Many eye diseases can cause loss of vision and even blindness if they aren't diagnosed and managed properly. This is why regular eye exams are important. The quicker a condition is diagnosed, the better the treatment outcomes. At Prosper Eye Gallery in Prosper, TX, we offer eye disease management.
What is Eye Disease Management?
Eye disease management is the process of diagnosing and treating eye diseases. The specific treatment will depend on the condition you have. Most eye diseases can't be cured, so management focuses on slowing or halting the progression of the disease to preserve your vision.
Common Eye Diseases
There are a few eye diseases that occur often, particularly in older adults. These include retinopathy, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
Retinopathy
There are two types of retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by diabetes. Small blood vessels in the eye are damaged. They may become swollen or leak fluid. You may experience black spots. You may also have pain or blurred vision, particularly if the macula gets inflamed.
Hypertensive retinopathy occurs when you have chronic high blood pressure. This causes the walls of the blood vessels in the retina to thicken, reducing blood flow to the retina. Over time, this can also cause increased pressure on your optic nerve, affecting your vision. Both types of retinopathy can cause blindness if they aren't treated. In fact, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults under 65 years old.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration occurs when your macula begins to deteriorate. This is typically caused by aging and is known as age-related macular degeneration. The macula is a part of your retina that controls your central vision. Symptoms of macular degeneration include areas in your central vision that are distorted or fuzzy. Over time, this can lead to blind spots or complete loss of your central vision.
Cataracts
Cataracts occur when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. The lens is made of protein and water. As you get older, these proteins can clump together, causing cloudiness. Cataracts can cause your vision to become cloudy or dim. This can cause blindness over time if it's not treated in its earlier stages.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma happens when there's increased pressure in your eye. This is caused when the fluid in your eye doesn't drain properly, causing pressure to build. This can eventually damage your optic nerve. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in adults around 40 years old, but it can be managed with treatment.
Contact Prosper Eye Gallery
Are you looking for an eye doctor near you? If you are looking for an optometrist in Prosper, contact Prosper Eye Gallery. We are experienced in managing eye diseases, including cataracts and macular degeneration. We can also work with an eye surgeon to complete your treatment.