Eye Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

In every comprehensive eye exam, Dr. Roy will provide a thorough evaluation of your eye health. This allows for the detection of eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, dry eye, etc. If you have a systemic condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid disease, you will be evaluated for any related eye disease. As a primary eye care provider, Dr. Roy is licensed to prescribe many ocular and oral medications. Should your condition(s) require surgical intervention or other care you will be properly co-managed with a sub-specialist in the area of your specific needs. The below photographs were made by Dr. Roy and show many common eye diseases.

Asteroid Hyalites

Cataract

A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the normally clear lens of the eye. Depending on its size and location, it can interfere with normal vision. Most cataracts develop in people over age 55, but they occasionally occur in infants and young children. Usually, cataracts develop in both eyes, but one may be worse than the other. The lens is located inside the eye behind the pupil and iris, the latter of which is the colored part of the eye. Normally, the lens focuses light on the retina, which sends the image through the optic nerve to the brain. However, if the lens is clouded by a cataract, light is scattered so the lens can no longer focus it properly, causing vision problems such as blur. The lens is made of mostly proteins and water. Clouding of the lens occurs due to changes in the proteins and lens fibers. Cataracts generally form very slowly. Signs and symptoms of a cataract may include:

Blurred or hazy vision
Reduced intensity of colors
Increased sensitivity to glare from lights, particularly when driving at night
Increased difficulty seeing at night
Change in the eye's refractive error, necessitating glasses prescription changes before the need for surgery.

Cataract

Before Removal

Cataract

Cataract Removed Intra-ocular Lens (IOL) Inserted (see edge of IOL). The IOL is clear unlike the cataract in above photograph.

Cataract

Intraocular Lens Behind Undilated Pupil

Old type of replacement lens

After Cataract is removed.

dr-roy-coosa-eye-Old-type-replacement-lens

Corneal Abrasion

A corneal abrasion is a painful scrape or scratch of the surface of the clear part of the eye.

Corneal Transplant

This eye's pupil was obscured by the mostly opaque and cloudy cornea until the donor tissue was transplanted restoring the vision to the eye.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Seen here as the red and yellowish spots.

Foreign Body

Wearing eye protection (safety glasses with side shields) can often prevent scheduled office visits and safe costs and eyesight.

Macular Degeneration (dry)

Vitamins/antioxidants the AREDS 2 version has been shown to be helpful in reducing the progression of macula degeneration.

dr-roy-coosa-eye-Macula Degeneration (dry)

Macular Degeneration (wet)

This type of macula degeneration may be slowed in its progression with the placement of a special drug (commonly used since about 2005) into the eye.

dr-roy-coosa-eye-Macula Degeneration (wet)

Neovascularization

Posterior Capsular Opacification

(after cataract)

This clouding forms behind the Intra-Ocular Lens (IOL).

Ulcer

Pterygium

Blood in front chamber

Blepharitis