Monitoring Eye Health in Missouri
It’s important to us that eye health is a part of the experience we provide to our patients, and it goes beyond simply assessing their eyes when they come in for their annual appointment. It means looking a little deeper using some of the most advanced diagnostic and imaging technology in the industry, educating patients about their eyes, and learning about them personally to understand which risk factors we should be keeping track of.
When you come into any of our locations, our dedicated eye doctors will go the extra mile to make sure that your eye health never stands in the way of your vision. Read on to learn about some of the most common eye conditions we look for, providing treatment, management, and referrals to get you the care you need before vision loss can occur.
GETTING SCREENED FOR EYE CONDITIONS IS IMPORTANT — AND EASY
An annual eye exam is a great time to get screened for early warning signs of many eye conditions.Even if they develop without warning, you’ll be prepared with us.
Common & Serious Eye Conditions
Many eye diseases develop without much warning, meaning that by the time you notice any symptoms or changes in your vision, it may be too late to prevent them. Here are some of the most common eye health conditions that we look for during a comprehensive eye exam:
Cataracts
As you age, you may develop cataracts in your eye’s natural lens that cause blurry or cloudy vision. Most people get cataracts, but many don’t need to have them surgically replaced. We’ll help you monitor the vision loss caused by cataracts if you have them, and help you make the decision about when to schedule surgery to restore your vision. If you decide that cataract surgery is right for you, we’ll help you find a trusted local eye surgeon and manage your pre-operative and post-operative care.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma describes a group of eye diseases that cause increased pressure in the eye. This intraocular pressure (IOP) will damage the optic nerve and cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. Glaucoma is called the “sneak thief of sight” because it usually won’t show any symptoms until vision loss has occurred. If glaucoma is detected early, it can be managed with non-invasive techniques, which is why it’s so important to have an annual eye exam, even if you don’t wear corrective eyewear.
FOR ULTIMATE PROTECTION, OPT-IN TO THE OPTOS SIGHT SAFETY SCAN
Many eye conditions don’t have visible symptoms — unless you have the right tools and know where to look. Our SightSafety Scan uses Optos retinal imaging for an HD look inside your eye: request your Sight Safety Scan with any eye exam!
Macular Degeneration
The macula is a point in the very center of the retina, the sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. Over time, the macula gets weaker, leading to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD can lead to total loss of central vision, blind spots, and visual distortion. We can detect AMD as early as possible and recommend supplement formulas that slow or halt the progression of the disease. Sometimes, surgical treatment is needed, in which case we’ll help co-manage your care every step of the way.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes can affect blood flow and function inside the eye in a few different ways. When blood vessels in the retina swell or leak, damaging this light-sensitive tissue, it can create irreversible blind spots or blurry vision. Our highly-trained eye doctors will carefully monitor your eyes for diabetic complications, and help you manage their progression. For patients with diabetes, an annual eye exam is especially important.
Myopia Management
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common vision condition where objects close by appear clear, but objects at a distance appear blurry. While eyewear like eyeglasses and contact lenses can correct myopic eyesight, they don’t address the underlying issues of the condition — which can lead to health complications later in life for younger patients. Our myopia management program is personalized for each patient and designed to slow or even stop myopia’s progression. The program uses a variety of advanced solutions, including Ortho-K and MiSight® 1 day lenses, to improve each patient’s eyesight and quality of life.
