Common Eye Conditions

Refractive Errors and Disease

Refractive errors

Refractive errors are the most common vision problems. They happen when the eye doesn’t bend (refract) light properly, causing blurry vision. The main types are nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia — all of which can usually be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or other treatments.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of near focusing ability that happens naturally with age, usually starting in the early 40s. The lens inside the eye becomes less flexible, making it harder to read up close or see fine detail. Reading glasses, bifocals, progressive lenses, or contact lenses can help restore clear near vision.

Common Eye Diseases

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which normally stays clear. This cloudiness makes vision blurry, dim, or hazy—similar to looking through a foggy window. Cataracts often develop slowly with age, but they can also be caused by injury, medications, or certain health conditions. Glasses may help early on, but surgery to replace the cloudy lens is the only permanent treatment.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve, usually due to high pressure inside the eye. Because it often develops slowly and without early symptoms, it’s sometimes called the “silent thief of sight.” If untreated, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. Regular eye exams are the best way to detect it early, and treatments like eye drops, laser therapy, or surgery can help protect vision.

Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is a disease that affects the macula — the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. Over time, it can cause blurry or blank spots in the center of your sight, making it harder to read, drive, or recognize faces. AMD does not cause complete blindness, but it can seriously impact daily activities. While there’s no cure, lifestyle changes, special vitamins, and medical treatments can help slow its progression and preserve vision.

Dry Eye 

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t make enough tears or the tears don’t work properly. This can cause burning, stinging, redness, or the feeling of something in your eye. Dry eye is common and often chronic, but treatments like artificial tears, prescription drops, or in-office therapies can bring relief and protect the surface of the eye

Diabetic Retinopathy 

Diabetic retinopathy happens when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina. Early stages may not cause symptoms, but over time it can lead to blurred vision, floaters, or even vision loss. Regular eye exams are essential for people with diabetes so changes can be detected and treated early with medication, laser, or other therapies.

Lazy Eye (amblyopia) 

Amblyopia, often called “lazy eye,” occurs when one eye doesn’t develop normal vision because the brain relies more on the stronger eye and ignores the weaker one. This can happen for several reasons: the eyes may be misaligned (strabismus), one eye may need a much stronger glasses prescription than the other, or something may block clear vision early in life, such as a cataract or a droopy eyelid. Over time, this prevents the weaker eye from seeing clearly, even with glasses. Early detection and treatment — such as glasses, patching the stronger eye, or vision therapy — work best when started in childhood.

Eye Floaters and Flashes 

Floaters appear as small spots, threads, or cobweb-like shapes that drift across your vision, while flashes look like brief streaks or flickers of light. Floaters are often caused by age-related changes in the gel inside the eye (vitreous) and are usually harmless, though they can be annoying. However, a sudden increase in floaters, new flashes of light, or the appearance of a shadow or curtain in your vision may signal a retinal tear or detachment, which is an eye emergency. If you notice these symptoms, it’s important to call our office right away for an urgent evaluation.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye, is inflammation of the thin, clear tissue covering the white part of the eye and inside of the eyelids. It can be caused by infections, allergies, or irritants, and often leads to redness, itching, tearing, or discharge. While many cases are mild, some forms are contagious, so proper diagnosis and treatment are important.