Ocular Disease Diagnosis & Treatment

At Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry, we know that ocular diseases can get in the way of your vision and, ultimately, your well-being. This is why we advocate getting a regular eye exam in Reston, Arlington, Falls Church, Crystal City, Alexandria, or Berryville. Detected early enough, ocular diseases can be kept at bay, letting you enjoy clear vision.

Some of the ocular diseases that we can help you manage include:

Conjunctivitis

Often called “pink eye,” conjunctivitis is the swelling or inflammation of the thin tissue layer lining the eyelid’s inner surface and covering the eye’s white part. A common disease particularly in children, it can manifest in one or both eyes and comes in three types: allergic, infectious (bacterial or viral), and chemical. Treatment depends on the type of conjunctivitis. For instance, bacterial conjunctivitis will need antibiotic eye drops while chemical cases may be prescribed topical steroids after saline flushing is carried out.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Occurring in those diagnosed with diabetes, diabetic retinopathy leads to progressive retinal damage. Over time, diabetes damages retinal blood vessels, causing tissue in the retina to swell, which results in blurred or cloudy vision. Treatment depends on how extensive the disease is, but some options include medication to reduce eye inflammation and surgery to repair retinal detachment. Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness.

Hypertensive Retinopathy

Hypertensive retinopathy is retinal damage arising from high blood pressure. Hypertension can damage the retina’s small blood vessels, causing thickening in vessel walls that limits blood flow and reduces blood supply to the retina. Addressing hypertensive retinopathy is a matter of addressing how to lower blood pressure in the long-term.

Cataracts

Another common ocular disease, cataracts are the primary cause of vision loss in those over the age of 40. They are characterized by cloudy vision, but start out mild enough to not affect sight. When detected early, the condition may be eased using specialized eyeglasses. When poor vision is seriously impairing daily life, however, surgery may be prescribed to restore vision.

Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration occurs when the macula, a part of the retina, is damaged. The condition leads to loss of central vision, blurring fine details whether looking at something close or far, but leaves peripheral vision unaffected. There is no cure for ARMD; we can provide treatments such as injections or vitamen therapy, which can reduce progression.

Glaucoma

An ocular disease that damages the optic nerve, glaucoma typically occurs when fluid builds up in the eye’s front part. This puts pressure on the eye, which damages the optic nerve. Unfortunately, early stages of development don’t have symptoms so nearly half of those with glaucoma do not realize they have it. Glaucoma is permanent but medication and surgery may be harnessed to stop further damage, highlighting the importance of early detection that regular eye exams can offer.

Schedule An Eye Exam at Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry Today

For decades, Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry has been providing top-notch eye care in Alexandria, Reston, Falls Church, and Crystal City, to address a wide variety of eye health-related concerns. To schedule an eye exam, just give us a call at one of our locations or fill out our online contact form.