My Eyes and Vision

How Do My Eyes See?

Light enters the eye through the Cornea. The shape of the cornea focuses the light from distant objects on the Retina. Closer objects require more focusing power. A group of muscles inside the eye control a flexible Lens, that can add focusing power when doing near work.

The Retina is the inner lining of the back of the eyeball. The Macula is the region of the retina with the best vision. When we look at a face, or read, the macula is the part of the retina we are using. The macula catches the light and then sends it to the Optic Nerve, which carries the information to the Visual Cortex of the brain, where it is assembled into the image that we see.

Why Is My Vision Blurry?

The most common causes of blurred vision are nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

If the curve of the cornea is too steep it focuses the light entering the eye in front of the retina. This results in objects in the distance appearing blurry. We call this Myopia, or nearsightedness because nearer objects appear clearer than distant objects.

If the curve of the cornea is too flat, it focuses the light entering the eye behind the retina. This results in near objects appearing blurry. We call this Hyperopia, or farsightedness because distant objects appear clearer than near objects.

If the curve of the cornea is not round, it causes the light entering the eye to focus in more than one place. This results in near and distant objects appearing blurry. This is called Astigmatism. Astigmatism can occur by itself, along with myopia or hyperopia.

If the flexible lens inside the eye loses its ability to add focusing power then near objects appear blurry. We call this Presbyopia, or “aging eye” because it occurs naturally as we age. This near blur is usually first noticed around the age of 40.

In most cases, the vision of people suffering from all of these conditions can be improved through the use of glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

Dry eye has many causes. Some of the risk factors for dry eye include age, use of digital devices, and certain medications. In general, eyes can be dry if they either don’t make enough tears, if the tear chemistry is not correct, or if the tears drain away too quickly. Your eye doctor can test your tears to determine the underlying cause of your dry eyes and the best treatment options.

What Are Cataracts?

As we age, the flexible lens inside our eyes loses some of its clarity: it becomes cloudy. This cloudiness is called a cataract. These changes to the lens are normal, and everyone who lives long enough will develop some degree of cataract. If the cataract gets dense enough, it will begin to interfere with the light entering the eye and cause blurred vision. When that happens, a surgeon can remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear one, restoring the clarity of vision. Our eye doctors check for cataracts as a part of every eye examination.

What Does Diabetes Have to Do With My Eyes?

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in American adults aged 20-74! But vision loss from diabetes is usually preventable. Early diagnosis of eye damage (Diabetic Retinopathy) and timely treatment are key. Because of this, people with diabetes should have a complete eye exam through dilated pupils at least once a year. Our optometrists have extensive experience managing patients with diabetes and diabetic eye disease.

What Is Glaucoma?

The eye is filled with fluid. If the eye either makes too much of this fluid or if the fluid cannot drain out of the eye properly, then the pressure inside the eye rises. If the pressure gets high enough to damage the Optic Nerve, it can damage the vision. This is termed glaucoma. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among African Americans and Hispanics. 

 Glaucoma is treated by lowering the pressure, either with medications or surgery. Because Glaucoma usually has no symptoms, it is important to have regular eye examinations. Early detection and treatment is the best way to prevent vision loss due to Glaucoma. Testing for glaucoma is a part of every examination our eye doctors provide.

What Is Macular Degeneration?

The macula is the region of the retina with the best vision. Sometimes the macula breaks down as we age. This can damage the vision. Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of vision impairment in Americans over the age of 65. Most macular degeneration is slow atrophy of the macula. This is called dry macular degeneration. 

Currently, the best treatment for dry macular degeneration is diet and dietary supplements. If fluid enters the macula, it can cause rapid and severe damage to the vision- this is called wet macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration is treated with lasers or injections of medicine to eliminate the fluid. Smoking increases the risk of developing macular degeneration. Whether or not you smoke, be sure to let us know if you experience any sudden changes in your vision.

Contact Bis-Man Eye Care Associates for quality eye care services.