We have provided a brief explanation of certain eye conditions and definitions. For more information please contact our office.

Clear Vision
Clear Vision in the normal eye is the result of light rays passing through the cornea, pupil and lens and focusing directly on the retina.

Nearsightedness
(Myopia)
The normal eye is a perfect sphere, where the cornea and lens focus light to form an image on the back inside surface of the eye, known as the retina. With nearsightedness, the cornea's curvature is too steep for the shape of the eye. The light is focused in front of the retina, causing images of distant objects to appear blurry.

Farsightedness
(Hyperopia)
In a farsighted eye, the image focuses beyond the retina. In our youth, the innate accommodating (focusing) power of the eyes often compensates for farsightedness. But as we age, our eyes become less able to accommodate. For this reason, farsightedness most commonly becomes a problem later in life. Many farsighted eyes do not need correction until the individuals reach their forties or fifties.

Astigmatism
The front of the astigmatic eye has an irregular shape, more oval, like a football. Incoming light focuses at multiple points instead of one. Astigmatism can make wearing contact lenses difficult or even impossible. Laser vision correction is now an FDA approved option for people with astigmatism.

Cataract
An opacity or haziness of the lens of the eye. A cataract is noticed particularly at night when oncoming headlights produce glare disability or/and discomfort. It may or may not reduce the vision depending on size, density and location. If a cataract reduces visual acuity significantly, an Ophthalmologist can replace the defective lens with an artificial lens.

Glaucoma
An abnormal condition in which the pressure within the eye is elevated to the point where the visual cells and nerves are affected. Glaucoma is major cause of vision loss and blindness. Medicines and surgery are needed to control the elevated pressure. African Americans are at increased risk for glaucoma. Glaucoma often will lead to a loss of side vision before central vision is affected. Often the patient will not notice the loss of vision until it is too late for treatment.

Cornea
The front part of the eye that acts as a window for the entrance of light rays. It is attached to the other outer coat of the eye, the sclera; the white part of the eye. The cornea provides a significant amount of focusing power for the eye (the rest is provided by the lens). Because it has many nerve fibers, an injury or foreign body causes significant pain and discomfort.

Diopter
The unit used to measure the amount of refractive or focusing power of the eye. It also refers to the strength of lens required to provide clear vision. In general, the higher the refractive error, as measured in diopters, the worse the eye.