Many people underestimate the importance of having regular examinations at an optical center in Chicago. This is unfortunate because an ophthalmologist can do much more than provide an accurate prescription for corrective lenses. An ophthalmologist can also look for the early warning signs of vision problems such as cataracts, which refer to cloudiness on the lens of the eye. Cataracts are among the most common causes of vision impairment. If you’ve already been diagnosed with cataracts, you can talk to an ophthalmologist about cataract treatment .

Symptoms

You may not necessarily notice symptoms of cataracts until they have progressed. Cataracts develop slowly over time. As they develop, you might begin to notice symptoms such as foggy, filmy, blurry, or cloudy vision. Double vision, progressive nearsightedness, and difficulty coping with glare during the day are other indicators of cataracts. You may also have difficulty with glare at night, such as glare from the headlights of oncoming vehicles. You might suddenly need a stronger prescription for your corrective lenses and you may notice that you begin to perceive colors differently.

Causes

Cataracts develop when the lens of the eye develops an accumulation of proteins. These proteins cause the cloudiness that prevents the lens from properly focusing light on the retina, which is the back of the eye. This causes vision impairment. There are different underlying causes that may contribute to the accumulation of proteins. Ophthalmologists classify different types of cataracts according to their underlying causes.

Types

For example, a patient might be diagnosed with an age-related cataract, which occurs as a result of changes during the aging process. Cataracts are quite common among adults aged 65 and older. However, it is possible for babies to be diagnosed with congenital cataracts, which are present at birth. Congenital cataracts can develop as a result of poor fetal development, or an injury or infection that affected the fetus. Some people are diagnosed with traumatic cataracts. As the name implies, these develop after an eye injury. Secondary cataracts are caused by certain medical conditions. These can include diabetes, exposure to ultraviolet light, exposure to radiation, or exposure to toxic substances. Some medications can also cause secondary cataracts, including diuretics and corticosteroids.

For patients who have diabetes, visiting an ophthalmologist near Chicago for regular exams is particularly important. This is because diabetes places patients at risk of many serious complications, including diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by damage to the tiny blood vessels located in the retina. When a patient is in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, an ophthalmologist will see very small areas of swelling in the blood vessels, which is subsequently followed by blockage of some of the blood vessels.

As the disease progresses, additional blood vessels develop blockages, which means the retina no longer receives enough blood. Subsequently, the retina instructs the brain to grow new blood vessels, which is known as proliferative retinopathy. Unfortunately, these new blood vessels are quite fragile and can leak blood. As a result, vision loss occurs. Vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy can also occur when fluid leaks into the macula, causing vision to become blurry. Individuals with diabetes should visit an optical center to have a dilated eye exam at least once per year. An ophthalmologist can provide early treatment for diabetic retinopathy, which may help prevent vision loss.

In recognition of UV Awareness Month this May, take a few minutes to learn about the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation on your eye health. Excessive exposure to sunlight can cause both short-term and long-term problems, which is why a critical part of your eye care routine should be to wear UV-blocking sunglasses outdoors. If you wear corrective lenses, you can talk to your ophthalmologist near Chicago about getting prescription sunglasses. Your ophthalmologist can also give you some tips for preventing damage due to UV exposure.

Photokeratitis

Photokeratitis is one of the short-term problems that can occur with excessive UV exposure. This condition is often compared to being similar to sunburn of the eyes. The symptoms of photokeratitis can include a gritty feeling in the eyes, excessive tearing, red eyes, and sensitivity to light. Usually, photokeratitis is temporary.

Growths

Individuals who spend a great deal of time outdoors without proper protection for their eyes may develop growths on the eye. An ophthalmologist will diagnose a patient with pinguecula if he or she has a bump or patch near the cornea. This patch appears yellowish. It develops due to tissue changes, such as the accumulation of calcium, fat, and protein. It is believed that this growth is linked to excessive UV exposure. Often, individuals with pinguecula will develop a pterygium, which is fleshy tissue that begins to develop on the white of the eye and can gradually spread to the cornea. A pterygium can become large enough to cause vision impairment.

Cataracts

With excessive UV exposure, individuals may have a higher risk of developing cataracts . Cataracts are areas of cloudiness on the lens of the eye. They interfere with the ability of the lens to focus light on the retina properly. Subsequently, vision becomes dim, blurry, or cloudy. Cataracts gradually become worse over time. By visiting an ophthalmologist for annual eye exams, patients can facilitate the early detection of cataracts. Fortunately, this serious vision problem is treatable with cataract surgery.

A cataract surgeon serving Chicago can conduct a comprehensive eye examination to diagnose cataracts . First, the cataract surgeon will review your medical history and ask you about your symptoms. You can expect to have a refraction and visual acuity test, during which you’ll be asked to cover one eye, then the other, while reading rows of letters of various sizes. The ophthalmologist will likely perform a slit-lamp exam, which enables him or her to assess your corneas, iris, and lens. The slit-lamp exam allows your ophthalmologist to look for very small abnormalities in these structures.

Another test for the diagnosis of cataracts is a retinal examination. Your ophthalmologist will administer special eye drops to each eye. These eye drops will dilate your pupils, or make them larger, which allows the eye doctor to evaluate your retina. You’ll need to wait for a few minutes for the eye drops to work. Then, your ophthalmologist will use a slit-lamp or an ophthalmoscope to check for signs of a cataract.

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Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a highly popular and effective way of correcting vision problems while attaining freedom from dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses. During your LASIK consultation in Chicago , your LASIK surgeon can walk you through the procedure and explain the technology he or she will use. There have been numerous advances in laser eye surgery technology, which have made the procedure safer, faster, and more effective.

Identifying Ideal Candidates

Many people are good candidates for LASIK eye surgery; however, only your ophthalmologist can determine if it’s right for you. You may be a good candidate if you have refractive errors, which are nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The LASIK procedure corrects these vision problems by reshaping the cornea, which allows the eye to more effectively focus rays of light on the retina.

Understanding the Procedure

Before going ahead with the LASIK procedure, your ophthalmologist will make sure you understand what’s involved. First, the ophthalmologist will administer a topical anesthetic to the eyes to numb them. Then, he or she will place an eyelid holder between the eyelids. This prevents you from blinking during the procedure. A suction ring placed on the eye prevents the eye from moving, and lifts and flattens the cornea. Although this procedure is painless, you may feel some pressure at this point. Additionally, your vision may become dim. This is normal. Then, the ophthalmologist uses a special laser to create a flap on the cornea , which allows the laser to shape the corneal tissue. The flap is sealed back in place without stitches. The entire procedure takes only a few minutes per eye.

Recovering from the Procedure

After the LASIK procedure, you should have someone drive you home. Plan to spend the remainder of the day resting quietly at home. It’s critical to avoid rubbing your eyes because this can dislodge the corneal flap. To protect your corneas, your ophthalmologist will give you an eye shield to wear over each treated eye. You’ll also receive instructions on applying eye drops to relieve any dryness and facilitate healing.

Cataracts are a common reason why people visit an ophthalmologist near Chicago . Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. They develop very gradually. Although they lead to vision loss, this can occur over a period of years. As time passes, individuals may notice that they have problems driving, particularly at night. They may notice blurry or dim vision, sensitivity to glare, double vision, or seeing “halos” around sources of light. Because these symptoms can eventually interfere in day-to-day activities, it’s important to consult an eye doctor as soon as you begin to notice them.

Watch this video to hear a cataract surgeon discuss the signs and symptoms of cataracts. He explains the gradual onset of the symptoms and discusses the activities these symptoms may interfere with. If you suspect you could have cataracts, you can talk to an ophthalmologist about cataract surgery.

If you experience any eye abnormalities, such as eye pain or a sudden loss in vision, you should see an eye doctor promptly. However, it’s also important to schedule routine visits with an ophthalmologist near Chicago. There are many eye conditions that do not result in symptoms or may not cause symptoms right away. By visiting an ophthalmologist for routine eye exams, you’re safeguarding your healthy vision for a lifetime.

Vision

An important component of a routine eye exam at an optical center involves checking your vision. For children, this is particularly critical because normal vision development has a direct effect on academic success. Children with impaired vision cannot see the chalkboard or their homework assignments clearly, and they may fall behind. However, vision exams for adults are also necessary to ensure that their current prescription is correct. Without an accurate prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, it can be difficult to fulfill job responsibilities and carry out day-to-day tasks.

Eye Diseases

A routine eye exam involves much more than just checking your vision. Your eye doctor will also evaluate your eyes for any signs of diseases. He or she will check for signs of glaucoma, retinal disorders, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. By detecting these eye diseases as early as possible, you can become informed about your treatment options and ways of preventing further damage.

Eye Problems

There are many other eye conditions that your ophthalmologist may detect during a routine eye exam. For example, your eye doctor can tell if you have strabismus, or an improper eye alignment. This condition interferes with depth perception and may lead to amblyopia, which in turn can cause irreversible vision impairment.

Systemic Conditions

Did you know that eye doctors can often detect systemic health problems in patients? An ophthalmologist can let you know if your eyes are displaying minute changes that could signal a serious health issue, which means you can begin receiving treatment from your physician as soon as possible. For example, an ophthalmologist can often detect the early signs of high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Eye doctors can also assess whether the tiny blood vessels in your eyes are leaking and whether the macula is swollen. These changes indicate that you may have diabetes.

Macular degeneration is a common type of eye disease that leads to vision loss. Macular degeneration is one of the reasons why it’s important to receive regular eye care near Chicago. By scheduling exams on an annual basis, your eye doctor can detect signs of the disease early. There are many tests your eye doctor can use to diagnose macular degeneration. Generally, patients will first undergo a visual acuity exam to assess how well you see distant objects. Then, you can expect to undergo a dilated eye exam at the optical center .

To dilate your eyes, the ophthalmologist will apply special eye drops. You’ll need to wait for a few minutes to let the eye drops work. Then, the eye doctor will use a device called an ophthalmoscope, which allows him or her to evaluate the retina. If your doctor notices abnormalities that may indicate macular degeneration, he or she may use an Amsler grid. If you have macular degeneration, the lines on the grid may appear wavy or they may disappear altogether. Sometimes, eye patients are asked to undergo fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT), which involves injecting dye into a vein and taking a picture of the macula. This is helpful for diagnosing the wet form of macular degeneration.

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a popular and effective method of vision correction. If you decide to have LASIK near Chicago , you can look forward to freedom from contact lenses and eyeglasses. The procedure involves reshaping the cornea to correct refractive errors. Before deciding to have this procedure, schedule a LASIK consultation with your ophthalmologist to ensure the procedure is right for you.

Preparation

Before having LASIK, you’ll undergo an eye exam at an optical center. Your eye doctor will evaluate whether you’re a good candidate for corrective surgery. If you wear a type of contact lens that may change the shape of your corneas, it’s important to stop wearing them for a few weeks before your eye exam and to only wear eyeglasses. Failure to do so may result in improper vision correction. Along with having an eye exam, you’ll talk to your ophthalmologist about your medical history, including any past and current eye conditions. You’ll need to disclose your allergies and any medications or supplements you’re taking. The day before you’re scheduled to have LASIK, avoid using any creams, lotions, or other products on your face because these can increase your risk of infection. Additionally, arrange to have someone else drive you to and from your appointment.

Procedure

The LASIK surgery itself takes very little time. First, the ophthalmologist will apply eye drops to numb your eye. The area around your eye will be thoroughly cleansed. Then, if your eye doctor has invested in the most advanced technology for vision correction, a corneal flap will be created with a laser. Otherwise, a mechanical blade called a microkeratome will be used. Then, a laser is used to reshape the cornea. Once this is completed, the corneal flap will be repositioned.

Recovery

Immediately after the LASIK procedure, your eye doctor will place an eye shield over your eye. It’s critical to wear the eye shield for as long as your doctor recommends, since rubbing your eye or otherwise exposing it to pressure can dislodge the corneal flap. You can expect to remain home resting for a few days after the procedure. You’ll return to the optical center for a follow-up appointment within the first one to two days, and for additional follow-up appointments during the subsequent six months.