Normal “Perfect” Vision (emmetropia)

The eye’s surface is convex, and light rays that hit it bend toward its center.  In an eye that has a normally curved cornea and the correct shape, an image focuses exactly on the retina.

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Nearsightedness (myopia)

When the eyeball is too long, light rays focus in front of, rather than on, the retina. Under these circumstances, near objects are perceived clearly but distant objects are not.

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Farsightedness (hyperopia)

When the eyeball is too short, light rays entering the eye focus behind the retina. Distant objects are seen clearly but near objects are not.

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Astigmatism

AstigmatismVision becomes distorted when the surface of the cornea has an uneven curvature; sometimes, it is the eye’s lens that is irregularly shaped. This type of irregularity causes light to focus on more than one spot in the back of the eye, causing blurred vision.

Do you have astigmatism? 

Read about an implantable “toric” replacement lens that corrects astigmatism.

 

 

 

 

 

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Presbyopia

Over time, the eye’s lens gradually loses its elasticity and its ability to change shape to see close objects. Bifocals or reading glasses are the traditional prescription for remedying this presbyopic loss of accommodation, but recent technology makes it possible to exchange the inflexible lens for one designed to compensate for changes in the eye and improve functional vision at all distances.

Do you have presbyopia and cataracts?

Read about premium lifestyle replacement lens implants that may greatly improve both problems at the same time.

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Cataracts

CataractsThe eye has an inner lens that is responsible for focusing light on the retina in the back of the eye.   A cataract forms when proteins within the lens begin to cluster together, causing the lens to cloud. If the lens is cloudy, it cannot properly focus the image on the retina. This makes vision blurry and colors indistinct. When your lifestyle is threatened by a cataract, it is time to consult the doctors at Augusta Eye M.D. about your options. Learn more about cataracts.

 

 

 

 

 

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Glaucoma

The eye has about one million tiny nerve fibers that carry visual information from the back of the eye to the brain. Glaucoma ExampleGlaucoma destroys these nerve fibers. It was once thought that the destruction of these fibers was due to high pressure within the eye, but we now know that even patients with normal eye pressure can have glaucoma and experience loss of this important nerve function.

Augusta Eye M.D. provides advanced diagnostic tests and offers medical, laser, and surgical treatments for glaucoma.

Learn more about the following procedures to treat glaucoma:

• Trabeculectomy

• Express Shunt

• Laser Trabeculectomy

For more information about glaucoma visit glaucoma-foundation.org or glaucoma.org

 

 

 

 

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Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration ExampleAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the area of the retina called the macula. This small area is responsible for producing sharp, central vision required for "straight ahead" activities such as driving, reading, recognizing faces, and performing close-up work.

While scientists are uncertain of its cause, AMD destroys cells in the area of the macula in two different forms, "dry" and "wet." Dry AMD can advance so slowly that people hardly notice it, or it can rapidly progress to the "wet" type with vision loss in one or both eyes.  Special diagnostic tests help to determine whether AMD is causing loss of vision.  Treatment for AMD is done in conjunction with retinal specialists to diminish the loss of vision associated with AMD.

 

 

 


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Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic RetinopathyDiabetes affects the blood vessels throughout the body, including the retinal circulation in the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is the name we give to diabetes’ adverse affects on the blood vessels in the eye. In the United States, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among adults. Risk of developing diabetic retinopathy increases over time. An adult who has had diabetes for 15 years or longer stands an 80 percent chance of experiencing damage to retinal blood vessels.  Special diagnostic tests help to determine whether diabetes is present and threatens loss of vision.  Treatment for diabetic retinopathy is done in conjunction with retinal specialists to diminish the loss of vision associated with diabetes.

 

 

 

 

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“Dry Eye”

“Dry eye” is an extremely common eye condition. The eye depends on the flow of tears to provide constant moisture and lubrication to maintain vision and comfort. Tears are a combination of water (for moisture), oils (for lubrication), mucus (for even spreading), and antibiotics and special proteins (for resistance to infection). These components are secreted by special glands located around the eye. When there is an imbalance in this tear system, a person may experience the symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

When tears do not adequately lubricate the eye or the eyes’ film of tears dries out, a person may experience, pain, light sensitivity, a gritty sensation, itching, redness, blurred vision, and watering or tearing.

Please consult our doctors for treatment options for dry eye conditions.

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