Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a series of related eye disease that all affect the health
of the optic nerve, that usually go on to cause blindness if left
untreated, and are almost always completely without symptoms. The chief hallmark is the gradual erosion of the tissue of the optic nerve (see first image below). The patient’s eye pressure is usually, but not always measured to be high. In fact, recent studies show that a high percentage of patients with glaucoma NEVER register a statistically high eye pressure. The typical treatment includes one or more of many different medicated eye drops.
That is why it is important not to rely on the pressure test alone in
determining whether or not you or a loved one has Glaucoma. Only a
thorough Glaucoma work up including optic nerve analysis and computerize
visual fields testing can conclusively determine a diagnosis of Glaucoma.
Dr. Jeffrey F. Martin has been certified by the Texas Board of
Optometry as a Glaucoma Specialist, having passed an exhaustive
certification process including a proctored examination by the University
of Houston, Houston, Texas. Dr. Martin has been treating Glaucoma as a
part of his practice since 1993.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a leading cause of reversible vision loss worldwide.
Cataracts are typically the result of the aging process, but new research
seems to indicate a
nutritional
component to their development.
Cataracts occur in the natural lens that is behind the Iris, or colored
part of the eye. A typical misconception is that Cataracts are film like
membranes that grow over the cornea, the clear window to the eye. Over
time, the clear lens of the eye becomes cloudier, blocking vision.
Think of a car’s windshield. If someone were to put Vaseline all over
it, one could not see out clearly. When we provide lenses to sharpen a
patient’s vision, we change the shape and thickness of the lens. So to
continue the example, we could change the shape of the car’s windshield,
but because of the Vaseline, you still wouldn’t be able to see out no
matter how you change the windshield’s shape. Likewise, a cataract is
optically like that Vaseline coated windshield - no matter how you change
the shape of the glasses in front of the cataract, the image won’t get
past the cloudiness.
Through the marvel of advanced microsurgery, vision can be restored by
removing the cataract, and replacing it with an Intra Ocular Lens (IOL).
Our doctors have years of experience in managing the surgical treatment of
cataracts, including surgeon selection, pre and postoperative care. And as
we become your family eye doctors, we’ll know your vision history best.
Selecting the proper Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) power will determine your
visual outcome; so rely on our years of experience to help you get the
best results!
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) affects one in two Americans
over the age of fifty. It is a complex disease process that robs its
victims of central vision, often leaving them visually dependent on
specialized magnifiers and telescopes for normal activities of daily
living. Although the absolute cause has not been determined, it is thought
that nutrition
plays a significant role, along with smoking, and your family history.
Patient with AMD often do not know they have a potentially sight
threatening problem in the early stages. There are two types of AMD, of
which 80% are the so-called "Dry Type" and 20% of the "Wet
Type". A main long-term difference is that the Wet Type cases have a
much poorer prognosis because of its associated new blood vessel growth
and subsequent bleeding into the macula, although a recent breakthrough
treatment called Visudyne is now available to treat this Wet Form of AMD.
A thorough, dilated eye exam can determine if you or a love one is at
risk for AMD. If you are over the age of fifty, or if your family eye
history includes AMD, you should be examined annually. If you’re due for
an exam, or if you or someone you love is at risk, call Clear View Vision
Care today for an Eye Health and Vision
Examination. One of our caring and
experienced doctors will determine if you eyes are at risk.
