Diagnosis, Treatment and Management of Eye Diseases

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a disease that damages the macula (the central portion of your retina) and causes your central vision to gradually degrade over time. Approximately 6.5% of Americans over the age of 40 have AMD, and it is the leading cause of vision loss among older Americans.

As AMD progresses, your central vision may slowly deteriorate until it is lost.

AMD has two main forms: Dry and wet.

• Dry AMD is more common than wet AMD, and is generally the less severe of the two. Dry AMD occurs when drusen (small lipid deposits) accumulate underneath the macula, slowly damaging its delicate, light-sensitive cells. Though there is currently no cure for dry AMD, the AREDS2 study (a large scale nutritional study) found that its progression can be slowed by consuming a nutritionally balanced diet and select nutritional supplements.
• Wet AMD is more debilitating than its dry counterpart, and generally progresses more rapidly. Wet AMD causes new blood vessels to form under your macula. However, these new blood vessels are typically quite weak, and often leak blood and other fluids. This leakage can permanently damage the delicate, light-sensitive cells in your macula. Though there is no cure for wet AMD, it can be treated using intraocular injections, which can halt its progression but can’t reverse any vision loss that has already occurred.

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Cataracts form when the proteins in your natural lenses become cloudy and opaque. Cataracts can impair your vision, making it difficult to perform routine tasks.

Cataract symptoms include:

• Hazy or blurry vision
• Dulled color vision
• Increased glare, particularly while driving at night

Though many of us will develop cataracts as we age, there are a variety of factors that can increase your chances of developing cataracts, particularly at an earlier age. These include UV exposure, diabetes, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.

If your vision is only minimally affected, your optometrist may suggest workarounds such as wearing glasses treated with an anti-glare coating for nighttime driving or using a magnifying aid. However, if your vision becomes significantly impacted to the point where your cataracts are influencing your daily activities, you may require cataract surgery.

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Conjunctivitis, also called “pink eye,” causes the conjunctiva (the thin, transparent film that covers the white of your eye) to become inflamed and irritated. This irritation causes the blood vessels in your eyes to dilate, giving the white of your eye a pinkish hue and pink eye its name.

There are three main forms of conjunctivitis: allergic, bacterial, and viral.

• Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by allergens, including dust, pollen, and pet dander. This form of conjunctivitis isn’t contagious, and can typically be managed using antihistamines.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis is triggered by a bacterial infection and usually requires antibiotics. Bacterial conjunctivitis is extremely contagious, so it is important that you stay home from work or school until it has completely cleared up.
• Viral conjunctivitis is caused by a virus, just like the common cold. This form of conjunctivitis rarely requires treatment, but it’s highly contagious, so you should avoid crowds until it has cleared completely.

A few floaters are no cause for concern. Floaters are caused by small pieces of protein (called collagen) floating around in the fluid (the vitreous) inside your eyes. As we age, the vitreous becomes less viscous. This allows floaters to move around more freely, which makes them more noticeable.

While a couple of floaters may be no cause for concern, a sudden shower of floaters accompanied by flashes of light, could indicate that your retina has become torn or detached. Both retinal tears and detachments are incredibly serious and require immediate medical attention. If left untreated, a retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss.

Glaucoma is a progressive disease characterized by progressive damage to the optic nerve. Though it’s most often caused by high pressure inside your eye, glaucoma can occur even when your eye’s internal pressure is within normal range; a condition called normal-tension glaucoma.

Your optic nerve relays visual information from your eyes to your brain, so when it becomes damaged, it can’t relay information effectively, leading to loss of peripheral vision.

Glaucoma is treatable, but early detection is critical for safeguarding your sight. That’s why all comprehensive eye exams performed at Associates in Eyecare – Oakton include glaucoma testing. Our MOA approved exams rely on a variety of advanced diagnostic techniques, including Goldmann Applanation Tonometry and visual field testing for glaucoma detection.

To learn more about eye disease, and the treatment options available, please speak to your optometrist during your next appointment.

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