Robert Blair O.D.
(816) 884-5845

Specialty Eye Care in Harrisonville, MO

Cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration require specific care. At Harrisonville Vision Center, we offer specialty eye care in Harrisonville, MO, to help you manage these conditions. Our dedicated team is here to provide you with the highest level of expertise and support.

Cataract Management

To determine whether you have a cataract, Dr. Blair will review your medical history and symptoms. He will then perform an eye exam. He may do several tests, including:
  • Vision test: Also called a visual acuity test, it uses an eye chart to measure how well you can read a series of letters. One eye is tested at a time while the other eye is covered. A chart or a viewing device with letters that get smaller is used. With this, Dr. Blair determines if you have 20/20 vision or have trouble seeing.
  • Eye structure exam: Also called a slit lamp exam, it allows Dr. Blair to see the structures at the front of your eye up close. It is called a slit lamp because it uses an intense line of light or a slit to light up the structures in your eye. The slit allows him to view these structures in small sections, making it easier to find anything that may be wrong.
  • Retinal exam: A retinal exam looks at the back of your eyes called the retina. To prepare for a retinal exam, your eye doctor may put drops in your eyes to open your pupils wide, called dilation, or use an instrument called a retinal camera. This makes it easier to see the retina.
Treatment
When your prescription glasses can't clear your vision, the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery.
When To Consider Cataract Surgery
Talk with Dr. Blair to find out whether surgery is right for you. He may suggest considering cataract surgery when your cataracts begin to affect your quality of life. This may include your ability to perform daily activities, such as reading or driving at night.
For most people, there is no rush to remove cataracts because they usually don't harm the eyes. However, cataracts can worsen faster in people with certain conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity. Waiting to do cataract surgery typically won't affect how well your vision recovers. You can take time to consider the benefits and risks of the procedure.
If you choose not to have cataract surgery now, Dr. Blair may recommend periodic follow-up exams to see if your cataracts are getting worse. How often you'll see your eye doctor depends on your situation.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. This is called an intraocular lens and is put in the same place as your natural lens. It then remains as a permanent part of your eye.
Cataract surgery is typically done on an outpatient basis. It means you won't need to stay in a hospital after the surgery. During surgery, your eye doctor uses a medicine to numb the area around your eye. You usually stay awake during the procedure.
Cataract surgery is generally safe. However, it carries a risk of infection and bleeding. It alsoincreases the risk of the retina being pulled out of place. This is called retinal detachment.
After the procedure, you may be sore for a few days. Healing usually happens within a few weeks. If you need cataract surgery for both eyes, your doctor will schedule the procedure to remove the cataract in the second eye after you've healed from the first surgery.

Glaucoma Management

Glaucoma is a kind of eye condition that damages the optic nerve. This nerve sends visual information from your eye to your brain and is vital for good vision. Damage to this part is often related to high pressure in your eye. However, glaucoma can happen even with normal eye pressure. Glaucoma can occur at any age but is more common in older adults. It is one of the leading causes of blindness for those over the age of 60. Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs. The effect is so gradual you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is in its later stages. It's important to have regular eye exams that include measurements of your eye pressure. If glaucoma is recognized early, vision loss can be prevented or slowed. If you have glaucoma, you'll need treatment or monitoring for the rest of your life.
Symptoms
The symptoms of glaucoma depend on the type and stage of your condition.
  • Open-angle glaucoma: This has no symptoms in the early stages, but gradually, patchy blind spots in your side or peripheral vision develop. In later stages, you may experience difficulty seeing things in your central vision.
  • Acute angle-closure glaucoma: Its symptoms include severe headache, severe eye pain, nausea or vomiting, blurred vision, halos or colored rings around lights, and eye redness.
  • Normal-tension glaucoma: It has no symptoms in the early stages, but gradually, you may experience blurred vision in the later stages. Loss of side vision is also possible.
When To See a Doctor
Because most glaucoma symptoms only occur in the later stages of the disease, it is crucial to have regular eye exams every one to two years.
Glaucoma Treatment
Glaucoma is usually treated successfully with one eye drop. Occasionally, more drops may be needed or laser surgery may be performed to lower the eye pressure to an acceptable range.

Macular Degeneration Management

Dry macular degeneration is a common eye disorder among people over 50. It causes blurred or reduced central vision due to the breaking down of the macula’s inner layers. This is the part of the retina that gives the eye clear vision in the direct line of sight.
Dry macular degeneration can affect one or both eyes. If only one eye is affected, you may not notice any vision changes. This is because your good eye may compensate for the affected eye. This condition doesn't affect the side vision, so it does not cause total blindness.
How Macular Degeneration Develops
Dry macular degeneration is one of two types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It can progress to wet macular degeneration, which happens when blood vessels grow and leak under the retina. The dry type is more common, but it usually progresses slowly over time. The wet type is more likely to cause a relatively sudden change in vision, which may result in serious vision loss.
Dry macular degeneration may start in one eye before developing in the other. It may also develop in both eyes at the same time. Over time, your vision may worsen and affect your ability to do things, such as read, drive, and recognize faces. But, having dry macular degeneration doesn't mean you'll lose all your sight. Vision loss is typically central, and you may retain your peripheral vision. Some people only have mild central vision loss. For others, it can be more severe.
Early detection and self-care measures may delay vision loss due to dry macular degeneration.
Symptoms
Dry macular degeneration symptoms usually develop gradually and without pain. These may include:
  • Visual distortions, such as straight lines seeming bent.
  • Reduced central vision in one or both eyes.
  • The need for brighter light when reading or doing close-up work
  • Increased blurriness of printed words.
  • Increased difficulty adapting to low light levels, such as when entering a dimly lit restaurant or theater.
  • Difficulty recognizing faces.
  • A well-defined blurry spot or blind spot in the field of vision.
When To See a Doctor
See your eye doctor if:
  • You notice changes, such as distortion or blind spots, in your central vision.
  • You lose the ability to see fine detail.
These may be the first sign of macular degeneration, particularly if you are over the age of 60.
Treatment for Dry Macular Degeneration
For those who have personal diagnoses of macular degeneration or have loved ones who do and are searching for new treatments, we are overjoyed to offer our latest treatments.
In 2023, the FDA approved two new drug options for patients suffering from the symptoms of dry AMD, Pegcetacoplan (SYFOVRE™) and Avacincaptad Pegol (IZERVAY™). The introduction of these drugs to the market represents a significant step forward in eye care and the fight against AMD.