Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management in Santa Ana, California

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes the central area of your retina (the macula) to deteriorate, causing vision loss and even blindness if left untreated. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among Americans over 65, with that number expected to rise as the population ages.

There are two types of AMD:

• Dry AMD is the more common form of AMD, affecting around 90% of individuals diagnosed with AMD. Dry AMD occurs when fatty proteins called drusen accumulate around the macula and affect vision.
• Wet AMD is less common than dry AMD, but much more severe. Wet AMD causes new abnormal blood vessels to grow beneath the retina and rupture, causing blood and fluid to leak. The leakage can cause permanent damage to cells and create blind spots in your vision.

Cataracts develop when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy and opaque, usually as a side effect of aging. As we age, the proteins in our lenses can begin to clump together, clouding the lens and causing hazy or blurry vision.

In the early stages, you may not notice substantial changes to your vision. Patients with mild cataracts may be able to maximize their vision using bright lights, magnifying aids, or stronger glasses. However, as the condition progresses, your vision will become increasingly impaired. The only cure for cataracts is cataract surgery.

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, causes the conjunctiva (inside of the eyelids) and whites of the eyes to become irritated and inflamed. Although uncomfortable and at times unsightly, conjunctivitis is easily treated. Depending on the root cause, you may not require treatment at all.

Conjunctivitis causes red, itchy, watery eyes that may produce a yellowish-brown discharge. It is important not to rub your eyes or touch your face if you believe you may have pink eye.

Conjunctivitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection or may be caused by an allergic reaction to pet dander, pollen, or other allergens. Allergic conjunctivitis can usually be managed using antihistamines.

Viral conjunctivitis is extremely contagious but, like the common cold, can’t be cured. The only way to deal with viral conjunctivitis is to let it run its course.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is also highly contagious and needs to be treated using antibiotics. Please book an appointment so we can begin treatment as soon as possible.

Eye floaters are generally a regular occurrence caused by proteins suspended in the clear gel-like material of the eye (the vitreous). As we age, the gel-like substance becomes thinner, allowing the proteins to move more easily.

The proteins will “float” within the eye and sometimes pass through the line of vision. Seeing these floaters is totally normal, but if you begin to develop flashes of light or clouds of floaters, please visit us as soon as possible so we can take a closer look at your eyes.

Glaucoma is a common eye disease that occurs when the optic nerve becomes damaged. This is typically caused by a buildup of pressure in the eye (the intraocular pressure), but can occur even if the eye’s internal pressure is within normal range (called normal-tension glaucoma).

We will use various methods of tonometry to test for glaucoma, such as the Icare Tonometer, Non-contact tonometry, or the Goldmann applanation method.

Non-contact tonometry uses a puff of air to test the eye’s pressure by measuring resistance. The Goldmann applanation method measures the force necessary to flatten an area of the cornea using a dull, soft cone.

The Icare Tonometer tests your intraocular pressure with a rebound measuring principle. This test does not use a puff of air and does not require numbing eye drops. It allows us to test the pressure of your eye more quickly, and many patients report that this is the most comfortable tonometry test.

Types of Glaucoma

There are two major types of glaucoma:

• Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma and occurs when the drainage ducts in the eyes become partially blocked. This causes the fluid inside the eye to gradually build up, putting pressure on the optic nerve, which damages it over time. In its early stages, this form of glaucoma is painless and patients rarely exhibit symptoms, which is why it is important to have regular eye exams.
• Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the drainage ducts become suddenly blocked, causing a buildup of fluid called an acute attack. When this happens, you may experience a sudden loss of vision, severe eye pain, headache, nausea or vomiting, and may see halos around lights. If this occurs, you should call us immediately or visit your nearest emergency, as this can cause blindness if left untreated.