Diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases & disorders

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging the optic nerve. The optic nerve sends information from your eye to your brain and is crucial for good vision. Damage to the optic nerve is often related to high pressure in your eye. But glaucoma can happen even with normal eye pressure.

Glaucoma can occur at any stage of life but is more common in adults over the age of 60 (especially those of Hispanic/Latino descent), African Americans over the age of 40, and those that have a family history of glaucoma. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness . 

It's important to have regular eye exams that include intraocular pressure checks. If glaucoma is recognized early, vision loss can be slowed or prevented. Once a patient is diagnosed with glaucoma, they'll need treatment or monitoring for the rest of their lives.

A detached retina is when the retina (a thin layer of tissue) lifts away from the back of the eye. Retinal detachment separates the retinal cells from the layer of blood vessels that provides oxygen and nourishment to the eye. The longer retinal detachment goes untreated, the greater the risk of permanent vision loss.

Early signs of a detached retina include:  Flashes of light, reduced vision, new or larger floaters that may look like specks, lines or cobwebs in your field of vision, shadows appearing in your peripheral (side) vision, or a gray curtain covering part of your field of vision.

Detached retinas are considered emergency situations where timeliness can help save vision. 

Macular degeneration (ARMD or AMD) is caused by damage to the macula due to aging eyes. Because the macula controls the central and detail-defining part of the vision, those that experience vision loss due to AMD lose their ability to see things right in front of them. The peripheral vision, however, in not effected. 

There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. About 80% of those with AMD have Dry AMD, making it the most common of the two types. Dry AMD is when the macula thins overtime due to age and has three stages: early, intermediate, and late. Currently there are no treatments for late dry AMD. However, there are ways to make the most of any remaining vision. Not to mention, if late dry AMD is only in one eye, steps to protect the other eye is vital! 

Wet AMD is less common and is generally the stage after dry AMD. It happens when abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of the eye ultimately leading to blood and fluid leakage causing damage to the macula. Fortunately, there are treatment options are available for wet AMD.

AMD is extremely common. In fact, it is a leading cause of vision loss in those ages 50 years or older. Many do not notice the signs and changes to their vision when it starts to happen. Yet, early treatment is the key to slowing or even stopping further vision loss. 

Cataracts are the clouding of the eye's lens (the part of your eye that helps focus light). Cataracts are extremely common in older individuals. In fact, an estimated 20.5 million (17.2%) Americans aged 40 years and older have a cataract in one or both eyes. This makes cataracts the leading cause of blindness worldwide, and the leading cause of vision loss in the United States. 

Cataracts can occur any stage of life due to a variety of causes, and can even be present at birth. At first, many do not notice they have cataracts. But over time, cataracts can make vision blurry or less colorful and can eventually lead to vision loss.

A comprehensive eye exam is necessary for diagnosis, but the good news is that surgery can get rid of cataracts. Cataract surgery is safe and corrects vision problems caused by cataracts.