Learn More about Our Comprehensive Eye Care
At Chicago Cornea Consultants, we take the health of your eyes seriously. We offer a range of treatments to help you maintain the clear, dependable vision you deserve.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults undergo a comprehensive eye examination every 3-5 years before the age of 45, every 2-3 years from 45-65, and every 1-2 years thereafter. Because one eye can compensate for the other, you may be unaware of a loss of vision in one eye unless you are checked at the eye doctor’s office.
It is important to know about the general health of your eyes, and that we can monitor you for progression of any early conditions. Additionally, at times during a “routine” eye exam, abnormalities may be found which you might not even be aware of. Sometimes, they may require an intervention to prevent irreversible damage.
Examples of these types of conditions include:
- Undetected vision problems (myopia, presbyopia, astigmatism, keratoconus)
- Glaucoma and elevated eye pressure or abnormal (narrow) anterior chambers
- Cataracts
- Retinal tears or holes
- Macular degeneration
- Eye inflammation (uveitis)
- Dry eye and blepharitis
Many general medical conditions can affect the eyes or may manifest themselves for the first time with eye symptoms.
If you have been diagnosed with or are concerned about any of the following, an expert, detailed comprehensive eye examination on a regular basis is very important:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Giant cell arteritis
- Stroke
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, psoriasis, eczema, and others.
Some medications can have ocular side effects. Drugs that affect the central and peripheral nervous system (anticholinergics, antidepressants, antipsychotics,) may result in blurred vision, especially for near tasks.
Antihistamines taken for allergies can contribute to dry eye as can medicines for blood pressure control. Medications for your prostate (such as FLOMAX) can affect the pupil during eye surgery. Treatments for erectile dysfunction can affect color vision and the health of the optic nerve.
Specific medications that require monitoring for toxicity or particular ill effects on the eyes include:
- Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) – taken for autoimmune diseases
- Steroids (tablets, inhalers, topical preparations) – used for many indications
- Tamoxifen – taken for breast cancer treatment
- Amiodarone – taken for irregular heartbeat
- Topamax (topiramate) – taken for a migraine and other conditions
- Gilenya (fingolimod) – taken for MS
There are other medications which can impact the eyes that are not listed above. Always be sure to let your eye care provider know of all the medications you are taking. At times, there may be worrisome concerns for which we are happy to see patients on an urgent basis. If a referral or information from another provider is needed, our staff will do their best to help and facilitate a prompt visit.
Some of these symptoms include:
- Decreased, distorted or newly variable vision
- Double vision
- Flashing lights or floaters
- Eye injuries like scratched eyes (corneal abrasions,) foreign bodies in the eyes, chemical exposures, etc.
- Eye infections (conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers)
- Eye allergies (itchy, burning, watery eyes)
- Styes (bumps and swellings of the eyelids)
The ophthalmologists and optometrists of Chicago Cornea Consultants are available and glad to provide eyecare for these and many other needs for you and your family. Our skilled providers can get you an expertly accurate eyeglasses prescription and take care of your contact lens needs as well.
To learn more about our comprehensive eye care services, contact our practice in Chicago, Highland Park or Hoffman Estates today.
