There are several eye conditions that can impair vision, cause discomfort, and bring about a variety of other unpleasant symptoms. The eye is a complex organ and it is used in practically every single element and task of our everyday lives. Therefore, it is important to receive an eye exam as soon as you experience any symptoms that could be caused by an eye condition. At Nevada Eye Physicians, our eye care doctors use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and create treatment plans for a wide array of eye conditions. The physicians at Nevada Eye Physicians in our nine Nevada locations have helped thousands of people enjoy better vision to improve their quality of life.
Early Prevention
When our vision is clear, it is easy to assume our eyes are healthy and will stay that way. However, the eye is regularly exposed to injury and diseases, such as diabetes, allergies, and viral and bacterial infections that can negatively impact our vision. In addition, as we age, our eyes naturally change. Certain conditions can develop over time, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retina diseases, in addition to age-related vision loss. In many situations, early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment or on-going management. Our eye care professionals recommend regular eye examinations and regular eye check-ups for early detection of eye conditions and diseases.
Eye Conditions
There are countless eye conditions that can be treated if caught early. Some conditions and diseases do not have a formal cure; however, they can be managed for years before the condition advances. If you begin to have unusual symptoms (such as itchy eyes, dry eyes, or irritation), or if you have trouble seeing during certain activities, or if you start losing vision, an eye exam is necessary. Using advanced technology, our eye care doctors will be able to pinpoint exactly what is occurring and determine the best treatment plan.
Listed below are many of the eye conditions, diseases, and infections our physicians are able to diagnose, and in many cases, treat:
- Astigmatism (abnormal curvature of the cornea)
- Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)
- Cataracts (clouding of the lens)
- Diabetic retinopathy, diabetic eye pathology (monitoring and management)
- Dry eye syndrome
- Floaters and flashes (often associated with the retina)
- Glaucoma
- Hyperopia (farsightedness)
- Macular degeneration
- Myopia (nearsightedness)
- Presbyopia (blurred vision; inability to focus on close objects)
State-Of-The-Art Treatment
Using state-of-the-art technology and innovative techniques, our eye care professional at Nevada Eye Physicians are able to evaluate your medical history and current symptoms to provide a diagnosis. Each of our facilities, has modern equipment that helps to create more accurate and efficient diagnostic testing so that our physicians can provide more effective treatment options. After the condition has been identified, medication, eye drops, or a surgical procedure may be recommend depending on the disease and its severity. Our doctors and staff go through continuous ongoing training to ensure that we are doing everything possible to provide our patients with the most advanced care possible.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is caused by an eye that is not completely round. Astigmatism occurs in nearly everybody to some degree. A person’s eye is naturally shaped like a sphere. Under normal circumstances, when light enters the eye, it refracts, or bends, evenly, creating a clear view of the object.
However, the eye of a person with astigmatism is shaped more like a football or the back of a spoon. For this person, when light enters the eye it is refracted more in one direction than the other, allowing only part of the object to be in focus at one time. Objects at any distance can appear blurry and wavy.
Symptoms of Astigmatism
People with undetected astigmatism often have blurred vision, which can be associated with fatigue and eyestrain. While these symptoms may not necessarily be the result of astigmatism, you should schedule an eye exam if you are experiencing one or more symptoms.
Treatment
Almost all degrees of astigmatism can be corrected with properly prescribed eyeglasses or contact lenses. For a person with only a slight degree of astigmatism, corrective lenses may not be needed at all, as long as other conditions, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, are not present. If the astigmatism is moderate to high, however, corrective lenses are probably needed.
Corrective Lenses
For Astigmatism, special soft contact lenses called Toric lenses are prescribed.Soft Toric lenses have greater light bending power in one direction than the other. Another option, particularly for higher amounts of astigmatism, is a breathable rigid contact lens. After performing various tests, your eye doctor will determine the ideal prescription for your astigmatism.
Refractive Surgery
Another method for correcting astigmatism is by changing the shape of the cornea through refractive or laser eye surgery. While there is more than one type of refractive surgery, specific treatments are recommended on an individual basis. These refractive surgeries require healthy eyes that are free of Renal problems, Corneal Scars, and other Eye Diseases.
Nearsightedness (Myopia)
Nearsightedness is when objects in the distance appear blurry and out of focus. You might squint or frown when trying to see distant objects clearly. This usually a variation from normal, not a disease. Less often, nearsightedness happens because of another disease or condition. Nearsightedness usually begins between the ages of 6 to 12 and then can change rapidly again in the teenage years leveling out for most in the mid-twenties.
What Causes Nearsightedness?
Most nearsightedness is caused by a natural change in the shape of the eyeball. These problems cause light rays entering the eye to focus in front of the retina. Normally, light focuses directly on the retina.
What Are the Symptoms?
The main symptom is blurred vision when looking at distant objects. You may have trouble clearly seeing images or words on a blackboard, movie screen, or television. This can lead to poor school, athletic, or work performance.
How is Nearsightedness Treated?
Most people who suffer from this condition use eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct their vision. Surgery can also reduce or fix nearsightedness. There are several surgery options, such as LASIK, PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), and artificial lens implants.
Farsightedness (Presbyopia)
Presbyopia is part of the natural aging process of the eye, and can be easily corrected. It is the loss of the eye’s ability to change its focus to see objects that are near. It is not a disease. It’s as natural as wrinkles, and it affects everyone at some point in life.
Presbyopia is often confused with farsightedness, but the two are different. Presbyopia occurs when the natural lens in the eye loses flexibility. Farsightedness occurs as a result of the natural shape of the eyeball, which causes light rays to bend incorrectly once they have entered the eye.
Symptoms of Presbyopia
- The need to hold reading material at arms length
- Blurred vision at normal reading distance
- Headache or fatigue from doing close work
How is Presbyopia Diagnosed?
Your Ophthalmologist can diagnose this by preforming a thorough eye exam.
Schedule Your Exam
At Nevada Eye Physicians, we provide comprehensive eye care to both detect and treat several eye conditions. If you are experiencing unpleasant symptoms that could be linked to an eye condition, it is important to seek medical attention before the condition progresses. To schedule your eye exam today, contact one of our Nevada offices.
