A serious complication of diabetes that can lead to vision loss and blindness.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults and a serious complication of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one third of adults over the age of 40 with diabetes have some degree of diabetic retinopathy. If you have diabetes, regular comprehensive eye exams are one of the most important steps you can take to protect your vision.

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This damage can cause the blood vessels to leak, swell, or grow abnormally, leading to vision problems that can worsen over time. The longer a patient has diabetes and the less controlled their blood sugar, the greater the risk of developing this condition.

What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?

Like many serious eye conditions, diabetic retinopathy often causes few or no symptoms in the early stages. By the time vision changes become noticeable, significant damage may have already occurred. That is why early detection through regular eye exams is so important.

As the condition progresses, patients may notice:

• Blurry or fluctuating vision
• Dark spots or floaters in their vision
• Empty or dark areas in their field of vision
• Difficulty seeing colors
• Sudden or gradual vision loss

What complications can diabetic retinopathy cause?

If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to serious vision threatening complications including:

Vitreous Hemorrhage — Abnormal blood vessels can leak into the vitreous, the clear gel that fills the center of the eye, causing floaters or sudden vision loss.

Retinal Detachment — Scar tissue from abnormal blood vessel growth can pull the retina away from the back of the eye, causing flashes of light, floaters, and severe vision loss.

Glaucoma — Abnormal blood vessel growth in the front of the eye can block the normal flow of fluid, increasing eye pressure and potentially damaging the optic nerve.

Permanent Vision Loss — Without proper management and treatment, diabetic retinopathy can progress to complete blindness.

How can Eyecare First help?

At Eyecare First in Norwood, NJ, our doctor uses advanced retinal imaging technology to detect and monitor diabetic retinopathy at the earliest possible stage. Early detection and consistent monitoring are the most effective tools for preserving your vision and preventing long term damage.

If you have diabetes, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Schedule your diabetic eye exam at Eyecare First today.

Protect your vision and reduce your risk for one of the most common eye conditions.

Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss worldwide and one of the most common eye conditions associated with aging. By the age of 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have undergone cataract surgery. The good news is that with regular eye exams and early detection, cataracts can be monitored and managed effectively.

If you are noticing any unusual or unexplained changes in your vision, schedule an appointment at Eyecare First today.

What are cataracts?

A cataract occurs when the natural lens inside the eye becomes cloudy due to the gradual breakdown of lens proteins over time. This cloudiness causes light entering the eye to scatter, resulting in blurry, hazy, or dim vision. Cataracts typically develop in both eyes, though one eye may be more affected than the other.

Common symptoms of cataracts include:

• Blurry, hazy, or dim vision
• Increased sensitivity to glare and bright lights
• Difficulty driving at night
• Seeing halos or rings around lights
• Colors appearing faded or yellowed
• Double vision in one eye
• Needing brighter light for reading or close up tasks

Who is at risk for developing cataracts?

While cataracts are a natural part of aging for many people, certain risk factors can increase your chances of developing them earlier in life including:

• Prolonged sun exposure without UV protection
• Diabetes or high blood pressure
• Obesity
• Excessive alcohol use or smoking
• Extended use of corticosteroid medications
• Previous eye injury, inflammation, or surgery
• Family history of cataracts

How can I reduce my risk of cataracts?

While cataracts cannot always be prevented, there are steps you can take to slow their progression and protect your long term vision health.

Schedule regular comprehensive eye exams — Early detection is the most effective tool for monitoring cataract development. Our doctor can identify early changes to the lens before symptoms become noticeable and recommend the best course of action for your vision needs.

Protect your eyes from UV rays — Wearing sunglasses with UVB protection and a wide brimmed hat when outdoors can help reduce your risk of early cataract development.

Make healthy lifestyle choices — Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption can all contribute to better long term eye health.

How are cataracts diagnosed and treated?

Our doctor can diagnose cataracts through a comprehensive eye exam that may include a visual acuity test, slit lamp exam, and retinal evaluation. In the early stages, updated prescription eyeglasses can often help manage vision changes associated with cataracts. As the condition progresses, cataract surgery may be recommended to restore clear vision.

At Eyecare First, our doctor is committed to monitoring your eye health and helping you make informed decisions about your vision care every step of the way. Schedule your cataract evaluation at Eyecare First today.

One of the leading causes of blindness in adults over 50.

Age-related macular degeneration, commonly known as AMD, is the leading cause of vision loss in men and women over the age of 50. Unlike cataracts, there is no cure for AMD. Early detection and consistent monitoring are the most effective tools for slowing its progression and protecting your long term vision.

If you are concerned about macular degeneration or are over the age of 50, schedule your AMD screening at Eyecare First today.

What is age-related macular degeneration?

AMD is a disease of the retina, the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The macula, a small area at the center of the retina, is responsible for your central vision. As AMD progresses, the macula loses its ability to detect light, leading to partial or total loss of central vision. Patients with advanced AMD may have difficulty reading, using a computer, driving, or recognizing faces.

AMD typically causes no symptoms in the early stages, making regular comprehensive eye exams essential for catching the disease before significant vision loss occurs.

What are the risk factors for AMD?

The biggest risk factor for AMD is age, particularly for adults over 50. Additional risk factors include:

• Family history of AMD
• Being Caucasian or female
• Smoking or a history of smoking
• Prolonged sun exposure without UV protection
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Genetic predisposition

How can I reduce my risk of AMD?

While AMD cannot always be prevented, there are important steps you can take to slow its progression and protect your vision health including:

• Scheduling regular comprehensive eye exams to monitor retinal health
• Taking eye vitamins or nutritional supplements as recommended by our doctor
• Wearing sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection
• Using blue light protection when working on computers or mobile devices
• Quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight
• Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels

What are the types of AMD and how is it treated?

AMD occurs in two forms. Dry AMD is the most common form and progresses gradually. Wet AMD is less common but more severe and develops more quickly. Treatment for wet AMD may include medications or laser therapy to slow vision loss. For dry AMD, treatment focuses on monitoring progression, nutritional supplementation, and healthy lifestyle changes.

How is AMD detected at Eyecare First?

At Eyecare First in Norwood, NJ, our doctor uses the most advanced diagnostic technology available to detect AMD at the earliest possible stage.

Wide-Field Retinal Imaging Wide-field retinal imaging captures a detailed, high resolution image of your retina including the areas where early signs of AMD are most likely to appear. The scan is quick, completely noninvasive, and gives our doctor a comprehensive view of your retinal health to detect even the subtlest early changes associated with AMD.

At Eyecare First, we are committed to helping every patient maintain the best possible vision at every stage of life. Schedule your AMD screening or comprehensive eye exam today.

Protecting your vision from the silent thief of sight.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of permanent blindness worldwide and one of the most serious eye conditions our doctor diagnoses and treats at Eyecare First. Because glaucoma causes little to no symptoms in the early stages, it is often referred to as the silent thief of sight. Without regular eye exams, the disease can progress undetected until permanent vision loss has already occurred.

If you have not had a comprehensive eye exam within the past year, schedule your glaucoma screening at Eyecare First today.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the vital connection between the eye and the brain. It is most commonly caused by a buildup of fluid in the front of the eye that increases intraocular pressure and damages the optic nerve over time. Left untreated, glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss within just a few years.

There are two primary types of glaucoma:

Open-Angle Glaucoma is the most common form. The eye’s drainage system appears normal but fluid does not drain properly, causing pressure to build gradually over time. Most patients with open-angle glaucoma experience no symptoms until significant vision loss has already occurred.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle between the cornea and iris narrows or becomes blocked, causing a sudden and dangerous increase in eye pressure. This type of glaucoma can develop rapidly and requires immediate medical attention.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

In the early stages glaucoma typically causes no noticeable symptoms, which is why regular comprehensive eye exams are so important. As the condition progresses patients may experience:

• Gradual loss of peripheral or side vision
• Tunnel vision in advanced stages
• Halos around lights
• Eye pain or redness
• Blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting in cases of acute angle-closure glaucoma

Who is at risk for developing glaucoma?

Glaucoma can affect anyone but is most common in adults over the age of 40. Additional risk factors include:

• Family history of glaucoma
• Diabetes
• High eye pressure
• Previous eye injury or trauma
• Long term use of corticosteroid medications such as prednisone

How is glaucoma diagnosed and treated?

At Eyecare First in Norwood, NJ, our doctor screens for glaucoma during every comprehensive eye exam. This includes measuring your intraocular pressure, examining the optic nerve, and testing your peripheral vision. Early detection is the single most important factor in preventing permanent vision loss from glaucoma.

If glaucoma is detected, treatment will depend on the severity of the condition and may include prescription eye drops to reduce eye pressure, laser therapy, or in more advanced cases, microsurgery. Our doctor will work with you to develop the most effective and least invasive treatment plan for your individual needs.

At Eyecare First, we are committed to being your partner in long term vision health. Schedule your glaucoma screening in Norwood, NJ today.