Medical Eye Conditions

You might be asking yourself what type of eye condition would cause you to have a medical eye exam? There are a few conditions that our Optometrists look for during your routine exams that would lead us to recommend further testing or a more thorough examination. Check out our interactive gallery below for some information on a few of the medical eye conditions that 20/20 West Side Eye Care can help you with.

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Cataracts A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which is located behind the pupil and in front of the vitreous humor. It is a common eye condition that causes the lens to become opaque, blocking light from reaching the retina. Cataracts can develop gradually over time and are a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. They can be treated surgically by removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one.	Colorblindness Color blindness is the inability to see colors in the usual way, meaning you can't tell the difference between certain colors, most commonly red and green. While true color blindness where everything is seen in black and white is rare, most people with the condition experience difficulty distinguishing between shades of colors like blue and purple or red and brown. This is usually caused by genetic factors, but can also result from age, disease, or certain medications. Difficulty with colors:
Corneal Edema Corneal edema can be classified by its cause, such as corneal dystrophies (like Fuchs' Dystrophy), inflammatory or infectious conditions (like endotheliitis or keratitis), trauma (like injury or surgery), and elevated intraocular pressure (like glaucoma). Another way to classify it is by which layer of the cornea is affected, such as epithelial edema or stromal edema, with epithelial edema causing more pain. Classification by cause Corneal Dystrophies: Inherited conditions that affect the corn	Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. High blood sugar levels over time damage these blood vessels, leading to inflammation, leakage, and the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels. Causes: High blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) Diabetes duration Poorly controlled diabetes Other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking Symptoms: Early stages may have no
Dry Eye Dry eye is a condition where the tear film, which protects the eye, is insufficient due to inadequate tear production or excessive evaporation. Common symptoms include burning, itching, redness, and blurred vision. Causes can range from systemic diseases like Sjogren's syndrome and autoimmune conditions to environmental factors, hormonal changes, and eyelid inflammation like meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Symptoms Burning or stinging sensation Itchiness Redness	Glaucoma Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which sends visual information to the brain. This damage can lead to vision loss, if not detected and treated early. Types of Glaucoma: Open-angle glaucoma: The most common type, where the drainage angle in the eye remains open but does not function properly, leading to increased pressure. Angle-closure glaucoma: A rare but serious type where the drainage angle is completely blocked, causing a sudden increase in pressure.
Iritis Iritis is an inflammation of the colored part of your eye (iris). It also affects the front part of the eye between the cornea and the iris (anterior chamber).	AMD Macular Generation a degenerative condition affecting the central part of the retina (the macula) and resulting in distortion or loss of central vision.
Retinal Detachment Retinal detachment is a condition where the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, separates from the underlying tissue. Causes: Age-related changes in the vitreous gel (jelly-like substance in the eye), Trauma to the eye, Nearsightedness (myopia), Diabetes, and Certain eye surgeries. Symptoms: Sudden onset of floaters (small spots or lines that float in the field of vision) Flashes of light A shadow or curtain in the peripheral vision Blurred vision	Strabismus The main cause of strabismus is an abnormal neuromuscular control of the eye muscles, not a problem with the muscles themselves. This means the nerves that control the muscles don't work correctly, preventing the eyes from moving together in a coordinated way. A family history of strabismus is a major risk factor, but other causes include uncorrected farsightedness, certain genetic conditions, and problems with the brain, eye, or nerves.