Prado Vision Center is proud to provide comprehensive eye care to patients in our Tampa Bay, Florida, community. From contact lenses to glaucoma treatment, we provide Tampa Bay with a full spectrum of services using only the latest technology available. Our staff consists of board-certified ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians who, with the help of our professional staff, strive to make every patient’s experience at Prado Vision Center as enjoyable as possible. In addition to performing routine eye exams, we specialize in the following areas of eye care for residents of the Tampa area:
• Glaucoma
• Diabetes
• Optical and Contact Lenses
Glaucoma
Prado Vision Center is proud to provide state-of-the-art treatment of glaucoma for Tampa Bay residents. Glaucoma is a very common disease that afflicts more that 2 million Americans. It is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness. Many patients do not know they have glaucoma because in the early stages, symptoms of pain or loss of vision are not present.
Glaucoma can occur in people of all ages and of any race. However, there are several factors that increase the likelihood of developing glaucoma. If you suffer from diabetes, are of African-American decent, nearsighted, over the age of 35, or if someone in your family has glaucoma, you are more likely to develop glaucoma. Also, as you age, your risk of developing glaucoma increases. For this reason, we recommend everyone over 40 receives an annual dilated eye exam.
While there are several types of glaucoma, the most common type is open-angle glaucoma. Internal pressure within the eye is maintained by constant production of a fluid called aqueous humor. As this fluid is produced, it is also continuously drained through a specialized system called the trabecular meshwork. In open-angle glaucoma, this drainage canal does not function properly, pressure builds inside the eye, and the optic nerve is damaged. If the pressure remains elevated for a long period of time, irreversible vision loss occurs. In the early stages of glaucoma, only side vision is affected, and victims may be totally unaware that they are losing sight. If left untreated, glaucoma will eventually cause the complete loss of vision.
Glaucoma must be detected and treated as early as possible to avoid vision loss. In most cases, vision can be preserved if treatment is sought in the early stages of glaucoma. At Tampa, Florida's Prado Vision Center, we recommend a yearly evaluation for the presence of glaucoma in people over the age of 40.
Several specialized glaucoma tests will be performed during your evaluation. These tests can detect even the earliest signs of glaucoma:
Tonometry – measures intraocular pressure
Ophthalmoscopy through a dilated pupil - visual inspection of the optic nerve to detect abnormalities related to glaucoma
Perimetry - tests for any specific pattern of peripheral vision loss characteristic to glaucoma
Disc photography - documents optic nerve abnormalities for future comparison
Nerve fiber layer analysis - measures the absence of nerve fibers and is very sensitive for detecting early glaucoma
Treatment modalities revolve around lowering the eye pressure. These include medicines in the form of eye drops, laser surgery to open the drainage system, and filtration surgery to create a new drainage pathway.
For testing or treatment of glaucoma in Tampa Bay, Florida, contact the specialists at Prado Vision. We look forward to providing state-of-art testing and treatment for glaucoma patients. Remember, early detection is vital to the treatment of glaucoma. Contact us today for a glaucoma evaluation!
Diabetes - Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes is a condition whereby the pancreas does not produce a sufficient amount of insulin to properly regulate the body's blood sugar level. Diabetes can, over time, affect multiple organ systems such as the kidneys, heart, nervous system (both peripheral and central), the circulatory system, and the eyes.
Diabetes most commonly is seen in adults (adult-onset diabetes) but is not uncommonly encountered in children (juvenile-onset diabetes). Therapy for diabetes revolves around trying to maintain a blood glucose level within an acceptable range to minimize damage to the above organ systems. Treatment involves proper nutrition and diet, exercise, and the use of medications such as insulin or oral agents to lower blood sugar.
Millions of Americans lose vision yearly due to diabetes. The retinal circulation can be affected by diabetes in multiple ways that can cause moderate to severe loss of vision.
Diabetic retinopathy can be separated into two main categories: background retinopathy and proliferative retinopathy.
Background diabetic retinopathy may occur after having diabetes for several years and may be totally asymptomatic (without recognizable symptoms). On examination, the retina is dotted with small hemorrhages and microaneurysms (dilated capillaries). Most patients do not describe any functional visual loss, but the microaneurysms may leak fluid or lipids into the central retina (macula) and cause macular edema. This causes blurry or distorted vision. Treatment involves applying a laser to the dilated capillaries to prevent further leakage and promote reabsorption of the edema.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is less commonly encountered but is a more sight-threatening condition. In this case, abnormal blood vessels develop over the retina and optic nerve. These blood vessels are very frail and tend to bleed easily. Excessive bleeding (vitreous hemorrhage) leads to a sudden loss of vision. This hemorrhage may take months to reabsorb and can occasionally be associated with retinal detachments. A laser treatment directed at the peripheral retina often causes regression of these abnormal blood vessels before they bleed. Once a hemorrhage occurs, intraocular surgery may be required to remove the blood and repair the retina, if necessary, so that laser treatment may be applied.
Early detection is the most important prognostic factor in diabetic retinopathy. Treatment may begin before the disease moves into advanced stages. Early treatment decreases the chances of developing profound vision loss. We recommend a yearly dilated eye examination for all diabetic patients so the retina may be evaluated for the presence of retinopathy.
Contact Prado Vision Center in Tampa, Florida, today for more information about diabetic eye care.
Optical and Contact Lens Center
Prado Vision Optical and Contact Lens Center was established to provide patients with a high level of quality and service for eyeglasses and contact lenses not available in large chain stores. Our optician, Steve Jones, is a board-certified, licensed dispensing optician who prides himself in matching your needs and desires to the right style and type of eyewear.
We offer the latest in lens designs with the Varilux family of Progressive addition lenses along with the most prescribed anti-reflective lenses in the world, Crizal Alizé. These lenses are available in most lens materials from single vision to progressive to transition and lifestyle lenses. It carries an unlimited remake warranty for two years.
Our selection of frames is extensive. We carry a variety of styles and price ranges to meet all of our patient's requirements. Prado Vision Center offers the top name-brand frames, such as Vera Wang, Versace, Kenneth Cole, Neostyle, Christian Dior, Polo, Ralph Lauren, and Gucci. We also carry Charmant and Marchon titanium metals from AirLock, AutoFlex, and Safilo stainless steel frames.
We are also proud to be one of the only optical centers in Tampa to have children’s sports glasses made out of a lightweight, highly resistant resin material for both comfort and protection.
Our sunglass center has a wide variety of name-brand sunglasses to choose from, featuring Maui Jim and Costa del Mar. We also carry Bolle, Polo, and Persol sunglasses. Our fashion sunglasses include Burberry, Oleg Cassini, and Vera Wang. These sunglasses are also available with the latest polarized lens technology for the ultimate comfort while enjoying our Florida sun. For those patients who wear corrective eyewear, we can also make prescription sunglasses or tinted glasses.
In conjunction with our optometrists, we offer the latest in both disposable and conventional gas permeable contact lenses. Specialty lenses such as toric designs, bifocal lenses, monovision lenses, and keratoconus gas permeable lenses are routinely fitted in our practice. The fit and evaluation of all our contact lens patients are followed closely to assure comfort and good visual acuity.
For all of your optical needs, visit Prado Vision today. We are located conveniently at 7522 N. Himes Avenue in Tampa, Florida. Feel free to contact us with any questions by calling (813) 931-0500, or complete our short online contact form and someone will be with you shortly.
