Presbyopia is a loss of the eye’s ability to focus on near objects (accommodation). This condition seems to occur in one’s early forties and gradually gets worse until around age 60 when it plateaus. Reading glasses or a bifocal lens is used to correct presbyopia.

Glaucoma is an actual eye DISEASE whereby the optic nerve, that connects the brain and the eye, becomes damaged as a result of increased intraocular pressure (pressure of the fluid inside the eyes). This damage, in turn, causes a loss of peripheral vision. Glaucoma is treatable but there is no cure yet. The treatment usually involves using drops that lower the eye pressure and surgery is also an option in some cases. Some of the risk factors include family history, high blood pressure, diabetes and high myopia.

The crystalline lens is a clear structure situated behind the pupil (dark circle in the center of the eye). It is most easily visible with a microscope and through a dilated pupil. A cataract is a condition where the lens becomes clouded or yellowed, resulting in blurry or foggy vision. Cataracts are most often a normal aging process but may also be congenital (secondary to birth defects) or caused by trauma or eye disease. There are many different types of cataracts, some which develop more rapidly than others. With the exception of small children, cataract surgery is usually recommended as treatment.

Cataract surgery is a quick, painless, out-patient surgery which is performed by an ophthalmologist. The surgery includes a small incision made at the edge of the cornea, a small instrument is inserted which destroys and removes the cloudy lens, then a new clear silicone lens is implanted in it’s place. The whole procedure usually takes less than 10 minutes. Contrary to popular belief, laser is not used during this surgery. Months to years later, a portion of the original lens that is left in the eye to hold the implant in place may develop cloudiness in which case laser IS used to create a clear spot in the center to look through. Not all patients experience this phenomenon.

The macula is the point in the back of the eyes (on the retina) where light focuses. It’s the point that gives us our central vision. The degeneration of this area of tissue is more common over the age of 65. There is a hereditary component so family members with this disease may put you at higher risk. Signs of macular degeneration include a blurry spot in the center of vision, a waviness to straight lines and a dimming of central vision. Dry macular degeneration is the most common type. There is currently no cure but a good vitamin or herbal supplement has been proven beneficial in slowing its progression.

Legally blind refers to those patients who, when wearing their full optical prescription, can only see 20/200 or have a visual field of 20 degrees in their better seeing eye. So this term does not apply to those people who have better than 20/200 vision with glasses or contacts on. What does 20/200 mean? This fraction means that you have to stand at 20 feet to see something that a person with perfect vision can stand at 200 feet to see. So as the bottom number gets larger, the vision is poorer. Now if you have 20/15 vision, that means you can stand at 20 feet and see something that a person with perfect vision has to stand at 15 feet to see. So you have better than “perfect” vision. As the bottom number gets smaller, the vision is sharper. The top number is always 20. 20/20 is our standard of perfect and is usually the bottom line on the eye doctors chart.

The macula is the point in the back of the eyes (on the retina) where light focuses. It’s the point that gives us our central vision. The degeneration of this area of tissue is more common over the age of 65. There is a hereditary component so family members with this disease may put you at higher risk. Signs of macular degeneration include a blurry spot in the center of vision, a waviness to straight lines and a dimming of central vision. Dry macular degeneration is the most common type. There is currently no cure but a good vitamin or herbal supplement has been proven beneficial in slowing its progression.