Have you heard it said that seeing floaters in your visual field is a sign of retinal detachment? While this can be the case, it isn’t always. If you notice an increase in floaters, schedule an eye appointment when possible.
While the term “detached retina” sounds painful, it isn’t. If you have a family history of the condition, watch for these signs: flashes of light; seeing small flecks or threads (also called “floaters”); darkening of your peripheral vision. If you have any of these symptoms, call the ophthalmologist immediately.
Do you ever wish that the first thing on your mind when you woke up in the mornings wasn’t where you left your glasses? If you’re ready to get rid of glasses and contacts once and for all, we may have the solution for you.
A retinal vascular occlusion is when a blockage or blood clot forms in the veins or arteries transporting blood to or from the retina. It can get in the way of the eye's ability to filter light properly, and can cause vision loss.
Remember, a child who’s never seen normally won’t know to complain about visual issues. It’s important to look for signs of vision loss through your child’s behavior.
If I have glaucoma does that mean I’ll need eye surgery? Surgery is one treatment option, but doctors generally save that as a final option. Your doctor likely will prescribe eye drops or pills that are designed to lower the eye pressure or help to drain fluid from the eye.
Did you know that by age 65 over 30% of American adults will suffer from some form of eye disease? Age related Macular degeneration, or AMD, is the leading cause of partial vision loss, affecting over 10 million people.
When working long hours on a computer it’s important to give your eyes plenty of rest. Make sure you are getting a good night’s sleep, or even try to take a nap to give your eyes a chance to recover.
Let’s face it; we all have those moments where we see spots or have trouble focusing, usually after accidentally looking directly into a light. However, having these symptoms in the absence of a reasonable cause could mean something is wrong with your vision.
Cataracts should only be treated surgically if the vision loss is interfering with everyday activities, such as reading, driving, or watching television. If you're considering cataract surgery, we can help you understand the benefits and weigh the risks.
While regular eye appointments can be scary for children, talking about eye surgery can be terrifying. If you need help easing your child’s fears, our staff is trained to help children understand what will happen.
Cataracts affect more than 20 million Americans ages 40 and older. If you’re 80 or older, your chance of developing cataracts is 50/50. Fortunately, 98 percent of surgical procedures to remove cataracts are successful, with only .5 percent of patients developing serious complications.
Essentially, your sports eye protection needs to meet the specific requirements of that sport as put forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). We can help you determine the specific eye protection you need.
A corneal abrasion can occur when you rub your eyes after getting sand or dirt in them, or when your eye accidentally gets scratched. See your ophthalmologist for treatment as soon as possible, as corneal abrasions leave your eye susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections.
What causes puffy eyes? Swelling around the eyes is caused by an accumulation of fluids which often occur as a result of allergies, too much salt consumption, sinus conditions, lack of sleep, stress and even crying.
The three main types of conjunctivitis are infectious, allergic and chemical. The infectious type, commonly called "pink eye" is caused by a contagious virus or bacteria. It is important to treat pink eye quickly with prescription eye drops.
Did you know that smoking and wearing contact lenses don’t exactly mix? In fact, studies show that contact lens wearers who also smoke end up dealing with a higher rate of eye problems than non-smokers.
If you wear contacts, then you need to understand just how important it is that you keep them clean. Wash your hands before removing them or putting them back in, and always clean your lenses (one at a time) with the proper ophthalmologist-recommended contact solution.
Cataracts are perhaps the most common form of degeneration that happens in the eye as we age. If you’re ready to undergo surgery, we can help you remove your cataracts to regain your vision.
Amblyopia, also referred to as “lazy eye,” is the most common cause of vision impairment in children. Amblyopia is the medical term used when the vision in one of the eyes is reduced because the eye and the brain are not working together properly.
Do your eyes often feel dry? Use eye drops to freshen them up.
Amblyopia (or lazy eye) is a vision development disorder wherein the eye fails to achieve normal vision, even with prescription eyeglasses. Fortunately, if amblyopia is promptly treated, issues like reduced vision and even legal blindness can be avoided.
Remember, it’s not possible to see retinal damage or tears from the outside of the eye. In order to make a diagnosis and begin treatment, a comprehensive eye exam – sometimes by a specialist – is necessary.
We realize that it can be a little confusing which type of eye doctor you need to see for various eye problems. Remember, you can always start with the optometrist who assists with your eyeglass exam each year and they’ll refer you on to a ophthalmologist if your issues are more advanced.
So what’s the ideal light situation for working on a computer? This should be soft desk light that comes from the side. If you are still experiencing eye strain, you can try decreasing the brightness of your monitor, which will reduce the intensity of light on your eyes.
When you have a family history of cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration or retinal detachment, you may wonder whether it could also happen to you. Since some eye diseases can be hereditary, it’s a good idea to maintain a regular schedule of eye health exams.
Although glaucoma is a serious eye disease people typically associate with the elderly, anyone can develop it. In fact, one in 200 people age 50 and younger are diagnosed with glaucoma each year.
In order for one to become an ophthalmologist, a medical degree must be obtained. After earning a Bachelor’s degree, doctors of ophthalmology must attend medical school and work in residency for a specific number of years.
Lazy eye is a condition where one eye does not send or receive signals from the brain in a normal way. This lack of connection leads the eye to wander. If detected early, it can be treated with exercises, eyewear, and eye drops.
Studies have shown that patients who received LASIK surgery, (laser eye surgery) have a 95-98% satisfaction rate with the procedure. The surgery has led to an improved quality of life for people who had previously suffered from eye conditions.
Are you looking for painless ways to keep your children’s vision healthy? Try adding carrots to their after school snack. Carrots are high in Vitamin A, which can contribute to healthy eyes.
If you are 40 or older, you may have noticed that it is more difficult to read small print. This is due to presbyopia, which literally means “aging eye.” As we get older the eye lens becomes more rigid. At the same time, the muscles around the lens deteriorate. That combination makes it much more difficult for our eyes to focus on close objects.
Cataract removal is one of the safest and most effective types of surgery performed in the United States. Ninety percent of those who've had the operation noticed a marked improvement in their vision afterward.
Did you know that when cataracts develop, they usually appear in both eyes? One eye may have a cataract that is more progressed than in the other, though.
If you wear contacts, proper care is essential for continued eye health, as well as strict adherence to all guidelines (such as how long to wear them). Failure to do so can result in everything from corneal ulcers to vision loss.
Did you know that the eye has the most active muscles in the body and that eyes have well over a million moving parts. In addition, it is the only organ that is fully operational at any given time.
Did you know that most serious eye conditions (including glaucoma and AMD) are more successfully overcome if diagnosed and treated early? This is why regular eye doctor visits are recommended, even if you don’t wear glasses or corrective lenses.
Ptosis is the drooping of the upper eyelid. Sometimes it droops only a bit; other times, the entire pupil can be covered, restricting or blocking vision. Both kids and adults can have this condition. Your ophthalmologist can correct this problem surgically.
Photoreceptor cells convert light into signals that can be sent to the brain. The two main types of these cells in humans are rods, which allow us to see in low light, and cones, which allow us to see daylight and color.
In addition to the principle rod and cone vision cells in our retinas, a third type of light-sensitive cell, known as a retinal ganglion, was discovered in the early 1990s. These cells help synchronize the circadian rhythms in our bodies that distinguish day from night.
Did you know that surgery to correct a drooping eyelid doesn’t have to get in the way of your busy lifestyle? Typically, you can resume your normal activities the same day as the procedure.
Cataracts occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing images to become blurred and colors to appear faded or washed out. Most cataracts are caused by a clumping of proteins in the lens.
While your eyelids and the external muscles of your eyes need rest and the lubrication of your eyes needs to be replenished regularly, your actual eyes never need rest.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the center of the retina, which controls the acute vision we use when looking straight ahead, reading, driving, or doing other things that require fine vision. Since peripheral vision is not impeded, some AMD patients can be helped with prescription glasses.
Do you have poor night vision? Is your vision cloudy or blurred? Do you see a halo effect around lights? All of these symptoms can be due to the formation of cataracts. Setting up a consultation is the first step on the road to clear vision.
What are the risks for glaucoma? Age is certainly one factor, but there are many others, according to experts. Those include having far-sightedness or near-sightedness, a family history of glaucoma, and a previous eye injury that could have changed your eye pressure.
There aren't any reliable early warning symptoms for glaucoma. The best way to catch it early enough for treatment is to have yourself tested. Once diagnosed, glaucoma can be immediately treated.
There are some surprising names on the lists of famous people who started out as ophthalmologists. For example, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was one, which may explain why he created the world’s most famous private eye.
Red burning itching eyes are often a sign of dry eyes, which while uncomfortable, is seldom a sign of a serious eye condition. Your ophthalmologist may suggest a humidifier or medicated tear drops, which can be of great help.
Does your teen wear decorative contact lenses? These lenses can potentially be dangerous to your eyes if proper care isn't taken. They can cause pain and swelling and could cause corneal abrasions.
If you care for young children, you may need additional help at home for the first week after cataract surgery. During this time, it’s important that you not pick up anything heavier than 15 pounds, including your child.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye care and vision issues. They assess vision, diagnose and treat eye conditions and diseases, prescribe medications, and perform surgery to preserve, restore or improve eyesight.
When you’re on the computer, about how far away do you sit from the screen? Ideally, to avoid eye strain you should sit about 25 inches from the screen and position it so you are gazing downward at the screen instead of upward.
There is no way to avoid AMD. However, experts say not smoking and exercising on a regular basis can either reduce your risk or slow down the development of the condition. Eating a healthy diet and maintaining normal levels of blood pressure and cholesterol have been shown to be helpful as well.
If you care for young children, you may need additional help at home for the first week after cataract surgery. During this time, it’s important that you not pick up anything heavier than 15 pounds, including your child.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye care and vision issues. They assess vision, diagnose and treat eye conditions and diseases, prescribe medications, and perform surgery to preserve, restore or improve eyesight.
It’s important to remember that you may not reap the full benefits of laser vision correction surgery right away. In some cases, it can take months before your eyes finally adjust.
Filipino national hero Jos Rizal, in addition to poetry and politics, also practiced ophthalmology. He famously removed cataracts from his own mother's eyes. His revolutionary ideas led to his execution via firing squad by the Spanish Army in 1896.
When you’re on the computer, about how far away do you sit from the screen? Ideally, to avoid eye strain you should sit about 25 inches from the screen and position it so you are gazing downward at the screen instead of upward.
There is no way to avoid AMD. However, experts say not smoking and exercising on a regular basis can either reduce your risk or slow down the development of the condition. Eating a healthy diet and maintaining normal levels of blood pressure and cholesterol have been shown to be helpful as well.
If you care for young children, you may need additional help at home for the first week after cataract surgery. During this time, it’s important that you not pick up anything heavier than 15 pounds, including your child.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye care and vision issues. They assess vision, diagnose and treat eye conditions and diseases, prescribe medications, and perform surgery to preserve, restore or improve eyesight.
