At ClearView Eyecare we can see you for a number of medical eye related problems. Our optometrists will diagnose and monitor eye conditions for both new and established patients, and send referrals to other offices as needed. We also see patients for emergent medical eye appointments. These appointments are billed through your medical insurance.
Some common medical eye conditions include:
Cataracts - A cloudy area in the lens of the eye that leads to a decrease in vision. Cataracts often develop slowly and can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms may include faded colors, blurry or double vision, halos around light, trouble with bright lights, and trouble seeing at night.
Conjunctivitis - Also known as pink eye, is inflammation of the outmost layer of the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. It makes the eye appear pink or reddish. Pain, burning, scratchiness, or itchiness may occur.
Corneal Abrasion - A scratch to the surface of the cornea of the eye. Symptoms include pain, redness, light sensitivity, and a feeling like a foreign body is in the eye.
Diabetic Retinopathy - Also known as diabetic eye disease (DED), a medical condition in which damage occurs to the retina due to diabetes mellitus.
Dry Eye - Also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), is the condition of having dry eyes. Other associated symptoms include irritation, redness, discharge, and blurred vision.
Floaters - Eye floaters are sometimes visible deposits within the eye's vitreous humour, which is normally transparent, or between the vitreous and retina. Floaters are visible either because of the shadows imperfections cast on the retina, or because of the refraction of light that passes through them, and can appear alone or together with several others as a clump in one's visual field.
Foreign Body Removal - When a corneal abrasion occurs, there is sometimes a foreign body left behind such as small pieces of metal or rust. These need to be removed in order to ensure the health of one's eye. Symptoms of a foreign body can include pain, redness, swelling and watery eyes.
Glaucoma - A group of eye diseases which result in damage to the optic nerve (or retina) and cause vision loss. Risk factors for glaucoma include increasing age, high pressure in the eye, and a family history of glaucoma. If treated early, it is possible to slow or stop the progression of disease with medication, laser treatment, or surgery.
Macular Degeneration - Also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD), is a medical condition which may result in blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field. Risk factors for macular degeneration include increasing age, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a family history of macular degeneration and prolonged UV exposure. There is currently no treatment that returns vision already lost. Preventative efforts include exercise, quitting smoking, protecting your eyes from UV rays, and eating fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Red Eye - An eye that appears red due to illness or injury. It is usually due to increased blood flow to the blood vessels on the inside of the eyelid or other parts of the eye. If you have red eyes that last longer than a week, have pain, reduced visual acuity, or abnormal pupil size, contact our office for a medical appointment immediately.
Retinal Detachment - When the retina separates from the layer underneath. Symptoms include an increase in the number of floaters, flashes of light, and worsening of the outer part of the visual field (feeling as is a veil or curtain is over your eye). Risk factors include, eye trauma (such as blunt force injury), having a high myopic (nearsightedness) prescription, and a family history of retinal detachments. If you think you may have a retinal detachment call our office immediately as a retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss.