Amblyopia
Despite the fact that many of us have heard the phrase, “lazy eye”, few people know what being affected by amblyopia means. Simply put, lazy eye refers to a condition that arises in early childhood when one eye fails to work properly in partnership with the brain. As a result of this situation, a growing child becomes increasingly reliant on their stronger eye while images viewed by the weaker eye or “lazy eye” are left ignored. This imbalance not only further impairs vision in the lazy eye but in time can lead to a reduction of vision in both eyes.
Chief among the most important things to know about lazy eye is that early detection and treatment can prevent a lifetime of visual difficulties. When detected in a young child, effective treatment for amblyopia involves correcting eye abnormalities and promoting the use of the weaker eye. Since amblyopia affects one eye and there is typically acceptable vision in the other eye, many parents and children may be unaware of the presence of this condition. This is especially true when the outward appearance of the eyes is normal.
To help ensure your child enjoys optimal vision development, we recommend comprehensive eye examinations early in your child’s life.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a common eye condition that is corrected by eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Astigmatism is characterized by unequal curvatures of the cornea. Astigmatism results in blurry vision and can occur in both nearsighted and farsighted persons, or it can be found alone.
A person’s cornea is spherical in shape and when light enters the eye, the cornea refracts or bends light creating a clear image of the object. However, the eye of a person with astigmatism is shaped more like a football or the back of a spoon. For this person, when light enters the eye it is refracted more by one curve than the other, resulting in a blurry image.
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is a bit like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. In fact, cataract means waterfall and that is how the condition got its name; people felt like they were looking through a waterfall. 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.
Contact Lenses-Related Infections
While contact lenses are safely worn by many, there is a risk of developing eye infections. Factors that contribute to an infection can include: use of extended-wear lenses, reduced tear exchange under the lens, environmental factors and poor hygiene.
How can I avoid getting an eye infection due to contact lenses?
The best way to avoid eye infections due to wearing contact lenses is to follow proper lens care guidelines as recommended by your optometrist. Single usage one day throw away lenses are affordable, extremely safe, easy to manage and are available in most prescriptions. Best of all you don’t have to carry around contact lens solutions which are costly and cumbersome.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder that impairs the body’s ability to produce or use insulin effectively to regulate blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, over time elevated blood sugar levels can cause damage throughout the body with many complications to one’s health and overall wellbeing.
The term “diabetic eye disease” refers to a group of conditions that potentially threaten the eyesight of people with diabetes. This group of conditions includes diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), cataracts and glaucoma.
Early detection is critical for the prevention of vision loss from diabetic eye disease. If you have diabetes, seeing an eye doctor for a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year and more often as recommended is strongly advised.
Farsightedness
Farsightedness (hyperopia) is a common vision condition in which you can see distant objects more clearly, then near objects.
The degree of your farsightedness determines your focusing ability. People with severe farsightedness may see near objects less clearly than distant objects, while those with mild farsightedness may be able to clearly see objects that are closer.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is not just one eye disease, but a group of eye conditions resulting in optic nerve damage, which causes loss of vision. Abnormally high pressure inside your eye (intraocular pressure) usually, but not always, causes this damage.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness. Sometimes called the silent thief of sight, glaucoma can damage your vision so gradually you may not notice any loss of vision until the disease is at an advanced stage. The most common type of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma, often has no noticeable signs or symptoms.
Macular Degeneration
The term “macular degeneration” includes many different eye diseases, all of which affect central, or detail vision. Age-related macular degeneration is the most common of these disorders, mainly affecting people over the age of 60. Although there are many types of macular degeneration, age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD) is the most common type. Age-related macular degeneration occurs in two forms: “wet” age-related macular degeneration and “dry” age-related macular degeneration. “Wet” age-related macular degeneration is less common but more aggressive in its development to severe central vision loss. “Dry” age-related macular degeneration is the more common type and is more slowly progressive in causing loss of vision.
Nearsightedness
Nearsightedness (myopia) is a common vision condition in which you can see objects near to you more clearly, than objects far away.
The degree of your nearsightedness determines your ability to focus on distant objects. People with severe nearsightedness can see clearly only objects just a few inches away, while those with mild nearsightedness may clearly see objects several yards away.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is an age-related condition that causes blurred near vision. It typically starts at around age 40 and affects everyone, even those who’ve never had vision problems before.
When presbyopia begins, people will squint or hold reading materials at arm’s length to help their eyes focus. Eye strain, headache and fatigue are common symptoms of presbyopia.
Most experts believe presbyopia is caused by changes to the lens inside the eye. As people age, the lens becomes harder and less elastic, making it more difficult for the eye to focus on close objects.
