Dry Eye Management

Dry Eye Syndrome is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects millions of patients and is caused by the eye's reduced ability to produce tears. Patients with the most severe disease are at increased risk of developing infection, scarring, and ulceration. These conditions can cause permanent vision loss, although this is rare. Fortunately, we have wonderful ways to treat dry eyes. Symptoms of dry eyes include redness, itching, burning, watery eyes, and gritty irritation. Woodbridge Eye Care has an array of treatments to help manage chronic dry eye, including artificial tears, prescription eye drops, nutritional supplements, and punctal plugs.

Glaucoma Management

Dr. Nguyen is certified optometric glaucoma specialist and has extensive training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. As part of your comprehensive eye exam, we will check your eye pressure, peripheral vision, and with a dilated examination we will thoroughly assess the optic nerve. An estimated 1.6 million individuals over 40 years old in the United States have glaucoma, and the risk increases with age. Most cases of glaucoma develop without symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma can help preserve eyesight and keep you from losing peripheral vision. 

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is an age related condition resulting in damage to central vision where reading and recognition of faces and fine detail takes place. The central retina or macula is where vision is most sensitive. Damage here can produce very serious vision loss. Dry macular degeneration occurs when the pigmented nutritional supporting cells of the retina become damaged with age. As this damage progresses, small hemorrhages can develop from the growth of abnormal blood vessels producing the wet form. Damage from dry macular degeneration generally progresses slowly, but damage from wet macular degeneration can progress very rapidly. Treatment for dry macular degeneration centers on nutritional support with vitamin supplements. Monitoring for changes is accomplished by routine visualization of an Amsler grid and close follow up care with the doctor. 

Diabetes examination

Diabetic eye disease, caused by diabetes, is a leading cause of blindness and vision loss. Because of the high risk for eye disease, all people with diabetes age 30 and older should receive an annual dilated eye exam. For people with diabetes younger than 30, an annual dilated exam is recommended after they have had diabetes for 5 years.Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retina caused by complications of diabetes. The retina is highly penetrated with small blood vessels and capillaries that can leak if damaged from diabetes. With prolonged elevation of blood sugar, the vascular lining of the retina’s blood vessels become damaged rendering them leaky. If fluid accumulates in the central retina or macula, vision loss results. There are no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic eye disease. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in people with diabetes is high.The good news is that diabetic eye disease can be treated and your vision can be saved (if you catch it early) through a dilated eye exam. Don’t wait for symptoms. If you have diabetes, get a dilated eye exam at least once a year. It doesn’t hurt – it’s easy – and it could save your sight.