Top cataract surgery expert advices by Aarti Pandya, MD: Upon completing her medical degree, Dr. Pandya completed her internship at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and her ophthalmology residency at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Offering her patients the best technology and treatment is of utmost importance to Dr. Pandya. She and her staff regularly take ongoing education courses to stay abreast of the most innovative and advanced technologies available today. Discover more information at dr. Aarti Pandya.
The risk of cataracts increases with age, meaning that most cataract surgeries are performed on people aged 60 and older. However, more people have been opting for surgery at a younger age in order to reap the rewards of improved vision, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. To complete your procedure, all that’s left for us to do is close the tiny incision and place a protective cover over the eye. Patients typically see clearly immediately the next day.
What Exactly Is It? Diabetic retinopathy typically affects both eyes and causes progressive damage to the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The high blood glucose levels associated with diabetes can cause serious damage to the blood vessels. And your eye is home to the most intricate network of blood vessels in the body. African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans all face higher rates of diabetic retinopathy. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or are not effectively managing your blood glucose levels your risk of diabetic retinopathy is increased substantially. Tobacco use and pregnancy also can increase your risk.
Once our team assesses the full extent of your condition, we can design a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique condition. In some cases, artificial tears (eye drops) can provide sufficient relief. Behavior modifications such as taking more frequent breaks from your computer at work or avoiding air conditioning can help relieve your symptoms. For optimal eye health, we recommend a diet rich in omega-3 foods (e.g., salmon, nuts, flaxseed oil) or supplements.
Most cases of glaucoma are caused by a buildup of fluid in the front of the eye that increases ocular pressure to dangerous levels (ocular hypertension). The increased pressure can damage the optic nerve — which is essential for transmitting the images we see to the brain for visual recognition — and result in permanent blindness. Our surgeons utilize the most advanced laser technologies and surgical procedures designed to treat any variation of glaucoma and help save your vision. The best form of treatment for glaucoma is prevention. If you are over the age of 40 and have any additional glaucoma risk factors, it’s imperative that you get regular eye exams to protect yourself against the silent threat of glaucoma.