If you would like to learn more about myopia, astigmatism, macular degeneration, or other eye conditions, please contact our Scottsdale practice today.






McCormick Eye Center
10619 N. Hayden Rd., Ste. 101
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260

Phone: 480.948.0733
Fax: 480.443.5611

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"My family has been coming to you for several years because you and your staff always provide excellent care. I'd recommend McCormick Eye Center to anyone."

- Don R.

"I was never comfortable with any contacts. Since my laser vision correction procedure I can now see better than ever, day and night. My eyes are comfortable which wasn't always true with my contact lenses."

- Julie F.

"Thanks for spending so much time with me. I'm excited about getting my new glasses."

- JF

"Unbelievable how much better I can see after refitting my contact lenses. I wear monovision and am very happy to see both far and near without glasses."

- Carole Y.

Treatment for Myopia, Astigmatism, Macular Degeneration, and Other Eye Conditions in Scottsdale

Regular eye examinations are essential to protecting the health of your eyes. Early diagnosis of many eye conditions gives us greater treatment options and higher success rates. On this page, you can learn more about common vision problems and serious eye conditions. Patients looking for additional information about eye conditions, including myopia, astigmatism, and macular degeneration, should contact our Scottsdale practice to take advantage of Dr. David Johnson's extensive ophthalmologic knowledge and experience.

Myopia / Hyperopia (Nearsightedness / Farsightedness)

In a normal eye, light rays pass through the cornea (the outer window of the eye), pupil, and lens and focus directly on the retina. This results in clear vision. With irregularly shaped corneas, however, the light rays do not focus correctly on the retina, and visual acuity is compromised. Corneal irregularities are responsible for the common eye conditions myopia and hyperopia.

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is the result of an eye that is abnormally long or a cornea that is more curved than that of a normal eye. These irregularities force light rays to focus in front of the retina, rather than directly on it, and result in blurred distance vision.

Affecting nearly 30 percent of the population of the United States, myopia usually begins to develop between the ages of eight and twelve, finally stabilizing during adulthood.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is the result of a cornea that is flatter than normal in relation to the length of the eye. When light rays pass through a cornea of this shape, they focus behind the retina, and the result is blurred close vision.

Treatment for Myopia and Hyperopia

Until fairly recently, patients have had to rely on glasses and contact lenses to treat myopia and hyperopia. At our Scottsdale practice, today's laser vision correction technology can be used to treat these conditions, resulting in greater visual freedom for patients who relied on contact lenses and glasses. For those who aren't interested in laser vision correction or simply prefer glasses or contact lenses, we offer a bountiful selection of attractive frames at our in-office optical boutique.

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Astigmatism

Sometimes coexisting with nearsightedness and farsightedness, astigmatism occurs when the cornea is more curved in one direction than the other, somewhat like a football. On the other hand, the curvature of a perfectly shaped cornea is more like that of a billiard ball – smooth and perfectly spherical.

The smooth, domed surface of a perfectly shaped cornea allows light to pass through the central part of the cornea, the pupil, and the lens of the eye. The image of the object is then projected onto the retina. With astigmatism, however, light rays focus on multiple points of the retina, resulting in blurred vision at all distances. While astigmatism is usually present from birth, it gradually worsens with age. A very slight degree of astigmatism is actually normal in many people and does not call for treatment.

Treatment for Astigmatism

Over the past decade or so, advances in technology have greatly increased treatment options available for patients with significant astigmatism. In addition to glasses and contacts, laser vision correction procedures LASIK and PRK have allowed many of our patients with astigmatism to see clearly. Dr. Johnson helps patients with astigmatism at our Scottsdale practice find a solution to clearer vision that is right for them.

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Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is one of the most common causes of vision loss in America. Macular degeneration is the physical disturbance of the center of the retina called the macula. The macula, which is about the size of the capital letter "O" in this sentence, is the part of the retina that is capable of our most acute and detailed vision. We use the macula for reading, driving, recognizing faces, watching television, and doing fine work.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)

The most common form of macular degeneration is age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). As the name implies, this type of macular degeneration becomes more common as people age. There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration, "wet" and "dry." Approximately 90 percent of patients have the "dry" form, which involves thinning of the macular tissues and disturbances in its pigmentation. About 10 percent have the "wet" form, which can involve bleeding within and beneath the retina, opaque deposits, and eventually scar tissue.

Managing Macular Degeneration

New treatments for wet macular degeneration have become available over the last few years. The only proven long-term therapy (laser photocoagulation) is designed to slow the growth of blood vessels in choroidal neovascular (CNV) lesions. CNV lesions are often associated with the "wet" form of age-related macular degeneration. They occur when blood vessels emerge through a break in the Bruch membrane and may lead to macular scarring. Dr. Johnson provides screening and treatment for macular degeneration at our Scottsdale practice.

In addition, patients with dry macular degeneration may benefit from nutritional supplements to slow the progression of the disease. 

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Dependence on Glasses

With the wealth of options that are now available to patients with hyperopia, myopia, or astigmatism at our Scottsdale practice, many patients no longer need to be dependent on corrective lenses. We offer various solutions for patients who wish to be free from glasses. Dr. Johnson can help patients determine the option that best suits their individual needs. Please contact McCormick Eye to schedule a consultation.

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Dry Eye

A stable tear film that lubricates and protects them from debris constantly covers healthy eyes. Destabilization of this film results in the rapid breakdown of the tear film associated with dry eye. Because there are multiple factors that may cause or contribute to dry eye, Dr. Johnson conducts a comprehensive evaluation before recommending treatment.

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Vitreous Detachment

Located behind the lens, the vitreous is a gel-like substance that helps maintain the eye's shape. Intertwined within the vitreous, fine fibers are attached to the retina. As the eye ages, the vitreous gradually shrinks, and the fibers begin to tug at the surface of the retina. If the fibers eventually break, the vitreous detaches.

In most cases, vitreous detachment doesn't threaten vision. However, if the fibers tug hard enough at the retina to detach it or create a macular hole, treatment must be sought immediately. These conditions, left untreated, may lead to the loss of vision.

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Inability to Focus

The inability to focus clearly on objects or text could indicate a number of eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. If you are having trouble focusing clearly, it is important that you make an appointment with a qualified ophthalmologist right away.

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Contact McCormick Eye Center

McCormick Eye Center is a state-of-the-art facility with a skilled ophthalmologist and staff devoted to the health of our patient's precious eyes. If you are experiencing a change in comfort or vision quality that may be due to a number of eye conditions, including myopia, astigmatism, macular degeneration, please let the eye care professionals at our Scottsdale practice give you the benefit of years of experience and commitment to excellence. Contact our office today.

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