There are many eye conditions that require medical intervention or close monitoring for securing your best health and vision outcomes. At Coastal Family Eyecare, our staff takes a vested interest in the immediate and long-term care that patients require for various eye conditions and diseases.

Common Eye Conditions

Some less serious, but still bothersome eye conditions like Blepharitis (inflammation of the oil glands in the eyelids) and Dry Eye may require regular attention by an eye specialist. Although they can be chronic issues, it is also possible for them to be resolved when the root issues can be treated. Blepharitis can be caused by blocked oil glands, allergies, mites called Demodex, and skin conditions like eczema, among other things. This inflammation is the main cause of Dry Eye, a bothersome and persistent sensation of dry, itchy, or burning eyes. When the oil glands are inflamed, not enough oil is secreted to protect the tear film on the surface of the eye, which evaporates too quickly and causes dry, watery eyes. In many cases, intentional lid care can clear up different causes of Blepharitis, and with it, Dry Eye. In more intense or chronic cases, other treatments may be required. Our office is now offering a new treatment called TearCare. This is a device that targets the oil glands in the eyelids with heat to reduce inflammation.

Another treatable medical eye condition is Cataracts. Cataracts are the fogging of the lens inside the eye which causes clouded vision. Cataracts usually occur naturally in advanced age, and after they progress a certain amount, your optometrist will refer you for surgery. Cataract surgery has extremely high rates of positive outcomes, and you will receive post-op care from your ophthalmologist and your optometrist to ensure proper healing.

Eye Disease

There are some progressive eye diseases which are not curable and must be treated by your optometrist and ophthalmologist for maximized vision and quality of life. Dr. Wilder has been keeping up with clinical research on new treatment possibilities and is excited about the future of medical eye care. With decades of experience managing these diseases, the most advanced imaging technology, and a talented team, she is ready to help you maintain the quality of life that healthy vision promotes.

Diabetes is a condition that can affect your eyes. It is important to see an optometrist annually for a Diabetic Eye Exam to make sure that the Diabetes (type 1, 2, and gestational) is controlled and does not cause Diabetic Retinopathy, a condition that affects the blood vessels in the retina. Diabetic Retinopathy can lead to progressive blindness in the central vision as the retina does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients from the weakened blood vessels. Dr. Wilder works with her patients to control factors that contribute to the progression of this disease.

Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, which sends all the visual information to the brain. Much of the time, this damage is accompanied by, or caused by high intraocular pressures. With progression, Glaucoma can lead to loss of peripheral vision, resulting in "tunnel vision". There are medications and treatment options to slow progression and preserve vision.

Macular Degeneration (common acronym is ARMD for Age-Related Macular Degeneration), is a thinning of the macula that causes distorted, blurry central vision in affected areas. The exact cause is unknown but may be related to lifestyle habits like smoking and diet. ARMD has two stages. Dry ARMD has the symptoms listed above. Once the disease progresses to the wet stage (usually over the course of years), the tissue has become vascularized and sub-retinal leaks cause blinds spots in the central vision. Of course, your ophthalmologist and optometrist will work with you to slow the progression of degeneration with multiple treatment options for distinct stages.

There are other less common diseases and conditions that Dr. Wilder can treat or consult for surgery referral including muscle imbalances, corneal abnormalities, and other conditions mentioned on our Eye Emergencies page.

To learn more about a specific eye condition, see the links below. Here is a well-done vision simulator to show how different conditions affect sight.

For More Information:

• Dry Eye

• Glaucoma

• Cataracts

• Low Vision

• Demodex

• Pink eye

• Macular Degeneration