Tag Archives: aging eye

Presbyopia, breaking down the problems associated with the aging eye

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Presbyopia, breaking down the problems associated with the aging eye

presbyopia

Presbyopia is an age-related eye condition that makes it more difficult to see up close.

 

When we are young, the lens in our eyes is soft and flexible and changes easily, allowing you to focus on objects both close up and far away. After the age of 40, and as we continue to age, the lens becomes more stiff, which makes it difficult to change shape and focus on objects that are close up.

 

Causes & symptoms of Presbyopia

 

Unlike nearsightedness and farsightedness, presbyopia is caused by the aging of the eye. It is generally believed that, as we age, changes in the lens protein make up trigger the lens to become less flexible. This is why it is common for people over the age of 40 to hold reading material farther away in order to see it more clearly. Other symptoms include eyestrain, headaches, or feeling tired after doing up close work.

 

Diagnosing and treating Presbyopia

 

A routine eye exam performed by your doctor will diagnose and determine the degree of presbyopia. Once diagnosed, reading glasses are the most common and simplest ways to correct presbyopia. If you wear contact lenses, your doctor can prescribe reading glasses that can be worn with your regular contacts. Eyeglasses with bifocal or progressive lenses are another common method of correcting presbyopia. There are other simple methods of correcting presbyopia, such as multifocal contact lenses, or monovision, which is using two different contact lenses, one for distance and one for close up vision.

 

If you would like more information about presbyopia or wish to make an appointment, please call our office, 480 994-1872 or visit our website at ScottsdaleEye.com. We also carry a large selection of reading glasses in our optical boutique, which is conveniently located in our office.

 

Source: GetEyeSmart.org

 

What’s That Ring Around My Eye?

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What’s That Ring Around My Eye?

One frequently asked question Dr. Dennis hears from his patients is, “what’s that ring around my eye?” What patients are referring to is a white, grey, or blue opaque ring that overlies the colored part of the eye just about where it meets the sclera, or white of the eye. The ring is actually in the cornea, a clear dome-like covering over the front of the eye, which acts likes much like the crystal of a watch.

what's that ring around my eye

The cloudiness commonly appears after age 60 and is called arcus senilis, or just arcus. This cloudiness typically starts at the top and bottom of the cornea, but can eventually fill in to create a full ring around the eye.

This ring is created from a gradual deposition of cholesterol and lipid (fat) in this layer of the cornea. A study shows that it does not indicate high cholesterol levels when it occurs in the middle aged and elderly population. People younger than 40 with the onset of arcus should have their cholesterol and blood lipids checked as studies do show that if this ring can be predictive of heart disease. 

The white ring or Arcus does not interfere with vision and does not require treatment of the eye.  If the ring is more pronounced on one eye, it can indicate that blood flow to that eye is decreased.

If your asking yourself “what’s that ring around my eye” or would like to make an appointment to have your questions answered call (480) 994-1872 today!

Click here for more info on corneal arcus!

Half of Those with Glaucoma Don’t Know It; Are You At Risk?

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Half of Those with Glaucoma Don’t Know It; Are You At Risk?

Approximately 2.7 million Americans have the potentially blinding eye disease glaucoma, but only half are aware of it. Meanwhile, glaucoma incidence is on the rise. Researchers predict that glaucoma will affect as many as 6.3 million Americas by 2050. January is Glaucoma Awareness Month and Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology are sharing a list of risk factors that can lead to the disease.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which links the eyes to the brain. It is most commonly associated with elevated pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure, or IOP. Without treatment, glaucoma can cause irreversible vision loss in a person’s side vision, then in his or her central vision. With early diagnosis and treatment, sight can be preserved. However, glaucoma has no noticeable symptoms in its early stages, so it is imperative that people know the risk factors.

 

Certain factors can increase an individual’s risk of developing glaucoma, including:

 

  • Family History: Individuals with a parent or sibling with glaucoma have a nine times higher risk of developing the disease, according to one study.
  • Older Age: As people age, their risk for glaucoma increases. Because this is the case for several eye diseases, the Academy recommends that adults start getting regular comprehensive eye exams at age 40. This is the age when early signs of eye disease and changes in vision may first occur, even if you have seemingly perfect vision. It is important to get comprehensive eye exams from an ophthalmologist or optometrist, a physician specializing in eye care.
  • African, Hispanic or Asian Heritage: People of African and Hispanic heritage are three times more likely to have the most common form of glaucoma than Caucasians. Glaucoma-related blindness is at least six times more prevalent in African Americans than in Caucasian Americans. Additionally, people of Asian heritage are at an increased risk of a sudden and acute form of glaucoma known as angle-closure glaucoma.
  • Nearsightedness: People who are nearsighted are more likely to have glaucoma. One study even found that the more severe the nearsightedness, the higher the risk of glaucoma.
  • Type 2 Diabetes: Having type 2 diabetes increases risk of glaucoma. The longer a person has lived with diabetes, the greater their risk for glaucoma becomes.

Additionally, when the cornea – the clear, round dome on the front of the eye that covers the iris and pupil – is abnormally thin, IOP readings may be falsely low. This puts patients at increased risk for undiagnosed glaucoma. This is common among those who have had refractive surgery, such as LASIK or photorefractive keratectomy. Another risk factor associated with glaucoma is a history of eye trauma.

 

“Many of my patients are surprised to learn that one or more of these factors put them at an increased risk,” said Andrew Iwach, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and glaucoma specialist. “Being aware of your personal risk of glaucoma is the first step to saving your sight. If you are at risk, get an exam – the sooner you do, the better we can protect you from vision loss

 

Recently the Diopsys, a new very sensitive test has become available to screen for glaucoma that may not be obvious. Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons is one of the few eye physician practices in the area that now offers this test.

 

Glaucoma treatment ranges from medicated eye drops to a variety of surgeries that can help reduce high IOP. This may involve procedures that make small changes in the eye to help fluid drain more easily. In some cases, small devices known as shunts or stents are inserted in the eye to increase the flow of the eye’s fluid.

 

 

If you have questions about glaucoma or want to schedule a comprehensive eye exam call our office at 480-994-1872 or visit www.scottsdaleeye.com.

 

 

 

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

 

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/