Regular eye exams can offer early detection and prevention of many diseases. Some eye conditions such as glaucoma can be irreversible if gone unnoticed for too long. Many conditions show no symptoms until vision loss occurs so it is better to allow early treatment to ensure you have healthy eyesight for the better part of your life.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the US and occurs when there is too much pressure inside the eye which damages the optic nerve. Symptoms of glaucoma include blurry vision, loss of peripheral vision, reddened eyes, light pain, or halo effects around lights. With routine exams, testing for glaucoma can detect its early stages, which can allow for early treatment and prevention of vision loss.

People who are more at risk for glaucoma include those with a family medical history of it, those over 40, diabetic, near-sighted, and African Americans.

Macular degeneration, which is associated with vision loss, occurs when the retina in the center of your eye degrades causing a gradual loss of vision. Symptoms include:

• Blurry or distorted vision
• A gradual loss of color vision
• Losing the ability to see objects clearly
• Empty or dark areas in the center of vision

There are 2 forms of macular degeneration — these are called "wet" and "dry." The wet form of macular degeneration can be treated in the earlier stages but it is always recommended to continue routine eye exams to offer treatment as early as possible.

A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens in the front of your eye which should normally appear clear. Cataracts aren't painful but can cause several symptoms including:

• Sensitivity to glares
• Spots in the front of the eyes
• Blurry or hazy vision
• A feeling of having a film over the eye

People who are more at risk of developing cataracts include those who are over 55, have a family history of cataracts, smoke cigarettes, have had eye diseases or injuries, or use certain medications.

The loss of vision caused by cataracts can be treated with contacts or glasses but for those significantly affected, replacement surgery may be necessary. Cataract replacement is a common procedure that allows the clouded lens of the eye to be replaced with an artificial, healthy lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that can weaken the blood vessels that are responsible for nourishing the retina. Once these vessels become weak and leak, swell, or develop thin branches, vision can be lost. This causes cloudy or blurry vision as well as blind spots, and floaters, and eventually, it leads to blindness and then the damage is irreversible. Treatments include laser and surgical procedures which can slow the progression of this disease to prevent further vision loss.

Yes. People who have diabetes are more susceptible to developing diabetic retinopathy but risks can be reduced with a controlled diet along with the correct use of medications, blood pressure and cholesterol control, as well as regular exercise.

Dry eye can occur during the aging process as well as result from eyelid or blinking problems, certain medications, climate, injury, health problems, and more. Symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Scratchy, irritated, dry or red eyes
• A burning sensation or feeling like there is something in your eyes

Dry eye can also damage eye tissue, scar your cornea, and impair vision. Dry eye can easily be controlled before any extensive harm is done to the eye but it cannot be prevented. Non-surgical treatments include increasing humidity at work or at home, artificial tears, or moisturizing ointment. If these methods do not improve the condition, the insertion of punctal plugs in the corners of the eyes to reduce drainage can help or the drainage tubes can be surgically closed.

LRI stands for limbal relaxing incisions used to treat astigmatism. This treatment consists of using a microscopic diamond-tipped blade to create incisions in the corneas of the eyes to reshape them so patients can see better without glasses. This procedure can be done at the same time as cataract surgery or if you have already had cataract surgery, LRI can be performed in the office.