Basketball, Baseball and Paintball Guns Top the List of Leading Causes of Eye Injuries
A recent study found that about 30,000 people in the U.S. went to an emergency department with a sports-related eye injury. This is a much higher estimate than previously reported.[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.
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!
If you suffer from diabetes, the possibility of diabetic retinopathy is a real thing. To keep your vision from harm, you should be in the know about the facts of diabetic retinopathy and how to get yourself checked and treated. If you think you could be affected by diabetic retinopathy now or in the future, you may be asking yourself these questions:
Computers, Digital Devices, and Eye Strain
Eye Strain If you spend hours a day staring at a screen, there are different symptoms you can experience of digital eye strain including: blurry vision, achy or tired eyes, dry eyes, and may even sting or tear. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to help relieve eye strain.
March is the National Save Your Vision Month and at Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons it is our mission to provide our patients with the best eye care services! Here are a few tips from our Ophthalmologist, Dennis Kilpatrick or our Medical Optometrist, Dr. Candria Meharry, for a lifetime of healthy vision!
Having your eyes examined regularly is important to make sure your vision is in tiptop shape but it’s also important to prevent any damaging eye diseases. Not everyone needs to get in for a yearly exam, frequency depends on age, family history or other conditions. Contact us today to schedule an exam!
Before you grab your sunglasses make sure you are wearing shades that have UV protection. If you think that UV protection is just the tint then think again, the UV coating that protects from the sun is actually clear. Tinted sunglasses without UV protection could be harming your eyes as your eyes slightly dilate due to the tint and allow the UV Rays to enter more easily. If you don’t know if your sunglasses have UV protection drop into Scottsdale Eye Optical Boutique and we will gladly check your lenses for you free of charge.
Whether you’re outside gardening, working on the car or playing a quick game of tennis it is very important to wear glasses or goggles. Without the proper protection, your eyes are susceptible to harmful debris or objects that could have damaging effects.
Your diet can be playing a big part in your eye health! Make sure to eat lots of leafy greens, Omega 3’s and Vitamin C. Leafy greens like spinach and kale are packed with lutein, zeaxanthin and antioxidants that, studies show, lower the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts. Fish, like tuna and salmon, are rich in Omega 3’s and berries that are loaded with Vitamin C have also been shown to reduce the risk of eye diseases.
If you wear contacts lenses it’s very important to keep them clean! Make sure to soak them in clean contact solution each day and clean them before putting them in your eyes! Dirty lenses can bring unwanted bacteria into the eye! If you have any questions about contact lenses, please call our office to make an appointment with our contact lens specialist, Dr. Candria Meharry.
If you work on a computer, which today is just about everyone, take a break! Every 20 minutes look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will give your eyes a rest and prevent digital eye strain! When we concentrate on the computer screen we don’t blink as often, so apply frequent lubricating eye drops if your eyes feel dry.
Address things early! If you feel anything is out of the ordinary, like a change in your vision, a bump on your eyelid or eye pain make an appointment immediately! Waiting just a few extra days or a week can cause irreversible damages!
If you have not been seen by an eye doctor in a few years it’s time to make an appointment! Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons has been serving the valley for over 40 years and is committed to providing improved vision and comfort! Call 480-994-1872 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Kilpatrick or Dr. Candria Meharry.
The world of eyeglass lenses can be complicated and overwhelming to a newcomer. Fortunately, you can always turn to Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons for high-quality eye care, the latest technology and the most knowledgeable physicians and staff to keep you looking fashionable while maintaining precise vision and comfort. In our office, at Scottsdale Optical Boutique you will find a variety of lens types, frames and materials, including designer brands and cutting-edge lens technology.
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At Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons we take eye care far beyond cutting edge technology and the latest surgical procedures. While those details set us apart from other ophthalmologist offices in Scottsdale and around the valley, it’s our dedication to delivering the highest quality vision and overall comfort – our experienced and compassionate staff – that truly sets us apart. With over 40 years of experience in this health field, we are still learning and progressing based on every patient and every unique experience. And through our experience on a personal level as well as professional level, we now offer Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals (PRN), nutritional supplements that we have seen greatly benefit the vision health of our patients.
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Scottsdale Eye Optical Boutique carries the finest designer frames, limited edition styles, and our prescription lenses are comprised of cutting edge technology rarely found in Arizona ophthalmology offices. From Ziess to Varilux, transition lenses to polarized fit overs, our optical boutique has something for everyone. This holiday season, give the gift of clarity and high-definition vision with a Scottsdale Eye Optical Boutique gift certificate.
The Benefits of Purchasing Through Us
With over 40 years of providing leading optical services here in Arizona, Scottsdale Eye Optical Boutique can help you look, and see your best, this holiday season. Purchasing your prescription lenses and frames with us includes a lifetime of free cleaning and adjustments.
During your regular eye exams at Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons, we will run a variety of tests to determine the health and strength of your eyes and vision. During these tests you will undergo a refraction test, or a test to let your ophthalmologist know exactly what prescription you might need in glasses or contact lenses. As the ophthalmologists here at Scottsdale Eye are on the forefront of exam technology, we employ the Zeiss i.Profiler combined with Zeiss i.Scription lenses to provide our patients with the highest possible prescription accuracy.
Refraction Tests Before i.Profiler
Before the Zeiss i.Profiler, ophthalmologists would use a phoropter, or a very large, very bulky piece of equipment that is always associated with eye exams. This piece of equipment somewhat resembles a large mask, and is encompassed with multiple lenses to measure refractive error. The patient would sit behind the phoropter and provide the ophthalmologist with feedback based on which lenses gave them the best vision.
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