Eye Diseases & Treatment
A quick look at some of the most common eye diseases diagnosed and often treated at The Eye Site of Tappahannock.
“Eye diseases” is a blanket term that refers to a host of diseases relating to the function of the eye. Below we describe some of the more common types of eye diseases and how they are generally treated. For more in-depth information, please speak with your eye care provider at The Eye Site of Tappahannock.
Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic eye disease is a general term for a group of eye problems that can result from having type 1 or type 2 diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. The Optomap can check for abnormalities in the eyes. Often, there are no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic eye disease, so you mustn’t wait for symptoms to appear before having a comprehensive eye exam. Early detection and treatment of diabetic eye disease will dramatically reduce your chances of sustaining permanent vision loss.
Retinal Imaging- The Optomap Daytona Ultra-widefield
The Optomap ultra-widefield retinal image is a unique technology that captures more than 80% of your retina in one panoramic photo, while traditional imaging methods typically only show 15% of your retina at one time. This is a valuable tool we use to detect any signs of eye disease in patients.
Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic eye disease is a general term for a group of eye problems that can result from having type 1 or type 2 diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. The Optomap can check for abnormalities in the eyes. Often, there are no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic eye disease, so you mustn’t wait for symptoms to appear before having a comprehensive eye exam. Early detection and treatment of diabetic eye disease will dramatically reduce your chances of sustaining permanent vision loss.
Dry Eye Disease
A dry eye occurs when the eye does not produce tears properly or when the tears are not correct and evaporate too quickly. In addition, inflammation of the surface of the eye may occur along with the dry eye. If left untreated, this condition can lead to pain, ulcers, or scars on the cornea and vision loss. However, permanent loss of vision from dry eyes is uncommon.
A dry eye can make it more challenging to perform some activities, such as using a computer or reading for an extended period. In addition, it can decrease tolerance for dry environments, such as the air inside an airplane. Other names for dry eye include dry eye syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), dysfunctional tear syndrome, lacrimal keratoconjunctivitis, evaporative tear deficiency, aqueous tear deficiency, and LASIK-induced neurotrophic epitheliopathy (LNE).
Dry eye disease can also be caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, which disrupts the lipid layer of the tears. A scanner called the Lipiscan is used to photograph these glands so that the doctor can better determine the cause of the dry eye and thus more effectively treat it. For example, if these glands are blocked, the doctor may suggest a treatment called the Lipiflow that applies heat and pressure to the glands to remove the blockages. You can read more about these new pieces of technology in our blog post.
The OCULUS Keratograph® 5M
The OCULUS Keratograph® 5M is an advanced corneal topographer with a built-in real keratometer and a color camera optimized for external imaging. Unique features include examining the meibomian glands, non-invasive tear film break-up time, the tear meniscus height measurement, and evaluating the lipid layer.
The OCULUS Keratograph 5M combines corneal topography and dry eye analysis in one machine. The machine uses Placido disc illumination to take measurements of the ocular surface, and different colors of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used depending on the application. In addition, the Keratograph 5M offers Meibo-Scan for meibography of the upper and lower eyelid to check for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), TF-Scan for evaluation of the tear film break-up time, and R-Scan for automatic bulbar redness classification.
The Keratograph 5M features a high-definition color camera that can take both images and video. And the device’s built-in software lets me view 2D and 3D images as needed.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a vision disorder when the usually round cornea (the front part of the eye) becomes thin and irregular (cone) shaped. This abnormal shape prevents the light from entering the eye from being focused correctly on the retina and distorts vision. In its earliest stages, keratoconus caused slight blurring and distortion of vision and increased sensitivity to glare and light. These symptoms usually appear in the late teens or late 20s. Keratoconus may progress for 10-20 years and then slow in its progression. Each eye may be affected differently.
As keratoconus progresses, the cornea bulges more, and vision may become more distorted. In a few cases, the cornea will swell and cause a sudden and significant decrease in vision. The swelling occurs when the strain of the cornea’s protruding cone-like shape causes a tiny crack to develop. The swelling may last for weeks or months as the damage heals and is gradually replaced by scar tissue. If this sudden swelling does occur, your doctor can prescribe eyedrops for temporary relief, but there are no medicines that can prevent the disorder from progressing.
Eyeglasses or soft contact lenses may be used to correct the mild nearsightedness and astigmatism caused by the early stages of keratoconus. As the disorder progresses and the cornea continues to thin and change shape, rigid gas permeable contact lenses can be prescribed to correct vision adequately. In most cases, this is adequate. However, the contact lenses must be carefully fitted, and frequent checkups and lens changes may be needed to achieve and maintain good vision.
Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral contacts are large-diameter gas permeable contact lenses specially designed to vault over the entire corneal surface and rest on the “white” of the eye (sclera). In doing so, scleral lenses functionally replace the irregular cornea with a perfectly smooth optical surface to correct vision problems caused by keratoconus and other corneal irregularities. Also, the space between the cornea and the back surface of a scleral lens acts as a fluid reservoir to provide comfort for people with severe dry eyes who otherwise could not tolerate contact lens wear.
Glaucoma
Often called “the silent thief of sight,” glaucoma is an increase in the intraocular pressure of the eyes, which causes damage to the optic nerve with no signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to a decrease in peripheral vision and eventually blindness.
While there is no cure for glaucoma, medications and surgery are available that can help halt further vision loss. Early detection and regular eye exams are vital to slowing the progress of the disease.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a chronic, progressive disease that gradually destroys sharp central vision due to a deterioration of the macula, a tiny spot in the central portion of your retina comprised of millions of light-sensing cells. Because it is so commonly associated with aging, it is also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). There are two forms of AMD called “dry,” most common and with no known treatment, and “wet,” less common and treated with laser procedures. Genetic testing is now available to help identify those most likely to develop “wet” macular degeneration.
In most cases, reversing damage caused by AMD is not possible, but supplements, protection from sunlight, eating a balanced diet, and quitting smoking can reduce the risk and progression of macular degeneration. For suggestions, speak with your eye care provider at The Eye Site of Tappahannock.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
The OCT has dramatically changed how eye care professionals visualize the retina, the optic nerve, and anterior segment structures. Not surprisingly, the way diseases associated with these anatomical structures are diagnosed and managed has transformed.
The Eye Site of Tappahannock has the experience and equipment necessary to diagnose and often treat the eye diseases detailed above and many other eye diseases at our office on Della St. & Airport Rd. Please request an appointment with your optometrist for more information, and we’ll be in touch with you shortly.