Dr. Davis has extensive experience in the treatment and management of eye disease. Some common systemic diseases also affect the eyes, so it’s important to have regularly scheduled comprehensive eye exams to help detect and treat these diseases early.
Cataracts
What Cataracts Are
Cataracts are a clouding or haze on the lens inside your eye. Normally the lens focuses light on the back of your eye (the retina), but if the lens is cloudy or opaque in areas, it can interfere with the light coming in.
Cataracts normally form over a long period of time, most frequently becoming apparent over the age of 50. However, cataracts can also occur as the result of an injury or in some cases even at birth. A comprehensive eye health examination can diagnose cataracts early and follow their progression.
Treatment and Prevention
Severe cataracts are treated with surgery. Dr. Davis can examine your eyes and make a recommendation of surgery when it will provide a significant benefit to your vision.
One likely cause of cataracts is exposure to ultraviolet radiation. You can reduce the amount of UV radiation your eyes receive by wearing UV-blocking sunglasses.
Nutrition may also play a role in cataract formation. Some nutritional supplements and vitamins may slow the development of cataracts – ask Dr. Davis for specific recommendations.
Links to more information on cataracts
American Optometric Association – Cataracts
All About Vision – Cataracts
Glaucoma
What Glaucoma Is
More than “elevated eye pressure,” glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that lead to damage to the optic nerve. This nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain. In most cases, damage to the optic nerve is due to increased pressure in the eye, also known as intraocular pressure (IOP). Glaucoma causes gradual, permanent vision loss. It develops slowly and painlessly, without any signs or symptoms.
Risk Factors for Glaucoma
- Age (over age 40)
- Nearsightedness (or farsightedness for angle-closure glaucoma)
- Heredity
- Diabetes
The cause of glaucoma is unknown.
Testing for Glaucoma
Measurement of intraocular pressure, called “tonometry”
- Elevated intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye) is the single best indicator of glaucoma. Many people associate measurement of intraocular pressure with the “air puff test”. At Madelia Optometric, we utilize Goldman Tonometry instead. Although this does involve using a gentle eye drop, Goldman Tonometry is much more accurate and avoids the dreaded air puff. Goldman Tonometry is included as part of every comprehensive eye examination.
Peripheral Vision
- Visual field testing is a way for Dr. Davis to determine if you are experiencing vision loss from glaucoma. Visual field testing involves looking into a machine and clicking a button when you notice a blinking light in your peripheral (side) vision. The visual field may be repeated at regular intervals to make sure you are not developing blind spots from damage to the optic nerve or to determine the extent or progression of vision loss from glaucoma. At Madelia Optometric, we utilize the Oculus EasyField which allows for a full threshold visual field in only three minutes per eye.
Optic Nerve Head Evaluation
- During a comprehensive eye examination, Dr. Davis will view inside your eye to examine complete eye health. Changes in the size or shape of the optic nerve head can indicate glaucoma.
Treatment
While there is no cure for glaucoma, there are effective treatments available to control the pressure inside your eye. The first choice for treatment will likely be medicated eye drops that are used regularly. Dr. Davis will check your eye pressure after starting any treatment to confirm that it is working, and may need to adjust your prescription if the treatment isn’t as effective as necessary.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to lower extremely high pressure in the eye. No glaucoma treatment can reverse glaucoma-related vision loss, but with early prevention and treatment, vision loss can be minimized.
Links to more information on glaucoma
American Optometric Association – Glaucoma
All About Vision – Glaucoma
Macular Degeneration
About Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration involves changes to the macula, or central part of the retina, inside the eye. These changes gradually lead to vision distortion and vision loss, which cannot usually be reversed.
Age-related macular degeneration comes in two forms:
Dry form
The dry form of macular degeneration involves the formation of drusen (small yellowish deposits) on the macula. This drusen causes distortions in your vision, and over time can lead to central vision loss.
Wet form
The wet form of macular degeneration involves abnormal blood vessel growth in the macula. This abnormal blood vessel growth eventually leads to scar tissue forming, which can cause blind spots or central vision loss.
The wet form of macular degeneration is much less common, but much more serious, than the dry form.
Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration
- Age (over age 60)
- Smoking
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Heredity
- Diabetes
Testing for Macular Degeneration
Dr. Davis can detect macular degeneration during your regular eye health exam. The presence of drusen and abnormal blood vessel growth on the macula can be observed by looking at the retina. Other tests may reveal distortions in your vision that are also signs of macular degeneration.
Treatment
There are several treatments that may slow the progression of macular degeneration.
Some drugs block the growth of abnormal blood vessels, and may even restore some vision lost to macular degeneration. These drugs are used in the treatment of wet macular degeneration.
Certain vitamins may help prevent macular degeneration. Ask Dr. Davis for current recommendations based on the latest studies.
Laser surgery can be used to stop the growth of, or even destroy abnormal blood vessels in the retina.
Links to more information on macular degeneration
American Optometric Association – Macular Degeneration
All About Vision – Macular Degeneration
Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that can develop when you have diabetes. The retina (where light is focused in the eye) contains many very small blood vessels, and in diabetic patients, these blood vessels may grow abnormally or begin to burst. This will eventually cause changes in vision and loss of vision, but by the time the patient notices these changes, it may be too late. Regular eye exams are very important for diabetic patients to make sure any changes are caught early.
Treatment and Prevention
The best way to prevent diabetic retinopathy is through careful control of blood sugar levels.
Once diabetic retinopathy begins, the best treatments usually involve laser surgery to slow the progression.
Links to more information on diabetes and the eye
Heart Disease and the Eyes
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can lead to damage to the retina (the back part of the eye where light is focused). Dr. Davis can see this damage during your regular eye health exam, and may even see signs of this before you know you have anything wrong. Working with your family physician, Dr. Davis can make recommendations to reduce the chances of severe vision loss due to high blood pressure.
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol can cause a variety of eye-related problems. Some of these problems can be observed during your regular eye health exam. If Dr. Davis notices any of these problems, she may request that you follow up with your primary care provider to find ways to manage your high cholesterol levels.
Contact Us
Hours
Sunday Closed
Monday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Saturday Closed