Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management

In-Depth Care to Elevate Your Quality of Life

So much of our daily lives depends on visual information. From computer work to driving, classroom learning to sports, your visual health can impact how comfortably you perform tasks. Eye health can also help us diagnose and manage conditions that affect your overall health and well-being.

We’re dedicated to providing eye care that supports your quality of life, whether that means helping to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms or maintaining clear vision. We can evaluate, manage, and treat various eye concerns. Book your appointment today so we can discuss your needs.

Request Appointment

What Can Eyes Show Us About Overall Health?

Fun fact: The eyes are an organ we can look at inside and out without surgery or intensive scans.

That means comprehensive eye exams can help detect and lead to timely treatment of various conditions, such as autoimmune disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, stroke, and vascular disease. The eyes are a window to your overall health, and we want to help you protect your vision and well-being.

Helping Patients Manage Various Ocular Conditions

Eye health is essential for maintaining good vision and overall well-being. Many common eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life.

Northwest Vision Source can help you manage your vision and eye health. We perform in-depth assessments, utilize technology, and take the time to understand your concerns. Then, we prescribe treatment and solutions appropriate for your individual health and lifestyle.

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, resulting in blurry or distorted vision.

The primary cause of cataracts is aging, but other factors, such as diabetes, smoking, and prolonged exposure to UV rays (sunlight), can also contribute to their development.

Symptoms

Some common symptoms include:

Cloudy or blurry vision
Difficulty seeing at night
Sensitivity to light
Seeing halos around lights

Treatment

In early development, prescription glasses or contact lenses can help improve vision. However, when cataracts severely impair vision, cataract surgery is the primary treatment.

Cataract surgery removes the clouded lens and replaces it with an artificial or intraocular lens (IOL). The procedure is generally safe and effective, with most patients experiencing significant vision improvement.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina, causing them to leak fluid or bleed.

Diabetes also doubles the risk of developing glaucoma and cataracts. As a result, diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss and, in severe cases, blindness.

Symptoms

Early stages of diabetic retinopathy may not have noticeable symptoms, but as the disease progresses, symptoms can include:

Blurry or wavy vision
Dark areas or vision loss
Floaters or flashes of light
Poor night vision

Treatment

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy focuses on managing blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol to prevent further damage. Laser treatment, injections, or surgery may sometimes be necessary to address the damaged blood vessels and preserve vision.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain.

This damage is often caused by increased intraocular pressure (IOP), although other factors can also contribute to it.

Symptoms

Glaucoma often has no early symptoms, but as the disease progresses, individuals can experience:

Loss of peripheral vision
Difficulty adjusting to dark rooms
Central vision loss
Redness or eye pain

Treatment

Treatment options for glaucoma include prescription eye drops, oral medications, laser therapy, or surgery. These treatments aim to lower eye pressure and slow the disease’s progression, helping to preserve vision.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a leading cause of vision loss among adults over 50. It occurs when the macula (central part of the retina) deteriorates over time.

There are 2 types: dry and wet. Dry is the most common type experienced, and it’s slower developing. Wet AMD is less common but can develop rapidly and is an eye emergency. Contact us if you experience sudden changes to vision or eye comfort.

Symptoms

People with early-stage dry macular degeneration typically experience no symptoms. However, it can still affect eye health. Visual symptoms usually begin to occur in the intermediate stage, late stage, and the wet form.

Symptoms can include:

Increasing blurry or blank spots
Poor night vision
Lines appearing crooked or wavy
Colors appearing dull

Treatment

While there is currently no cure for macular degeneration, certain treatments can help slow its progression and manage symptoms. These may include nutritional supplements, laser therapy, or injections of medications into the eye.

Individualized Care for Your Unique Needs

At Northwest Vision Source, your comfort and well-being are our top priorities. The quality of your vision can change your life, whether it means reducing your reliance on reading glasses or squinting less during screen time. We take the time to listen and understand so we can personalize your care.

Come Visit Us

Our building is in the Reserve Office Park, which is just north of the North May Avenue and 150th Street intersection. Look for the 153rd street sign and turn east into The Reserve Office Park or give our friendly staff a call.