Refractive Errors |
A refractive error means the shape of your eye doesn't refract the light properly, so the image you see is blurred.
There are four different types of refractive errors
- Myopia (nearsightedness) - Distant objects are blurry because the eye is too long. Images focus in front of the retina instead of on it.
- Hyeropia (farsightedness) - Close objects are blurry because the eye is too short. Images are not in focus when the reach the retina.
- Astigmatism (distorted vision) - The cornea curves more in one direction than in the other, distorting or blurring both near and far objects.
- Presbyopia (aging eyes) - After the age of 40, the lens in your eye becomes more rigid and cannot shape as easily as it once did. This makes it more difficult to read at close range.
Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the most common methods of correcting refractive errors. Refractive surgery is also an option in some cases.
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Amblyopia |
Amblyopia is poor vision in an eye that did not develop normal sight during early childhood. It is sometimes called "lazy eye."
Amblyopia has three major causes:
- Strabismus (misaligned eyes)
- Uneaqual focus (refractive error)
- Cloudiness in the normally clear eye tissues
Amblyopia cannot be cured by treating the cause alone. The weaker eye must be made stronger in order to see normally. A common treatment is to patch the strong eye; the weak eye is strengthened because the child is forced to use it.
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Glaucoma |
The clear liquid aqueous humor is constantly being produced within the eye. If the drainage angle of the eye is blocked, excess fluid cannot flow out of the eye.
There are three types of glaucoma:
- Chronic open-angle glaucoma: - This occurs as a result of aging. The drainage angle of the eye becomes less efficient with time, and pressure withing the eye gradually increases.
- Angle-closure glaucoma - The drainage angle of the eye may become completely blocked by the iris.
- Acute angle-closure glaucoma - This occurs when eye pressure builds up suddenly.
Damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed. Eye drops, pills and laser and surgical operations are used to prevent or slow further damage from occuring. Periodic examinations are very important to prevent vision loss.
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Dry Eyes |
Normally, there is a "film" of tears on the surface of your eyes. If your eyes don't produce enough tears, the surface gets irritated. This is known as "dry eyes." To find the exact cause of your dry eyes, your eye doctor will
ask about your health, examine the tear film on your eyes, and measure the amount of tears you eyes produce.
Artificial tears are the most common treatment for dry eyes. If they don't relieve your symptoms, your eye doctor may put plugs in or do surgery to stop the draining and increase the tear film.
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Diabetic Retinopathy |
If you have diabetes mellitus, your body does not use and store sugar properly. High blood-sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina, referred to as diabetic retinopathy.
The best treatment is to prevent the development of retinopathy as much as possible. Strict control of your blood sugar will significantly reduce the long term risk of vision loss from diabetic retinopathy.
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Learning Disabilities |
A learning disability is a disorder in understanding or using spoken or written language. Individuals with learning disabilities have average to above average intelligence, but experience problems with:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
- Concentration
- Mathematical Calculations
Dyslexia is a type of learning disability that involves reading difficulties.
Learning disabilities are caused by the brain, not the eyes. The eye functions like a camera. After the eye "takes a picture," the image is sent to your brain by the optic nerve. Your eyes do not understand what they see. Until your brain interprets images seen by your eyes, the image has no meaning.
A child with a learning disability needs to practice academic skills and learn helpful strategies with the he aid of a trained specialist. No scientific evidence has shown that visual training, muscle, perceptual or hand/eye coordination exercises can improve a childs learning disability.
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Headache |
All headaches can be divided into the following groups: - Tension-type headaches - This type of headache is the most common. It can result from temporary increases in tension in everyday life. They are usually temporary and can be relieved by an over-the-counter pain reliever.
- Migraine - The pain of a migraine is related to a reaction in the blood vessels of the scalp and covering layer of the brain, but the actual cause is not yet known.
- Diseases - This is the least common cause of headaches.
Headache treatment depends on its cause. If serious medical disease is found, it needs to be treated. If depression or anxiety is the cause, a referral may be made to a family physician, psychologist or psychiatrist.
If a migraine or tension is responsible, an accurate diagnosis can be reassuring, and your physicians suggestions for medication, self-help and assistance are the best solutions.
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