Maintaining eye health involves a lot of work. However, even the most careful patients can still be affected by vision problems. From dryness to nearsightedness, an ophthalmologist can diagnose and treat various conditions affecting the eyes.
Knowing what a typical eye care center offers in terms of services can help you better care for your vision. Let’s talk about the services provided by an eye care center and where you can go for comprehensive eye care in Washington, MO.
Selecting Eye Wear
One of the standard services that an eye care center can provide is eyewear guidance. Eyewear includes glasses, contacts, or other assistive devices that you wear to improve your vision.
These devices help correct vision due to nearsightedness or farsightedness. They can help address other conditions that affect the ability of your corneas and lenses to focus light.
These centers can also advise you on your options for your eyeglasses. Some people benefit from special lenses, such as:
- Photochromic lenses – darken in sunlight
- Progressive lenses – address multiple prescriptions in one pair of glasses
Finally, eye care centers can help you choose frames. While purely a cosmetic decision, they can help you get a frame you like.
Management of Corneal Disorders
The cornea, the outermost layer of the eye, is vulnerable to harsh conditions that can lead to corneal dysfunction. Many common disorders like dry eye and allergies are treatable with medication after diagnosis in a care center.
Dry Eye
Dry eye occurs when the eyes cannot produce adequate amounts of high-quality tears. In these cases, the cornea will dry out more often, causing pain and inflammation.
You can manage this condition using artificial tears and other medications alongside eye care habits.
Allergic Reactions
An allergic reaction from irritating substances like dust can cause itching and inflammation. In severe cases, treatment with medications that block the allergic response can help relieve symptoms.
Trauma
An eye care center may also deal with more severe conditions. Trauma can cause corneal abrasions and other injuries.
Doctors will need to assess the extent of the damage and prescribe appropriate treatments to reduce the risk of complications.
Distortion
In some people, their corneas may distort into a conical shape. This condition, called keratoconus, can significantly impair vision.
Ophthalmologists will assess the eye’s curvature and prescribe corrective eyewear, special scleral contact lenses, or a corneal transplant.
Cataract Surgery
The lens of each eye is transparent, allowing it to focus light without blocking vision. However, people with cataracts have clouded lenses, causing their eyesight to blur and dim.
In the procedure, doctors remove the damaged lens and replace it with an artificial one. This technique gives you clear vision and preserves your ability to focus on objects at varying distances.
In other cases, your doctor may not remove the damaged lens. Corrective eyewear can help replace the missing lens and correct your vision.
Your surgeon’s approach during cataract removal depends on the extent of lens clouding, existing eye conditions, and other factors. An eye care center should give you adequate information to help you choose the best option for your circumstances.
Glaucoma Care
Your eye produces adequate amounts of aqueous humor, a liquid that helps cushion your lens and maintain your eyeball shape. Slow drainage out of the anterior eye chamber matches the production of this substance.
Most cases of glaucoma happen when this drainage is blocked, causing pressure build-up within the eye. Elevated pressures can gradually damage the optic nerve, causing progressive blindness.
Treatments for glaucoma vary, but they include medications designed to lower eye pressure. Surgical options are also available to improve aqueous humor drainage.
Eye care centers can help diagnose this condition and recommend the treatments that are most appropriate for you.
Eye Care Center in Washington, MO
Eye care centers provide many medical services for vision health. From prescribing eyeglasses to recommending medications and surgical procedures, healthcare professionals are essential in taking care of your eyes.
Are you looking for an eye care center near you? Look no further than Advanced Sight Center. Our facility in Missouri caters to patients from all walks of life to preserve the gift of sight. We provide cutting-edge eye care with compassion and competence. Learn more by calling us at (636) 239-1650. You may also use our online appointment request form to book a visit with the best eye clinic near you.