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Smiling woman has her Eye Disease Diagnosed and Managed

Eye Disease Diagnosis and Management in Tennessee

Whether you’re in need of an annual eye exam or coming to us for a concern about your vision, the specialists at OPMT Vision Centers are able to meet all your eye care needs, no matter how uncommon. We’re proud to provide high-quality services to patients across Middle Tennessee, earning us a reputation as the eye doctors you can trust — and we do not take that trust for granted.

Our commitment to you goes beyond providing routine eye care services. Our physicians use the latest technology to screen for a variety of conditions that can affect your eyes and use the latest research and techniques to craft a treatment plan that will provide you with optimal outcomes.

Dr. Richard Durocher Optometrist in Tennessee

Our Experienced Physicians

Our trusted eye doctors are committed to staying at the forefront of research in optometry to provide our patients with the most advanced eye care solutions available. Led by our founder, Richard D. Durocher, O.D., our experienced optometrists and staff are dedicated to providing our patients with exceptional care.

Dr. Richard Durocher Optometrist in Tennessee

SEE IF EYE DISEASE DIAGNOSIS & MANAGEMENT IS RIGHT FOR YOU!

Common Eye Diseases

Eye diseases can cause permanent vision loss if not detected and addressed early enough, which is why comprehensive eye exams are critical for maintaining your eye health. Some of the most common eye diseases our physicians treat include:

Elderly Woman Receiving Cataracts Test From OPMT Optometrist
Cataracts are a common condition in older adults, as they can arise as part of the natural aging process. Cataracts occur when the natural crystalline lenses of the eyes become opaque over time, clouding the vision. Although nearly everyone will develop cataracts eventually, certain factors such as sun exposure, smoking, and alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing cataracts sooner rather than later.

Symptoms of cataracts include hazy or blurry vision, reduced color vision, and increased glare sensitivity, particularly while driving at night. In their early stages, cataracts can be managed by making small adjustments to your daily life at your optometrist’s recommendation, such as wearing glasses treated with anti-glare coating, using magnifying aids for small print, or using more light while reading.

However, if cataracts begin to significantly impair your vision, you may require cataract surgery: one of the safest and most common procedures in the world. Cataract surgery replaces the natural lens of your eye with an artificial intraocular lens. If your cataracts are advanced enough to require surgery, our physicians will refer you to a trusted local ophthalmologist for a cataract surgery consultation.

Man taking Glaucoma test at OPMT
Glaucoma is an eye disease characterized by progressive damage to the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eyes to the brain. While glaucoma is typically caused by high pressure inside the eye, in some cases, it can occur when intraocular pressure is normal. The damage caused by glaucoma begins with gradual, permanent loss of peripheral vision, resulting in “tunnel vision” as the symptoms worsen.

There are many risk factors that can increase your chances of developing glaucoma, which is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States. Common risk factors include family history, age, previous eye injuries, thin corneas and optic nerve sensitivity, select medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes, and corticosteroid use.

Glaucoma is sometimes called the “silent thief of sight” because it rarely displays any symptoms at all until noticeable, irreversible damage has been done to the vision. Although glaucoma cannot be cured, early detection is critical to preventing vision loss and slowing the progression of this disease. Every comprehensive eye exam includes glaucoma testing, which is why annual eye exams are essential for preserving your sight.
 

Man Suffering From Dry Eyes In Tennessee

Dry eye disease can lead to corneal damage if left untreated. For more information about dry eye disease — including its symptoms, causes, and treatments — please visit our dry eye therapy page.

 

Dry eye disease can lead to corneal damage if left untreated. For more information about dry eye disease — including its symptoms, causes, and treatments — please visit our dry eye therapy page.
Woman Checking Her Diabetes Condition
Diabetic retinopathy is an umbrella term that covers a set of conditions commonly caused by diabetes, but commonly refers to cases where blood sugar levels cause blood vessels in the retina to swell or leak, or causes abnormal new blood vessels to grow in the retina. This results in permanent vision loss, but can be detected with comprehensive eye exams and managed by controlling diabetes.

For more information about diabetic retinopathy, see our diabetic eye exams page.

OPMT optometrist explaing Keratoconus to patient
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that causes the cornea, which is typically round and curved to bend or refract light onto the retina, to thin and bulge outwards in a cone shape. This causes distorted vision, as the cone shape causes the light to refract irregularly.

New research has suggested that keratoconus, which occurs when the corneal tissue becomes weakened, may be caused by an imbalance in corneal enzymes, making it more susceptible to oxidative damage. The chances of developing keratoconus depend heavily on family history, but overexposure to UV light, excessive eye rubbing, and poorly-fitted contact lenses can increase this risk.

While mild cases of keratoconus can be treated with specialty glasses or contact lenses, severe cases of keratoconus may require a corneal transplant. If you’re struggling with keratoconus, our OPMT physicians will work with you to figure out the best solution to give you clear vision.
 

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that causes the cornea, which is typically round and curved to bend or refract light onto the retina, to thin and bulge outwards in a cone shape. This causes distorted vision, as the cone shape causes the light to refract irregularly.

New research has suggested that keratoconus, which occurs when the corneal tissue becomes weakened, may be caused by an imbalance in corneal enzymes, making it more susceptible to oxidative damage. The chances of developing keratoconus depend heavily on family history, but overexposure to UV light, excessive eye rubbing, and poorly-fitted contact lenses can increase this risk.

While mild cases of keratoconus can be treated with specialty glasses or contact lenses, severe cases of keratoconus may require a corneal transplant. If you’re struggling with keratoconus, our OPMT physicians will work with you to figure out the best solution to give you clear vision.

Senior Citizen Receiving Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment From OPMT Optician
Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is one of the leading causes of severe vision loss in older adults in the United States. AMD occurs when the macula — the small portion of the retina responsible for detailed vision and color perception — begins to degenerate over time. This leads to loss of central vision as the condition worsens.

There are two types of AMD: dry AMD, and wet AMD. Dry AMD is the most common form of the disease and occurs when drusen (tiny lipid deposits) accumulate under the macula, inhibiting its ability to work properly and resulting in gradual, permanent vision loss. Wet AMD is less common but is caused by abnormal blood vessel growth in the macula.

Like glaucoma, there is no cure for AMD. However, this disease can be detected during a comprehensive eye exam and can be managed to prevent or slow further vision loss. If you are diagnosed with AMD, our doctors at OPMT will recommend the best treatments to slow the progression of AMD and make the most of your vision.

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Eye Disease Management in Tennessee

If you’re experiencing a vision problem, of have been diagnosed with an eye disease and are looking for effective management solutions to preserve your sight, our experienced OPMT optometrists can help. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

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