Diseases of the Eye
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A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens inside the eye. It can be compared to a window that is frosted or "fogged" with steam. The amount and pattern of cloudiness within the lens can vary from person to person. Patients with cloudiness that is not near the center of the lens may not be aware that a cataract is present. Common symptoms of cataract include:
The most common type of cataract occurs because of the aging of the eye. Other causes of cataract include:
The presence and extent of a cataract can be detected during a thorough eye examination by your optometrist or ophthalmologist. The rate of development of the cataract varies among individuals, and may vary even between the two eyes. Most cataracts associated with aging, progress gradually over a period of years. Other cataracts, especially in younger people and people with diabetes, may progress rapidly over a few months and cause a more dramatic worsening of vision. Surgery is the only way your ophthalmologist can remove a cataract. However, if symptoms from a cataract are mild, a change of glasses may be all that is needed for you to function more comfortably. There are no medications, dietary supplements, exercises, or optical devices that have been proven to prevent or cure cataracts. Cataract surgery should only be considered when cataracts cause enough loss of vision to interfere with daily activities. Based on your symptoms, you and your eye doctor should decide together when surgery is appropriate. See No-Stitch Cataract Surgery) Cataracts are a common cause of poor vision, especially in those over 65 years old, but they are treatable. The ophthalmologists and optometrists at The Eye Care Center are available by appointment to perform thorough eye examinations that will detect the presence and extent of cataracts, as well as any other conditions that might be causing impaired vision.
Glaucoma being high pressure of the eye, generally greater than 21 mm/Hg, is the leading cause of blindness throughout the world, but fortunately is treatable with prevention. Those that are most at risk are diabetics, senior citizens, Afro-Americans, and those who are short-sighted with additionally a family history of glaucoma. Most people think that glaucoma is a condition that is painful with red eyes that has something to do with tears. Nothing could be further from the truth, because typically the most common form of glaucoma is not painful, and does not cause redness to the eye. This is why prevention is so important for early detection and proper treatment. Recently, Kirby Puckett, a multi-million dollar professional baseball player for the Minnesota Twins, lost his eyesight in one eye due, in part, to glaucoma. This Afro-American was only 37 years old when this occurred, therefore having to retire prematurely from professional sports. This is why the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends your first eye examination to screen for glaucoma to occur in the early thirties, every couple of years in the forties and fifties, and annually beyond the age of sixty. More goes into a glaucoma eye exam than just checking the eye pressure with a little blue circular light. In other words, a normal eye pressure doesn't rule out evidence of glaucoma, because eye pressure can go up and down all the time, mostly the highest in the morning and the evening. Also, another unusual type of glaucoma is where damage to the optic nerve can occur at even normal pressures of the low teens. Therefore, visualization of the optic nerve, which is like a teacup on a saucer, is very important. The greater the cupping, the more glaucoma that could be present. With more severe glaucoma, the lower the pressure must be to prevent further loss of side vision. Side vision can be regularly checked by a computerized test called a visual field test as well. So, vision, eye pressure, optic nerve visualization, and side vision testing regularly are all important to decide what is a normal eye pressure for a patient at the Eye Care Center. Starting treatment of high eye pressure without evidence of loss of side vision can be a very difficult decision, because eye drops can be expensive and have side effects. Ongoing studies will tell the ophthalmologist when to treat what level of eye pressure in order to prevent even the earliest evidence of glaucoma. There are six families of eye drops to help lower the eye pressure, and beyond this there is laser treatment as well. But once again, eye drops and laser are only treatment and are not curable for glaucoma. Recently the genetic cause has been identified so a cure may be forthcoming in the future. If the eye pressure must be lower despite eye drops and laser, then special surgically created valves called filters with an anti-scarring medication applied can be performed in a hospital setting. This cutting form of surgery can achieve eye pressures as low as single digits without the prolonged use of anti-glaucoma eye drops. However, it is very involved and when done correctly, can take several weeks for vision to clear and pressure to stabilize. Once again, glaucoma is treatable and preventable, but not curable or reversible once damage occurs. Therefore, it is certainly important to get to the very best eye doctor possible for even routine checks. Such is offered at the Eye Care Center.
The retina is a nerve
layer at the back of your eye that senses light and sends images to your
brain. An eye is like a camera. The lens in the front of the eye focuses
light onto the retina. You can think of the retina as the film that lines
the back of a camera. A Retinal Detachment occurs when the retina is pulled away from its normal position. The retina does not work when it is detached. Vision is blurred, like a camera picture would be blurry if the film were loose inside the camera. A Retinal Detachment is a very serious problem that almost always causes blindness unless it is treated. Dr. Craig Collier of The Eye Care Center has a special interest in diseases of the retina and specializes in the treatment (including the latest diagnostic equipment, laser surgery) of retinal detachments, macular degeneration, and other diseases of the retina. The following conditions increase the chance that you might get a retina detachment:
The presence of a retinal detachment can be signaled by these early symptoms:
These symptoms do not always mean a retinal detachment is present; however, you should see your ophthalmologist as soon as possible if they occur. Only after careful examination can your ophthalmologist tell whether a retinal detachment is present. Once the damage to the retina has been detected, your ophthalmologist can determine the proper course of treatment.
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ECC OVERVIEW
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ABOUT YOUR
EYES
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WHO WE ARE
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WHAT WE DO
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1100 North Jackson St. - Tullahoma, TN 37388
PH: (931) 393-2020; PH: (931) 393-2255 (EYE-BALL);
(800) 870-5473
