Eye Conditions and Eye Disease Co-Management
Eye problems can range from mild to severe; some are chronic, while others may resolve on their own, never to appear again. The articles below will give you a basic understanding of some of these problems and their implications. The cardinal rule is if your eyes don't look good, feel good or see well, you should visit your eye doctor.
Eye Conditions in San Francisco
Hyperopia
When you have farsightedness (hyperopia), you can see distant objects clearly, but nearby objects may appear blurry. In most cases, farsightedness is present at birth and tends to run in families. The condition can be easily corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a common refractive error that can cause blurry vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea or lens. The most common way to correct astigmatism is with prescription contact lenses or glasses.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is age-related farsightedness and is considered a natural part of the aging process that often begins in a person's 40s. People with presbyopia may find it difficult to read small print or clearly see near objects. Presbyopia treatment often consists of prescription glasses or contacts to correct vision.
Myopia
A person with myopia, also known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness, sees distant objects as blurry or out of focus, such as the board in a classroom, the television, or the clock on the wall. During your eye exam, the eye doctor will note a negative sign such as -1.00 or -2.25 to indicate myopia, which can be corrected with corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Dry Eye
Dry eye syndrome, also called dry eye disease, is a chronic condition caused by either insufficient tears or an imbalance in one of the elements that make up your tears. Dry eye symptoms include dry, gritty, watery, itchy, red and irritated eyes.
Treatment for dry eye syndrome depends on the underlying cause, and a thorough dry eye evaluation with your optometrist will help determine the best treatment plan for you. Your optometrist may recommend eye drops for dry eyes or other methods of treatment.
If you’d like to learn more or have any concerns, book an appointment at Dr. Lively Eye Care in San Francisco today.
Eye Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
By using advanced technology, we are able to diagnose and treat diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy with increased precision. Earlier and more precise diagnosis means earlier treatment and better outcomes. As a result of Dr. Lively Eye Care, our eye doctor is capable of treating diseases that previously had few treatment options.
Eye Disease Management in San Francisco
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damages the eye's optic nerve and tends to worsen over time. The two most common forms of the disease are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is less severe and often presents no noticeable symptoms until irreversible damage has occurred. Signs of angle-closure glaucoma include blurry or hazy vision, eye redness, nausea and vomiting, severe eye or forehead pain, and seeing rainbows or halos. Seek emergency medical care if you experience any of those symptoms.
Cataracts
Cataracts form as a natural part of the aging process. Over time, the proteins in the eye's natural lens begin to clump together, forming a cloudy mass called a cataract. Cataract treatment involves undergoing cataract surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear artificial one.
Macular Degeneration
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye disease that causes central vision loss. Wet macular degeneration is more severe than dry macular degeneration and causes abnormal blood vessels to grow under the macula and leak fluid into retinal tissue. Macular degeneration symptoms include blurry vision, poor central vision, dark or empty spots in the center of your vision and distorted vision that causes straight lines to appear wavy. Macular degeneration treatment typically includes close monitoring, eye injections or photodynamic therapy.
Diabetic Eye Care
Diabetes can greatly impact your eyes and vision and early detection and treatment facilitate the best possible outcomes. That's why having regular diabetic eye exams is crucial for diabetic patients. If you or a loved one has diabetes, call Dr. Lively Eye Care to schedule an eye exam for diabetes.
Call Dr. Lively Eye Care to book your eye exam today!