Acanthamoeba Keratitis
A rare but serious eye infection associated with poor contact lens hygiene and exposure of contact lenses to water.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia is a vision development problem in infants and young children that can lead to permanent vision loss. Treatment may include glasses and patching the better seeing eye.
Anisocoria – (unequal pupils)
One pupil is bigger than the other.
Astigmatism
Usually a result of a cornea that has two curves (front surface shaped more like a football than a basketball). Astigmatism usually causes vision to be blurred or distorted to some degree at all distances. Symptoms of uncorrected astigmatism are eye strain and headaches, especially after reading or other prolonged visual tasks
Bell's Palsy
Bell’s palsy is a condition in which the muscles on one side of your face become weak or paralyzed. It affects only one side of the face at a time, causing it to droop or become stiff on that side. Because it affects blinking, it can cause severe dry eye.
Bionic Eye Implants
Retinal implants that are restoring functional vision to people with retinitis pigmentosa and other blinding conditions.
Black Eye
Blood that has pooled beneath the skin – much like a bruise. Usually a result of trauma to the eye.
Blepharitis
Inflammation of the eyelids associated with chronic eye irritation, watery eyes, foreign body sensation, sensitivity to light and crusty debris at the base of the eyelashes.
Blurry Vision
Blurry vision has many causes, from fatigue and eyestrain, uncorrected refractive error such as myopia or astigmatism, dry eyes, cataracts, and many other to serious eye diseases such as glaucoma.
Burning Eyes
How to get relief from burning, stinging eyes.
Cataracts
Cataracts are yellowing or imperfections in the crystalline lens in the eye. The risk of cataracts increases with age. Cataracts cause blurry vision that can not be resolved with glasses or contact lenses. The good news is that cataracts can be fixed!
Cataract Surgery
It's the most common non-elective surgery in the United States. Recent innovations include laser-assisted cataract surgery. There are options for toric implants that correct astigmatism and multifocal implants that allow you to see at distance and near without the use of reading glasses.
Chalazion
A chalazion is a blocked oil gland without infection. It is a swollen bump in the eyelid that is not tender or painful. It frequently develops as a stye resolves.
CMV Retinitis
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is a sight-threatening disease associated with AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) — a serious disease of the immune system caused by infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). In the past, about a quarter of active AIDS patients developed CMV retinitis. About 80 percent of adults have been exposed to the cytomegalovirus (CMV), but it mostly affects people with poor immune systems, such as AIDS patients.
Color Blindness
There are different types of color vision deficiency. To discover what type of color deficiency you may have visit our office for testing. There are special lens filters and contact lenses that can help a person with color deficiency discriminate different colors.
Concussion, TBI and Vision
Up to 90 percent of people who suffer from concussion or other traumatic brain injury experience vision problems such as blurry vision, sensitivity to light and difficulties with eye movements.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Conjunctivitis can be a result of a bacterial infection or a viral infection. If the doctor determines the infection is bacterial she/he may prescribe a topical antibiotic. If the infection is viral, antibiotics won’t help, but there are other treatments available that can shorten the duration of the infection.
Cornea Transplant
Eye injuries and diseases like keratoconus may require a cornea transplant, using healthy tissue from an eye donor.
Corneal Abrasion (Scratched Eye)
A scratched cornea is usually very painful and may lead to a corneal infection. See your optometrist for care to help control the pain and prevent infection.
Corneal Collagen Crosslinking
This FDA-approved procedure can strengthen the front surface of the eye and help keratoconus or post -LASIK ectasia patients avoid a cornea transplant.
Corneal Ulcer
A corneal ulcer is a bacterial infection of the front clear part of the eye (cornea) and can lead to reduced vision. Wearing contact lenses and particularly, sleeping in contact lenses significantly increases the risk of a corneal ulcer. Treatment may help prevent scarring on your eye.
Detached Retina
Flashes of light and floating spots are classic warning signs of a retinal tear which can result in a detached retina — get them checked out ASAP. Symptoms of a detached retina may also include a dark curtain over your vision. A retinal tear or detachment are emergencies that need to be evaluated and treated promptly.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Damage to the eye's retina due to diabetes.
Diplopia - Double Vision
Many conditions cause double vision, including stroke, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, and tumors. A sudden onset of double vision is an emergency and should be evaluated promptly.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye syndrome is very common and may have many underlying causes. The symptoms of dry eyes are burning, redness, and a gritty sensation. Treatment includes artificial tear drops, punctal plugs, and topical medications such as Restasis or Xiidra.
Eye Allergies
Itchy, red, swollen, tearing eyes may mean eye allergies.
Ocular Herpes - Eye Herpes
Ocular herpes is a recurrent viral infection that may lead to serious vision loss. Symptoms include a sensation that something is in the eye, sensitivity to light, a red and watery eye.
Eye Infections
Eye infections may be bacterial, viral or fungal. It is important to see your optometrist or ophthalmologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Eye Injury
Accidents cause many kinds of eye injuries from corneal abrasions to wounds that penetrate the eye. All eye injuries should be checked by an eye care professional.
Eye Occlusions (Eye Strokes)
Sudden vision loss can occur when a clot or blockage interrupts blood flow to vital eye structures.
Eye Pain
Persistent eye pain is not normal and should prompt a phone call to your eye care professional as there are many causes of pain, a proper diagnosis is important to treat appropriately.
Eye Twitching
Eyelid twitches, tics and spasms are annoying but usually benign. If the twitch, tic, or spasm are persistent see your optometrist for further evaluation.
Floaters, Flashes and Spots
Eye floaters and flashes may signal a serious problem and should always be evaluated by your eye doctor.
Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy
This hereditary dystrophy is characterized by a loss of endothelial cells (endothelial guttata). May cause loss of corneal clarity and loss of vision due to the clouding of the cornea.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and diminishes the field of vision. There are several types of glaucoma, including primary open angle glaucoma, narrow angle glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, and psuedoexfoliation glaucoma. Glaucoma is typically treated with eye drops but treatment may also include laser treatment and surgical procedures.
Heterochromia- Different Colored Eyes
Many people (and animals) have two different colored eyes.
Higher-Order Aberrations
Higher-order aberrations (HOAs) are vision errors causing poor night vision or double images.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Farsighted people may have poor near vision or blurred vision at all distances.
Hyphema
A hyphema is a broken blood vessel in the eye that causes blood to collect in the space between the cornea and iris. It's often a result of trauma to the eye and may result in glaucoma.
Intacs for Keratoconus
These tiny corneal inserts can help flatten a bulging eye.
Itchy Eyes
Allergies or blepharitis are the most common causes of itchy eyes.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a thinning and weakening of the cornea (the front clear part of the eye). This condition results in irregular astigmatism. Patients with keratoconus often see best with special gas permeable contact lenses or gas permeable scleral contact lenses. Collagen cross linking may help stabilize this condition which may help prevent the future need for a corneal transplant.
Macular Degeneration (AMD)
The macula is the part of the eye where all light is focused. Macular degeneration is a condition that affects this important part of the eye that allows fine detailed vision. Macular degeneration causes reduced or loss of central vision. There are different forms of macular degeneration. Dry macular degeneration usually changes more slowly. Taking AREDS vitamins and eating plenty of green leafy and colorful vegetables may help slow the progression. Wet AMD is a result of new blood vessels (neovascularization) growing into the macula. These vessels leak fluid into the macula and cause scarring. Injections with Avastin, Lucentis, or Eylea can help resolve the neovascularization and help prevent loss of sight.
Macular Dystrophy
Central vision loss can be associated with this inherited eye disease.
Macular Hole
A macular hole is a loss of tissue in the macula. It usually results in blurry or distorted vision. Surgical procedures can help improve the loss of vision.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
MGD is the culprit behind most cases of dry eye syndrome. The meibomian glands are found along the lid margin and contribute oil to the tear layer. When the glands don’t function properly it results in dry eye.
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Nearsighted people can see fine up close, but distant objects are a blur.
Nystagmus
Uncontrollable eye movements from nystagmus often have neurological causes.
Ocular Hypertension
High eye pressure often has no symptoms but can be easily detected in an eye exam. If the eye pressure is too high it can result in glaucoma.
Ocular Migraine
Ocular migraine causes a sensation of looking through shattered glass or water in a section of vision. It typically lasts about 15 minutes.
Ocular Rosacea
Patient’s with acne rosacea may also have ocular rosacea, which leads to chronic redness and irritation of the eyelids.
Optic Neuritis and Optic Neuropathy
An inflamed optic nerve can cause blurry vision and blind spots. Optic neuritis may be a sign of multiple sclerosis.
Peripheral Vision Loss
"Tunnel vision" can have various causes, including glaucoma.
Photophobia (Light Sensitivity)
Many eye conditions can cause this problem. A sudden increase in photophobia may be a sign of ocular inflammation such as iritis.
Pinguecula
Pingueculae are yellowish or cream-colored growths on the white part of the eye. They are usually a result of UV exposure. They do not require treatment but wearing UV protection may help prevent them from getting larger.
Presbyopia
This is a normal age-related loss of the ability to focus at near that becomes noticeable after age 40.
Pterygium
Pterygia, also called "surfer's eye," are growths on the white part of the eye that cross over onto the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) they can interfere with vision and sometimes require surgical excision.
Ptosis (Drooping Eyelid)
Drooping eyelids can be corrected with ptosis repair surgery, which tightens the muscle that supports the upper eyelid.
Red Eyes
Red eyes can be caused by allergies, eye infections, inflammation of the eye, and eye injuries.
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetic disorder of the eyes that causes loss of vision. Symptoms include trouble seeing at night and decreased peripheral vision. Onset of symptoms is generally gradual. As peripheral vision worsens, people may experience "tunnel vision". Complete blindness is uncommon. Retinitis pigmentosa is generally inherited from a person's parents.
Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral contacts are large-diameter gas permeable contact lenses specially designed to vault over the entire corneal surface and rest on the "white" of the eye (sclera). In doing so, scleral lenses functionally replace the irregular cornea with a perfectly smooth optical surface to correct vision problems caused by keratoconus and other corneal irregularities.
Sjogren's Syndrome
Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes symptoms that include arthritis and dry eyes and mouth.
Snow Blindness
A painful sunburned eye and temporary vision loss from UV exposure.
Stargardt Disease
Stargardt disease is the most common form of inherited juvenile macular degeneration. The progressive vision loss associated with Stargardt disease is caused by the death of photoreceptor cells in the central portion of the retina called the macula.
Strabismus
Strabismus is a visual problem in which the eyes are not aligned properly and point in different directions. One eye may look straight ahead, while the other eye turns inward, outward, upward, or downward. Strabismus is a common condition among children. About 4 percent of all children in the United States have strabismus.
Strabismus Surgery
These procedures adjust eye muscles to straighten misaligned eyes.
Stye
A stye, also known as a hordeolum, is a bacterial infection of an oil gland in the eyelid. This results in a red tender bump at the edge of the eyelid. The outside or the inside of the eyelid can be affected. The cause of a stye is usually a bacterial infection by Staphylococcus aureus.
Stye Treatment
Warm compresses for 15 minutes 3 times a day is helpful to reduce the pain, swelling and inflammation of a stye. If the eyelid becomes swollen and painful outside the area of the stye seek advise from your eye doctor.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Sudden redness in the white of the eye may be a subconjunctival hemorrhage.
Uveitis
Painful inflammation of the eye causes light sensitivity, redness, and sometimes floaters and blurred vision.
Vitrectomy & Vitreoretinal Procedures
These delicate surgical procedures for macular holes, retinal detachments and other conditions are performed by a retinal specialist.
Scleral Contact Lenses
If you've been told in the past that you cannot wear contact lenses because of an irregular cornea or other problems, you may want to get a second opinion and ask your eye doctor about scleral contact lenses.
Scleral contacts are large-diameter gas permeable contact lenses specially designed to vault over the entire corneal surface and rest on the "white" of the eye (sclera). In doing so, scleral lenses functionally replace the irregular cornea with a perfectly smooth optical surface to correct vision problems caused by keratoconus and other corneal irregularities.
Also, the space between the cornea and the back surface of a scleral lens acts as a fluid reservoir to provide comfort for people with severe dry eyes who otherwise could not tolerate contact lens wear.
In addition to keratoconus, scleral contact lenses can be used for eyes that have undergone a cornea transplant, and for people with severe dry eyes caused by conditions such as Sjogren's syndrome, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Advances in lens design technology are allowing manufacturers to design scleral lenses that can correct more conditions than ever before, including bifocal sclerals for the correction of presbyopia.