Services & Procedures
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Eye Consultants of Northern Virginia is a full service eye care center designed to meet all of your eye care needs. Our physicians and staff are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for our patients through the most up to date care.
Some of the procedures and services we provide are:
Cataracts
 Cataracts is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye. Most people have some clouding of their eye’s natural crystalline lens after the age of 60. This clouding is more commonly referred to as a cataract. About 50% of Americans in the age group of 65-74 have at least one cataract, and about 70% of those age 75 and over have cataract)s. Simply stated, when the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, light cannot be properly focused on the retina; thus, visual acuity decreases. The only "cure" for poor vision due to cataract is removal of the eye’s lens and implantation of a new, man-made focusing device called an intraocular lens (IOL).
Many people with cataracts may experience symptoms such as:
- Cloudy, fuzzy, foggy vision
- Difficulty in seeing to drive, especially at night
- Trouble seeing to do close work
- Problems seeing television
- Colors that seem dull, faded, not as bright
- Frequent changes and a stronger glasses prescription
- Haloes around lights
- Bothersome glare
- A milky white spot or cloudy spot visually apparent in the center of the eye
Diagnosing a cataract
Most cataracts develop as part of the aging process, but may be present at birth (congenital) or result from an injury, systemic disease (diabetes), or steroid use. Using specialized equipment, cataracts as well as other eye diseases are diagnosed during a complete eye examination by your physician. The mere presence of a cataract does not indicate the need for surgery. Some cataracts may be slow growing, and vision may be corrected by stronger glasses for a period of time. Some cataracts develop more rapidly than others, and your eye doctor can monitor changes in vision and cataracts with periodic eye examinations.
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Glaucoma
 Glaucoma, the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in the United States, is an eye disease that can lead to a permanent loss of vision. This disease has been labeled the “Sneak Thief of Sight” because in its most typical form, there are no symptoms. No pain, no swelling, no redness. Patients with glaucoma may not notice symptoms until vision has been permanently lost.
Simply, glaucoma is elevated intraocular pressure of the eye. Every eye has fluid, called aqueous humor, that is constantly being produce as well as constantly being drained. In a glaucomatous eye, this fluid does not drain properly resulting in an increase in the pressure inside the eye. This increased pressure destroys vision gradually, usually starting with the peripheral (side) vision, and if left untreated, will lead to eventual blindness by destroying the optic nerve. With early diagnosis and treatment, useful vision may be preserved.
There are four types of glaucoma:
- Chronic. This is the most common type of glaucoma, and occurs slowly over time. There is no pain, redness or swelling or other symptoms.
- Acute. This happens suddenly and is very painful. Victims of an acute glaucoma attack may complain of serious headache and vomiting. Medical intervention is needed immediately to bring the pressure under control to prevent further vision loss.
- Congenital. Present at birth, congenital glaucoma is a rather rare condition.
- Secondary. Occurring as a result of systemic disease such as diabetes, from medications such as steroid, or from an eye injury.
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What is a Pediatric Ophthalmologist?
 Pediatric ophthalmologists are medical and surgical doctors who specialize in the eye problems of children. In particular, vision develops in the brain until about age 9 years and can be affected by eyes that are not straight or do not focus correctly. A child can grow up with good vision in each eye if these problems are caught early, treated and maintained.
All ophthalmologists have training in children's eye problems, but the pediatric ophthalmologist has had additional training and practice in examining children and caring for their eye problems. If your primary care doctor suggests that your child have his or her eyes checked, a pediatric ophthalmologist will have the greatest knowledge of the possible conditions and the greatest experience in examining children effectively.
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