Eye Doctor Ellicott City MD can detect health conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration that might not be apparent to the average person. They can also help you maintain good vision.
An eye exam typically involves tests to check your close and distance vision. You’ll read from a chart of letters or other symbols and may also complete a test to see how well you can identify colors.
An eye exam is the most common method used to check for vision problems. Eye doctors perform eye exams to diagnose refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism) and a range of other conditions. They may also conduct tests for pupil function, extraocular muscle motility, visual fields and intraocular pressure.
During an eye exam, the doctor will begin by asking about your general health and any symptoms you are experiencing. He or she will review your family medical history as well, if available.
Next, the doctor will test your visual acuity, or sharpness of vision. This involves looking at a chart that contains letters or other symbols and reading them line by line. The chart may be a standard paper one or a video monitor that displays the letters.
The doctor will look for defects in your peripheral or side vision, as well. For this, he or she will shine a light into your eyes and watch how the pupils react. Typically, the pupils will constrict when exposed to direct light. If they don’t or aren’t of the same size, this can indicate a problem.
The doctor will also test how the cornea and lens focus light with a device called a phoropter, which uses a series of lenses to identify your refractive error. In addition, the doctor will conduct a color vision and glaucoma test. Glaucoma is an eye condition that occurs when fluid pressure builds up inside the eyeball, causing pressure on the optic nerve. The glaucoma test involves injecting a puff of air into your eye to measure the pressure. A slit lamp is another test that the doctor will use to get a close-up look at the front of your eye, including the cornea, iris, lens and anterior chamber.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are thin discs of plastic or glass that sit directly on the eye to correct vision. They come in a variety of forms, designed to meet different needs. These include soft lenses, rigid gas permeable (RGP) or scleral lenses, as well as extended wear, daily disposable and colored lenses. Lenses can also be shaped to correct for astigmatism, monovision, bifocals and multifocals.
Rigid lenses, also called GP or ‘hard’ contacts, were made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA or Plexiglass) until more advanced materials that allowed oxygen to pass through the lens to the cornea became available. These are now more commonly known as ‘rigid gas permeable’ or ‘RGP’ lenses.
Soft contact lenses are typically made of a hydrogel material that is very flexible and comfortable, providing good vision and comfort. They are available in a variety of colors and designs, as well as daily disposable, extended-wear or monthly replacement options.
In order to stay healthy, it’s important to properly care for your lenses and your eyes. This includes regularly washing and replacing your lenses, and following your doctor’s guidelines for how to put them in and take them out. It’s also a good idea to keep a supply of multipurpose contact solution and a storage case on hand.
If you have a hard time wearing contacts because of discomfort or fear of damaging your eyes, talk to your provider about alternatives such as Orthokeratology, or ‘Ortho-K.’ This is a process that changes the shape of your cornea so you can see better, but it only works while you have the lens in. It may not be suitable for everyone, however. The best way to find out if it’s right for you is to visit your eye doctor for an exam and consultation.
Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are small pieces of machinery that do a huge job. They help to bend light beams so that they can converge on your retina at just the right distance. This fixes many common vision problems, such as far- or nearsightedness and astigmatism. There are two basic types of glasses: single-vision lenses and multifocal or trifocal lenses.
There are also a variety of lens materials and coatings. Some of these include anti-reflective and anti-glare, which reduce glare from headlights or sunlight, improving vision in bright conditions. Other common coatings are scratch-resistant, which protect the lenses from scratches and abrasions. There are also various lens thicknesses. Thicker lenses are more durable and provide better optics, while thinner lenses are lighter and less bulky.
If you’re a first-time wearer of glasses, it can take some time to get used to them. You may experience some discomfort or even a headache while your eyes adjust to the new lenses. This is normal, and it will usually subside within a few days.
When choosing a frame, be sure that it is the right size for your prescription. Otherwise, the lenses will be too thick and cosmetically unappealing. A good fit will also minimize discomfort and prevent the lenses from falling off or sliding down your nose.
When you’re not wearing them, store your glasses in a hard-shell case to protect them from scratches and other damage. It’s a good idea to clean your glasses regularly with soap and water or a mild isopropyl alcohol spray, but be careful not to touch the lenses or the frames. You should also keep your eyeglasses out of direct sunlight, which can cause the lenses to yellow and lose their clarity over time.
Glaucoma Treatment
Most glaucoma is caused by a gradual buildup of pressure in the eye when fluid can’t drain properly. The pressure damages the nerve that connects the eye to the brain (optic nerve). If untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness. Regular dilated eye exams can catch the disease in its early stages, when it often has no symptoms.
Your doctor can prescribe a combination of medicine and surgery to help you manage glaucoma. You’ll need to follow a treatment plan, including taking your medication regularly and going for follow-up visits.
If you have open-angle glaucoma, your doctor may recommend laser or drainage surgery. For laser surgery, your doctor will use a machine called argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT). The procedure opens clogs to ease pressure in the eye. Your doctor will create a tiny hole in your iris with another laser, called a laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). This opens up a channel to allow more fluid to flow out of the eye and lower pressure.
For incisional glaucoma surgeries like trabeculectomy, tube shunt surgery or MIGS procedures, you’ll have local anesthesia and sedation during the operation. You’ll have surgery in a hospital or surgical center, sometimes with IV sedation or general anesthesia.
If you have acute closed-angle glaucoma, which happens suddenly, go to the emergency room right away. Without immediate treatment, you could lose vision within hours or even in a few days. Symptoms of this type of glaucoma include severe eye pain with nausea and vomiting, blurry or watery eyes, and halos around lights. Tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking, especially over-the-counter medicines for sinus or chest congestion and stomach or gut problems. These drugs can trigger an attack in people at high risk of angle-closure glaucoma.
Eye Surgery
Eye surgery can correct vision problems, repair a damaged cornea or retina, or treat eye injuries. Some surgeries are performed under general anesthesia, while others can be done in the office under monitored sedation. Your eye doctor will determine the best type of surgery for your specific condition.
Before eye surgery, your doctor will put drops in your eyes that numb them so you won’t feel any pain. Next, they will place a suction ring and eyelid speculum on your eye to keep it still. The doctor may also use a mechanical device called a microkeratome to cut a thin flap in your cornea. This can create some pressure, but it won’t hurt. Alternatively, the doctor can use a laser device that doesn’t have blades.
Once the flap is in place, your ophthalmologist will use a laser to reshape your cornea. They will program the laser with measurements for your eyes. When the surgeon is finished, they will fold the flap back over your eye and smooth the edges.
Several complications can occur after eye surgery. A common one is astigmatism, which occurs when the cornea doesn’t have a perfectly round shape. Another problem is ectasia, which is when the cornea’s tissue grows abnormally. It can also cause the cornea to bulge and reduce your vision.
There are a number of surgical procedures to fix droopy eyelids, including blepharoplasty and upper and lower lid lifts. These surgeries can improve your appearance and increase the ease of opening your eyes. Other surgical procedures include pterygium removal, a procedure to remove excess tissue from the whites of the eye, and a vitrectomy, which is used to treat bleeding inside the eye or damage caused by an injury or infection.