Category Archives: Exam Procedures

Exam Procedures, Eye Disease & Problems, Eye Exam Information, Eye Health, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Nutrition & Supplements

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss, affecting more than 10 million Americans – more than cataracts and glaucoma combined.

At present, Macular Degeneration is considered an incurable eye disease.

Macular Degeneration is caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, the inside back layer of the eye that records the images we see and sends them via the optic nerve from the eye to the brain. The retina’s central portion, known as the macula, is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye, and it controls our ability to read, drive a car, recognize faces or colors, and see objects in fine detail.

one can compare the human eye to a camera. The macula is the central and most sensitive area of the so-called film. When it is working properly, the macula collects highly detailed images at the center of the field of vision and sends them up the optic nerve to the brain, which interprets them as sight. When the cells of the macula deteriorate, images are not received correctly. In early stages, macular degeneration does not affect vision. Later, if the disease progresses, people experience wavy or blurred vision, and, if the condition continues to worsen, central vision may be completely lost. People with very advanced macular degeneration are considered legally blind. Even so, because the rest of the retina is still working, they retain their peripheral vision, which is not as clear as central vision.

This is why it is recommended to visit your optometrist annually to monitor diseases closely.

Cataracts, Diabetes, Exam Procedures, Eye Disease & Problems, Eye Exam Information, Eye Health, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration

What are Cataracts?

 

A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye. Cataracts are very common as you get older. In fact, more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of cataracts.

At first, you may not notice that you have a cataract. But over time, cataracts can make your vision blurry, hazy, or less colorful. You may have trouble reading or doing other everyday activities.

The good news is that surgery can get rid of cataracts. Cataract surgery is safe and corrects vision problems caused by cataracts.

What are the types of cataracts?

Most cataracts are age-related — they happen because of normal changes in your eyes as you get older. But you can get cataracts for other reasons — for example, after an eye injury or after surgery for another eye problem (like glaucoma).

No matter what type of cataract you have, the treatment is always surgery.

How will I know?

By scheduling your annual exam. Our doctor’s monitor symptoms as soon as they arise and monitor closely until you are ready for surgery.

Eye Disease & Problems, Eye exam instruments

Changes In Retina May Signal Disorders Elsewhere In The Body

The Washington Post (3/6, Thigpen) reports that according to studies, a specific freckle found in the back of the eye called CHRPE (congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium) “has a ‘statistically significant’ correlation with hereditary colon polyps known as familial adenomatous polyposis, or FAP.”

Fine Eyewear and Eyecare optometrists provides advanced vision care to the families of Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Round Rock and surrounding communities. To read more about our advanced eye exam instrumentation, including retinal imaging  visit our main website.

Eye exam instruments, New Advances in Optometry

OCT May Trump MRI For Measuring MS Effects In Nervous System

MedPage Today Share to FacebookShare to Twitter (6/7, Gever) reported, “A common retinal imaging technology could eventually supplement or even replace MRI for tracking multiple sclerosis (MS) severity and progression.” MedPage Today added, “In analyses presented at the annual meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, distinctive changes to the optic nerve were seen in MS patients imaged with optical coherence tomography (OCT) that correlated with MRI-based markers of disease activity.”

This is an example of why a true, comprehensive eye exam is so much more than just getting your prescription. F.E.

Fine Eyewear & Eye care is a full service eye care facility located in the Heb Whitestone shopping center at Parmer and 1431, located at the three corners of Cedar Park, Austin and Round Rock, TX and a short drive from Georgetown, TX . Some of the local neighborhoods served by Fine Eyewear include Forest Oaks, Silver Oaks,  Teravista,  Avery Ranch, Stone Canyon, Mayfield Ranch,  The Ranch at Brushy Creek, Vista Oaks and Wood Glen – we have an eye doctor close by for you!  Come and See us!

Fine Eyewear & Eye care utilizes the OCT and other advanced exam equipment seen here:   www.FineEyewear.net/instruments.shtml

Eye exam instruments, Glaucoma

Early Signs Of Glaucoma May Be Detected In The Brain.

HealthDay (3/3, Preidt) reported that, according to a study published online “early signs of glaucoma can be detected in the brain.” Working with laboratory animals, researchers from the Vanderbilt Eye Institute “found that a very early mechanism of glaucoma-related vision loss involves deterioration of communication between the optic nerve and the mid-brain, which handles information about sensory input such as sound, heat, cold, pain and pressure.” After a while, “the optic nerve, then the retina, show signs of degeneration,” a study author explained.

 

Currently, regular, comprehensive eye exams are the best known way to detect early signs of glaucoma, allowing early treatment for best out come. The eye doctor will examine your optic nerve and retina during your eye exam.  Fine Eyewear and Eye care has state of the art digital diagnostic eye exam instruments that are designed to assist early detection.

 

Fine Eyewear and Eyecare has full service glaucoma detection and glaucoma eye disease management.  Our office and eye doctor are near Avery Ranch in the 78717 zip code. We located at the corner of Parmer and 1431 in the Heb  complex. Visit our main website for more details www.FineEyewear.Net

Eye exam instruments

High Resolution RETINAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Our office offers High Resolution Retinal Photography, which uses a computer-integrated digital imaging system to record a detailed view of the retina. Since nothing touches the eye, photo-documentation is painless. This digital image provides an excellent reference point for future comparisons.

Retinal photography assists in the detection and management of problems such as diabetic changes, hypertensive retinopathy, macular degeneration, optic nerve disease, and retinal holes or thinning.

We recommend that all our patients receive this test. It is especially important for people with a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, retinal diseases, flashing lights, floaters, headaches, or a strong glasses prescription.

Because retinal (fundus) photography is a highly specialized form of medical imaging, it can’t be done with an ordinary camera.  It requires a customized camera that is mounted to a microscope with intricate lenses and mirrors.  These high-powered lenses are designed so the photographer can visualize the back of the eye by focusing light through the cornea, pupil and lens.

Before beginning, the pupil is dilated with drops.  Otherwise, it would automatically constrict from the bright light of the camera flash.  The patient is asked to stare at a fixation device so the eyes are still.  While the photographer is taking the pictures, the patient will see a series of bright flashes.  The entire process usually takes just a few minutes.