Ocular Disease

Early diagnosis can help in mitigation and management of many ocular health conditions. Annual comprehensive eye exams with dilation help in the early detection of many ocular diseases.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a painless and usually slowly progressing disease characterized by damage to the optic nerve and loss of peripheral vision. This disease often has few or no symptoms. It can be managed to help slow progression and ideally prevent symptomatic loss of vision. Treatment consists of lowering the intraocular pressure to relieve stress on the optic nerve thought to cause thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer. This is initially done with topical ocular hypotensives, although recent advancements in surgical options are making these interventions more popular.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration results in the loss of central vision which can become profound in some cases. Deposits of metabolic waste build up in the macula causing drusen which distort central vision. Eventually new blood vessels may grow in the retina which are weak and leaky. Dry macular degeneration (without new vessel growth) is treated by mitigation of the risk factors and nutritional supplements to maximize macular health. Wet macular degeneration with new vessel growth is treated with injections by a retina specialist.

Diabetic Eye Disease

The eye is considered an end organ of diabetes. In addition, it is the only location in the body in which blood vessels and nerves are visible without invasive diagnostic procedures. Dilated eye exams can provide substantial information about the status of vascular health. Diabetic retinopathy is the presence of complications in the retina from diabetes. Duration of diabetic disease is the primary risk factor for retinopathy, but successful blood glucose control can help mitigate this risk.

Diabetic macular edema can occur with or without retinopathy. This occurs when fluid causes edematous changes to the macula. This can be very detrimental to central acuity and typically results in symptomatic loss of central vision. Macular edema can be treated by a retina specialist.

Dilated eye exams are imperative for those patients with diabetes, regardless of blood glucose levels and control.

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