Eye Health

There are a number of conditions that affect eye health, and if not detected early, may lead to problems with vision. It is important for the eyes to be dilated so the retina can be thoroughly evaluated as part of a comprehensive exam for eye health.

Dr. Voss, Dr. Moore, Dr. Tucker, Dr. Kazmi, and Dr. Ebling, are concerned about retinal problems such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal holes, detachments, and diabetic retinopathy – all of which can lead to eye health issues including vision loss or blindness. Additionally, many symptoms of systemic diseases such as diabetes, the effects of high blood pressure and other diseases can be detected with the EyeScreen Examination.

RETINAL SCREENING

At Bellaire Family Eye Care we are pleased to provide our patients with an advanced digital retinal exam called EyeScreen. EyeScreen is a high resolution screening photograph of your retina that will help us document, review, and compare your retina over time. We use the EyeScreen exam to document your retinal image for our charts, screen for eye diseases, and improve our ability to view your internal retinal health at a much higher resolution than a slit lamp or ophthalmoscope.

DRY EYE

Symptoms of dry eye include redness, excessive tearing, mucous discharge, irritation, and some patients feel like something is always in their eyes. Dry eyes can sometimes be confused with other conditions affecting eye health like allergies and infections. Wearing contact lenses, taking certain medications, hormones, and conditions like arthritis can lead to dry eyes. There are several treatments for dry eyes including the use of punctal plugs. Punctal plugs are tiny plastic plugs that are inserted into the drainage system of the eye to keep the eye lubricated. This is a non-invasive procedure and only takes a few minutes.

CATARACTS

Changes in the intraocular lens of the eye can occur as a result of trauma, UV rays, family history, and the natural aging process. Cataracts do not grow. They are the result of changes to the internal structure of the lens. The lens becomes cloudy, which can affect vision and in some patients causes glare. The removal of cataracts is not necessary if they are not interfering with vision. It is important to wear UV protection to reduce the risk of developing some forms of cataracts.

GLAUCOMA

Glaucoma is a condition where the optic nerve of the eye becomes diseased, leading to permanent loss of vision. Glaucoma is a progressive disease and patients can go years without knowing they have the disease. The intraocular pressure of the eye, visual fields, and optic nerve evaluation all lead to the diagnosis of glaucoma. Glaucoma typically does not cause poor vision until the disease is advanced. The risk for glaucoma increases with age and family history, so it is important to have your eyes evaluated yearly.

DIABETES

Diabetes can affect the eye and cause diabetic retinopathy, blurry vision, double vision, and cataracts. The eye can be the first place where diabetes is detected. Diabetes causes the blood vessels in the eye to become weak, and leak blood and fluid. Changes in sugar levels can also cause changes in the hydration of the intraocular lens. These lens changes can result in blurry vision and in some extreme cases cataracts. It is important to have your eyes evaluated and dilated if you are experiencing any symptoms of diabetes or if you have been diagnosed with the condition.

HYPERTENSION

Hypertension affects the general health of the retinal tissue because of poor circulation. The vessels in the retina can cause hemorrhaging and leak blood. We routinely check blood pressure during the vision exam to detect elevated blood pressure. If you have hypertension, it is important for your eyes to be dilated to evaluate any retinal changes.

PINK EYE

Conjunctivitis, or “pink eye,” is a generic term used when the eye is red and irritated. This can be extremely contagious and can be caused by a number of things. Bacterial and viral infections are the most common causes of pink eye. While it often resolves on its own, bacterial pink eye needs treatment with antibiotic eye drops or ointment. It is important to give us a call if you think you might have conjunctivitis.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

Macular Degeneration is caused by the deterioration of the center of the retina and is the leading cause of vision loss.  Blurred vision is one of the key symptoms of this disease. Even though there is no cure, treatment can help.  At Bellaire Family Eye Care, we specialize in the management of macular degeneration to minimize its effect on your vision.

KERATOCONUS

Keratoconus is a condition in which the normally round cornea becomes progressively thinner causing a cone-like bulge to develop.  Symptoms of keratoconus typically begin in late teens and early 20’s but can develop at any time. Symptoms can include blurred vision, sensitivity to light and difficulty driving at night. If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus or know someone that has, specialty contact lenses like scleral lenses are a great option for visual improvement. Patients from all over the state travel to see Dr. Tucker for scleral lens fittings.