What are the most common eye conditions?
The team at Montrose Eye Care provide comprehensive care for many different eye conditions that could affect your eyesight or have long-term consequences if not treated promptly or adequately. The following list includes some of the most common conditions. If you or someone in your family has one of them, please contact Montrose Eye Care in Houston for an exam and treatment recommendations.
What is lazy eye?
Lazy eye, medically known as amblyopia, is a loss or lack of development of vision that typically develops in one eye. This degenerative process usually begins with an inherited condition and appears during infancy or early childhood. Diagnosing and treating it between birth and early school age is essential because the brain “chooses” its visual pathway during this period and may ignore the weaker eye permanently.
Lazy eye isn’t always easy to recognize. Your child can have worse vision in one eye, yet not have lazy eye. Because of this, all children, including those with no symptoms, should have a comprehensive eye examination by the age of three. They should have their exam earlier if there’s a family history of any eye condition or disease.
What is blepharitis?
Blepharitis is a general term for inflammation of the eyelid and eyelashes. It’s among the most common and stubborn eye conditions, usually resulting from poor eyelid hygiene, a low-grade bacterial infection (typically staphylococcal), an allergic reaction, or abnormalities in oil gland function.
Like some other skin conditions, blepharitis can be controlled but not cured. The primary treatment goals are to reduce the number of bacteria along the lid margin and open plugged glands.
What are cataracts?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s usually clear lens, which leads to progressive blurring or dimming of vision. Cataracts are the world’s leading cause of blindness and among the most common eye condition related to aging. By age 65 you have a 50% chance of developing a cataract; your chance jumps to 70% by age 75.
A cataract starts out small and initially has little or no effect on vision. As the cataract progresses, it becomes harder to read and perform routine tasks.
In the early stages, Dr. Lovero may recommend stronger eyeglasses and adjust your lighting to reduce glare. When cataracts disrupt your daily life, you may consider cataract removal surgery, which is one of the most frequent and successful procedures done in the United States.
What is computer vision syndrome?
Computer vision syndrome is characterized by neck pain, blurry vision, stiff shoulders, headache, and watery eyes when working in front of a computer screen. The symptoms develop due to poor posture, dry eyes, poor eye muscle coordination, and uncorrected vision problems.
Since computer monitors are typically 20-26 inches from your eyes, your regular glasses may not be the best option for computer work. This distance range is intermediate: Closer than what you use to drive a car, but farther away than what you use to read.
Special lenses designed for computer work provide you with a larger intermediate area for viewing the computer and your work area like the top of your desk. Dr. Lovero can determine if these special lenses are appropriate for you.
What is dry eye syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome refers to a breakdown in the quantity or quality of tears, which are essential to moisten, cleanse and protect your eyes. Lack of tears is a significant problem because every time you blink, tears protect the surface of your eye, washing away dust and microorganisms.
When the protective coating dries up, your eyes may feel gritty or burn. They may also be more sensitive to light. In extreme cases, vision may become blurred. Proper care from Dr. Lovero will increase your comfort and protect your eyes.
What is strabismus?
Crossed-eyes, medically known as strabismus, refers to a misalignment of your eyes. It commonly occurs when the muscles that control eye movement are not working together correctly. As a result, one or both eyes turn inward, outward, upward or downward, or one or both eyes move irregularly.
Strabismus is usually diagnosed during childhood, affecting about 4% of children and appearing in boys and girls equally. Though it's unpreventable, you can avoid complications with early intervention. Even if you notice symptoms intermittently, such as when your child is ill, stressed or fatigued, you should contact Dr. Lovero for an eye exam.
