Eyeglasses allow the focusing elements of your eye to see more clearly. But the focusing elements are just a small portion of your entire visual system. There are a multitude of components that all work in unison to allow us the ability to see. The many structures, including eyelids, muscles, tears, retinal tissue, optic nerve, and the macula, are all susceptable to damage, disease, and age-related complications. This is why a thorough, comprehensive eye examination is so very important.

Dr. Wilde examines all aspects of your visual system – anything less is unacceptable.

Retinal Detachment

The layer inside the eye that acts like the film of a camera can sometimes detach from the layer below. The result is loss of vision in the detached area. This is a true ocular emergency and must be treated immediately. Since our fields of vision of our two eyes overlap in the middle, you may not even notice that damage has occurred. Symptoms include loss or missing areas of vision, seeing a curtain or veil image, or an unusually large floater. Contact our office immediately.

Cataracts

As we mature, the crystalline lens inside our eyes loses its flexibility and cloudy areas begin to form. As a result, your vision may appear foggy. You may experience glare from lights at night or sunlight during the day. Windows may have a dirty appearance when looking through a cataract. Different types of cataracts develop at different rates. Dr. Wilde will evaluate your cataract progression and recommend its removal only when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Macular Degeneration

The macula is responsible for our central vision and fine focusing abilities which we use to read, drive, or see faces. Macular degeneration is a disease that ultimately destroys our central vision and our ability for detailed focusing. The speed of progression varies with the type and the individual. A skilled Optometrist can typically identify changes in the macula before symptoms are present, allowing for early treatment to slow the loss of vision.

Iritis

In this condition, the color part of the eye (iris) becomes inflamed due to infection, disease, or trauma to the eye. Redness, pain, sensitivity to light, tearing, and blurred vision are symptoms of this condition, which can become sight-threatening if left untreated. The pupil in one eye may be a different size than the other. Because many of the symptoms mimic conjunctivitis (pink eye), Dr. Wilde’s expert diagnosis should be obtained immediately.

Hypertensive Retinopathy

High, long-term blood pressure can cause damage to the retina. Small blood vessels in the back of the eye can thicken, bulge, and leak blood into the eye. A gradual loss of vision may occur. Most people, however, have no symptoms at all. With special instruments, Dr. Wilde will evaluate the inside of your eyes and look for blood pressure related changes that affect both your eye and your general health. An early diagnosis can be obtained with a comprehensive examination.

Amblyopia & Strabismus

Amblyopia, often referred to as “lazy eye”, is a condition in which the central vision of an eye fails to develop. An uncorrected prescription, eye mis-alignment (strabismus), or trauma can cause amblyopia. Left untreated, the result will be functional blindness. If caught early enough, Dr. Wilde can prescribe an eye patching regimen, prescription glasses, or eye exercises to restore proper vision. In severe cases eye muscle surgery may be required.

Properly diagnosing a serious vision problem is critical. Dr. Wilde’s experience is essential to getting the expert care you need.