Eye Disease Management in Galesburg
Like the rest of your body, your eyes need regular checkups and ongoing care to stay healthy. Many eye diseases develop silently, showing no symptoms until they impact your vision. Our Galesburg optometrist, Dr. Nathan Dieckow, specializes in early detection, personalized treatment, and long-term management of common eye diseases.
Why Managing Eye Diseases Early Matters
Eye diseases like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration start without noticeable symptoms, making routine eye exams essential for early detection. Dr. Dieckow takes a proactive approach to eye disease management. With thorough diagnostic screenings, cutting-edge technology, and a personalized care plan, he helps identify issues before they progress—giving you the best chance at maintaining clear vision.
Eye Diseases We Manage
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness, and because it develops slowly and painlessly, most people don’t realize they have it until significant vision loss has occurred. It happens when high eye pressure damages the optic nerve, affecting your ability to see.
Symptoms: No noticeable symptoms in the early stages. In advanced stages, patients experience tunnel vision and blind spots.
Dr. Dieckow provides comprehensive glaucoma care through routine eye pressure exams, detailed visual field testing, and advanced diagnostics. If glaucoma is detected, he develops a treatment plan, which may include prescription eye drops to reduce pressure, lifestyle recommendations, or co-management with specialists for advanced cases.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD affects the center of your vision, making it harder to read, drive, or recognize faces. It is most common in adults over 50 and can be dry (slow progression) or wet (rapid and severe vision loss).
Symptoms: Difficulty seeing fine details, straight lines appearing wavy, and needing brighter light to read.
Our Galesburg eye doctor carefully monitors changes in your macula, providing lifestyle recommendations like nutritional guidance, UV protection, and eye health supplements to help slow progression. For advanced cases, Dr. Dieckow offers treatment strategies and, when necessary, refers patients to retinal specialists for anti-VEGF injections or low-vision rehabilitation.
Diabetic Eye Disease (Diabetic Retinopathy)
If you have diabetes, high blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in your retina, leading to vision loss, retinal swelling, and, in severe cases, blindness. The risk increases the longer you’ve had diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar is.
Symptoms: Often, there are no symptoms in the early stages. Later, blurry vision, floaters, and dark spots may appear.
Precision Family Eyecare offers thorough diabetic eye exams, advanced digital retinal imaging, and ongoing monitoring to detect complications before they lead to permanent vision loss. Dr. Dieckow then develops a personalized management plan, including blood sugar control recommendations, prescription eye drops, or coordination with your primary care physician.
Cataracts
Cataracts develop when the eye's natural lens becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision, glare, and difficulty seeing at night. While cataracts are often age-related, they can also be caused by diabetes, prolonged UV exposure, or certain medications.
Symptoms: Cloudy or blurry vision, difficulty with night driving, and increased sensitivity to light.
Dr. Dieckow takes a comprehensive approach to cataract care, starting with detailed eye exams and advanced imaging to assess how cataracts affect your vision. When surgery becomes the best option, he provides co-management services, guiding you through the process.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition where the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, leading to distorted vision and difficulty wearing standard glasses or contacts. It typically develops in teenagers and young adults.
Symptoms: Blurred or distorted vision, increased light sensitivity, and frequent prescription changes.
Using advanced corneal topography, Dr. Dieckow accurately diagnoses and tracks changes in the cornea’s shape. If keratoconus is detected, he develops a treatment plan that may include custom scleral lenses.
Book an Eye Health Evaluation
Your vision is too important to take for granted. Whether you have a known eye condition or simply want to be proactive, Dr. Nathan Dieckow, O.D. and the team at Precision Family Eyecare are here to help.