Eye Problems

A healthy eye is required to see clearly, but normal function is required as well. Blurry vision itself does not generally indicate the presence of an eye disease; however, a complete eye examination is required to rule out this possibility. Most commonly blurred vision is caused by a focusing error in an otherwise healthy eye.

Traditionally, glasses and contact lenses have been used to improve vision when dealing with the vision problems below. These visual aids help neutralize the focusing error but do not address the source of the problem, the incorrect corneal curvature. For that, you need to reshape the cornea’s surface to allow vision to be in sharp focus without dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The most effective, accurate, and reliable method of reshaping the cornea available today is laser vision correction via LASIK.

Cataracts

A cataract is the term used when your own, natural lens becomes hazy. We are all born with a crystalline lens which sits just behind the iris (colored part of the eye). When we are young, the lens is flexible and allows us to change focus from distance to near. With time, the lens becomes stiff and we eventually need bifocals or reading glasses – usually at about 40 years old. With more time, the lens becomes hazy (a cataract) making vision more blurred. People can feel as if there is a film which does not get better with blinking. 

There are several types of cataracts. The most common form is slowly progressive and occurs in almost everyone if we live long enough. Other types can be associated with medications, inflammation or trauma. Regardless of the type of cataract, the treatment is the same: remove the cataract and replace it with an intraocular lens. Click here for information on Cataract Surgery.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. It is extremely important to be screened for glaucoma because once vision is lost, it cannot be regained. However, progression of the disease can be halted by lowering the pressure of the eye.

There are many different types of glaucoma and most of them are related to different ways in which the eye pressure can rise. Treatment is usually accomplished with drops which lower the eye pressure. It is important to continue to monitor the pressure over time as drops can lose their effectiveness and more drops may need to be added. For some people, drops are not enough and surgery is required to lower the eye pressure sufficiently. There are also laser treatments which can lower the pressure.

Damage from glaucoma affects the peripheral vision first. It is usually a subtle change in vision for most people and by the time they realize their vision is decreasing, a substantial part of their visual field my be forever lost. The damage causes changes to the optic nerve which can be seen by an eye specialist.

The most important information to know about glaucoma is that everyone should be tested. If glaucoma is found, follow-up appointments will be made. Drs Halpin and Josephs are optometrists trained to detect, monitor and medically treat glaucoma. Drs Merfeld and Larson are ophthalmologists and surgeons who can also give laser and surgical treatments for glaucoma. 

Myopia

If you are nearsighted (myopic) you likely experience blurred distance vision, however, have some improvement in vision at near. This is because the cornea curvature is too steep for the length of your eye. This causes images to be focused in front of the retina rather than sharply on the retinal surface. The result is blurred distance vision.

Many people have myopia. They most commonly wear glasses or contacts to see at distance but may not wear anything to see up close. They are also the best candidates for LASIK vision correction.

Hyperopia 

If you are farsighted (hyperopic) you likely have blurred distance vision which becomes even worse at near. This is because the cornea curvature is too flat for the length of your eye. This causes images to be focused behind the eye rather than sharply on the retinal surface. The result is blurred distance and near vision.

Many people with mild hyperopia do not wear any glasses until their 30s or 40s. Then glasses may be needed for both distance and near.

Astigmatism 

Astigmatism is caused by an irregularity or warpage of the corneal curvature. Depending on its severity, astigmatism can result in blurred vision, distorted vision, and even double vision. Astigmatism is a problem that can occur alone or in combination with either nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Most people have some astigmatism and it can be corrected with glasses, contacts or surgery.

Presbyopia

If you are presbyopic, you have begun experience difficulty focusing up close. Presbyopia is the term used to describe the loss of ability to focus at near which occurs as a natural part of aging. Generally first noted at about the age of 40, people with presbyopia often need bifocals or reading glasses to see close objects or read.

Until recently, no surgical treatment existed for presbyopia. But now, exciting new surgeries have been developed to allow people to see far and near without glasses or contacts. Everyone undergoing cataract surgery is now given the option to choose a presbyopia correcting implant. Even people in their 80s and 90s are able to focus near and far after the surgery. 

Read more about this breakthough under "Clear Choice"

Dry Eyes

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