Learn More About Your Eyes at Wadena Eye Clinic
Changes in Your Vision May Indicate Other Health Issues
Your eyes perform a greater function than vision alone — they also offer a glimpse into your future health. If you have recently experienced changes in your normal vision, they may indicate one of several conditions including stress, diabetes, or even retinal detachment. The specialists at Wadena Eye Clinic are adept at quickly and accurately diagnosing such conditions, which we describe below for your benefit.
Common Eye Conditions
Nearsightedness and Farsightedness
Common conditions where far away or nearby objects appear blurry, respectively. The degree of severity ranges widely among different patients, but is nearly certainly treatable with corrective lenses.
Dry Eye
A chronic condition that can affect both comfort and vision, dry eye’s symptoms may include a burning or stinging sensation, photosensitivity, and, naturally, a feeling of dryness in the eyes.
Vision Corrective Therapy
A technique that effectively “teaches” the visual system to correct itself, vision corrective therapy utilizes doctor-supervised and non-invasive techniques to improve vision or restore it to its original state.
Ocular Allergies
When allergens impact the conjunctiva, they can cause the immune system to overreact and produce antibodies which cause irritating symptoms including itching, burning, and red and swollen eyes.
Diabetic Retinopathy
A complication of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to blood vessels in the photosensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This condition may present no symptoms at first but worsen with time, so early diagnosis is ideal.
Corneal Abrasions
Common particles including dirt, sand, wood shavings, metal particles, and even contact lenses are capable of scratching the protective outer layer of the eye. With proper treatment, corneal abrasions can heal in as little as one day.
Pterygium
A growth of the conjunctiva or membrane that covers the white part of the eye over the cornea, pterygium’s exact cause remains unknown. However, it is treatable when it impacts the patient’s vision.
Cornea Neovascularization
Abbreviated as CNV, this condition entails invasion of new blood vessels into the cornea. This condition may worsen to the point where it permanently impacts vision and may cause the eye to reject a corneal graft. CNV is treatable with anti-inflammatory drugs.
Retinal Detachment
There are multiple causes for detachment of the retina from the layer of blood vessels that supplies it with vital oxygen and nutrients. Patients with this condition may experience flashes or floaters in their vision.
Glaucoma
A group of eye conditions that can bring about damage to the optic nerve and ensuing loss of vision. Glaucoma can be insidious and may not even be noticed by the patient until it has progressed to a phase that seriously jeopardizes vision. For this reason, regular preemptive screenings are indispensable to ocular health.
Cataracts
This clouding of the clear lens of the eye can be imperceptible at first, but as it becomes more opaque, it can seriously affect the clarity of a patient’s vision. Fortunately, surgery to address cataracts is both safe and fairly routine.
Astigmatism
A condition marked by irregular curvature of the cornea; astigmatism occurs to some degree in nearly every person on earth. When astigmatism is especially pronounced, it can cause some areas of the field of vision to become blocked out. Astigmatism may be hereditary or brought about by the environment, and it is easily diagnosed and treatable.
Presbyopia
This condition often presents in patients who are middle-aged, and it is typically noticed by patients when they find they must hold writing at arm’s length to be able to read it. Glasses are nearly exclusively the remedy for presbyopia.
Macular Degeneration
A variety of conditions can lead to macular degeneration, although it is most frequently caused by aging. Macular degeneration affects central vision, yet does not cause pain. Several tests can diagnose this condition early on.
Keratoconus
Marked by distortion of the cornea, keratoconus may cause difficulty while driving at night, irritation, and general pain in the eye. Treatments for keratoconus range from contact lenses to surgery, depending on the condition’s severity.
Strabismus
A condition where both eyes fail to fixate on the same focal point, strabismus is common among children but may occur in adulthood as well. Strabismus can impact depth perception or cause double vision, and it is commonly treated with an eyepatch that forces the weaker eye to strengthen itself.
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