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Ocular Conditions
There are many ocular conditions that affect the way we see and feel. Some of these conditions are obvious and bothersome, such as dry eye, allergies, and eye strain from computer use and personal electronic devices. Others conditions can have no symptoms at all and can be prevented with dilated eye exams, such as glaucoma and amblyopia (lazy eye). Did you know that there are ocular effects from systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension that can cause vision loss? We can detect those early and help prevent permanent vision loss and even systemic damage by examining your eyes. Our doctors provide comprehensive primary eye care to make sure that you are healthy and seeing your best.
Common Complaints
Dry Eye
Dry eye is a condition in which a person does not have enough quality tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision. Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, particularly in older adults.
People with dry eyes may experience irritated, gritty, scratchy or burning eyes; a feeling of something in their eyes; excess watering; and blurred vision. Advanced dry eyes may damage the front surface of the eye and impair vision.
Occular Allergies
The abnormal response of sensitive eyes to contact with allergens and other irritating substances. Ocular Allergies occur more commonly among people who already have seasonal allergies. They develop it when they come into contact with a substance that triggers an allergic reaction in their eyes.
Digital Eye Strain
Digital Eye Strain, also referred to as, Computer Vision Syndrome describes a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer, tablet, e-reader and cell phone use. Many individuals experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing digital screens for extended periods. The level of discomfort appears to increase with the amount of digital screen use.
The average American worker spends seven hours a day on the computer either in the office or working from home. The most common symptoms associated with Digital Eye Strain or Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) are, eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain.
Nearsightedness/Myopia
Nearsightedness, or myopia, as it is medically termed, is a vision condition in which people can see close objects clearly, but objects farther away appear blurred. People with myopia can have difficulty clearly seeing a movie or TV screen, a whiteboard in school or while driving.
Generally, myopia first occurs in school-age children. Because the eye continues to grow during childhood, it typically progresses until about age 20. However, myopia may also develop in adults due to visual stress or health conditions such as diabetes.
Myopia affects nearly 30 percent of the U.S. population. While the exact cause of myopia is unknown, there is significant evidence that many people inherit myopia, or at least the tendency to develop myopia. If one or both parents are nearsighted, there is an increased chance their children will be nearsighted.
Farsightedness/Hyperopia
Farsightedness, or hyperopia, as it is medically termed, is a vision condition in which distant objects can be seen clearly, but close ones do not come into proper focus. Common vision screenings, like the ones done in schools, often don't detect hyperopia. However, a comprehensive optometric examination will include the necessary testing to diagnose hyperopia.
Common signs of hyperopia include difficulty concentrating and maintaining a clear focus on near objects, eye strain, fatigue and/or headaches after close work, aching or burning eyes, and irritability or nervousness after sustained concentration.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a common vision condition that causes blurred vision. It occurs when the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is irregularly shaped or sometimes because of the curvature of the lens inside the eye.
An irregularly shaped cornea or lens prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, the light-sensitive surface at the back of the eye. As a result, vision becomes blurred at any distance. This can lead to eye discomfort and headaches.
Age Related Issues
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a vision condition in which the shape of the crystalline lens of your eye changes. These changes make it difficult to focus on close objects. Presbyopia may seem to occur suddenly, but sight reduction occurs over several years. Presbyopia usually becomes noticeable in the early to mid-40s, but the reduction of your focusing starts as early as childhood. Presbyopia is a natural part of the aging process of the eye. It is not a disease, and it cannot be prevented. Some signs of presbyopia include holding reading materials at arm's length, blurred vision at normal reading distance and eye fatigue along with headaches when doing close work. A comprehensive optometric examination will include testing for presbyopia.
Cataracts
A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the normally clear lens of the eye. If the lens is clouded by a cataract, light is scattered so the lens can no longer focus it properly, causing vision problems. Most cataracts develop in people over age 55, but they occasionally occur in infants and young children. Usually cataracts develop in both eyes, but one may be worse than the other. Cataracts generally form very slowly. Signs and symptoms of a cataract may include, blurred or hazy vision, reduced intensity of colors, sensitivity to glare from lights, particularly when driving at night, increased difficulty seeing at night, and change in the eye's refractive error, or prescription
Macular Degeneration
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over age 50. This eye disease occurs when there are changes to the macula, a small portion of the retina that is located on the inside back layer of the eye. AMD causes a loss of central vision.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness in the U.S. In its early stages, there are no signs or symptoms. It most often occurs in people over age 40, although an infant (congenital) form of glaucoma exists. People with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans over the age of 40 and Hispanics over the age of 60 have an increased risk of developing glaucoma. Other risk factors include thinner corneas, chronic eye inflammation and taking medications that increase the pressure in the eyes. Glaucoma is detectable with a comprehensive dilated eye examination and early detection can prevent blindness. Once vision is lost to glaucoma, it cannot be restored. That is why the American Optometric Association recommends an annual dilated eye examination.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that may occur in people who have diabetes. It causes progressive damage to the retina, the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes. According to a 2018 American Eye-Q® Survey conducted by the AOA, more than one-third of Americans didn't know a comprehensive eye exam is the only way to determine if a person's diabetes will cause blindness, which is why the AOA recommends that everyone with diabetes have a comprehensive dilated eye examination at least once a year. Early detection and treatment can limit the potential for significant vision loss from diabetic retinopathy. Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include, seeing spots or floaters, blurred vision, having a dark or empty spot in the center of your vision, and difficulty seeing well at night
Pediatric/Adolescent Issues
Crossed Eyes/Strabismus
Crossed eyes, or strabismus, is a condition in which both eyes do not look at the same place at the same time. It usually occurs in people who have poor eye muscle control or are very farsighted. Strabismus usually develops in infants and young children, most often by age 3. But older children and adults can also develop the condition. People often believe that a child with strabismus will outgrow the condition. However, this is not true. In fact, strabismus may get worse without treatment. A doctor of optometry should examine any child older than 4 months whose eyes do not appear to be straight all the time.
Lazy Eye/Amblyopia
Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is the loss or lack of development of central vision in one eye that is unrelated to any eye health problem and is not correctable with lenses. It can occur when a person does not use both eyes together. Symptoms may include noticeably favoring one eye or a tendency to bump into objects on one side. Many times the vision in one eye is normal and that eye will develop normally while the lazy eye will not. This can cause permanent vision loss and difficulty with depth perception unless detected early. Symptoms are not always obvious and there may be no symptoms at all. This is one reason the American Optometric Association recommends that children have a comprehensive optometric examination by 6 months of age and again at age 3.
Keratoconus
The most common cancer involving the eye in young children is retinoblastoma. In the United States, this fast-growing cancer occurs in 1 in every 20,000 children, making it the 10th most common pediatric cancer. Optometrists diagnose, refer and co-manage the care of cancers that involve the eye area. Early detection of cancer can greatly reduce the severity of the illness and increase life expectancy. Often the first sign of retinoblastoma in a child is the appearance of a white eye in a photograph taken with a flash. A child's pupil should never appear white. If it does, see your optometrist for an evaluation immediately.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a vision disorder that occurs when the normally round cornea (the front part of the eye) becomes thin and irregular (cone) shaped. This abnormal shape prevents the light entering the eye from being focused correctly on the retina and causes distortion of vision. In its earliest stages, keratoconus causes slight blurring and distortion of vision and increased sensitivity to glare and light. These symptoms usually appear in the late teens or early 20s. Keratoconus may progress for 10-20 years and then slow in its progression. Each eye may be affected differently. As keratoconus progresses, the cornea bulges more and vision may become more distorted.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that may occur in people who have diabetes. It causes progressive damage to the retina, the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes. According to a 2018 American Eye-Q® Survey conducted by the AOA, more than one-third of Americans didn't know a comprehensive eye exam is the only way to determine if a person's diabetes will cause blindness, which is why the AOA recommends that everyone with diabetes have a comprehensive dilated eye examination at least once a year. Early detection and treatment can limit the potential for significant vision loss from diabetic retinopathy. Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include, seeing spots or floaters, blurred vision, having a dark or empty spot in the center of your vision, and difficulty seeing well at night
