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

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.

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.

Gonioscopy allows your eye doctor to examine and measure the eye’s drainage angles. Learn how the test identifies narrow or closed angles, evaluates glaucoma risk, and reveals important angle structures.

Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetically diverse group of rod-cone dystrophies that requires more than recognition of classic bone-spicule pigmentation. This clinical guide reviews OCT, fundus autofluorescence, visual fields, ERG, genetic testing, treatable complications, referral considerations, and practical follow-up for optometrists.

Have FSA or HSA funds available? Learn how you may be able to use them for eye exams, prescription glasses, contact lenses, prescription sunglasses, and medical eye care.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects connective tissue throughout the body, including parts of the eye. Here’s what patients should know about vision changes, dry eye, corneal problems, and warning signs.

Pituitary tumors are usually benign, but they can affect side vision when they press on the optic nerves. Learn the symptoms, how common they are, and why an eye exam can help detect early warning signs.

An altitudinal visual field defect means the top or bottom part of vision is missing. This pattern often respects the horizontal midline and may point toward disease in the eye, retina, or optic nerve. Brain-related visual field defects more often respect the vertical midline, making the pattern of vision loss an important diagnostic clue.

Adie’s tonic pupil is a condition where one pupil becomes larger and reacts slowly to light, often causing glare, light sensitivity, and near focusing problems. This guide explains how optometrists diagnose Adie’s pupil, rule out more serious causes of anisocoria, and manage symptoms with reading glasses, bifocals, tinted lenses, polarized sunglasses, and specialty contact lenses.

Eye freckles are usually harmless pigmented spots, but they should be monitored. Learn the difference between choroidal, conjunctival, and iris nevi, how doctors photograph them, and which warning signs need attention.

Ocular coloboma results from incomplete closure of the embryonic fissure, classically producing inferior or inferonasal defects involving the iris, lens zonules, chorioretina, optic nerve, or multiple ocular structures. Clinical evaluation should distinguish typical uveal coloboma from atypical coloboma-like lesions, assess macular and optic nerve involvement, document OCT findings, and monitor for complications such as amblyopia, choroidal neovascularization, and retinal det

Eye coloboma is a condition present at birth where part of the eye does not fully form. It can affect the iris, retina, optic nerve, lens, or eyelid, and its impact on vision depends on which part of the eye is involved. Some people with coloboma see very well, while others may need glasses, specialty lenses, retinal monitoring, or support for reduced vision. A comprehensive eye exam helps determine whether the coloboma is mostly cosmetic, visually significant, or needs long-

Thyroid eye disease can cause dryness, bulging eyes, eyelid changes, and double vision. Learn what causes it, how it is treated, and when to seek urgent eye care.

Ocular myasthenia gravis affects the neuromuscular junction and can cause fluctuating ptosis, intermittent double vision, and variable eye muscle weakness. This clinical guide reviews in-office tests optometrists can use to evaluate suspected ocular MG.

Myasthenia gravis can cause droopy eyelids, double vision, blurred vision, and eye fatigue that often worsen throughout the day. Learn how this condition affects the eye muscles and when symptoms need medical attention.

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. As the lens becomes harder, yellow, and cloudy, vision may become blurry or glary. Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens material and replaces it with a clear implant.

Corneal topography and Pentacam tomography provide detailed information about corneal shape, elevation, and thickness. This clinician-friendly guide explains how to interpret each map, recognize patterns of keratoconus and other thinning disorders, evaluate progression, and avoid common diagnostic mistakes.

Ocular HSV and herpes zoster ophthalmicus can both cause keratitis, uveitis, trabeculitis, and elevated IOP. This clinical guide reviews key exam findings, Hutchinson’s sign, oral antiviral treatment, and steroid use in inflammatory high-pressure cases.

Ocular herpes simplex and shingles around the eye can both cause redness, pain, light sensitivity, and vision changes. Learn how they differ and why early eye care matters.

A bright red spot on the white of your eye can look scary, but it is often caused by a subconjunctival hemorrhage. Learn why it happens, how long it takes to heal, and when it needs an eye exam.