Eye Care Glossary
Casper, WY
Eye Care Glossary
Explore our glossary for easy-to-understand definitions of common eye care terms. At Wind City Eye Care, we’re here to answer any questions and help you keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear. If you need more information or want to schedule an appointment, reach out to us!
Amblyopia
Also known as lazy eye, this condition occurs when one eye doesn’t see as clearly as the other, even with glasses, and the other eye becomes the dominant eye. This usually starts in childhood and needs to be treated early to avoid long-term problems.
Anti-reflective (A/R) coating
A special lens treatment for your glasses that reduces glare and reflections. This makes your lenses look clearer and helps reduce eye strain, especially when using screens or driving at night.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism happens when the cornea or lens of your eye is curved differently in one direction, causing blurry or distorted vision. It’s very common and can be easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Bifocal lenses
Bifocal lenses are glasses that have two different prescriptions in one lens. The top part helps with seeing distant objects, and the bottom part is for reading or seeing up close.
Cataracts
A clouding of the eye’s natural lens, leading to blurry vision. They often develop as we age but can be treated effectively with surgery.
Color deficiency
Also known as color blindness, this condition means you have trouble seeing certain colors, usually red and green. It’s typically something you’re born with, but it can also develop later in life due to certain conditions.
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
An infection or inflammation of the lining of your eyelid and the white part of your eye. It causes redness, itching, and discharge and can be contagious.
Cornea
The clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of your eye. It helps focus light so you can see clearly.
Crystalline lens
The eye’s natural lens located behind the iris. It focuses light onto the retina, allowing you to see clearly at different distances.
Dry eye syndrome
This condition happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the right kind of tears, leading to dryness and discomfort. This can make your eyes feel gritty, itchy, or like they’re burning. Dry eye is often chronic and doesn’t have a cure, but treatment can help manage or reduce the symptoms. Your eye doctor may prescribe eye drops or medications to ease the inflammation and keep your eyes properly lubricated.
Floaters or spots
Tiny specks or strings that drift across your field of vision. They’re usually harmless and caused by small clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous, the clear, jelly-like substance in your eye. However, if you notice a sudden onset of floaters in your vision, this can be a sign of retinal detachment. This is a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss.
Fovea
A tiny pit in the center of the macula, part of the retina. It contains a high density of cone cells and provides you with the sharp central vision you need for reading and seeing fine details.
Minor eye irritation
Mild discomfort in the eyes, which can be caused by dryness, allergies, or exposure to irritants like dust or smoke. Symptoms include redness, itching, and a gritty feeling in the eyes.
High(er) index lenses
These lenses are made from materials that bend light more efficiently, making them thinner and lighter than regular lenses. They’re especially helpful for people with strong prescriptions.
Hyperopia (farsightedness)
When you can see distant objects clearly, but close-up objects are blurry. It’s caused by the eye being too short or the cornea having too little curvature, causing light to focus behind the retina instead of on it. You can correct it with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery.
Iris
The colored part of your eye that surrounds the pupil. It controls the size of the pupil and how much light enters your eye.
Macula
A small, important area in the center of your retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. It helps you see fine details clearly, like reading text or recognizing faces.
Nyctalopia (night blindness)
A condition where you have difficulty seeing in low light or darkness. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including vitamin A deficiency, cataracts, or certain genetic conditions.
Glaucoma
Often called the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, typically due to high eye pressure. It can lead to vision loss if not treated, so regular eye exams are important for early detection and treatment.
Myopia (nearsightedness)
A common condition where close objects appear clearly, but distant objects look blurry. It happens when the eye is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Myopia can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Myopia management can slow down its progression and lower the risk of more serious eye issues later in life.
Macular degeneration
An age-related condition that affects the macula, the part of your retina responsible for clear central vision. It can cause blurry or distorted vision and, in severe cases, can lead to a loss of central vision.
Optic nerve
A bundle of more than a million nerve fibers that transmit visual information from the retina to the brain. It plays a crucial role in vision, and damage to the optic nerve (such as with glaucoma) can lead to vision loss.
Photochromic lenses
Lenses that darken when exposed to sunlight and clear up indoors. They provide the convenience of sunglasses and regular glasses in one.
Photophobia
A condition where your eyes are extremely sensitive to light, causing discomfort or pain. It can be a symptom of various eye conditions or general health issues.
Plastic 1.50
A type of lens material known for its good optical clarity and affordability. It’s a common choice for eyeglass lenses but is thicker and heavier than high-index options.
Polarized lenses
These lenses reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water, snow, and glass. They are great for outdoor activities, making your vision clearer and more comfortable in bright conditions.
Polycarbonate lenses
These lenses are lightweight and impact-resistant, making them ideal for kids’ glasses and sports eyewear. They also offer good UV protection.
Presbyopia
An age-related condition where your eyes gradually lose the ability to focus on nearby objects. It typically starts around age 40 and is easily corrected with reading glasses or multifocal lenses.
Progressives
These lenses provide a seamless transition between multiple vision strengths in one lens, helping you see clearly at all distances without the visible lines of bifocals or trifocals.
Pterygium
A benign growth on the white part of the eye that can extend onto the cornea. It’s often related to excessive exposure to wind, sunlight, or dust.
Pupil
The black circular opening in the center of the iris that controls how much light enters the eye. It changes size in response to light and darkness.
Pupillometer
An instrument used to measure the distance between your pupils. This measurement helps ensure your glasses are properly centered for optimal vision.
Refraction
The process of determining your correct eyeglass or contact lens prescription. It involves measuring how light waves bend as they pass through your eye.
Retina
The thin layer of tissue at the back of your eye that senses light and sends visual information to your brain. It’s essential for clear vision.
Rods and cones
The two types of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Rods are responsible for vision in low light, while cones are responsible for color vision and detail.
Sclera
The white outer layer of the eyeball. It provides structure, protection, and support for the eye.
Single vision lenses
These lenses have the same prescription throughout the entire lens, correcting for one field of vision, either near or far.
Snellen chart
A tool used to measure visual acuity, featuring rows of letters that decrease in size. It’s the classic eye chart you see at the eye doctor’s office.
Strabismus
A condition where the eyes do not align properly and point in different directions. It can cause double vision and affect depth perception.
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR)
A type of light that is invisible to the human eye but can cause damage to your eyes and skin. Long-term exposure can lead to cataracts and other eye problems.
UV protection
The ability of a lens to block harmful ultraviolet rays from reaching your eyes. Good UV protection helps prevent eye conditions related to UV exposure.
Visual acuity
The clarity or sharpness of your vision, typically assessed using a Snellen chart. It determines how well you can see details at a standard distance.
Multifocal lenses
Glasses or contact lenses that have multiple prescriptions in one lens, allowing you to see clearly at different distances. They are especially useful for people with presbyopia (loss of near vision with age), helping with both near and far vision.