Ocular Disease Management
Ocular disease management has improved due to recent advances in technology. Now, doctors like the team at Riverview Vision Center, can more quickly and confidently diagnose diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Diagnosis in its earliest stages allows doctors to provide timely intervention and treatment that may prevent permanent vision damage. Contact our office so we can assist you in managing your ocular disease.
Prevent Vision Loss with Ocular Disease Management
Glaucoma is an eye disorder that causes progressive damage to the optic nerve, causing vision loss. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 40.
Those who are severely nearsighted, have diabetes, or have high blood pressure are at greater risk for glaucoma. Even if you do not have any of these risk factors, every two years beginning at age 40 you should get a glaucoma screening, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Follow-up screenings are recommended every two years if you are at risk or are over 65.
The damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, but treatment and regular eye exams can slow or prevent vision loss, specifically if the disease is in its early stages.
Glaucoma treatment, which aims to lower pressure in your eye, may include eye drops, laser treatment, or surgery.
Better Management of Other Ocular Diseases
More than half of all Americans will have a cataract or have had surgery to remove one by the time they are 80. A cataract, which is a clouding in the eye’s lens that impacts vision, is often related to aging. As people age, diseases such as diabetes, drinking and smoking, and the environment can put people at greater risk.
If cataracts are detected early, symptoms can often be improved with stronger eyeglasses, magnifying lenses, or brighter lighting. If these do not help, the only effective treatment is to remove a cloudy corneal lens and replace it with an artificial one.
Those with cataracts who do not experience any problems with their vision still may need to have them removed if they prevent eye doctors from examining or treating other eye problems, such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.
Although there is no cure for macular degeneration, which is one of the leading causes of blindness, there are treatment options that can prevent it from progressing. Our team at Riverview Vision Center, can discuss options with you.
Diabetes is a disease that can lead to many eye problems and conditions, including diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the retina. At first, the disease causes may cause no symptoms but eventually causes blindness.
Careful management of diabetes is the best way to prevent vision loss. Also, it is crucial that you schedule regular eye exams with dilation to detect any changes.
Manage ocular disease by scheduling an exam.