Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management

Detecting & Diagnosing Eye Diseases

An eye exam is an important part of preventive healthcare. During an eye exam, your optometrist checks your vision quality, and they’ll also check for the development of eye diseases.

Many eye diseases can damage your vision permanently and progress without any noticeable symptoms, particularly in the beginning.

Early identification is crucial for treating and managing eye diseases. If your optometrist catches them early enough, they may be able to slow down progression or prevent vision loss.

Your sight is precious. Safeguard it today with a comprehensive eye exam.

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Diabetic Eye Diseases

People with diabetes are at an increased risk of eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema, which can lead to irreversible vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy often progresses slowly and, like many eye diseases, may not present visible symptoms until irreversible vision loss occurs. Diabetic macular edema is quite serious and can impact the ability to read, write, drive, and recognize faces.

Both conditions can be identified early with a comprehensive diabetic eye exam. If you have diabetes, book your appointment now.

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Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases generally characterized by damage to the optic nerve, usually by high intraocular pressure.

Pressure builds up inside the eye, damaging the optic nerve and causing irreversible vision loss. Often, the progression of glaucoma is slow and not easily noticeable, earning the disease the nickname "the silent thief of sight."

There are several types of glaucoma. Click on each title to learn more.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Fluid buildup caused by blockage of the eye’s drainage channels can increase intraocular pressure (IOP) and cause open-angle glaucoma. Generally, peripheral vision is the first thing impacted, followed by central vision.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma, also known as acute or narrow-angle glaucoma, is a serious eye condition where the fluid pressure inside the eye rises rapidly due to blocked drainage. This can cause sudden symptoms such as severe eye pain, headaches, and blurred vision, and if left untreated, it can lead to vision loss. Immediate medical attention is crucial in case of suspicion, and treatment involves reducing intraocular pressure with medications or surgery. Regular eye exams are essential for early detection, especially for those with risk factors like age, family history, and farsightedness.

Other Types of Glaucoma

Secondary glaucoma occurs when intraocular pressure is caused by eye trauma, injury, or infection.

When the optic nerve is damaged, but intraocular pressure remains within normal range, normal-tension glaucoma may be the cause.

Glaucoma Risk Factors

Glaucoma risk factors may include:

A family history of glaucoma
Extreme refractive errors
Past eye injury or trauma
Use of certain medications
Heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure

Cataracts

As you age, the clear lens of your eye can thicken and become opaque. This is called a cataract. They are often the result of the normal aging process, though there are cases where cataracts are present at birth.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Cataracts generally develop without pain or redness. Some symptoms of cataracts might include:

Foggy or blurry vision
Difficulty seeing at night
Seeing halos around lights
Muted color vision
Sensitivity to light

Preventing Cataracts

Cataract growth can be slowed by protecting the eyes from UV rays—a great pair of sunglasses can help! Eating foods rich in antioxidants like blueberries, apples, artichokes, and dark green veggies like kale and broccoli may also help to prevent cataracts.

Cataract Treatment

Often, obstructions to vision as a result of cataracts can be remedied through corrective lenses. But, cataracts can increase in size and may get to a point where glasses or contact lenses no longer provide the vision you want. In this case, we may recommend surgery.

If you’re having difficulty driving or performing your job safely, are struggling to watch television or read, or are experiencing challenges with daily activities that decrease your quality of life, it might be time to explore surgery.

Cataract surgery is safe and effective, and we will help you understand the procedure and your options.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes the breakdown of the macula, the area of the eye responsible for central vision. Damage to the macula can lead to central vision loss.

The central vision is responsible for reading, writing, driving, and recognizing faces, so any loss of vision in this area may make day-to-day tasks difficult.

People with AMD may not experience any pain or symptoms as the disease progresses. If straight lines begin to appear wavy or your central vision blurs in a way that glasses cannot correct, it’s time for an eye exam.

There are 2 types of AMD: dry and wet.

Dry AMD

Dry AMD is the most common type of AMD, accounting for the majority of cases. It occurs when parts of the macula become thinner due to aging and accumulate tiny clumps of protein.

Wet AMD

The less common type of the disease, wet AMD, is responsible for the majority of cases of blindness as a result of AMD. Wet AMD occurs when blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid into the macula.

We're on the Lookout for Early Signs of Eye Disease

Regular, comprehensive eye exams are the best defense against eye diseases that can cause irreversible vision loss.

Book your appointment today, and let us examine your eyes for early signs of eye disease so you can preserve sight of you and your loved ones.

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Our Location

Eye care has changed a lot over the last decade. We make sure we have all the latest technology and eyecare services available. Our office is located off the I-5 on 134th Street. We look forward to working with you.