Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

Hyperopia, or Farsightedness, means objects at a distance are clear, but objects up close are blury. This happens because the light focuses in the back of the retina.  As it focuses toward a fine point it forms a blurred image on the retina.  By making the eyes focus harder a farsighted person can make objects at all distances clear.  

Treatment: 

• Glasses

• Contacts

• Surgery (some occasions) 

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia, or nearsightedness, means that your distance vision is blurry while objects up close are clear.  This happens because the light has to focus in front of the retina and as it spreads back out you get a blurred image on the retina.  As you bring objects closer to you, it will come into focus.

Treatment:

• Glasses

• Contact Lenses

Astigmatism

With an Astigmatism, your eyes have double focus.  You do not actually see double unless it is a large amount.  Instead you will have a slight fuzz around objects at all distances.  This means you have to strain harder to see. 

Treatment:

• Glasses

• Contact Lens

Presbyopia

When you look at something close the light focus moves from your retina to behind your eye.  Your eye has a built in focusing lens that realigns the focus on the retina so you can see up close.  This lens is the only part of the eye that continues to grow, and just like an onion, the new tissue grows around the outside.  As the lens gets thicker it loses its ability to focus at near, and we lose the ability to see things close to us.

Amblyopia

Amblyopia, or Lazy Eye, is the loss or lack of the full development of vision on one eye that is not fully correctable with lenses and is not the result of any identifiable eye health problem.  It is usually due to conditions such as crossed- eyes or a large difference in teh glasses perscription between the two eyes. 

Treatment:

• Corrective Lenses

• Prisms

• Contact Lenses

• Vision Therapy

Ptosis

Ptosis is a visual condition that cause the eyelids to droop, this is caused by a chance in the muscle tissue.  As your eyelids dorrp they will disrupt your field of vision, it's almost as if you are looking through your eye lashes.  This can be corrected with surgery but it is important you get in to see doctor if you suspect your eyelids are drooping as this can be an indicator of a systemic disease that causes muscle weakness in the body. 

Flashes and Floaters

Floaters are small particles within the eye that become noticable when they fall with in the line of sight. The inner par of your eye is make up of a clear, jelly like fluid known as the vitreous.  Occasionally, small flecks of protein and other matter become trapped during the formation of the eye (before birth) in the vitreous.  Spots and floaters may also be caused by deterioration of the eye fluids and its surrounding part or by certain eye injuries or eye diseases. 

 If you notice a sudden change in the number or size of spots, if you see flashes that accompany the floaters or if your vision starts to get black like a curtain being lowered you should contact us right away so you can be sure they are not a result of a more serious problem.

Retinal Detachment

A Retinal Detachment is exactly what it sounds like, the Retina seperates from the back of the eye.  This happens suddenly and results in a curtain effect in your vision.  Sometimes it is accompanied by flashes and floaters, but not always.  This is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.  

If you experience this curtain effect call our office right away and get in to be seen as soon as possible, if it is ignored it can result in permenant vision loss. 

Retinal Tear or Hole

While Retinal detachment happens suddenly, a Retinal tear or hole is a gradual break down of the tissue over time.  This is a serious condition and can lead to loss of vision.  A retinal tear or hold is also an indicator of other general diseases in the body.  During your total eye healthy exam, Dr. Fiegel checks throughly for this condition and many others.  

Vitreous Degeneration

Vitreous degeneration is where the jelly-like fluid in the back of the eye starts to liquify causing the vitreous to pull loose from the eye.  This is often benign but can lead to retinal detachment.  (The symptoms of this are similar to a retinal detachment you will see flashes and floaters with this.)  It is important that you call the office if you notice symptoms of a Vitreous Degeneration.