Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management

Common Eye Diseases & Conditions

• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that, if left untreated, can cause blindness. Glaucoma typically occurs when fluid builds up inside the eye, raising its internal pressure and damaging the optic nerve. However, glaucoma can develop even if your eye’s internal pressure is within normal range, a condition called normal-tension glaucoma.
• Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis, more commonly known as “pink-eye”, is an inflammation or swelling of the thin layer of tissue, called the conjunctiva, which covers the whites of your eyes. Conjunctivitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection or allergies.
• Cataracts: Cataracts are a common condition many of us will develop as we age. Cataracts form when the natural lenses in our eyes become cloudy and opaque, and often become progressively get worse as we continue to age. Your optometrist might have some strategies to help manage the effect cataracts can have on your eyes, but one of the only ways to effectively treat cataracts is through surgery
• AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration): AMD is one of the leading causes of vision loss among older adults, and happens when the macula, the central area of the eye that controls the acuity of your vision, starts to deteriorate. The macula allows us to read and see faces clearly, and gives us the visual acuity we need for driving.

Speak to your optometrist for more information about eye diseases and to learn which management strategies are best suited to your needs.