Presbyopia is an age related condition that effects your ability to focus clearly on near objects like printed text, computer screens and photographs. It primarily affects people over the age of 40 and is not a disease.

When light from a close object enters the eye it naturally comes to focus behind the retina. To focus the light properly the cilliary muscle around your lens contracts, which changes the shape of the lens, allowing the light to focus properly. With Presbyopia, your lens begins to gradually harden as you get older. This hardening of the lens does not allow it to change shape properly resulting in blurred vision.

There are a variety of ways to correct presbyopia including glasses, bifocals, trifocals or contact lenses. LASIK surgery or conductive keratoplasty, known as CK, are also options. Because Presbyopia is a gradual process you will need to consult your eyecare provider regularly to monitor the condition

Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve. The disease causes optic nerve damage, which leads to partial or total vision loss. These two types of glaucoma both stem from a problem in the angle between the cornea and iris of the eye. They are called Narrow Angle and Closed Angle Glaucoma.

Narrow Angle glaucoma can develop either quickly or slowly and usually occurs in people with farsightedness. It occurs when the angle narrows causing the aqueous fluid to build up. This narrowing is caused by a bowing of the iris. Narrow Angle glaucoma can only be detected through routine eye examinations. It can cause vision loss and can also lead to an emergency condition called closed angle glaucoma.

Closed angle glaucoma, also called angle closure glaucoma, develops quickly and is a medical emergency. It occurs when the iris bows forward so much that the angle is completely closed. That means that no aqueous fluid can escape, which causes the pressure to build up rapidly. There are many symptoms associated with closed angle glaucoma such as headaches, severe pain, vision loss, redness and nausea. As stated earlier, this is a medical emergency and if not treated immediately can cause severe damage to the optic nerve.

Routine eye examinations are important to detect and monitor glaucoma early. Speak with your eye care provider if you are at risk for glaucoma.