Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management in Millwoods

AMD is a condition that damages the macula (the central portion of the retina).

The disease progresses slowly, often with no pain or warning symptoms, causing the central vision to deteriorate. Without treatment, central vision can be completely lost. Related to aging eyes.

Dry AMD:

The most common type of AMD, dry macular degeneration, occurs when drusen (small lipid deposits) accumulate, damaging the light-sensitive cells in the retina.

Wet AMD:

Wet macular degeneration is less common, but can progress very rapidly. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula. These new blood vessels tend to be very fragile and often leak blood and fluid, damaging the light-sensitive retinal cells.

Cataracts are a natural part of the eye’s aging process and typically form around the age of 60. At this time, the eye lens becomes thicker, less flexible, and less transparent. Eventually, the tissues in the lens start to break down and clump together, creating cloudy areas and opaque spots. Luckily, cataracts can be removed with a simple surgery.

More commonly known as pink eye, conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva (the thin, transparent membrane that covers the white of your eye) becomes irritated and inflamed, causing the blood vessels in the eye to dilate. The three most common types are:

Bacterial:

Caused by a bacterial infection, bacterial conjunctivitis is highly contagious and must be treated with antibiotics.

Viral:

Usually caused by a flu virus, this type of conjunctivitis has no treatment and must be allowed to run its course. Highly contagious, patients with viral conjunctivitis should avoid public areas until it’s cleared up.

Allergenic:

Conjunctivitis caused by allergies is not contagious, and usually can be treated with antihistamines.

Glaucoma is categorized as damage to the optic nerve, the part of the visual system that carries information from the eyes to the brain. Considered a very serious eye disease, it doesn’t often present vision loss or other symptoms until it’s later stages.

Glaucoma is caused when an excess of fluid in the front area of the eye builds and can’t properly drain, due to high intraocular pressure (OCT). However, it can occur without OCT, a condition called normal-tension glaucoma. Whatever the cause, we use Goldmann applanation tonometry, which is considered to be the gold standard IOP test to detect this serious eye disease as soon as it forms.

Although having diabetes can increase your chances of developing many serious eye diseases and conditions, diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy are two eye serious eye diseases directly linked to the disease. To help safeguard their vision, patients with diabetes should undergo annual eye exams.

Eye floaters are tiny pieces of protein that float in the vitreous fluid of our eye. As we age, this fluid becomes more viscous, allowing the floaters to flow more readily, making them more noticeable. While not generally something to worry about, if floaters are accompanied by flashes of light, it may be a sign that your retina has become detached or torn. Retinal tears are incredibly serious and can lead to vision loss if they aren’t treated quickly.