Santa Ana Eye Doctor
Santa Ana Eye DoctorIf you are experiencing problems with your vision, you can make an appointment to speak with a Santa Ana eye doctor at Retina Associates of Orange County. Our board certified physicians have experience with diseases of the vitreous, retina, and macula.
An eye doctor in Santa Ana can diagnose the cause of your vision issues and refer you to a specialist if necessary. Our ophthalmologists can perform a thorough examination of your eyes and determine a treatment plan, if applicable. Call today to make an appointment for an exam, and get answers to your questions. If you are concerned about the health of your eyes, see a qualified Santa Ana eye doctor to diagnose any problems with your vision. Below are general answers to questions our doctors are commonly asked by patients.
Common Questions about Retinal Disease and Retina Problems
Can diabetes affect the eyes?
Yes, diabetes can cause vision problems. Microvascular abnormalities sometimes form when diabetes causes retina problems. The eyes have many small blood vessels, which can leak blood when microaneurysms develop. Neovascularization, or new blood vessel growth, occurs as a result. The new blood vessels are not as strong as they should be, which often leads to them leaking blood as well. The resulting blood leaks, known as hemorrhages, can permanently damage the retina and cause loss of vision. The condition is known as diabetic retinopathy, and even those with controlled diabetes are susceptible.Yearly retinal exams performed by an eye doctor Santa Ana provides can detect this condition and offer treatment options.
What are retinal holes, and how do they happen?
The pupil is an opening in the iris. It allows light to travel to the retina, making it possible for us to see. Sometimes, holes develop in the retina, and are more likely to happen (and occur more often) as a person ages. The holes can degrade a person’s ability to see. Macular holes are small holes that form in the macula. Central vision can be significantly reduced as a result, though peripheral vision is not affected. A Santa Ana eye doctor can confirm if a patient has holes in the retina and offer a prognosis.
What would cause one or both of my eyes to see straight lines as wavy lines?
When straight lines look wavy, a Santa Ana eye doctor can perform a thorough exam to determine if your macula or other ocular structures are damaged. The ophthalmologists of Retina Associates of Orange County work with many patients who suffer from macular degeneration and other issues that affect their vision. Whenever possible, our doctors will treat patients with the goal of improving their vision, and in best case scenarios, reversing whatever is causing the problem.
How Do Eye Doctors Diagnose and Treat Glaucoma?
Typically, Santa Ana, CA eye doctors can treat and control glaucoma using medication, laser surgery, glaucoma surgery, or a combination of these treatments. Medication in the form of eye drops tends to be a popular first treatment choice, but laser surgery can be just as effective. Ultimately, the type of glaucoma treatment utilized is a choice made by you and your eye doctor.
Does Glaucoma Run in Families?
Scientifically, it has yet to be confirmed whether glaucoma is genetic. Any eye doctor in Santa Ana can tell that you that members of your family having glaucoma would put you at a higher risk of being susceptible to it. If you have a family history of glaucoma, it may be in the best interest of your eyes to learn more about the disease itself.
What is Glaucoma, Exactly?
Technically, glaucoma is a category of eye disorders commonly caused by a significant buildup of pressure inside of the eye. This internal pressure can damage a person’s optic nerve. A Santa Ana eye doctor would agree that glaucoma is a tricky disease, because it starts by attacking a person’s peripheral vision. This means it is possible for a patient to suffer from a great deal of vision loss before realizing anything is wrong.
If you believe you could be suffering from glaucoma, it may be beneficial to schedule a consultation and exam with an eye doctors Santa Ana residents trust, because the condition can lead to blindness if it goes untreated. In fact, this disease is the second leading cause of blindness in America. There are roughly two and a half million Americans who suffer from this disease. By the year 2020, that number is expected to exceed three million.
How Can You Detect Glaucoma?
Glaucoma isn’t a disease that causes you pain, and you may not experience any symptoms. Therefore, it is not uncommon for the disease to attack the optic nerve and cause damage that cannot be repaired before it is diagnosed. The question is, how do you detect such a sneaky disease?
There are several different forms of the disease and some do come with symptoms such as blurred vision, intense eye pain, and seeing halos around lights. It may be advisable to schedule an appointment with a Santa Ana eye doctor as soon as possible if you start to notice any of these symptoms.
How Does an Eye Doctor Test For Glaucoma?
After dilating your pupil, a Santa Ana eye doctors can use a laser scanning machine to get a clearer view of the back of your eye to determine whether you suffer from glaucoma. During an eye exam, it is also extremely common for eye doctors to use what is known as an air puff test to examine the internal pressure of your eye. This test involves keeping your eye open while the machine shoots a puff of air into your eye.
If you’re experiencing eyesight issues and would like some answers, see a qualified ophthalmologist. Call Retina Associates of Orange County today at 714-500-8677 to make an appointment with a Santa Ana eye doctor.