Eye Diseases & Problems

Astigmatism

Light rays enter the eye through a smooth cornea (equally curved in all directions) and focus at a single point on the retina producing clear vision.

With astigmatism, light rays enter through an irregularly-shaped cornea and do not focus at a single point. This produces a blurred or distorted image on the retina.

Flashes, Floaters, & Vitreous Detachment

The inner portion of the normal eye contains a clear, jelly-like fluid called the vitreous.

Floaters are small cloudy particles and are not uncommon. Seeing flashes or streaks of light however, may indicate vitreous or retinal detachment.

Glaucoma

A gradual loss of side vision is one of the noticeable symptoms of glaucoma. Blurred vision may be another symptom of Glaucoma. Glaucoma is a group of diseases characterized by increased pressure inside the eye. If left untreated, it can cause blindness through permanent damage to the optic nerve.

Macular Degeneration

With normal vision, objects appear clear. With the advancement of macular degeneration, a dark or empty spot often appears in the center of vision.

Dry Eye

There are 3 layers of tears. The mucus inner layer evenly coats the surface of the eye allowing tears to adhere. The water middle layer cleanses the eye, washes away foreign particles and irritants. The oily outer layer reduces the evaporation of the tears. Each tear layer is produced by different parts of the eye. All three layers are necessary to keep eyes moist and properly lubricated. Dry eye is a condition in which tears lack the correct composition to properly lubricate the eye.

Diabetic Retinopathy

The retina is a thin membrane that covers the back two-thirds of the inside of the eye. Like the film in a camera, it receives light and transmits signals through the optic nerve to the brain, allowing us to see. Diabetes may cause blood vessels nourishing the retina to leak fluid or blood that can scar the retina causing blurred vision and eventual blindness.

Hyperopia

This is a condition in which visual images come to a focus behind the retina of the eye and vision is better for distant than for near objects. Hyperopia is commonly known as farsightedness.

Presbyopia

In younger eyes, the lens is flexible and, with the help of tiny ciliary muscles, can accomodate for both near and distant objects by bending or flattening out when needed to help focus light rays precisely on the retina. With age, the lens begins to maintain a more permanent shape. This loss of flexibility makes it difficult for the lends to bend to the degree necessary for the eye to focus on near objects.

Myopia

This condition causes visual images to come to a focus in front of the retina of the eye, resulting especially in defective vision of distant objects. Myopia is commonly known as nearsightedness.

These are just examples of some of the more common conditions which may affect your eye health. For more information, please contact us.