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Our Mission
The mission of the Boozman-Hof Regional Eye Clinic is to present Christ to our patients and employees by providing the highest quality, comprehensive eye care and ethical business practices.
Please note that Boozman-Hof is not an emergency-care clinic. If you feel you have a medical emergency, please call 911 for assistance.
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| Eye Anatomy & Disease |
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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, spherical layer of tissue that provides a clear 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. Beneath the cornea is the iris, the colored part of the eye we refer to when we say a person has brown or blue eyes. In the center of the iris is the pupil. The iris functions like a shutter, adjusting pupil size to control the amount of light entering the eye. Located behind the iris is the lens, which works together with the cornea and vitreous to focus light. Like the lens in a camera, it adjusts light rays as vision shifts between nearby and distant objects in a process called accommodation. Light then passes through the vitreous, the gelatinous substance that fills most of the eye and gives it its shape. The back of the eye is lined with a thin layer of tissue containing millions of photoreceptor cells that are light-sensitive, like film. This is the retina, where light rays focus into an upside-down image. In the center of the retina is the macula. Less than 1/4 of an inch in diameter, the macula is responsible for clear central vision. The retina converts the image into an electrical signal that travels down the optic nerve to the brain.
Myopia (nearsightedness) is a vision condition affecting nearly a third of people in the United States. A myopic eye focuses properly on nearby objects, but distant objects appear blurry. This imbalance typically occurs because the cornea either has an oblong shape or is excessively curved, so that only some of the light entering the eye focuses on the retina. The most common symptom is difficulty seeing objects in the distance, for example a chalkboard or television screen. The condition usually develops before the age of 20. Hyperopia (farsightedness) occurs when the cornea is too flat or irregularly shaped, causing nearby objects to appear blurry while objects in the distance are clear. Common signs of hyperopia include difficulty maintaining a clear focus on nearby objects, and eye strain or headache after close work. Astigmatism is the term for when the cornea is oblong rather than spherical in shape. This irregular curvature prevents light from focusing properly on the retina. As a result, objects that are close or at a distance may appear blurry or doubled. Astigmatism can cause headaches, eye strain and fatigue to blurred or distorted vision. Most people have some degree of astigmatism, which often occurs in combination with myopia or hyperopia. Regular astigmatism is found in 30-40% of people who wear glasses.
Eye exams test for myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism and help your optometrist provide a proper prescription if eyeglasses or contact lenses are needed. Eyewear may be used for certain activities, like watching television or driving, or may be worn at all times. Alternately, corneal modification procedures such as refractive surgery may improve vision quality. The choice to undergo surgical correction depends on the patient's lifestyle and the severity of the condition.
Read about eye disease and treatments >> Read about LASEK and other refractive procedures >>
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Anatomy of the Eye
