FAQ's


Astigmatism Optician
Corneal Ulcer Optometrist
Dry Eye Syndrome Pingueculum
Floaters Presbyopia
Glaucoma Pterygium
Hyperopia Pupil Dilation
Keratoconus Refractive Surgery
Migraine Headaches and Vision Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Myopia Vision Therapy
Ophthalmologist


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ASTIGMATISM

 The front surface of the eye, known as the cornea, acts like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina, helping to enable clear vision. When astigmatism is present, the cornea has an egg-shaped or asymmetrical curvature rather than one that is perfectly round. As a result, the astigmatic eye requires two different refractive prescriptions for correction to focus light evenly.

Uncorrected astigmatism may cause blurred and distorted vision. Astigmatism causes annoying symptoms of eyestrain such as headaches, eye fatigue, sensitivity to light, loss of visual achievement, and poor visual concentration. An astigmatic correction is present in most prescriptions.

Routine changes in astigmatism are expected to occur with time, and since astigmatism tends to progress slightly faster in later years, adults may need more frequent prescription lens changes. Eyeglasses and special astigmatic soft and gas permeable contact lenses are all successful modes of astigmatic correction.




CORNEAL ULCER

 A patient with a corneal ulcer experiences moderate to severe eye pain, light sensitivity, decreased vision, and excessive tearing caused by an area of corneal tissue loss often associated with an inflammatory reaction due to either a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. All types of corneal ulcers are serious, sight-threatening lesions that require prompt treatment and careful management. Aggressive, immediate treatment with a variety of topical medications may be required to combat the infection. Frequent examinations may be necessary until the inflammation has resolved and the corneal integrity is reestablished.




DRY EYE SYNDROME

 Dry eye syndrome generally presents as an annoying burning, gritty, or foreign body sensation worsening in dry environments and climates and as the day progresses. Dry eye syndrome may result from either decreased tear fluid production from the glands around the eyes, increased evaporation of tear fluid, or increased drainage of tear fluid from the eye.

Occasionally, the dry eye patient may experience an actual excess of tears caused by reflex tearing in response to persistent dryness similar to the excess tears produced in response to a long gust of wind directly into the eyes. Although this chronic condition may exist as a primary problem, dry eye syndrome can be secondary to the use of certain medications, contact lens wear, or various living/working conditions.

Treatment is focused upon replacement of deficient tear production. Depending on the severity, treatment may include the use of artificial tears and ointments, permanent tear duct occlusion, and in rare cases, surgical intervention.




FLOATERS

 Floaters are small, semitransparent, cloudy specks or particles within the eye that become noticeable when they fall within the line of sight. They may also appear as threadlike strands or cobwebs within the eye. Since they are within the eye, they move as the eye moves and seem to dart away when you try to look at them directly.

Almost everyone sees a few spots at one time or another. They occur more frequently and become more noticeable as you age. If you notice a sudden change in the number or size of spots, contact your optometrist immediately to be sure they are not the result of a more serious problem.




GLAUCOMA

 Glaucoma is a group of diseases in which the pressure in the eye is higher than that particular eye can tolerate. A higher than normal pressure causes damage to the very sensitive optic nerve. Loss of sight may occur gradually or in rare cases, suddenly if glaucoma is not controlled.

The most common form is known as open angle glaucoma, a chronic condition in which symptoms are and loss of sight occurs so gradually that the patient is not aware of any changes, because generally there is no associated eye pain.

The rare form of acute angle closure glaucoma causes severe eye pain, headache, and the sudden loss of vision if medical attention is not sought promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment is imperative. If glaucoma is discovered early, treatment usually keeps it from getting worse.

Regular eye exams are necessary to measure intraocular eye pressure, to evaluate the integrity of the optic nerve and to study a patient's peripheral field of vision. This disease has also been demonstrated to be genetic in nature, so a positive family history is all the more reason to get a routine check-up.

Usually in the early stages of most types of glaucoma, small unnoticeable blind spots occur in the peripheral vision. If the disease progresses, the blind spots enlarge, then eventually coalesce, resulting in tunnel vision. At this stage, the center sight may still be normal. Ultimately, if not treated, even central vision may be lost, resulting in irreversible blindness.

Treatment of glaucoma occurs via medicine, laser, and surgery. Most people diagnosed with glaucoma are initially treated with medications or laser first, then surgery if the disease cannot be controlled.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for glaucoma at this time. Most patients who have glaucoma will continue to need treatment for their entire life.




HYPEROPIA

 Farsightedness is present when the muscle inside the eye responsible for focusing at close range is required to maintain clarity at distant ranges. The hyperopic eye is naturally too weak in refractive power, therefore constant effort is needed to maintain clear distance vision as well as an even greater effort to see clearly up close. This constant extra focusing effort causes symptoms of eye fatigue, headaches, tension and numerous other complaints of ocular discomfort.

The visual consequences of this condition are generally different for children than adults. Most farsighted children see clearly at distance achieving clarity by exerting a constant focusing effort at distance and close ranges. Farsighted adults gradually see less clearly at distance because all adults naturally lose focusing ability due to a secondary visual condition called presbyopia.

Farsightedness decreases during our growth years, remains fairly stable during our twenties and thirties, and as a normal healthy progression, typically increases in our forties and beyond. Farsighted eyes require eyeglasses and/or contact lenses to maintain clear and comfortable vision at all ranges.




KERATOCONUS

 Keratoconus is generally a condition affecting the corneas of both eyes resulting in decreased vision at both distance and near. Normally, the cornea is round in shape, like a ball with a fairly uniform thickness. Keratoconus causes a thinning of the central corneal tissue resulting in a protrusion or cone-like appearance.

Keratoconus tends to begin during the mid to late teens progressing slowly over a number of years and can stop at any time. Vision may not be fully correctable to perfect clarity with eyeglasses due to the irregularity of corneal shape. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses have proven quite successful in improving vision where conventional eyeglasses fall short. In more advanced cases, a surgical corneal transplant may be necessary. Fortunately, this procedure is quite successful.




MIGRAINE HEADACHES AND VISION

 A migraine typically occurs on one side of the head with throbbing or boring pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, mood changes, fatigue, and sensitivity to light. A classic migraine is typically preceded by visual symptoms, or an "aura", such as sparkling lights, dancing geometric forms, jagged or zigzag lines, or even temporarily diminished vision. A migraine headache usually follows the visual symptoms, although variable symptoms are characteristic of migraine headaches. Some patients experience "ophthalmic migraine", involving only the visual symptoms in one or both eyes with no subsequent headache.

The exact cause of migraine headaches is not fully understood, although they may be triggered by stress, emotional changes, hormonal fluctuations, food additives, and even strong odors. Women are more commonly affected than men. A comprehensive eye examination is recommended to rule out any eye disease. However, if no ocular cause can be found for your symptoms, you are cautiously advised to consult your family physician or neurologist for further investigation and suggested treatment.




MYOPIA

 Nearsightedness is caused by an eye that is naturally too strong in refractive power and/or an eye that is deeper or larger in size than average. Since the nearsighted eye requires less power to see clearly, the eyes; natural focusing ability cannot help correct this condition. Uncorrected myopia causes blurry vision at distance. Close range vision, however, is generally clear without correction.

Progression of myopia is due to genetic and functional factor. Just as eye color is inherited, so may be the amount of myopia. This genetic cause of myopia will usually progress through the late teens, remain fairly stable in our twenties and thirties, and generally decrease beyond our forties. Nearsightedness can be easily corrected with prescription eyewear and/or contact lenses.




OPHTHALMOLOGIST

 An ophthalmologist is a physician who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system and in the prevention of eye disease and injury. An ophthalmologist has attended four years of medical school, one year of internship and three or more years of specialized medical and surgical training experience in eye care. An ophthalmologist is a specialist who is qualified to manage all eye and visual systems and is licensed by a state regulatory board to practice medicine and surgery.




OPTICIAN

 An optician is a technician who makes, verifies and delivers lenses, frames and other specially fabricated optical devices and/or contact lenses upon prescription to the intended wearer. The opticians' functions include prescription analysis and interpretation; determination of the lens forms best suited to the wearers needs; the preparation and delivery of work orders for the grinding of lenses and the fabrication of eye wear, the verification of the finished ophthalmic products; and the adjustment, replacement, repair and reproduction of previously prepared ophthalmic lenses, frames and other specially fabricated ophthalmic devices.




OPTOMETRIST

 Optometry is a health care profession providing primary eye care. Primary eye care encompasses the prevention and remediation of disorders of the eye and vision system through the examination, diagnosis, treatment and/or management of the visual system and eye health. The recognition and diagnosis of related systemic manifestations help to preserve and enhance the patient's quality of life. Doctors of Optometry are the major providers of primary eye care.

Optometrists are health care professionals, specifically educated, clinically trained and state licensed to examine, diagnose and treat eyes for vision problems, diseases, injuries and ocular manifestations of systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and immunological disorders. Eye health care needs of patients in the local communities have shaped the scope of optometric practice as it is today.




PINGUECULUM

 The conjunctiva is a thin, clear layer of tissue that covers the white portion of the eye. A pinguecula is thought to be a degeneration or thickening of this tissue, generally located in the horizontal meridian of the eye, and most often on the nasal side, with a white or yellowish appearance.

Pinguecula occur commonly in adults and are thought to occur secondary to ultraviolet light exposure of the sun, and irritation from wind, dust, smoke, or contact lenses. They remain relatively small but can cause red, irritated eyes that may be relieved with over the counter ocular decongestants (Visine, etc.) Pinguecula are no cause for alarm, but in extreme cases they may progress and affect the cornea thus affecting your vision. Therefore, an ultraviolet coating is recommended on prescription eyewear.




PRESBYOPIA

 Presbyopia is the normal decline with time in close range focusing ability of our eyes with time. Presbyopia seems to come suddenly but actually it does not.

Our eyes have maximum focusing ability in our early teens; however, by the time we reach our seventies, our eyes have lost all of their variable focusing ability. A person with good distance vision will typically notice the beginning of close range difficulty in his or her late thirties or early forties. All healthy eyes will change naturally and predictably with the passage of time.

The cause of presbyopia is not a weakening of eye muscles but rather a loss of elasticity of the focusing lens inside the eye. Wearing proper prescriptive lenses will not weaken or change your future visual status in any way. The effects of presbyopia constantly change. As a result, periodic updates in your prescription are necessary to maintain correct visual function at all ranges of vision. Eyeglasses, bifocals, trifocals, progressives, and contact lenses are all available to remedy this common unavoidable visual condition.




PTERYGIUM

 A pterygium is a fleshy triangular shaped lesion of tissue located on the horizontal meridian of the white part of the eye that progresses slowly from a pingueculum and extends onto the front surface of the eye known as the cornea. They are typically white or yellowish in appearance causing a gritty or sandy sensation upon blinking.

Pterygia are thought to result from exposure to environments that are dirty, dusty, smoky, windy and where people are exposed to large amounts of sunlight or ultraviolet light. They are typically not dangerous, but make the eye appear much redder than normal due to the numerous blood vessels.

Treatment includes the use of ocular decongestants or in some cases, topical steroids. If the pterygium continues to grow toward the center of the cornea, threatening vision, or if it presents a cosmetic problem, it may require surgical intervention and removal.

This condition should be monitored on a regular basis by an eyecare professional and all prescription eyeglasses should have an ultraviolet coating to help prevent further irritation.




PUPIL DILATION

 The pupil of the eye is the black center of the iris. The iris is the structure that gives the eye its color. The pupil is actually the opening in the center of the iris that allows light to enter the eye.

Pharmaceutical drops, which act upon the muscles of the iris to enlarge the pupil diameter, are required in order to visualize the anatomic structures behind the iris in the back of the eye. Even with the most sophisticated instrumentation it is difficult to examine this tissue through a small pupil. Imagine attempting to view the inside of a closet through a keyhole.

A dilated exam should be performed on all patients with diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell disease, cataracts, macular degeneration, a high degree of nearsightedness, and any patient having a personal or family history of eye disease. Most doctors opt for this procedure routinely today because of the enhancement of diagnosing retinal conditions that persist unknown to the patient.

The eyedrops utilized for dilation are fast acting requiring from 20 to 45 minutes to take effect and generally last from 2 to 6 hours in duration. Most people experience mild visual side effects while dilated. Typically, individuals experience a blurring of near vision and increased light sensitivity to light. Distance vision is usually less affected by dilation than near vision. Driving while dilated is generally not dangerous, however some people feel safer with a driver.




REFRACTIVE SURGERY

 Refractive surgery offers patients an alternative to glasses and contact lenses. By altering the contour of the front surface of the eye, contemporary refractive surgery can reduce or eliminate your need for prescription eyewear.

It is important for any person considering refractive surgery to have realistic expectations for proceeding with surgery. An appropriate candidate expects good, but not necessarily perfect vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses. He or she wants decreased dependence on spectacles or contacts, but is willing to accept the possibility that corrective lenses may occasionally be necessary to achieve optimum clarity and or comfort.

In addition, this candidate understands the concept of presbyopia and is either willing to accept reading glasses now or in the future. It is also important to understand that it is impossible to guarantee an immediate improvement in vision and that it may take up to six months, depending on the procedure performed, for an eye to stabilize post-operatively.




SUBCONJUNCTIVAL HEMORRHAGE

 A subconjunctival hemorrhage is caused by the rupture of tiny blood vessels located in the white portion of the eye. This common condition typically occurs spontaneously, but may result from excessive coughing or sneezing, strenuous physical activity, hypertension, blood disorders, or trauma to the eye.

The bright red appearance and sudden onset usually cause a high level of concern, but there is no treatment. Resolution may take up to two weeks to completely clear, and during this time, the hemorrhage may spread to other surrounding tissues and change color from red, to brown, to yellow.

Consultation with an eyecare professional is imperative after any occurrence of acute onset redness to the eyes to rule out any potentially serious conditions.




VISION THERAPY

 Vision therapy is an individualized treatment program prescribed to improve conditions like crossed or lazy eyes and to help individuals learn specific visual skills. Such skills include eye movement control, focusing control, eye coordination and the teamwork of the two eyes.






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