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Your Vision

Refractive Errors

Refractive errors, which are extremely common, can be corrected with eyeglasses, contacts, corneal refractive therapy, and surgery. There are four eye conditions called refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a condition that causes distant objects to appear blurry while close objects are seen clearly. Myopia, which can range from minimal to severe, is the result of the eyeball being too long. This causes light rays from distant objects to be focused in front of the retina instead of on it.

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is a condition by which a person can usually see objects in the distance, but objects close-up appear blurry. This condition occurs when the eyeball is too short, causing light rays to be focused behind the retina.

Presbyopia is the reduced ability to see things up close as a result of aging. Many people aged 40 to 50 begin to have trouble reading words that are close to them: the print in the phonebook or on the computer screen seems “too small” to read or print must be held closer to the face to be decipherable. With presbyopia, the ability to see distant objects often remains normal.

Astigmatism is visual distortion caused by an abnormally shaped cornea or lens, which hinders the light rays from properly meeting the retina. This makes it difficult for the eyes to focus clearly. Astigmatism is often accompanied by myopia or hyperopia.

Dr. Hutchinson can provide you with a comprehensive eye exam, during which he will check your eyes for refractive errors. A variety of treatment options is available to remedy these common vision problems. Dr. Hutchinson and his staff are happy to inform you of your options and determine a treatment plan that works best for you.

Eye conditions

Dry Eye Dry eye is a condition in which a person does not produce enough tears or the right tear “quality” to keep the eyes comfortable and healthy. The symptoms of dry eye can include:

• Excess tearing
• Scratchiness
• Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
• Stinging or burning eyes
• Excess irritation from wind or smoke
• Trouble wearing contact lenses

Dry eye can be a product of the natural aging process, certain medications, or may be related to another problem. For example, Sjogren’s syndrome is a combination of dry eye, arthritis, and dry mouth. Dry eye can be treated with artificial tears, a procedure that helps your eyes to conserve tears, and measures that prevent aggravating your condition. Dr. Hutchinson can examine your eyes and determine the best course of treatment for your condition.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is actually a group of diseases that all involve damage to the optic nerve, which is often accompanied by increased pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and vision loss. The best way to mitigate the effects of this condition is to seek an early diagnosis and treatment. Annual eye exams are very important, especially because glaucoma can develop without any outward symptoms until the condition has reached an advanced stage. An eye examination can detect glaucoma before serious damage occurs. Dr. Hutchinson uses state-of-the-art diagnostic instruments to help screen for, diagnose, and treat glaucoma.

Blind spots are a common symptom of glaucoma. As pressure inside the eye builds, a person with glaucoma may lose more and more of their peripheral vision. Risk factors for glaucoma include family history of the disease, increased age, medical conditions like hypothyroidism and diabetes, severe physical trauma, and nearsightedness. Glaucoma treatment may include medications, eye drops, laser treatment, surgery, or a combination thereof. Dr. Hutchinson can explain this condition and your treatment options in detail during your office visit.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is one of the most common eye infections adults and children can develop. Conjunctivitis is characterized by the inflammation of the conjunctiva, which helps keep the eye and eyelid moist. Conjunctivitis is treatable, though treatment will depend on the cause of the infection. Causes of conjunctivitis can include bacteria, viruses, allergies, an irritant, opthalmia neonatorum, and certain sexually transmitted diseases.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis can include:

• Increased tear production
• Red eyes or redness to the inner eyelid
• Yellow, green or white discharge, which often crusts over the eyelashes
• Itchiness
• Burning
• Blurred vision
• Light sensitivity

If you or your child experience any of these symptoms persistently, it is important to seek medical attention from your eye care professional. To make an appointment with Dr. Hutchinson, please call us at 760-753-6336.

Treatment options for conjunctivitis, which are determined based on the cause of the infection, can include antibiotics, eye drops, ointments, artificial tears, and other medications. In the case of a viral infection, conjunctivitis must run its course. You can speak with Dr. Hutchinson to learn more about this condition and the best treatment for you.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration, as the name would suggestion, is a breakdown of the macula. The macula is part of the retina, which allows you to see fine details clearly, helping you to do things like drive and read. Macular degeneration causes blurriness, dark spots, and/or distortion of one’s central vision (peripheral vision is not often affected). This condition can make it hard to see things both near and far, and may make certain activities difficult or impossible.

The most common cause of macular degeneration is aging. This condition is the leading cause of severe vision loss in Caucasians aged 65 and older. Nutrition is a very important aspect to treating macular degeneration. Studies show that people at risk for macular degeneration decreased their risk for advanced stages of the condition by 25 percent when treated with zinc, beta-carotene, and vitamins C and E. Dr. Hutchinson can speak with you in greater detail about the role of nutrition and supplements in treating macular degeneration. Other forms of treatment are available for patients with macular degeneration.

Nutrition and Your Eye Health

Several studies have shown that certain foods can help to reduce the risk of certain eye conditions. For example, some research shows that antioxidants can reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Vitamin C may reduce the risk of glaucoma. Vitamin A may protect against blindness. Essential fatty acids may help to alleviate the symptoms of dye eye and even protect against macular degeneration.

The following foods may promote eye health:

• Butternut squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, cod liver oil (all good sources of vitamin A)
• Spinach, collard greens, and kale (good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin)
• Sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, and almonds (Vitamin E)
• Red or green sweet peppers, strawberries, oranges, cantaloupe, kale, broccoli (sources of vitamin C)
• Cherries, grapes, plums, citrus fruits (bioflavonoids)
• Hamburgers, nuts, wheat, oysters (sources of zinc)
• Seafood, yeast, brazil nuts (good sources of selenium)
• Cold-water fish such as trout, salmon, and mackerel (fatty acids)

Studies have also recently indicated that an excess of “bad carbs” – such as refined white flour – can increase the risk of macular degeneration.

Nutritionists recommend consuming plenty of green vegetables, nuts, and two servings of fish per week to support eye health.

To learn more about your eye health and nutrition, please contact our offices to speak with our knowledgeable staff or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hutchinson.