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Did you know that more than 150 million people in the United States alone wear some form of corrective eyewear to correct refractive errors? Whether you are nearsighted, farsighted, have astigmatism or presbyopia; the office of Glaucoma Consultants of St. Louis can help you bring a blurry world into focus!
Just as the lens of a camera focuses entering light on a piece of film to produce a sharp image, the lens of your eye focuses light on the retina to form a picture that is then sent to the brain. When the eye is unable to bend and focus light properly, it means a refractive error is present. While typically creating a blurred image, a refractive error can also result in eyestrain, headaches, double vision, or produce glare or halos around incoming light. Refractive errors can occur at any stage of life and may be attributed to any number of causes, including an irregularly shaped cornea (the clear front surface of the eye), the length of the eyeball itself or changes in the lens of the eye with age.
Our office provides the highest quality of vision care and is well equipped to prescribe corrective treatment for all types of refractive errors from myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism, to aging eyes affected by presbyopia or a combination of these issues. As part of every comprehensive eye exam, we evaluate patients for the presence of refractive errors. By using the latest technology and methods of care, we check eye health and vision as well as provide treatment to help both children and adults “enjoy the view” with improved clarity and focus.
As everyone knows, wearing a pair of eyeglasses to this day remains an excellent way to correct a refractive error. However, there are also other satisfying and effective options in care, including a prescription for contact lenses, or having a refractive surgery such as LASIK to permanently change the shape of the cornea. During your visit, we’ll discuss all your treatment options so that you can make a well-informed decision on care.
At the office of Glaucoma Consultants of St. Louis, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.
By Glaucoma Consultants of St. Louis
July 27, 2020
Seeing flashes and floaters? It may be a case of posterior vitreous detachment
“Is this real or am I seeing things?” Sometimes, people with otherwise normal vision may suddenly see moving, blurry shadows or streaks of light. Chances are they may have a case of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), a non-life-threatening condition of the eye that typically comes with aging.
At the office of Glaucoma Consultants of St. Louis, our team of ophthalmologists is skilled at diagnosing PVD and a wide range of eye conditions with the goal of maintaining the best eyesight possible for each patient.
Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is a very common eye condition caused by natural changes to the gel-like substance (vitreous gel) that fills the middle portion of the eye. With advancing years, the vitreous gel becomes more watery, less gel-like and isn’t able to keep its usual shape. This causes it to move away from the retina — the light-sensing nerve layer at the back of the eye — toward the center of the eye, causing unusual visual effects.
Once PVD has been diagnosed, symptoms can be frustrating in the short-term, but they usually diminish over time. Classic hallmarks of the condition include seeing flashes (streaks of light, usually at the side of the vision), floaters (mobile blurry shadows that obscure vision), and cobwebs (hazy, blurry vision).
Most often patients experience PVD after age 60, once in each eye, and the condition is usually non-sight-threatening. No specific treatment is needed, but in rare instances serious complications can arise that require immediate treatment, such as retinal detachment. For this reason, we recommend one or more checkups within three months after the onset of PVD. Although unusual, floaters may persist, in which case surgery to remove them may be an option.
Committed to maintaining good eye health
At the office of Glaucoma Consultants of St. Louis, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate eye care for you and your family. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.
By Glaucoma Consultants of St. Louis
May 21, 2020
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