Dry Eye is more than an uncomfortable condition. It is a chronic, progressive eye disorder with treatment options. At Toluca Lake Optometric Center, we passionately and aggressively treat dry eye. The majority of the cause of dry eye is inflammation in the oil glands (meibomian glands) of the eyelids. This inflammation leads to blockage of oil production, which leads to eventual oil gland destruction. We take a multi-treatment approach to truly restore oil gland function. Call to schedule your dry eye assessment today! We offer the latest in office treatment to combat dry eye- moist heat with an eye massage to open up the clogged meibomian glands. As well as Light Laser Therapy to treat, MGD, Ocular Rosacea, Dry Eye and Styes (Hordeolas and Chalazia). The Equinox is state of the art technology to help treat dry eye.
Glaucoma is a silent eye disease. It is a condition in which your eye pressure gradually increases, physically damaging your optic nerve, leading to permanent vision loss. You typically won't feel glaucoma or notice the subtle vision loss until it is much too late. We check your eye pressure and look at your optic nerves during every yearly comprehensive exam. If we are ever suspicious that you may be at risk to develop this disease, we would schedule you for further testing. This testing includes: checking your eye pressure, looking at how open your drainage angles are, checking your optic nerve thickness, and measuring any amount of vision loss. If we ever found changes, we would begin treatment and monitor for change over time, the hallmark of glaucoma progression!
Macular degeneration is the breakdown of the macula, which is the area of the retina responsible for your fine, detailed central sight. This is typically a disease related to aging, but it also has many lifestyle risk factors. If we ever detected changes in your macula, we would get an ultrasound of that part of the eye, and also test how well it is functioning with a visual field test. Anything that keeps you young and healthy keeps your eyes young and healthy! To keep your risks down for macular degeneration, make sure you don't smoke, are eating your dark leafy green veggies, and use great sun protection!
If you are ever diagnosed with diabetes, your primary care doctor will likely recommend extra close monitoring of your eyes. Diabetic eye disease is the number one loss of vision in working-aged adults. High blood sugar can affect every part of the eye, but the most common changes we see are in the retina. We would look for tiny bleeds in the back of the eye and refer you out for treatment if these bleeds became vision-threatening. The best prevention of vision loss with diabetes is through lifestyle changes and by working closely with your doctor to lower blood sugar of course! Let us help you be healthy today!
Cataracts are a natural part of aging. The lens of the eye gets yellow and cloudy over time. As this progresses, your vision gets cloudy and glare from bright lights become a big problem! Once you get to that point, we will walk you through your options relating to surgery. To keep your cataracts slow growing, use sun protection, don't smoke, are eating your dark leafy green veggies, and use great sun protection!