Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among working-age (ages 20–74) Americans. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. Efficacious and cost-effective interventions to detect and treat diabetic retinopathy are available. Individuals with diabetes should have a dilated eye exam each year, but only about two thirds receive the recommended exam. Moreover, good management of diabetes by good glucose, blood pressure, and lipid control can reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy. People at risk for diabetes should modify their lifestyle to delay or prevent diabetes by good diet and physical activity.

Glaucoma can be controlled and vision loss stopped by early detection and timely treatment. Nevertheless, half of all people with glaucoma are not diagnosed and glaucoma is still the number-one blinding disease among African Americans. People who are at risk for glaucoma are African Americans aged 40 years and older, everyone older than age 60, especially Mexican Americans, and people with a family history of glaucoma. People falling in these groups should have a dilated eye exam every two years by an eye care professional.

Dry eye is caused due to multiple factors such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome. However the most common cause in today’s lifestyle is because of increased digital device use and meibomian gland dysfunction( blockage of oil producing glands in our eyelids). Dry eye can be easily treated with lubricant eye drops and warm compresses. Severe cases require punctal plugs and laser treatment(IPL Lumenis).

Glaucoma is a silent blinding disease with strong genetic association. If there is a positive history of glaucoma in your family, you should get yourselves tested immediately. Even if the tests come out negative, it should be repeated at the age of 40 years.

Even if your vision has not changed, it is recommended to get an yearly eye test. Consider this as the routine servicing you get done for your car.

For majority (read 99.9%), there will not be any need for glasses after laser refractive surgery. However, in some cases, you may need glasses which can be resolved by a repeat procedure.

Remember, Laser refractive surgeries correct your distant vision. With progressing age, you will require reading glasses.

Cataracts are a major cause of vision loss. Among Americans aged 40 years and older, 24.4 million, have cataracts. Cataract removal surgery can restore vision, and this surgery is highly cost-effective; however, among African Americans, unoperated senile cataracts remain a major cause of blindness. Some possible risk factors other than age could be diabetes, smoking, and prolonged exposure to sunlight.

The common retinal disorders are as follows:

Diabetic retinopathy – caused by long standing diabetes.
Age related macular degeneration (ARMD)

During an eye exam, your optometrist can run a variety of tests depending on your symptoms, medical history, and what your eye doctor recommends. Eye exam costs depend on the tests and your insurance coverage. At Eyepic Slope Eye Care, we accept both health insurances and vision plans. We would be happy to give you an estimate before your eye exam.

Eye examination is very important in young children. If one notices that his or her child is having difficulty in seeing objects like blackboards or television, eye rubbing, watering, or squinting it indicates that the child might have a refractive error. Abnormal watering, discharge or white reflex in eye should also be brought to the notice of your eye doctor.