Treatment for Eye Diseases in Pensacola
When a loved one’s vision starts to take a turn for the worse, you need an experienced, well-established eye care professional. Dr. Barry Concool of Panhandle Laser Vision Institute knows what it takes to help each individual on their specific eye problem. From glaucoma, to dry eyes, cataracts and LASIK, Panhandle Laser Vision Institute has you covered.
GLAUCOMA
GLAUCOMA is a group of eye disorders leading to progressive damage to the optic nerve, and is characterized by loss of nerve tissue resulting in loss of vision. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the U.S. and is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Some optic nerves have a suspicious appearance, resembling nerves with glaucoma, but the patients may have no other risk factors or signs of glaucoma. These patients should be closely followed with routine comprehensive exams to monitor for change. Certain factors can increase th risk for developing glaucoma. They include:
- Age—People over age 60 are at increased risk for the disease.
- Race—African Americans are significantly more likely to get glaucoma than are Caucasians, and they are much more likely to suffer permanent vision loss as a result.
- Family history of glaucoma—Having a family history of glaucoma increases the risk of developing glaucoma.
- Medical conditions—Some studies indicate that diabetes may increases the risk of developing glaucoma, as do high blood pressure and heart disease.
- Physical injuries to the eye—Severe trauma, such as being hit in the eye, can result in immediate increased eye pressure and future increases in pressure due to internal damage.
- Other eye-related risk factors—Eye anatomy, namely corneal thickness and optic nerve appearance indicate risk for development of glaucoma. Conditions such as retinal detachment, eye tumors, and eye inflammations may also induce glaucoma.
- Corticosteroid use—Using corticosteroids for prolonged periods of time appears to put some people at risk of getting secondary glaucoma.
There is no cure for glaucoma. Patients with glaucoma need to continue treatment for the rest of their lives. Because the disease can progress or change silently, compliance with eye medications and eye examinations are essential, as treatment may need to be adjusted periodically. Please contact our office today if you are at risk and have any symptoms of glaucoma.
DRY EYE
DRY EYE is a condition in which there are insufficient tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or have a poor quality of tears. Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, particularly in older adults. People with dry eyes may experience symptoms of irritated, gritty, scratchy, or burning eyes, a feeling of something in their eyes, excess watering, and blurred vision. Advanced dry eyes may damage the front surface of the eye and impair vision. Treatments for dry eyes aim to restore or maintain the normal amount of tears in the eye to minimize dryness and related discomfort and to maintain eye health. Dry eyes can be a chronic condition, but your optometrist can prescribe treatment to keep your eyes healthy, more comfortable, and prevent your vision from being affected. The primary approaches used to manage and treat dry eyes include adding tears, conserving tears, increasing tear production, and treating the inflammation of the eyelids or eye surface that contributes to the dry eyes. Steps you can take to reduce symptoms of dry eyes include:
- Remembering to blink regularly when reading or staring at a computer screen for long periods of time.
- Increasing the level of humidity in the air at work and at home.
- Wearing sunglasses outdoors with wrap around frame design, to reduce exposure to drying winds and sun.
- Using nutritional supplements containing essential fatty acids may help decrease dry eye symptoms in some people.
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of Dry Eye, please schedule an appointment with us!
If you or a loved one are experiencing eye problems, please contact our office for an appointment at 850-438-1277 or contact us here.