Eye Exams

Regular eye exams are an invaluable tool in maintaining your eyes' health by detecting and preventing disease. Some diseases develop slowly without causing pain or vision loss. Early detection of any problems can reduce the risk of further harm and allow for a choice of treatment options.

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Cataracts & No-stitch Cataract Surgery

A cataract is a cloudy area in the normally clear lens in the front of the eye. There is no pain associated with the condition but there are other symptoms, including:

Blurred/hazy vision
Spots in front of the eye(s)
Glare/halos
A feeling of "film" over the eye(s)

For people who are significantly affected by cataracts, lens replacement surgery may be recommended. We perform a minimally invasive, no-stitch cataract surgery called phacoemulsification ("phaco") surgery. First, the eye is numbed with anesthesia. Then a tiny incision is made in the eye to make room for a small ultrasonic probe. This probe breaks up, or emulsifies, the cloudy lens.

After the cloudy lens has been removed, a new artificial lens is implanted in the eye. With the recent advance of foldable IOLs (intraocular lenses), artificial lenses can be implanted through the same small incision.

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Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. It occurs when the pressure inside the eye rises, damaging the optic nerve and causing vision loss. The condition often develops over many years without causing pain or other noticeable symptoms – so you may not experience vision loss until the disease has progressed.

Symptoms that you could be developing glaucoma include blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, halo effects around lights, and painful or reddened eyes. People at high risk include those who are over the age of 40, diabetic, near-sighted, African-American, or who have a family history of glaucoma.

Detecting glaucoma early is crucial to prevent vision loss. At Sierra Eye, we pride ourselves on maintaining the most advanced diagnostic equipment. In identifying glaucoma, our physicians review all test results and provide an individualized global risk assessment.

Once diagnosed, glaucoma can be controlled. Treatments to lower pressure in the eye include prescription eye drops, medications, laser therapy, and surgery.

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Diabetic Eye Care

Patients with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. These and other serious conditions often develop without vision loss or pain, so significant damage may be done to the eyes by the time the patient notices any symptoms. For this reason it is very important for diabetic patients to have their eyes examined once a year.

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Dry Eye

Dry eye can damage the eye's tissues and impair vision. With sub-specialty fellowship training in dry eye treatments, Sierra Eye doctors offer special tear functional testing including kinetic analysis of tear interference and differential vital dye staining.

Dry eye is not preventable, but it can be controlled before harm is done to your eyes. Small punctal plugs may be inserted in the corners of the eyes to limit tear drainage, or the drainage tubes in the eyes may be surgically closed. Only an in-depth examination of your eyes can determine the right treatment option. In many cases this is covered by medical insurance.

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Macular Degeneration

The macula is a part of the retina in the back of the eye that ensures that our central vision is clear and sharp.

There are two kinds of macular degeneration: "wet" and "dry." The "wet" form can be treated in its early stages. Regular eye exams are highly recommended to detect macular degeneration early and prevent permanent vision loss.

Symptoms often associated with macular degeneration include:

A gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly
A gradual loss of color vision
Distorted vision
A dark or empty area appearing in the center of vision

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