Ocular Diseases

Your ability to see is extremely important. Your eyesight makes it possible to see the faces of the people you love, to enjoy a beautiful sunset, and to get around on your own. Certain ocular diseases can put your eyesight at risk and cause permanent vision loss. Our staff at Albuquerque Vision Care and Advanced Eyewear in Albuquerque, NM, wants you to know some of the common ocular diseases and how they can affect your vision.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma causes permanent damage to the optic nerve. It occurs when the fluid drainage canal becomes clogged, causing an increase in eye pressure. The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, and it shows no early symptoms. Most people don't know they have glaucoma until permanent vision loss has occurred. There is no cure for glaucoma; however, with early detection, there are treatment methods that can slow the progression of the disease.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

This is the most common cause of vision loss in people over 60-years-old. This condition occurs when the macula deteriorates. In the early stages, macular degeneration shows no symptoms. As the disease progresses, it can result in blurry vision. Over time, it can cause a dark spot in your central vision. There is no cure for macular degeneration; however, there are treatment methods available to slow the progression of the disease. In the early stages, vitamins are helpful. Later, anti-angiogenic drugs and laser therapy can help.

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when protein deposits build up on the lens portion of your eye. This can make it difficult to see. Many who have cataracts compare their vision to looking out of a dirty window. It also causes blurry vision and vision fluctuations. In the early stages, your optometrist will recommend a new eyeglass prescription. In the later stages, cataract surgery would be performed. It is a routine surgery where your eye doctor would replace your cloudy lens with a clear, artificial lens.

Keratoconus

Your cornea is supposed to be round, shaped like a ball. If you have keratoconus, it will bulge out into a cone shape. This disease causes blurry vision and sensitivity to light. The most common treatment for this disease is gas-permeable contact lenses. These lenses are rigid, which helps hold your cornea in a round shape. If gas-permeable lenses are not comfortable, you can wear a piggyback lens. With this treatment, you would wear a soft contact lens to act as a cushion underneath the hard lens.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes. If your condition is not under control, it can cause small blood vessels in the retina to leak, grow, and new blood vessels can branch off. In the early stages, there are no symptoms. Later, you can develop blurry vision, blind spots, floaters, and eventually, blindness. Injectable medications, eye surgery, and laser surgery can slow the progression of the disease.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

Because many ocular diseases show no early symptoms, regular eye care at Albuquerque Vision Care and Advanced Eyewear is essential. Our doctors of optometry perform annual eye exams to catch the early signs of eye disease. You can call us at to schedule an appointment today!