Your Health

Eye Diseases; Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetes

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness. Millions of people in the US have glaucoma. About one half of them don’t even know it. An early diagnosis is essential for preventing blindness. The HRT retinal scan is a great tool enhancing the doctor’s ability to detect disease early – before vision loss occurs. This a fast painless assessment which dies not require dilation drops. A screening is recommended if any of the following apply : 40+ years of age, having a blood relative with glaucoma, African or Latin American ethnicity, being treated for high blood pressure or diabetes.

The retinal camera is a high tech instrument that provides a photographic record of the back part of your eyes. It gives the doctor a detailed digitized view of hard-working and delicate organ without disturbing it. A picture is often worth a thousand words and retinal photos serve as an excellent tool to help detect problems with your health before affect you. Retinal imaging may assist in detection of many diseases. Among these are tumors, Neurological disorders, Diabetes, Hypertension, Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration. Taking a retinal photo is painless and non-invasive.

Cataracts: The natural lens in the eye gradually becomes less clear as we get older. When opacities develop in the lens and the lens gets too hazy, vision will be impaired. Our office can diagnose and manage cataract care. When the cataract affects the vision to the extent that you cannot read or see distant objects comfortably, we will recommend cataract surgery.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma gradually destroys the optic nerve tissue in the back of the eye. The greatest danger of glaucoma stems from the fact that the disease is painless and without obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. The most common cause is from pressure being too high inside the eye, but vascular disease and other diseases can also cause glaucoma. We always monitor for glaucoma during routine eye examinations. Tests include checking the pressure of the eye, screening for peripheral vision defects and analyzing the appearance of the optic nerve. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, we typically prescribe medications that lower the eye pressure. Most forms of glaucoma are successfully treated with eye drops. Laser treatments and eye surgery are secondary treatments that offer alternative ways to treat more advanced glaucoma.

Diabetes: Diabetic patients should have a dilated retinal examination each year. Diabetes often stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the back of the eye, which ultimately leak and damage the retina. If this condition is discovered early, laser treatment can destroy these vessels. If we discover advancing diabetic eye disease that can be treated or needs further evaluation, we will refer you for consultation and further testing to a retinal specialist.

The practice of Drs Wilck, Schwartz and Novak is always equipped with the latest in health care technology to aid in the early detection of ocular disease and facilitate its timely treatment. The newest addition to our office is the Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph II (HRT). This instrument produces precise images and detects microscopic changes in the structure of the retina and the optic nerve. The HRT allows for early detection and timely treatment of glaucoma, diabetic and hypertensive eye disease. These chronic conditions tend to run in the patients families. The scan of the eye takes approximately 20 seconds and requires no eye drops to dilate the pupils. This test may yield valuable information about a previously undiagnosed condition of your eye. There are no known risks or side effects to this screening. If you or someone in your family has Glaucoma, Diabetes or High Blood Pressure it is important that you schedule your annual eye examination promptly. Ask your doctor if the HRT scan is right for you.

Allergy Season
Winter and Spring are seasons when some people begin to experience irritations in their eyes, noses and throats. Itching, tearing and redness are hallmarks of an allergic reaction. Oral medications like Claritin and Alegra do not target the eyes specifically enough to relieve all symptoms. Fortunately, there are several new ocular medications to help quell all allergic reactions in your eyes. Visit our office before your symptoms begin and enjoy your year.

	Cataracts: The natural lens in the eye gradually becomes less clear as we get older. When opacities develop in the lens and the lens gets too hazy, vision will be impaired. Our office can diagnose and manage cataract care. When the cataract affects the vision to the extent that you cannot read or see distant objects comfortably, we will recommend cataract surgery.
	Glaucoma: Glaucoma gradually destroys the optic nerve tissue in the back of the eye. The greatest danger of glaucoma stems from the fact that the disease is painless and without obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. The most common cause is from pressure being too high inside the eye, but vascular disease and other diseases can also cause glaucoma. We always monitor for glaucoma during routine eye examinations. Tests include checking the pressure of the eye, screening for peripheral vision defects and analyzing the appearance of the optic nerve. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, we typically prescribe medications that lower the eye pressure. Most forms of glaucoma are successfully treated with eye drops. Laser treatments and eye surgery are secondary treatments that offer alternative ways to treat more advanced glaucoma.
	Diabetes: Diabetic patients should have a dilated retinal examination each year. Diabetes often stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the back of the eye, which ultimately leak and damage the retina. If this condition is discovered early, laser treatment can destroy these vessels. If we discover advancing diabetic eye disease that can be treated or needs further evaluation, we will refer you for consultation and further testing to a retinal specialist.