4 Common Vision Problems

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Vision problems can happen out of nowhere. That said, it’s important to understand the common vision conditions that many people experience today.

In this post, we’ll discuss the most common eye and vision problems.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can lead to sharp and central vision issues. Those with the condition may have trouble with reading and driving. In fact, AMD can make seeing any object more difficult. The condition impacts the macula, a vital part of your retina that helps you see fine details. There are two types of AMD—wet AMD and dry AMD.

If you’re struggling with macular degeneration, help is out there. Here at Nova Vision Center, we’re happy to offer the most trusted macular degeneration treatment in Falls Church, VA. Call us today to make an appointment!

Refractive Errors

Refractive errors consist of multiple conditions that can cause vision issues. These include:

  • Hyperopia (farsightedness)
  • Myopia (nearsightedness)
  • Astigmatism (blurry vision at all distances)
  • Presbyopia (inability to focus up close)

Refractive errors are the most common eye conditions in the United States. Luckily, glasses, contacts, and even surgery can effectively treat these issues.

Cataracts

Cataracts is another very common condition, especially for those over 40. This issue causes clouding of the eye lens, which can lead to severe problems with your vision. The good news is that treatment to remove cataracts is widely available.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma consists of multiple conditions that can damage your eye’s optic nerve. Unfortunately, this can result in vision loss and even blindness. Early treatment is a great way to lower the chances of severe vision loss.

Nova Vision Center can treat a wide variety of eye and vision problems. Contact us today to work with the leading eye doctor in Falls Church, VA!

How is Glaucoma Managed?

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If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, you’ve probably heard something about how important glaucoma management in Falls Church, VA is. But how is glaucoma managed, exactly? Beyond knowing that you have glaucoma and trying not to do anything that could worsen the condition, what can you do?

Get Frequent Eye Exams

The cornerstone of glaucoma management is consistent monitoring of the condition. This is ongoing, and your eye doctor at Nova Vision Center offers regular monitoring with regular checkups and adjustments to the treatment plan in order to tailor it to your changing needs. Your eye doctor will advise you as to how often you should come in for an eye exam.

Personalized Prescription Medication

Certain medications can reduce intraocular pressure, which is one of the ways that glaucoma endangers eyesight. This may slow the advancement of glaucoma so that you can enjoy better vision for as long as possible.

Improve Diet

Diet plays an important role in managing glaucoma. This is not to say that eating junk food causes glaucoma; only that a diet rich in nutrients supports a healthy immune system. In turn, your body can have more strength to fight glaucoma and better resistance against its progression.

Add Exercise to Your Lifestyle

Mild to moderate exercise helps to support healthy blood vessels, which are integral to the health of the eyes. As long as you exercise within any physical limitations you may have, adding exercise to your lifestyle can be one way that you can help manage glaucoma in between eye doctor visits.

When you work with your eye doctor in Falls Church, VA to manage glaucoma, you won’t feel so alone, like it’s an uphill battle. Our carefully planned glaucoma diagnosis and management program can help to preserve your eyesight for as long as possible.

Understanding Glaucoma

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Do you often wonder why youreye doctor in Falls Church, VA, is so insistent about giving you a glaucoma test? It may seem like they offer something unnecessary, especially if your eyesight is fine. The reason your eye doctor takes this test so seriously—and why you should, too—is because glaucoma can steal your eyesight, making you vision-impaired or even blind for the rest of your life.

Understanding Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an umbrella term for a group of eye conditions. Early detection is essential to prevent the progression of the disease. The longer glaucoma goes without diagnosis and management, the higher the chances that you will lose all or part of your vision.

Glaucoma is associated with a build-up of pressure inside the eye. This is called intraocular pressure, and it damages the optic nerve, which is the nerve that connects the eyes to the brain. The condition is the leading cause of vision loss in persons aged 60 and older. Thankfully, with diagnosis and treatment, eyesight can be saved.

Two Types of Glaucoma

There are two main types of glaucoma: open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma. With open-angle glaucoma, the build-up in intraocular pressure is caused by an inability of the eye to drain properly. Open-angle glaucoma develops slowly over a period of years.

With closed-angle glaucoma, an enlarged iris is very close to the drainage angle in the eye, blocking it and causing a sudden rise in pressure. It’s less common and can result in a medical emergency.

A glaucoma test only takes seconds, yet it can save your eyesight. Isn’t it worth it to undergo this simpleglaucoma test in Falls Church, VA? Contact us today to book your next eye exam at Nova Vision Center.

What Happens After a Glaucoma Diagnosis?  

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Receiving a diagnosis of glaucoma can feel scary, leaving you unnerved and wondering what comes next. The good thing about having glaucoma diagnosed is that treatment can begin immediately, potentially saving your eyesight. Here’s what happens after a glaucoma diagnosis.

Education

Our optometrists in Bailey’s Crossroads, VA, don’t make any assumptions about our patients. After a glaucoma diagnosis, we thoroughly explain what the diagnosis means, what stage it is in, and what to expect in terms of vision health and treatment options.

Treatment Plan

A personalized treatment plan will be created to address your individual circumstances. The treatment plan will be based on the exact diagnosis, including the stage of advancement of the glaucoma. Treatment may include prescription medication, drops, and/or surgery.

Treatment Management

Throughout treatment, you and your optometrist will work together to monitor progress, manage treatment, and assess the glaucoma condition as it responds to treatment. Patient participation is integral to a positive outcome, and we welcome patient feedback, questions, and comments.

Follow-up Visits

Continuing with your regular and special follow-up visits is essential. In this way, your condition can be monitored over time. Managing glaucoma can save your eyesight, so these visits are important and necessary.

Lifestyle Changes and Disease Management

Lifestyle factors such as smoking and health conditions such as diabetes can influence the development of glaucoma, so certain modifications may be needed to ensure your healthy eyesight. Your eye doctor will review a list of factors with you so that you can make any needed changes at home.

At Nova Vision Center Bailey’s Crossroads, VA, we not only test and diagnose glaucoma in Bailey’s Crossroads, VA, but we also offer follow-up treatment for our new and existing patients. Contact us today to book your appointment.