Advanced Eye Care

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases which cause damage to the optic nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma is often referred to as silent blinding disease as vision loss may not be detected early due to lack of symptoms.

Risk Factors: high eye pressure, blood pressure, positive family history, trauma etc.

Symptoms: In the beginning, there may not be any symptoms, and therefore it is important to get annual comprehensive eye exams. In cases of high eye pressure; pain, blurred vision and haloes around lights may be noted.

Treatment: If diagnosed at an early stage serious vision loss can be prevented by treatment. The treatment for glaucoma includes prescription eye drops, laser treatment or even surgery.

At 20/20 Eye Care, we diagnose, treat and manage various forms of glaucoma with gold standard andmost technologically advanced instrumentation.

Cataracts

Clouding (yellowing) of the normally clear lens of the eye is called a cataract. Most Cataract are due to age related changes in the lens. Other factors that contribute to cataract development include:

✓ Ultraviolet radiation

✓ Smoking

✓ Alcohol

✓ Nutrition deficiency

✓ Diabetes

✓ Drugs

Risk Factors:

✓ Increasing age

✓ UV exposure and exposure to other ionizing raditations (x-rays and cancer radiation therapy)

✓ Smoking

✓ Medical conditions like Diabetes, Obesity and high blood pressure

✓ Use of Certain drugs (Corticosteroids, chlorpromazine and other phenothiazine related meds)

Symptoms:
Depending on the stage, symptoms may vary:

✓ Blurry or dim vision (most symptomatic at night)

✓ Sensitivity to glare and lights

✓ Seeing halos around light

✓ Fading or yellowing of colors

✓ Quality of the vision decrease

✓ Double vision in a single eye

Treatment:

✓ Cataract surgery is the only effective treatment.

✓ Cataract surgery is only considered depending on the stage of cataract development and/or when the cataract begins to affect the quality of life and interfere with the ability to perform normal daily activities.

What does 20/20 Eye Care do Different??

At 20/20 Eye Care, when the patient is diagnosed with Cataracts, we try to understand their daily activities and if Cataracts are affecting these activities (such as reading, driving at night etc).

✓ We closely monitor these patients and offer priority same day/walk in Eye Care consultations if they feel any changes in their vision.

✓ Our Professional ties with several Ophthalmological practices allow our patients an easy transition from our clinic to surgery; which facilitates stress free co-management.

Macular Degeneration

Degenerative changes occurring in the macular area of the retina causing central visual distortions. Depending on the severity, overtime, the vision may worsen which affects the ability to do things such as read, drive and recognize faces (i.e. affects central vision) etc. Early detection is crucial for management of ARMD.

Risk Factors:

✓ Age: most common in people over 65 y/o.

✓ Race: more common in Caucasian population.

✓ Smoking.

✓ Family history and genetics.

✓ Medical conditions like High blood pressure and obesity.

✓ Prolonged sun exposure.

Symptoms:

✓ Visual distortions such as straight lines look wavy or crooked.

✓ Dark or empty area in the center of the vision.

✓ Decrease in color vision

Treatment:

✓ There is NO cure for this condition, and any loss of vision cannot be restored. Treatment can slow the progression, hence early detection is key in managing this condition.

✓ Low fat content diet and green leafy vegetables have shown to slow the progression in Dry AMD (most common form of AMD)

✓ Wet AMD (less common form of AMD) is most often treated with intraocular injections and laser photocoagulation treatments.

✓ Sun wear protection with UV400 is recommended.