01

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Occurring more often in adults over 50, this is one of the leading causes of vision loss. Macular degeneration is a loss of central vision but does not cause complete blindness.

02

Astigmatism

This can be fixed with glasses or contacts as well as refractive surgery – please visit the refractive surgery page to learn more about treatment.

03

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is chronic inflammation of the eyelid, the severity and time course of which can vary. Onset can be acute, resolving without treatment within 2–4 weeks (this can be greatly reduced with lid hygiene), but more generally is a long standing inflammation varying in severity.

04

Cataracts

A yellowing and clouding of the clear lens inside your eye that helps you focus light. Although it is not uncommon, it does not have to impair your vision forever. Cataract surgery is relatively simple, quick and not horribly painful generally. Contact your local Alpine Eye Care to learn more about cataracts.

05

Corneal Abrasions

Corneal abrasions are generally a result of trauma to the surface of the eye. Common causes include jabbing a finger into an eye, walking into a tree branch, getting grit in the eye and then rubbing the eye or being hit with a piece of projectile metal. A foreign body in the eye may also cause a scratch if the eye is rubbed. Injuries can also be incurred by “hard” contact lenses that have been left in too long. Damage may result when the lenses are removed, rather than when the lens is still in contact with the eye. In addition, if the cornea becomes excessively dry, it may become more brittle and easily damaged by movement across the surface.

06

Corneal Ulcers

A corneal ulcer is an inflammatory or more seriously, infective condition of the cornea involving disruption of its epithelial layer with involvement of the corneal stroma.

07

Detached Retina

Retinal detachment is a disorder of the eye in which the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue. Initial detachment may be localized, but without rapid treatment the entire retina may detach, leading to vision loss and blindness. It is a medical emergency.

08

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is retinopathy (damage to the retina) caused by complications of diabetes mellitus, which can eventually lead to blindness. It affects up to 80% of all patients who have had diabetes for 10 years or more. Despite these intimidating statistics, research indicates that at least 90% of these new cases could be reduced if there was proper and vigilant treatment and monitoring of the eyes. The longer a person has diabetes, the higher their chances of developing diabetic retinopathy.

09

Dry Eye

When the eye does not produce enough tears to sufficiently lubricate and nourish you may be suffering from dry eye, an often chronic problem in older adults. If you suffer from symptoms such as excess watering or blurred vision, irritation, scratchy or burning eyes, see your doctor. Your condition may be easily controlled with medicated eye drops.

10

Eye Allergies

Often causing red and itchy eyes, this is a manageable condition.

11

Eyelid Conditions

Eyelid Conditions such as Dermatochalasis, Blepharoptosis, Entropion, Ectropion, Blepharitis can affect your vision.

12

Farsighted (Hyperopia)

Making it more difficult to see close up, glasses or lenses will be necessary to correct the situation – please visit the refractive surgery page to learn more about treatment.

13

Floaters

A common problem for millions of people, eye floaters are the tiny spots the drift aimlessly throughout your field of vision. They are most often caused when tiny pieces of the vitreous layer break loose within the back portion of the eye. Though they are generally not considered a cause for alarm, but should be mentioned in case it is something more serious. Most spots and floaters in the eye are harmless and merely annoying, though surgery may be performed.

14

Fuchs' Dystrophy

Fuchs’ dystrophy is a slowly progressing corneal disease that usually affects both eyes and is slightly more common in women than in men. Although doctors can often see early signs of Fuchs’ dystrophy in people in their 30s and 40s, the disease rarely affects vision until people reach their 50s and 60s.

15

Glaucoma

A leading cause of blindness in seniors, Glaucoma has many different symptoms if you catch them early you may help prevent further damage. It is very important that you get your eyes checked frequently as you age.

16

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a degenerative disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than its normal gradual curve.

17

Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)

More common in children, this can be more easily treated if caught early.

18

Nearsighted (Myopia)

Making it difficult to see far away, this is also fixed by wearing glasses or contacts and can be repaired with surgery – please visit the refractive surgery page to learn more about treatment.

19

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

More common in school age children, pink eye is highly contagious but is easy to get rid of with the right medication

20

Red Eye

Red eye usually refers to hyperemia of the superficial blood vessels of the conjunctiva, sclera or episclera, and may be caused by diseases or disorders of these structures or adjacent structures that may affect them directly or indirectly.

21

Tears

Tears are necessary to keep our eyes moist and healthy. Tears lubricate eyes and make it possible to see the world clearly. When you blink a tear film spread over the eye, this film is made up of three distinct layers.

22

Uveitis

Uveitis specifically refers to inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, termed the “uvea” but in common usage may refer to any inflammatory process involving the interior of the eye. Uveitis is estimated to be responsible for approximately 10% of the blindness in the United States. Uveitis requires an urgent referral and thorough examination by an ophthalmologist along with urgent treatment to control the inflammation.