Symptoms of macular degeneration include blurriness and total vision loss in the center the individual’s field of vision. This prevents basic tasks such as facial recognition and reading. Since it is a degenerative disease, a sufferer’s sight will continue to deteriorate over time. Depending on the variety of the condition which has been contracted, there may be medical procedures which will help relieve some of the symptoms of macular degeneration.

There are two different sub-types of macular degeneration, commonly refereed to as “wet” and “dry.” Wet macular degeneration is the result of unrestricted blood vessel growth within the rear portions of the retina. This results in hemorrhaging and scarring which can permanently inhibit eye sight. A type of drug which halts the growth of new blood vessels, called anti-angiogenics, can be injected directly into the eye to prevent further scarring. Although this procedure is considered very painful, regular injections are required to stop further degeneration of the patient’s eye sight.

The “dry” sub-type is the result of the slow atrophy of the retina. This leads to the death of the rods and cones which make up the basis of our ability to perceive color and retain visual acuity. Unfortunately, there are no surefire medical procedures to help those suffering from a dry macular degeneration. However, a battery of drugs and nutritional supplements can be used to help stall the effects of the disease for a period of years.

Patients suffering from early symptoms of macular degeneration such as blurred vision, shadows or blind spots, poor recovery from exposure to bright light, a steady loss in the ability to perceive colors and other chances in their normal vision should immediately consult with a physician. Smokers, overweight individuals, and those suffering from high cholesterol are most at risk for macular degeneration. Although macular degeneration is a very serious condition, with early detection it can become a treatable disease.

Most vision clinics give complete adult and child eye exams, and are able to tell you whether or not you are having any problems with your vision or your eyes. Complete eye exams include, but are not necessarily limited to, a vision test, a glaucoma test, and an exam to detect cataracts, hypertention, diabetes, and problems with your retina.

Some vision clinics offer emergency treatment for eye injuries and/or will treat your eye if something has gotten into your eye. Most vision clinics will treat eye illnesses such as pinkeye, and are able to prescribe and/or dispense medication for any eye illness you may have.

Some vision clinics are more elaborate and may include treatment of diseases of the eye, as well as refractive eye surgery and it’s aftercare. If they do not actually do the laser surgery at the vision center, the vision center most likely can examine your eyes to see if you are a candidate for the surgery and refer you to a laser surgeon.

Going to a vision clinic regularly, will help detect any problems, diseases, or illnesses of your eyes. Early detection can help you to keep as much vision as possible throughout your life, as well as start treating any illnesses or diseases as quickly as possible. Prevention of blindness is very important, and regular eye exams can help save your sight.

Of course, vision centers are able to tell you whether or not you need glasses or contacts, and can give you a prescription to get your glasses or contacts made. Many vision centers have contacts on site, so you do not need to go somewhere else to get your contacts. Vision clinics can be less expensive than going to a doctor in private practice, but this is not always the case.

It is important that you and your children get regular eye exams to help keep your eyes in good health. Vision clinics are a good way to make sure your eyes stay as healthy as possible.

Our vision clinic is based in Ogden.  Give us a ring, or call in, to see how we can help you.

The side effects of dry eyes can range from pain or a feeling of having something in one’s eye to light sensitivity and itching. Some even experience blurred vision. Depending on the severity of the symptoms of dry eye, several methods of relief may be employed.

The first and most common is simple eye lubricants and ointments, some of which are available over the counter. For those suffering from chronic dry eye, it is necessary to apply eye drops even when they aren’t in pain or their eyes seem normal. The only prescription eye drop to help the eye increase its own tear production currently is Restasis.

A more aggressive treatment is temporary punctal occlusion, which is a process that inserts a dissolvable plug into the tear drain of the lower eyelid. This is done in order to keep tears in the eye rather than draining. If this route works for the sufferer, permanent punctal occlusion is usually incorporated. This is the same process except silicone plugs are used instead of dissolvable ones.

Sometimes optometrists will prescribe other medications to help increase tear production. Steroids that can be applied to the skin around the eye are just one example. If none of these methods prove to be effective, surgery might be ordered for the patient. When surgery is performed, the ducts that drain tears down through the nasal cavity are permanently closed. This outpatient surgery allows more tears to stay around and in the eye socket, thus keeping the eyes lubricated enough without eye drops.

If you think you suffer from dry eyes, please don’t hesitate to contact us.  Our office is in Ogden and our optometrist will ease your suffering.

In an office setting, an optometrist is responsible for testing the vision of patients by way of various testing equipment and and in office exam. Optometrist often find the onset of major diseases like diabetes long before they set in to the body because symptoms seem to arise in the eyes in many cases. An optometrists is actually licensed to diagnose diabetes and other systemic diseases like hypertension, without referring the patient to a medical doctor. If an abnormality of vision or disease is discovered, the optometrist is responsible for treating and prescribing medicines to for eye disease. Vision corrective lenses are also prescribed for those with less than perfect vision, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Those diagnosed with these problems are almost always prescribed corrective lenses in the form of eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Though an optometrist can diagnose and treat a problem, he or she may not perform surgical procedures. Only a license ophthalmologist can operate on the eyes. An optometrist can however, treat patients with post-surgical care. Because of this, many optometrists and ophthalmologists choose to open joint practices, referring patients to one another for specific forms of care.

An optometrist is also responsible for running an office, including keeping up with patient records, maintaining equipment integrity, keeping a sanitized environment, and managing a help staff. The work can be overwhelming at time, and an optometrist may elect to hire an office manager or optometrist assistant to help ease the workload.

Most optometrists see their patients a minimum of once per year, with prescriptions generally expiring after that time period. Many insurance companies have vision plans, though the cost of basic exam and prescription is relatively low in most cities. The wait time for an appointment can be anywhere from one day to one month, depending upon the reputation and experience of the optometrist being seen.

If you are unsure of whether or not you need to see an optometrist or your normal doctor please don’t hesitate to contact us.  Our office is in Ogden.