Tag Archives: healthy vision

Healthy Aging: Are you taking care of your vision?

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Healthy Aging: Are you taking care of your vision?

Ophthalmologists Encourage Making Your Eyes Part of a Healthy Aging Strategy

According to a national survey released by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly two out of three American adults report having eye or vision problems. A significant percentage of them, however, fail to seek medical attention in the form of regular, sight-saving eye exams. In observance of Healthy Aging Month in September, the Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons, PC joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in emphasizing the importance of having regular eye exams to maintain healthy eyes and vision.

Some of the more common age-related eye diseases include age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Early detection and treatment of these conditions can help to save sight before vision loss occurs [i]. Ophthalmologists – the physicians that specialize in medical and surgical eye care – recommend a dilated comprehensive eye exam as the best way to prevent these conditions from becoming debilitating.

Eye Exam

U.S. Adults Do Not Get Eye Exams as Often as Recommended
The survey results emphasize a need for more education about the importance of medical eye exams. Findings showed that 64 percent of adults had at least one or more of the following issues with their eyes or vision:

  • difficulty seeing at night
  • blurry vision
  • reading up close
  • flashes of light
  • red, watery eyes
  • double vision

Despite experiencing some level of impairment, only 13 percent admitted they had been seen by an ophthalmologist.

How Often Do Adults Need Eye Exams?
The Academy recommends that a healthy adult get a baseline eye exam at age 40, even if they have no history of eye problems or eye disease. Those who have chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, may require more frequent exams.

Your vision is your most valuable asset so don’t wait, call 480-994-1872 or click here to make an appointment!

[i] https://nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/aging_eye

 

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Studies Show Women Face Higher Risk of Blindness Than Men

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Studies Show Women Face Higher Risk of Blindness Than Men

Women Face Higher Risk of Blindness Than Men

American Academy of Ophthalmology urges women to make eye health a top priority

 Studies show there is a gender gap in eye disease. Women are more likely than men to suffer from blindness and conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and glaucoma.1 In support of Healthy Vision Month, Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology remind women to make vision a top priority.

 

Women make up 65 percent of AMD cases; 61 percent of glaucoma and cataract patients are women, and 66 percent of blind patients (blindness) are women.2 Why the inequity? There are a few theories. On average women live longer and many eye problems are age-related. Some eye conditions, such as dry eye, are more common in women, young and old. Social and economic factors affect women’s access to eye care, especially in developing countries.

 

Whatever the cause, there are a few unique vision problems women need to watch out for more than men. Dry eye occurs at double the rate in postmenopausal women.3 In general, women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases than men, many of which affect vision, such as lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome and hyperthyroiditis. Also, pregnancy can cause vision changes due to the hormones pregnant women experience.

 

Good news is most vision loss is preventable. The Academy offers five simple steps to take control of your eye health today:

  • Get a comprehensive medical eye exam at age 40. Early signs of disease or changes in vision may begin at this age. An exam by an ophthalmologist – a physician who specializes in medical and surgical eye care – is an opportunity to carefully examine the eye for diseases and conditions that may have no symptoms in the early stages.

 

  • Know your family history. Certain eye diseases can be inherited. If you have a close relative with macular degeneration, you have a 50 percent chance of developing this condition. A family history of glaucoma increases your glaucoma risk by four to nine times. Talk to family members about their eye conditions. It can help you and your ophthalmologist evaluate your risk.

 

  • Eat healthy foods. A diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, benefits the entire body, including the eyes. Eye-healthy food choices include citrus fruits, vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables and cold water fish.

 

  • Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk for eye diseases such as cataract and age-related macular degeneration. Smoking also raises the risk for cardiovascular diseases which can indirectly influence your eye health. Tobacco smoke, including second-hand smoke, also worsens dry eye.

 

  • Wear sunglasses. Exposure to ultraviolet UV light raises the risk of eye diseases, including cataract, fleshy growths on the eye and cancer. Always wear sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection and a hat while enjoying time outdoors.

 

“Eye exams aren’t only about checking a person’s visual acuity or sharpness, but also determining the overall health of their eyes,” said Rebecca J. Taylor, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “We encourage women as well as men to get regular eye care. By making vision a priority today, we can help protect our sight as we age.”

 

To learn more ways to keep your eyes healthy, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart® website.

 

Have you had your eyes examind in the last few years? If not call and make your appointment Today, 480-994-1872 or make an appointment online, click here!
 

  1. National Eye Institute
  2. National Eye Institute

3. Am J Ophthalmol. 2003 Aug;136

5 Easy Things You Should Be Doing To Protect Your Vision

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5 Easy Things You Should Be Doing To Protect Your Vision

5 Easy Things You Should Be Doing To Protect Your Vision

 

Take Simple Steps to Protect Your Sight

 

Approximately 37 million adults in America have age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma, all of which can cause visual impairment or blindness, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI).[1] However, recent studies show that making healthy choices and getting regular eye exams can help reduce a person’s risk of vision loss. In support of NEI’s Healthy Vision Month in May, Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology are encouraging everyone to take charge of their eye health and preserve their sight by following some simple tips.

 

  1. Live a healthy lifestyle. Eating a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking can lower your risk of eye disease. Foods that boost eye health include dark green leafy greens, cold water fish and citrus fruits. A study recently published in the journal Ophthalmology showed that a diet rich in vitamin C can cut the risk of cataract progression by nearly a third.[2] Other research shows that smoking doubles the risk of the eye disease age-related macular degeneration, is linked to cataracts, and worsens dry eye.

 

  1. Know your family history. Certain eye diseases can be inherited. If you have a close relative with macular degeneration, you have a 50 percent chance of developing the condition. In addition, a family history of glaucoma increases your chances of developing the condition by four to nine times. So talk to your family members about what eye conditions they have. It can help you and your eye care professionals evaluate whether you may be at higher risk.

 

  1. Get a dilated eye exam. Many eye diseases may have no symptoms in their early stages. A dilated eye exam is the best way to detect eye diseases so they can be treated as soon as possible to help prevent vision loss. The Academy recommends that adults have a baseline comprehensive eye exam with an eye doctor by the time they turn 40. This is when age-related eye changes often begin to occur. People who are 65 and older should get an eye exam every one to two years. Those with chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure or known eye diseases may need to go earlier and more often.

 

  1. Wear sunglasses. Over time, exposure to UV rays from the sun can increase your risk of cataracts, certain cancers and growths in or around the eyes. When choosing sunglasses, pick ones that block out at least 99 percent of UV rays. A wide-brimmed hat offers great additional protection as well. If you are not sure that your sunglasses have UV protection stop into our optical boutique and we will check them for free!

 

  1. Use protective eyewear to prevent injuries. Roughly a third of all emergency room visits for eye-related issues stem from traumatic eye injuries, according to a recent study in the journal Ophthalmology.[3] To help prevent these injuries, wear the right protective eyewear when doing activities that could cause eye injuries, such as home repair, garden work and sports.

 

“People don’t often realize that simple, everyday actions can help them preserve their vision well through their golden years,” said Rebecca J. Taylor, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “We encourage everyone to take these steps in order to keep their eyes healthy.”

 

To learn more ways to keep your eyes healthy, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s public information website at www.aao.org/eye-health.

 

If you have not been in for a comprehensive eye exam, call our office to make an appointment or request an appointment on our website!

 

[1] https://nei.nih.gov/eyedata/adultvision_usa

[2] Genetic and Dietary Factors Influencing the Progression of Nuclear Cataract, Yonova-Doing, et al, Ophthalmology, article in press March 2016.

[3] Eye-related Emergency Department Visits in the United States, 2010, Vaziri, et al. Ophthalmology, April 2016.

Are My Eyes Changing Because I’m Getting Older?

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Are My Eyes Changing Because I’m Getting Older?

“Are My Eyes Changing Because I’m Just Getting Older? When Should I See an Eye Doctor?”

In support of Healthy Aging Month this September, Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons along with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, encourages all adults to know what vision changes to expect and when to seek treatment for signs of a disease or condition that could cause irreversible vision loss. To aid in this understanding, the Academy is providing explanations for the following common visual changes adults may experience as they get older.

  • Reading a menu has become increasingly difficult – As the eye ages, its lens becomes less flexible, making it harder to read at close range or do “near work.” This condition is called presbyopia, which comes from the Greek meaning “aging vision.” Nearly all adults experience presbyopia starting around age 40. The most common treatment is simply to use reading glasses.

 

  • Eyes burn or sting and water excessively – While seemingly opposite symptoms, these both can be a sign of dry eye. Dry eye is very common as people age, especially in women undergoing hormonal changes that can alter the quality and quantity of tears the eye produces. For most people, treatment for dry eye is as simple as using over-the-counter lubricating eye drops. If these do not provide relief, make an appointment with Dr. Dennis Kilpatrick or Dr. Candria Meharry for further testing and treatment. The Inflama Dry test can be done to predict the success of Restasis treatment.

 

  • Seeing clouds float in front of vision or occasional flashes of light – The clouds are actually tiny clumps of cells floating in the vitreous gel, the clear gel-like fluid inside the eye, and are also called “floaters.” The flashes of light are caused by vitreous gel moving and pulling at the retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. Floaters and flashes become more common as one ages, but a sudden increase could be a sign of a torn retina and you should be seen by our Doctors immediately as surgery is often a required treatment.

 

  • Colors are muted, lights appear to have halos – These can be a sign of cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens that nearly everyone develops as they age. Treatment for cataracts is usually surgery, which is one of the most common elective surgeries performed in the United States, and has been shown to significantly improve vision and quality of life.

 

  • Central vision seems hazy, making it difficult to recognize faces – This is a common symptom of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Because symptoms usually aren’t noticeable until vision loss has already occurred, routine eye exams are essential to help diagnose AMD early to prevent vision loss. AMD has two forms – wet and dry. Treatment for wet AMD usually includes anti-VEGF injections – a type of drug that blocks the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina that cause wet AMD. At this time, dry AMD has no proven treatment but research has shown that certain dietary supplements can help to slow its progression.

 

  • Trouble seeing at intersections while driving – Deteriorating peripheral vision may be a sign of glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness. Vision loss with glaucoma is so gradual that people affected by the condition are often unaware of it until their sight has already been compromised. Fortunately, mostvision loss from glaucoma can be prevented with early detection and medical intervention, emphasizing the importance of seeing an eye doctor regularly, especially if a person has certain risk factors, such as African or Hispanic ancestry and having migraines, diabetes or low blood pressure. The most common treatment for glaucoma is medicated eye drops.

To ensure healthy eyes throughout life, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that all adults get a baseline eye exam by age 40. In addition, the Academy recommends that adults age 65 and older have an eye exam every one to two years, or as recommended by our Doctors. If you have not been in for an eye exam call 480-994-1872 Today to make an appointment with Dr. Dennis Kilpatrick or Dr. Candria Meharry.

 

Reference:

Eye Smart http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/

 

Contact Lenses and Sleep Deprivation

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Contact Lenses and Sleep Deprivation

Contact Lenses and Sleep Deprivation 

When a contact-lens wearer stays awake studying for 18-20 hours or more with their contacts in, it’s almost the equivalent of sleeping with contacts in, something that Eye M.D.s warn against. Prolonged wearing of your contact lenses is a problem for people who wear regular hydrogen lenses, since traditional hydrogels are relatively less permeable to oxygen than newer alternatives like silicone hydrogels. The eye needs oxygen to keep it healthy. Without regular exposure to oxygen, the eye’s cornea can become inflamed and the vision blurry.  Prolonged contact lens use can even lead to infections or corneal ulcers that in the worst case can permanently damage vision.

Sometimes students fall asleep without knowing it (with their contacts in), while studying. Remedy: Alternate wearing contact lenses with use of eyeglasses during long study periods.  Also, students with irregular sleep patterns can wear contact lenses made of silicon hydrogen, a new material with improved oxygen permeability, which may reduce risk of infection and discomfort.

For more information about contact lenses and proper contact care guidelines please visit http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/glasses-contacts-lasik/contact-lens.cfm.

This article reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart® program (www.geteyesmart.org).