Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management in Lindsay

Glaucoma is one of the most common eye diseases. It’s often referred to as the “silent thief of sight” because of its ability to form over a long time without displaying symptoms.

Glaucoma is typically associated with high intraocular pressure (IOP). The eye’s high internal pressure puts pressure on your optic nerve, slowly damaging it. The 3 most common types of glaucoma are:

• Open-angle glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of the disease. It generally occurs when small blockages form in the trabecular meshwork (the eye’s drainage canal). Just like a clogged sink, these blockages prevent intraocular fluids from draining correctly, thus raising IOP levels.
• Closed-angle glaucoma. Closed-angle glaucoma, also known as acute angle-closure glaucoma, is less common than open-angle but is considered to be far more severe. Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle between the iris and cornea closes or becomes completely blocked, leading to a rapid spike in IOP levels. This sudden pressure increase crushes the optic nerve, causing severe damage quickly. Common symptoms also include headaches, eye pain, and even nausea. If you believe you’re experiencing closed-angle glaucoma, please call us at (705) 324-2612 for emergency medical help or proceed to the nearest emergency room.
• Normal-tension glaucoma. Normal-tension glaucoma is a unique type of glaucoma that forms even when IOP levels are within normal range. Doctors aren’t quite sure why normal-tension glaucoma forms, but some believe poor blood flow to your optic nerve may be a contributing factor. Fortunately, optometrists can detect it by observing the damage to your optic nerve.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that is the leading cause of blindness in people over 55. The disease focuses on your macula, which is part of the retina responsible for your central vision. As the macula deteriorates, it can affect your ability to read, drive, and even recognize faces.

There are 2 common forms of AMD:

• Dry AMD is related to the formation of small lipid deposits, known as drusen. Drusen form underneath the macula, causing it to slowly deteriorate over time, causing central vision loss.
• Wet AMD accounts for the majority of AMD-related vision loss, but is less common than its dry counterpart. Wet AMD occurs when fragile blood vessels form underneath the macula. These vessels are so delicate that they often leak and bulge, rapidly damaging your vision. Wet AMD is considered to be a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.

Cataracts are a common eye condition that causes the crystalline lens of your eye to gradually become cloudy. Cataracts form as the lens becomes increasingly rigid and opaque, typically due to age.

Experts consider cataracts to be one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. There is no cure for cataracts, but they can be removed using cataract surgery.

The risk of developing cataracts rises if you have diabetes, smoke, or have a family history with the condition.

Conjunctivitis, more commonly known as pink eye, is an eye condition with a variety of root causes. Despite different causes, all forms of conjunctivitis exhibit similar symptoms, which include redness, itchiness, irritation, wateriness, and stringy discharge.

There are 3 common types of conjunctivitis:

• Viral conjunctivitis is caused by a virus. This condition doesn’t necessarily need treatment. However, it’s always a good idea to speak to your eye care team for guidance on getting relief and how to prevent spreading viral conjunctivitis to others.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Your eye care team can help treat this condition using antibiotics. Bacterial conjunctivitis, just like its viral counterpart, can be highly contagious. If you suspect you might have bacterial conjunctivitis, please speak to your optometrist to find out how you can prevent spreading it to others.
• Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by an allergic reaction. Allergic conjunctivitis isn’t contagious, and symptoms can be mitigated using allergy medications or eye drops.