Here at Vision Source, we are proud to assist our patients with eye disease treatment in North Olmsted, OH and the surrounding communities.
Some common eye diseases are glaucoma, macular degeneration, and blepharitis. Recent innovations have made it easier to treat patients who are suffering from these diseases.
If you ever feel as though you are having vision problems, you will want to book an appointment with your eye doctor right away. Your eyes are a critical part of your daily life, and it is important that you take care of them.
Once you have an appointment booked, we will take you through a variety of tests to determine what the issue is. We will also ask you a series of questions about your medical history as some diseases can be hereditary.
Since there are so many different diseases which affect the eyes, each treatment plan will be different. Treatment can be as simple as changing the type of contact lens you use or as complex as corrective surgery.
In most cases, reversing damage is not possible; however, an eye doctor is able to slow down the progression of the problem. You can aid in keeping your eyes healthy through some lifestyle changes such as protecting your eyes from sunlight, eating a balanced diet, and quitting smoking.
Our entire staff is dedicated to your eye health. We have the experience and equipment necessary to diagnose and treat nearly all eye disease and are here to help you every step of the way. If you ever have any questions, we are always happy to answer them. We never want you to feel confused or overwhelmed.
Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration is the loss of central vision due to damage to the retina. The macula is a part of the retina located on the back layer of the eye that affects the center of the visual field. Macular degeneration is often related to age and can be atrophic (dry) or exudative (wet).
The dry form of macular degeneration is most common and there is no medical or surgical treatment. The dry form occurs when debris collects between the retina and the choroid, which can cause scarring of the retina. The wet form is less common, but more dangerous. It occurs when blood vessels grow from behind the choroid, which can leak. This form of macular degeneration can be treated with laser coagulation and medication if diagnosed early.
Macular degeneration is one of the biggest causes of vision loss in adults over 50. Common symptoms include gradually blurred vision, seeing less vivid colors, and obstruction in the center of vision. Peripheral vision can remain intact, but macular degeneration can make daily activities difficult, such as reading or recognizing people’s faces.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is used to describe eye disorders that involve damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve sends visual signals from your eye to your brain, resulting in a loss of vision.
There are several types of glaucoma. Primary open-angle glaucoma is one of the most common disorders. It results from increased pressure inside the eye, which can cause damage to the optic nerve and lead to vision loss or even blindness. This pressure can build slowly and be difficult to detect in everyday life. It may start by affecting only your peripheral vision.
Pressure is not the only indicator of glaucoma. High pressure does not always lead to glaucoma, and glaucoma can develop even with normal eye pressure. Anyone can develop glaucoma, although it is most common in people over 40.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma is not as common, but can develop much more quickly. If you are experiencing intense eye pain, redness in your eye, blurred vision, or nausea, you may need immediate medical attention. This form of glaucoma is an emergency and needs to be treated right away.
There is no way to completely prevent glaucoma, but early diagnosis and treatment can help control the condition and limit its effects. Though medication or surgery can help reduce the damage, glaucoma is not curable.
For this reason, it is important to have your eyes checked regularly. If you have certain risk factors (such as those related to age, race, family history, and previous medical conditions), we may test for glaucoma even more often.
To test for glaucoma, we use tonometry to measure the pressure inside your eye and pachymetry to measure your corneal thickness. We also examine your field of vision and your retina.
Treatment includes prescription eye drops to manage the pressure in your eyes. You may also need to add other medications, but surgery or implants may be a better option for you. Even when you are treating your glaucoma, it is important to have your eyes monitored closely for any changes.
Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetes can affect more than just your blood sugar. It can also do some damage to your eyes if you are not careful.
Diabetic eye disease can cause vision loss if you are not careful. It can cause you to have trouble with everyday tasks even if you have regular glasses or contacts. It can even cause blindness.
If you have diabetes, you really need to monitor your vision. If you have blurry vision; see spots, flashing lights, or dark spots; or have trouble seeing out of the corner of your eye, you need to get help as soon as possible. You also need to be seen if you have any kind of pain or pressure in your eyes.
People with diabetes often have more eye problems than those who are not affected by the disease. They can also get some diseases at a much younger age. Many diabetics have cataracts or cloudy eyes. They can also be affected by glaucoma, which is increased eye pressure that can damage the optic nerve and cause you to go blind. They may also have nerve damage in the eyes.
We are dedicated to caring for your eyes when you have diabetes. If you having any problems with your vision or pain in your eyes, we will be glad to see you as soon as possible so that we can prevent blindness.
If you feel you may be suffering from an eye disease, please contact us today at (440) 734-9920.