Astigmatism

Astigmatism describes the irregular shape of either your cornea, the clear covering of your eye, or the actual lens inside your eye. This causes blurred vision because light cannot be focused on your retina properly. Your vision can be blurred at any distance. Several treatment options exist and include eyeglasses, contact lenses, orthokeratology (a non-surgical method of reshaping your cornea over time), or laser surgery.

Cataracts

A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye. Depending on the location of the cataract, it can interfere with your normal, healthy vision. Generally, cataracts develop around 65 years old, but they occasionally occur in children as well. Usually cataracts develop in both eyes, but one may be worse than the other.

The treatment of cataracts depends on the impact they have on your vision. Ultraviolet (UV) light can play a role in speeding up the development of cataracts. Adequate protection from the sun’s harmful rays is important.

If you suspect that you are developing a cataract, request an appointment and have a comprehensive eye exam performed by one of our Optometrists.

Dry Eye Syndrome

If you suffer from dry eyes, your eyes simply aren’t getting enough of your natural tears to lubricate and nourish your eyes. Tears are essential for keeping the front surface of your eye healthy and providing you with clear vision. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or have a poor quality of tears. Every time you blink, tears spread across the front of your eye (your cornea). These tears lubricate, reduce the risk of eye infection, wash away foreign debris in your eye, and keep this surface smooth and clear.

Treatment options include adding artificial tears, conserving your existing tears, increasing your tear production, and treating the inflammation of the eyelids or eye surface that contributes to the dry eyes.

If you are concerned about your eyes feeling dry, gritty, or if they are tearing excessively, please come in and see one of our Optometrists about the possibility of dry eye syndrome.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)

Age-Related macular degeneration is the number one cause of legal blindness for persons over age 65 in the United States. ARMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in persons over age 50, and it is second only to diabetes as the leading cause of blindness for those 45-64 years of age. There are two forms of macular degeneration, “dry” and “wet.”

In dry macular degeneration, the tissue of the macula (which is your central, detailed vision) deteriorates and becomes excessively thin. There is no cure for dry macular degeneration, but nutrition plays an essential role in the prevention of eye disorders. Lutein (found in green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, and even peas), zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc are all important nutrients for your eye.

Wet macular degeneration is less-common and results when fluids leak from blood vessels under the macula. Vision loss is both rapid and severe. Ocular injections may help limit further vision loss with wet macular degeneration.

As you age, the American Optometric Association recommends more frequent eye exams because we are all at an increased risk for diseases such as ARMD as we get older.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma describes a group of eye disorders that result in the progressive damage of your optic nerve. Glaucoma is a serious condition because it directly affects the bundle of over 1 million nerve fibers that transmit the visual signals from your eye to your brain . Glaucoma can result in blindness. In the majority of cases glaucoma is a “silent” disease. One does not know they have glaucoma until they are diagnosed by their Optometrist during a routine exam.

The goal of your glaucoma treatment is to reduce the pressure inside your eye. The most common treatment is usually prescription eye drops. Occasionally, surgery may be required. The early detection of glaucoma is essential to maintaining your eye health. There is no permanent cure for glaucoma yet, so lifelong treatment is required. It is very important to begin treatment for your glaucoma as soon as it is detected.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the result of damage to the blood vessels which feed the retina due to diabetes. Over time, these blood vessels begin to leak blood and other fluids that cause swelling of your retinal tissue and cloud your vision. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness.

Regulating your blood sugar is the primary means of controlling the progression of your diabetic retinopathy. If fluid leakage is occurring, ocular injections may be a necessary step.

If you are diabetic, your eyes are extremely vulnerable to damage that can be prevented and slowed if discovered early. The American Optometric Association, Montana Optometric Association and our Optometrists strongly encourage you to have your eyes checked annually if you are a diabetic. Please call our office to schedule an appointment and to answer any of your questions and/or concerns.

Hypertensive Retinopathy

Hypertensive retinopathy is damage to the back part of the eye (your retina) caused simply by high blood pressure. Controlling your high blood pressure (hypertension) is the main treatment for hypertensive retinopathy. High blood pressure increases your risk for many serious health conditions; your eyes are no exception. A yearly eye exam plays a very important role in monitoring your high blood pressure.