We truly believe in routine eye examinations so that you can see as clearly as possible. Once you have to get glasses or contacts, it is even more important to watch the health of your eyes. You also need routine checks to ensure your prescription has not changed.
To ensure good eye health and vision, we are very proud to offer the following services:
Cataracts
As we age, we all notice wear and tear on our bodies. Although deteriorating vision may be a common complaint, it is no less inconvenient or distressing than any other condition. Fortunately, compromised vision resulting from cataracts is reversible with a safe and straightforward procedure. DeCarlo Eye Center offers comprehensive eye care from a leading, board-certified ophthalmologist for patients in the Milwaukee, Elm Grove, Wauwatosa, and Brookfield areas of Wisconsin.
Who Is Likely to Develop Cataracts?
Cataracts are frequently seen in people 80 years old and over, although they can occur at any age. Cataracts form when proteins that help make up the lens of the eye naturally start to break down as people get older and clump together to distort vision. Besides the normal aging process, other factors may prompt the development of cataracts, including damage to the eye or eye surgery, radiation treatments, diabetes, dehydrating medications like steroids, and excessive nicotine or alcohol consumption.
How Do Cataracts form in the Eye?
Cataracts significantly affect a person’s vision. Cataracts cloud the lens of the eye, which plays an important role in sight, focusing light that enters the eye onto the retina. Proteins help keep the texture of the lens supple, but as they get older and begin to break down, the lens also becomes stiff. Hardened protein deposits appear as milky whitish spots on the lens, creating cloudy areas in a person’s field of vision. A few different types of cataracts exist, and cloudy spots may start to appear on the periphery or in the center of a person’s vision depending on which type of cataract that person ha.
Office Tests for Cataracts
Changes in vision caused by cataracts are typically gradual, and corrective lenses are able to help manage vision changes until the cloudy areas affect substantial portions of a person’s lens. Those with cataracts may experience double vision, a halo border around lights, colors or contrasts appearing less vivid, problems with driving at night, reading, and light sensitivity.
Have your eyes checked regularly, and make an additional appointment with your eye doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. Your doctor may dilate your pupils in order to fully examine the lenses of your eyes and to see the extent of any cataracts that have developed.
Eye Care Treatment
Once cataracts interfere with your vision to the point that they make your routine habits difficult, surgery is the best option for treatment. Dr. John DeCarlo’s extensive experience and individualized attention will put you at ease. If you reside in Milwaukee, Elm Grove, Wauwatosa, or the Brookfield areas, schedule an appointment with us at DeCarlo Eye Center for an exam.
Trust your eye care to DeCarlo Eye Center by calling (414) 476-5120 today!
Comprehensive Eye Exams
On average, we recommend scheduling an appointment once every two years to ensure your eyes are remaining healthy. If you have been diagnosed with an eye condition, however, we recommend scheduling an appointment once or twice a year depending on the severity.
During your appointment, we will review your patient history, visual acuity, perform preliminary tests, and evaluate your eyes’ overall health.
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Computer Vision
Staring at screens all day causes damage to your eyes. While the damage may not always be permanent, prolonged staring at screens all day can cause significant eye strain, blurry vision, headaches, and more. Our staff at DeCarlo Eye Center is here to help if you suspect you have been affected by computer vision syndrome. Contact Dr. DeCarlo today if you live in or around Wauwatosa, WI.
Severe Computer Vision Syndrome
Computer vision syndrome is an all-encompassing term used to describe eyestrain caused by prolonged computer use and symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, double vision, and difficulty focusing on near objects. In severe cases, a person will notice they cannot read books, magazines, computer screens, or labels on food boxes.
The person will see that they can read for a few seconds or maybe even ten or fifteen minutes before their eyes begin to hurt, and the words become blurry. Nothing will seem to help. In these cases, you need to see an eye doctor to rule out certain underlying conditions.
Treatment Options for Computer Vision
The first step to improving computer vision syndrome is to rest your eyes. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, you should not do any reading or writing or anything that requires you to operate a screen until the eye doctor can see you. Resting for only part of a day will not fix the issue. Furthermore, there are some tips you can use to avoid getting to the point where you experience severe issues:
- Stay hydrated to prevent dry eyes
- Make sure you are blinking regularly
- Use anti-glare screens or glasses
- Turn on the night-time settings on your computer or device to help block some of the blue light
- If you have a current prescription for reading glasses, you should wear them while you’re reading
- If you start to feel pain behind your eyes or get headaches, stop working on screens for the rest of the day
- Adjust your workstation so your monitor is at or slightly below eye level
Every twenty minutes, look at least twenty feet away for at least twenty seconds at a time. Let your eyes rest from using the screen. Our ophthalmologist may prescribe both day and night-time eye drops to help rehydrate and destress your eyes.
Contact Our Eye Doctor in Wauwatosa, WI
Don’t put off seeing the eye doctor until you are in pain or experiencing blurry vision that you cannot correct on your own. Dr. DeCarlo is trained to detect things in your eyes you cannot see. Call our team at DeCarlo Eye Center today at (414) 476-5120 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.
Contact Lenses
Nowadays, most people prefer to wear contacts instead of glasses. If you are interested in contact lenses, please let your eye doctor know prior to your appointment. During your exam, we will discuss the various contact lenses available and determine the best option based on your individual needs and lifestyle.
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Diabetic Eye Care
Diabetes can affect more than just your blood sugar. It can also do some damage to your eyes if you are not careful.
Diabetic eye disease can cause vision loss if you are not careful. It can cause you to have trouble with everyday tasks even if you have regular glasses or contacts. It can even cause blindness.
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Dry Eye Treatment
Dry eye is a syndrome that can interfere with your daily life and make it hard to wear contacts. Dry eyes can cause a stinging or burning sensation that can damage the eye if left untreated. Here at DeCarlo Eye Center in Wauwatosa, our team can help patients suffering from dry eye disease.
Symptoms
Dry eye occurs when your tears don’t lubricate your eyes enough. As a result, your eyes may feel dry, painful, irritated, or scratchy. Your eyes might also appear red and feel like they have something in them. Stringy mucus around your eyes is also a common symptom. Your eyes may produce additional tears in an effort to reduce irritation, causing your eyes to water more. Additionally, you might have a sensitivity to light.
This issue can make it difficult to wear contacts comfortably and can also interfere with night driving. You could also experience blurry vision or eye fatigue.
Causes
Dry eye could come from you not producing enough tears, which could come from age, a medication you take, or a medical condition. You might have inadequate tear production after laser eye surgery, since it can desensitize your corneal nerve.
Some people produce poor-quality tears. Your tears consist of multiple components, and they must be present at certain levels to balance one another. When they’re imbalanced, the tears don’t hydrate your eyes properly.
In some cases, your dry eye could come from your tears evaporating too soon. This could happen if you don’t blink enough, such as when you’re reading or working at the computer. You could also have an increase in tear evaporation if you have a condition like Parkinson’s, posterior blepharitis, eyelid problems, or eye allergies. A vitamin A deficiency could also hinder your tear evaporation.
Treatment
Treatment of dry eye from our ophthalmologist can improve the quality or quantity of your tears. Tasks like reading and looking at a computer screen will be easier. You won’t have to contend with the symptoms. Plus, you’ll reduce your chances of an eye infection, since your tears help protect the surface of your eyes.
The treatment may include a prescription for eye drops to hydrate your eyes, control cornea inflammation, or stimulate tears. Our eye doctor may also recommend changes in your daily life to improve eye health.
Contact Us for Dry Eye Treatment from Our Ophthalmologist in Wauwatosa
Dry eye doesn’t have to interfere with your life. Schedule an appointment with DeCarlo Eye Center if you are suffering from dry eye. Call us today at (414) 476-5120 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about how our ophthalmologist can help patients in Wauwatosa and surrounding areas.
Emergency Care
Here at DeCarlo Eye Center, we are here for you in the case of an emergency. There are times when you may need immediate care for your eyes. Any time that you experience trauma to your eyes, you need to be seen. If you get anything in your eye, especially chemicals and foreign objects, you should be seen immediately to limit the potential damage to the eye.
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Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs from damage to the eye’s optic nerve and can often lead to loss of vision and blindness. To detect glaucoma, our highly trained doctors will perform a proper screening to determine severity, examine the damage, and help you manage your glaucoma.
Early detection of glaucoma is crucial in preventing vision loss and blindness; the earlier the better. However, there is no official cure for glaucoma. There are several treatment methods that manage, slow down, or halt the process. Treatment for glaucoma will vary depending on the stage and severity for each individual patient.
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Hard To Fit Contact Lenses
Do you find wearing contact lenses impossible? Are your regular contacts painful or constantly uncomfortable? You are not alone. Due to a variety of factors such as individual eye shape, specific conditions, impairments, or the aftermath of surgery, some patients are considered to have more difficulty wearing contacts than others.
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Hyperopia
Farsightedness, known as hyperopia, makes it difficult to see objects close by. If you are experiencing farsightedness, corrective lenses such as glasses or contact lenses will be prescribed. After a thorough examination, we will determine the prescription that’s best for you.
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Keratoconus
The cornea acts as both a protective layer and an outer lens, refracting light as it enters the eye in order to focus it. Somewhere between 1 in 500 and 1 in 2,000 people are affected by keratoconus each year, a corneal disorder that causes a host of vision problems. While keratoconus is less common than glaucoma and cataracts, it’s something everyone should be familiar with, especially those who already have impaired vision. Fortunately, routine treatment from an ophthalmologist such as Dr. John DeCarlo at DeCarlo Eye Center is typically all that’s required to manage keratoconus.
What Is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is an eye disorder that changes the cornea’s structure, causing thinning. Severely thinned corneas also bulge outward into a conical shape. Because of the changed shape, light entering the eyes is unfocused, resulting in blurred vision, light sensitivity, nearsightedness, astigmatism, and more.
Causes and Symptoms of Keratoconus
There are no known causes of keratoconus, although it appears to be genetic in approximately one out of every 10 people. It most often presents in people in their late teens and early 20s and is frequently associated with excessive eye rubbing, eye allergies, and connective tissue disorders including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Keratoconus can affect each eye in drastically different ways. While it typically affects both eyes, symptoms can be much milder in one eye. Symptoms of keratoconus also can, and often do, get progressively worse over a period of 10-20 years.
- Slightly distorted or blurry vision, straight lines seeming wavy
- Sudden or increased sensitivity to light
- Redness or swelling in one or both eyes
- Astigmatism or near-sightedness becoming worse
- Inability to wear contact lenses because of discomfort or improper fit
Treatment at DeCarlo Eye Center
An ophthalmologist often diagnoses keratoconus during a routine eye exam. However, if you are experiencing eye problems that you suspect may be keratoconus, don’t wait until your next scheduled eye appointment. While it takes years for keratoconus to significantly worsen in most people, the condition can progress quickly, which can lead to scarring of the cornea and exacerbated vision problems.
DeCarlo Eye Center in Wauwatosa, WI, specializes in treating keratoconus. In many cases, that involves simply wearing eyeglasses or special contact lenses. For routine and emergency eye care needs, including surgery, in and around Wauwatosa, Brookfield, Elm Grove, and Milwaukee, contact us or call us at (414) 476-5120. We can help you see things more clearly.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a deterioration of the central portion of the retina, the inside layer of the eye that records the images we see and sends them through the optic nerve from the eye to the brain for processing. The macula, or the center of the retina, is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye and controls our ability to see and process information.
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Myopia Control
Nearsightedness, known as myopia, makes it difficult to see objects from afar. If you are experiencing nearsightedness, corrective lenses such as glasses or contact lenses will be prescribed. After a thorough examination, we will determine the prescription that’s best for you.
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Pediatric Eye Exams
Here at DeCarlo Eye Center, we are proud to offer pediatric eye examinations. Children should have their first eye exam around the age of six months. If the first exam finds that their eyes are healthy, they won’t need another appointment until they are between the age of two and three.
Although many schools offer annual eye exams, they are not complete visual exams and the results can be inaccurate. For this reason, you should schedule yearly or bi-yearly examinations to ensure that your child’s eyes are healthy and that he or she can see clearly.
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Sports Vision
Sports Vision training involves high-level eye tracking, depth perception, and hand-eye coordination. Many athletes will practice these exercises to keep their eye health in peak condition.
There are various exercises and specific exams used for Sports Vision testing. Office and field tests can both help determine how your eyes will function beyond the realm of normal activity. We can customize a program to strengthen your vision based on your level of activity.
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Eye Allergies
Eye allergies can cause a great deal of inconvenience and discomfort if you do not have them under control. Irritation, itchiness, and redness are just a few of the most common symptoms of eye allergies. You may also experience dry eyes. These conditions could be caused by seasonal allergies or by something in your environment. At DeCarlo Eye Center, we have been providing residents of Wauwatosa, WI with reliable optometry services for many years. Our ophthalmologist will assess your condition to determine whether or not you are suffering from eye allergies or dry eye and provide you with the corresponding treatment.
Eye Allergy Symptoms
Eye allergies cause various symptoms including swelling, burning, and watering. You may even find that you have some light sensitivity. You may also experience itchiness and redness. These symptoms may also be combined with a sore throat, sneezing, or itchy, runny nose.
Our ophthalmologist will determine the most effective measures you can take to prevent eye allergies. This may include medication and adjusting your lifestyle to avoid certain allergens. There are many potential causes of eye allergies including pollen, dust, and even bacteria. Pets dander can also irritate your eyes. You may have a virus that is causing your eye to have this type of reaction.
What is Dry Eye?
If your eyes do not produce enough tears or your tears are low-quality, you will experience dry eyes. If a serious case of dry eye is left untreated, it can damage the surface of your eye. There are several potential root causes of dry eye. Hormonal changes, allergies, and autoimmune diseases can all lead to this condition. Excessive screen time can also contribute to dry eye due to reduced blinking. If you suspect you are suffering from dry eye, schedule an appointment with our ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Dry eye treatment may include prescription eye drops and lifestyle adjustments to minimize eye strain.
Contact Our Ophthalmologist in Wauwatosa, WA for Relief from Dry Eye and Allergies
The best way to eliminate eye allergies is to avoid the allergens that are causing your allergic reaction. However, this is not always possible. At DeCarlo Eye Center, we work hard to help you get to the root cause of your allergies to improve your eye health. For more information on treatment options for dry eye and eye allergies or to schedule an appointment with our ophthalmologist, call us today at (414) 476-5120.
Pink Eye
At DeCarlo Eye Center in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, we give you the best care for your eyes. If you think you might have pink eye, our ophthalmologist, John DeCarlo, and his staff can exam your eyes and get them feeling better in no time. But first, what is pink eye and how did your eyes get infected? Continue reading to learn more information on pink eye.
What is Pink Eye?
Pink eye or conjunctivitis is the swelling or infection of the clear membrane that lines the inside of your eye and eyelid to keep it moist. This membrane is called conjunctiva and contains the tiny blood vessels for your eye. When these vessels become inflamed or swollen, they are more visible, and your eye appears pink or red.
But do not worry. Pink eye is a common ailment. Anyone can get pink eye, but you see it more often in children and sometimes babies. It spreads easily so you need to take some precautions to stop the spread.
- If you wear contacts, remove them.
- Use a separate warm compress over each eye.
- Use fresh linens each day.
- Wash all pillowcases, towels, and washcloths thoroughly in hot water.
- Don’t share anything that comes in contact with your eyes.
What Cause Pink Eye
You can get pink eye from bacteria, viruses, or allergies. Babies can get pink eye from a blocked tear duct. Irritants such as dust and dirt, contact lenses, pool chemicals, even shampoo that gets into your eyes can cause an inflammation that will lead to a case of pink eye. Anything that gets in your eyes and causes it to become inflamed can lead to pink eye.
How Do I Know if I Have Pink Eye
Some common symptoms of pink eye are:
- Red, itchy eyes sometimes accompanied by allergies or a cold
- More tearing than usual
- A thick, crusty or mucus-like, discharge
- A feeling that something is in your eye
- Increased sensitivity to light
In most cases, pink eye clears up on its own within 7-14 days. However, if it is not clearing up, or you are experiencing pain or blurred vision or intense sensitivity to light, you should contact an ophthalmologist.
Call DeCarlo Eye Center Today!
If you think you may have pink eye, do not wait! Give us a call at (414) 476-5120 or visit our website to make an appointment with our staff of qualified professionals. Our office is located just west of Milwaukee in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and serves the Elm Grove and Brookfield communities. We hope to see you soon!
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a vision disorder that can have harmful effects on your eyes. However, this condition is very treatable. Astigmatism is a common disorder, and is one of the many that we can treat at DeCarlo Eye Center. Located in Wauwatosa, WI, our team, including Dr. John DeCarlo, can assist you with any eye issues you have.
Causes and Effects of Astigmatism
Your eyes have many parts to their anatomy. The cornea, which is the transparent covering at the front of the eyeball, plays an important role in vision. The eye lens helps you focus and create clear images. The retina is the area that receives light.
Astigmatism occurs when either the cornea or the lens is improperly shaped. This leads to the disruption of the normal focusing process. This condition can be a birth defect or may result from an injury. It may also occur in conjunction with either myopia, which prevents proper focusing on distant objects, or hyperopia, which affects focusing when reading or seeing things close to the eyes.
Astigmatism symptoms include blurred vision, difficulty seeing things clearly at night, and even headaches. An astigmatic condition that greatly interferes with your ability to see should be treated by our ophthalmologist.
Treating Astigmatism
This condition can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Our doctor will visually examine your eyes using special equipment. After a diagnosis, we can help you decide on the best course of action. Since it is a refractive disorder, astigmatism can usually be treated with corrective lenses.
Eyeglasses are a convenient way of correcting a focusing problem and can make it possible for you to see clearly. Glasses come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, and can be made to fit your appearance. Those who are not interested in wearing eyeglasses can often get the same result with contact lenses. Fitted directly over the cornea, these small lenses also come in different types, including soft, rigid, and bifocal.
In more severe cases of astigmatism, surgery may be the best treatment option. There are various types of surgery that can help, including LASIK. This improves your ability to focus without needing to wear glasses or contact lenses.
Visit Our Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specifically treats vision disorders and can perform surgery or prescribe lenses. Dr. DeCarlo can help you with whatever eye condition you are suffering from. At DeCarlo Eye Center in Wauwatosa, WI, we have the latest equipment so we can diagnose you and provide you with different treatment options. If you are suffering from astigmatism or another eye problem, call us today to set up an appointment.