Comprehensive eye examinations are very important to determine if you need correction to see well, and maintain the health of your eye. Some eye diseases have obvious symptoms such as dry eyes, or light sensitivity, there are other serious vision-threatening issues that might have no warning signs. For example, Glaucoma will present with no symptoms until actual vision loss occurs. Regularly scheduled eye care evaluations can help to prevent vision loss. Comprehensive eye exams will also detect diabetes, hypertension, retinal tears, and other serious medical conditions. A comprehensive eye examination at the Mostafavi Eye Institute involves a series of tests designed to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases.

In a healthy eye, a balance exists between the fluid produced, and the fluid that leaves the eye. This balance keeps the eye pressure at a healthy level. In order to maintain balance the eye has a built-in drainage system. This drainage system controls the inflow and outflow of fluids, which is responsible for nourishing the eye. The eye’s drainage system works a lot like a sink. Fluid is produced from the faucet and exits through the drain. If a blockage develops in the eye’s drainage system, or if fluid is produced faster than it can escape, an overflow will occur. In the eye, this overflow causes the pressure to elevate. The optic nerve is most vulnerable to damage from elevated pressure. Continuous elevated pressure or spikes in pressure can damage the optic nerve. If left untreated, damage to the optic nerve can lead to vision loss and even blindness. The main goals of glaucoma surgery are to reduce eye pressure and prevent vision loss. When treating glaucoma one option to reduce pressure, is to turn off the faucet. Another option to reduce pressure is to remove the blockage that’s slowing the fluid from escaping. And the final option for reducing pressure is to create a new channel for the fluid to escape through. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you.

There are a number of treatment options available, that are designed to slow down, or stop damage to the eye that is caused by glaucoma. While vision that has already been lost due to glaucoma can not be recovered, these treatments can stop vision loss from getting worse. Your eye care professional may suggest medicated eye drops, a laser procedure, or a surgical procedure, to treat glaucoma. These treatments all have a common goal; to lower pressure inside of the eye, and prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Prescription eye drops lower pressure inside of the eye, by decreasing the amount of fluid the eye produces, or by helping fluid leave the eye more easily. Laser procedures can lower eye pressure by relieving blockage in the drain mechanism of the eye. In some cases, lasers are also used to create new drainage channels inside the eye, when there is an obstruction to the normal flow of fluid. Surgical procedures lower eye pressure by creating an opening in the wall of the eye, so the fluid can easily escape. Another surgical approach is to implant a tube called a shunt, to channel fluid out of the eye. Your treatment plan will depend on the type of glaucoma you have, how far it has advanced, and your general health. Your eye care professional will determine the best approach for you.

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood glucose, commonly called blood sugar. Glucose is vital to your health, because it’s an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues, and it’s also your brain’s main source for fuel. If you have diabetes, no matter what type, it means you have too much glucose in your blood, which can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Long-term complications of diabetes develop gradually. The longer you have diabetes, and the less controlled your blood sugar, the higher the risk of complications. If left untreated, diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina, potentially leading to blindness. This is called diabetic retinopathy, and can also increase the risk of other serious vision problems, such as cataracts and glaucoma. Careful management of your diabetes is the best way to prevent vision loss. If you have diabetes, see your eye doctor for a yearly dilated eye exam, even if your vision seems fine, because it’s important to detect diabetic retinopathy in the early stages. Depending on what type of diabetes you have, blood sugar monitoring, insulin, and oral medications may play a role in your treatment. But no matter what type of diabetes you have, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and monitoring your blood sugar levels, are key to managing your diabetes.

Even if you do not have any trouble seeing, it is important to get your eyes checked regularly. High blood sugar from diabetes increases the risk of eye problems. If diabetes is not kept in control, it can cause changes in your vision. Diabetes can cause blindness by damaging the small blood vessels in your retina. This is called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes can also cause glaucoma by damaging the nerve connecting your eye to your brain, which leads to vision loss. If you have experienced vision problems, eye exams are essential in preventing the eyes from getting worse. Early detection through regular, comprehensive eye exams can help prevent vision loss by ensuring that your eyes are healthy. To make sure your vision stays as healthy as possible, talk to us about scheduling your next eye exam.

Macular Degeneration is a disease that steals our central vision often without symptoms. Every year millions of people around the world develop Age Related Macular Degeneration, and each day without treatment can bring them one step closer to blindness.

Age related macular degeneration also known as AMD, is the deterioration of the center of the retina called the macula. The macula is the part of the retina which is responsible for our central vision, and our ability to see color and fine detail when looking directly at an object. Age related macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 55. In the early stages of AMD there is little or no vision loss. As the disease advances, images can become blurred or distorted, or a dark or empty area can appear in the center of the vision. AMD does not cause total blindness, because side vision is not affected. There is some good news related to macular degeneration. With regular check-ups, early diagnosis and new treatment options, doctors are now able to maintain visual acuity in most patients and improve vision in a significant number of patients suffering from this condition.

While macular degeneration is a common cause of vision loss, early detection and timely treatment can help delay its progression and preserve your vision. Vision that is lost due to macular degeneration can significantly impact a person’s lifestyle, so prevention is an important part of treating this condition. You can play a part by leading the healthiest lifestyle possible. Quit smoking, control your blood pressure, watch your weight and exercise. Studies have shown that nutrition matters as well, and that taking a prescribed combination of natural eye supplements can slow the development of this condition. However, nutritional supplements may only work in certain situations and are not guaranteed to help.

During the early stages of treatment, your eye care professional may write a new prescription for your eyeglasses, and ask you to schedule regular eye exams. You may also be asked to use an at-home eye test, called an Amsler grid, to monitor for changes in your vision. Although dry AMD is far more common than wet AMD, wet AMD requires timely diagnosis and aggressive treatment. Some patients are good candidates for medications that are injected directly into the eye, which are called intravitreal injections. Although intravitreal injections are able to maintain visual acuity in most patients and improve vision in a significant number of patients, injections must be administered as frequently as every month to attain the best results. Another treatment option for wet AMD can involve focusing an intense beam of laser light onto the retina, which can seal leaking blood vessels, or even eliminate them. Should permanent vision loss occur, specialized glasses and low vision equipment such as magnifiers and bright lights may help. Your doctor will discuss which treatment options may be best for you.