Problems and Diseases – Tucson’s #1 Optometrist

Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is a vision development disorder in which an eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity, even with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Amblyopia begins during infancy and early childhood. In most cases, only one eye is affected. But in some cases, reduced visual acuity can occur in both eyes.

Astigmatism is probably the most misunderstood vision problem. For starters, it’s called “astigmatism,” not “stigmatism.” (You don’t have “a stigmatism” — you have astigmatism.)

Like nearsightedness and farsightedness, astigmatism is a refractive error, meaning it is not an eye disease or eye health problem; it’s simply a problem with how the eye focuses light…

Blepharitis is a common eyelid inflammation that is sometimes associated with a bacterial eye infection, symptoms of dry eyes, or certain types of skin conditions such as acne or rosacea. Blepharitis has two basic forms…

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40 and is the principal cause of blindness in the world. In fact, there are more cases of cataracts worldwide than there are of glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy combined, according to Prevent Blindness America (PBA)…

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is a sight-threatening disease frequently associated with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). In the past, about a quarter of active AIDS patients developed CMV retinitis. However, this figure is dropping dramatically, thanks to a potent combination of drugs used to treat AIDS that help restore the function of the immune system. In recent years, these drugs have helped decrease the presence of CMV retinitis in late-stage AIDS by more than 80 percent.*

A cornea transplant replaces diseased or scarred corneal tissue with healthy tissue from an organ donor. There are two main types of cornea transplants: traditional, full-thickness cornea transplant (also known as penetrating keratoplasty, or PK) and back layer cornea transplant (also known as endothelial keratoplasty, or EK).

Diabetic retinopathy — vision-threatening damage to the retina of the eye caused by diabetes — is the leading cause of blindness among working-age Americans, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Yet, many cases could be prevented with regular eye exams and appropriate treatment.

Dry eye syndrome is a chronic and typically progressive condition. Depending on its cause and severity, it may not be completely curable. But in most cases, dry eyes can be managed successfully, usually resulting in noticeably greater eye comfort, fewer dry eye symptoms, and sometimes sharper vision as well.

Eye allergies—red, itchy, watery eyes bothered by the same irritants that cause sneezing and a runny nose among seasonal allergy sufferers—are very common. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology estimates that 50 million people in the United States have seasonal allergies, and their prevalence is increasing, affecting up to 30 percent of adults and up to 40 percent of children…

Eye floaters are those tiny spots, specks, flecks, and “cobwebs” that drift aimlessly around in your field of vision. While annoying, ordinary eye floaters and spots are common and aren’t a cause for alarm. Floaters and spots typically appear when tiny pieces of the eye’s gel-like vitreous break loose within the inner back portion of the eye.

Glaucoma is a group of related eye disorders that all cause damage to the optic nerve that carries information from the eye to the brain. It usually has few or no initial symptoms. In most cases, glaucoma is associated with higher-than-normal pressure inside the eye—a condition called ocular hypertension. But it can also occur when intraocular pressure (IOP) is normal. If untreated or uncontrolled, glaucoma first causes peripheral vision loss and eventually can lead to blindness.

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is a common vision problem, affecting about a fourth of the population. People with hyperopia can see distant objects very well, but have difficulty focusing on objects that are up close.

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease in which the normally round cornea thins and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. This cone shape deflects light as it enters the eye on its way to the light-sensitive retina, causing distorted vision. Keratoconus can occur in one or both eyes and often begins during a person’s teens or early 20s.

Age-related macular degeneration, often called AMD or ARMD, is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among Americans 65 and older. Because this group represents an increasingly large percentage of the general population, vision loss from macular degeneration is a growing problem. AMD is the degeneration of the macula, the part of the retina responsible for the sharp, central vision needed to read or drive. Central vision loss may occur because the macula is primarily affected in AMD.

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is the most common refractive error of the eye, and it has become more prevalent in recent years. In fact, a recent study by the National Eye Institute (NEI) shows the prevalence of myopia grew from 25 percent of the U.S. population (ages 12 to 54) in 1971-1972 to a whopping 41.6 percent in 1999-2004.

Ocular hypertension means the pressure in your eyes — your intraocular pressure (IOP) — is higher than normal. Left untreated, high eye pressure can cause glaucoma and permanent vision loss in some individuals. However, some people can have ocular hypertension without developing any damage to their eyes or vision, as determined by a comprehensive eye exam and visual field testing.

A pinguecula (pin-GWEK-yoo-lah) is a yellowish, slightly raised thickening of the conjunctiva on the white part of the eye (sclera), close to the edge of the cornea. Pingueculae are non-cancerous bumps on the eyeball and typically occur on top of the sclera’s middle part—the part between your eyelids, and therefore is exposed to the sun. Usually, pingueculae affect the surface of the sclera closer to the nose, but they can also occur on the outer sclera (closer to the ear).

“Pink eye” may sound scary, but this common eye problem is typically easily treated and, with a few simple precautions, can often be avoided…

Ptosis (TOE-sis) refers to the drooping of the upper eyelid of one or both eyes. The droop may be barely noticeable, or the lid can descend over the entire pupil. Ptosis can affect both children and adults, but it usually occurs because of aging.

A detached retina is a serious and sight-threatening event that occurs when the retina becomes separated from its underlying supportive tissue. When these layers are detached, the retina cannot function, and permanent vision loss may result unless the retina is reattached soon.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a rare inherited disease in which the eye’s light-sensitive retina slowly and progressively degenerates. Eventually, blindness results. When retinitis pigmentosa is suspected, visual field testing likely will be conducted during or after your routine eye exams to determine the extent of peripheral vision loss. Other specialized eye tests may be needed to determine whether you have lost night or color vision.

A stye (medical term: hordeolum) develops when an oil gland at the edge of an eyelid becomes infected. Resembling a pimple on the eyelid, a stye can grow inside or outside the lid. Here are seven things to know about eye styes:

Uveitis (pronounced you-vee-EYE-tis) is inflammation of the uvea — the middle layer of the eye that consists of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. Uveitis can have many causes, including eye injury and inflammatory diseases. Exposure to toxic chemicals such as pesticides and acids used in manufacturing processes can also cause uveitis.