BITS & PIECES (YOUR EYES, YOUR HEALTH)

One symptom that only happens with Wilson disease is having brown rings around the iris (colored part) of the eyes (called Kayser-Fleischer rings). They are seen only on the eye exam. Copper buildup causes the rings. The rings don’t cause vision problems. Copper buildup in the central nervous system can cause symptoms such as:

• Changes in behavior

• Stiff muscles

• Tremors, shakes, or movements you can’t control

• Slow or repeated movements

• Weak muscles

• Trouble swallowing

• Slurred speech

• Poor coordination

• Drooling

• Decreased fine motor abilities

Sudden Blurry Vision also may be a symptom of a detached retina, eye herpes or optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve), among other causes. Certain eye conditions and diseases can cause permanent loss of vision, so it’s important to visit your eye care practitioner for diagnosis and prompt treatment. Sudden loss of vision may be a sign of the blood flow to your eye or your brain. Medical attention can prevent serious damage and may even save your life. Even if your vision gets better quickly, it might still be a warning of a stroke or the beginning of a migraine headache Clouded vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult to read, drive a car (especially at night) or see the expression on a friend’s face..

Blurred Vision or Blurry Vision is the loss of sharpness of eyesight, making objects appear out of focus and hazy. The primary causes of blurred vision are refractive errors—nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism—or presbyopia (farsightedness caused by loss of elasticity of the lens of the eye, occurring typically in middle and old age). Blurred vision can be a sign of diabetes—too much sugar in your blood. If not managed it can cause diabetic retinopathy (tiny blood vessels in your eyes that leak blood or other fluids). Doctors can use a laser to seal the leaks and get rid of unwanted new blood vessels. This may affect your side vision, but it can save your central vision. Drooping Eyelids can be caused by:

• The normal aging process

• Present before birth

• The result of an injury or disease

Diseases or illnesses that may lead to drooping eyelids include:

• Tumor around or behind the eye

• Diabetes

• Horner Syndrome

•Myasthenia gravis

• Stroke

• Swelling in the eyelid, such as with a stye

Myasthenia Gravis makes the immune system attack and weaken muscles. It affects your eye, face, and throat muscles more than others and can make it difficult to chew, swallow, or even speak. In some cases, surgery is needed to remove the thymus gland.