Most patients have tried artificial tears. Many find that they help — for an hour or two. The fact that drops alone often don't solve dry eye is not a failure of the patient; it's a clue that something more specific is happening on the ocular surface that needs more specific intervention. Dry eye is a diagnostic category, not a single condition. The most successful treatment plans match the type of dry eye to the right intervention. The ladder of…
Eye cosmetics — mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, lash extensions, lash glue, false lashes, eyelid creams, brow tints — are used by tens of millions of adults daily. Most cause no problems. Some can cause meaningful damage to the cornea, the meibomian glands, or the conjunctiva, sometimes acutely and sometimes through chronic accumulation. The common offenders are worth knowing. The most common cosmetic-related eye problems Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) Eyeliner applied along the inner lid margin (the "waterline") repeatedly clogs the openings…
For patients with low vision — meaning visual impairment that cannot be fully corrected with standard glasses, contacts, or surgery — electronic vision enhancement devices have become genuinely transformative tools. The technology has advanced rapidly. Devices that fifteen years ago required dedicated hardware and significant cost are now available as smartphone applications. Some of the most useful aids cost nothing or very little. This article surveys the major categories of electronic vision aids, what they do well, and how to…