Q:
What is the purpose of
dilation?
A: Dilation drops
are used to make the pupil larger. This
allows the doctor to see the back of your eye better and to see to the “far corners” of the eye
that can not be seen
through a regular sized pupil. It is a very important part of the health
assessment of
your eye.
Q:
How often should I get my eyes
dilated?
A:
It depends upon the patient and the health of their eyes.
If you have any condition
that requires a better look at the back of your eyes, like diabetes or
glaucoma, your
doctor can recommend the frequency with which you should have it done.
There are patients who have perfectly healthy eyes and still like to have their
eyes dilated at every annual visit, just to make sure things are looking healthy.
Q:
What can I expect after my eyes are
dilated?
A: Usually your
ability to read or do up close work is affected for several hours.
You will also notice that you are more sensitive to light, so sunglasses are
good to have
with you, or the doctor can give you a pair of disposable sunglasses to
wear home.
Some patients prefer to bring someone with them to drive home.
Q:
What is a visual field?
A:
A visual field or perimetry, is a special test used to look for problems
with the visual
pathway. It is used to detect
any early damage to the optic nerve or retina. There are
different ways to test the visual field, but the most common is with a
computerized
instrument. The test requires
the patient to fixate on a specific point and click a button
when a flashing light is seen in the peripheral vision.
These flashing lights are of
various intensities and appear in different locations.
This test produces a
computerized map of the visual field and can detect possible problems
with the eye.
EYE CONDITIONS AND
DISEASES
Q:
What does it mean when someone says
they have 20/200 vision?
A:
The 20 means the distance at which your vision is tested- 20 feet.
The 200 means
the size letter you see at the tested distance.
If you are 20/200, it means that what you see at 20 feet is what a person with 20/20 vision can see at 200 feet.
Q: What
is color deficiency?
A:
Color deficiency occurs when you have a problem distinguishing between
different colors or shades of colors. Some
people call it color blindness, but only a very few
people have problems distinguishing all colors.
About 8% of men have some degree of color deficiency and only .4% of women have any color deficiency.
The most common color deficiency is red-green.
It is important to do color vision testing at an
early age in order to identify any problems a child may be having.
It is also important
to do during routine examinations because certain eye conditions can
cause problems
in identifying colors.
Q:
What is glaucoma?
A:
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve suffers damage due to
the
internal fluid pressure of the eye.
There are many types of glaucoma, but the most
common ones have no symptoms that would make you aware that you have it.
Annual eye examinations are important in order to detect any changes in
your eye
pressures or the appearance of your optic nerves.
It is becoming more common to find
patients who have normal pressures at the time of their eye exams but
have changes in
the appearance of their optic nerves.
If any changes are noticed, it is important for
additional testing to be done so treatment can begin as soon as possible
to prevent
further damage.
Q:
What are the symptoms of
cataracts?
A: Cataracts
usually develop slowly and without pain. Some
indications of cataract formation may be blurry or hazy vision,
decreased color perception or glare and
halos around lights at night. Cataracts
develop at different rates for different patients.
Your doctor can recommend the appropriate interval for
evaluation of your
cataracts.
Q:
What is macular degeneration?
A: Age-related
macular degeneration (ARMD) is an eye disease that affects central vision by damaging the macula. The
macula is the part of the eye that provides the clear, sharp vision needed to focus on things in front of you.
There are two
types of ARMD- dry and wet. The
dry form is the most common, 90% of patients
have this form. Deposits,
called drusen, form under the retina and interfer with normal retinal function. The
wet form is less common, 10% of patients have this form. Abnormal blood vessel
formation that leaks blood and fluid under the macula
cause damage to central vision. The
causes of either form of ARMD are unknown.
Symptoms for ARMD occur more slowly for dry ARMD than wet
ARMD. Symptoms may include dim or fuzzy central vision not correctable with
glasses,
straight lines may appear wavy or blank spots may appear in central
vision.
