Regular eye exams performed by an ophthalmologist are crucial to identify any issues impairing your vision. These exams often test your refraction, dilatation, and intraocular pressure state.
Eye examinations can help recognize early-state eye diseases and conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye, or macular degeneration. Treatment for these diseases may range from eye drops to laser procedures.
At Perez Li Ophthalmology in Anderson, IN, our practice has been in business for over 45 years. We offer patients multiple eye exams and treatments. With cutting-edge technology and caring custom eye care, our goal is to help patients achieve optimal eye health.
Having regular eye exams helps to detect eye diseases early and ensure prompt treatment. The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests having a complete eye exam at 40 since signs of eye diseases typically appear by this time.
However, not everyone should wait until 40 for a complete eye exam. People who use contact lenses or have a family history of eye diseases or diabetes should contact their ophthalmologist at least twice a year.
Children should have medical eye tests yearly. For senior patients, it is crucial to schedule constant check-ups since the risk of eye diseases increases with age.
Different kinds of eye exams target multiple needs and may help identify a specific condition. Dr. Li in Anderson, Indiana, will recommend the best option for your case during your consultation.
This is the most common type of evaluation. As the name suggests, It focuses on identifying the general state of your vision and measuring glass prescriptions.
Your doctor may follow a refraction test to determine your prescription. This involves trying on different lenses and indicating which ones provide better vision. Based on your responses, the most appropriate prescription for eyeglasses will be determined.
Additionally, it may include an eye health evaluation to check for any potential medical issues. Sometimes, eye problems could indicate a correlated health condition, like cataracts or glaucoma. Our eye specialists will help you determine if your case needs further examination.
Finding out about your lifestyle and family can help diagnose your eye condition. Our specialists will ask about your medical or family history of eye diseases during your eye exam. They will then examine your overall eye health. The tests that may be performed include the following:
To determine if your eye suffers from high blood sugar levels, your doctor may perform multiple tests, including:
Glaucoma gradually causes the optic nerve to deteriorate due to abnormally increased eye pressure. The optic nerve is in charge of sending visual information from your eye to your brain.
When glaucoma appears, fluid starts to build up in the front part of the eye, causing blind spots in the vision. This condition can develop gradually without any noticeable symptoms during its early stages. As it progresses, the symptoms that may start to appear include:
Treatment for glaucoma involves lowering the intraocular pressure that damages the optic nerve or draining excess fluid from the eye. This can be achieved with eye drops, medication, laser treatment, surgery, or a combination.
Choosing the proper procedure will depend on your specific case:
Macular degeneration is a condition that affects the center of the retina, which determines vision sharpness. A damaged macula prevents your brain from understanding and reading the images that your eyes see.
At times, this damage is caused by gradual deterioration due to aging. In its early stages, central vision may appear blurry. If left untreated, it could lead to further complications like progressive vision loss.
Symptoms range from the following list:
Although macular degeneration is a lifelong condition, several treatments can help slow down its progression:
A person with diabetes can develop high blood sugar levels that damage the retina's blood vessels. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, which sends visual signals to the brain.
In a diabetic eye, a fluid discharge develops in the retina or beneath its tissue, leading to the retina expanding and damaging the vision. Some of the signs that may start to appear include:
A diabetic eye can be treated with laser therapy that helps repair the damaged retina. This treatment helps to stop bleeding from blood vessels and helps alleviate the symptoms caused by diabetes.
Patients should plan on time for recovery after the surgery since it takes 2 to 4 weeks to return to regular activities.
Another option for treating diabetic eye are injections. Injections for treating diabetic eye, often featuring anti-VEGF medicines, work by targeting and inhibiting the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina, thereby preventing vision loss and significantly improving the condition of patients with diabetic retinopathy.
Drug ocular toxicity refers to the harmful effects that certain medications can have on the eyes and visual system. These effects can range from mild, temporary symptoms to severe, permanent damage to the eye structures. The severity of drug ocular toxicity depends on the medication type, dosage, use duration, and individual susceptibility. Some common examples are drugs that treat your arthritis, drugs that treat heart conditions, or drugs that treat hepatitis.
There are several ways in which medications can cause ocular toxicity. Some drugs may have a direct toxic effect on the eye tissues, while others may cause an allergic or immune-mediated reaction. Additionally, certain medications can interfere with the normal functioning of the eye, leading to vision problems.
Some common symptoms of drug ocular toxicity include:
More severe cases can lead to vision loss, retinal damage, cataracts, glaucoma, or optic nerve damage.
Drug ocular toxicity treatment primarily involves identifying and discontinuing the offending medication. In some cases, alternative medications with fewer ocular side effects may be prescribed. Supportive care, such as artificial tears or anti-inflammatory eye drops, may be used to alleviate symptoms and prevent further damage.
In more severe cases, additional treatments may be necessary to address the specific eye condition caused by the drug toxicity. For instance, cataract surgery may be performed to restore vision in patients with drug-induced cataracts, while medications or surgical interventions may be required to manage drug-induced glaucoma.
Preventing drug ocular toxicity involves closely monitoring of patients on medications known to cause eye problems. Regular eye examinations and prompt reporting of any changes in vision or eye symptoms can help detect and address ocular toxicity early, minimizing the risk of permanent damage.
Perez Li Ophthalmology offers multiple eye exams and treatments for glaucoma, diabetic eye, and macular degeneration.
Our cutting-edge technology and specialist will work through your specific case and need to create a tailored treatment plan.
We offer comprehensive eye care services, eye exams, laser treatment, and surgery. Feel free to request an appointment online or visit our clinic in Anderson, Indiana.
