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

Pachymetry is a quick, painless test that measures corneal thickness. It plays an important role in glaucoma risk assessment and eye-pressure interpretation, while also helping evaluate keratoconus, corneal swelling, and refractive surgery candidates.

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.

Isolated mid-peripheral retinal hemorrhages are an important retinal clue to ocular ischemic syndrome and severe carotid artery disease. This clinician-focused review explains the characteristic fundus findings, how to differentiate OIS from retinal vein occlusions and diabetic retinopathy, and why prompt carotid evaluation can preserve vision and reduce stroke risk.

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.

Anterior uveitis is more than a painful red eye. This clinical guide reviews symptoms, slit-lamp findings, anterior chamber cell detection, red flags, systemic associations, and referral considerations for eye care providers.

If your contact lenses suddenly feel uncomfortable or your eyes are itchy with stringy mucus, giant papillary conjunctivitis may be the cause. Here’s what to know.

Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited retinal diseases that can gradually affect night vision, peripheral vision, and eventually central vision. Learn the common symptoms, how RP is diagnosed, available treatments, and why genetic testing and regular eye exams are important.

Amblyopia is more than just a “lazy eye.” Learn the different types of amblyopia—including refractive, anisometropic, strabismic, deprivation, meridional, bilateral, and mixed amblyopia—and how each affects a child’s developing vision.

A practical clinical guide to pediatric myopia management for optometrists. Learn how to interpret axial length, monitor annual progression, fit MiSight lenses, select atropine concentrations, evaluate ortho-K topography, identify treatment failure, consider combination therapy, and establish effective follow-up intervals.

Photochromic lenses are a convenient lens upgrade that automatically darkens outdoors and clears indoors. They offer UV protection and comfort, but they may not fully replace polarized sunglasses, especially for driving.

MiSight 1 day is an FDA-approved soft contact lens designed to both correct childhood myopia and slow its progression. This clinical guide walks optometrists through patient selection, baseline testing, lens fitting, axial-length monitoring, follow-up intervals, troubleshooting, and treatment-response decisions—from the first consultation through long-term management.

Modern myopia management requires more than monitoring a child’s spectacle prescription. This clinician-focused guide reviews how optometrists can interpret axial elongation, establish treatment targets, fit MiSight contact lenses, select low-dose atropine concentrations, evaluate orthokeratology topography, identify inadequate treatment response, consider combination therapy, and establish appropriate follow-up intervals.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, often becomes stronger as children grow. Modern myopia-control treatments are designed not only to help children see clearly today, but also to slow the eye growth that causes their prescription to worsen over time.

Eye coloboma is a congenital condition caused by incomplete closure of the embryonic fissure during early eye development. This clinician-focused guide reviews the embryology, common clinical types, OCT findings, retinal detachment risk, differential diagnosis, systemic associations, and practical management strategies for eye doctors.

RGP lenses can provide sharp, stable vision for patients with astigmatism, keratoconus, and irregular corneas. Learn how eye doctors evaluate lens movement, fluorescein patterns, comfort, and corneal health during an RGP fitting.

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.

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare nerve condition that can affect more than the arms and legs. In some patients, it can cause double vision, droopy eyelids, trouble moving the eyes, and dry eye from poor blinking. Here’s what patients should know about the eye-related warning signs.

Pituitary tumors are common and usually benign, but macroadenomas can compress the optic chiasm and cause bitemporal visual field loss. This clinical guide reviews eye findings, testing, referral signs, and management considerations

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.