Eye Care Services in Raleigh-Durham

The Kelly Eye Center offers Raleigh-Durham, NC, patients a broad range of eye care services including cataract evaluation and treatment, general and medical eye exams, glaucoma treatment and surgery, injury and diseases of the eye, glasses, contact lenses, and more!

Cataract Services

Cataracts are one of the most prevalent eye problems found in eye care patients, affecting over 22 million Americans. Cataracts are formed when the eye’s natural lens clouds up as a result of biological aging or one of several other common causes. Typically developed in older patients, cataracts can lead to clouded, blurred or dim vision and potentially, blindness. The only effective treatment is surgery to remove the clouded lens. Cataract surgery can offer improved vision, and is one of the safest and most effective procedures performed today.

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Glaucoma Services

Glaucoma is a degenerative disease that if left untreated can cause permanent damage to the optic nerve, resulting in gradual loss of vision, tunnel vision, and eventual blindness. Damage to the optic nerve due to glaucoma is usually caused by an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Clear fluid, called aqueous humor, circulates through the eye to provide nourishment to the tissue and applies pressure to help maintain the shape of the eye.

Dry Eye Services

Dry Eye is a condition in which dry spots appear on the clear front surface of the eye. It is caused by the reduction in your eyes’ ability to naturally produce tears or when the chemical balance of your tears becomes imbalanced. There are over 10 million Americans who suffer from dry eyes.

Dry eye is common among older people or those who use computers, contact lenses, or certain medications such as allergy medicines. People who are exposed to excess amounts of sun, wind, dust or smoke will often suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome as well.

Common symptoms of Dry Eye may include itching, burning, redness, blurred vision, a scratchy sensation, excessive watering, and general irritation and discomfort after long periods of reading, watching television, or driving.

Treatment of Dry Eye

Although Dry Eye Syndrome cannot be cured, it can be treated with lubricating eye drops or certain oral medications to help alleviate symptoms so that your vision is not affected. Using a warm compress and performing lid scrubs two to three times a day may also help relieve discomfort. After soaking the eyes with a warm, damp, clean washcloth for several minutes, use a mixture of baby shampoo and water to gently scrub the eyelids and eyelashes to help improve lid hygiene and relive your symptoms.

If you use contact lenses, it is very important to follow your doctor’s instructions on cleaning and disinfecting your lenses, since your contacts can sometimes absorb your tear film and cause a cloudy protein residue to form on the lens. Frequent use of artificial tears will help rinse the eye and provide moisture and relief.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the number one cause of legal blindness among people over the age of 60. This disease affects the macula (the portion of the eye responsible for central vision), which can make it very difficult to read, drive, or perform your daily activities.

People between the ages of 64 and 74 have a 1-in-4 chance of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), and the risk increases with age. The risk also doubles if you smoke, have high cholesterol, high hypertension, exposure to UV rays, or a family history of the disease.

Macular Degeneration

There are two types of macular degeneration: Dry ARMD (dry macular degeneration) and wet macular degeneration Wet ARMD (wet macular degeneration). Dry macular degeneration affects about 90% of people with this disease, which causes light cells located in the macula to break down. Wet macular degeneration affects the other 10% of people with macular degeneration, but it amounts for up to 90% of severe vision loss caused by the disease. This type of degeneration occurs when new blood vessels in the retina grow toward the macula, often leaking blood and fluid into the eye.

Your central vision will begin to blur as your age-related macular degeneration gets worse, sometimes causing a dark spot that can get bigger and darker with time. Straight lines will begin to appear wavy or you may notice grey, shaded spots in your vision. Your doctor may recommend using an Amsler Grid (such as the one shown below) to help monitor the progression of your age-related macular degeneration and watch for any changes in your vision.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment Options in our Raleigh-Durham, NC Centers

Some studies have shown that antioxidant vitamins and zinc may help slow the progression of dry macular degeneration. However, wet macular degeneration requires immediate attention to help prevent further vision loss. If you have been diagnosed with wet macular degeneration, a focal grid laser treatment may be recommended. Patients with wet macular degeneration are referred to a retinal specialist for further treatment.

Macular degeneration often does not have any early symptoms, as it is painless and oftentimes subtle. There is no cure for ARMD, but annual dilated eye exams are very important in catching age-related macular degeneration early.