Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are medical devices that are used in a type vision correction surgery called refractive lens exchange. Continue reading
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is the gradual clouding of the natural lens inside your eye, which allows less light to pass through the eye, causing blurred vision. Cataracts form naturally as we ate and most people will start to notice clouding in the lens as early as 40 years of age! But not to worry cataract surgery is one of the most common ophthalmic procedures performed with more than 4 million procedures done per year in the U.S.
How will I know if I have Cataracts?
One of the most frequently asked questions of Dr. Kilpatrick is, “How will I know when it is time for cataract surgery?“ We have put together a list of 7 signs that cataract surgery is near.
1. Vision is not clear even when wearing your best prescription eyewear.
2. Uncomfortable glare, especially at night.
3. Blurred vision. Example: reading news ticker on the bottom of the TV screen.
4. Trouble reading up close.
5. Color vision is affected. Blues and purple appear too dark. Whites appear creamy or beige. This tends to happen slowly, which might make it hard to notice until after surgery is performed.
6. Needing more light than usual to read.
7. Near sightedness increasing quickly, causing frequent eyeglass changes.
To diagnose cataracts you will need to have a cataract evaluation, in which Dr. Kilpatrick will perform a few standard tests to determine if cataracts are present. Early cases of cataracts may be treated with stronger eyeglasses, brighter lighting at home and magnifying reading lenses. This can improve your vision but will not directly treat cataracts. If your cataracts are significantly impairing your vision then it may be time for cataract surgery. For more information about Cataracts click here!
Call 480-994-1872 to schedule your free Cataract Consultation! Our knowledgable team will go over everything you need to know about Cataract Surgery and all of your options!
5 Cataract facts and myths. Though cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss worldwide, myths persist about their cause and treatment. Cataracts affect nearly 22 million Americans aged 40 and older. By age 80, more than half of all Americans will have cataracts, according to the National Eye Institute.
“Cataracts are not preventable, but they are treatable,” said Richard P. Mills, MD, “and the best way to ensure vision stays healthy for a lifetime is to schedule a visit with an ophthalmologist or optometrist. In fact, more than 90 percent of the people who have cataract surgery regain useful vision.”
Separating Cataract Fact from Fiction
Cataracts are a natural result of aging. As the eye’s lens, which sits behind the pupil, grows older, its cells die and accumulate, turning the lens yellowed and cloudy. The result is blurred vision and “fuzzy” images. Eye injuries, certain medications and diseases such as diabetes are also known to cause cataracts. In the early stages, stronger lighting and eyeglasses may lessen vision problems caused by cataracts. But at a certain point, cataract surgery—the most frequently performed operation in the United States—may be necessary to improve vision.
Five Common Cataract facts and myths to Dispel
MYTH 1: Eye drops can prevent or dissolve cataracts.
FACT: No. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved any drops that cure or delay cataracts. Some products claim they can prevent cataracts, but cataract formation is a natural part of the eye’s aging process. Other products claim they can “dissolve” cataracts. But since cataracts are not a “substance,” there is nothing for the drops to dissolve.
MYTH 2: Close-up tasks like reading or sewing make cataracts worse.
FACT: No. Cataracts are not caused by how people use their eyes. However, cataracts likely become more noticeable during close work. One sign of a cataract is the need for more light to do the same activities well.
MYTH 3: Cataracts are reversible.
FACT: No. The lens naturally clouds as it ages. This process is unavoidable. However, its progress can be slowed by quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet and wearing sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection.
MYTH 4: Cataract surgery is dangerous, and recovery takes months.
FACT: No. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most highly perfected surgical procedures in medicine, with a 95 per cent success rate. Of course, as with any surgery, risks do exist and should be discussed with a doctor before the procedure. Patients will need to avoid dunking their eye under swimming pool water for up to two weeks after the procedure, as well as refrain from rubbing or pressing the eye. Normal activities may be resumed the day after surgery. Cataract patients often notice vision improvement immediately following surgery, and others will notice more gradual improvement for a few months afterward.
MYTH 5: Cataracts “grow back.”
FACT: No. Cataracts develop as the lens’ cells die and accumulate; they are not a “growth” that sits on top of the eye. Patients often develop a different, secondary cataract, though. If the membrane that holds the new lens implant becomes cloudy, vision can be compromised. But this can easily be treated with laser surgery, a painless, 2-minute procedure.
These 5 Cataract facts and myths are the most popular questions and concerns patients may have. For more information about cataracts and cataract surgery please call our office at 480-994-1872 to make an appointment!
This article modified and reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart® program (www.geteyesmart.org).
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.
On-the-job safety goes well beyond avoiding slips, falls, and heavy lifting. Caring for your eyes should be a high priority and part of an overall workplace wellness routine. This is important because each day, about 2,000 U.S. workers sustain work related eye injuries that requires medical treatment[1]. However, 90 percent of these accidents can be avoided by wearing eye protection[2]. As part of an ongoing effort to stress the importance of workplace eye wellness, Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, during the month of March, is encouraging the public to do right by their eyes and wear appropriate eye protection.
Caring for your eyes on the job should not be limited to those who do physical labor. People who spend long hours working on a computer can experience eye discomfort and work related eye injuries. Focusing on small font type for hours on end can cause eye strain, fatigue, and headaches. Staring at screens for long periods can also leave eyes parched and red, causing eyes to become dry from lack of blinking. This happens frequently as computer screens or other digital displays reduce a person’s blink rate by as much as 50 percent[5].
The Academy provides tips to help avoid work related eye injuries:
“It takes only a few seconds to protect yourself from eye related issues that can cause vision problems,” said Brenda Pagán-Durán, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “I can’t stress enough the importance of incorporating eye wellness into your daily routine; whether it’s simply adjusting the setting on your computer monitor, or wearing appropriate protection to avoid serious eye injury. This is truly an ounce of prevention that can safeguard your vision.”
Taking care of your vision is important and having your eyes examined frequently is the first step in preventive care! Call our office at 480-994-1872 to make an appointment or visit or online at www.scottsdaleeye.com/appointment
[1] https://nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/health-pdfs/HVMPreventingInjuries_Tagged.pdf
[2] http://www.ishn.com/articles/103615-of-workplace-eye-injuries-could-be-lessened-or-prevented-with-safety-eyewear-use
[3] https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/eyefaceprotection
[4] http://www.ishn.com/articles/98066-workplace-eye-injuries-by-the-numbers
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21275516
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17099391
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.
Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye is more common than we think and anywhere from 8% to 34% of adults may be affected by dry eye. It’s a disorder on the tear film of the eye’s surface that may result in symptoms of visual disturbance or discomfort and other issues that can be impairing one’s daily life. If you suffer from dry eye don’t worry, it is common and there is a solution that can help! Read more here on dry eye disease.
The Study
A team of researches led by Dr. Richard Davis, an ophthalmologist at the University of North Carolina conducted a 10-year study of almost 73,000 people cared for at ophthalmology clinics in North Carolina. After years of research they found, after accounting for other factors and medications, people with migraines had a 20% higher risk of developing eye disease.
Age and sex both play a risk in developing dry eye. In addition to migraines being more common in women, hormonal and age-related changes also make older females more sensitive to DED. Researchers found that men 65 and older, having migraines nearly doubles the odds, and women the same age had nearly 2.5 times the risk.
The Link
“Underlying inflammatory processes” at the cellular level play key roles in both migraines and dry eye disease, according to the report. Excessive dryness of the eye’s surface might trigger nerve pathways that result in a migraine or inflammatory changes in DED might stimulate similar events in neuromuscular tissue.
The bottom line, physicians need to be aware that a patient with one of these conditions is at higher risk for the other. If you struggle with migraines it is best to make an appointment to be checked for dry eye disease. Call and make an appointment today 480-994-1872!
Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to produce and/or use insulin in amounts sufficient to control blood sugar levels.
People with any type of diabetes can develop hyperglycemia, which is an excess of blood sugar, or serum glucose.
Although glucose is a vital source of energy for the body’s cells, a chronic elevation of serum glucose causes damage throughout the body, including the small blood vessels in the eyes.
As a result, if you have diabetes you run the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, in which damage occurs to the delicate blood vessels inside the retina lining at the back of the eye.
You are also at increased risk for developing cataracts (clouding of the normally clear lens in the eye), or glaucoma (a disease that results in damage to the optic nerve).
Diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye disease, is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. The vessel walls thicken as they absorb excess sugar. This narrows the opening in the middle of the vessel so it can’t flow as much blood, oxygen, and nutrients needed for the eye tissues.
Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) is the earliest stage of diabetic retinopathy. With this condition, damaged blood vessels in the retina begin to leak extra fluid and small amounts of blood into the eye. Sometimes, deposits of cholesterol or other fats from the blood may leak into the retina.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) occurs when abnormal new blood vessels begin to sprout on the surface of the retina or optic nerve.
The new blood vessels are very fragile and sometimes break, leading to blindness. The new vessels are also often accompanied by scar tissue that may cause the retina to wrinkle or detach.
The good news is that tight control of the blood sugar level in diabetics can often reverse the damage and restore vision. There are several other treatments that can also help.
This article reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart® program (www.geteyesmart.org).
First thing to start with is finding an Eye Doctor you can trust! Getting in for regular eye exams is key to maintaining good eye health. Many eye diseases are only detectible with an eye exam.
2. Have a dilated eye exam often!
Find out from your Eye Doctors how often you should be having a dilated eye exam. When the eyes are dilated it allows for more light to enter which gives Doctors the ability to check for eye diseases like Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma and Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
3. Get Exercising
Lots of studies show that exercise and movement can be very healthy for the eyes it can even lower your risk for certain eye diseases. Finding time to get moving is always the challenge so start small by adding in a few more steps to your day and getting up from your desk for a quick stretch!
4. Choose a Balanced Diet!
Eating healthy is the building blocks of good health, we all know this, but it actually is really beneficial to your eye health! Studies have shown that foods like leafy greens, fish, nuts and legumes, citrus foods are just a few foods that are good for your vision!
5. Know your Family History!
Family history can help to determine eye diseases that you can be more susepitble to. Diseases like Glaucoma and Age-Related Macular Degeneration often times run in families.
6. Always Wear Sunglasses
Even when it is cloudy you should still wear sunglasses to block harmful UV rays. Wearing sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation can protect your eyes and lower your risk for cataracts.
7. Keep an Eye on Health Conditions like Diabetes and High Blood Pressure
Health conditions like diabetes can increase your risk for eye diseases such as Glaucoma. Work with your Doctor to help manage your condition.
8. Quit Smoking
Smoking increases your risk of eye diseases and is just bad for the body! Make a plan to quit it could just save your vision!
Taking care of your vision doesn’t have to be hard! With a few extra tips you can help to keep your eyes in tip top shape!
