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Cataracts
A cataract occurs when
there is an opaque clouding of the lens of the eye.
Cataracts can occur gradually and can be caused by many
factors, including heredity, radiation, aging, disease and
even some medications.
With most people cataracts
develop gradually over a long period of time. Many people do
not even know they have cataracts until told by their eye
doctor.
Common Cataract Symptoms
Signs of cataract
development include difficulty driving at night, glare or
halos around lights, blurry vision when reading and trouble
seeing small numbers on things like the VCR or TV.
Proper Cataract Treatment
Cataract surgery techniques
have improved and most surgeries do not even involve
stitches. Current surgical techniques allow patients to go
home the same day as surgery.
During an eye exam at Door
County Eye Associates, we can evaluate the development of
any cataracts and if needed, refer you to an eye surgeon to
have the cataract removed.
Diabetic
Retinopathy
For people with diabetes
there can be blood vessel damage throughout the body. When
this damage occurs in the eye, it is called diabetic
retinopathy.
In diabetic retinopathy,
blood vessels in the eye leak fluids into the retina.
Additionally, some blood vessels can hemorrhage, leaving
large areas of blood in the retina.
Symptoms of Diabetic
Retinopathy
The changes that occur in
diabetic retinopathy can occur without any symptoms or pain.
Most people with diabetic retinopathy don't realize they
have any problems until it is too late. If left untreated,
diabetic retinopathy can destroy your vision.
Proper Treatment of
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetics should have
regular eye exams to check for leaking vessels in the retina
of the eye. We recommend having an exam yearly.
If a problem is found, a
form of laser surgery treatment can be used to stop the
vessels from leaking. At Door County Eye Associates, we can
refer you to a surgeon if needed.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease
where the pressure inside the eye is too high. This pressure
can kill the nerves making up the optic nerve.
Nerve loss due to the high
pressure in the eye causes people to start losing their
peripheral vision first, and by the time a person realizes
their side vision is gone, a lot of damage is done. Once
glaucoma has caused damage to the optic nerve there is no
way to bring back the lost vision.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is usually a
painless disease, not detected unless looked for by an eye
doctor. Since there are often no symptoms associated with
the disease the patient is not aware that they have
glaucoma.
Proper Diagnosis and
Treatment of Glaucoma
At Door County Eye
Associates we have the latest in technology to help diagnose
and treat glaucoma. Our visual field analyzer, along with
laser tomography, adds technological sophistication to our
diagnostic abilities.
These instruments along
with the ability to prescribe the latest in medications make
glaucoma management an area of eyecare our office enjoys.
During a regular eye exam
at Door County Eye Associates, we are able to detect
glaucoma, and begin proper treatment, so call us now to make
an appointment.
Macular
Degeneration
Macular degeneration is the
leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50.
Although most people don't lose their vision, macular
degeneration can interfere with your ability to do simple,
everyday tasks.
Macular degeneration
destroys the central part of the retina known as the macula,
which is our sharpest area of vision. Patients are left with
only their peripheral or side vision to use.
Treatment of Macular
Degeneration
Currently there is no cure
for macular degeneration, but some types are treatable with
laser surgery. Other types of macular degeneration can be
treated with surgery that can limit the amount of vision
lost.
If you haven't had an eye
exam in over a year, be sure to give us a call, and make an
appointment. |
