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What are Flashers and Floaters?
Flashers and Floaters are eye conditions that occur when the back of the eye (which is filled with a jelly-like substance called vitreous gel) becomes increasingly more liquid-like in nature, causing small particles, called floaters, to become visually evident. Typically these floaters will move around in your vision, especially when you move your eyes around. Floaters are often annoying, but not usually a threat to vision.
Flashers originate from the tugging on the retina as the vitreous gel liquefies. Flashers appear to be flashing lights in the periphery of your vision. These flashers can be a more worrisome sign of potential retinal problems or retinal detachment.
If you have the sudden onset of new floaters in your vision and/or flashing lights in the periphery of your vision, call your eye doctor immediately to arrange a prompt examination.
What is the difference between an Ophthalmologist, and Optometrist, and an Optician?
An Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor, licensed to practice medicine and surgery. He or she specializes in the science that deals with the structure, functions and diseases of the human eye. Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat all eye diseases and perform intricate eye surgical procedures including cataract removal, lens implant, corneal transplant, glaucoma surgery and various laser procedures.
Ophthalmologists complete 4 years of college and 8 additional years of medical education and training.
Optometrists are doctors of optometry, specializing in the examination, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye and related systemic conditions. Optometrists prescribe eyewear, contact lenses, low vision aids and vision therapy for adults and children. They also may treat eye diseases, such as infections, allergic conditions and glaucoma. An optometric physician has completed four years of college and four years of graduate education at an accredited College of Optometry.
An optician is an eye care professional who provides corrective lenses based on a refraction prescription supplied by a ophthalmologist or optometrist. Opticians work with patients to determine which eyeglasses, lenses or contact lenses are best suited to the patient's lifestyle and visual needs. Opticians will take eye measurements to insure proper lens placement in the eyeglasses' frame and will verify the accuracy of the finished product.
What is Dry Eye?
Up to 12 million Americans suffer from a disease called Dry Eye Syndrome. People with dry eyes frequently experience burning and stinging of their eyes, their eyes often feel sticky, and their eyes are often red. Some people with dry eyes also have periods when their eyes get so watery that tears spill over their eyelids and run down their cheeks.
Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce the right amount or right kind of tears. Insufficient tear production can lead to irritation and pain, and may even damage the cornea. Change in tear production often occurs due to aging or certain medical conditions. Certain medications can also contribute to dry eye, including: antihistamines, blood pressure medications, decongestants, diuretics, oral contraceptives and ulcer medications.
You don't have to suffer, treatments are available, including: environmental changes, dietary changes, tear replacement therapy, punctual plugs or prescription medications. If you have symptoms of dry eye syndrome, ask your doctor for a dry eye evaluation.
What is 20/20 vision?
While most people are familiar with the term 20/20 vision, everyone does not understand its real meaning. Consequently, a brief overview may help.
20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. If you have 20/100 vision, it means that you must be as close as 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 100 feet.
20/20 vision does not mean perfect vision. It only indicates the sharpness or clarity of vision at a distance. There are other important vision skills, among them peripheral awareness or side vision, eye coordination, depth perception, focusing ability and color vision that contribute to one's overall vision ability.
Common Terms
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): A disorder of the coordination between the eye and the brain, usually beginning in childhood that causes the body to prefer one eye over the other, leading to unequal vision.
Astigmatism: A condition that occurs when an uneven curvature of the eye causes light to be refracted (bent) unevenly, resulting in distorted vision.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness): A condition that occurs when the cornea is too flat and/or the eye is too short, which causes light to be focused behind the retina, leading to blurred vision.
Monovision: A refractive correction, achieved with lenses or LASIK, which uses one eye for distance and one eye for near vision.
Myopia (Nearsightedness): A condition that occurs when the cornea is too steep and/or the eye is too long, causing light to be focused in front of the retina, which results in blurred vision.
Presbyopia: A condition, becoming symptomatic around age 40, in which the focusing muscles of the eye become fatigued and, in time, become unable to focus up close.
Refraction: A test to determine the best eyewear or contact lenses to correct a refractive error (myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism).
Strabismus (Crossed Eyes): Misaligned eyes, not only crossed, but an eye that may gaze outward, upward or downward in the relaxed position.
Visual Acuity: The ability to distinguish details and shapes of objects.
Visual Field: The entire area that can be seen with the eye, including peripheral vision.
