Eye Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
When it comes to eye diseases, early detection and prompt treatment are crucial. Our experienced optometrists are well-versed in diagnosing and managing various eye diseases, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye conditions. We utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and personalized treatment plans to help preserve your vision and prevent further progression of the disease, and we help co-manage any surgical processes if required. Trust our expertise to safeguard your visual health.
Eye Disease Management in Thief River Falls
By using advanced technology, we are able to diagnose and treat diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy with increased precision. Earlier and more precise diagnosis means earlier treatment and better outcomes. As a result of Northwest Eye Center, our eye doctor is capable of treating diseases that previously had few treatment options.
Glaucoma Treatment
A condition where the eye’s optic nerve, which provides information to the brain, is damaged with or without raised intraocular pressure. If untreated, this will cause gradual vision loss. The damage caused by glaucoma can't be reversed. But treatment and regular checkups can help slow or prevent vision loss, especially if you catch the disease in its early stages. Glaucoma is treated by lowering intraocular pressure. Treatment options include prescription eye drops, oral medicines, laser treatment, surgery or a combination of approaches.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is primarily an age-related retinal condition. There are two types of macular degeneration — wet and dry. If untreated, you may lose central vision. There’s no cure for macular degeneration. Starting treatments early can slow the progression of the disease and make symptoms less severe. Even with successful treatments, symptoms often return. Depending on the disease type, treatments include nutritional supplements, medications, photodynamic therapy (PDT) and laser therapy.
Diabetic Eye Care
Diabetes can have a significant impact on your eye health. Regular diabetic eye care is crucial to prevent or manage diabetic retinopathy and other diabetes-related eye conditions. At Northwest Eye Center, we provide comprehensive diabetic eye exams, specialized treatment options, and ongoing monitoring to ensure the optimal health of your eyes.
Eye Surgery Co-Management
At Northwest Eye Center, our optometrists co-manage with Ophthalmologists and Retinal Specialists in the region to provide a variety of solutions to various eye related concerns.
LASIK Eye Surgery: Experience Freedom from Glasses and Contact Lenses
Looking for a convenient alternative to glasses or contact lenses for clear vision? Embrace the freedom of LASIK eye surgery and say hello to a life without the limitations of traditional vision correction methods. At Northwest Eye Center, our experienced professionals utilize advanced technology and proven techniques to co-manage the process to help you achieve clear vision and reduce dependency on corrective eyewear. Experience the joy of waking up to a world without glasses or contacts and enjoy a life of convenience and visual freedom.
Cataract Surgery
Cataracts are cloudy patches in the lens of your eye that make your vision blurry, hazy, or less colorful. Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the lens of the eye and, in most cases, replace it with an artificial lens.
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty (BLEF-uh-roe-plas-tee) is a type of surgery that repairs droopy eyelids and may involve removing excess skin, muscle and fat. You might consider blepharoplasty if droopy or sagging eyelids keep your eyes from opening completely or pull down your lower eyelids. Removing excess tissue from your upper eyelids can improve your vision. Upper and lower lid blepharoplasty can make your eyes appear younger and more alert.
Eye Disease Management in Thief River Falls
Visual Field Testing (VFT)
A visual field test evaluates the extent of your peripheral or "side" vision to detect potential blind spots (scotomas), peripheral vision loss, or visual field abnormalities. It is a simple and painless examination that doesn't require the use of eye drops, but it does rely on the patient's ability to comprehend and follow instructions.
To initiate a preliminary visual field screening, the optometrist may instruct you to focus on a central object, cover one eye, and describe what you observe at the periphery of your field of view. For a more thorough evaluation, specialized equipment may be employed. In one such test, you rest your chin on a chin support and gaze forward. Lights are flashed, and you are required to press a button whenever you detect a light. The lights vary in brightness throughout the test, and some flashes are intended to verify your concentration. Each eye undergoes separate testing, and the entire procedure typically lasts between 15 to 45 minutes. These devices can generate a computerized map of your visual field, pinpointing any deficiencies and their locations.
Optical Coherence Tomography – OCT Scan
An Optical Coherence Tomography scan, commonly known as an OCT scan, represents the latest breakthrough in imaging technology. Similar to ultrasound, this diagnostic method utilizes light instead of sound waves to produce higher-resolution images of the structural layers at the back of the eye.
Utilizing a scanning laser, the OCT scan analyzes the layers of the retina and optic nerve, similar to a CT scan but without radiation. It plays a crucial role in the early detection of eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinal disease.
The OCT scan provides doctors with color-coded, cross-sectional images of the retina, revolutionizing the early identification and treatment of conditions like wet and dry age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and diabetic retinopathy.
This non-invasive and painless test typically takes about 10 minutes and can be conveniently conducted right in our Northwest Eye Center office. If you have any questions or wish to inquire about scheduling an OCT scan during your next appointment, please don't hesitate to contact our Northwest Eye Center office.
Optomap
Dilating pupils with eye drops can be inconvenient for eyecare patients, but it is a crucial part of a comprehensive eye exam. However, Optomap technology offers an alternative. Utilizing low-power laser technology, eyecare professionals can quickly capture a wide, detailed digital scan of the retina in real time, eliminating the need for pupil-dilating eye drops.
Optomap technology captures a larger, wide-field image of the inside of your eyeball, taking around a minute for the scan. This method is crucial for early detection of conditions like cataracts, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Availability may vary, and insurance coverage for Optomap retinal exams could be limited. Consult your eyecare professional to determine if an Optomap eye exam is suitable for you.
Take control of your eye health today. Contact Northwest Eye Center at 218-681-3300 to schedule an appointment with our experienced eye care professionals. Trust us to provide exceptional care and help you preserve your vision for a lifetime.