Diabetes can threaten your vision when it causes the blood vessels in your eyes to deteriorate, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. This leads to an excess of fluid in the retina that can lead to a total loss of sight, referred to as diabetic macular edema (DME).

People living with all types of diabetes are susceptible to diabetic retinopathy and DME, and the risk increases as they get older. We know what to look for to catch these symptoms early and preserve your vision as much as possible.

Glaucoma is a family of diseases that attack your eyes’ optic nerve, which connects your eyes to your brain. The disease starts slowly, blurring a person’s peripheral vision first, then the central vision, leading to a total loss of sight.

Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S. The disease stems from the degeneration of the center of the retina, which transmits images to your brain. The central retina lets the eye focus directly ahead, making it crucial for reading, driving, even recognizing faces and colors.

Science is still working to determine the causes of this disorder, but early detection is key to treatment. We know what to look for to spot macular degeneration and mitigate its effects.

Cataracts result from a change in the tissue of your eye’s lens. Cataracts are characterized by clouded or foggy vision, and they can be brought on by diabetes, cigarettes and alcohol, high blood pressure, eye injury or surgery, or by simply getting older.

Cataract surgery is one of the safest procedures to undergo, but it’s still important to care for your eyes after surgery. Recovery times vary from patient to patient—many can see sharply after just a few hours, while others take a few days.

Our doctors are with you all the way through your recovery. They don’t just want you to get well—they want you to stay well.

Keratoconus occurs when the cornea becomes irregularly shaped—it protrudes more sharply from the eye and grows thinner—and distorts the light entering your eye. As a result, you may experience blurred vision, irritated eyes, and a sensitivity to light.

Keratoconus is detectable through a routine eye exam, and further evaluated using corneal topography readings. Our doctors treat keratoconus with specialized contact lenses, and after corrective surgery, they help you plan for long-term management of keratoconus.

You’d be surprised at how much our doctors can tell about your neurological health from a simple eye exam. They can tell if a patient has had a stroke, or if they’re likely to have one in the near future. They can diagnose diplopia (double vision), which isn’t caused by your eyes but the muscles around your eyes. They can even detect a brain tumor through subtle signs in your eyes.

Neurological eye exams are crucial in anticipating health issues beyond your eyes and vision. These exams have literally saved lives.

Medication for other conditions like autoimmune disorders (Plaquenil), Tuberculosis (Ethambutol), even breast cancer (Tamoxifen) can affect a patient’s vision.

At Cheatham Eye Care, our doctors pay attention to our patients’ medication schedules and work with their personal physicians to discuss options to prevent vision loss.