OPT-ISM Eye Care Blog
Helpful eye care tips, vision education, and modern optometry insights from OPTISM in Tampa, FL.

Test your knowledge of pupil testing, anisocoria, APDs, Horner syndrome, third nerve palsies, and other important pupil findings with this 10-question optometry quiz.

EVO ICL places a prescription lens behind the iris while leaving the natural lens intact. It may be an option for patients with higher myopia or unsuitable corneas.

A Hollenhorst plaque is a tiny cholesterol embolus seen in the retinal blood vessels. It may not cause symptoms, but it can be an important warning sign of carotid artery disease, vascular risk, and possible stroke risk.

Metallic corneal foreign bodies can cause pain, rust ring formation, inflammation, and corneal scarring if not managed properly. This clinician-focused guide reviews safe removal technique, rust ring treatment, post-removal medications, and follow-up care.

A Bergmeister papilla is a usually benign congenital remnant of the fetal hyaloid vascular system found at the optic nerve head. Learn how it develops, what it looks like on examination and OCT, and how to distinguish it from optic disc neovascularization and other important conditions.

Test your clinical knowledge of pituitary tumors and their visual findings with this 10-question quiz for eye care professionals. Review key concepts including bitemporal field loss, chiasmal compression, OCT findings, MRI referral criteria, and pituitary apoplexy.

Refractive lens exchange uses the same basic technique as cataract surgery but removes a clear natural lens to reduce dependence on glasses before a significant cataract develops.

SMILE is a minimally invasive laser vision procedure that removes a thin piece of corneal tissue through a small incision. Learn how it differs from LASIK and PRK.

LASIK can reduce dependence on glasses and contact lenses by reshaping the cornea. Learn how the procedure works, what recovery is like, and why a complete eye evaluation is essential before surgery.

Modern cataract surgery can do more than remove a cloudy lens. Premium intraocular lenses may also correct astigmatism or provide a broader range of vision, but every design has tradeoffs.

Test your knowledge of the different types of amblyopia with this 6-question quiz covering refractive, strabismic, deprivation, mixed-mechanism, and reverse amblyopia, plus common treatment approaches.

PRK offers laser vision correction without creating a corneal flap. Although healing takes longer than LASIK, it may be preferred for certain corneas, occupations, and active lifestyles.

Giant cell arteritis, also called temporal arteritis, is a serious inflammatory condition that can cause headaches, jaw pain, scalp tenderness, and sudden vision loss. Learn the warning signs and why early treatment is critical.

A pigment epithelial detachment, or PED, is a finding on retinal imaging, while central serous retinopathy is a disease process that can cause fluid under the retina. Here’s how they compare.

Central serous retinopathy occurs when fluid builds up under the retina, often causing blurry or distorted central vision. Learn how stress, cortisol, steroid use, and Type A personality traits may contribute to this condition.

Super glue in the eye can cause the eyelids or lashes to stick together and may scratch the cornea. Patients should avoid forcing the eye open, avoid acetone or household solvents, rinse gently if possible, and seek prompt eye care.

Before LASIK, radial keratotomy used spoke-like corneal incisions to reduce nearsightedness. Although many patients initially achieved clearer distance vision, RK can cause prescription changes, irregular astigmatism, glare, and fluctuating vision decades later.

An epiretinal membrane, also called a macular pucker, is a thin layer of scar-like tissue that forms over the macula and can cause blurry or distorted central vision. Learn how eye doctors detect it, monitor it, and when treatment may be needed.

Multiple sclerosis can affect the eyes by causing optic neuritis, double vision, shaky vision, poor eye tracking, and trouble with color or contrast. Learn the early signs and when to schedule an eye exam.

A rapidly growing red bump on your eye may be a pyogenic granuloma. Discover why these benign vascular growths develop, how eye doctors diagnose them, and which treatments can help.