An appointment with your eye doctor each year isn’t just to update your vision prescription. During that visit, we thoroughly check your eye health. Your TEI optometrist will examine everything from the soft tissue around your eye, the immune system of the eye, all 5 layers of the cornea, the conjunctiva, the lens, eye muscles and the nerves that control them, the vitreous humor, all 10 layers of the retina and the optic nerve. Optometrists have helped identify diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, blood diseases, and even several types of tumors during annual eye exams. At TEI, your eye health is our priority. Here are a few of the eye conditions we can help diagnose, and manage as well as propose other solutions for your vision correction needs.
Glaucoma Management
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness for people over 60 years old, however, it is preventable with early treatment. Glaucoma is completely symptomless in its early stages. This eye disease usually causes a build-up of fluid inside the eye. The pressure from that fluid damages the optic nerve. During annual eye exams with TEI’s optometrists, we’ll check for any signs of glaucoma.
Glaucoma damage is permanent, and medicine cannot reverse it. However, we can help you manage this condition with medications to slow its progression from causing blindness. With early detection, our optometrists will test the structure and function of the eye using the latest technology available. Once a diagnosis is made medication is used to control the disease so that your vision lasts a lifetime.
Dry Eye Disease
Do your eyes feel gritty or tired most of the time? You might have dry eye disease. Dry eyes don’t just need eye drops; our eyes have a specific balance to help them feel and work their best. We have various treatments that can improve your dry eye condition by treating the disease, not just the symptoms. Learn more about Dry Eyes and how TEI can help.
Digital Eye Strain and Computer Vision Syndrome
People who work in front of computers all day may feel tired. Your eyes might feel dry, gritty, or fatigued. Digital Eye Strain or Computer Vision Syndrome are caused by focusing on digital screens for long periods. Also, people tend to do less than the normal frequency of blinking when using digital devices and blinking is essential for producing and spreading tears on the ocular surface. Up to 70% of North American adults suffer from symptoms of Digital Eye Strain, which include:
- Headaches
- Blurred or double vision
- Sore eyes
- Dry or watery eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain
Research shows that blue light from digital devices causes sleep disturbances by interfering with the REM cycle of sleep. We see these problems in more people and even younger people.
But there is a solution. Talk to your TEI doctor about computer glasses, a pair that blocks the blue light, causing harm. Your computer glasses can include your prescription or bifocals and trifocals if needed. Contact us today to start feeling better as you work!
High Blood Pressure
When looking inside your eyes our optometrists can see the condition and health of blood vessels that might present indications of high blood pressure. This is a common condition in a large percentage of adults that left untreated poses a risk of stroke or heart attack.
Diabetes
While looking at the blood vessels in your eyes our eye doctors can also see indications of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Damage to blood vessels to the retina, the back of the eye, are a serious risk to vision.
High Cholesterol
Frequently, people with high cholesterol present with signs of this condition with the formation of deposits in blood vessels and a blue or yellow ring around the cornea, the outside surface of the eye.
Multiple Sclerosis
Sometimes optometrists are the first doctors to identify signs of MS during a routine eye exam. Inflammation around the optic nerve can trigger concern and the need for further investigation.
Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis
The white part of the eye, the sclera, may appear to be swollen, which can be a \possible sign of lupus, an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack healthy tissues. Like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis can also trigger the body to attack healthy tissues by creating inflammation in joints and various other areas of the body. This can include pain in your eyes. Obviously, a proper diagnosis is necessary but the eyes tell us so much about this potential condition.
Brain Tumors
There are many types of brain tumors and not all are necessarily deadly. But, early detection and treatment are important. Tumors can cause vision loss, affect peripheral vision, cause double vision, and more.
The eye doctors at The Eye Institute are passionate about caring for your eyes. Vision brings so much to life, whether at school, at work, or at play. Let us help you enjoy your best possible vision.
LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK eye surgery is one of the most popular vision correction procedures available today. More than 600,000 LASIK surgeries occur each year in the U.S. LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is used to correct problems with eye focus and clarity and often results in significant vision improvements. If you are considering LASIK eye surgery, contact our team for an initial evaluation. We can help manage your LASIK care — preoperative and post — to ensure your LASIK experience is successful and comfortable.
