While there are many types of conditions and diseases that affect the eye, below is an overview of a few of the most common vision issues and eye diseases we treat at Lifetime EyeCare. If you’re experiencing symptoms of any kind, please give our office a call or a text—we want to help get you answers and feeling better as soon as possible!
When a person is able to see well up close but has trouble seeing at a distance, they’re considered nearsighted. Glasses and contacts for nearsighted patients will have “minus power,” and these patients are some of the best candidates for LASIK eye surgery. If you’re interested in LASIK, mention it to your doctor during your next visit and we can help refer you to a LASIK surgeon.
When a person has difficulty seeing up close but fewer issues looking in the distance, they’re considered farsighted. Farsighted patients are usually prescribed “plus power” corrective lenses.
As we age, our eyes begin to lose the ability to focus on things up close, known clinically as presbyopia. This begins around ages 40-45, and is a part of naturally aging eyes so don’t worry—your arms haven’t gotten shorter! Presbyopia can be treated with progressive or bifocal lenses if you already wear corrective lenses, or sometimes with reading glasses.
Most digital devices like computers, phones, and tablets are backlit to aid in easy reading, but it also exposes us to harmful blue light. Overexposure to blue light can cause a host of problems, from poor sleep, to headaches, to damaging one’s retina. Most of us rely on our devices, so fully stopping their use isn’t an option, but you can counteract the effects of blue light. Ask your doctor about EyeZen and Smart Blue lens options during your next appointment.
A lazy eye occurs when one eye sees much better than the other, and is often characterized by drifting or wandering. Often, lazy eyes are caused by an eye turn or when one eye is weaker (needs more correction) than the other in early childhood. When a lazy eye is present, its connection to the brain might not fully develop without intervention, so it’s important for all children to have exams at age 1, 3, and once a year after starting school. Lazy eyes can be treated with glasses, patching, or sometimes muscle surgery.
Conjunctivitis, more commonly known as “pink eye,” can be bacterial, viral, or an allergic reaction. If you’re having symptoms like redness, itching, burning, or discharge, you should see your doctor sooner than later so you can be prescribed the correct eye drops. Other hygiene practices like hand washing and frequently changing and washing pillow cases are important when fighting pink eye.
Dry eye affects both adults and children and is by far the most common eye disease treated at Lifetime EyeCare. If you’re having symptoms like a dry, gritty, burning, itchy feeling or watery eyes, let your doctor know so we can find a solution that will bring you much-needed relief. Treatments can include over-the-counter solutions or prescription medications.
Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy or hazy, typically caused by aging. Cataracts can cause blurry vision and difficulty driving at night due to glare or halos. When the cataracts progress to the point where it’s difficult to carry out daily activities, there are surgical options to remove the cataracts to improve vision. This procedure is very common and performed by an ophthalmologist.
Diabetic retinopathy, or more commonly known as diabetic eye disease, can occur in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Diabetic eye disease is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina, and risk is increased by the longer someone has had diabetes and the frequency of acute sugar spikes. It is estimated that 40-45% of Americans with diabetes have diabetic eye disease but only half are aware of the condition. Diabetic retinopathy is the number one cause of blindness in those with diabetes, so it is essential to have annual exams and retinal screenings. At Lifetime EyeCare, we have an Optomap retinal scanner, which takes a full image of the retina so we can catch any problems early and start any necessary treatment right away.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. The most common diagnosis is primary open angle glaucoma, which results from a pressure increase inside the eye that damages the optic nerve. This damage can result in vision loss, usually affecting peripheral vision first. Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma, but early detection is crucial for slowing down the progression of the disease.
LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is a surgical procedure where a laser is used to permanently reshape the cornea. This outpatient procedure is performed by an eye surgeon. Although LASIK can be performed on farsighted patients, the best candidates have moderate to advanced nearsightedness. If you’re interested in LASIK, talk to you doctor during your next visit—we’ll be happy to discuss if you’re a good candidate and provide a referral to an eye surgeon.
When cataracts have progressed to the point where daily life is impacted, surgery is typically recommended. An eye surgeon will remove the cloudy lens of the eye is and replace it with a clear implant. The surgery is very common and done on an outpatient basis.
Recently, lifestyle corneal implants have become available as well, for correcting astigmatism and multifocals. If you’re interested, ask our doctors about which option would suit your needs best.
If you’re suffering from low vision, ask about our low vision consultations—our doctors can help you find the right options that could improve your visual needs.
Your doctor at Lifetime EyeCare work with you to diagnose what’s going on with your eyes and suggest the best treatment option. For more information, you can reach out to us or schedule an appointment online!