Annual Eye Exams:

Of all the things you can do for the health of your eyes, nothing is more important than an annual eye exam. Besides helping you maintain the best vision possible, eye exams can help detect and treat a number of eye ailments before they turn into something much more serious. They can even alert you to general health conditions such as Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and Multiple Sclerosis. That's why we strongly encourage you to keep up with a regular schedule of eye exams, especially if your family has a history of eye or other health problems. If you like, we’ll gladly send you periodic reminders so that you can stay on a regular schedule of essential eye exams.  Return Home

Cataract Exam:

What is a cataract? When the normally clear lens within your eye becomes cloudy or opaque, it is called a cataract. Cataracts vary from extremely small areas of cloudiness to large opaque areas that cause a noticeable loss of vision. They most often develop in people over 60, but can occasionally be found in younger people, including newborns.

Many factors can contribute to the development of cataracts. Ultra Violet light from the Sun coupled with advancing age causes a yellowing to the lens in the eye resulting in the majority of cataracts.  Other contributing factors cause an increase rate of cataract development include diabetes, steroid use, trauma and other various chemical changes.   Return Home

Diabetic Exams:

What are Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetes is a disease that prevents your body from making or using insulin to break down sugar in your bloodstream. Approximately 16 million people in America (308,000 in Washington State) have diabetes, with an estimated one third of them unaware of it. Of those cases that are diagnosed, between 40 and 45 percent have some degree of diabetic retinopathy, a potentially blinding eye disease that is a complication of diabetes.

Diabetes can be a contributing factor in many eye complications, including vision changes, cataracts, glaucoma and corneal conditions. The most serious complication is diabetic retinopathy. This condition is caused by weakened blood vessels that nourish the eye's retina, the delicate, light sensitive lining of the back of the eye. Retinopathy starts with leaking blood vessels which in turn cause swelling and future development of abnormal brush-like branches of blood vessels called neovascularization which leak exponentially

Vision loss results from excessive fluid leakage, scar tissue associated with neovascularization, loss of adequate blood supply to retinal tissue, or a combination of these factors.  Return Home

Macular Degeneration Exam and Management:
 
What is Macular Degeneration?
 
Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. The disease occurs when there are changes to the macula region, a small portion of the retina responsible for all sharp vision including details for close work and distance.
 
There are two types of age-related macular degeneration. In the dry or atrophic type, the tissue of the macula becomes thin and stops functioning properly. Deposits of waste material may also occur in the macular region and cause disruption to the region.  This is thought to occur as part of the aging process and vision loss is usually gradual.
 
Wet, or exudative macular degeneration is less common and results when fluids leak from newly formed, abnormal blood vessels underneath the macula and affect central vision. Vision loss from the wet form can be rapid and severe.  Return Home

Glaucoma:
 
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which progressive damage to the optic nerve causes vision loss. Damage may occur from increased fluid pressure in the eye or at typically normal pressures with no other apparent reasons.  
 
Statistics show that only half of the 3 million Americans with glaucoma are even aware of it, making glaucoma one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. (approximately 80,000 blinded by the disease each year).
 
Glaucoma most often occurs in people over age 40; however, it can develop in much younger individuals. People with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans, diabetics and those who are very nearsighted are at a higher risk of developing the disease.   The key to managing vision loss is early diagnosis and proper treatment.  Return Home

Trauma and Red Eye Treatment:

Bloodshot eyes; Red eyes; Scleral injection; Conjunctival injection.  Red eyes are  enlarged, dilated blood vessels. There are many possible causes of a red eye such as; foreign matter beneath the eyelid or the result of wearing  contact lenses longer than specified leading to the appearance of redness on the surface of the eye.  Some are quite concerning, even medical emergencies. Others are of no consequence or concern at all. The degree of redness or appearance of blood usually does not correlate to how serious it is. It is generally more important whether you also have eye pain or impaired vision.  Don’t guess seek an Eye Care Professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.  Return Home

Dry Eye Tests and Treatment:

When the eyes don't produce enough tears or the right quality of tears, the result is a condition called Dry Eye Syndrome.  Among the causes of keratitis sicca include autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and normal aging that causes the Lacrimal Gland to decrease production.  Diagnosis includes symptoms such as burning, constant tearing, blurred vision when blinking, constant irritation, redness of the eyes, or the appearance of the corneal surface.  Treatment includes Artificial Tears, prescription medications and in some cases blocking drainage of tears.  Return Home