04:02:00 pm, by Geraldine , 409 words, 43 views  
Categories: Common Eye Conditions

Different people need glasses for different tasks. Some people require them to read a paper and thread a needle. Others require glasses for driving or watching television and some people require glasses for everything they want to see and do.

Hyperopia

Hyperopia, or long-sightedness, is a condition where close objects are blurry. In a relaxed hyperopic eye, the image is focused behind the retina, the back of the eye. To focus the image on the retina, a plus spectacle lens is required to be placed in front of the eye. This will allow the spectacle wearer to see all distances clearly. Hyperopia may be hereditary and often the size of the eyeball itself is slightly smaller than average.

Myopia

Myopia, or short-sightedness, is a condition where faraway objects are blurry. In a myopic eye, the image is focused in front of the retina. To focus the image on to the retina, a minus spectacle lens is required to be placed in front of the eye. This will allow the spectacle wearer to see all distances clearly. Myopia may be hereditary and often the size of the eyeball itself is slightly longer than average.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a common condition where the eye loses its ability to see close objects clearly. In a presbyopic eye, the lens, which would normally alter shape to adjust focus for close objects, slowly loses its flexability. This usually starts happening between the ages of 40 and 45 and can continue up to the age of 65. To focus a close image on the retina, a plus spectacle lens is required to be placed infront of the eye. This will allow the spectacle wearer to see close objects clearly, but it will make distant objects blurry. Presbyopia is experienced by everyone as it is part of the aging process and it cannot be prevented.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a condition where there is asymmetric blur of an object. In an astigmatic eye, one direction of the image may be focused on the retina and part in front or behind the retina. Astigmatism is usually due to the shape of the front of the eye, the cornea, not being completely spherical. This results in light which would normally be focused as a point on the retina, being focused as a line. To focus the image on the retina, a cylindrical spectacle lens is required to be placed in front of the eye. This will make objects at any distance clear.

09:08:18 am, by Geraldine , 14 words, 191 views  
Categories: Eye Care Links

A comprehensive link directory devoted to the eyecare industry. Over 2000 consumer and professional links ...

03:32:55 pm, by Geraldine , 8 words, 191 views  
Categories: Eye Care Links

Information and support for patients with Macular Degeneration.

03:24:44 pm, by Geraldine , 585 words, 583 views  
Categories: Common Eye Conditions, Macular Degeneration

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration (MD) is a disease of the central retina (called the macula) that affects central vision. It is the leading cause of vision loss among people over age 65. Because it affects only central vision, macular degeneration does not cause total blindness. But it can make most daily activities like driving and reading difficult or impossible.

What causes it?

The exact cause of macular degeneration is still not understood, but it is thought to be associated with artherosclerotic changes in the tiny blood vessels that nourish the macula, compromising the blood flow to this part of the retina.

Age clearly plays a role in the disease. For this reason, it is often referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Macular degeneration has two forms:

Dry MD is the more common form, affecting approximately 90 percent of those who have macular degeneration. It typically develops slowly and causes mild visual distortion to moderate central vision loss.

Wet MD affects only 10 percent of people with macular degeneration, but causes more severe vision loss. In wet MD, new blood vessels that form under the macula leak fluid and can cause a rapid and severe loss of central vision.

How common is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is the most common cause of severe vision loss among individuals over age 65. Age is the greatest risk factor. People over 40 have a 4% risk, over 50 have a 9% risk, over 65 have a 23% risk and over 80 have a 31% risk. It accounts for 45% of the legally blind and 70% of the seriously visually impaired people over 70.

Other risk factors include:

• Smoking
• A family history of MD
• High cholesterol
• A poor ability to tan when young
• Excessive exposure to sunlight
• High dietary intake of saturated fat and cholesterol
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• A high body mass index in men
• Race - MD affects Caucasians more frequently than people of other races
• Gender - Women are twice as likely to develop MD

What are the symptoms of Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is painless. Visual symptoms are constant and limited to the central area of a person's visual field.

They include:

• Distorted vision
• Blurred vision
• A central darkened spot or empty area

An amsler grid can be used to monitor for any change in relation to MD. Follow this link for a sample amsler grid.

http://www.mdfoundation.com.au/resources/1/Amsler_Grid.pdf

Can Macular Degeneration be treated?

Though there is currently no widely accepted treatment for macular degeneration, promising new medications are currently being developed, in particular for Wet MD. If you or a family member has MD, ask your optometrist about new treatment options that may be available.

Can Macular Degeneration be prevented?

Recent research suggests certain antioxidant vitamins and other nutritional supplements may slow or prevent the development of macular degeneration in some individuals. Vitamins A, C and E; zinc; Carotenoids and lutein may be beneficial in maintaining a healthy retina. These substances, however, have not been shown to reverse existing damage to the retina from MD.

Actions you can take to lower your risk of MD include:

• Get plenty of exercise
• Maintain a proper weight
• Eat a healthy diet including fish and green leafy vegetables
• Avoid smoking
• Take a multiple antioxidant vitamin supplement daily
• Wear sunglasses when outdoors

Low vision aids

People who have lost vision due to MD can often benefit from low vision aids. These specialised optical devices provide high magnification and help a person with MD use their remaining central vision as effectively as possible. See your optometrist for further information.

09:26:05 am, by Geraldine , 2 words, 198 views  
Categories: Eye Care Links

Eyetalk Consultants