Routine eye exams gain increased importance as we age

  Because age related diseases affect many people who were previously healthy when young, it becomes increasingly more important to be routinely evaluated by not only your medical doctor but also your ophthalmologist in order to diagnose and treat any vision threatening problems before irreversible damage can occur.  This is especially true since our ability to diagnose and treat diseases before irreversible damage can occur is now better than ever.

Some of the more common disease entities where great advances have occurred are with with macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, and inflammatory conditions of the eye.

An exciting new diagnostic test that has become available is the OCT exam or ocular computerized tomogram which gives precise imaging of the retina and optic nerve.  The information gleaned can be invaluable when diagnosing retinal and optic nerve problems.  When caught early vision can be saved before irreversible damage occurs.  In the case of glaucoma newer and better drugs make treatment easier while at the same time reducing troubling side effects.  In terms of treating macular degeneration new drugs known as vegf or vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors are now available that cause regression of abnormal vessels seen with "wet" age related macular degeneration.   These drugs have also proved useful in combating diabetic retinopathy.

For those interested in being evaluated our experience doctors at North Shore Eye Care have convenient early morning and late evening hours six days a week.  Most insurances are accepted.