Eye Disease Diagnosis and Management | Atlanta

Putting Your Eye Health First

At VEA, your eye health is our priority. That’s why our comprehensive eye exams include a thorough evaluation of your ocular health, not just your eyeglass prescription.

Many eye diseases, such as keratoconus, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, begin without noticeable symptoms. If left undetected and untreated, they can cause permanent vision loss.

Dr. Williams and our team of optical technicians work together to monitor your eye health for early signs of eye disease. By scheduling regular appointments, we can keep an eye on your visual health and catch signs of problems before you notice changes to your vision.

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Early Detection and Diagnosis

By scheduling regular eye exams as a measure of preventive care, we can monitor your eye health over time, collecting information about your healthy baseline that we can compare to in the future. This helps us catch changes early.

Early detection and diagnosis of eye diseases can often result in more treatment options and better outcomes. While many vision changes caused by eye diseases are irreversible, catching these signs early allows us to focus on preventive care and treatment options, which can preserve your vision and manage your condition to prevent vision loss.

Keratoconus Management

Keratoconus occurs when the normally round cornea (that’s the clear, front part of the eye) becomes thin and irregular or cone-shaped. This causes blurry vision as it affects how light is focused on the retina.

Keratoconus can be caused by genetics, frequent eye rubbing, and a history of asthma, allergies, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Down syndrome, or retinitis pigmentosa. We recommend that those with seasonal allergies, especially young children, get an exam at an early age for early detection.

Keratoconus is usually managed through updated eyewear prescriptions. Dr. Williams is proficient at fitting scleral lenses for patients with keratoconus. These specialty contact lenses have a unique design, made from a rigid gas-permeable material that holds its shape and allows for oxygen exchange. They have an extra-wide diameter and are made to sit on the white part of your eye (the sclera) and vault over the cornea without touching it. That makes these lenses comfortable for individuals with keratoconus.

We monitor keratoconus using corneal topography, which maps the front portion of your eyes, and OCT scans on the front part of the eye to track changes and keep an eye on your ocular health. In most cases, keratoconus will stabilize in early adulthood and can be managed through updated prescriptions, but in more severe cases, we may refer patients for corneal cross-linking, which helps to stimulate collagen molecules in the cornea and strengthen this tissue.

Glaucoma Management

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss. Glaucoma comes in many types, including:

Open-Angle Glaucoma: Occurs if the eye’s drainage channels become blocked. Internal eye pressure increases, which damages the optic nerve.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Occurs if the space between the cornea and the iris narrows, causing fluid to become trapped inside the eye and increasing internal pressure. A sudden occurrence is a medical emergency.
Secondary Glaucoma: Occurs as a result of an injury or trauma to the eye area, or from another eye disease. Secondary glaucoma may be an emergency, especially when caused by an injury.
Normal-tension Glaucoma: Occurs when the internal eye pressure remains within the normal range, but the optic nerve is damaged.

As there are a variety of causes and symptoms related to glaucoma, we complete a variety of tests to screen for glaucoma and monitor the condition after diagnosis.

Tests related to glaucoma include optical coherence tomography scans, which allow us to monitor the health of the optic nerve; visual field testing, which objectively measures your peripheral vision; electroretinogram (ERG), which tests your eye function; and eye pressure checks, done with iCare tonometry during screenings and through manual checks by Dr. Williams for a more precise measurement in patients diagnosed with glaucoma.

Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye diseases that result from complications of diabetes. These conditions include diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema, as well as an increased risk of cataracts and glaucoma.

Dr. Williams recommends annual eye exams for all people living with diabetes to monitor their eye health and catch conditions early. During these exams, he also completes a detailed report to share with your primary care provider as part of your overall diabetes management plan.

Our diabetic eye exams include optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans and electroretinograms to check eye health and function in detail.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for your central vision and most of your color vision. Central vision loss can impair your ability to read, write, and see faces.

Macular degeneration can occur in two forms: dry and wet. The dry form occurs when the central macular tissue thins and stops working properly. The wet form occurs when fluids leak from the blood vessels into the macula and causes vision loss.

While there is no cure for macular degeneration, specially-formulated supplements can support eye health for at-risk or diagnosed patients. We’ll discuss these options during your appointment.

Eye Disease Prevention Begins with Eye Exams

We understand the worry that can come with living with a family history of eye disease or a diagnosed condition. At VEA, we’re here to provide support and guidance every step of the way.

Our team is focused on providing medically-focused exams that support your eye health and treatment plan. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with a condition or we’re just monitoring your eye health, we’re here for all of your eye care needs.

Protecting your eyes from vision-threatening conditions begins with routine monitoring. Start by booking your comprehensive eye exam today.

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