Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a disease that blurs the sharp central vision you need for “straight-ahead” activities such as reading and driving. AMD affects the macula, which is the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail.

AMD is most prevalent in older people and the main concern is that there are no physical warning signs until the blurred area is present. There is no pain associated with the disease and the causes of AMD are complex but most common are heredity and environment. At this time, AMD is considered to be incurable.

This further supports the necessity for routine eye exams for as you age so that the condition of the macula can be monitored. If you have not had a comprehensive eye exam in recent years, contact our team to set an appointment today.

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Many people have heard the word “glaucoma”, but do you know about glaucoma? Did you know that glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States? Many people don’t. Many don’t know that over 2.7 million Americans are impacted by glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that can damage the optic nerve and impact peripheral vision and there are no warning signs until it is too late. Factors that determine your risk for glaucoma are related to race, family history, personal history of diabetes, hypothyroidism, or severe eye trauma.

To learn more about glaucoma, click here.

There are treatments available for glaucoma, but one of the best prevention methods will continue to be routine eye exams to be able to fully access the health of your eyes. If you have questions about glaucoma, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We’re here to help!

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Diabetic Eye Disease:

  • Can cause severe vision loss or blindness
  • Diabetic Retinopathy: Damage to the blood vessels in the retina
  • Cataract: Clouding of the lens of the eye
  • Glaucoma: Increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision

The leading cause of blindness in American adults is the most common diabetic eye disease, Diabetic Retinopathy.

  • Caused by changes in blood vessels in the retina
  • Some retinal blood vessels may swell and leak fluid
  • Some may grow on the surface of the retina

Symptoms:

  • No pain
  • Vision may not change until disease becomes severe
  • Blurred vision, when macula swells from the leaking fluid
  • If vessels grow onto the surface of the retina, they can bleed into the eye, blocking vision

Symptom-less progression is why regular eye exams for people with diabetes are so important.

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source: nih.gov