Eye Conditions, Diseases, and Treatments.

East Valley Ophthalmology in Mesa, Arizona is a global leader in offering new medications, state-of-the-art technology and advanced surgical procedures. Our eye doctors diagnose and treat a wide range of eye diseases and conditions. We're proud of our commitment to providing our patients the most advanced eye care available with the best possible results. We invite you to make an appointment and learn more: 480-981-6111.

Eye conditions and diseases leave the eye vulnerable to many disorders. From common allergies to rare diseases, the human eye can be affected by any number of maladies, causing issues - ranging from general discomfort to a complete loss of vision. The overall health of the eye can be compromised at any time, often without any undue symptoms until irreversible damage is done. This risk increases exponentially as the individual grows older, a fact that might well translate into a higher percentage of eye-related ailments in the future as the world's population continues to live longer. While certain diseases, such as trachoma, might be unheard of in some areas of the world, they can be at near-epidemic levels in others. Also, common conditions such as allergies might seem benign to some, but others across the globe might suffer to such an extent and degree as to lower the quality of life for an entire community.

Allergic Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the white part of the eye) due to allergy. Although allergens differ between patients, the most common cause is hay fever.

Astigmatism is an optical defect, whereby vision is blurred due to irregular curvature of the cornea or lens. In corneal astigmatism, the cornea is ellipsoidal (like an egg) rather than spherical, which reduces the cornea's ability to focus light.

Blepharitis is characterized by inflammation of the eyelid margins. Blepharitis usually causes redness of the eyes and itching and irritation of the eyelids in both eyes.

Cataracts are opacities that develop in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope. Early on in the development of age-related cataract the power of the crystalline lens may be increased, causing near-sightedness (myopia), and the gradual yellowing and opacification of the lens may reduce the perception of blue colors. Cataracts typically progress slowly to cause vision loss and are potentially blinding if untreated.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a DNA virus found in almost everyone, and is usually fought off by the immune system. For people who are immunocompromised by diseases, transplants, or chemotherapy, the virus is not adequately destroyed and can cause damage to the eye and the rest of the body.

Color Blindness, or color vision deficiency, is the inability to perceive differences between some or all colors that other people can distinguish.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids), most commonly due to an allergic reaction or an infection (usually bacterial or viral).

Diabetic Retinopathy is retinopathy (damage to the retina) caused by complications of diabetes mellitus, which could eventually lead to blindness. It is an ocular manifestation of systemic disease which affects up to 80% of all diabetics who have had diabetes for 15 years or more.

Diplopia, commonly known as double vision, is the simultaneous perception of two images of a single object. These images may be displaced horizontally, vertically, or diagonally (i.e. both vertically and horizontally) in relation to each other.

Dry Eye Syndrome (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca) is an eye disease caused by decreased tear production or increased tear film evaporation, with common symptoms include dryness, burning, and a sandy-gritty eye irritation that gets worse as the day goes on.

Floaters are deposits of various size, shape, consistency, refractive index, and motility within the eye's normally the transparent, colorless, gelatinous mass that fills the space between the lens of the eye and the retina lining the back of the eye.

Fuchs' Dystrophy, also known as Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy, is a slowly progressing corneal disease that usually affects both eyes and is slightly more common in women than in men. New surgical modalities are gaining popularity in the treatment of FED such as deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty (DLEK) and Descemet's stripping with endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK).

Glaucoma is a group of diseases of the optic nerve involving loss of retinal ganglion cells in a characteristic pattern of optic neuropathy. Although raised intraocular pressure is a significant risk factor for developing glaucoma, there is no set threshold for intraocular pressure that causes glaucoma.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness) is a defect of vision caused by an imperfection in the eye (often when the eyeball is too short or when the lens cannot become round enough), causing inability to focus on near objects, and in extreme cases causing the inability to focus on objects at any distance.

Keratoconus is a degenerative non-inflammatory disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than its normal gradual curve.

Macular Degeneration is a medical condition predominantly found in elderly adults in which the center of the inner lining of the eye, known as the macula area of the retina, suffers thinning, atrophy, and in some cases, bleeding. This can result in loss of central vision, which entails inability to see fine details, to read, or to recognize faces.

Macular Holes is a small break in the macula, located in the center of the eye's light-sensitive tissue called the retina. The macula provides the sharp, central vision we need for reading, driving, and seeing fine detail.

Myopia (Nearsightedness) is a refractive defect of the eye in which collimated light produces image focus in front of the retina when accommodation is relaxed. Those with myopia see nearby objects clearly but distant objects appear blurred.

Nystagmus, is involuntary eye movement that can be part of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) or it can be part of a pathological process. It is characterized by oscillations that may occur in the vertical, horizontal or torsional planes, or in any combination.

Ocular Hypertension is intraocular pressure (IOP) higher than normal in the absence of optic nerve damage or visual field loss. Elevated IOP is the most important risk factor for glaucoma, so those with ocular hypertension are frequently considered to have a greater chance of developing the condition.

Ocular Migraine (Acephalgic Migraine) is a variant of migraine in which the patient may experience aura symptoms such as scintillating scotoma, nausea, photophobia, hemiparesis and other migraine symptoms but does not experience headache.

Photophobia (Light Sensitivity) is usually due to too much light entering the eye, which causes over stimulation of the photoreceptors in the retina and subsequent excessive electric impulses to the optic nerve. This leads to a reflex aversion to light, and discomfort or pain.

Pinguecula is a type of conjunctival degeneration in the eye. It is extremely common and is seen as a yellow-white deposit on the conjunctiva adjacent to the limbus (the junction between the cornea and sclera).

Presbyopia describes the condition where the eye exhibits a progressively diminished ability to focus on near objects with age.

Ptosis (Drooping Eyelid) is an abnormally low position (drooping) of the upper eyelid, a condition that is addressed through plastic surgery of the eyelids.

Pterygium is a wedge shaped area of fibrosis, that appears to grow into the cornea. t is associated with, and thought to be caused by ultraviolet-light exposure (e.g. sunlight), low humidity, and dust.

Retinal Detachment is a disorder of the eye in which the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue. Initial detachment may be localized, but without rapid treatment the entire retina may detach, leading to vision loss and blindness. It is a medical emergency.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited disorders in which abnormalities of the photoreceptors (rods and cones) or the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of the retina lead to progressive visual loss.

Uveitis specifically refers to inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, termed the "uvea" but in common usage may refer to any inflammatory process involving the interior of the eye. Uveitis requires an immediate thorough examination by an ophthalmologist, along with urgent treatment to control the inflammation.

The eye specialists of East Valley Ophthalmology perform advanced technology diagnostic testing and treatment, as well as taking the time necessary to provide each patient with information needed to fully understand their condition and to achieve their best possible visual outcome.

If you would like further information, please call our office at:

480-981-6111

East Valley Ophthalmology

Eye Doctors - Mesa, Arizona

If you or a family member or friend have not had a recent routine eye examination, have a specific eye condition that needs addressing, or are looking for an eye specialist or professional eye consultant please take a moment to Request an Appointment.