Dry Eye Disease
Dry eyes can occur when your eyes do not produce tears properly or when the tears are not the right consistency and evaporate too quickly. Medications, environmental triggers, and a poor diet can also decrease tear production and make for an unstable tear film. Patients can experience symptoms such as scratchy, red, watery eyes, issues with vision fluctuating or difficulty with reading for extended periods of time. We have seen a dramatic rise in dry eye patients due to the increased time spent at computers and on smart phones in the past few years. We have had some great results in treating dry eyes by formulating a specific plan for each patient and starting treatments early when the greatest effect can be accomplished. During your examination, Dr. Lutz will evaluate your eyes and discuss any problems you may be having to determine if dry eyes is the cause.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a eye disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve and can cause vision loss and blindness. In most cases, the fluid that fills the eye doesn’t drain off fast enough causing an increase in the pressure in the eye. The increased pressure damages the optic nerve causing a loss of nerve fibers that allow us to see. Glaucoma is one of the most undiagnosed medical conditions due to the lack of symptoms in early phases. In most cases, vision will remain normal and there will be no pain to alert somebody that something is wrong. Those at high risk for developing glaucoma are patients over the age of 60, African Americans, diabetics, and those with a family history of glaucoma. If detected, treatment can consist of eye drops, laser treatments, or surgeries to help keep the eye pressure low. During all routine examinations, Dr. Lutz will examine your eyes for any factors that may put you at a high risk for developing glaucoma in the future.
Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration is a deterioration of the portion of the eye (the macula) that controls your central vision. As macular degeneration presents and worsens, people experience wavy or blurred vision that can eventually lead to the complete loss of central vision. Common risk factors for macular degeneration (AMD) include: genetics/family history, Caucasian race, and smoking. It is especially important to visit Dr. Lutz for yearly eye exams if any of these risk factors apply to you. Although, there is currently no cure for AMD, Dr. Lutz can help you reduce your risk or possibly slow down the progression of the disease if you are diagnosed.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes that causes damage to blood vessels in the retina. It occurs when the retinal blood vessels leak blood and other fluids causing the retinal tissue to swell resulting in cloudy or blurred vision. The longer a person has diabetes the more likely they are to develop diabetic retinopathy. Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include: blurred vision, seeing spots or floaters, difficulty seeing well at night, and a dark spot in the central part of your vision. It is important that individuals with diabetes get a comprehensive dilated eye examination every year because early detection and treatment can prevent blindness. If you are diabetic, Dr. Lutz can examine your eyes to determine if you have any signs of retinopathy, discuss treatment options, and relay these results to your primary care doctor.