In addition to protecting your eyes from accidents, early detection of eye disease is the best way to keep your healthy vision throughout your life.
Many diseases of the eye cause no discomfort or symptoms, and most people believe that poor sight is a natural part of aging. In many cases, vision loss and blindness is preventable or treatable with early diagnosis.
These are a few of the most common eye disorders. Contact us today for a comprehensive eye exam if experiencing any of the following complications at (816) 842-2015.
Dry Eye
Dry eye syndrome is a chronic lack of lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye. Persistent dryness, scratching and burning or the feeling of something in the eye are signs of this syndrome. Causes can include medication side effects; a dry, dusty or windy climate; insufficient blinking such as staring at a computer screen for extended periods; long-term use of contact lenses; or it can be a symptom of a more serious disorder.
Somers Eye Center has a method of measuring the amount of dry eye through tear osmolarity. This tear lab unit gives us a number which not only helps us customize your dry eye treatment, but also measure whether we are improving the situation.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness and typically causes no pain or symptoms early in the disease process. During a routine eye exam, we will measure the internal eye pressure and evaluate the optic nerve to uncover any signs of this silent disease. If we detect the possibility of glaucoma, we have specialized imaging technology and visual field analysis to determine if glaucoma is present and what we need to do to treat the condition.
Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among Americans age 65 and older. Lifestyle factors that can make macular degeneration more likely include hereditary factors, high blood pressure, smoking, lighter eye color and obesity. The macula is the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. Macular degeneration can cause a loss of central vision and can make reading and seeing other small details very difficult. Somers Eye Center has advanced imaging technology which visualizes the macular microscopically to detect early changes that the human eye cannot see.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
A pink eye, along with itching, burning, stinging, irritation, pain, grittiness, crusting or light sensitivity, are all symptoms of conjunctivitis. Contagious forms of pink eye are usually linked to bacterial or viral infections. Non-contagious pink eye can occur when eye irritants such as allergens, dust and smoke are in the environment. Left untreated, certain types of bacterial conjunctivitis can scar the eye’s surface.
Diabetic Retinopathy
High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the eye causing impaired vision and even loss of sight. In its early stages, no symptoms may occur or a mild change of vision such as difficulty reading or double vision are noticeable. Annual eye exams are an important part of a diabetic treatment plan.
Corneal Disease
Somers Eye Center has the ability to measure the health of the cornea through specular microscopy. This test is helpful in determining whether contact lenses are damaging the eye. It can guide us as to whether your eye can tolerate cataract surgery. It is a very important indicator of corneal health which many practices do not possess. We also have a corneal topographer which gives a map of the cornea. This test is critical in determining astigmatism.