Patient Information
Below are links to the American Optometric Association's website. We hope you will find the information helpful. If you have any questions about the conditions, please give us a call to learn more.
- Blepharitis
- •Chronic inflamation of the eyelids caused by bacterial infection, rosacea, and other skin conditions.
- Cataract
- •Clouding of the crystalline lens within the eye. Usually age-related, cataracts develop slowly over time and can cause loss of vision.
- Color Vision Deficiency
- •Decreased ability to see or differentiate colors, there are several types of color deficiency, the most common, red-green color deficiency, affects 4 to 8% of males.
- Conjuctivitis
- •Inflamation of the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye) caused by allergens, viruses, and bacteria.
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- •Damage to the light sensitive tissue inside the eye caused by diabetes. Eighty percent of patients who have had diabetes for 10 or more years have diabetic retinopathy. Left unchecked, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness, so it is very important for patients with diabetes to have their eyes examined at least once per year.
- Glaucoma
- •Damage to the optic nerve (the connection from the eye to the brain) which causes progressive loss of peripheral vision and eventually blindness if not treated. Some people have 'risk factors' that increase the chances of developing glaucoma, these patients need to be seen more frequently for specialized testing.
- Keratoconus
- •Irregular structure of the cornea (the clear tissue that covers the colored portion of the eye) which changes shape over time. Patients with Keratoconus require special corrective contact lenses, and in severe cases may requre surgery.
- Macular Degeneration
- •Damage to the light sensitive tissues inside the eye, usually affecting older individuals. There are two types of macular degeneration, "dry" and "wet." Dry macular degeneration may cause a decrease in vision, and must be monitored closely to be sure it does not progress to the more severe "wet" macular degeneration which can cause permanent loss of vision. Eye vitamins may be recommened to patients with the "dry" form of the disease; however "wet" macular degeneration requires immediated medical or surgical treatment.
- Spots and Floater
- •Most people experience floaters in their vision every now and again; however, if a new spot or floater is observed, or if someone sees floaters associated with other vision changes like flashes of light, they should schedule an eye exam right away, to rule out the possibilty of a sight threatening condition such as a retinal tear or detachment. Whenever any changes in vision are noticed, schedule an eye exam.
- Dry Eye
- •Dry eye is a very common condition in which either not enough tears are produced, or the tears are of poor quality and do not adequately lubricate the eye. Symptoms of dry eye include a sandy or gritty feeling, some people feel like there is dirt or an eyelash in the eye. Other people feel like their eyes are pulling, or pressure behind the eye. There are many treatments available for dry eye, schedule an appointment for a "dry eye analysis" if you experience any of these symptoms.
