Eye Diseases in Fayetteville, AR

When people refer to eye diseases, they often generalize the term to cover a spectrum of common eye diseases, infections, and disorders. At Vold Vision, our purpose is to team with you to help you understand and manage whatever situation you find yourself confronted with in terms of eyesight and vision health. Dr. Steven D. Vold and his team of Northwest Arkansas board-certified ophthalmologists work to assess, diagnose, treat, and manage a number of issues that can arise within the eye—some can be treated in a day, others require emergency medical attention or surgical repair. Here, we break down the difference between disease, infection, and eye-related disorders.

An eye disease is a condition that can cause great concern for patients. Some diseases do not have a cure and must be managed. Symptoms may or may not come on slowly, and treatment varies greatly among the different types of diseases. The most common eye conditions treated at Vold Vision are cataracts, glaucoma, retina disease such as macular degeneration, and eye conditions associated with diabetes. Many eye diseases occur due to age, while others may be from lifestyle habits or from having another medical condition (such as hypertension or high blood pressure). Some diseases onset fast, while some take years to develop, but it is important to understand what you have so it can be managed. Routine eye exams at Vold Vision help assess the eyes from year to year and can lead to an early diagnosis in many patients so that treatment can start sooner before serious vision loss occurs.

Eye infections are quite common among children, adults, and seniors. Similar to eye diseases, some infections can be diagnosed and treated quickly, while others can lead to serious problems. Many of the viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi that infect your body can also attack your eyes. The most common type of eye infection is conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye”, which is caused by a common cold virus. It is very contagious and identifiable by redness and tearing, however, it is easily treated. OHS and CMV retinitis are both serious infections of the retina that are caused by a specific type of fungus. Both infections can lead to blindness if not treated. Conditions such as herpes simplex, shingles, and bacterial keratitis can also lead to eye infections if the eyes are rubbed or touched after touching the bacteria on the skin. Every eye infection is considered an isolated case that requires a unique treatment approach.

The list of eye disorders, similar to eye disease and infections vary greatly. Some eye disorders are visibly noticeable such as bulging eyes, crossed eyes, lazy eye, eyelid twitching, or astigmatism. There are other eye disorders that cannot necessarily be seen by another person but instead exist within the eye that can lead to specific symptoms including color blindness, eye floaters, or low vision. Many eye disorders can be treated with therapy or surgery.

Diseases, infections, and disorders of the eye are wide-ranging and require a different approach to treatment. Dr. Vold and his board-certified team treat you like a part of the family and take extreme care and time with you to diagnose the root problem, understand the best way to treat it, and determine the most effective course of action. It’s also important to not wait for symptoms to appear before having a Vold Vision 360-Eye Exam since early detection and treatment significantly cuts your probability of suffering from long-term vision loss.

Eyes are so much more complex than most people realize. So, when something goes wrong with them, you need someone with a world-class reputation to help. The eye surgeons at Vold Vision are the gold standard for eye care in Northwest Arkansas and beyond. Contact us today to schedule your eye exam and allow us to assist you in uncovering the root of your systems.