Disease Therapy Specialist

What are the most common eye diseases?

Aging leads to many types of eye diseases, though some eye diseases result from other medical conditions. The most common eye diseases tend to include:

Cataracts

A natural part of aging, cataracts can lead to increased glare, cloudy vision, or poor night vision.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma often runs in families, but can also come from high blood pressure, diabetes, and other medical conditions. This disease affects the optic nerve, leading to blind spots, tunnel vision, and blurred vision.

Age-related macular degeneration

Yet another aging-related eye disease, this condition tends to affect people over the age of 65, leading to a breakdown of the part of the retina that allows you to see fine detail.

No matter which eye disease you’re suffering from, effective treatment depends on a proper diagnosis from Dr. Vargas.

How are eye diseases diagnosed?

If you suspect you’re suffering from an eye disease, Dr. Ana Vargas will perform a comprehensive eye exam to observe the health and functioning of your vision. When coupled with your medical history, this exam can help Dr. Vargas identify whether you’re suffering from a particular disease. Some of the tests Dr. Vargas performs include:

Cataracts

To check for signs of cataracts, Dr. Vargas dilates your pupils to better allow her to observe your retinas. She often couples this examination with a slit lamp test to check for abnormalities around your corneas and iris that might indicate cataracts.

Macular Degeneration

When checking for signs of macular degeneration, Dr. Vargas dilates your pupils to check for signs of a yellow deposit, called drusen, that builds up during degeneration. Dr. Vargas also checks for abnormalities in the blood vessels in your eyes using an injectable dye administered through the arm.

Glaucoma

The primary method of diagnosing glaucoma is a simple test that measures the pressure in your eye, called a tonometry test. Abnormally high levels of pressure in your eye might indicate glaucoma, but Dr. Vargas will also check for optic nerve damage and vision loss.

How are eye diseases treated?

As an optometrist, Dr. Vargas most often provides preventive treatment for eye diseases to help slow the progression of the disease. For example, vision therapy can help stave off vision loss associated with macular degeneration.

For some eye diseases, including glaucoma and pink eye, Dr. Vargas might prescribe medication to relieve your symptoms and hinder disease progression. These medications typically come in the form of eye drops and can help combat infection or regulate eye fluid. In some cases, Dr. Vargas might even recommend supplements for bolstering eye health.

Some advanced stages of eye diseases, such as cataracts or glaucoma, often require surgical intervention for treatment. If Dr. Vargas determines that you need such treatment, she might refer you to a qualified ophthalmologist and continue to check in on your status as you recover.

If you or a loved one are suffering from the early effects of an eye disease, don’t delay your treatment. Early and regular treatment from Dr. Vargas at Ooh La La Optometry in Silverlake and Sherman Oaks, California, can save your vision for years to come. Call to schedule your consultation or book online.