Eye Disease Management
If you’re experiencing any unusual or uncomfortable eye symptoms, such as blurry vision, blind spots, or persistent eye pain — contact Elevated Eyecare so we can help you maintain healthy and clear vision.
Eye Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
As time passes, changes in the eyes can impact your vision. That’s why we offer comprehensive eye exams to detect these changes and identify eye conditions or diseases early, before they can permanently affect vision.
From glaucoma to diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and macular degeneration — we’ll manage your condition to increase your chances of healthy vision for the rest of your lifetime.
Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy:
Stages and Treatment
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition caused by the tiny blood vessels in the retina weakening and becoming inflamed due to high blood sugar levels.
Although the early stages of this disease usually have no symptoms, discomfort and hazy vision may develop as the disease progresses.
Diabetic retinopathy has four stages. Stage one is characterized by microaneurysms, stage two by further vessel swelling, and stage three by larger vessel blockages. Stage four, the advanced stage, causes new blood vessels to grow and form scar tissue, which can detach the retina and cause permanent blindness.
Fortunately, diabetic retinopathy can be treated before vision loss occurs using medication, anti-VEGF or steroid injections, laser surgery, or vitrectomy.
Love this place! Dr. Hart-Moreland is a wealth of knowledge. Issues that I’ve had all my recent life have been SORTED. She listens and educates and is the sweetest person I’ve ever met. She’s seen my 6. Yr and he felt safe and was never bored. The staff have been nothing but friendly and helpful with a mix of professionalism and fun. The location is beautiful and I can’t wait to come back to see them again.
What Causes Glaucoma and Can It Be Treated?
Glaucoma describes a group of eye diseases often caused by a buildup of pressure within the eye. If left untreated, the optic nerve can be severely damaged by the increased pressure, leading to permanent vision loss or blindness.
The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, which occurs when the eye's drainage canal becomes clogged over time. Another type, angle-closure glaucoma, occurs when the iris is too close to the drainage canals, which results in a sudden blockage.
Both types can cause vision loss without noticeable symptoms, but in their advanced stages, symptoms may include eye pain, redness, nausea, blurred vision, and halos around lights.
There’s no cure for glaucoma, but various treatments can slow down its progression. This includes:
- Eye drops
- Oral medications
- Filtration surgery
- Laser therapy
- Drainage tubes
- Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
What Are Cataracts and How Can The Disease Be Treated?
Cataracts are caused by the clear lens inside the eye becoming cloudy.
They develop gradually and result in difficulty seeing — with many people describing their vision as looking through a dirty window that can't be cleaned.
Advanced cataracts need cataract surgery to remove the cloudy lens from the eye and replace it with a new intraocular lens (IOL).
An example of an IOL is the PanOptix Trifocal Lens which offers clear near and distance vision. It also filters ultraviolet and blue light, protecting the eyes from the sun’s rays and digital devices. Contact us for more information on the PanOptix Trifocal Lens.
Macular Degeneration:
Preventing, Diagnosis and Treatment
When the central part of the retina (the macula) deteriorates, this causes macular degeneration. The macula is responsible for sharp, central vision. When the macula deteriorates, the brain receives blurred or distorted images instead of clear images.
Risk factors for macular degeneration include age (especially after 60), a family history of the disease, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and a diet low in fruits and vegetables.
Dry AMD and wet AMD are the two types of macular degeneration.
Currently, no treatment for dry AMD exists, but AREDS-2 supplements may slow its progression.
Treatment options for wet AMD include anti-VEGF injections, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and laser photocoagulation.
Eye Disease Management | FAQ
Your quality of life is closely linked to the quality of your vision.
Vision issues such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy can impact every aspect of daily life, which is why we offer treatments to preserve remaining vision. Let us help you find the ideal treatment for your condition and lifestyle. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!