Patient Education

Hill's Eye Clinic would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

Hill's Eye Clinic provides a full range of medical services including the following:

Cataracts

Each year, cataracts affect millions of people, including more than half of all Americans aged 60 and older. A cataract is a painless clouding of the eye's natural lens that is caused by a buildup of protein. A cataract can form in one or both eyes. If left untreated, cataracts worsen over time and interfere with everyday activities such as reading or driving. Night vision is usually most affected. When cataracts are in their early stages, people are helped by brighter lighting. As cataracts get worse, however, most people require surgery. ...

On-Site Optical Shop

In addition to providing comprehensive ophthalmology services, an optical center, featuring a wide array of eyeglass frames and contact lenses to suit every budget, is located on site. Patients can choose frames from many elite designers, as well as stylish yet affordable alternatives. In addition, there is a full line of frames for children and teens, and a great selection of athletic eyewear. The convenient on-site location eliminates the hassle of having to take a prescription to another location to get it filled. ...

Bifocal and Multifocal Eyeglass Lenses

Presbyopia, which is the visual inability of the lens of the eye to focus on objects that are close, may take years to develop. Patients usually begin to show symptoms of presbyopia in their early- to mid-40s. Bifocal or multifocal eyeglasses will provide patients with presbyopia the ability to see clearly at all distances. ...

Chalazion

A chalazion is a small, non-infectious lump that develops in the upper or lower eyelid due to the blockage of the meibomian gland, an oil gland in the eyelid. The meibomian gland produces fluid that lubricates the eye. While children do develop chalazions, they more commonly affect adults between the ages of 30 to 50. ...

Comprehensive Eye Examination

Regular eye examinations are important in maintaining eye health. During a comprehensive eye examination, eye diseases or other abnormalities that are not yet causing symptoms can be detected. Early intervention is crucial in preventing vision loss from a disease such as glaucoma, which may not cause symptoms until significant and irreversible damage has taken place. Early detection of eye problems gives a patient a choice of treatment options, and reduces the risk of permanent damage. ...

Diabetic Eye Disease

Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk for developing eye conditions as a complication their disease. Over 40 percent of patients diagnosed with diabetes develop some form of eye disease as a result of their disease. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and the primary cause of blindness in the United States. ...

Dry Eye

Dry eye is a common condition in which the eyes are insufficiently lubricated, leading to itching, redness and pain. The eyes can become dry and irritated because the tear ducts are not producing a sufficient number of tears, or because there is a chemical imbalance in the tears themselves. Natural tears require a particular chemical balance to lubricate the eyes efficiently. ...

Endoscopic Tear Duct Surgery

Tears usually drain through small openings in the corners of the eyelids, known as puncta, and enter the nose through the nasolacrimal duct. When an obstruction exists, tears cannot properly drain from the eyes and may well up on the surface of the eye and overflow on the eyelashes and eyelids. The eyelids may also become red and swollen with yellow or green discharge. ...

Endothelial Keratoplasty

An endothelial keratoplasty is an alternative type of corneal transplant, a surgical procedure that removes the abnormal inner lining of the cornea, known as the endothelium, and replaces it with a donor cornea.

The cornea is the clear covering of the front of the eye which bends, or refracts, light rays as they enter the eye. If the cornea is not shaped properly or is somehow clouded, whether because of injury, infection or disease, visual acuity is compromised, and a corneal transplant may be recommended. ...

Eye Anatomy

The eye is a complex organ that works much like a camera, focusing light rays and forming an image. On the surface of the eye is the cornea, a thin, clear layer of tissue that provides a window for light to pass through. In a healthy eye, the cornea bends or refracts light rays so they focus precisely on the retina in the back of the eye. ...

Eye Infections

Eye infections can occur when a patient has been exposed to a virus, fungus or bacterium. Different types of infections strike particular portions of the eye. Both eyes or only one may become infected.

Symptoms of an Eye Infection

Common symptoms of an eye infection may include the following symptoms: ...

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of related diseases that damage the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss and possible blindness. Many people affected with glaucoma do not experience symptoms, and may not be aware that they have the disease until they have lost a significant amount of vision. With early detection and treatment, however, eyes can be protected against the serious loss of vision or blindness. Catching glaucoma at an early, treatable stage is one important reason to have regular, thorough eye examinations. A leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in the United States, glaucoma affects patients of all ages. ...

Macular Degeneration

Types of Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration can be classified as either dry (non-neovascular) or wet (neovascular). Dry macular degeneration is the more common diagnosis, and is considered to be an early stage of the disease. This form of the disorder usually develops as the macular tissues thin during aging. Deposits of pigment within the macula may also occur. ...

Myopia

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness, is a condition of the eyes in which nearby objects can be seen clearly, and but distant objects cannot. Almost a third of people in the United States experience some degree of nearsightedness.

Causes of Myopia

The curve of the cornea, the clear covering of the eye, refracts (bends) light, directing it to the retina, the back surface of the eye. When the corneal curvature is abnormal, or the shape of the eye is abnormally oblong, rather than round, it is more difficult for the eyes to focus light directly onto the retina. Instead, the focus is in front of the retina. This results in blurred vision. ...

Ocular Hypertension

Ocular hypertension is a condition where the intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eyes is higher than normal. A normal pressure reading falls between 10 mm Hg and 21 mm Hg. Anything greater than 21 mm Hg is considered hypertensive. The increased pressure is caused by a problem in the drainage of fluid produced in the eye. ...

Orbital Fracture

An orbital fracture is a serious break or crack in one or more of the bones of the eye socket. It can be caused by a motor vehicle accident, fall, sports injury, industrial accident or the like, and be serious enough to affect sight. Depending on whether the eyelid muscles are injured, an orbital fracture can cause double vision. Considerable swelling in the eye area typically accompanies this type of injury. Once swelling recedes, the eye may appear recessed more than is normal. It is often for both cosmetic and functional reasons that surgical treatment of an orbital fracture is necessary. ...

Pterygium

A pterygium is a painless, non-cancerous growth of the conjunctiva, the lining that covers the white part of the eye. The pterygium may grow on the cornea, which covers the iris, the colored part of the eye. A pterygium usually begins at the nasal side of the eye and can be different colors, including red, pink, white, yellow or gray. ...

Tear Duct Obstruction

A tear duct obstruction, also known as dacryostenosis or nasolacrimal duct obstruction, is a common condition that affects more than five percent of all infants and is present at birth. Tears usually drain through small openings in the corners of the eyelids, known as puncta, and enter the nose through the nasolacrimal duct. When an obstruction exists, tears cannot properly drain from the eyes and may well up on the surface of the eye and overflow on the eyelashes and eyelids. The eyelids may also become red and swollen with yellow or green discharge. ...

Uveitis

Uveitis is the inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, which contains the iris, ciliary body and the choroid. The uvea is located between the retina and sclera, the white of the eye. The uvea provides most of the blood to various parts of the eye with its numerous veins and arteries. ...

Vitamins for Healthy Eyes

Eye vitamins can help maintain eye health and protect our eyes against several different diseases, including those that most frequently affect aging eyes, including macular degeneration.

Experts disagree on which nutrients can prevent eye disease or reduce vision loss. Studies have been conducted to help us learn more about the relationship between vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and eye health. The general consensus is that the same things that are good for your body are good for your eyes: a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, drinking at least six glasses of water a day, regular exercise, and avoidance of cigarette smoke. ...

Vitrectomy

The center of the eye is composed of a clear, gel-like substance known as the vitreous. The vitreous is more than 30 percent of the eye's volume, providing the eye with its shape. Due to the size and consistency of the vitreous it is prone to diseases that cause the vitreous to:

• Cloud
• Fill with blood
• Harden
• Prevent light from reaching the retina

These diseases may lead to blurred vision, tears or other serious conditions. ...