Patient’s Guide to Florida’s Most Common Eye Conditions

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Eye conditions are very common, not only in Florida but across the globe. Understanding these conditions and how they’re treated can help you better preserve your vision and long-term ocular health.  

Keep reading for Dr. Mahootchi’s complete guide to common eye conditions for Tampa Bay patients. 

Refractive Errors

Refractive errors including farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia are prevalent across Florida. 

Farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism often occur at a young age. Ensure your child attends all recommended eye exams to identify and address these conditions early. Leaving them untreated can impact your child’s performance in school and various activities. 

The American Optometric Association recommends that children undergo eye exams at six months, three years, before starting first grade, and annually from age six to 17. 

Presbyopia is a refractive error that naturally occurs with the aging process. It causes the eye’s natural lens to become less flexible, leading to blurry vision with close-up tasks. Presbyopia can be treated with glasses, contact lenses, LASIK, PRK, or clear lens replacement with presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses. 

Cataracts

Aging is the most prominent risk factor for cataracts. So, given that more than 5.5 million Florida residents are over age 60, it’s no surprise that cataracts are quite common in the Sunshine State. 

Cataracts are the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. They occur naturally with age, although smoking, genetics, steroid medications, and trauma can further increase your risk. In Tampa Bay cataract surgery, Dr. Mahootchi replaces the natural lens, with the option to simultaneously correct astigmatism and presbyopia with a man-made lens implant that incorporates your glasses prescription. 

Glaucoma

Impacting more than three million Americans, glaucoma is one of the main causes of blindness in Florida. It’s a collection of eye diseases that cause optic nerve damage, leading to vision loss and potentially blindness. 

Early intervention is key to preventing vision loss from glaucoma. At The Eye Clinic of Florida, we provide a range of tests to identify early signs of glaucoma, along with various treatment options to lower the pressure in the eye. 

We’re here to protect your vision and ocular health with an advanced range of treatment options for Tampa Bay patients. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!