The optic nerve, at the back of the eye, carries visual information to the brain. As the optic nerve fibers are damaged, the amount and quality of information sent to the brain decreases and a loss of vision occurs.

If diagnosed at an early stage, glaucoma can often be controlled with little or no further vision loss. If left untreated, first peripheral vision and then central vision will be affected, and blindness may result.

A comprehensive optometric examination will include tests for glaucoma. A simple, painless procedure called tonometry measures the internal pressure of your eye. Your optometrist will also check the health of the optic nerve and measure your field of vision.

Most people with macular degeneration retain peripheral vision and learn to optimize the use of their remaining vision. Low vision aides can sometimes be helpful too.

\No, the most important thing to do is to have regular eye exams, which may allow early detection and diagnosis. This is particularly important if a close relative has been diagnosed with macular degeneration.

No, but treatment can slow or even stop the progression of the disease and in some cases, reverse some of the damage. The earlier the diagnosis is made, in general, the better the outcome.

A macula hole is a hole in the macula, the central most sensitive part of the retina

Headaches are only rarely caused by eye problems, even if the pain feels like it is coming from or behind the eye. One explanation for this perhaps surprising statement is that the eye socket is often the site of "referred pain", that is, a sense of discomfort in one part of the body because of a problem that is truly elsewhere. This is similar to the occurrence of left arm pain in patients who experience a heart attack.

Visual loss occurs because of either optical or neural problems. Optical causes of visual loss [such as refractive error (need for glasses), cataract or corneal opacities] can usually be corrected or significantly improved. Nerve damage (for instance to the retina or optic nerve) cannot be repaired

Floaters are cobwebs, strings, or speck-like objects that float in the field of vision. They may occur from any opacity within the vitreous gel that casts a shadow on the retina. They are usually black and may float in and out of view.

When the retina detaches, it separates or pulls away from its normal position lining the inner back wall of the eye. A retinal detachment can occur from retina holes, retinal tears or from traction on the retina from scar tissue on the retinal surface or in the vitreous gel. If not promptly treated, a retinal detachment can cause permanent loss of vision.

• Blurring of central vision
• Blind spots in the central vision
• Difficulty seeing detail up close and at a distance
• Distortion of lines and shapes
• Diminished color vision

No. You should wear whatever prescription is determined to be correct for your eyes. You will not harm your eyes if you do not wear your glasses, and you will also not harm yourself if you do use your glasses. The notion that wearing glasses weakens your eyes derives from the common observation that people who begin to use reading glasses typically need to increase the strength of the prescription after a period of a few years. This need for added strength happens because of an age-related change in the lens of the eye. It is natural to need stronger reading glasses at age 60 compared to age 40.

The procedure itself is painless! During surgery you may feel pressure when the flap is prepared and some discomfort and irritation within 24 hours after the procedure. To relieve the feeling of discomfort, we give our patients eye drops free of charge

Some patients experience deterioration of the effect in time but not to the pre-surgery level. Fine correction or additional treatment can be used for improving vision if required. 98 % of the patients will never experience it though.

Orbital tumors can occur in the bones, muscles, tissue, and blood vessels of the orbit area that houses the eyeball. Orbital tumors can also occur on or behind the eye.

Eyelid retraction is usually treated with lubricating eye drops and ointment until surgery can be performed to bring the eyelids back to their normal resting place.

Eyelid retraction is usually caused by past eye trauma, thyroid eye disease, or loss of tone due to aging.