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Information in response to questions submitted to this site is general in
nature and does not constitute clinical diagnosis or treatment advice regarding
a particular disease or condition of the eye or related systemic conditions. For
information regarding your specific eye condition please contact: Dr. Mark
Wiedenfeld,
Therapeutic Optometrist,
Email:
TSO LUFKIN
Careers in Optometry
- Contact Lenses -
Examinations/Procedures
- Eye Conditions -
Eye Diseases -
Glasses/Sunglasses
- Learning -
More Q & A
Careers in Optometry
Q: What educational requirements are needed to become an optometrist?
A: Most Optometrists complete a four-year bachelor's degree before
beginning the four-year program leading to the doctor of optometry (O.D.)
degree. About 10% complete an additional resident or post-graduate program in
a particular area of interest.
Q: Who are paraoptometrics?
A: Paraoptometrics are allied health personnel who extend the
optometrist's capabilities by assuming routine and technical aspects of vision
care services. Paraoptometrics are to optometrists what paralegals are to
lawyers.
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Contact Lenses
Q: What are the advantages/disadvantages of contact lenses?
| A: Advantages of contact lenses: |
 | Offer good peripheral (side) vision |
| Reduce visual distortion that may occur with some eyeglasses |
| Fit an active lifestyle |
| Improve one's appearance |
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| Disadvantages of contact lenses: |
| They require more daily care than eyeglasses |
| Some types require a short adaptation period |
| You need to return to your optometrist more often for follow-up to
maintain eye health |
|
Q: Do contact lenses work for everyone?
A: There are many different types and styles of contact lenses that are
an option for correcting most types of refractive error. But contact lenses
are not for everyone. Ask your optometrist which contact lenses could be right
for you.
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Examinations/Procedures
Q: What is the purpose of dilation?
A: When the pupil is functioning normally, shining a bright light into
a person's eyes causes the pupil to constrict. Using dilating drops allows the
optometrist to use the instruments necessary to evaluate the posterior portion
of the eye, including the retina and optic nerve, without the pupil becoming
smaller. In fact, the large, dilated pupil allows a much better view all the
way to the "far corners" of the retina.
Q: What are the long-term effects of Laser Correction?
A: Though laser refractive correction has only been available for about
10 years, it is strongly believed that there are no long-term consequences of
PRK or LASIK. Long-term effects of such procedures are within the purview of
the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has approved both procedures.
Q: How soon should I take my child for his/her first eye examination?
A: An infant should have his/her first eye exam by six months of age.
Another exam should be scheduled at age three, and then again prior to your
child entering first grade.
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Eye Conditions
Q: What causes spots and fireworks in an eye?
A: The spots and floaters, as we generally refer to them, may be
associated with migraines. But they are usually caused by a shrinkage of the
jelly that fills the back two-thirds of the eye. As this jelly (vitreous)
shrinks two things occur. As light goes through the shrunken jelly, a shadow
is formed on the back of the eye. This is what is commonly perceived as a
floater. Secondly, as the jelly shrinks, it can pull or tug on the retina
causing flashing lights. A thorough evaluation by your family optometrist
including a dilated examination is suggested. This examination rules out any
serious conditions that also can cause spots and floaters.
Q: When someone says that you have 20/200 vision, is that very bad or
very good? In other words, is it what you see at 20 feet, they see at 200 ft
or vice versa?
A: This is a common question. 20/200 vision although significantly less
than the standard 20/20, is not real bad. It is moderate. 20/200 vision is
certainly reduced enough that it should be corrected with glasses or contacts.
This may also depend on the patient's visual needs, but most people would feel
that this is blurry (poor) vision if uncorrected. The 20/200 visual
measurement means that at 20 feet away you see a size 200 letter. The first
number is the distance away that the vision is checked and the second number
is the size of the letter that you can read. The larger the number the larger
the letter size. If you are 20/200, it means that what you see at 20 ft. is
what a person 20/20 can see at 200 ft.
Q: What, if any, treatment is available for lazy eye?
A: Corrective lenses, prisms and/or contact lenses are often used to
treat lazy eye, or amblyopia. Covering or occluding the better eye, either
part-time or full-time, may be used to stimulate vision in the amblyopic eye.
In addition, a program of vision therapy may be prescribed to help improve
vision function.
Q: What is an astigmatism?
A: Astigmatism is a vision condition in which light entering the eye is
unable to be brought to a single focus, resulting in vision being blurred at
all distances. Astigmatism is not a disease, but rather, a vision condition
that is quite common. It often occurs in conjunction with other refractive
errors like nearsightedness and farsightedness.
Q: What causes crossed-eyes?
A: Coordination of your eyes and their ability to work together as a
team develops in early childhood. Failure of your eyes (or more precisely,
your eye muscles) to coordinate together properly can lead to crossed-eyes.
Excessive eye focusing effort in children who are farsighted can also result
in crossed-eyes. Crossed-eyes also have a tendency to be hereditary.
Q: What is nearsightedness?
A: Nearsightedness (myopia) is a vision condition in which you can
usually see close or near objects clearly, but cannot see distant ones as
clearly.
Q: What is farsightedness?
A: Farsightedness (hyperopia) is a vision condition in which distant
objects are usually seen clearly, but close ones appear blurred.
Q: What is presbyopia?
A: Presbyopia is an aging vision condition in which the crystalline
lens of your eye loses its flexibility. This results in progressive difficulty
in focusing on close objects. Your eye stops growing in your early teens. The
lens, however, continues to grow and produce more and more cells. This
continued growth eventually causes the lens to harden and lose some of its
elasticity and therefore some focusing ability.
Q: What is color deficiency?
A: Color deficiency occurs when your ability to distinguish certain
colors and shades is less than normal. The term "color blind" is often used,
but usually incorrectly. Only a very small number of people are completely
unable to identify any colors. There are two major types. Red-green deficiency
is by far the most common and results in the inability to distinguish certain
shades of red and green. Blue-yellow deficiency is less common and affects the
perception of blue and yellow colors. In very rare cases, color deficiency
exists to an extent that no colors can be detected. This person sees all
things in shades of black, white and gray.
Q: Up to what age can Strabismus be treated?
A: Strabismus is treatable by surgery at any age. It can be treated by
vision therapy as well. However, one must rule out possible negative
consequences such as double vision before proceeding with surgery. You should
speak with your eye care doctor to determine if surgery would be effective in
your case.
Q: I sit in front of a computer screen all day. Can this affect my
eyesight in any way? What can I do to prevent possible problems?
A: Many individuals who work at a computer experience eye-related
discomfort and/or visual problems. However, based on current evidence it is
unlikely that the use of computers causes permanent changes or damage to the
eyes or visual system. Many of the potential eye and/or vision problems
relating to computer use can be reduced or eliminated by appropriate
adjustment and placement of the computer, proper workplace design and lighting
control, good preventive vision care habits and regular professional eye care.
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Eye Diseases
Q: My husband is diabetic. How could this affect his vision?
A: Diabetes and its complications can affect many parts of the eye.
Visual symptoms of diabetes include fluctuating or blurring of vision,
occasional double vision, night vision problems and flashes and floaters
within the eyes. Sometimes early signs of diabetes are detected in a thorough
optometric examination. The most serious eye problem associated with diabetes
is diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when there is a weakening
or swelling of the tiny blood vessels in the retina of your eye, resulting in
blood leakage, the growth of new blood vessels and other changes. If diabetic
retinopathy is left untreated, blindness can result.
Q: What is Glaucoma?
A: Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal fluid pressure of
your eye rises to a point that the optic nerve is damaged. The pressure that
builds up is usually due to inadequate drainage of fluid normally produced in
your eyes. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S.
Q: What are the symptoms of a cataract?
A: Cataracts usually develop slowly and without pain. Some indications
that a cataract may be forming include blurred or hazy vision, decreased color
perception, or the feeling of having a film over the eyes. A temporary
improvement in near vision may occur, and increased sensitivity to glare,
especially at night, may be experienced. Cataracts usually develop in both
eyes, but often at different rates.
Q: What is Conjunctivitis?
A: Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin,
transparent layer covering the surface of the inner eyelid and a portion of
the front of the eye. This condition appears in many forms, including an
infection, and affects people of all ages.
Q: How can glaucoma be treated?
A: Glaucoma is usually effectively treated with prescription eye drops
and medicines that must be taken regularly. In some cases, laser therapy or
surgery may be required. The goal of treatment is to prevent loss of vision by
lowering the fluid pressure in the eye. Anyone with this condition should be
under the regular care of his or her optometrist.
Q: What causes dry eye?
A: Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or produce
tears which do not have the proper chemical composition. Dry eye symptoms can
result from the normal aging process, exposure to environmental conditions,
problems with normal blinking or from medications such as antihistamines, oral
contraceptives or antidepressants. Dry eye can also be symptomatic of general
health problems or can result from chemical or thermal burns to the eye.
Always schedule regular appointments with your optometrist, but if you are
experiencing any unusual symptoms, call your optometrist immediately.
Q: What is the seriousness of vitreous detachment?
A: A vitreous detachment, often noticed by the appearance of "floaters"
in one's vision is usually a benign (non-serious) condition. However, it is
important to note that floaters often precede a retinal detachment, a more
serious sight-threatening problem. You should check with your optometrist if
or when you notice an increase in the number of spots or floaters present, or
you experience the sensation of flashing lights. You should also schedule
regular examinations with your optometrist so that your pupils may be dilated
to allow better diagnosis of retinal conditions.
Q: Is "pink eye" contagious?
A: True "pink eye" is caused by infectious organisms, such as virus,
bacteria or fungus that is contagious. However, "pink eye" is just one of many
types of conjunctivitis that are similar. In any case, if you have any type of
conjunctivitis, it is best to use good hygiene by washing hands regularly, not
sharing towels, and trying not to touch or rub the eyes.
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Glasses/Sunglasses
Q: What should I look for when choosing a pair of sunglasses?
A: No matter what sunglass styles or options you choose, you should
insist that your sunglasses:
| Block out 99-100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation; |
| Screen out 75-90 percent of visible light (fashion tinted lenses usually
do not meet this level); |
| Are perfectly matched in color and are free of distortion and
imperfection; |
| Have lenses that are gray, green, or brown (gray is recommended). |
Q: Why is it that even if you wear glasses or contacts, when you get
below the water's surface (wearing goggles) you can see almost normal?
A: Because of the higher refractive index of water, light travels more
slowly and is bent more in water than in air. The effect is that nearsighted
persons wearing goggles underwater can see more clearly than in air.
Q: Are glass lenses with a greater "base curve" likely to give sharper
vision when I look through my glasses near the edges?
A: There are a number of factors which reduce the sharpness of vision
of glass or plastic spectacle lenses. There are five specific problems, known
as aberrations, which can be present with any wavelength or color of light.
The base curve of lenses are chosen to reduce the two most important of these
aberrations-oblique astigmatism and curvature of field. Changing the base
curve of the lenses, either steeper or flatter, away from the ideal curve (or
"corrected curve") will increase these aberrations. In order to make lenses
thinner, a flatter base curve is sometimes selected, but an aspheric surface
is used to control the aberrations.
Q: How do I know if I need bifocals?
A: The most common use of bifocals is for the treatment of presbyopia
in individuals aged 40 and over. Whether or not a person has needed vision
correction when younger, by the early to mid-forties, the ability to
accommodate or focus the eyes has diminished. Bifocals allow the wearer to see
clearly both at distance and near despite the reduced focusing ability.
Bifocals may also be used to help align the eyes if a person tends to
over-cross his or her eyes at near. If you are over 40 or have any difficulty
performing tasks at near, ask your optometrist whether bifocals, or no-line
progressive addition lenses, could be right for you.
Q: How can I tell if my child needs glasses?
A: Many children who need vision correction will have signs or symptoms
that a parent or teacher may notice. However, there are many cases where there
will be no signs or symptoms. The only way these cases will be uncovered is by
a comprehensive eye and vision examination by an optometrist. The AOA
recommends a complete examination of children at age 6 months, 3 years, before
starting school and every 2 years thereafter.
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Learning
Q: How does vision affect learning?
A: Vision problems can and often do interfere with learning. People at
risk for learning-related vision problems should be evaluated by an
optometrist who provides diagnostic and management services in this area. The
goal of optometric intervention is to improve visual function and alleviate
associated signs and symptoms. Prompt remediation of learning- related vision
problems enhances the ability of children and adults to perform to their full
potential. People with learning problems require help from many disciplines to
meet the learning challenges they face. Optometric involvement constitutes one
aspect of the multidisciplinary management approach required to prepare the
individual for lifelong learning.
Q: How soon should I take my child for his/her first eye examination?
A: An infant should have his/her first eye exam by six months of age.
Another exam should be scheduled at age three, and then again prior to your
child entering first grade.
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