Common
 Vision
 Problems

Dr. Whitten keeps current with the latest in diagnosis and treatment for the most common vision problems and more. Improved vision is usually just a phone call away. The sooner you are able to identify some vision problems, the more likely complete vision restoration is possible. Understanding your options is the best place to start, and Whitten Laser Eye will provide you with detailed information to make your best decision.

Refractive Errors

The most common vision problems are refractive errors, which occur when the shape of the eye prevents light from directly focusing on the retina. Vision occurs when light rays are bent, or refracted, through the cornea and the lens. This light is then focused on the retina, which converts the light into messages sent through the optic nerves to the brain. Refractive errors occur when there is a change in length of the eyeball, a change in the shape of the cornea, or as a result of an aging lens. Refractive errors manifest as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

Nearsightedness, which may also be called myopia, is a condition where objects close to your eyes will appear clearly but become blurry as they move further away from your eyes.  Most people would say they have trouble seeing far away.

Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is a type of refractive error where distant objects will appear clearly, while objects close to your eyes will be blurred. Though this condition is common, some people do not realize that they are affected.

Astigmatism is a refractive problem in which the eye does not focus light evenly onto the retina. Because of the uneven distribution, images may appear blurry and stretched.

Presbyopia describes an age-related condition similar to farsightedness. The ability to focus on items close to the eyes becomes more difficult. As the eye ages, the lens’s loses it’s ability to change shape enough to allow the eye to focus clearly.

Glaucoma

The term Glaucoma describes a group of eye diseases in which the normal fluid pressure inside the eye slowly rises. Clear fluid flows in and out of the anterior chamber— the small space at the front of the eye. If this fluid drains too slowly, the optic nerve can be damaged. The building pressure from fluids can lead to vision loss and, sometimes, blindness.

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the eye that develops in the crystalline lens. This clouding can vary in degree from slightly opaque to completely opaque. As the clouding builds and increases the power of the eye’s lens, nearsightedness can develop, followed by a loss of the perception of the color blue. Though cataracts progress slowly, the condition can lead to blindness if left untreated.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, also called AMD, is a disease that is associated with people over the age of 60. This disease destroys the sharp, central vision that we use in everyday activities such as reading or driving. AMD affects the macula; this is part of the eye that is located in the center of the retina, and allows the eye to register fine details. There is no pain associated with AMD, but the symptoms of this disease can have a profound effect on daily routines. As the cells of the macula break down, people suffering from dry AMD will register straight lines as blurry, or see blurred spots in the center of their vision. Sufferers of wet AMD, or advanced AMD, may experience rapid vision loss. As abnormal blood vessels grow behind the macula and begin to leak, central vision deteriorates quickly; the first sign of wet AMD is viewing straight lines as wavy.