Routine Eye Exams Can Save Your Vision

Routine comprehensive eye exams are vital in detecting and managing eye diseases. We scan for common diseases during every exam and provide protection for any detected conditions.

Eye disease can develop without warning signs or symptoms. Our optometrists use top-of-the-line diagnostic equipment to catch eye conditions in the early stages and work hard to provide treatment and protect your vision.

Our goal is to preserve your eyesight for many years to come. Please contact us today for a comprehensive eye exam!

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Common Eye Conditions & Diseases

Cataracts

Cataracts are the clouding of your ordinarily transparent lenses as they become more solid and opaque with age. This clouding can severely affect the quality of your vision. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world.

There are many symptoms of cataracts, such as:

Clouded vision
Dim vision
Sensitivity to light & glare
“Halos” around lights

Your optometrist can prescribe glasses or contact lenses for refractive errors in their early stages; however, only surgery can remove cataracts.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that gradually damage your optic nerve. Glaucoma generally affects older people but can occur at any age. Untreated glaucoma will eventually lead to vision loss.

Symptoms of glaucoma can vary depending on the type and stage of the condition.

The best defense against glaucoma is your routine comprehensive eye exam. Your optometrist cannot reverse vision loss caused by glaucoma but can slow and prevent damage if the disease is caught in its early stages.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The macula is the center part of the retina. Its primary function is to provide clear, precise detail in your central vision. Age-related macular degeneration occurs when the macula deteriorates with age.

Deterioration of the macula can result in blurred central vision, loss of ability to see sharp detail, and loss of color vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy develops when high blood glucose levels damage your retina’s blood vessels, causing them to bulge and leak fluid into the retina.

Patients with diabetes are at a high risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. If you have diabetes, we recommend annual diabetic eye exams.

For more information on diabetic retinopathy, please check out this diabetic retinopathy article.

Keratoconus

The cornea is usually dome-shaped, but keratoconus slowly thins the cornea making it more cone-shaped. Keratoconus develops gradually and generally begins between the ages of 10 and 25.

Symptoms of keratoconus include:

Distorted vision
Sensitivity to bright light
Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Sudden worsening of vision
Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions

At Coast Optometry, we can correct the initial symptoms of keratoconus with scleral contact lenses and eyeglasses. As the disease progresses, patients may require a cornea transplant.

Vision Conditions

Eye disease isn’t the only issue that can have an impact on your vision. Vision conditions can play a large part in how you enjoy your eyesight, often leading to eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions. In some cases, you may wish to see how laser eye surgery can help you achieve the clear vision you deserve.

75% of all adults wear some form of corrective lens, helping them see while living with:

Myopia

Myopia is one of the most common vision conditions in the world. It’s so common that researchers believe that nearly half of the world will have myopia symptoms by 2050.

Also known as nearsightedness, myopia is characterized by the ability to see objects up close with clarity, but not far away. Myopia develops as the eye elongates with age, making it difficult for light entering your eye to reach the retina. This condition can develop during childhood and can become high myopia over time, increasing the risk of retinal detachment.

Hyperopia

Hyperopia is a vision condition that affects your ability to clearly see objects up close, but not distant objects.

Hyperopia, commonly known as farsightedness, can generally occur if your eye is shorter than normal or your lens isn’t curved enough. Some children with hyperopia may develop crossed eyes, which specialty eyeglasses can help correct.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a vision condition that affects your ability to see clearly at all distances. Even with relatively sharp vision, slight astigmatism can still cause headaches, eye fatigue, squinting, and irritation.

Astigmatism generally develops when your cornea has an uneven or irregular shape. Your cornea is responsible for focusing light on your retina, but if it’s curved in one direction more than another, it can distort and blur your vision.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a vision condition that occurs with age. Deriving its name from Greek words meaning “old eye,” presbyopia can make it difficult to see close objects clearly.

It’s important to understand that presbyopia and hyperopia are different from each other. While hyperopia can occur with a shorter eye length or an under-curved cornea, presbyopia develops when your eye’s lens loses some of the elasticity it needs to focus on objects at different distances. Presbyopia develops gradually, and you may need to update your lens prescription periodically to ensure you can see as clearly as possible.

We Are Here to Help

An eye disease diagnosis may seem frightening and challenging to manage, but our compassionate team is here to walk you through your diagnosis and treatment. We are an experienced team with a genuine interest in you and your family’s eye health.

An individualized treatment plan can help manage symptoms and preserve your eyesight. Please call us today so we can help you get started on the path to healthier vision.

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