Blurred Vision
Problems
External Eye Health Problems
Internal
Eye Health Problems
BLURRED
VISION PROBLEMS
Refractive Error is when light
coming into the eye does not focus properly
on the retina (back wall of the eye). Types
of refractive error are hyperopia (farsightedness),
myopia (nearsightedness), and astigmatism (light
being split into multiple focus points). Refractive
error is created by the cornea (front curvature
of the eye) being too steep or too flat to focus
light properly on the retina. Eyeglasses and
contact lenses correct refractive error by refocusing
light on the retina properly. Laser Eye Surgery
corrects refractive error by reshaping the cornea.
Accommodative Disorders is
a group of problems that describe the eyes inability
to properly adjust focus. Every time a person
looks near or far away, they use a muscle in
the eye to refocus. This muscle responds like
other muscles in the body, and it can fatigue,
cramp, and be inflexible. When the muscle does
not flex and relax properly, a person can experience
blurred vision, delayed focusing, and eyestrain.
Accommodative disorders can be treated with
corrective eyewear and/or eye exercises (vision
therapy).
Presbyopia is loss of adjustable
focus due to aging. As a person gets older,
they gradually lose the ability to focus at
close range. This occurs because the lens, inside
the eye, cannot continue to stretch and change
shape. Although the amount of focusing diminishes
with every year older a person gets, most people
do not notice the problem until they reach their
late thirties or early forties when their reserves
are disappearing. When presbyopia begins to
occur, a person will have to hold things further
to see, need more light to see, experience delayed
refocusing, and get eyestrain or headaches when
doing desk work. Presbyopia can be corrected
with reading glasses, bifocals, progressive
lenses, and multi-focal contact lenses.
Vergence Disorders is a group
of problems that describe the eyes inability
to remain properly aligned. Every time a person
looks in a different direction or at a different
distance, eye muscles have to realign the eyes
and keep images from both eyes superimposed
in the brain. If eye muscles are weak and work
inefficiently, a person will experience blurred
vision, double vision, eyestrain, headaches,
loss of place while reading, floating or moving
words while reading, labored or slow reading,
reading mistakes, poor concentration with desk
work, reduced depth perception, and misjudgments
of speed. Vergence disorders are treated with
lenses, prisms, and eye exercises (vision therapy).
Tracking Disorders is a group
of problems that describe the eyes in ability
to move accurately when following a moving object
or while reading. In order for eyes to move
and stay on target properly, eye muscles controlling
those movements need to be highly coordinated.
When a person is unable to coordinate their
eye movements, they may see blurry, lose their
place while reading, misread words, have reduced
reading speed, and make misjudgments while playing
sports. Tracking disorders can be treated with
corrective eyewear and eye exercises (vision
therapy).
EXTERNAL
EYE HEALTH PROBLEMS (top)
Dry Eye is a condition where
the eyes do not stay wet. Either tears are evaporating
off the eye too quickly or tear gland production
is reduced. When a person has dry eye, the eyes
may sting or burn, get red, feel gritty, and
have cycles of watering or excessive tearing.
The condition worsens with exposure to wind,
heat, air conditioning, sunlight/radiation,
and chemically polluted air. Dry eye can be
the result of abnormal body physiology, aging,
exposure to the elements, use of certain medications
(antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants,
hormones), poor hygiene, and contact lens use.
An eye examination can determine the severity
and cause of the dry eye, and the best way to
treat it. Treatment includes better hygiene,
environmental changes, protective eyewear, artificial
tears, nutritional supplements, medication,
and surgery.
An Eye Allergy is a condition
where the eyes get irritated from exposure to
air borne particles from plants, animals, dust,
or chemicals. When suffering from an eye allergy,
a person can have red, itchy, sticky, and/or
watery eyes. An eye examination can determine
the severity and cause of the allergy and the
best way to treat it. Treatment for eye allergy
includes better hygiene, environmental changes,
nutritional supplements, and medication.
An Eye Infection is a condition
where the eye gets irritated from exposure to
excessive bacteria. When suffering from an eye
infection, a person can have redness, pain,
light sensitivity, mucous discharge, swelling,
and blurred vision. Those suffering an eye infection
should seek immediate medical attention to avoid
permanent eye damage and/or vision loss. Treatment
for an eye infection may include both topical
and oral medication. Severe cases may include
hospitalization.
A Stye is a condition where
a gland in the eyelid gets blocked and infected
with bacteria. When suffering from a stye, a
person can have a red and painful bump in the
eyelid. It is similar to having a pimple; only
it is bigger, more painful, and deeper under
the skin.
Styes should not be treated by squeezing them.
This can cause them to get worse. Proper treatment
includes hot packs, lid massage, and medication.
Untreated styes can spread and lead to a severe
infection of the entire eyelid and eye socket
requiring hospitalization. To avoid complications,
styes should be treated by a doctor as early
as possible.
Blepharitis is a condition
where the eyelids become irritated from poor
lid hygiene or exposure excessive bacteria.
When suffering from blepharitis, the margins
of the eyelids have redness, swelling, crusty
lashes, scaly skin, and itchiness. It certain
individuals this can be a long term condition
due to unusual body chemistry. Blepharitis is
best treated with lid scrubs, hot packs, and
in more severe cases medication. Patients should
consult with their eye doctor for the proper
healthcare regimen.
A Pinquecula is a condition
where a bump forms on the white of the eye,
usually at the three and nine o’clock
positions, adjacent to the colored part (iris).
The bump forms on the eye from exposure to the
elements: dry air, radiation from the sun, and
pollution. They generally occur on people who
spend a lot of time outdoors without protection.
As the eye heals from repeated irritation, new
skin layers on top of old skin forming the bump.
Pinqueculas are best treated by keeping the
eyes moist with artificial tears, sunglasses,
and staying away from pollution. In the beginning
stages, there is just redness without the bump.
In the late stages, the bump grows over the
front of the eye (pterygium) and can interfere
with vision. Advance cases require surgical
removal. Mild flare-ups can be treated anti-inflammatory
medication.
INTERNAL
EYE HEALTH PROBLEMS (top)
Glaucoma is a condition where
the pressure inside the eye is usually elevated
and over time causes optic nerve damage. Glaucoma,
when undetected and untreated, causes blindness.
During an eye examination, both eye pressure
and optic nerve damage can be evaluated. Glaucoma
can be treated with pressure lowering medication
or surgery.
A Cataract is a condition
where the lens inside the eye is clouded. As
a cataract advances, it gradually blocks vision.
A person with cataracts describes their vision
as a film over their eye. Cataracts occur primarily
due to aging, but also occur due to exposure
to sunlight, certain health conditions, medication,
and injury. The only treatment for cataracts
is surgery. When surgery is performed, vision
is restored by removing the clouded lens and
replacing it with a plastic prescription lens
implant.
Macular Degeneration is a condition
where the center of the retina (macula) is damaged
due to the aging process. Essentially, pigmentation
cells in the retina decay and are unable to
detect light. As a result, a person with macular
degeneration cannot see centrally. This makes
it difficult to see faces and to read. Since,
peripheral vision is not damaged, mobility is
not a problem. Treatment for macular degeneration
is limited to vitamin therapy to slow the aging
process, and various laser procedures used to
prevent blood vessels from leaking fluid into
the retina. Patients with Macular Degeneration
need magnifiers and special telescopic aids
to improve their low vision.
Hypertensive Retinopathy is
a condition where the optic nerve and retina
become damaged from having elevated blood pressure
(hypertension). When a person has high blood
pressure that is not well controlled, blood
vessels in the eye undergo structural changes
which cause bleeding. If severe enough, this
will cause optic nerve damage and vision loss.
Since high blood pressure can damage the eyes
permanently, early detection is crucial. At
minimum, individuals with known high blood pressure
should have a dilated retinal exam every year.
Retinal photography is also recommended to better
document and monitor any changes that may be
occurring.
Diabetic Retinopathy is a
condition where the optic nerve and retina become
damaged from having elevated blood sugar levels
(diabetes). When a person has blood sugar that
is not well controlled, blood vessels in the
eye undergo structural changes which cause bleeding.
If severe enough, this will cause optic nerve
damage and vision loss. Since diabetes can damage
the eyes permanently, early detection is crucial.
At minimum, individuals with known diabetes
should have a dilated retinal exam every year.
Retinal photography is also recommended to better
document and monitor any changes that may be
occurring.
Carlsbad and North County San Diego residents get the best adult or children's eye doctor eye exam, eyecare, eyewear, eye glasses, vision / eye prescriptions, contacts, laser vision correction, vision therapy, reading therapy, eye infection treatment, eye allergy treatment, and vision problem diagnosis in the Carlsbad offices of Bloch Vision Care and Children's Optometric of North County. We are trained and qualified pediatric / children's eye doctor eye specialists and children's vision therapy specialists. We service the vision needs of patients residing in Carlsbad, North County San Diego, San Marcos, Oceanside, Vista, La Costa, Encinitas, California.