Eye Health

Nearsighted individuals typically have problems seeing well at a distance and are forced to wear glasses or contact lenses. The nearsighted eye is usually longer than a normal eye, and its cornea may also be steeper. Therefore, when light passes through the cornea and lens, it is focused in front of the retina. This will make distant images appear blurred.

There are several refractive surgery solutions available to correct nearly all levels of nearsightedness.

Farsighted individuals typically develop problems reading up close before the age of 40. The farsighted eye is usually slightly shorter than a normal eye and may have a flatter cornea. Thus, the light of distant objects focuses behind the retina unless the natural lens can compensate fully. Near objects require even greater focusing power to be seen clearly and therefore, blur more easily.

LASIK, Refractive Lens Exchange and Contact lenses are a few of the options available to correct farsightedness.

Asymmetric steepening of the cornea or natural lens causes light to be focused unevenly, which is the main optical problem in astigmatism. To individuals with uncorrected astigmatism, images may look blurry or shadowed. Astigmatism can accompany any form of refractive error and is very common.

Astigmatism can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, corneal relaxing incisions, laser vision correction, and special implant lenses.

Presbyopia is a condition that typically becomes noticeable for most people around age 45. In children and young adults, the lens inside the eye can easily focus on distant and near objects. With age, the lens loses its ability to focus adequately.

Although presbyopia is not completely understood, it is thought that the lens and its supporting structures lose the ability to make the lens longer during close vision effort. To compensate, affected individuals usually find that holding reading material further away makes the image clearer. Ultimately, aids such as reading glasses are typically needed by the mid-forties.

Besides glasses, presbyopia can be dealt with in a number of ways. Options include: monovision and multifocal contact lenses, monovision laser vision correction, and new presbyopia correcting implant lenses.

Glaucoma is a chronic disease of the eye in which damage to retinal nerve fibers destroys the optic nerve causing peripheral vision loss that can progress to tunnel vision and then blindness. It can occur at any age, but is most frequently found in those patients over age 65. Among all forms of glaucoma, permanent damage to the optic nerve is irreversible. Early diagnosis is critical as progression of the disease can be slowed and sometimes stopped with treatment.

At the Brumm Eye and Laser Center, all patients having a complete eye exam are screened for all types of glaucoma. Dr. Bruce Brumm and colleagues use the most advanced imaging system called Cirrus™ HD-OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography Instrument), to evaluate the structure of the optic nerve and any potential early degeneration. This data, along with visual filed analysis, assist the doctors in confirming an early glaucoma diagnosis along with a proper management plan.

Although the cause of glaucoma has not been established, therapy is aimed at lowering internal eye pressure. Standard treatment includes eye drops, routinely used, of which there are several different kinds. All types of glaucoma drops work in 1 of 2 methods to help lower intraocular pressure. One way is through decreasing the amount of fluid produced inside of the eye, and the other way is increasing the amount of fluid draining from the eye. Advanced treatment includes painless laser surgery or filtering shunts.

Because early glaucoma does not present with symptoms, it is important to have a yearly complete dilated eye exam. Please call Brumm Eye & Laser Vision to set up your glaucoma evaluation today at (402) 934-7700.

Age Related Macula Degeneration or AMD is the third leading cause of blindness in the United States. The macula is the area of the retina responsible for our central vision, fine visual detail, and color vision. Risks for the development of macula degeneration include increased age, positive family history, fair skinned and light colored iris individuals, smoking, obesity, poor diet, and vascular diseases such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Occasionally, macula degeneration is caused by injury, infection, or inflammation.

There are various stages of macula degeneration ranging from no symptoms to mild central distorted vision to visually incapable of seeing to safely drive or read. The most common form of macula degeneration, about 90%, is the dry form. Dry AMD progresses slowly as atrophy causes the cells of the macula to breakdown. About 10% of AMD patients develop a more aggressive form of AMD called wet macula degeneration. With wet AMD, new weaker blood vessels grow under the macula, causing fluid or blood to leak and eventually scarring of the macula tissues pursue. This type of macula degeneration can cause severe vision loss and carries a poorer prognosis.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for macula degeneration. However, a healthy lifestyle can be important in reducing the risk of developing AMD. A diet rich in green leafy vegetables and fish, supplemented with vitamins high in antioxidants and Lutein, can slow the process of development of dry AMD. For more information concerning eye vitamins, visit http://www.nei.nih.gov/amd/ . Therapies for wet AMD include laser treatments and new medications that can slow vision loss and in some cases improve sight.

Early detection of dry AMD or wet AMD is critical in the treatment of macula degeneration. The doctors at Brumm Eye & Laser Vision use an advance retinal imaging device called Cirrus™ HD-OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography Instrument) to aid in early dry AMD or wet AMD detection. This technology allows the doctors to view any abnormalities of inner macula layers that can not be viewed during a routine eye exam. A digital print out of your macula will be evaluated with you to determine any early signs or risks factors of macula degeneration. Please call Brumm Eye & Laser Vision at (402) 572-2020 for this advanced eye exam.

Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness among adults in America. It is estimated that about 25% of all diabetics have some form of retinopathy, most without symptoms. However, the risk of vision threatening problems increases with poor blood sugar control, age, and increasing years of having diabetes.

Diabetic Retinopathy is a complication of either Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes or other forms of diabetes where blood sugar levels are consistently higher than the normal range for the individual. Retinopathy develops as result of abnormalities of current blood vessels within the retina. The vessel walls are weaken, leak blood or fluid, and fail to properly nourish the retina. If left untreated, this type of non-proliferative retinopathy could potentially affect vision and develop into a more serious vision threatening form of diabetic retinopathy called proliferative retinopathy. This advanced stage presents with new abnormal blood vessel growth of the retina, bleed easily, and potentially scar the retina causing permanent vision loss and even blindness.

With all forms of the disease, early diagnosis and an established treatment plan lead to a better prognosis. Doctors at Brumm Eye & Laser Vision perform a thorough dilated retinal exam on all patients with diabetes to view the entire retina under a microscope. Digital retinal photos are then taken and reviewed with you to show the extent of retinopathy. Advance procedures include retinal imaging to help identify early abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage within and under the retina. If you have diabetes or have been instructed by your primary care physician to have a dilated diabetic eye exam, please call us today for an appointment at (402) 572-2020.

Dry eyes are the most common symptomatic complaint heard at our office, Brumm Eye & Laser Vision. In Omaha, Nebraska, fall & winters are dry and spring & summers can be windy. Both environmental factors lead to chronic symptoms of dry eyes including burning, red, itching, excessive tearing, and scratchy sensations with little relief from artificial tears.

During a dry eye exam, Dr. Bruce Brumm and colleagues will access tear layer volume, quality, and rate of evaporation. Any underlying lid margin disease that may be contributing to the dry eyes will also be addressed. After a full examination, various treatment plans will be presented to you based on the severity and etiology of your dry eyes. Management options include daily or as needed artificial lubricating drops for immediate relief, prescription Restasis to treat ocular surface inflammation, punctual plugs to keep your tears on your eyes longer, or oral medicines and supplements.

If you have been suffering from dry eye symptoms, the doctors at Brumm Eye & Laser Vision would like to give you relief. Please call our office for an appointment today at (402) 934-7700.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is an infectious or noninfectious inflammation of the conjunctiva classified as acute or chronic and can be contagious. Patients with conjunctivitis can have a red eye(s), swelling, itching, discharge, light sensitivity, tearing, and foreign body sensation. Treatment of conjunctivitis can range from topical eye drops to oral medicines and in rare instances, hospitalization. Dr. Bruce Brumm and staff take great care to make sure proper diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care are performed.

Please call Brumm Eye & Laser Vision at (402) 934-7700 for emergent care at either office for your convenience.

Blepharitis is common condition managed by doctors at Brumm Eye & Laser Vision. This chronic disease is an inflammation of the eyelid margins with symptoms of itching, red, burning, tearing, foreign body sensation, and mild pain of the eyes. It can be caused by hypersensitivity to bacterial skin infections. Dr. Bruce Brumm and his staff have a vast experience in the treatment of eyelid inflammation. Therapy includes proper lid hygiene, warm compresses with lid massage, and topical or oral antibiotic/ anti-inflammatory medicines. For relief, call Brumm Eye & Laser Vision at (402) 934-7700 to see a specialist that will set up a management plan that is right for your condition.

Vitreous Floaters, or floaters, are a common complaint of people who are near sighted or are over age 65. The floaters are a liquefaction of the vitreous jelly inside of the eye. As we age the liquefied vitreous shrinks and peels away from the retina in pieces. When light enters the eye, the opaque pieces create a shadow on the back of the eye, the retina, and give the impression that something is floating in the eye. Floaters may be seen as dots, lines, commas, cobwebs, or spiders, are sometimes accompanied with symptoms of flashing lights, and are most often noticed while reading, looking at a blank wall or a clear sky.

A sudden increase in floaters or flashes can be a sign of a retinal tear or detachment. Dr. Brumm and his staff inform patients that any increase in floaters is a potential medical emergency and those patients should be seen very quickly to rule-out a retinal detachment. Although the doctors at Brumm Eye & Laser Vision routinely see patients with the development of an increase in vitreous floaters, fortunately most do not have any retinal tears. Currently, there is no safe treatment for the removal of vitreous floaters.

However, it is still important to be seen for a full dilated eye exam annually and with any increase in symptoms of floaters or flashes.

A retinal tear, a retinal hole, or retinal detachments are serious vision threatening ocular emergencies that sometimes requires immediate retinal surgery. A retinal detachment is a disconnection of the retina layers, the tissue that collects entering light and allows us to see. Although most retinal detachments are idiopathic, those who are over age 45, males, history of ocular trauma, or myopes (near-sighted people) are at a higher risk.

Retinal detachments can present in a number of different ways. Some people get an increase in vitreous floaters, some people get an increase in flashing light in the peripheral vision, while others get a veiling or curtain coming across their vision, and some have no symptoms. At Brumm Eye & Laser Vision, a thorough dilated retinal exam is performed to address any of these symptoms and to detect any early detachments. Retinal imaging devices are sometimes used in outlining the extent of the detachment and to determine the layer of separation. Dr. Brumm and his staff use this information in deciding the most appropriate management plan to achieve a better visual prognosis. Their experience has helped them save the vision of many patients.

Dr. Brumm and staff at the Brumm Eye & Laser Vision strongly encourage at risk patients and all patients to have annual dilated eye exams. The dilation can help detect early weak points in the retina that can prophylacticly be treated to prevent a full retinal detachment. Please call our office to schedule an appointment today at (402) 934-7700.

A Chalazion is a chronically inflamed oil gland of the upper or lower eyelids. This focal mass is initially red, swollen, and sometimes tender to touch. Chalazion are sometimes associated with blepharitis. Treatment consists of warm compresses and sometimes topical antibiotics to help prevent infection. If that fails to remove the mass, it can be excised surgically by Dr. Bruce Brumm and cleaned out.

Styes are acute areas of infection in the glands of the eyelid margin. They are also treated with compresses and topical antibiotics to help with their resolution.

Doctors at Brumm Eye & Laser Vision are trained to properly diagnose and treat these eyelid diseases with great success. Please contact us at (402) 572-2020 if you think you have any of these infections, or other eye concerns.

Strabismus or a"lazy eye" describes a condition when eyes are misaligned. There are various types and severity, and can be intermittent, constant, or alternating between the eyes. It is important for early detection during infancy and childhood while the eyes are still in development. If undetected, the child’s brain will begin to favor one eye and"shut off" the other eye leading to Amblyopia. This results in the “lazy eye” to not have the full visual potential of seeing 20/20. Doctors at Brumm Eye Center recommend an eye screening for infants and children 3 years of age, and encourage all children to have a complete eye exam prior to starting school. Amblyopia is the leading cause of vision loss amongst children in the United States. If detected early, the condition can be reversed and vision potential improved. Management includes glasses, eye patching, and eye exercises. Please call Brumm Eye Center for your child’s appointment at (402) 572-2020.

Keratoconus is a degenerative disease of the cornea that causes it to become thin centrally and bulge forward, forming a cone shaped surface. This painless progression can lead to scarring and blurry vision from the irregular shaped cornea. Management options include Gas Permeable Contacts to slow progression and restore vision when glasses alone cannot.

All patients undergoing laser refractive surgery (LASIK) receive the most advanced technological testing to rule out this disorder. Brumm Eye & Laser Vision is one of the first practices in Omaha, NE to use the advanced Pentacam Corneal Topography System, now a gold standard. This allows doctors to detect any early signs or risks factors for development of keratoconus. Patients that have keratoconus should not have LASIK because of the risk of progression postoperatively.

The doctors at the Brumm Eye and Laser Vision have all had extensive training in the proper diagnosis and management of keratoconus. If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus or are considering LASIK, please call Brumm Eye & Laser Vision for an appointment or consultation to determine if you are safe candidate at (402) 934-7700.