Eye Conditions

Learn More About Common Eye Conditions and Diseases

At Family Vision Center, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive eye care to help you maintain optimal vision and eye health. Our experienced team of eye care professionals is equipped to diagnose and treat a wide range of eye conditions, from common issues like dry eye and refractive errors to more complex conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. We are committed to offering personalized care and advanced treatments to preserve and enhance your vision, ensuring you and your family enjoy clear, healthy eyesight for years to come.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a term used to describe a group of diseases that can cause severe damage to the optic nerve, the part of the eye that sends visual information to the brain. If left untreated, glaucoma can result in vision loss or permanent blindness. Most often, there are no symptoms of open-angle glaucoma.


Many patients don’t know they have the disease until vision loss occurs. In cases of closed-angle glaucoma, however, patients may experience severe eye pain, nausea, headaches, or blurry vision. If any of these symptoms appear suddenly, you must contact your eye doctor.


While there is no definitive way to prevent or cure glaucoma, it is possible to control the progression of the disease. Prescription medications, such as eye drops and/or surgeries, can slow or prevent vision loss due to glaucoma.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is an eye disease that can cause damage to the macula, the area in the center of the retina that is responsible for sharp central vision. The macula controls your ability to focus on fine details. Damage to the macula can impair your ability to read, drive a vehicle, or recognize faces. In most instances, macular degeneration progresses slowly over time.


Vision loss may only occur years after an initial diagnosis. As the disease progresses, people can experience blurry vision that may not be correctable with glasses. Advanced stages of macular degeneration can result in a complete loss of central vision.


People with this stage of the disease are typically considered legally blind despite retaining peripheral vision. There is currently no available treatment for the macular degeneration. Some patients may benefit from taking nutritional supplements and minerals that match the AREDS 2 formula. Research suggests these supplements slow the progression of macular degeneration. In severe cases, eye injections may be needed to manage the disease.

Diabetes/Diabetic Retinopathy

If blood sugar levels are not adequately controlled in individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, patients can suffer from diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes. It can also cause cataracts and increase the risk of the development of glaucoma.


The early stages of diabetic retinopathy usually don’t have any symptoms. Some people notice changes in their vision, like trouble reading or seeing faraway objects. These changes may come and go.


In the later stages of the disease, blood vessels in the retina start to leak and cause bleeding or swelling of the retina. If this happens, you may see dark, floating spots or streaks resembling cobwebs. Sometimes, the spots clear up on their own, but getting treatment right away is essential.


Without treatment, scars can form in the back of the eye. Treatment may include working with your doctors to control your blood sugar levels. If the disease progresses, you may need eye injections, laser treatment, or surgery to manage the disease. 

Dry Eyes

Dry eye is an uncomfortable eye problem caused by a lack of moisture and increased inflammation in your eyes. Your risk of developing dry eye increases with age and if you have a medical history of eye problems such as conjunctivitis, corneal infections, or keratitis.


Hormonal changes, certain medications, and environmental conditions such as wind or smoke can also increase the risk of dry eye. Chronic dry eye can be treated with prescription eye drops or medication.


Over-the-counter medications like artificial tears, gels, or ointments can help lubricate the eye and alleviate dry eye symptoms. Warm compresses followed by gentle eyelid massage can also be beneficial.


New treatments, such as intense pulsed light therapy, have shown to be beneficial in managing dry eyes.

LASIK/Laser Vision Correction

Laser vision correction may be an option to reduce the need for glasses and contact lenses. There are different types of procedures a surgeon may use to achieve vision without correction, such as LASIK, PRK, SMILE, implantable contact lenses, or clear lens exchange.


A comprehensive eye examination will help the doctor determine your eye health and what procedure may be the best option. Health conditions such as chronic dry eyes, conjunctivitis, injury, cataracts, keratoconus, or glaucoma may limit or disqualify you as a candidate for laser corrective surgery.


Certain degenerative or autoimmune diseases could also limit your ability to receive laser vision correction. You must also be an adult with stable vision for at least one year. We combine procedures with experienced laser surgeons along the Colorado Front Range.

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