Nearsighted individuals typically have problems seeing well at a distance and are forced to wear glasses or contact lenses. The nearsighted eye is usually longer than a normal eye and the cornea may also be steeper. As a result, when light passes through the cornea and the lens it is focused in front of the retina, making distant images appear blurred. At the Mississippi Vision Correction Center, we provide several refractive surgery solutions to correct all levels of nearsightedness.
Farsighted individuals have shorter than normal eyes and have problems seeing up-close before the age of 40. The light of distant objects focuses behind the retina and these images are blurred. Eventually, their distance vision also starts to blur as they age. If you didn’t have up-close vision problems until you reached your 40s, you may be experiencing presbyopia. Differentiating between the two can be confusing.
Astigmatism is a common vision condition where the corneal surface is not evenly shaped, causing one to see ghosting or shadowing of images. With astigmatism, the cornea is not a perfect sphere, like a basketball, but is steeper in one direction and flatter in the other, like a football. Astigmatism can occur alone but is most often combined with nearsightedness or farsightedness.
All people will experience difficulty reading, usually beginning in their 40s. There is a lens in the eye which "accommodates" light so that we can see at near distances. With Presbyopia, light from a near object enters the eye the cornea refracts the light and the lens changes shape to accommodate for the decreased focal length of a near object. This is exactly the same process that occurs when focusing your camera on a near object. Unfortunately this lens within the eye, as it ages, loses its ability to focus for us and we need reading glasses or bifocals. Presbyopia can be dealt with in a number of ways, so please contact our staff to better understand your options if this is something that you think you are experiencing.
What are the symptoms of dry eyes?
Dry eyes can cause a gritty, sandy sensation, burning, stinging and itching. Some people notice their eyes sticking shut when they wake up. Sometimes a dry eye can actually seem watery. The eye can be producing poor quality, reflex tears, which don't do the job of keeping the eye lubricated.
What can be done for dry eyes?
The first line of treatment is usually artificial tears. There are several excellent brands on the market. One person may like one type better, while another may find a different brand works better. If you are using artificial tears more than 4 times/day, a non-preserved tear should be used. Ask your eye care practitioner to make some recommendations. If your eyes are severally dry, a humidifier in rooms that you spend a lot of time may be helpful. There are now also prescription drops (Restasis) that can alleviate dry eyes.
What if the drops don't work?
The doctors at Mississippi Vision Correction Center, PLLC can place tiny collagen or silicone plugs in the drainage canals of your eyelids. These plugs prevent the tears from draining down and out of your eyes. Collagen plugs last about 2 weeks. Generally, they are a good first step. If the patient notices improvement for a few days, then the symptoms return, permanant silicone plugs can be inserted. While these plugs are removable if necessary, they do not dissolve on their own and don't require replacing.
Who gets dry eyes?
Virtually anyone is prone to dry eyes, although women get the condition more than men, and older people more often than younger people.
What causes dry eyes?
Various systemic diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjögren’s Syndrome can cause dry eyes. Environmental conditions, some prescription and over the counter medications, and wearing contact lenses also contribute to dryness.
What kind of medications cause dry eyes?
Antihistamines, such as Benadryl, anti-depressants, and some blood pressure medications can contribute to dry eye problems. Oral contraceptives are another common culprit, as are alcohol and marijuana. There are countless other over-the-counter and prescriptions; ask your eye care practitioner about specific ones.
