It’s also a good reminder to schedule preventative screenings – not only for breast cancer but also for overall wellness – including eye health.

Annual Mammograms Save Lives

About one in eight women (12.4 percent) will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Second only to lung cancer, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women.

Screening mammograms (x-rays of the breast) help detect breast cancer in the early stages when the disease is most treatable. Women may choose to begin annual breast screening as early as age 40, but the American Cancer Society recommends that all women begin yearly breast cancer screening at age 45. Since 1990, mammograms have helped reduce breast cancer deaths by 40 percent.

Annual Comprehensive Eye Exams Protect Vision

Just as mammograms can help detect early breast cancer when it is most treatable, comprehensive eye exams can detect eye disease early to prevent vision loss. Over three percent of Americans over the age of 40 are legally blind or visually impaired.

Glaucoma and macular degeneration are two degenerative eye diseases that can develop gradually over an extended period. Often, symptoms do not appear until later stages when vision damage is irreversible.

Comprehensive eye exams also screen for cataracts, one of the most common vision problems in the United States. Cataract-related vision loss is reversible through cataract surgery, a safe, outpatient procedure that takes less than 20 minutes per eye. 

Early detection and timely intervention and treatment can help prevent disease and preserve your vision. So this month, take the time to schedule all of your preventative screenings. Call your ophthalmologist and schedule a comprehensive eye exam to screen for eye disease.

What is an Elective Eye Procedure?

An elective eye procedure is a planned procedure that is not a medical emergency yet may be medically necessary for you to maintain your vision or improve your eyesight. Certain elective eye procedures can be delayed until you have met your annual deductible.

Some examples of elective eye procedures may be:

• Traditional or laser-assisted cataract surgery
• Laser surgery and shunts for glaucoma
• Eyelid revision procedures like blepharoplasty

How to Plan for an End-of-Year Eye Procedure

If you have met your annual deductible, your eye procedure may cost much less than if you wait until January when your deductible resets to zero. Proper planning will ensure that you can budget for the procedure and you avoid unexpected medical fees.

1. Call your insurance provider to confirm whether you have met your deductible and if you have  an out-of-pocket maximum you need to meet.

2. Explain the type of eye procedure you want to schedule.

3. Ask for a list of in-network physicians and facilities so you can maximize your savings.

4. Using factors like geographic location, physician reviews and cost, narrow down your list of physicians and facilities. Keep in mind that an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is almost always more cost-effective than a hospital.

5. Once you have selected your physician and location, call your insurance provider again to get an estimate of what you should plan to pay for the physician fee, facility fee, medications and post-operative visits.

6. After you have your out-of-pocket estimate, decide how you will pay for your portion of the procedure. If you have private insurance and you have met your deductible, you may only be responsible for a co-pay or coinsurance, if applicable. Remember, you can use your flexible spending account (FSA) if you have remaining funds. FSA money is not taxed, which offers another savings opportunity.

7. Call your ophthalmologist to schedule your procedure. Do not delay because end-of-year appointments book up quickly and your doctor may only perform surgeries on certain days of the week.

Planning can offer significant savings and help you stretch your hard-earned healthcare dollars. Schedule your elective eye procedure before your deductible resets and experience the joy of clear vision. 

Varieties of Eye Drops

Over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops treat minor ailments and eye discomfort. You can achieve favorable results with many OTC brands if you read instructions carefully and use the drops as directed. A few advantages of OTC drops are easy accessibility and lower cost.

Irritation caused by chronic conditions may need to be treated with prescription eye drops recommended by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Some OTC eye drops have a prescription-strength version that contains a higher percentage of active ingredients, but you’ll have to see your eye doctor to request a prescription. 

Drops for Dry Eye

Eye irritation and dryness is common, especially in the fall and winter. Most minor cases of dryness respond well to lubricating drops or artificial tears, but these drops may not alleviate the symptoms. If OTC drops do not soothe the scratchy, irritated, burning sensation from dry eye, call your ophthalmologist. You may be one of 30 million Americans who suffer from chronic dry eye and would benefit from a prescription eye drop.

Drops for Redness

Decongestant drops can help clear away redness by constricting blood vessels in the eye. If redness persists, schedule a check-up with your eye doctor. Overusing decongestant drops can make the redness problem worse.

Drops for Allergies

Allergens like grass, dust, mold, spores and pet dander can cause the body to release histamines that trigger eye irritation, redness and watering. OTC and prescription eye drops that contain antihistamines can block the histamine that initiates the allergic response.

Antibiotic drops

Bacterial infections like pink eye require prescription antibiotic drops to reduce symptoms and bring healing. Antibiotic drops are also prescribed after eye surgery to prevent infection. These drops are not available over the counter.

Rewetting drops

Contact lenses wearers can get relief using OTC rewetting drops to add moisture when contacts feel dry.

Glaucoma drops

One treatment method for glaucoma is prescription eye drops which help maintain safe levels of internal eye pressure. These drops are only available with a prescription and the dosage is carefully monitored by an ophthalmologist.

Make an Appointment with Your Eye Doctor

Eye drops can soothe irritation, treat infection and maintain healthy vision when used as directed. Call a board-certified ophthalmologist to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam and an evaluation of your eye care regimen. 

What is a Retinal Detachment?

The retina is a thin layer of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye that relays impulses to the optic nerve. In rare cases, the retina can separate from the blood vessels that provide it with oxygen and nutrients.

What Causes Retinal Detachment?

A retinal detachment can be caused by retinal disease, injury, scar tissue, inflammation or diabetes, but most retinal detachments are spontaneous. People who exhibit the greatest risk for retinal detachment include individuals who:

• Have had a retinal detachment in the past
• Have a family history of retinal detachment
• Are extremely nearsighted
• Have experienced eye trauma
• Have had diabetic retinopathy or inflammation
• Have undergone cataract surgery

Retinal Detachment Surgery

Almost all patients with a retinal detachment require surgery to prevent permanent vision loss. The type of surgery depends on the details of the patient’s detachment.

Photocoagulation (laser surgery) or cryopexy (freezing treatment) — Laser surgery or freezing treatment may be sufficient to prevent the retina from pulling away if the retinal holes or tears are small.

Scleral buckle — A surgeon sews a plastic, silicone band to the sclera to keep the retina in place and allow it to reattach to the back of the eye. Sometimes, the vitreous fluid behind the detached retina must be removed so the retina can recede to the back of the eye again.  

Pneumatic retinopexy — A surgeon injects a gas bubble into the center of the eyeball to flatten the retina against the back of the eye. Using a laser beam or freezing probe, the surgeon then seals the retina into the proper position.

Vitrectomy — The surgeon removes the vitreous gel, so that it does not pull on the retina. The surgeon will replace the vitreous fluid with a saline solution and often a temporary gas bubble is placed to push the retina back into position. Vitrectomy can be combined with scleral buckle if necessary.

What are the Warning Signs of a Detached Retina?

When the retina is not receiving oxygen and nutrients, it begins to deteriorate and can cause permanent vision loss. A detached retina is painless, but it is often accompanied by symptoms like:

• Blurred vision
• Eye floaters
• Flashes of light
• Reduced peripheral vision

A Retinal Specialist to the Rescue

If you experience any symptoms of retinal detachment, call your ophthalmologist immediately. Swift intervention will help preserve your vision. You can maintain healthy eyesight by scheduling yearly comprehensive eye exams, so make an appointment today. 

Your eyes need proper nourishment for lifelong, healthy vision, and fall vegetables are some of the best sources of essential nutrients.

The autumn season provides a bountiful harvest of squash, root vegetables, legumes and leafy greens that contain high amounts of antioxidants. These vitamins and minerals neutralize free radicals and protect eye cells from oxidative stress.

Research suggests that people who eat more vegetables and fruits are less likely to develop chronic diseases. A diet that is rich in antioxidants like zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins A, C and E can help prevent age-related eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Buying produce from a vegetable stand, co-op or farmer’s market allows you to eat vegetables that are locally grown and harvested at the peak of ripeness. You’ll find that the produce tastes better because it has ripened on the vine, which also makes it more nutritious.

Vitamin or Mineral That Promotes Eye Health

• Beta carotene and vitamin A: Pumpkins, carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, cantaloupe, acorn squash, curly kale
• Vitamin C: Broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip greens
• Vitamin E: Swiss chard, mustard greens, parsley, pumpkin seeds, butternut squash
• Zinc: Lima beans, spinach, beet greens, okra, sunflower seeds, peanuts, zucchini
• Lutein and zeaxanthin: Collard greens, radicchio, watercress, arugula, green peas, leeks, broccoli rabe

Eat a rainbow of fall vegetables for optimum eye health. Incorporate red peppers, orange yams, yellow squash, green limas and purple beets into your autumn menu and remember that More Matters. Try to eat at least five to nine servings of fresh fruits and vegetables daily and purchase local produce if possible.

As the calendar year comes to a close, call your ophthalmologist for an annual comprehensive eye exam. Yearly eye check-ups are just as crucial for eye health as a well-balanced diet. Your eye doctor will test your visual acuity, evaluate your current prescription and screen you for degenerative eye disease. 

 

Exercising is a great way to spend time together as a family and to maintain healthy vision.

When is the last time you played basketball, frisbee or flashlight tag with your family? How about the last time you went on a family hike or bike ride? Physical activity is essential for men, women and children of all ages. It helps with weight management, mental alertness and disease prevention. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, many eye diseases can be delayed or even prevented by exercising regularly.

Protect Your Vision with Regular Exercise

Physical activity benefits the entire body – and especially the eyes. Studies show that being active for only 30 minutes a day reduces the risk for chronic conditions like hypertension, high blood sugar, obesity and high cholesterol. These diseases are known as metabolic syndrome, and they can be precursors to heart disease, stroke and diabetes. As for visual health, many eye diseases like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are linked with metabolic syndrome, and fortunately, exercise can help limit their effects.

Model Healthy Habits for Kids

Cardiovascular fitness, like healthy eating, is a life skill that must be learned. It’s not enough to simply tell children to be healthy. Parents need to form their own positive, diet and exercise habits and then model those behaviors for their children.

Len Saunders, acclaimed author on family fitness, says, “…children are watching their parents’ every move, mirroring their every action; if a parent is sedentary, there is a good chance their children will be too. However, parents who eat healthily and exercise with their children on a regular basis are teaching them many valuable lessons” (PBS).

Make Exercise FUN for the Family

If you’re just getting started with family exercise, keep it simple! Walking, swimming, hiking, playing tennis and doing yard work are just some of the activities the whole family can enjoy. Exercising together can be much more fun and can make “working out” go by faster. Try putting the kids in charge of accountability for your family’s commitment to fitness. That way, they won’t let you skip out on a workout!

Here are some ways to blend fitness and fun:

1. Take a family walk each night after dinner.

2. Swim at your local pool or community center on the weekends.

3. Participate in a couch-to-5k race and train together. Invite extended family and friends to join you and create a team t-shirt.

4. Locate a yoga studio in your area and take a weekly class together.

5. Create a backyard boot camp. Use a free app like Sworkit to set up a cardio circuit.

Keep Safe During Exercise

Before you implement your exercise plan, contact your family physician or eye doctor to make sure that your workout plan is appropriate for your family’s level of fitness. You can always increase the duration and intensity of your workout, so begin slowly and be patient. So, get out there, get moving and have FUN!

Vision problems in children are not always obvious, but yearly comprehensive eye exams identify eye issues early before they affect school performance.

Poor Vision and Schoolwork

Clear vision is essential for students to learn effectively. According to the American Optometric Association, one out of four kids in the United States has an undetected vision problem.  This means that up to twenty-five percent of students are at a disadvantage when teachers use visual aids like whiteboards and screens.

Studies show that when children cannot see clearly, their academic performance suffers. Visually compromised kids have trouble concentrating, and they may avoid participating in class. They often fall behind in their classwork and homework, which affects their test scores and quarter grades. It is easy to see how vision problems can be misdiagnosed as attention disorders, learning disabilities or behavioral issues.

Symptoms and Signs of Vision Problems in Children

Many young children with poor eyesight are unaware that their vision is not healthy. A parent or a teacher is usually the first person to associate a possible vision problem with the change in behavior or school performance.

Here are a few warning signs that your child may need to see an eye doctor:

1. Excessively rubbing the eyes

2. Sitting too close to screens

3. Complaining of headaches

4. Inattention and distractibility

5. Squinting or tilting the head

6. Closing one eye to see more clearly

7. Sensitivity to light

8. Holding a book too close

9. Avoiding participation in sports, outdoor games or group activities

10. Getting lower grades in school

Schedule an Eye Exam with an Ophthalmologist

Give your child the best possible start by scheduling an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam. At the appointment, an eye doctor will screen your child for refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism as well as many eye diseases. Getting prompt vision correction will help your child to feel confident and successful this school year. 

A high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet may help prevent retinal degeneration that leads to glaucoma.

A recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that a ketogenic diet prevented damage to the retinal ganglion cells in mice that were on the cusp of developing glaucoma. Retinal ganglion cells are neurons located on the inner surface of the eye. These cells are the main component of the optic nerve, which transmits visual information to the brain. In people who have glaucoma, spikes in eye pressure can cause the optic nerve to degenerate resulting in permanent vision loss.

A research team at Northeast Ohio Medical University fed a group of mice a ketogenic diet comprised of 90 percent fat for eight weeks. At the conclusion of the testing period, the mice had high antioxidant levels and less degeneration of retinal ganglion cells.

This study is not the first time researchers have tested the effects of a high-fat diet on degenerative nerve diseases. Doctors have used ketogenic diets since the early twentieth century to treat epilepsy in children. Limiting carbohydrate intake has been linked to improvements in many other conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, sleep disorders, autism, Parkinson’s disease and even brain cancer. 

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, over 3 million Americans have glaucoma, but half are unaware because there are generally no early symptoms. When symptoms develop, it often means that permanent vision loss has already occurred.

The most effective way to prevent glaucoma damage is to schedule annual comprehensive eye exams with an ophthalmologist. A complete eye exam includes screening for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and many other degenerative conditions. 

Vision problems negatively impact school performance, so schedule comprehensive eye exams for your children to be sure they have healthy vision before school begins.

Here are the top 5 reasons a comprehensive eye exam should be a part of your family’s back-to-school routine each year:

Comprehensive Eye Exams Correct Problems Early

The right and left eye must function as a team for normal vision to develop. Regular visits to your children’s pediatrician from infancy through preschool will help ensure that eye alignment problems are detected early. However, if you suspect your child has an issue with eye alignment, make an appointment with an ophthalmologist.

Comprehensive Eye Exams Offer More than School Vision Screenings

School vision screenings can only identify vision problems, not correct them. Often admistered by volunteers, screenings offer limited testing with minimal equipment. On the other hand, through comprehensive eye exams, licensed eye care professionals perform several tests and can make specific diagnoses. During an eye exam, a child can receive immediate treatment and corrective options for vision problems.

Comprehensive Eye Exams Correct More than Eye Problems

A common complaint among school-aged children is headaches due to refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. When children cannot see clearly, they often strain their vision by squinting, which often results in headaches. Many children experience relief after refractive errors are diagnosed and treated with eyeglasses.

Comprehensive Eye Exams Increase Self-Confidence

Children with vision problems often cannot read words and images in books or on display boards, which may affect their academic performance. Eye problems may also impact their ability to participate in activities like physical education classes and youth sports, resulting in low self-esteem. Through yearly eye exams, providers can diagnose and correct vision problems early on so children can perform at their highest level.

Comprehensive Eye Exams Provide Overall Health Assessments

During comprehensive eye exams, ophthalmologists use tests including eye dilation to evaluate the health of the retina and blood vessels. Some of these tests may even identify undiagnosed chronic health conditions like diabetes or hypertension, and children can then be referred to a specialist for further evaluation.

A comprehensive eye exam is an essential component of back-to-school readiness. Make an appointment with an ophthalmologist for a full comprehensive eye exam with dilation for your children. You can then feel confident that they are equipped with clear vision and are ready for a successful school year. 

To receive the best in vision care, you need to visit the right type of professional.

When talking about eye care specialists, people sometimes use “ophthalmologist,” “optometrist” and “optician” interchangeably, but these three terms describe distinct professions.

What Opticians Do

An optician is a technician who has trained to fit eyeglasses, contact lenses and other corrective devices. Opticians are not licensed to perform eye exams, write prescriptions or treat eye diseases.

What Optometrists Do

An optometrist is an eye doctor who has earned a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.). A Doctor of Optometry usually requires a four-year undergraduate degree in the sciences and four years of post-graduate training at a school of optometry.

Optometrists perform comprehensive eye exams, correct refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism) and write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses. Some optometrists have specialized training to treat low vision problems. Optometrists are not medical doctors and cannot perform surgery.

What Ophthalmologists Do

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) who is licensed to practice medicine and surgery. Ophthalmologists have completed a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of eight combined years of medical school and residency. Ophthalmologists perform all tasks that optometrists are licensed to do, but they also perform eye surgery as well as treat all types of eye disease.

Some ophthalmologists complete additional training called fellowships to specialize in specific areas of ophthalmology like glaucoma, cornea, retina, neuro-ophthalmology, plastic surgery or pediatrics.

For a comprehensive eye exam and assessment of your vision health, schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist. Annual comprehensive eye exams help keep your vision clear and prevent eye disease. Your ophthalmologist will test your visual acuity, evaluate your current eye prescription and screen you for degenerative eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.