Ocular Diseases
If left untreated, many ocular diseases can lead to serious damage to your eyes, including loss of vision. As part of your annual eye exam at Independent Optical, we’ll check for any sign of cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration. Using the latest technology, we’ll create a treatment plan with your specific needs in mind.
Cataracts
Cataracts are an age-related process that cause the thickening and clouding of the natural lenses within your eyes. Nearly everyone will get some early cataract formation beginning in their 50s, and this process continues to worsen until the vision becomes blurred. At this point cataract surgery is required to remove the natural lens in a fast, effective procedure called cataract surgery. Symptoms of cataract formation include blurred vision, night glare, and loss of detail for near tasks such as reading or working on a computer or cell phone. Our optometrists can diagnose and evaluate your cataracts, and we will guide you through the surgical process and post-operative care.
Cataracts
Cataracts are an age-related process that cause the thickening and clouding of the natural lenses within your eyes. Nearly everyone will get some early cataract formation beginning in their 50s, and this process continues to worsen until the vision becomes blurred. At this point cataract surgery is required to remove the natural lens in a fast, effective procedure called cataract surgery. Symptoms of cataract formation include blurred vision, night glare, and loss of detail for near tasks such as reading or working on a computer or cell phone. Our optometrists can diagnose and evaluate your cataracts, and we will guide you through the surgical process and post-operative care.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a hereditary disorder of the macula, which is a small spot in your retinal tissue that creates most fine-detail vision. It causes a buildup of cellular debris in the macula, creating a barrier for nutrients to reach the tissue, leading to atrophy (cell death) of the macula.
The result is a blurred spot in the middle of your vision. This is why your macular health should be checked annually starting at age 60 or even earlier if you have a history of macular degeneration in your family.
New and exciting treatments for wet AMD and some forms of dry AMD are now available. These treatments show improved results in stabilization, and in some cases, improvement in the buildup created by this disease. Have your retinal health evaluated yearly to minimize your risk of vision loss.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a hereditary disorder of the macula, which is a small spot in your retinal tissue that creates most fine-detail vision. It causes a buildup of cellular debris in the macula, creating a barrier for nutrients to reach the tissue, leading to atrophy (cell death) of the macula.
The result is a blurred spot in the middle of your vision. This is why your macular health should be checked annually starting at age 60 or even earlier if you have a history of macular degeneration in your family.
New and exciting treatments for wet AMD and some forms of dry AMD are now available. These treatments show improved results in stabilization, and in some cases, improvement in the buildup created by this disease. Have your retinal health evaluated yearly to minimize your risk of vision loss.
Glaucoma
With glaucoma, the optic nerve becomes damaged and causes progressive loss of peripheral vision. This disease is often undetectable by patients in its early stages, which is why we recommend a peripheral vision test as part of your annual eye exam at Independent Optical.
Glaucoma can occur at any age, though it becomes more likely as you age. Common risk factors include: family history of glaucoma, Hispanic or African American descent, and tobacco use. Specialized testing, monitoring changes to your optic nerve, detailed peripheral vision testing, and eye pressure evaluation are necessary to monitor for risks and progression in this disease. There are many treatment plans available to glaucoma patients, including eye drops, laser procedures, and surgical procedures. When caught early, glaucoma is very treatable and does not usually cause severe vision loss, but if left untreated, this disease can cause irreversible damage to your vision. Every comprehensive exam at Independent Optical provides a glaucoma screening, and more detailed testing will be recommended if you have certain risk factors.
Glaucoma
With glaucoma, the optic nerve becomes damaged and causes progressive loss of peripheral vision. This disease is often undetectable by patients in its early stages, which is why we recommend a peripheral vision test as part of your annual eye exam at Independent Optical.
Glaucoma can occur at any age, though it becomes more likely as you age. Common risk factors include: family history of glaucoma, Hispanic or African American descent, and tobacco use. Specialized testing, monitoring changes to your optic nerve, detailed peripheral vision testing, and eye pressure evaluation are necessary to monitor for risks and progression in this disease. There are many treatment plans available to glaucoma patients, including eye drops, laser procedures, and surgical procedures. When caught early, glaucoma is very treatable and does not usually cause severe vision loss, but if left untreated, this disease can cause irreversible damage to your vision. Every comprehensive exam at Independent Optical provides a glaucoma screening, and more detailed testing will be recommended if you have certain risk factors.
Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic eye disease occurs when the blood sugar in your body is elevated. This causes damage to the blood vessels that feed your eyes, resulting in bleeding and fluid leakage to your retina. Yearly eye exams are important when you are diabetic to prevent permanent vision loss. Our team of eye doctors will communicate with your diabetic doctor to ensure they are aware of your eye health. The eyes are the only place in the body where we can directly visualize these small caliber blood vessels, which allows us to tell your diabetic doctor about the health of ALL the small blood vessels in your body, including those in your fingers, toes, and around your internal organs. This information is invaluable to them to create a treatment plan to minimize damage throughout your lifetime. Most retinal evaluations for the risk of diabetes are billable to your medical insurance, and no vision plans are required for this service.
