Healthy Vision Month
May is Healthy Vision Month and the National Eye Institute wants to help empower and educate Americans to make their eye health a priority. The National Eye Institute along with the Doctors at Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons recommend the following steps to protect your vision:
Age-Related Macular Degenerationis one of the leading causes of blindness among seniors, affecting approximately 2.1 million people nationwide[1].
Individuals living with diabetes face a host of complications stemming directly from the disease itself. From kidney damage to cardiovascular disease, maintaining and controlling blood sugar is key to preventing many complications. Too much sugar, or too little sugar, can increase risk factors for many of these impediments, including diabetic retinopathy. But, with proper management and treatment from your Scottsdale ophthalmologist, diabetic retinopathy will not lead to blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy is defined as a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes. Specifically, this complication is caused by too much sugar in your blood, which damages the blood vessels in the eye that nourish the retina. Over time and without proper treatment, the blood supply to the retina can be completely cut off and vision loss can result.
We all know that exercise is beneficial but did you know that hitting the gym could actually be preserving your vision and eye health?
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, eye diseases are often times linked to other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and even high cholesterol. So, as we work out to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure we could be also lowering our risk for eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Studies have proven that people who exercise are less likely to develop serious eye disease than people who chose not to participate in physical activity. One study in particular proved that people who exercised for 30 minutes were 25 percent less likely to develop glaucoma than those who were inactive.
A study performed in 2016 shows evidence of exercise lowering the risk for cataracts, so taking a brisk walk or jog around the park could significantly help lower the risks of age related cataracts.
People with glaucoma have greatly benefited from exercise. In fact, research shows that participating in moderate physical exercise can actually lower your intraocular pressure (IOP) and improve blood flow to the retina and optic nerve. This includes an activity as simple as a brisk walk around your neighborhood several times a week.
A study performed in 2016 shows that visual impairments and blindness is on the rise in the United States and around the world. It is expected that by the year 2050 the number or people will visual problems will nearly double! As these findings come to light we must do all we can do to protect and preserve out vision.
Start making exercise a priority for your overall health and well being and reap the benefits in more ways than one! If you haven’t been in for an eye exam recently or are suffering from vision impairments call 480-994-1872 to make an appointment Today!
Cataracts have been known to be one of the leading causes of vision loss in the United States, and by the age of 65 90% of all Americans will develop a degree of cataracts. A cataract is the gradual clouding of the lens inside your eye, which causes vision impairment or vision loss. But the good news is cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective surgical procedures performed. This simple and pain free procedure takes very little time and the success rate is very high!
At Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons, we have over 40 years of experience in cataract surgery. Dr. Kilpatrick is one of only a handful of ophthalmologist in Phoenix performing both femtosecond laser surgery for cataracts and using the OptiPlus ORA to refine the implant lens measurement and positioning. Dr. Kilpatrick has performed thousands of Cataract surgeries through out the years and has helped all of his patients with improved vision!
If cataract surgery is recommended, the 20-minute procedure will take place in a state of the art out-patient eye surgical center. Topical anesthetic drops will be used to numb the eye. Then the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a new intraocular lens. From start to finish the patient will be at the surgery center approximately 2 hours.
After the surgery is performed patients will go back to their normal lifestyle. There is no need for an eye patch and there will be only minor restrictions in physical activity for a few days (no swimming). Patients often return to work the next day. Most of our patients will have no or minimal pain after the surgery is performed. If a patient does experience any discomfort, Dr. Kilpatrick recommends taking an over the counter pain reliever such Tylenol.
Take a look at this short video that better explains the surgical process!
All of us will develop Cataracts as we age so make an appointment now to discuss your options! To make an appointment or schedule cataract surgery call our office at 480-994-1872 to make an appointment with Dennis Kilpatrick, MD.
We have all heard that ergonomic desks are good for backs and necks, but they are also important for the health and comfort of the eyes. In support of Workplace Eye Wellness Month in March, Scottsdale Eye and the American Academy of Ophthalmology are offering tips to desk workers everywhere whose eyes may need relief from too much screen time.
Many people who spend long hours reading or working on a computer for their jobs experience eye discomfort. Focusing on tiny type for hours on end can cause eye strain, fatigue and headaches. Staring at screens for long periods can also leave eyes parched, red and gritty-feeling.
Macular Degeneration, often referred to as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), is caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina. The retina’s central portion, known as the macula, is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye. It controls our ability to read, drive a car, recognize faces or colors, and see objects in fine detail. Macular degeneration is diagnosed as either dry or wet. Wet Macular Degeneration refers to growth of new blood vessels in the macula, where they are not supposed to be. The dry form of Macular Degeneration is more common than the wet AMD. Eighty five to ninety percent of patients are diagnosed with dry AMD. Macular Degeneration by itself will not lead to total blindness. In almost all cases, some vision remains and few Macular Degeneration patients experience total visual loss
In its early stages, the condition may not have symptoms and may be unrecognized by the patient until it progresses or affects both eyes.
Symptoms include:
Causes and Risk Factors
How is it detected:
AMD can be detected in a routine eye exam. Your doctor may also ask you to look at an Amsler grid, a pattern of straight lines that resemble a checkerboard. See how an Amsler grid works by taking a Macular Degeneration Test.
Management
No surgical treatment is available for this condition; however, there are very effective treatments available for “wet” macular degeneration. The National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health perform a large study, called AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study), found benefits with some vitamin supplements along with high doses of antioxidants. The follow up study, AREDS2, showed that the antioxidants Lutein and Zeaxanthin also have benefits. These combinations of supplements have been suggested by the National Eye Institute to slow progression of the disease, click here for more info on these supplements!
Although much progress has been made recently in Macular Degeneration treatment and research, there is still no cure for this disease. Change your lifestyle now, quit smoking, wear UV filtered sunglasses, start taking the proper supplements and schedule your annual eye exam with one of our physicians today!
References:
“What is Macular Degeneration?” Web Blog Post. American Macular Degeneration Foundation.
“Adult Macular Degeneration.” Web Blog Post. Macular Degeneration Foundation.
“The Amsler Grid.” Web Blog Post. Macular Degeneration Partnership. 2015
“Facts about Age-Related Macular Degeneration”. Web Blog Post. National Eye Institute. July 2013.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma occurs when there is damage to the optic nerve, usually from high intraocular pressure (fluid pressure) and it results in visual field loss. Glaucoma is called the “sneak thief of sight” because patients may not notice any change in vision until significant loss has occurred, which is why regular monitoring is essential. When caught early, it is easily treatable.
Six Smart Things College Students Should Do for Their Eyes
This fall, a record 21.7 million students will attend a college or university in the United States. Many teens will be living away from home for the first time without mom or dad around to reinforce healthy habits, including how to care for their eyes. Before students head for the dorms, our Ophthalmologist at Scottsdale Eye Physicians would like to provide parents with college eye health tips to ensure their freshmen sons and daughters keep seeing 20/20 during school.
While accurate vision plays a vital role in learning, college students can be susceptible to a host of vision and eye problems such as injury, infection and increased nearsightedness that can complicate life in and out of class. Crowded classes and dorms can serve as a breeding ground for infectious eye disease, while reading and computer use in school has been linked to poorer eyesight. Fortunately, there are many ways to avoid these and other eye issues on campus. Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons along with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons, offers the following six tips for protecting eyes during college:
“For many teens just starting college, taking care of their eye health may be the last thing on their minds,” said Rebecca Taylor, M.D., comprehensive ophthalmologist and clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “But the fact is that an eye injury or condition can affect their grades and social life, causing days or even a lifetime of poor vision. We hope that parents will remind their kids of these risks before they fly the coop this fall.”
Get your kids into the eye doctor before they head off to school! Call 480-994-1872 to make an appointment today!
This article reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart® program (www.geteyesmart.org).
Digital eye strain is caused from using a digital device for two hours or more at one time. Continue reading
