • Takes into account the degree of subluxation and lens luxe. With full luxation, the lens determines the topography of its location in the vitreous body or fundus.

    Ultrasound of the eye. Retinal disinsertion.

    Ultrasound examination of the eyes is necessary for animals with general diseases complicated by eye damage.First of all, these are:

    • Cardiac and renal hypertension
    • Chronic and renal failure
    • Diabetes mellitus
    • Infections in cats (Viral peritonitis, viral immunodeficiency)
    • Oncological diseases of the blood.
    • Autoimmune diseases.
    • Thyroid diseases
    • Inflammatory diseases of the pancreas

    An ultrasound scan produces a two-dimensional image of the eyeball.Dense intraocular structures appear white, soft tissues appear more gray areas. Thus, ultrasound shows an image of all intraocular structures similar to a macroscopic picture.

    In addition to a special ultrasound examination, we use Doppler ultrasound to detect blood flow disorders in the ophthalmic artery.

    Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive method of ultrasound, which allows to identify the localization of lesions of the great vessels and assess the state of collateral circulation.Using Doppler, we determine the maximum and average linear blood flow velocity, pulse index, resistance index and blood flow asymmetry in the orbital vessels.

    Doppler examination of the orbital artery.

    Investigations are carried out in vascular diseases of the eye: vascular disorders associated with eye trauma, vascular changes in diabetes, renal and cardiac hypertension, arterial thrombosis.

    Ultrasound examination of the eye and Doppler ultrasound are completely safe and painless procedures. They do not require any diet, drugs or special preparations. A complete examination takes about half an hour and is absolutely comfortable for the animal.

    In addition to instrumental methods, our patients almost always undergo a variety of eye tests – studies that allow us to make a correct diagnosis. This is a study of the degree of tear production (Schirmer’s test) in case of suspected dry eye syndrome, determination of the patency of the nasolacrimal canals with lacrimal paths under the eyes, fluorescein test for ulcers and corneal injuries.

    Once again, I would like to emphasize that all diagnostic methods are equally important for the correct diagnosis. Only all the studies in the complex will give a clear picture of the disease and help to choose the necessary treatment for your pet.

    X-ray of the orbit.

    For many severe diseases of the organ of vision in animals, an X-ray examination of the orbit is necessary. The indication for an X-ray of the orbit is:

    1. Suspected penetration of a foreign body into the eye.X-ray methods allow detecting the majority of foreign bodies, assessing their size and shape, location, and determining a more rational way of extraction.
    2. Contusions of the eyeball and orbit. With contusions of the eyeball and orbit, there is a high probability of fractures of the bones of the walls of the orbit. To exclude them, an X-ray of the orbit is mandatory.
    3. Suspicion of a tumor of the orbit and retrobulbar space. Tumors of the orbit and retrobulbar space often invade the walls of the orbit, altering and destroying them.An orbital x-ray shows the extent of these pathological changes.
    4. Exophthalmos (bulging eyes) of unexplained etiology. With exophthalmos, differentiation of the process is important. The tactics of treatment, the prescription of drugs and, ultimately, the outcome of treatment depend on this. An orbital x-ray will help differentiate inflammatory exophthalmos from a neoplasm of the retrobulbar space.

    X-ray of the dog’s orbit.

    Orbital X-ray is a painless procedure that does not require special training. The only thing that is required is two adult owners to fix the animal.

    Test for the patency of the nasolacrimal canals.

    In animals with complaints of crying eye syndrome or lacrimal tract syndrome under the eyes, there are most often two reasons for the development of excessive lacrimation:

    1. Inflammations and infections of the eyes;
    2. Problems with the patency of the nasolacrimal canal.

    It is possible to determine the exact cause of the disease by conducting a diagnostic test for the patency of the nasolacrimal canals.

    In all animals, a tear from the eye goes into the nasal passage through the lacrimal ducts. These include: the lacrimal openings (upper and lower), the lacrimal tubules (upper and lower), the lacrimal sac and the nasolacrimal canal. The lacrimal canal in dogs opens in the nasal cavity, in cats it opens in the nasal cavity and oral cavity. In dogs and cats, the cause of obstruction of the nasolacrimal canal may be associated with a breed predisposition (Dogs: toy terriers, Yorkshire terriers, lapdogs, griffins, Spitz.Cats: Persian, Exotic, British, Hairless, Scottish Fold) or with inflammation in the lacrimal ducts of the nasolacrimal ducts. This can lead to partial stenosis, or complete loss of patency.

    To determine the patency of the nasolacrimal canal in animals, a fluorescein test is performed. Before the test, the eye is thoroughly washed with an antibiotic to evacuate purulent and mucous secretions that can adversely affect the test result. One or two drops of a fluorescein solution are instilled into the eye, or a special fluorescein strip is placed in the conjunctival sac.Then the animal’s head is lowered a little (otherwise, fluorescein will not go into the nose simply by the laws of physics). After 1-2 minutes, dogs from the nasal cavity and cats from the nasal and oral cavity will normally develop a green color.

    Normal patency of the nasolacrimal canal.

    Staining the nasal cavity with fluorescein.

    In case of partial obstruction of the canal, fluorescein will appear in 5-10 minutes, and in small quantities.Complete obstruction is characterized by the absence of green coloration of the nasal cavity. It should be noted that the fluorescein test is correct only for 70% of animals. In 30% of cases with full patency of the nasolacrimal canal, fluorescein may not appear in the nasal cavity.

    Schirmer test.

    Schirmer’s test – determination of the quantitative production of tear fluid in case of suspected dry eye syndrome.

    In dogs, more than 20% of all pronounced conjunctivitis and keratitis are accompanied by latent dry eye syndrome, which is the root cause of the disease.Therefore, in most animals with signs of inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea, we carry out the Schirmer test without fail.

    The essence of the method is as follows. Before the test, the animals are carefully removed with a gauze swab to remove the residual tear fluid. A special Acrivet Shirmer tear test filter strip, developed for animals, is placed in the lower conjunctival sac of the medial corner of the eye. It is important to correctly position the strip so that it is between the conjunctiva and the third eyelid, avoiding contact with the cornea.The test is carried out for one minute, after which the strip is removed.

    Performing the Schirmer test on a dog suspected of having dry eye syndrome.

    The results of the Schirmer test for animals are as follows:

    • More than 15 mm / min – tear production is normal
    • 10-15 mm / min – initial (early) stage of dry eye syndrome
    • 5-10 mm / min – developed (medium) degree of dry eye syndrome
    • Less than 5 mm / min – advanced (severe) stage of dry eye syndrome.

    These standards are more focused on dogs. In cats, normal tear production can range from 10 to 15 mm / min.

    90,000 Retinal angiopathy, early diagnosis, treatment and prevention

    Retinal angiopathy is a general pathological condition caused by various somatic disorders. An example is a severe hypertensive disease that proceeds in an uncompensated form.It causes changes visible in the fundus.

    Fundus examination will reveal vascular problems

    Low blood pressure increases ocular pressure and, accordingly, serves as a catalyst for the development of glaucoma. In the case of angiopathy, an inverse relationship is observed: the risk factor is high blood pressure.

    Also, diabetes mellitus is often the cause: angiopathy manifests itself even in the early stages of the development of this disease.The changes are insignificant, but on examination they are already obvious. It should be borne in mind that blood vessels are affected throughout the body. Therefore, angiopathy of the feet or hands can develop in parallel.

    Neuroangiopathy manifests itself in disorders of the brain. An increase in intracranial pressure is inevitably reflected in the retina of the eye due to vasodilation. Thus, angiopathy is not an independent disease, but a manifestation of another ailment.

    Angiopathy and its symptoms

    The disease in its development can go through several degrees, and the symptoms will change.External manifestations are:

    Diabetic angiopathy at the initial stage can occur without obvious symptoms and is detected only with a comprehensive examination. Blurred vision begins at an intermediate stage, at a later stage there is a risk of complete blindness.

    Hypertensive angiopathy also has several stages. In the middle stage, with the normalization of blood pressure, the clinical picture of the fundus can positively change.

    As for physiological and organic changes, here it is worth paying special attention to:

    • varicose veins and narrowing of the arteries;
    • increasing vascular tortuosity;
    • increasing irregularity of vessel calibers;
    • the appearance of newly formed vessels;
    • pale fundus and lightening of blood vessels;
    • microaneurysms and thrombosis.

    Alarming symptoms can be the progression of myopia and increased frequency of nosebleeds.

    How is retinal angiopathy treated

    Since this is only a manifestation of a physical illness, treatment is primarily aimed at eliminating the root cause. Therefore, the course is being developed by several specialists at once. An ophthalmologist can work with a cardiologist, neurologist, endocrinologist.

    Eye angiopathy is diagnosed during ophthalmoscopy using a fundus camera. The need for such a procedure arises when a disease is detected that can negatively affect the retina.

    Fundus camera provides the most informative clinical picture of the fundus

    The drugs are prescribed depending on the clinical picture. Most often, their action is to activate blood circulation in the vessels of the eye. Sometimes a laser is used, for example, if there is a need to strengthen the retina to avoid detachment.

    Exophthalmos – Symptoms, treatment – Medical reference AMK

    Exophthalmos is a pathology that is manifested by protrusion and displacement of the eyeball.Otherwise, this disease is also called protrusion, or “popular” pop-eyes.

    Many people mistakenly believe that the formation of exophthalmos is not associated with a violation of the functioning of the organs of vision. But in fact, the disease causes an increase in the volume of the eye orbits, which is often the result of various kinds of inflammatory eye diseases.

    In addition, pathology can cause serious complications that can lead to complete loss of vision.

    Exophthalmos is equally common in both men and women.Pathology also affects people of any age.

    Causes of exophthalmos

    At the moment, it is known that the formation of exophthalmos can be directly related to the disruption of the immune system. As a result, swelling of the tissues of the adipose tissue of the orbit occurs and the muscles become inflamed. Usually this happens on both eyes at the same time, however, in the initial period it can only wilt on one side.

    Other causes of exophthalmos include:

    • inflammatory processes of the vessels of the eye;
    • inflammation and swelling of the lacrimal glands;
    • varicose veins of the eyeball;
    • tumor neoplasms;
    • congenital glaucoma;
    • muscle dysfunction;
    • trauma and hemorrhage.

    The reasons listed above are local. But pathology is often the result of general diseases. These include:

    • infectious and inflammatory diseases of the sinuses;
    • hydrocephalus;
    • lymphadenosis;
    • pathology of the thyroid gland;
    • congenital abnormalities of the skull structure;
    • diseases of the circulatory system.

    Exophthalmos symptoms

    Exophthalmos manifests itself differently in everyone. In some, the symptoms of pathology may be barely noticeable, while in others they may have a pronounced character. Sometimes the doctor just needs to look at the patient to make an accurate diagnosis, and sometimes additional research is required to identify the disease.

    When the disease is advanced, it can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms:

    • change in the position of the eyeball;
    • damage to the muscles of the eye and limitation of mobility;
    • double vision;
    • heterotropy;
    • the inability to completely close the eyelids;
    • excessive dryness of the eyes.

    The most formidable complication is the pinching of the optic nerve. This causes an increase in intraocular pressure and a shift in the position of the apple. If this disrupts blood flow, then this can provoke complete destruction of the nerve and loss of vision.

    Diagnosis of exophthalmos

    In order not to miss the onset of the disease, you must regularly undergo an examination by an ophthalmologist. If the doctor is in doubt, he can prescribe additional tests.Usually, exophthalmometry is performed to detect pathology. This is a type of diagnosis that allows you to determine the position of the eyeballs. Using special equipment, the doctor measures the points of the corneal protrusions when looking up and down. If he receives a discrepancy in the results of more than 20 mm, then they diagnose exophthalmos.

    A more detailed study for this disease is carried out on a computer or magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Since the most common form of exophthalmos is endocrine ophthalmopathy, patients are required to consult an endocrinologist, examine the function of the thyroid gland and study the functioning of the immune system.Unfortunately, without establishing the true cause of the pathology, it is impossible to completely cure the disease.

    When inflammation is the cause of exophthalmos, doctors often prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. In severe cases, patients require surgery. But even if the pathology is provoked by anomalies in the eye sockets, the participation of an ophthalmologist is mandatory when prescribing treatment or performing a surgical operation.

    The choice of an operative method for treating exophthalmos is also justified in case of impingement of the optic nerve and damage to the cornea.In the first case, doctors remove some of the fatty tissue from the eye socket to relieve pressure. In the second, the method of temporary stitching of the eyelids is often used to strengthen the cornea.

    If a neoplasm has become the cause of exophthalmos, then participation in the treatment of an oncologist is imperative. If necessary, your doctor will prescribe chemotherapy or radiation.

    Exophthalmos is a pathology that can be the result of serious ailments. In addition, the disease itself can have dire consequences.Therefore, you should regularly visit an ophthalmologist for preventive examinations. And if symptoms appear, immediately consult a doctor.

    See also:

    90,000 Eye diseases in dogs: symptoms, treatment, prevention

    Contents of article

    Diseases of the eyes in dogs are not always clear-cut. Sometimes the owner, especially an inexperienced one, does not even suspect that his pet is experiencing vision problems, and sometimes this “ignorance” goes too far, up to the development of serious symptoms.

    Meanwhile, any ophthalmological pathology is very dangerous, since if it is not detected and treated in a timely manner, it can cause irreparable complications.

    Causes of the disease

    The list of eye diseases in dogs is very extensive. They are conventionally divided into three categories, based on which it is possible to determine the causes, treatment and further prognosis.

    Infectious eye diseases can be primary or secondary – arising against the background of other bacterial, viral pathologies.Such diseases include conjunctivitis, blepharitis (with local infection), keratitis, etc.

    Diseases of non-infectious etiology develop against the background of mechanical injuries (corneal wounds, pricks), inflammation due to improper growth of eyelashes (trichiasis). Blepharitis can also be of non-infectious origin if it is caused by mechanical damage.

    And, finally, the third group, which includes congenital eye diseases: eversion and inversion of the eyelids, deformation of the lens and eyes, cataracts, glaucoma.Pathologies, as a rule, are characteristic of representatives of certain breeds.

    Which breeds are more prone to eye diseases

    Bassets, Bulldogs, Boxers, St. Bernards, Pekingese, Chow Chows, Spaniels very often suffer from congenital pathology – the wrong direction of eyelid growth. This disease often provokes the development of conjunctivitis due to the accumulation of dirt and dust on the eyelids, corneal trauma and clouding of the lens.

    Dwarf breeds of dogs, as well as collies, labradors, spaniels have a genetic predisposition to retinal detachment and cataracts.Representatives of these breeds are more likely than others to suffer from blindness, which can overtake them even at an early age.

    Clinical picture

    Despite the fact that there are a lot of ophthalmic diseases in dogs, there are certain symptoms that will eloquently indicate eye problems.

    First of all, the owner should be suspicious of an unnatural, profuse and cloudy discharge from the animal’s eyes. Increased tearing may not always be a sign of pathology, since in some breeds, narrowing of the lacrimal canals is observed.This phenomenon is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the inner corners of the eyes, which flows down to the face. In this case, the tears are clear and clean.

    The second characteristic sign is inflammation of the tissues around the eyes. If the pet’s conjunctiva turns red, the eyelids are swollen, and the eyes are watery, this may indicate an injury or conjunctivitis.

    Symptoms such as clouding of the surface of the eye, whitish spots may indicate a disease of the eyeball. With glaucoma, the cornea becomes a dirty blue-gray tint.With keratitis, the surface of the cornea is covered with a characteristic smoky coating.

    Photophobia, involuntary squinting, increased lacrimation also do not always indicate that the dog has any disease of the conjunctiva, cornea. If the dog begins to rub his eyes vigorously, this may mean that he is simply trying to get rid of dust or sand that brings him discomfort.

    Diagnostics in the veterinary clinic

    If you notice the above symptoms in your dog, immediately take your pet to the veterinary clinic.The veterinarian will examine the animal’s eyes with a slit lamp, perform the necessary diagnostic tests, and make a diagnosis. For diagnostics, ophthalmoscopy, ultrasound of the eyeball, measurement of intraocular pressure (tonometry) are used.

    Carefully carried out diagnostics will give an idea of ​​the form of the disease and possible ways to correct the problem. Treatment – therapeutic or surgical – is prescribed depending on the diagnosis.

    Treatment method and prognosis

    There is no single system for treating eye diseases in dogs.For each specific disease and the degree of its course, there is a treatment regimen. In this case, it is very important to find out the cause of the disease.

    In some pathologies, they are limited to instilling drops in the eyes, using antibacterial ointments and rinsing, while in others, the introduction of intramuscular vitamins and antibiotics is a mandatory element of therapy, while others require surgical intervention.

    So, with blepharitis, anti-inflammatory ointments (Hydrocortisone, Dexamethasone), brilliant green for cauterization of ulcers, solutions for washing the eyes (Furacilin) ​​are used.To fight bacteria, Tetracycline or Erythromycin ointment is used. The dried crusts are softened with oil and carefully removed from the eyelids.

    Conjunctivitis is treated by washing the eyes with antiseptic solutions, eye drops and ointments, the action of which is aimed at destroying the bacteria that caused the pathology. The most commonly used are Levomycetin, Kanamycin, Erythromycin.

    For the treatment of keratitis, antiseptic solutions (Furacilin), chamomile decoction, vitamin drops and healing ointments (Solcoseryl) are used.When the cornea dries up and the secretion of the lacrimal gland is insufficient, the drug “Artificial tears” is prescribed.

    In the treatment of glaucoma, drugs are used that lower eye pressure (Pilocarpine solution, Physostigmine drops, etc.), pain relievers (Aspirin, No-shpa). In severe cases, surgery becomes the only possible way to preserve the dog’s eyesight.

    Treatment of cataracts with medications in the form of drops (Catachrom, Vicin) is ineffective in most cases.Surgery and lens removal are performed. If the operation is not carried out on time, especially with toxic cataracts, an increase in eye pressure can provoke a rupture of the eyeball.

    Congenital pathologies of the development of the eyes and eyelids are corrected by modern surgical methods.

    As for the prognosis of eye diseases in dogs, in most cases it is positive. However, it all depends on the age of the animal and the timely conservative treatment or surgical intervention.Untreated pathology can lead to many serious complications, including the cause of blindness.

    What to do at home

    You cannot diagnose the disease on your own and try to cure ophthalmic pathologies without going through a specialist. Some eye diseases develop very quickly, so every day often counts. The most that can be done is to strictly follow the recommendations of the veterinarian and adhere to the indicated dosage of medications.

    Traditional methods of treatment, such as rinsing the eyes with tea leaves, can be used in combination, but in no case should they replace traditional therapy.

    During treatment, the dog should be provided with comfortable conditions, balanced nutrition. With purulent discharge, a special nutritional system with a minimum of fermentation products is shown.

    If the pathology has an infectious etiology, contact with other animals should be excluded during the illness.To prevent the pet from scratching its eyes and thereby aggravating the course of the disease, it will be advisable to use socks on its paws and a special collar.

    A clean bandage, lint-free swabs and cotton pads are used to wash the eyes.

    Prevention measures

    As you know, the disease is easier to prevent than to cure, and eye pathologies are no exception . To identify pathology, you need to periodically examine the dog’s eyes and, if specific signs are found, immediately contact a veterinarian.

    Healthy dog ​​eyes are clean, without discharge (except for increased tearing in certain breeds, which is the norm) and redness. Sometimes, after sleeping, the animal collects mucus in the corners of the eyes, which must be removed with a clean, damp cloth.

    For prophylaxis, you can periodically rinse the dog’s eyes with chamomile broth or boric acid solution. This measure is especially relevant for dogs with an irregular eyelid structure.

    Interesting topics

    90,000 World Vision Day – RIA Novosti, 03.03.2020

    Experts estimate that 82% of people with blindness are in the age group 50 and over.

    19 million children suffer from visual impairment. 12 million of them have visual impairments due to refractive errors – conditions that are easily diagnosed and corrected. 1.4 million children are irreversibly blind.

    In Russia, the incidence of pathology of the organ of vision is about 11 thousand people per 100 thousand population. According to the chief ophthalmologist of the Russian Federation, director of the N.I.Helmholtz Vladimir Neroev, the number of registered blind and visually impaired in our country is 218 thousand people, of which 103 thousand are absolutely blind. Every year in Russia the number of people who become disabled for the first time due to visual impairment is about 45 thousand. In the contingent of visually impaired people, 22% are young people.

    According to experts, among future Russian first-graders, about 10-12% of children have eye health problems in the form of myopia (myopia), oculomotor disorders.By the time they leave school, they are observed in almost 70% of children, especially in gymnasiums and lyceums, where the load is increased.

    According to the WHO, the main causes of visual impairment are: uncorrected refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism) – 43%; unopened cataract – 33%; glaucoma – 2%.

    WHO experts are confident that 80% of all cases of visual impairment can be prevented or cured.

    Measures for the prevention of eye diseases include not only visiting an ophthalmologist, but also observing simple rules that help maintain good vision.Experts advise to quit smoking. Nicotine has a detrimental effect on vision. In addition to the well-known diseases of the respiratory tract and the whole body, it dilates blood vessels, and then narrows, disrupting the nutrition of the eye. And this can lead to retinal ischemia and a decrease in the blood supply to the organ.

    People with impaired vision need to eat products that strengthen the vessels of the retina: blueberries, black currants, carrots. The diet of nearsighted people should contain cod liver, greens: parsley, lettuce, dill, green onions.With retinal dystrophy, rosehip (infusion, decoction), cranberries help.

    Artificial light, luminous TV and computer screens, and electronic games have a negative effect on the eyes.

    It is necessary that the workplace is sufficiently illuminated, the light field is evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​the working space, the rays of light should not fall directly into the eyes. For those who use a computer, it is recommended to use a modern monitor and high-quality programs.

    Compresses, washing the eyes with black and green tea, warm lotions on closed eyes from a decoction of chamomile help to relieve fatigue, prevent eye diseases.