Elk County Eye Clinic Johnsonburg Rd St. Marys PA 15857 Center for Advanced Eye Care Bradford, PA 16701 Eye Examination
Dr. Luis Washington Lu, Eye-MD, F.A.C.S. is a Medical Doctor and Medical Director at the Elk County Eye Clinic LASIK surgery Offices in St. Marys and Bradford Eye Glasses and Accessories Eye Care Resources Contact Elk County Eye Clinic
 
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eye glasses, contact lenses, St. Marys PA, Bradford, PAWhat common eye conditions usually require treatment by a doctor?

Trauma: Blunt trauma to the eye requires immediate evaluation by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Trauma to the eye can activate bleeding into the eye from ruptured blood vessels or cause detachment of the retina. Both situations can seriously impair vision.

Abrasion: An abrasion usually occurs when a fingernail or metallic foreign object rubs across the cornea or conjunctiva. There is a risk of bacterial or fungal contamination and infection following an eye abrasion.

Chemical exposure: Exposure of the eye to household cleaning solutions, fumes, or an actual chemical splash requires immediate evaluation by a physician, though initially it may be self- treated with water or an irrigant.

Keratitis: Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea that may occur alone or simultaneously with conjunctivitis. The symptoms of keratitis include blurred vision, pain, and intolerance to light (photophobia).

Corneal swelling: Corneal swelling, or edema, is a condition in which fluid accumulates in the cornea. The edema causes visual disturbances such as halos or starbursts around lights. Reduced vision may or may not occur. Corneal swelling can arise as a complication of contact lenses, surgical damage to the cornea, or an inherited defect. Hyperosmotics are used to treat corneal swelling, but additional treatment by a physician may be necessary.

Uveitis: Uveitis is an inflammation of the eye structures in the uveal tract (the iris and other structures within the eye to which the iris attaches). Uveitis may occur without an obvious cause or may be due to trauma or an inflammatory disease in other parts of the body. Symptoms and signs of uveitis are similar to those of conjunctivitis and keratitis.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This disorder usually is triggered after an eye exam in which the pupils have been dilated. Angle- closure glaucoma is due to an obstruction of the canal system that drains fluid from the inside of the eye. As a result, fluid accumulates and the pressure within the eye increases. Patients may have a tendency to develop angle-closure glaucoma because of an anatomical defect in their eye. Common symptoms include an aching eyebrow or a headache that leads to nausea and vomiting. Angle-closure glaucoma should be suspected if symptoms develop after an agent is used to dilate the pupils for an eye exam.


Visucam
Visucam


Visual Field Test


Visual Field Test

  

Resources

 

 

Elk Regional Health System

 

Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center

 

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

 

The Cleveland Clinic

 

American College of Surgeons

 

American College of Eye Surgeons

 

American Academy of Ophthalmology

 

 

Glossary of Eye Terms

 

A scan: Ultrasonic procedure to measure specific areas within the eye.

 

Acuity: The clarity of vision, usually measured on a chart.

 

Anesthesia: Standard cataract surgery anesthetic is a local anesthetic that blocks the optic nerve. The anesthesia is administered by injection and is painless. The patient is awake during surgery but may be sedated.

 

Astigmatism: A warping of the curvature of the cornea so that light rays entering the eye do not meet in a single focal point, resulting in a distorted image.

 

B scan: Ultrasonic procedure used to check for abnormalities or locate foreign bodies within the eye.

 

Cataract: A disease which causes the lens or its capsule to become opaque. It can result in partially or severely decreased vision, but is usually removable and vision correctable by use of an implant.

 

Cornea: The clear front surface of the eye which covers the iris and pupil. Acts like the lens of a camera.

 

Diopter: A unit of measure of the refractive power of a lens, equal to the power of a lens with focal distance of one meter.

 

Glaucoma: A disease characterized by increased pressure within the eyeball, leading to gradual vision impairment and sometimes, blindness if not diagnosed and treated.

 

Hyperopia: Farsightedness; a condition in which light rays are focused behind the retina so that distant objects are seen more clearly than near ones.

 

Intacs: Intacs are tiny plastic ring segments that are implanted in the cornea to correct refractive error.

 

Intraocular lens implantation: Surgery to replace a cloudy lens (cataract) with a new, clear, artificial lens designed to eliminate the need for very thick, heavy glasses. This is usually done at the time of cataract extraction but may be done later as a secondary implant.

 

Keratometry: The measurement of the curvature of the cornea.

 

Keratomileusis: A surgical procedure for treating farsightedness and nearsightedness. A thin layer of the cornea is removed and reshaped, becoming a natural contact lens, and then permanently repositioned on the cornea.

 

Myopia: Nearsightedness; a condition in which light rays from distant objects are focused in front of the retina instead of on it, so that distant objects are not seen clearly.

 

Phacoemulsification: Use of ultrasonic vibration to shatter and break up a cataract, making it easier to remove.

 

Radial keratotomy: A surgical procedure for treating nearsightedness in which the cornea is flattened by means of a series of radial cuts on it.

 

Retina: A layer of cells at the back of the eye which are sensitive to light and upon which the image formed by the lens is focused. The image is then carried to the brain by the optic nerve.

 

Secondary Implant: If no lens was placed in the eye at the time of initial cataract removal surgery, then a secondary procedure to implant a lens may be done months or year later.

 

Slit Lamp: A microscope using various magnifications combined with a strong light that can be focused into a slit for examining the eye.

 

Tonometry: The measurement of the tension or pressure inside the eyeball.

 

Ultrasound (A & B Scan): A procedure using sound waves to measure certain portions or detect abnormalities within the eye.

 

Visual Field: A measurement of the vision level in all portions of the field of vision.