Visual Acuity

Ophthalmology: The study of the eye and diseases affecting the eye

Refraction Disorders: Improper refraction of light rays to the retina

Myopia (Nearsightedness): Light rays focus in front of the retina

Hyperopia (Farsightedness): Light rays focus beyond retina

Astigmatism: abnormal shape or curve of the cornea

• Light rays focus on multiple areas of retina

• Treatment: Glasses or contact lenses

Amblyopia: Poor vision in one eye

• “Lazy eye” early childhood

• Treatment includes covering the dominant eye and exercises to strengthen eye

• Needs to be treated before 8 to 9 years of age (because the eye fully matures at that age)

Cataract: lens becomes cloudy, occurs gradually

• Blurred vision, halos around lights, vision loss

• Treatment: Surgical removal of lend\s and implant a new lens, glasses, contacts

Conjunctivitis: contagious inflammation of the conjunctiva (outer covering)

• “Pink eye”

• Symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, draining, pus

• Treatment: antibiotic drops or ointment

Glaucoma: increased intraocular (in the eye) pressure

• Leading cause of blindness

• Lose peripheral (side) vision

• Poor night vision

• Headache

• Genetic

Diabetic Retinopathy: too much glucose and poor circulation to the eye. The eye grows new vessels.

• May lead to losing sight (hemorrhage)

• Treatment: laser surgery to stop the new vessels

Hemianopsia: vision loss in half the field.

• Usually from a stroke (CVA)