© Davis Eye Associates 2014 Made with Xara Ocular Disease and Trauma We provide diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases which affect the human eye and visual system. These conditions can range from bothersome to devastating and your doctor is working to detect them at the earliest stages. Some of the more common examples include: • Dry Eye Syndrome - Dry eye syndrome occurs when the normal flow of tears over the eyes is interrupted, or the tear film is abnormal.  In many cases, dry eye syndrome is a life long problem, comes with time and is worsened by different medications.  You can relieve the symptoms with artificial tear lubricants but sometimes other interventions are needed. There are prescription eye drops that can work better than over the counter alternatives.  We can also block the tear ducts to concentrate the limited tears that are available. • Keratoconus - Keratoconus is a disorder that occurs when the cornea, which is typically rounded, becomes cone shaped.  The progression is usually slow and can stop at any stage from mild to severe.  This distortion increases as the cornea bulges and thins.  The apex of the cornea often scars, reducing the vision.  Treatment of keratoconus is most effective with gas permeable contact lenses designed specifically for the irregular corneal surface.  If contact lens treatment is not successful, surgical corneal transplant may be necessary.  WAVE custom fitted gas permeable contact lenses are a great option for keratoconus. • Diabetic Retinopathy - Diabetic Retinopathy is a condition where a diabetic person's blood sugar gets too high.  High blood sugar levels start a series of events which end in damaged blood vessel walls.  As such, the blood vessels begin to leak fluid or bleed, causing the retina to swell and form deposits know as exudates.  Vision can be lost if these spots are not watched and treated.  Here, at our office, we carefully examine the back of your eyes to follow and manage this and other important eye diseases. • Cataract - Cataract is a clouding or opacity of the natural internal lens of the eye. This opacity may be a small spot or may cover the entire lens.  When light enters the eye it is scattered, causing images to appear hazy and blurred.  There are many different types of cataracts.  The one shown here is a cortical cataract.  Here the opacity forms first in the periphery of the lens and develops inward, like spokes of a wheel. Ultimately, the best  treatment is to remove the cataract lens and replace it with an acrylic man-made lens. This is referred to as cataract surgery. • Macular Degeneration - Macular Degeneration is a condition in which the central part of the back of the eye loses blood circulation. It is considered a natural ageing process.  There is a breakdown of retinal pigment cells in the macular region.  As the disease progresses, central vision diminishes.  It is believed that this breakdown may be due to a lack of nutrients being supplied to the region. Additional studies have found a genetic link to this disease.  Treatment can range from better nutritional management, sometimes to include a tablet containing the primary minerals and vitamins that are found lacking in many macular degeneration patients.    Our doctors have extensive training in the mechanism of diseases that affect the eye and    their diagnosis and treatments. Davis Eye Associates has cutting edge technology to view    the eye by ultrasound.  It is the same instrumentation that leading retinal specialists use.     Davis Eye Associates  is open six days a week and accepts major medical insurance as    well as Medicare and Medicaid. We also provide an urgent care phone number that is    accessible 24 hours a day.    For more information on any of the conditions listed above just click on the link below.