Web Chat on Eye Disorders with Dr. Barrett Haik, M.D., and Dr. Natalie Kerr, M.D. Department of Ophthalmology, UT Medical Group, Inc. (The following is an edited transcript of questions and answers from a web chat held on Wednesday, January 15, 2002 on News Channel 3)

Q: My right eye runs all the time. What could that be?

Dr. Kerr: Tearing can be caused by many different things. It is important to find out when this happens and under what circumstances this occurs. And how old are you? Does it tear all of the time? Is there a red eye or pain? Do you think that it is related to working in the nursing home, or are you concerned that you have an infection which could be spread to your patients?

Reply: I am 31. It just started last week. I work in a nursing home. I am concerned that it could be spread to my patients. It is not red but it has this tingling feeling in the outer corner.

Dr. Kerr: It would be unusual to have an infection without a red eye. This time of the year, it is common to have tearing because our eye get dry due to low humidity. Our eyes tear in response to the dryness.

Q: I am a 31 year old woman who has keratoconus. I was diagnosed 4 years. I have definitely seen a change in vision. Thankfully, I am still able to correct my vision with glasses. However, I am getting Rose K lenses. How can I prevent GPC and would it help if I were to only wear my contacts 8-10 hours a day at first?

Dr. Haik: GPC varies a great deal from individual is usually the result of protein deposits building up on the contact lenses The shorter wearing time increased protein removal is beneficial however in some patients prescriptions drops are required to reduce the allergic reaction.

Q: My son is also newly diagnosed with Keratoconus. He is pretty upset.

Dr. Haik: That is not an uncommon age. Is it in one eye or both?

Reply: he has been fitted and is wearing lenses but not knowing how far it will progress..... it is in both but worse in one. He has been going to Southern College of Optometry, we didn’t really know where to turn.

Dr. Haik: Regular follow-up and frequent refractions are critical over the next several years to ensure his maximal vision. How old is your son? Keratoconus can be a frustrating condition. Since, ones vision will fluctuate, hard contact lens are often required and at times difficult to fit. An expert ophthalmologist should be consulted

Q: Along with keratoconus, I was told by a specialist that I have a "touch" of glaucoma. My father has glaucoma. I was told that the keratoconus was the primary concern now. My question is should I use drops that would be specifically for a person with those diseases.

Dr. Haik: Glaucoma is always a concern and can be especially challenging if you have keratoconus. Please feel free to contact us at any of our offices, Downtown: (901) 448-6650 or Germantown office at (901) 347-8240 and we will be glad to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.

Q: Can anything be done to treat eye floaters?

Dr. Kerr: Eye floaters are a normal aging process of the eye, and those of us who are near sighted get them earlier in life than others. The treatment is worse than the floaters, so they should not be removed. However, they can be a warning sign of bleeding in the eye or tears in the retina if they start all of a sudden.

Q: My daughter has a lazy eye problem in her left eye. What can you tell me about lazy eye in children?

Dr. Kerr: Lazy eye can mean several things. Does the eye turn in or out, or does it not see well, or both?

Reply: Her left eye doesn't see well.

Dr. Kerr: The first thing to do is make sure that she is wearing the proper glasses, because oftentimes there is a need for glasses. Then, the eye should be stimulated to see by patching the good eye.

Reply: My daughter is seeing a eye specialist for her lazy eye and she is wearing glasses. Where can I obtain more information about lazy eye and what other things I can do to help my daughter's lazy eye?

Dr. Kerr: AAPOS.org (American Association For Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus) has further information.

Q: Could my daughter's lazy eye cause any problems with her school work?

Dr. Kerr: Usually not.

Q: My six month old eyes are always filled with this thick mucus like secretion. I originally thought it was just cold or something , but it never cleared up. After a doctor's visit, I was told that it was possible that her tear ducts had not completely opened. Her doctor then suggested we try Zymine liquid, which has helped, but it has not cleared up the problem. Now when she awakes from a nap she becomes frustrated because the secretions causes her eyes to stick together. Should we see a specialist?

Dr. Haik: Blocked tear ducts are the most common cause of mucus build up and tear in a six month old. However, a number of other condtions must be ruled out. I am unfamiliar with Zymine liquid? I believe a thorough eye examination is recommended. Please do not delay your exam and if we can provide you with further information and support to seeing a specialist, please contact us at any of our offices, 448-6650 or 347-8240.

Q: Are there any support groups available?

Dr. Haik: We don't know at this time, but can mail you some brochures regarding keratoconus disease.

Q: I am 44 and am finding it difficult to read, especially at night, so I bought some glasses at Walgreens that say +1.00 on them and they help immensely. I am supposed to go for my regular eye exam this spring. Should I continue with the Walgreens glasses or ask them to give me prescription glasses for tedious work?

Dr. Kerr: If you can see well with your Walgreen readers, there is no need to get prescription reading glasses.

Q: I am 33 and I have very high sugar I take to shots a day plus pills and my eyes start to water for no reason at all------ what could it be? My sugar is always like 300 to 400 everyday ; my shots now are 150 am and 140 pm.

Dr. Haik: Dear If your high sugar is associated with diabetes, you should have a thorough examination to rule out diabetic eye disease.

Reply: And a eye doctor can tell me this?

Dr. Haik: Please consult with your internist or family doctor to better control your blood sugar and have an eye exam once a year.

Reply: So, who should I see?

Dr. Haik: Please contact our office at 448-6650 to see Dr. Edward Chaum. He is our retinal specialist and an expert in diabetic eye disease. Ed Chaum has clinic at 920 Madison, Suite 915 in the University Medical Complex in Memphis. His phone number is (901) 448-6650.

Reply: Does he take Mississippi Medicaid?

Dr. Haik: Yes, Dr Chaum does accept Mississippi Medicaid.

Q: I have Keratoconus and my right eye is the worst. I absolutely hate the hard contacts I have to wear. Are there any new advancements for KC patients?

Dr. Haik: There is a tremendous amount of research in this area to improve medical therapy, new types of contact lenses and corrective surgery. None are perfect for every patient but significant improvement is to follow.

Q: Can anything be done to help eye floaters for otherwise healthy eyes?

Dr. Kerr: Not usually. Children with one good seeing eye usually do fine in school unless there are other issues, like specific learning disabilities.

Q: I've been seeing two doctors, one wants me to have a corneal transplant on my right eye and the other doctor says its best to let that be a last resort and that I should consult a specialist in that area instead of letting a regular eye doctor do the transplant.

Dr. Haik:: We recommend you consider another opinion and don't rush into surgery.

Q: Should I try to find an eye doctor who specializes in the cornea?

Dr. Haik: Yes. A corneal specialist or another ophthalmologist many corneal transplants a year.

Reply: Thanks for your help. I'm thankful that I'm not blind, but sometimes KC can be very discouraging.

Q: I have Graves disease. My eyes are big and puffy is there any medical help?

Dr. Kerr: Swelling and protrusion of the eyes are the first symptom of the eye problems that can develop with Graves' disease. You should see an ophthalmologist, as this can be a blinding disease if not well managed. And symptoms like swelling can be managed with medications.

Q: I would like my eyes small again. Yes I have that disease. Can it be done?

Dr. Kerr: Depending on how long you have had the disease, sometimes steroids can improve the condition (if it has just started), but more commonly, surgery is required to make the eyes go back into the sockets.

Q: My husband has been having recurring styes. The first one was last May and the second one was last November. Yesterday he noticed a new one forming. Is it common to have a stye reoccur so often?

Dr. Haik: Fair skin is often associated with a predisposition to styes from thickened oil secretions. Warm compresses and lid scrubs and topical antibiotics can be beneficial. Are there any other associated skin diseases?

Reply: No, there are no known skin diseases. He does work in a dusting environment. Could that be a factor?

Dr. Haik: Yes, protective goggles and washing the eye with artificial tears may be beneficial.

Reply: He's very hard headed. I've mentioned the protective eyewear. I'll try again.

Q: I have Graves Disease with extreme bulging eyes. Is surgery an option?

Dr. Kerr: Yes. You should consult an experienced oculoplastic surgeon for consideration of surgery for this condition.

Q: Can anything be done for eye floaters?

Dr. Kerr: Eye floaters are a normal aging process of the eye, although they occur earlier in folks who have nearsightedness. They can be a warning sign of serious eye problems like bleeding or retinal tears if they happen all of a sudden.

Q: Is there anything more than applying ointment and patches at night to get comfort from dryness?

Dr. Kerr: The drainage channels of the eyes can be occluded to keep more of the tears in the eye during the day.

Q: I've noticed that the cost of LASIK has dropped dramatically and is being mass advertised. What's up with that? Is it safe?

Dr. Haik: We do recommend several opinions before proceeding and not choosing your surgeon by price.

Q: Several relatives of my mother's generation have gone blind due to Macular Degeneration. Is there anything I can do to prevent me from getting it?

Dr. Haik: Judy avoid smoking, bright sunlight, take a daily vitamin supplement, eat lots of green leafy vegetables, and have a baseline exam with your ophthalmologist

Dr. Haik: Thank you all for your questions. We hoped to have answered all of your questions.Please feel free to contact our office for further assistance, downtown (901) 448-6650, or Germantown, (901) 347-8240. Dr. Haik and Dr. Kerr. The doctors have a web site. You can find out more about them at http://www.eye.utmem.edu/