Detecting & Managing Eye Diseases
Regular eye exams are a vital component of preventive health care. During your eye exam, we’ll check your eyewear prescription while also screening for signs of eye diseases and other serious eye conditions.
We invest in innovative diagnostic and treatment technologies that help us catch signs of many eye diseases, often before symptoms arise. With early detection, we can work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that helps manage the effects of your condition.
Safeguard your vision today with a comprehensive eye exam.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Many eye diseases cause permanent damage to your vision before you notice any symptoms. If your optometrist catches them early enough, they might be able to slow the progression or prevent vision loss.
After diagnosis, we’ll work together to create a treatment plan tailored to your specific diagnosis and lifestyle.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over 50. That’s why we offer a free AMD screening for patients 50+ during their eye exam. We use the Dark Adaptation device to test your eyes’ response time as they adjust to darkness.
If we detect signs of AMD, we’ll do more in-depth testing, including optos retinal imaging and Octovue iVue OCT scans. Our team is here to guide you through treatment options to help slow the progression of AMD and improve outcomes.
AMD impacts the part of the eye responsible for central vision. While people with AMD may not experience any pain or symptoms as it progresses, without intervention, AMD can lead to permanent loss of central vision. Regular eye exams and screenings are vital for detecting AMD before it impacts your vision.
Symptoms of more advanced AMD include:
- Gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly
- Straight lines look wavy or crooked
- Your color vision is no longer clear
- A dark spot or empty area in the center of your vision
Contact us right away if you or a family member notice any of the above symptoms.
Cataracts
Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes clouded. Cataracts can cause blurred or clouded vision, glare, decreased color perception, and partial vision loss. While cataracts are a normal part of aging, they are also one of the leading causes of preventable blindness.
During the early stages of cataracts, we can help you maintain your vision by adjusting your prescription. As they progress, we may recommend cataract surgery. We’ll help co-manage your condition and provide recommendations for surgeons and assist with pre-surgery testing and post-operative healing.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which sends messages from the eyes to the brain, often from increased eye pressure. In early stages, there are typically no noticeable symptoms, but left untreated, glaucoma can cause vision loss. Eye exams are crucial for detecting glaucoma before vision problems arise.
Symptoms of more advanced glaucoma include:
- Loss of peripheral (side) vision
- Tunnel vision
During your comprehensive eye exam, we’ll screen for eye diseases, including glaucoma. Our visual field analyzer, RETeval, optos retinal imaging, and iVue OCT scanner are used together to check for signs of glaucoma or other eye conditions.
If you’re diagnosed with glaucoma, we’ll work with you to find a medication protocol that suits your vision and lifestyle. We offer both oral medications and prescription eye drops to help manage your condition.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a condition that causes the cornea (the front part of the eye) to thin and bulge into a cone shape. Symptoms of keratoconus include:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions
- Increased sensitivity to light
- A sudden worsening or clouding of vision
To help manage keratoconus, we can fit you with glasses and soft or rigid gas-permeable contact lenses. We’ll spend time with you to make sure your prescription and contact lens fit are right, so your vision is clear and your eyes are comfortable.
In more advanced stages, we’ll help co-manage your treatment and can recommend a surgeon if you need corneal crosslinking or other surgical treatment methods.
Other Eye Conditions
Our team also screens for other eye conditions that impact your vision or quality of life. During your comprehensive eye exam, we’ll test that your eyes are working properly, there are no visible signs of eye disease, and your vision doesn’t show any significant changes that could indicate a problem.
Learn more about the other common conditions we can detect, diagnose, monitor, and manage.
Diabetic eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema are caused by uncontrolled blood sugar levels, which damage the blood vessels in the eye.
If you have diabetes or prediabetes, a comprehensive diabetic eye exam is vital to managing your overall health. Through retinal imaging and exams, we can check the health of your blood vessels and monitor your eye health. An eye exam also gives a good indication of your overall health, as it’s the only place in the body where we can directly view blood vessels.
Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis causes inflammation of the eye’s surface as well as redness, itching, and discharge.
If you or your child has suspected conjunctivitis, contact us right away. We’ll aim to get you seen the same day. It’s essential to receive a proper diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms, as conjunctivitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or allergies, and treatments vary depending on the underlying condition.
Flashes of light or spots drifting in your vision can indicate changes in the vitreous gel inside the eye. While often harmless, flashes and floaters can sometimes signal a more serious condition, such as retinal detachment.
It’s important to come in for an eye exam if you notice any changes to your vision, as we can check for any underlying causes.
Dry eye is a common and chronic condition that impacts millions of Americans. It occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or have poor tear quality. Symptoms of dry eye include:
- Scratchy or gritty feeling
- Burning or stinging
- Redness
- Persistent eye watering
- Blurred vision
- Eye fatigue
If you are dealing with dry eye, you may also experience discomfort while wearing contact lenses. However, you don’t need to live with these symptoms. We offer dry eye services, including in-depth testing, diagnosis, and in-office or take-home treatment methods.
Stay Ahead of Eye Disease & Protect Your Vision
Regularly scheduled, comprehensive eye exams are your first line of defence against eye diseases that can cause irreversible vision loss.
Let us help you maintain your vision health for years to come. Book your eye exam today.
Our 6 Eye Clinic Locations in Greater Nashville
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Antioch (Hickory Hollow)
- 5323 Mt. View Road
- Antioch, TN 37013-2308
Clarksville
- 2024 Wilma Rudolph Blvd., Suite C
- Clarksville, TN 37040-6879
Hendersonville
- 386 W Main Street, Suite 104
- Hendersonville, TN 37075-3349