Back to Eye Care & Conditions

Aging Eyes: Presbyopia is a normal aging process. As we get older, the lens loses its ability to flex and focus close up. Presbyopia typically sets in between ages 40 and 50. If you already wear glasses when this occurs, you may need bifocals; if you have never worn glasses, you may now need them for reading.

If you consider laser correction, it’s important that you understand presbyopia. If you are mildly nearsighted, once presbyopia sets in, you may have the ability to remove your glasses and still be able to read. If you have laser vision correction for nearsightedness, you will lose this ability. That’s because your vision typically becomes normal, and normal for the aging eye usually will require reading glasses for small print. The excimer laser has no effect on your focusing muscles and therefore cannot treat presbyopia.

Astigmatism: Many patients with myopia (nearsightedness) have some degree of astigmatism. Your eye is slightly oval and your cornea is shaped like a football rather than a sphere. If you have astigmatism the rays of light entering your eye are bent unequally and you experience distortion or tilting of images. High degrees of astigmatism will cause blurred vision for distance and near objects.

Blepharitis: This common disorder is marked by inflammation of the eyelids, especially at the lid margins. It may be attributed to a low-grade bacterial infection or a generalized skin condition, and may occur under or atop the eyelid. Symptoms are eye irritation, burning, tearing, crusty debris (in the lashes, in the corner of the eyes or on the lids), scaliness, dryness, and red eyelid margins. Long-term effects are possible if left untreated.

Cataract: The eye’s natural lens consists mostly of water and protein. In its natural state it is clear and transmits light. With age, the lens may become cloudy in a small area —a cataract—and expand over time. Once a cataract appears, effective treatment is available. Early consultation with an eye doctor is the key to cataract control.

Surgery is the single, most effective means of treating loss of vision due to cataracts. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the natural lens from the eye, where the cataract is located. The lens can be replaced with an intraocular implant (IOL), or it can be left out. If not replaced with an IOL, eyeglasses or contact lenses must be worn. IOLs have the advantage of needing no maintenance or handling (as contacts or glasses do.) IOLs are not felt by the patient, nor are these implants noticeable to others.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Inflammation of the thin, clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and lines the eyelids (the conjunctiva.) This disease may be triggered by a virus, bacteria, an allergic reaction to dust, pollen, smoke, fumes or chemicals or, in some cases, to a foreign body like a contact lens. Almost always marked by a change in eye color to pink or red; pain and itching may occur as well. Pink eye is often contagious. Scrupulous cleanliness—washing hands often, not sharing washcloths, not rubbing eyes—can help prevent conjunctivitis from spreading to others. Consultation with an eye doctor is recommended to identify what actions might be needed.

Diabetic Retinopathy: All diabetics risk developing diabetic retinopathy; however, not all do. Diabetic retinopathy is linked to poorly controlled blood sugar. Damaged blood vessels can leak fluid or blood, causing deposits on the retina and swelling. In later stages, new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina and can lead to serious vision problems, including blindness, because they often break and bleed into the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye (the vitreous.) Vision loss from diabetic retinopathy can be reduced or avoided by following a common sense regimen—keeping blood sugar under good control; monitoring and controlling blood pressure; maintaining a healthy diet; regular exercise; scrupulously following your eye doctor's instructions.

The bottom line: the American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that 95% of those with significant diabetic retinopathy can avoid substantial vision loss if they are treated in time. The possibility of early detection is why it is so important for diabetics to have a dilated eye exam at least once a year.

Dry Eye Syndrome: A chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture in the eye. Consequences range from constant irritation to ocular inflammation of the anterior (front) tissues of the eye. Either the eye doesn't produce enough tears, or the tears have a chemical composition that causes them to evaporate too quickly. Dry eyes can have a several causes: natural aging, especially menopause; long-term contact lens wear; medication side effect from use of antihistamines, antidepressants, certain blood pressure medicines, Parkinson's medications, and birth control pills; a dry, dusty or windy environment.

Air conditioning or a dry heating system can dry out eyes, as well as insufficient blinking (such as when you're staring at a computer screen all day.) In more serious aspects, dry eyes can indicate systemic diseases. Dry eye syndrome may not be cured, but often the scratchiness and burning can be managed.

Farsightedness: Technically called hyperopia, farsightedness means you have trouble with close up vision. It occurs when the eye is functionally too short. The rays of light are focused behind the retina producing a blurred image. Some who are farsighted are able to use the focusing muscle (accommodation) to bring the image forward to see clearly. This ability worsens with age and reading glasses or bifocals may be needed. Farsighted people see distance objects more clearly than near objects.

Glaucoma: This is the second leading cause of blindness in the U.S., affecting some 3 million, causing blindness in about 120,000. Chronic glaucoma usually develops after age 35 and is often called "the silent thief of sight" because it gives no warning sign that anything is wrong. Glaucoma gradually reduces your peripheral vision, and by the time it's noticed, permanent damage has already occurred. Eventually, tunnel vision develops and only straight-ahead vision may be possible.

An acute attack of narrow-angle glaucoma (also called acute angle-closure glaucoma) produces sudden symptoms such as eye pain, headaches, halos around lights, dilated pupils, vision loss, red eyes, nausea and vomiting. These signs may last for a few hours, then return again for another round. Each attack takes part of your field of vision. Other signs include headaches, blurred vision, difficulty adapting to darkness, or haloes around lights.

The best way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma is early diagnosis and treatment. See your eye care practitioner regularly for a complete examination, including an Intra Ocular Pressure check. People at high risk for glaucoma due to high intraocular pressures, family history, age or optic nerve appearance may need more frequent visits.

The main objective for treating glaucoma is preserving eyesight by slowing the damage to the nerve in the back of the eye (optic nerve). Most treatment aims to prevent further damage to the optic nerve by lowering the pressure in the eyes. Though glaucoma can usually be treated with medications, such as eye drops, laser treatment or surgery is often required. Surgery for glaucoma helps to maintain the health of the optic nerve and reduces the pressure in the eyes. There are three basic types of surgery for glaucoma in adults. Your doctor can tell you what type of surgery is best for you.

Hyperopia: See Farsightedness.

Migraines

Basilar migraine: These are not strictly “eye migraines”, but the eye symptoms are often obvious and severe. Symptoms include a visual aura, also eye twitching, a graying out visually or even temporary partial blindness, vertigo, and dizziness. This type of migraine is rare.

Eye Migraines: A universal term used to describe a group of different types of migraine, including ocular migraines, ophthalmic migraines, a type of silent or acephalgic migraine, and even ophthalmoplegic migraines. Pain is only one possible symptom of migraine. Other symptoms include nausea, congestion and visual symptoms. Silent migraine or acephalgic migraine is migraine without the headache.

Ocular migraine: Occurs repeatedly, though not usually in a regular pattern. You could go days or years between attacks. Prominent researchers have noted that the cause of ocular migraines isn't clearly understood, but are thought to be due to abnormal stimulation of nerve cells (neurons) at the back of the brain. Seeing a doctor or ophthalmologist is important to ensure that something more serious is not occurring, and especially important if symptoms are accompanied by headache.

Ophthalmic migraine: Same symptoms as the ocular migraine, but occurs at the height of the migraine, and most often occur in young men. Sometimes as time progresses the migraine sufferer will lose the headache and end up with an ophthalmic migraine, which is a silent migraine. These are much more common eye migraines.

Ophthalmoplegic migraine:
Researchers now believe this is not technically a migraine at all. The headache is usually severe, and is accompanied by weakness in one or more of the eye muscles. Because of the decreased eye movement, you may experience temporary (less than 2 hours) double vision, drooping eyelid, or dilated pupil. Most often this problem is diagnosed in children. It is very important to have a thorough examination if you suspect you may have ophthalmoplegic migraine.

Myopia: See Nearsightedness.

Nearsightedness: Technically called myopia, nearsightedness means you have trouble seeing far. When the eye is too long in relation to the curvature of the cornea, images focus in front of the retina instead of on it and objects at distances appear blurred. Patients with myopia are able to see near objects.

Optic Neuritis: Inflammation of the optic nerve — the nerve that transmits light and visual images from the retina to the brain. Because the nerve is located behind ("retro") the globe of the eye, the condition is also known as retrobulbar neuritis. An estimated 55% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) will have an episode of optic neuritis. Frequently, it is the first symptom of MS. Optic neuritis is generally experienced as an acute blurring, graying, or loss of vision, most often in only one eye. It is rare that both eyes are affected at the same time. There may or may not be pain in the affected eye. Loss of vision usually reaches its maximum extent within a few days, and generally improves within four to 12 weeks without treatment. It is important to note that not everyone who has an episode of optic neuritis goes on to develop MS.

Presbyopia: See Aging Eyes.

Posterior Capsular Opacity or Posterior Capsular Haze (sometimes known as Secondary Cataract):
This condition generally occurs following cataract surgery and the implanting of an artificial lens. A hazy membrane (or capsule) appears just behind implanted lens. Although the condition is sometimes referred to as "secondary cataract," the term is actually a misnomer. Once a cataract lens is removed, the condition does not recur.

Eye surgeons generally prefer to place a lens implant in the exactly the same position that the natural lens had, i.e., within a thin membrane known as a capsule. The surgeon makes every attempt to keep the capsule intact and to place the new lens within it. Postoperatively, however, about 20% of patients will develop blurry vision, known as posterior capsule opacity or haze. This is due to a growth of lens fiber cells on the capsule, which often remain following cataract surgery. If the condition progresses, vision may be worse than it was prior to cataract surgery in some cases.

Fortunately, treatment of a hazy posterior capsule is safe, effective, painless, and can often be performed as an in-office procedure. The capsule is simply removed from the visual axis (line of sight) using a laser, and may be completed without making an incision.

Ptosis: Refers to the drooping of an eyelid, and affects only the upper eyelid of one or both eyes. The droop may be barely noticeable, or the lid can descend over the entire pupil. Ptosis can occur in both children and adults. It can be present at birth, develop due to aging, injury or an after effect of cataract or other eye surgery. The condition can also be caused by a problem with the muscles lifting the eyelid. A neurological disorder or systemic disease like diabetes may result in drooping eyelids. Surgery is usually the best treatment. The surgeon tightens the eyelid muscles, and the patient benefits with improved vision and appearance.

Retinal Detachment: A serious and sight-threatening event, occurring when the retina becomes separated from its underlying supportive tissue. The retina cannot function when these layers are detached, and unless it is reattached soon, permanent vision loss may result. Warning signs might entail seeing spots, floaters or flashes of light. Vision might become blurry or poor. Another sign is seeing a shadow or a curtain coming down from the top of the eye or across from the side. These signs can occur gradually as the retina pulls away from the supportive tissue, or they may occur suddenly if the retina detaches immediately. There is no pain associated with retinal detachment, but experiencing any of the above signs makes it urgent to consult an eye doctor right away. Immediate treatment increases the odds of regaining lost vision.

What Does 20/20 Vision Mean?
20/20 is the traditional baseline measurement used to evaluate vision. Visual acuity (clarity) is tested by using the traditional eye chart, which measures the eye’s ability to distinguish the shape of an object.

What is Diopter?
Refractive disorders or error is measured in units called diopters. Diopters represent the level of correction needed in lenses (glasses or contacts) to normalize vision. The more nearsighted or farsighted you are, the higher your prescription in diopters.

Your prescription for glasses may be written with three numbers. For example:
-4.00 -1.50 x 90

The 1st number (-4.00) identifies your degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness. A minus sign is an indication that you are nearsighted and a plus sign that you are farsighted.

The 2nd number (-1.50) represents your degree of astigmatism. This can be written as either + or -.

The 3rd number (90) represents where the astigmatism lies. In this example the astigmatism is at 90 degrees or vertical. When we correct your refractive disorder we use this prescription to determine treatment.