Dealing with Eye Diseases

Nearly 1 in every 10 Americans has an eye disease that can severely affect their vision. Our eye doctors can diagnose these problems early and manage them to help protect your sight.

Once we find signs of eye disease during an eye exam, we’ll talk to you about your options and recommend appropriate next steps. Let us make your eye health and vision needs clear and work with you to fulfill them.

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Common Eye Diseases

Cataracts

Cataracts usually affect those over 40 years old, but risk factors like diabetes can cause them to develop sooner. They occur when proteins gather in the lens of your eye and create cloudy patches that impact your vision.

Eventually, cataracts that grow large enough can obscure your vision completely, causing blindness. However, we may be able to refer you to an ophthalmologist who can restore your vision by surgically removing your cataracts.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma progressively damages the optic nerve. This eye disease has numerous forms, many of which are caused by high pressure in the eye and show no symptoms until they’ve already permanently affected your vision.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, but an optometrist can diagnose it and help manage its effects.

We include glaucoma testing during every one of our eye exams. We also provide emergency eye care for acute forms of this disease.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

When the macula, which is vital for central vision, deteriorates, it can lead to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This disease is a common cause of vision loss in people over 50, although macular degeneration can occur in younger people too.

Macular problems can prevent you from performing everyday tasks. You might find yourself struggling to read, drive safely, or recognize people.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is also commonly known as “pink eye.” It makes your eyes appear pink or red as blood vessels in the normally-clear membrane covering this area become inflamed.

There are several different forms of conjunctivitis:

Viral conjunctivitis can make you more sensitive to bright light, cause green or yellow discharge, and is transmitted by viruses related to the common cold.
Allergic conjunctivitis comes with cold-like symptoms, like watery, itchy, or burning eyes, and is caused by contact with allergens like dust or mold spores. This kind of conjunctivitis is not contagious.
Bacterial conjunctivitis can cause green or yellow eye discharge that hardens in your eyes while you sleep, gluing your eyes closed in the morning. This kind of conjunctivitis is highly contagious and spreads via bacterial infection.
Chemical conjunctivitis is an eye emergency that requires immediate help from your eye doctor. You can get chemical conjunctivitis when your eyes have been exposed to toxic liquids, fumes, smoke, or other chemicals.

Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetic eye diseases are estimated to affect 15 million Americans by 2050. People with diabetes face higher than average risks for cataracts and glaucoma, and are uniquely vulnerable to diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular edema as well.

Learn more about diabetic eye diseases on our Diabetic Eye Exams page.

Let’s Help You Fight Eye Disease

Our optometrists search diligently for telltale signs of eye disease during each eye exam, and we have the skills and knowledge to help you deal with any we find. Once we’ve diagnosed you with an eye disease, we’ll put together a custom plan to help you manage it.

Don’t face the consequences of eye disease alone. Contact us now for timely and effective help.

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