Common Eye Conditions

Regular eye checks should provide the basis for maintaining proper eye health, as some of the serious eye conditions do not have any visible early warning symptoms. However, while prevention is the best defence, problems or injuries can occur suddenly and unexpectedly. The ability to recognise signs and symptoms and also knowing what to do could be crucial to preserving sight.

Any patient who is worried or unsure about his or her individual circumstances should seek specialist advice.

If you experience sudden pain, loss of sight, or lots of flashing lights, please see your doctor or local accident and emergency department as soon as possible.

We are unable to list all ophthalmic conditions here. This section covers only the most common conditions. If we have not covered a condition you are interested in, This site (Eye Conditions) may be able to help you.

Astigmatism
Presbyopia
Hyperopia
Myopia
Blepharitis
Allergic and Viral Conjunctivitis
Dry Eye
Other Eye Conditions and Treatments

Astigmatism Also common to many of our patients, astigmatism is caused by a cornea that has an oblong, football-like shape. Astigmatism can affect our patients alone or in conjunction with either myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). The condition causes light to focus in multiple points on the retina, causing blurry and distorted vision. There are a number of different causes of astigmatism, and LarrazabalEye and Centre for Sight Cebu offer various treatment options that can be adapted to your specific situation. If you have any of the symptoms of astigmatism, such as blurry, distorted vision at all distances, contact LarrazabalEye today to set up an examination. top

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Presbyopia Many of our patients approaching middle age and older suffer symptoms of presbyopia. This is a condition that is caused by a loss of flexibility in the lens, making it difficult to focus on objects close to the eye. As we age, the natural lens of the eye begins to lose the elasticity that allowed it to thicken to accommodate near objects and thin to accommodate distant ones. The resulting condition of this visual imperfection is known as presbyopia. Patients who suffer presbyopia will notice: Blurry vision of near objects that starts after age 40 Difficulty adjusting focus when switching from near to distant objects Eye fatigue and/or headaches after extended periods of close focus If you are experiencing symptoms of presbyopia, LarrazabalEye / Centre for Sight LASIK surgeon Yong Larrazabal and his staff at LarrazabalEye and Centre for Sight can help determine the best treatment. top

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Hyperopia (farsightedness) Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is caused by a cornea that is too flat. The flattened cornea focuses light at a point beyond the retina, resulting in the blurred appearance of objects at close range. Hyperopia is often left undetected until later in life, because the young eye can compensate for hyperopia by contracting the internal lens of the eye. At LarrazabalEye and Centre for Sight Cebu, we offer a few different options for correcting hyperopia, as well as presbyopia, astigmatism, and myopia. These options include LASIK and other types of refractive surgery. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and find out which treatment is right for you. top

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Myopia (nearsightedness) Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is caused by a cornea that is too curved or an eye that is too long. These imperfections cause light to focus on the front of the retina, making objects at a distance appear blurry. Myopia typically appears between the ages of eight and twelve years old, and the condition often worsens as the body grows, usually stabilizing in adulthood. LarrazabalEye and Centre for Sight Cebu provide a number of treatments for myopia, including LASIK, which can correct an especially high degree of nearsightedness. Contact LarrazabalEye or Centre for Sight to schedule a consultation. top

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Blepharitis Blepharitis is a chronic or long-term inflammation of the eyelids and eyelashes. It affects people of all ages. Among the most common causes of blepharitis are poor eyelid hygiene, excessive oil production by the eyelid glands, a bacterial infection (often staphylococcal), or an allergic reaction. Those suffering from blepharitis may notice a film over their eyes which must be blinked away or a gritty feeling to their eyes. Dryness, redness, burning, and crusting of the eyelids are also common with blepharitis. Our Ophthalmologists can help determine the cause of your blepharitis and guide your treatment. top

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Allergic and Viral Conjunctivitis Allergic Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eyes and eyelids due to an allergen. An allergen is something in your environment that your body is especially sensitive to. Allergens can cause sneezing, rashes, and coughing. They can also cause red, itchy, and watery eyes with swelling of the eyelids. Mold, pollen, and pet dander are just some of the more common allergens. Sometimes symptoms are worse in one particular season like the spring. Your ophthalmologist can help identify the cause of your allergic conjunctivitis in some cases and can guide your treatment. Viral Conjunctivitis or "Pink Eye" is an infection of the conjunctiva, the outermost layer of the eyeball. The virus responsible for this infection also can cause a cold or stomach illness. Those suffering from viral conjunctivitis will have a red eye, possibly with some clear discharge. Some individuals may experience a vague sensation that some foreign body, such as an eyelash, has fallen in the eye. "Pink eye" generally starts with one eye and eventually spreads to the second, uninvolved eye in a few days. This condition is very contagious. Our ophthalmologists can guide the treatment of your infection and limit its spread. top

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Dry Eye Dry Eye is a collection of symptoms that make up an eye condition that stems from an imbalance in the quantity or quality of tears bathing the eye. These symptoms include dry, red, gritty, and even watery eyes. Often, Dry Eye sufferers report the feeling of something foreign within the eye or eyestrain. Some people do not produce enough tears to keep the eye comfortable. The balance of tear production and tear loss [through drainage and evaporation] maintains the moisture level in the eyes. When this balance is not sustained, dry spots appear on the surface of the eye and cause irritation. A healthy eye constantly produces tears that lubricate. Excessive tears occur when a foreign body irritates the eye or when a person cries. The usual symptoms include: stinging or burning eyes scratchiness stringy mucus in or around the eyes eye irritation from smoke or wind excess tearing difficulty wearing contact lenses Depending on the causes, Dry Eye Syndrome can be treated as a temporary problem or a lifelong disease requiring long-term treatment. Either way, tears must be conserved or replaced in order to provide relief. Artificial tears are probably the most common forms of treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome. These Eye drops are similar to your own tears. They lubricate the eyes and help maintain moisture. Preservative-free eye drops are available if you are sensitive to the preservatives in artificial tears. In cases of persistent Dry Eye symptoms, permanent, reversible closure of the tear duct or punctal occlusion may be the best solution. Punctal occlusion allows you to retain your own, natural tears without the bother or expense of constantly replacing the tear film with artificial tears. Dr. Yong currently uses the Smart Plug™, a revolutionary plug design that conforms to the exact shape of the patient’s tear duct once inserted. Results show much better comfort than with previous plug designs. Tears drain out of the eye through a small channel into the nose. We may close these channels either temporarily or permanently. The closure conserves your own tears and makes artificial tears last longer. A person with dry eye should avoid anything that may cause dryness, such as an overly warm room, hair dryers, wind or a direct fan / air conditioner draft. Smoking is especially bothersome. Some people with dry eye complain of "scratchy eyes" when they wake up. Using an artificial tear ointment at bedtime can treat this symptom. If early signs persist, make an appointment with us. We need to check for corneal abrasion or infection and begin treatment. Have annual eye exams. top

Early detection of most eye conditions leading to visual impairment increases the possibility of effective treatment, although, in most cases, it is only possible to prevent progression of further sight loss rather than to restore vision to its former level. Eye examinations at two yearly intervals are therefore advisable for every one. More frequent examinations may be required where pathology is present or where there is an increased risk of an eye condition indicated by family history because many conditions that affect the eye, and subsequently your vision, do tend to run in families. If you have family members with eye disease, or vision problems, and would like to know how to protect yourself, please do not hesitate to contact our doctors. The information provided on this site is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Individuals seeking or considering any of the medical procedures or treatments discussed on the site should consult with a physician trained and experienced in this area of medicine.