Lawrence County Eye Associates

Did you know that most serious eye conditions (including glaucoma and AMD) are more successfully overcome if diagnosed and treated early? This is why regular eye doctor visits are recommended, even if you don’t wear glasses or corrective lenses.

One of the benefits of seeing an ophthalmologist on a regular basis is that he or she can, just by looking at your eyes, tell you if you have a more serious health concern. In fact, ophthalmologists can often spot such underlying issues as diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease.

Remember, it’s not possible to see retinal damage or tears from the outside of the eye. In order to make a diagnosis and begin treatment, a comprehensive eye exam sometimes by a specialist is necessary.

Retinal disorders are those that affect the vital tissue located at the rear of the eye responsible for sending light and imagery to the brain. The macula, the part of the central nerve tissue which provides clear central vision for reading and driving, can also be impacted.

The first person to hint that the retina was involved in the process of image formation was Ibn al-Haytham, who wrote about optics and the anatomy of the eye in his Book of Optics in 1021.

Legal blindness is a term used by government agencies to determine a personal’s eligibility for privileges and services, including driver’s licenses and Social Security benefits. A person is legally blind if his best corrected vision is 20/200 or less or if the visual field is 20 degrees or less.

Cosmetic eye surgeries, known as blepharoplasty, can be used to correct conditions like droopy upper and lower eyelids. Unlike many other types of facial cosmetic procedures, the effects of a blepharoplasty procedure can last up to 10 years.

The Moorfields Eye Hospital, established in London in 1805, was the first medical facility dedicated primarily to ophthalmic care. Many of its early patients were soldiers returning home from the Napoleonic Wars with a bacterial infection of the eyelid known as trachoma.

Did you know that the number of inches between an alligator’s eyes corresponds directly to the alligator’s length in feet?

One of the most common eye disorders is called presbyopia. Presbyopia is most often an age-related eye condition that affects people over 40. This condition is marked by an inability to see nearby objects or small print. Reading glasses can often correct this condition.

A glaucoma diagnosis was once a sentence for blindness, but it is now treatable. Of course, we can only stop additional damage from forming, not correct existing damage. Remember to seek treatment as soon as possible.

The most common reason for vision loss in the country is cataracts. This cloudiness of the lens of the eye is a symptom of the age process for most people. There is no treatment other than laser surgery to remove the cloudy obstruction on the lens.

If you have a beach vacation coming up, it’s important to schedule your cataract surgery accordingly. After the procedure, it’s best not to get your eye wet for at least a week.

Many people are confused about the differences between optometrists and ophthalmologists. Both perform eye exams but ophthalmologists medical doctors can diagnose and treat all eye diseases and perform eye surgery, if necessary.

Did you know that exercise can benefit your eyes as well as the rest of your body? Our eyes need good blood circulation and oxygen intake, which are increased through exercise.

One of the best ways to preserve eye health is to go to your ophthalmologist for regular eye exams. Regular eye exams help determine if you have glaucoma, retinal damage, or any eye disease that requires treatment before major damage is done.

Making sure you get regular eye checkups and knowing the symptoms of major eye diseases and conditions are essential steps to maintaining good eye health. Left untreated, diseases such as glaucoma can lead to serious vision loss and even blindness.

Ophthalmologists work closely with primary care physicians, as well as all the members of a patient’s eye care team, with each one taking care of those issues for which he or she is most qualified to treat.