Information and Education

At Auburn Eye Care Associates our primary concern is the health and welfare of your eyes and vision. Below we have put together some general information with regard to some common eye disease and health conditions. These are for general information and not for diagnosis. If you have any concerns please contact our office and speak with our staff.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal pressure of the eye rises to a point that the optic nerve becomes damaged. The pressure that builds up is from an excess production of fluid in the eye that for one reason or another does not drain properly. The exact cause of glaucoma is not known. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. If diagnosed at an early stage, glaucoma can be contained, and little or no further vision loss should occur. If left untreated, peripheral and side awareness will gradually be destroyed and blindness may eventually occur. Glaucoma most frequently occurs in individuals over the age of 40 and is hereditary in some families.

It is estimated that over 2 million American have glaucoma. These numbers are expected to rise as the majority of our population grows older. Glaucoma often develops gradually and painlessly and there are no early warning signs. It can gradually destroy your vision without your knowing. In more advanced cases it may be accompanied by blurred vision, a loss in side vision, the appearance of colored rings around lights, and pain or redness.

Through an examination, Dr R. Belajic, Dr D. Norcott,  Dr D. Belajic or Dr H. D.Cooper can test for glaucoma. A simple and painless procedure, called tonometry, measures the intraocular pressure of the eye. Our doctors will also look into the eye to observe the health of the optic nerve and if needed to measure your field of vision. If discovered glaucoma is usually effectively treated by using eye drops and medications. In some cases, surgery may required. Unfortunately, any vision loss as a result of glaucoma is usually permanent and cannot be restored which is why early detection is necessary as soon as possible. At this time there is no prevention for glaucoma and early detection is our only tool. [top]

Cataracts

When the normally clear lens within your eye becomes cloudy and opaque, it is called a cataract. Cataracts vary from extremely small areas of cloudiness to large opaque areas that cause a noticeable loss of vision. They are most often seen in individuals over the age of 55, but occasionally in younger people. A specific cause to these chemical changes is unknown, but there are risk factors which include ultraviolet radiation (UV), cigarette smoking, or the use of some medications. There are no proven methods to prevent cataracts from forming. [top]

Usually the development of cataracts is without pain or redness. An indication that a cataract may be forming is hazy, blurred vision, appearance of spots, or the feeling of a film over the eyes. During an exam our doctors can examine your lens and diagnosis any cataract formation. If detected, our doctors can discuss with you the best treatment options. When they develop to the point where it affects your daily activities, your Optometrist will schedule your appointment with Dr Cooper, our surgeon, for removal of the cataract. Cataracts may develop very slowly and our doctors can discuss with you additional ways of slowing the formation of the cataract. After cataract surgery, a new lens will be implanted and your vision will show drastic immediate improvement. Our doctors will then work with you to fine tune and address any vision needs you may have. [top]

Nearsightedness

Myopia is a vision condition in which near objects are seen clearly, but distant object appear out of focus. This occurs because either your eye is too long or the refractive power of the eye is too strong. Light enters the eyes and comes to focus in front of the retina. This is a very common condition that effects nearly 30% of the population. There is a strong correlation to hereditary and some new evidence it may be linked to too much close work. Nearsightedness first appears in school age children and usually occurs before the age of 20. You may require some type of correction to enable you to see clearly at distance. This can be done through glasses, contacts, laser vision correction, or possible CRT. All of these options treat the symptoms, but the is no cure for nearsightedness. Your doctor will examine your vision and work with you to determine the best solution for you and your lifestyle. [top]

Farsightedness

Hyperopia is a vision condition where distant objects are usually seen clearly, but near objects are out of focus. In this case the eye is usually too short, or the refractive power of the eye is not strong enough to focus the image. If you are farsighted you may have to exert more effort to maintain clear vision. This extra effort can cause fatigue, tension, and discomfort. Many people have some degree of farsightedness that does not appear until later in life. Common signs of farsightedness are difficulty maintaining focus at near, blurred vision, eye strain, fatigue, or headaches. Farsightedness can be diagnosed by our doctors, and correction plans can be developed to meet your needs and lifestyle. Treatment options may include glasses, contact lenses or laser vision correction. [top]

Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the front of the eye is slightly irregular shaped - more oval than round. Not all rays of light come to focus at the same point inside of the eye. This is not a disease, but a common condition of vision. Most people have some level of astigmatism, which can be corrected with glasses, contacts and/or laser vision correction. Severe astigmatism will typically cause blurred or distorted vision. Mild astigmatism may cause headaches, eyestrain, and fatigue. Our doctors are able to diagnosis astigmatism and work with you to develop a treatment plan that best fits your needs and lifestyle. . [top]

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a vision correction condition in which the lens of your eye loses its flexibility and results in progressive difficulty seeing near objects. The normal changes in your eye due to aging cause these effects. Signs of presbyopia are the tendency to hold reading material further away, blurred vision while reading, eye fatigue, and headaches with near work. Our doctors can check for the progression of presbyopia, and if needed, can find the right solution for you. Common solutions include reading glasses, bifocal, trifocal, or progressive lenses, or contact lenses. We will work with you to find the best solution for your needs and the needs of your occupation. [top]

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin transparent layer covering the surface of the inner eyelid and a portion of the front of the eye. There are three main causes of conjunctivitis: infectious, allergic, and chemical. Commonly known as “pink eye” is caused by a contagious bacteria. Your body can also react to pollens, cosmetics, animals or fabrics and bring on an allergic reaction. Irritants such as pollution, noxious fumes and chlorine from pools may produce a reaction. Common symptoms of conjunctivitis are red eyes, inflamed inner lids, watery eyes, blurred vision and a sandy or scratchy feeling. With the infectious form there may be pus-like or watery discharge around the eyelid. Some forms of conjunctivitis can develop into serous conditions that may harm your vision. Therefore it is necessary to treat this condition in the early stages. Treatment for infections usually includes antibiotics in drop or ointment form. For allergic and chemical causes, removal of the item and treatment of the symptoms will being relief. [top]

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that prevents your body from making insulin to break down sugar in your blood. Diabetes can cause nearsightedness, farsightedness, and early onset presbyopia. Additionally it can cause cataracts, glaucoma, and a lack of eye muscle control. Blurry vision, a sudden fluctuation in vision, double vision, loss of visual field, and flashes and floaters can be signs of early diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy occurs with a weakening or swelling of the tiny blood vessels in the retina resulting in leakage and growth of unhealthy new vessels. If left untreated, this can progress to blindness. This can be prevented, however once damage has occurred the effect are permanent. Early stages can be treated with a laser which seals off the leaky blood vessels. Early detection is important and if found, our doctors will advise you on the best course of action to take for your condition. The best prevention is to monitor and control your blood sugar as closely as possible. Follow your doctors instructions with diet, exercise, and medication. More frequent visits to you eye doctor are recommended to monitor for eye changes which can occur rapidly. [top]

Spots and Floaters

Spots (often called floaters) are small, semi-transparent or cloudy specks or particles within the eye. They become visible when they cross the line of sight. They are of varied size and shape and may also be seen as small threads. Almost everyone has them and experiences them at one time. They are caused by small flecks of protein caught in the jelly like vitreous compartment of the eye. They may also be caused by deterioration of the eye fluid, surrounding parts, injury or disease. If you notice a sudden increase in number or size you should contact us immediately, so we can determine whether it is a sign of a much more serious problem. Our doctors can look into the eye and determine the cause and presence of these spots, and make sure there is no serous underlying cause. [top]

Dry Eye

When not enough tears are produced, or the chemical composition of the tears is not adequate to wet the eye, dry eye occurs. Symptoms can results from normal aging, environmental conditions, blinking problems, or in some cases, medications. Dry eye can also be a symptom of other systemic conditions or injury to the eye. Dry eyes usually feel itchy, scratchy, or uncomfortable. Our doctors can test the quality and quantity of your tear production, and can work with you to develop a treatment plan. Drops, ointments or in some case plugs inserted to slow drainage of tears. If untreated, dry eye can damage the surface of your eye and affect your vision and increase your chance for infection. [top]

Color Deficiency

Color deficiency is a visual condition in which a person is unable to distinguish colors and shades. The term “Color blind” is often used, but this is rarely the case. Most color deficient patients can see some colors and only lack specific detections. Normal color vision is detected by thousands of cone receptors which transmit the visual signal to the brain. A color deficient person does not properly pick up or transmit these signals. Several types of deficiency exist, but red-green is by far the most common. These individuals will unable to distinguish between shades or red and green. These people are generally unaware of the condition and assume everyone sees as they do. Our doctors are able to test for these color deficiencies. It is recommended that all children are tested by at least the age of five. Early schooling has a strong emphasis on color coding and learning can be impeded if not addressed. There is no cure, but with training the person will be taught to adapt to the deficiency and adjust for it. [top]

Bifocal/Trifocals/Progressive Lenses

These are lens designs made to address multiple vision needs in one lens. These lenses are used for anyone who needs helps seeing at more than one distance. There are a number of conditions where this may be required. In addition to any power of lens that may be needed for normal wear, an additional segment is added to the lens to make near-vision possible, or more comfortable. Traditionally these segments were added with a line between the powers. Progressive lenses allow for a gradual increase in power and provide a much wider range of clear vision without the noticeable line.  We can now provide free-form progressive lenses which are customized to your vision needs.  Our doctors and office staff can discuss with you the benefits and drawback of all of the latest styles and technologies to find what is best for your needs.

Tips for adjusting to you multi-focal prescription:

1. Don’t focus on your feet while walking;
2. Hold reading material close and low to your body and look out of the bottom of the lens;
3. Move the reading material or you head rather than moving your eyes;
4. Wear the multi-focal continuously for the first week to adapt;
5. Make sure your glasses are adjusted properly on your face. Misadjusted frames will have you looking through the wrong area of your lens;
6. Talk to our staff about your job or lifestyle requirements that may affect your vision. There are a number of options, and we will find the one that is right for you. [top]