Eye Disease Management
WHAT’S NEW IN DRY EYE & ALLERGY MANAGEMENT?
25% of all visits to eye care professionals are due to dry or allergic eyes. About 75 million Americans suffer from dry eye symptoms on a regular or occasional basis. In addition, approximately 1/3 of dry eye patients also suffer from allergic conjunctivitis. About half of all adults suffer from allergies and about 80% of allergy sufferers who take medication experience swollen eyelids and/or itchy, watery, red eyes. We take your complaints seriously and we are armed with the latest treatments.
RESTASIS is the first available prescription treatment for chronic dry eyes due to decreased tear production. It works by increasing the production of your eyes own tears. Artificial tears do not increase tear production. Learn more about retasis.
TEAR DUCT CLOSURE
SmartPlug: Temporary closure of the tear duct (punctal canal) is accomplished by inserting a tiny PUNCTUM PLUG (like a sink stopper) to prevent tear drainage. This allows your own tears to bathe your eye for a longer period of time. In about one week this plug will dissolve and wash away with your tears. You and your doctor can then evaluate the benefits of tear duct closure for you.
Long-term closure of the tear drainage ducts involves the use of non-dissolvable, yet removable, plug to seal the tear duct. This non-surgical procedure is painless and takes only a few minutes in your doctor’s office.
RELIEF from the discomfort of dry eyes may be immediate for some patients, while for others relief may be more gradual. Artificial tears may be used in conjunction with punctal plugs for severe cases of Dry Eye.
BETTER DIABETIC AND HYPERTENSIVE EYE CARE
Diabetes and other vascular diseases can cause damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye (retina) resulting in blood leakage and other changes. If left untreated, blindness can result. We offer the Optomap retinal exam to monitor you for diabetic retinopathy and Heidelberg retinal tomography to monitor you for diabetic macular edema. These are two of the most sophisticated instruments used to detect and monitor diabetic eye disease.
If you suffer from diabetes or hypertension, you should have your eyes checked as recommended by your eye care provider or at least yearly to maintain healthy eyes and good vision. Other factors that play a role in reducing your risk of developing diabetic eye disease include good systemic control of your diabetes and all associated conditions (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia), proper diet and exercise, and not smoking. (www.diabetes.org)
