Diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels due to insufficient insulin production or the body’s insufficient response to the insulin produced. Over time, high blood glucose levels can impact many parts of the body, including the eyes. Children and adolescents with diabetes are significantly more likely to suffer from dry eye syndrome (DES) than their non-diabetic peers. While many people mistakenly believe that DES is harmless, moderate to severe dry eye symptoms that go untreated can result in corneal abrasions and ulcers, and even permanent vision loss. Dry eyes are of special ..read more

You likely visit your optometrist for regular eye exams or whenever you need a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. But did you know that an optometrist can detect early signs of retinal problems and help manage them until you need to see a retina specialist? At Doctor Name in we do just that! But First, What Does a Retina Specialist Do? Retina specialists are medical doctors who have received further training in eye diseases to become ophthalmologists. These doctors have earned an additional degree focused on diagnosing and treating retinal conditions. The treatments that retina specia ..read more

Most people don’t think a regular eye exam could save their life. But the truth is that in many cases, a comprehensive eye exam can detect much more than eye disease.  That’s one reason that we at Uptown Eye Care in Monticello recommend annual eye exams to all of our patients, even in the absence of visual changes or symptoms. Read on to find out how a routine trip to the optometrist helped preserve Katie Dunn’s vision and life!  How an Eye Exam Saved Katie’s Life Katie Dunn, a 30-year old beautician, visited her local eye doctor for a routine eye exam. During the exam, the optometri ..read more

Contact lenses are a great alternative to wearing prescription glasses, and that’s especially true when traveling. Nothing beats the convenience of contacts, especially while doing activities where wearing glasses would be impractical or uncomfortable.  While some people opt for daily disposable lenses while traveling, many others continue to wear the standard contacts they wear day in and day out.    To learn more about contact lens safety tips while on the move, call Uptown Eye Care in Monticello today. Get Your Contact Lenses Ready Before Your Trip  There are several way ..read more

The Chinese government recently implemented a new policy that’s sparked conversations about childhood myopia and online gaming. Under the policy, Chinese children and teens under the age of 18 are only permitted to play online video games for one hour on weekend evenings and public holidays — a significant reduction compared to their previous online gaming allotment. This restriction includes all forms of video games, from handheld devices to computer and smartphone gaming. The government hopes to combat a common condition called online gaming disorder, or video game addiction, which affects m ..read more

There are 2 main types of macular degeneration: dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration. Unfortunately, by the time noticeable symptoms appear, vision loss has usually occurred. The good news is that when AMD is diagnosed and treated early, it’s often possible to delay and even prevent further vision loss. Having regular comprehensive eye exams is the best way to preserve your vision. To schedule your eye exam, contact Uptown Eye Care in Monticello today. What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)? Macular degeneration occurs when the macula — the part of the eye that enables ..read more

Keratoconus: What Is It? Keratoconus is an eye condition that gets progressively worse over time. It causes the cornea to become thin and weak, and bulge into a cone-like shape. The condition affects about 1 in every 2,000 people. The cornea is the clear outer covering of the eye. It allows incoming light to focus on the retina, which results in clear vision. However, with keratoconus, the cone-shaped cornea changes how light is focused. So people with keratoconus develop astigmatism and myopia (nearsightedness), which cause distorted and blurry vision. Left untreated, keratoconus can result ..read more

The macula is the focal point of the retina and is responsible for central vision. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is common in older adults, causes the macula to deteriorate. By the time you notice symptoms from macular degeneration, vision loss will have usually occurred. To rule out or confirm macular degeneration, schedule an eye exam with Uptown Eye Care in Uptown Eye Care today. What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)? The risk of developing macular degeneration increases as you age. It’s a leading cause of vision loss in people 55 and older. The macula allows us to ..read more

Switching from glasses to scleral contact lenses can take some time and adjustment. Scleral lenses are larger than traditional contact lenses and are designed to correct more severe vision problems, such as keratoconus and severe dry eye. Unlike traditional contact lenses, scleral lenses are filled with a solution before being placed on the eye, which can take some getting used to. Contact Uptown Eye Care in Monticello today to schedule a consultation and learn more about the benefits of scleral lenses for your vision needs! How Do I Get Fitted for Scleral Lenses? Before switching to scleral l ..read more

When you take a peek into the wide world of contact lenses for vision correction, the differences between lenses can seem confusing. What are the differences between rigid gas-permeable lenses, daily disposables, extended wear, and so on? Not every type of contact will be able to meet your vision needs, and your eye care provider is always best qualified to point you to the optimum contact lens type for your situation. However, it can be helpful to know a little bit of the language surrounding contact lenses to enhance your discussions with your provider. Let’s look at a few of the most common ..read more