Eye Disease Diagnosis and Management in Northern Nevada

Glaucoma is a disease that affects the eye health of nearly three million Americans.

There are many different types of glaucoma, and each can occur in different ways. However, glaucoma is most commonly related to a critical increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), leading to damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. We can diagnose glaucoma by observing your optic nerve for damage or using a tonometer to measure your IOP levels.

There are three common types of glaucoma:

• Open-angle glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle between the iris and cornea remains open, but the fluid inside the eyes (aqueous humor) does not drain properly. As this fluid builds up, it raises the IOP levels, possibly due to blockages inside the drainage canal, known as the anterior chamber. Over time, the pressure damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss.
• Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle between the iris and cornea closes, causing the IOP levels to rise rapidly, leading to extreme eye pain and sudden vision loss. Closed-angle glaucoma is considered a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
• Normal-tension glaucoma is one of the only types of glaucoma that develops without increased IOP levels. However, we can diagnose it by observing your optic nerve during an eye exam.

Cataracts are an eye condition that causes your eyes’ natural lenses to become rigid and opaque, turning them milky and cloudy. Glasses and contacts can correct minor vision issues caused by cataracts, but more severe cases can leave you legally blind.

The only way to treat cataracts is by removing them with cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is similar to a refractive lens exchange, which replaces your natural cataract lens with an artificial intraocular lens.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults over 55. AMD targets and deteriorates the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision, which helps you drive, read, and recognize faces.

There are two common types of AMD:

• Dry AMD occurs when deposits of yellowish lipids, known as drusen, develop under your retina. These deposits slowly thin and deteriorate the macula, leading to central vision loss.
• Wet AMD is much less common than dry AMD, but it is responsible for nearly 90% of AMD-related blindness. This disease develops when delicate blood vessels form under the macula and retina, which break and leak fluids into your macula, causing vision loss. Wet AMD is considered to be a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.

Many people may experience conjunctivitis (pink eye) at least once in their life. There are many types of conjunctivitis with different causes, but symptoms are similar.

The three most common type of conjunctivitis are:

• Allergic Conjunctivitis: Allergies brought on from dust, pollen, and dander may cause conjunctivitis. You can usually manage these symptoms using allergy medication.
• Viral Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis caused by viral infection has no known cure and will need to run its course.
• Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Bacterial infections can also cause conjunctivitis and need antibiotics to treat effectively.

Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious. Please try to manage your contact with others and refrain from using communal items to avoid spreading infection.