Ocular Disease & Trauma

We provide diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases which affect the human eye and visual system.  Some examples include:

Dry Eye Syndrome  occurs when the normal flow of tears over the eyes is interrupted, or the tear film is abnormal.  In many cases, dry eye syndrome is a life long problem.  You can relieve the symptoms, but not cure the original cause.  Artificial tear lubricants or in some cases blocking the tear ducts will concentrate the limited tears that are available.

Keratoconus is a disorder that occurs when the cornea, which is typically rounded, becomes cone-shaped.  The progression is usually slow and can stop at any stage from mild to severe.  This distortion increases as the cornea bulges and thins.  The apex of the cornea often scars, reducing the vision.  Treatment of Keratoconus is most effective with gas permeable contact lenses, designed specifically for the irregular corneal surface.  If contact lens treatment is not successful, surgical corneal transplant may be necessary.

Diabetic Retinopathy  is a condition when a diabetic persons blood sugar gets too high.  High blood sugar levels start a series of events which end in damaged blood vessel walls.  As such, the blood vessels begin to leak fluid or bleed, causing the retina to swell and form deposits know as exudates.  Vision can be lost if these spots are not watched and treated.  Here, at our office, we carefully examine the back of your eyes to follow and manage this and other important eye diseases.

Cataract is a clouding or opacity of the natural internal lens of the eye.  This opacity may be a small spot or may cover the entire lens.  When light enters the eye it is scattered, causing images to appear hazy and blurred.  There are many different types of cataracts.  The one shown here is a cortical cataract.  Here the opacity forms first is the periphery of the lens and develops inward, like spokes of a wheel.  Ultimately, the best  treatment is to remove the cataract lens and replace it with an acrylic man made lens.  This is referred to as cataract surgery.

Macular Degeneration is a condition in which the central part of the back of the eye loses blood circulation.  It is considered a natural aging process.  There is a breakdown of retinal pigment epithelium cells in the macular region.  As the disease progresses, central vision diminishes.  It is believed that this breakdown may be due to a lack of nutrients being supplied to the region. Additional studies have found a genetic link to this disease.  Treatment can range from better nutritional management, sometimes to include a tablet containing the primary minerals and vitamins that are found lacking in many macular degenerated patients.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma gradually destroys the optic nerve tissue in the back of the eye. The greatest danger of glaucoma stems from the fact that the disease is painless and without obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. The most common cause is from pressure being too high inside the eye, but vascular disease and other diseases can also cause glaucoma. We always monitor for glaucoma during routine eye examinations. Tests include checking the pressure of the eye, screening for peripheral vision defects and analyzing the appearance of the optic nerve. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, we typically prescribe medications that lower the eye pressure. Most forms of glaucoma are successfully treated with eye drops. Laser treatments and eye surgery are secondary treatments that offer alternative ways to treat more advanced glaucoma.