{"id":343,"date":"2019-02-14T11:39:46","date_gmt":"2019-02-14T15:39:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.infocuseyecarenh.com\/?page_id=343"},"modified":"2021-01-07T01:02:39","modified_gmt":"2021-01-07T05:02:39","slug":"patient-education","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.infocuseyecarenh.com\/patient-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Patient Education"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPatient Education\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Everything you could want to know about common eye problems. Learn what to look for, what you can do, and how we can help you avoid and treat the symptoms. Please\u00a0Contact Us<\/a>\u00a0with any further questions or concerns about your eyes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFar-sighted (Hyperopia)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Farsightedness or hyperopia occurs when the eyeball is too short for the focusing power of the lens and cornea. This causes light rays to focus behind the retina. As a result, the eye sees distant objects more clearly while near objects appear blurred. In essence, the eye is underpowered. To correct hyperopia, a \u201cplus\u201d lens containing additional optical power is needed to permit sharp vision of near objects.<\/p>\n

The shape of a hyperopic eye focuses images behind the retina, resulting in blurred near vision. A \u2018plus\u2019 lens increases the focusing power of the eye correctly focusing the image on the retina producing clear vision at all distances.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNear-Sighted (Myopia)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Nearsightedness or Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long for the focusing power of the lens and cornea. The result is an overpowered eye that causes images to focus in front of the retina. A myopic eye sees near objects within a certain range very clearly while distance vision appears blurry at all times. An estimated 70 million people in the U.S. suffer from myopia. To correct myopia, a \u2018minus\u2019 lens is required to push the image to the back to the retina permitting sharp distance vision.<\/p>\n

The shape of a myopic eye focuses the image in front of the retina resulting in blurred distance vision. A \u2018minus\u2019 lens decreases the focusing power of the eye correctly focusing the image on the retina producing clear vision at all distances.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAstigmatism\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Astigmatism is a common visual distortion caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. The surface of the cornea is toric, oblong in shape like the side of a football, instead of perfectly spherical like a basketball. One surface or axis of the football is long with a shallow curve while the other surface is short with a steep curve. Light rays passing through an oblong cornea bend unequally, causing two focusing points. The result is blurred vision at most distances.<\/p>\n

Astigmatism is typically present at birth. Over time the condition may slowly increase but generally it remains relatively stable over a lifetime. Forty-five percent of people who require vision correction have some degree of astigmatism. Symptoms include squinting, occasional headaches and eye strain. Astigmatism often accompanies myopia and hyperopia.<\/p>\n

The irregular shape of an astigmatic eye produces two focusing points around the retina. The result is blur at all distances. A \u2018toric\u2019 lens corrects each toric irregularity so that light is properly focused on the retina producing clear vision at all distances.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPresbyopia\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Presbyopia, Greek for \u201caging eye,\u201d is caused by a combination of natural aging, the hardening of the eye\u2019s crystalline lens, a transparent body in the front of the eye that serves to focus light rays on the retina, and a weakening of the focusing muscles. As people reach their 40s, the crystalline lens grows thicker and begins to lose its elasticity. Gradually, the eye muscle control diminishes and people find it increasingly difficult to focus on near objects. To compensate for the reduced focusing ability the tendency is to hold reading material further away. Eventually the arms become too short resulting in blurred vision and eye strain.<\/p>\n

To correct this condition lenses of different powers are required. The first lens is a lens to correct the distance vision and the second lens provides the focusing power for reading. This is easily seen in bifocal spectacles. The most common consequence of bifocals is the loss clarity for intermediate distances including computer work. Unfortunately, each lens strength has a very specific distance from the nose in which things will be clear. The same lens needed for reading will NOT work for seeing something a little further away such as the computer. To see the distance needed for the computer, a different strength is needed but that strength will not work for reading. Ultimately, to adequately function in life different lens strengths are needed for every distance. The ideal lens for correcting presbyopia is the progressive lens. This is a molded lens that provides power for all distances including the intermediate distances. Additionally this is a much more natural lens for your brain to accept. Where the bifocal only allows clear vision for two distances, the progressive simulates the eyes natural ability to have clear vision for all distances.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDry Eye\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Dry eye syndrome is a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture in the eye. Consequences extend from subtle but constant irritation to ocular inflammation of the front of the eye. Dry eye will often result in stinging, burning, scratchy sensation, sensitivity to light, tearing, tired eyes, and difficulty wearing contact lenses, as well as blurred or fluctuating vision, often worsening at the end of the day or after visually focusing for a prolonged period on a nearby task. It is particularly bothersome for wearers of contact lenses, the elderly, certain lifestyles, medications, and visual demands.<\/p>\n

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Signs of Dry Eye<\/strong><\/p>\n

Persistent dryness, scratching and burning in your eyes are signs of dry eye syndrome. Some people also experience a \u201cforeign body sensation,\u201d the feeling like there\u2019s something in the eye. Occasionally watery eyes can result from dry eye syndrome, because the excessive dryness works to over stimulate the watery component of your eye\u2019s tears. Sometimes the eye doesn\u2019t produce enough tears, or the chemical composition of the tears causes them to evaporate too quickly. Other times dry eye results when you don\u2019t blink often enough. Computer users, for example, often forget to blink for long periods of time, or the monitor is too high so even if their tear film is normal, it eventually evaporates, leading to discomfort.<\/p>\n

Causes of Dry Eye<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dry eye syndrome has several causes. It occurs as a part of the natural aging process, especially during menopause; as a side effect of such medications as antihistamines, antidepressants and birth control pills; the use of cigarettes, marijuana, or because you live in a dry, dusty or windy climate. Dry eyes are also a symptom of systemic diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren\u2019s syndrome (a triad of dry eyes, dry mouth, and rheumatoid arthritis or lupus). Long-term contact lens wear is another cause; in fact, dry eye is the most common complaint among contact lens wearers. Recent research indicates that contact lens wear and dry eyes can be a vicious cycle.<\/p>\n

Treatment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dry eye syndrome is often an ongoing condition that cannot be cured, but the accompanying dryness, scratching and burning can be effectively managed. The prescription and use of artificial tears or lubricating eye drops may alleviate the dry, scratching feeling. The newer generation of lubricating drops is designed to target specific deficiencies in the quality of tears. Another option is the Restasis prescription drop that actually allows the eyelids to produce more tears. Additionally, the use of certain types of contact lenses can also help relieve dry eye. For example, most of the newer generation monthly lenses are comfortable enough to alleviate many dry eye symptoms but perhaps the most beneficial contact lens is the daily disposable type of lens. In addition to getting a fresh lens everyday several actually have lubricants imbedded within the lens itself. So every blink wipes off some lubricant to keep the eyes comfortable throughout the day.<\/p>\n

Visit our Dry Eye Center<\/a>\u00a0to learn about the revolutionary IPL Dry Eye Therapy Sessions that we offer!<\/p>\n

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