Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management

Be Proactive About Prevention

An essential step in eye disease prevention is having annual eye exams. During an exam, we’ll not only determine your prescription but also check for signs of eye disease. Many eye diseases show little or no symptoms until vision loss has already begun to occur, so regular visits to our eye doctors are very important.

As we age, our likelihood of developing eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration increases. Be proactive about managing these eye conditions and book an appointment at Town Eye Care today.

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Understanding & Managing AMD

The part of the eye responsible for central vision is the macula, located right in the center of the retina. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition related to a breakdown of the macula, which more commonly occurs after the age of 55.

Blurred vision and central black spots are common symptoms of AMD, but these may only become apparent after the disease has already caused damage. These damages are irreversible, so having annual eye exams is paramount in managing AMD. If AMD is occurring, the best answer is the trained eye of an optometrist to recommend treatments.

When left untreated, this disease can develop into the more serious wet macular degeneration. This condition is a medical emergency that can result in rapid vision loss. Wearing sunglasses and visiting our practice regularly are the best steps for prevention.

Other Common Eye Diseases

There is a long list of eye conditions that can negatively affect vision. But there are certain common ailments in addition to AMD that account for more blindness than others. These diseases are always best managed with early diagnosis and immediate treatment.

During a comprehensive eye exam, we screen for various eye conditions, including:

Diabetic Retinopathy

High blood sugar can damage your retina’s blood vessels, leading to diabetic retinopathy. Learn more about our diabetic eye exam process and how we monitor this disease by visiting our Diabetic Eye Exams page.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma describes a whole set of eye diseases that negatively affect the retina. This is often due to increased pressure in the eye. Learn more about what glaucoma is and how we treat it on our Glaucoma page.

Seeing All the Symptoms

Many eye diseases only begin to show obvious symptoms after damage has already occurred to your vision. So it is essential to pay attention to signs that could affect your eyes. Getting treatment right away can make all the difference in preserving your sight.

If you experience any of these symptoms regularly, it’s best to contact us immediately.

Flashes

Sudden flashes of light in your field of vision should not be occurring regularly. Random patterns of light flashes could indicate problems with the retina and potentially posterior vitreous detachment. Seek medical attention when floaters accompany flashes.

Floaters

When fibres of the eye jelly drift across your field of vision, they are called floaters. As an occasional occurrence, these thin dark strands are not usually a threat, but a sudden eruption of floaters can indicate a potential eye emergency.

Chronic Dry Eye

Dry eye syndrome can occur for many reasons and is not necessarily dangerous on its own. Chronic symptoms can indicate more serious eye conditions. Learn more about dry eyes and how we treat them on our Dry Eye Therapy page.

Corneal Shape Changing

Keratoconus is a condition that occurs when the eye’s cornea changes into a cone shape. This most often happens between the ages of 10 and 25. If sudden and rapid changes in the cornea occur after this period, it may indicate a serious eye condition.

Itchy, Red, Burning Eyes

The sensation of constantly burning, red, or itchy eyes may indicate conjunctivitis (pink eye), an infection that could be contagious. These symptoms may also indicate dry eye syndrome. Come see one of our optometrists to assess your symptoms and find instructions for the next steps.

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