Talley Eye Institute

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens. The vast majority of cataracts are related to age although some children are born with them. Most people do not even realize they have a cataract, as cataracts grow very slowly and may not impede vision early on. After a number of years vision will likely be affected. When the cataract has become so dense that it compromises the patient’s quality of life, the patient and ophthalmologist will discuss the appropriate time to remove it. Surgery is the only treatment.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin or the body is unable to process it properly. Insulin is the hormone that regulates the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Diabetes can affect children and adults.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases causing optic nerve damage. The optic nerve carries images from the retina, which is the specialized light sensing tissue of the eye, to the brain so we can see. In glaucoma, eye pressure (IOP) plays a role in damaging the delicate nerve fibers of the optic nerve. The higher the IOP, the more likely you are to develop disease and the faster the disease progresses so all treatments for glaucoma are designed to lower the eye pressure. As the optic nerve is damaged, the appearance of the nerve at the back of the eye changes and looks more thinned out. When a significant number of nerve fibers are damaged, blind spots develop in the field of vision. These blind spots can slowly enlarge and impair your overall visual function, even leading to blindness in some cases. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the world, especially in older people. Although glaucoma is usually treatable, it often does not cause symptoms early on and most people don’t notice these blind areas until much of the optic nerve damage has already occurred. Once vision loss has developed, it is permanent so early detection and treatment by your optometrist or ophthalmologist are the keys to preventing optic nerve damage and vision loss from glaucoma.

Keratoconus is a degenerative disease of the cornea that causes it to gradually thin and bulge into a cone-like shape. This shape prevents light from focusing precisely on the macula. As the disease progresses, the cone becomes more pronounced, causing vision to become blurred and distorted. Because of the cornea’s irregular shape, patients with keratoconus are usually very nearsighted and have a high degree of astigmatism that is not correctable with glasses. Keratoconus is sometimes an inherited problem that usually occurs in both eyes.

Go with one of the most trusted names in eye care, Talley Eye Institute has been an established and reputable leader in advanced eye care for over 50 years. Since 1972, we have established a legacy in the region for excellence in compassionate patient care using cutting-edge technology. In fact, our founder Dr. Terry Talley introduced the first LASIK excimer laser to the Evansville area. Over the years we have been continually committed to utilizing the most advanced technology for our patients. We are proud to offer state-of-the-art Intralase® and wavefront optimized technology to deliver outstanding visual outcomes in an atmosphere of comfort.

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a degenerative condition of the macula (the central retina). It is the most common cause of vision loss in the United States in those 50 or older, and its prevalence increases with age. AMD is caused by hardening of the arteries that nourish the retina. This deprives the sensitive retinal tissue of oxygen and nutrients that it needs to function and thrive. As a result, the central vision deteriorates. This example demonstrates what a patient with advanced macular degeneration sees. Macular degeneration varies widely in severity. In the worst cases, it causes a complete loss of central vision, making reading or driving impossible. For others, it may only cause slight distortion. Fortunately, macular degeneration does not cause total blindness since it does not affect the peripheral vision. AMD is classified as either wet (neovascular) or dry (non-neovascular). About 10% of patients who suffer from macular degeneration have wet AMD. This type occurs when new vessels form to improve the blood supply to oxygen-deprived retinal tissue. However, the new vessels are very delicate and break easily, causing bleeding and damage to surrounding tissue.

Retinal detachment is a disorder of the eye in which the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue. Initial detachment may be localized, but without rapid treatment the entire retina may detach, leading to vision loss and blindness. It is a medical emergency. Permanent damage may occur, if the detachment is not repaired within 24-72 hours. The retina is a thin layer of light sensitive tissue on the back wall of the eye. The optical system of the eye focuses light on the retina much like light is focused on the film or sensor in a camera. The retina translates that focused image into neural impulses and sends them to the brain via the optic nerve. Occasionally, posterior vitreous detachment, injury or trauma to the eye or head may cause a small tear in the retina. The tear allows vitreous fluid to seep through it under the retina, and peel it away like a bubble in wallpaper.