For individuals who need trustworthy help with acute or chronic eye problems, Grapevine Vision is the medical optometry clinic that delivers prompt diagnosis and attentive management. We achieve this through careful examination & diagnostic imaging. We turn sudden or long-standing symptoms into clear answers and step-by-step recovery plans, restoring both vision and peace of mind.
When should you schedule an ocular health, medical or emergency evaluation?
If you think you have an emergency, it is best to trust your instinct and get immediate help. Here are some common situations that should be considered urgent and that we manage:
Eye infections
Foreign objects in the eye, such as small shards of glass or metal
Cuts or punctures of the eye or eyelid
Chemical exposure causing pain or vision problems
Sudden vision loss or change in your vision
Scratches caused by foreign objects
Sudden onset of floaters or flashes of light
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic medical condition that may be associated with ocular side effects. Here are some common medical diagnoses with associated ocular conditions that we manage:
If you have been diagnosed with an eye disease or have a strong family history of eye disease. Here are some common ocular diagnoses that we manage (see below for more information):
Macular Degeneration
Glaucoma
Cataracts
Diabetic Retinopathy
What should you know about macular degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration – abbreviated as AMD – is a disease of the retina, the light-sensitive portion of your eye. Your macula is a component of the retina and is responsible for your central vision. In AMD, the macula loses its ability to detect light, resulting in a partial or total loss of central vision. People with late-stage AMD are unable to see objects straight in front of them, making it difficult to perform many activities, like using a computer, reading, driving, or recognizing faces.
Risk factors for developing AMD:
Age
Family history or genetic predisposition
Prolonged sun exposure
Smoker or past smoker
There is no cure for AMD. Instead, people who have AMD require treatments that help slow the progression of the disease, which is why early detection is very important. AMD typically causes no symptoms until vision begins to fade. Having routine eye exams, especially over age 50, is important for catching AMD as early as possible.
Taking specific “eye vitamins” may help slow the progression of AMD, and it’s also important to take care of your overall health. Quitting smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling your blood pressure and your cholesterol are important lifestyle changes you should consider. You should also wear sunglasses that protect you from UVA and UVB rays.
What should you know about glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to your optic nerve, the nerve connecting the eye to the brain. It typically results from a build-up of fluid in the front part of the eye; this pressure damages the optic nerve. Open-angle glaucoma (most common) occurs when your eye’s drainage system looks normal, but the fluid doesn’t leave the eye as it’s designed to do. Angle-closure glaucoma when the drain space between your cornea and iris narrows, causing your intraocular pressure to suddenly buildup. There are many other types of glaucoma.
Glaucoma doesn’t usually display any symptoms in the early stages, which is why early detection during yearly eye exams is essential.
Acute angle-closure is typically associated with eye pain, vomiting and/or nausea, redness in your eyes, and/or loss of vision.
Late-stage glaucoma is typically associated with loss of peripheral vision, narrowed vision, or tunnel vision
Anyone can develop glaucoma. But in most cases, it affects adults age 40 and older. Other risk factors include:
Diabetes
Trauma to the eye
Taking certain medications such as prednisone
Family history of glaucoma
The treatment plan will depend on the severity of the condition. Typical options include eye drops, laser surgery, or microsurgery. The least invasive treatment is preferred, but severe cases may require surgery immediately to alleviate fluid blockages.
What should you know about cataracts?
Cataracts are the most well-known eye condition associated with age. A cataract develops when the natural lens inside the eye begins to breakdown, causing it to become cloudy and yellow. In general, cataracts develop in both eyes, though not always evenly.
When viewing things through a cataract, items may appear hazy, blurry or less colorful. In addition to the vision changes, other symptoms of cataracts include:
Greater sensitivity to glare and light
Yellowing of colors
Dim vision
Double vision that’s in just one eye
Needing more or brighter light for reading and similar activities
Difficulty with driving, especially at night
Seeing rings or halos around lights
Cataracts are definitively diagnosed by your eye doctor. Once diagnosed, and during the early stages of the disease, the changes in vision associated with cataracts can often be addressed by using prescription glasses. When this strategy to clear your vision is no longer working, surgery is often the next step.
Cataracts are a part of the natural aging process for many people, however, there are several strategies you can implement that could help slow their progression or prevent them from developing earlier in your life. These include attending routine/regular eye exams, protecting your eyes from the sun, and making positive lifestyle changes including healthy diet, reduced alcohol consumption and smoking cessation.
What should you know about diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes that affects your eyes. It is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). This causes bleeding, swelling, and abnormal blood vessel growth. The longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar is, the more likely you are to develop this eye condition.
Diabetic retinopathy often causes few (if any) symptoms in the early stages. You may only notice minor vision issues that could be attributed to other causes. As it gets worse, you may notice symptoms such as:
Empty or dark areas within your line of vision
Fluctuating vision
Dark strings and/or spots (i.e. floaters) in your vision
Loss of vision
Reduction in color vision
The most serious complications that can arise from diabetic retinopathy include vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, glaucoma & blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is the number one cause of vision loss in diabetic patients.
Management of your diabetes under the care of a medical professional — with a treatment plan that includes regular visits to the eye doctor — is the best way to prevent loss of vision.
