Here to Protect Your Eyes

Sight-threatening eye problems affect one in six adults age 45 and older. Risk for vision loss increases with age. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) estimates that more than 43 million Americans will develop age-related eye diseases by 2020.

At Risk for Eye Disease?

Be aware of your family’s health history. Do you or any of your family suffer from diabetes or have a history of high blood pressure? Are you over the age of 65? Are you an African-American over the age of 40? Any of these traits increase your risk for sight-threatening eye diseases.

Get Regular Physical Exams

Check for diabetes and high blood pressure. If left untreated, these diseases can cause eye problems. In particular, diabetes and high blood pressure can lead to vision loss from diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and eye strokes.

Be Alert to Changes in Your Vision

Some trouble signs to look for are double vision, hazy vision and difficulty seeing in low light conditions. Other signs and symptoms of potentially serious eye problems that warrant immediate attention include red eyes, frequent flashes of light, floaters, and eye pain and swelling.

Protect Your Eyes from UV Light

When outdoors during daytime, always wear sunglasses that shield your eyes from 100 percent of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. This may help reduce your risk of cataracts, and other eye problems.

Eat a Healthy Balanced Diet

Numerous studies have shown that antioxidants, diet of fruits and dark green vegetables,  can possibly reduce the risk of cataracts. Studies also have shown that eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce your risk of developing macular degeneration.

Eye Exam Every Two Years

A comprehensive eye exam, including dilating your pupils can determine your risk for major eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, which has no early warning signs or symptoms.
1to1-social-work-2

Are you ready for a consultation?

eyehealth5

Why See an Ophthalmologist?

What is an Ophthalmologist?

eyehealth6

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) who specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform eye exams, diagnose and treat disease, prescribe medications and perform eye surgery.

If you have a medical eye problem — such as glaucoma, macular degeneration or cataracts — it is important to seek care from an eye doctor who is highly trained and skilled in monitoring and treating your condition. In many cases, this may mean that medical or surgical eye care by a specially trained ophthalmologist is in order.

Glaucoma

glaucoma-pressure-330x220@2x

Glaucoma is a group of related eye disorders that cause damage to the optic nerve that carries information from the eye to the brain and is often associated with higher-than-normal pressure inside the eye — a condition called ocular hypertension.

If untreated or uncontrolled, glaucoma first causes peripheral vision loss and eventually can lead to blindness. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the most common type of glaucoma — called primary open-angle glaucoma — affects an estimated 2.2 million people in the United States, and that number is expected to increase to 3.3 million by 2020 as the U.S. population ages.

And because most cases of glaucoma have few or no early symptoms, about half of Americans with glaucoma don’t know they have it.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

amsler-grid-off-544x543

Age-related macular degeneration usually produces a slow, painless loss of vision. In rare cases, however, vision loss can be sudden. Early signs of vision loss from AMD include shadowy areas in your central vision or unusually fuzzy or distorted vision.

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss among older Americans, and due to the aging of the U.S. population, the number of people affected by AMD is expected to increase significantly in the years ahead.

Eye care practitioners often detect early signs of macular degeneration before symptoms occur. Usually this is accomplished through a retinal exam. When macular degeneration is suspected, a brief test using an Amsler grid that measures your central vision may be performed.

Cataracts

eyes-older-woman-Small

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the and the pupil.

Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40 and is the principal cause of blindness in the world. In fact, there are more cases of cataracts worldwide than there are of glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy combined, according to Prevent Blindness America (PBA).

A cataract may make light from the sun or a lamp seem too bright or glaring. Or you may notice when you drive at night that the oncoming headlights cause more glare than before. Colors may not appear as bright as they once did.

Today, cataracts affect more than 22 million Americans age 40 and older. And as the U.S. population ages, more than 30 million Americans are expected to have cataracts by the year 2020, PBA says.

Diseases of the Retina

There are several common symptoms of retina disease that may be an indicator that you need to schedule a checkup.

Floating dots or cobwebs,
Distorted vision
Cloudy peripheral vision
Noticeable deterioration in eyesight

It is important to notice these factors as early as possible and seek medical assistance to prevent irreparable vision loss.

Your Home for Complete Eye Care

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. -Jawaharlal Nehru
eyehealth5

Patient Care in Comfort

woman with sunglasses

Expert, Quality Care and Treatment

eyehealth4

Latest in Comprehensive Testing

eye-exam

State-of-the-Art Facility