Ophthalmology and Optometry Services and Procedures
Complete Eye Exams
Cataracts
Optical
Shop - Glasses & Contacts
Diabetic Retinopathy
Glaucoma
Macular Degeneration
Corneal Transplants
Plastic Surgery
LASIK and LASEK (Refractive) Surgery
Dry Eye Syndrome
Strabismus (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia
Contact Lenses
Complete Eye Exams
Concord Eye Care in New Hampshire offers complete
eye evaluations for people of all ages. Our eye doctors check for refractive
errors as well as diseases and any other problems that may exist. A
comprehensive eye exam typically includes a thorough medical history
and eye chart test. We will also perform a tonometry test to check for
signs of glaucoma and will examine your eyes under a "slit
lamp" in order to check for cataracts and other corneal problems. Scheduling
an eye exam with an optometrist on an annual basis
is important your good health. Finding an eye doctor you can trust is
even more important and the eye doctors of Concord Eye Care want to earn
your trust now and in the future by becoming your doctor.
Contact us to schedule an appointment today!
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye that can lead to vision loss. Although cataracts can occur at any age, they are most common among people over the age of 65.
Fortunately, cataract surgery is a relatively simple procedure that our cataract surgeons are thoroughly experienced in, and frequently use to help restore a person’s vision. In cataract surgery, a tiny incision is made in the eye and an ultrasound is used to break up the cataract. The cataract is then gently suctioned out. This technique is called phacoemulsification. A clear plastic intraocular lens (IOL) is then inserted into the eye. The IOL takes the place of the natural, cloudy lens and allows the patient to see clearly. Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that has restored the vision of many people. In fact, it is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States. The eye doctors of Concord Eye Care have the experience to help so if you are interested in learning more about cataract surgery, or would like to schedule as exam please contact us today.
Pediatric Eye Care
We offer a full range of pediatric eye care services, from basic eye exams for children to advanced treatment of eye problems. Children can suffer from a unique set of vision ailments, including strabismus (crossed eyes). Although most eye diseases are more likely to occur among older people, children can develop glaucoma or be born with cataracts. Whatever your child's needs, our eye doctors have the training and experience needed to help. We have great respect for the patient/physician relationship and are well known for building a strong rapport with children of all ages. When you and your child schedule an appointment with the pediatric doctors at Concord Eye Care in New Hampshire you can rest assured you will have a safe and comfortable experience.
Contact us to schedule an appointment today!
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye condition that can develop in diabetics. It is extremely important for anyone with diabetes to have regular eye exams, because early treatment offers the best chance of preserving vision in people with diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases.
In short, diabetic retinopathy occurs when blood vessels within the eye begin to leak. The fluid leaking into the eye causes the macula (part of the retina) to swell, obscuring close vision and fine details. This first phase of diabetic retinopathy is called the nonproliferative stage.
In the proliferative stage, new blood vessels begin to form on the retina. These vessels are defective and continue to rupture and leak fluid into the eye. This can eventually lead to retinal detachment, which can cause blindness. In the United States diabetic retinopathy is the number one cause of blindness among people between the ages of 20 and 65.
Aside from controlling blood sugar levels, there are several treatments available for diabetic retinopathy, including laser photocoagulation and other laser and conventional surgical procedures. If you have diabetes or diabetic retinopathy, and are interested in a screening or treatment options the eye doctors of Concord Eye Care in New Hampshire want to help. Please contact us today.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States, and it can affect people of all ages and races. The term glaucoma actually covers a family of eye conditions that are associated with damage to the optic nerve. Optic nerve damage caused by glaucoma is most often associated with high levels of intraocular eye pressure (although in some cases eye pressure remains normal).
Intraocular pressure rises when fluid in the eye drains too slowly (open angle or chronic glaucoma) or when the eye's drainage canals become blocked (closed angle or acute glaucoma). The disease can be congenital or can result from injury.
Many glaucoma medications and procedures aim to lower intraocular pressure in order to stop glaucoma's progression. Glaucoma medication is often administered in the form of eye drops. Surgical treatment is another option. Both conventional and laser surgeries are available.
If you would like more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our glaucoma doctors, please contact us today.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a serious eye disease that can lead to vision loss. Most cases of macular degeneration are age-related. There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Wet AMD is more serious but also more treatable and far less common. The dry form of macular degeneration is more widespread and more difficult to treat. Still, in either case, early detection is absolutely vital to preserving vision.
In dry AMD, the layer of cells beneath the retina stop functioning properly. This causes the macula (the part of the retina responsible for details and fine vision) to malfunction. People with dry macular degeneration often have holes or blank areas in their central vision that can worsen over time.
Wet AMD causes new, defective blood vessels to grow beneath the retina where they eventually leak and bleed. Scar tissue often forms. Wet AMD causes a rapid loss of vision (it can lead to blindness within weeks) and requires immediate intervention by an experienced ophthalmologist.
No matter which form of macular degeneration you have, it is important to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. Wet AMD can sometimes be treated with laser surgery or medication. Early detection and treatment can help save your vision. Dry AMD does not have a cure or an effective treatment. We can, however, help patients monitor the condition and learn how to use low-vision aids to help with reading and other tasks. We also keep our patients privy to new information and any new treatments for macular degeneration as they become available. To learn more, please contact us today.
Corneal Transplants
Light has to pass through the cornea (the outer layer of the eye) before it can be focused on the retina. If disease or trauma damages the cornea, vision can be severely impaired.
Fortunately, corneal transplantation is an effective form of surgery that can help restore good vision. By obtaining corneal tissue from an organ donor, the damaged cornea can be replaced. Corneal transplants are performed more often than any other transplant surgery in the U.S.
Some of the problems corneal transplantation can correct are: keratoconus (an eye disease), eye injuries, corneal ulcers, chemical burns, and corneal scarring. To learn more about corneal transplantation, please contact us today.
Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery can be used to correct problems or to enhance appearance. Concord Eye Care in New Hampshire has doctors trained in facial plastic surgery who can help you improve your appearance as well as your vision.
When choosing a plastic surgeon, it is important to choose someone who has experience and who is board certified. Our plastic surgeons meet these criteria and stand ready to help you achieve your goals. Please contact us to learn more!
Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry Eye Syndrome is a frequent cause of eye irritation that causes patients to seek ophthalmologic care. The patient population includes individuals of all ages who present with symptoms and signs suggestive of dry eye, such as irritation or redness. While symptoms may often improve with treatment, the disease usually is not curable, which may be a source of patient and physician frustration. There are several types of treatment though, including new medicines, which have greatly improved the comfort of many patients.
Dry eye can be a cause of visual morbidity and may compromise results of corneal surgery. The purpose of diagnosing and managing patients with dry eye is to preserve and/or improve vision, prevent or minimize structural damage to the ocular surface, and improve patient comfort.
Strabismus
Strabismus is a visual defect in which the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions. One eye may appear straight, while the other eye turns inward, outward, upward or downward. This misalignment may always be present or come and go. Sometimes the straight eye may turn while the misaligned eye straightens.
Strabismus is a common condition among children. About 4% of all children in the United States have strabismus. It can also occur later in life. The condition occurs equally in males and females. Strabismus may run in families.
Strabismus can be diagnosed during an eye exam. It is recommended that all children have their vision checked by their pediatrician, family doctor or ophthalmologist (medical eye doctor) at or before their fourth birthday. If there is a family history of strabismus or amblyopia, an ophthalmologist can check vision even earlier than age three. The appearance of strabismus may improve as the child grows, however, the child will not outgrow true strabismus.
Treatment for strabismus works to (1) Preserve vision; (2) Straighten the eyes; (3) Restore binocular (two-eyed) vision. The Ophthalmologist may prescribe eyeglasses to treat the condition. Other treatments may involve eye muscle exercises or surgery to correct the unbalanced eye muscles.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia, commonly known as “lazy eye”, is an eye condition causing reduced vision in one eye. This means the vision or acuity (20/20) has not developed. It is estimated that three percent of children under six have some form of amblyopia. This relatively high incidence underscores the need for early detection programs such as vision screening in the primary care setting, in school and vision testing by your ophthalmologist.
Development of a child’s visual system depends upon the ability to clearly focus light upon the retina within the eye. Sharply focused images permit the visual system to develop in a normal fashion. This process of development occurs during the early years of life. An interruption in this process, especially during the first three years of life, will have a long lasting adverse effect on centers in the brain responsible for vision. Proper treatment to insure normal development of the vision system is essential.
Anything that interferes with clear vision in either eye during the critical period (birth to 6 years of age) can cause amblyopia. The most common causes of amblyopia are Constant Strabismus (constant turn of one eye), Anisometropia (different refractive errors or eye glass prescriptions in each eye), Deprivation (child may be born with opacities or cataract in the cornea or lens), or Ametropia (very large refractive error or need for glasses).
The principle for correcting amblyopia is directed towards helping the brain pay attention to the eye with deficient visual development. This may require sharpening the image that falls upon the retina with either eyeglasses or a contact lens when they are indicated. Anatomic defects such as cataracts or corneal opacities usually need to be surgically corrected first. Once the light can be focused clearly on the retina, occlusion or patching of the dominant eye is necessary. Occlusion will force the brain to use the amblyopic eye and enable the vision to improve. The daily schedule and duration of occlusion will depend upon the age of the patient, how long the defect has been present, and the severity of the amblyopia. The earlier treatment is started by an Ophthalmologist, the more rapidly improvement will occur.
Contact Lenses
Our optometrists will evaluate and fit patients for contact lenses. Contact lenses are available for nearsightedness, farsightedness, bi-focal, and astigmatism correction. In addition, some contacts can enhance the color of your eye.
Contact us today to schedule and appointment!