Are your eyes more sensitive to bright lights while driving your car at night? Do the colors of objects seem faded or yellowed? Are you experiencing blurry or double vision in one or both eyes?

If you answered yes to these questions, you may be one of about 24 million Americans aged 40 or older who has cataracts.

June is Cataract Awareness Month. A cataract is the clouding of the normally clear natural lens of your eye. Cataracts happen when proteins in your lens break down, preventing the light passing through the lens from focusing, which leads to objects around you looking hazy or blurry. Cataracts normally develop in everyone as we age.

Cataracts Impair Eyesight, Affect Lifestyle

Cataracts are easy to diagnose during a routine eye exam. Early symptoms of cataracts may be improved with new glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses, but cataract surgery is the only effective treatment once glasses no longer help. If not treated, cataracts may cause near-complete loss of vision, but even at this level, vision is fully recoverable with surgery.

“Many adults in the U.S. have postponed their medical care and procedures throughout the pandemic, including elective surgeries,” said Indira Venkat, Vice President, Consumer Insights at AARP. “It’s important to keep in touch with your health care providers to maintain good health and wellbeing, especially for older adults who are more likely to have chronic health conditions” (Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation).

Impaired eyesight caused by cataracts can prevent you from living an active lifestyle and doing activities you love with family and friends. Patients with cataracts benefit from readily available, sight-restoring treatment.

IOLs Replace Cloudy Eye Lenses

The U.S. National Eye Institute reports that cataract surgery is one of the safest, most common and most effective surgical procedures performed in the United States. Approximately 4 million cataract surgeries are performed every year in the U.S. and nearly 28 million worldwide (Healio).

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that involves removing your cloudy lens from your eye and replacing it with an artificial lens called an IOL, or intraocular lens. An IOL is a clear, plastic lens that becomes a permanent part of your eye and requires no care.

You and your doctor decide which type of IOL is right for your visual needs and your lifestyle. Examples of IOLs include the following:

• Monofocal lenses: These offer vision at one distance only (far, intermediate or near). You may still need to wear glasses with these lenses. Medicare or health insurance usually covers the cost.
• Toric IOLs: These can be used to correct astigmatism. These lenses provide clear distance vision; however, you may still need glasses to read. An extra fee most likely will be added to the cost.
• Multifocal IOLs: These are designed to help you see near, far and intermediate with as little glasses or contact use as possible. These premium lenses cost more out of pocket but offer you the best chance to see without wearing glasses or contact lenses.

This outpatient surgery only takes a few hours from the time you arrive at your appointment until you are released to go home. The surgery itself generally takes less than 30 minutes, allowing you to return to your life quickly.

If you are experiencing vision problems and think you may have cataracts, don’t delay your care. To get an accurate diagnosis, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your ophthalmologist.

Recent research suggests increased time on digital devices has adversely affected children’s eye health and general well-being.

Children Increased Digital Device Usage During the Pandemic

According to a recent paper published in the Journal of School Health, global research studies conducted during the pandemic discovered children and teens significantly increased their screen time. This is not surprising, as the COVID-19 pandemic caused millions of children to adjust to remote learning and depend on digital devices for their education.

Recreational screen time also increased during the pandemic. A study in JAMA Pediatrics found 12- to 13-year-old children in the United States increased their non-scholastic screen time from 3.8 hours per day to 7.7 hours a day.

Digital Eye Strain and Health Risks

Staring at screens can lead to many types of eye problems. For example, too much time on electronic devices puts children at risk for digital eye strain, characterized by itchy, red, watery eyes that can feel irritated and uncomfortable. Staring at screens can also increase the likelihood of dry eye, uncorrected refractive errors and unstable binocular vision.

Using digital devices can also have long-term health consequences. Because it is a passive activity, excessive screen time can cause overeating and even obesity. Studies also show depression and anxiety increase with more screen time, and students’ coping skills decrease. It can also result in physical discomforts like shoulder, neck and back pain.

Using Self-control With Digital Devices

Digital devices are a helpful tool when used in moderation. Remote learning provided essential education to millions of students during the pandemic, and it continues to be an important option for students.

“Schools can make sure time spent on digital devices is maximized for learning and less digital time is encouraged for other activities,” said lead author Professor Shahina Pardhan, director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute at Anglia Ruskin University. “Governments should work with schools to help shape home-based learning guidelines that encourage creative learning away from devices, including promoting other types of activities and frequent screen breaks” (Medical Xpress).

Tips to Prevent Digital Eye Strain

As parents become more aware of how many hours their children spend on digital devices at school, they can help their children establish screen time limits at home. Here are some helpful guidelines for creating healthy boundaries for your family’s digital device usage:

• Teach kids the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away.
• Limit kids’ video games, online games and TV to weekends.
• Remind kids that the time they spend on digital devices at school counts toward their daily screen time limits.
• Talk to your family ophthalmologist about how digital devices can impact their vision.

Schedule Comprehensive Eye Exams for the Family

When was the last time you scheduled a comprehensive eye exam with dilation for your family members? Annual eye exams provide more than just a check-up on your eyesight. They offer a window into your overall health. Call today to make an appointment for a complete eye examination so you can enjoy clear vision for years to come.

Does the eye provide a window into early brain changes? A new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology suggests a simple eye test could help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in earlier stages.

About 6.2 million Americans over age 65 live with Alzheimer’s dementia, a progressive disease that destroys memory and other critical mental functions.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are usually diagnosed when people become forgetful or act out of the ordinary. Traditional MRI scans can help doctors detect Alzheimer’s disease but not in the early stages. More advanced MRI scans can help detect the disease in earlier stages; however, these are still investigational, and this type of imaging would be costly. Experts say retinal deterioration may reflect changes in the blood vessels in the brain, which could play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s.

Retinal Thinning Could Predict Early Alzheimer’s

Previous research suggests people with thinner retinas are at risk for memory and reasoning problems. Researchers from the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, recently investigated the retina’s ability to indicate brain changes earlier in life.

The study team analyzed data from 865 Dunedin Study participants at age 45, looking specifically at the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL).

Participants with thicker GCL and RNFL exhibited more robust cognitive performance in childhood and adulthood. However, thinner RNFL was associated with a more significant decline in mental processing speed in childhood and adulthood. According to the study, “RNFL could be an indicator of overall brain health.”

“In the near future, it’s hoped that artificial intelligence will be able to take an image of a person’s retina and determine whether that person is at risk for Alzheimer’s long before they begin showing symptoms, and when there is a possibility of treatment to mitigate the symptoms,” said Ashleigh Barrett-Young, PhD, Research Fellow at University of Otago (Medical Xpress).

Although further research is necessary to determine whether a thinning retina can indicate Alzheimer’s, this study provides hope that optical scans could assist in predicting cognitive decline.

Comprehensive Eye Exams Can Preserve Healthy Vision

The eye doesn’t just provide a window into early brain changes. It is an indicator of overall health. Yearly eye exams can diagnose many common eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration, which can cause irreversible eye damage. An eye exam can also help detect chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol.

When is the last time you scheduled a comprehensive eye exam with dilation? Getting annual eye checkups can also diagnose cataracts, a common vision problem. Most people over the age of 40 have a developing cataract. The good news is that cataract-related vision loss is treatable through cataract surgery, a safe, routine procedure.

Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam Today

Contact your ophthalmologist to schedule an appointment for an eye exam for you and your family members. There is no substitute for healthy vision, so call today.

Face masks have become a part of everyday life in the past two years because of the pandemic. While face masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19, they can cause unwanted side effects, including dry, irritated eyes or even a condition called Dry Eye.

What Is Mask-associated Dry Eye (MADE)?

Face coverings are causing millions of Americans to experience eye irritation. Mask-associated Dry Eye has affected most of the United States population since the onset of COVID-19. This condition occurs when exhaled air channels up out of the face mask and over the eye’s surface. Increased air over the eye evaporates tears more quickly and makes the eyes irritated, gritty, itchy and watery. One study found that three groups were more susceptible to MADE:

• Females
• People who have a history of Dry Eye disease
• Anyone wearing a mask longer than three hours per day

Wearing contact lenses can also increase the risk for MADE. Other risk factors include prolonged face mask usage in air conditioning and increased use of digital devices.

Ten Tips for Preventing MADE

Face masks are not going away soon, but you can take several steps to alleviate MADE.

1. Ensure your mask fits snugly around your nose to prevent air from being channeled up toward the eyes. Wearing a mask with a pliable nose wire can be helpful.
2. Tape the top of your mask to direct airflow downward instead of upward.
3. Limit your time in air conditioning or windy weather.
4. Turn off overhead fans or desk fans.
5. Try not to rub or touch irritated eyes. Use warm, moist compresses to alleviate eye irritation.
6. Blink more often. Blinking is essential for maintaining eye moisture.
7. If you wear contact lenses, consider switching to a daily disposable lens.
8. Take regular breaks from digital devices. Remember the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away.
9. Try lubricating drops if your eyes feel itchy, gritty or uncomfortable. Ask your eye doctor before beginning use of any new product.
10. Schedule regular comprehensive eye exams with your eye doctor.

Comprehensive Eye Exams Can Diagnose Dry Eye Disease

When was the last time you scheduled a comprehensive eye exam with your ophthalmologist? A complete eye exam with dilation can detect and diagnose common eye conditions like dry eye, cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration. Call today to make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam for you and your family members.

Surgeons perform 10 million cataract surgeries worldwide each year, making it one of the most common surgeries performed today. Usually, it only requires local anesthesia, and patients can resume their normal activities within days. The success rate of cataract surgery is high, and the risks are minimal. In addition, new research finds that cataract surgery could offer an unexpected benefit: a reduced risk of developing dementia.

Cataract Surgery Lowers Dementia Risk by 30 Percent

“The Adult Changes in Thought” study observed 5,000 patients over age 65. Based on data from 3,000 participants, the research team discovered that patients who had cataract surgery experienced a 30 percent lower risk of developing dementia than patients who did not have cataract surgery. Additionally, they found the reduced risk of dementia lasted at least a decade after surgery.

“This is really exciting because no other medical intervention has shown such a strong association with lessening dementia risk in older individuals,” said Cecilia S Lee, M.D., associate professor and Klorfine Family Endowed Chair in ophthalmology at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the lead researcher for the study.

The study did not provide specific reasons why cataract surgery would lower the risk for dementia. However, the research team surmises patients may receive “higher quality sensory input” following cataract removal, which could delay, prevent or slow the development of dementia (UW Medicine).

Other Health Benefits of Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery can offer many other health benefits besides a lower risk for dementia.

1. Higher quality of life. After cataract surgery, you can resume the activities you enjoy like reading, gardening, cooking and driving a car. One study found that cataract surgery improves the quality of life by 36 percent.
2. Fewer injuries. Improved vision reduces the risk of falls and fractures, a significant cause of injury in older adults. Cataract surgery also improves night driving and reduces the risk of car accidents.
3. Increased independence. Seeing clearly can allow older adults to maintain their freedom of living safely at home. You can preserve your independence when you can read medicine bottles, recipes and street signs.

Make an Appointment with Your Ophthalmologist

Cataract surgery offers so many benefits for your vision and overall health. Make clear vision a top priority this year by making an appointment with your ophthalmologist. Call today to make an appointment.

A recent study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology showed positive outcomes when linking a popular class of diabetes medications with glaucoma prevention.

The medications, called GLP-1R agonists (Trulicity and Rybelsus), may also protect against glaucoma in diabetic patients, according to the study.

The results were found by researchers in the Scheie Eye Institute at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, according to a Medical XPress article. The study findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists may decrease a diabetic patient’s risk of developing glaucoma by half.

Diabetes and Glaucoma

As January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, it is important to know more about this family of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. Glaucoma affects more than 3 million Americans and is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, including 12 million seniors. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma.

Since there is no cure for glaucoma, scientists are researching new ways to prevent and treat the disease.

Study Focus on Diabetic Patients

In the study, researchers looked at retrospective data of 1,961 diabetic patients who were new users of this class of drugs. They then matched them to 4,371 unexposed control subjects, according to a Medical Xpress article. After 150 days on average, 10 patients in the medicated group were newly diagnosed with glaucoma (0.5 percent) compared to 58 patients (1.3 percent) in the control group.

“It was very encouraging to see that a popular diabetes medication could significantly reduce the risk of developing glaucoma, and our study suggests that these medications warrant further study in this patient population,” said Qi N. Cui, MD, Ph.D., with Brian VanderBeek, MD, MPH, both assistant professors of Ophthalmology at Penn.

A Penn Medicine study from 2020 supports the findings, which found that GLP-1R agonists reduced neuroinflammation and prevented retinal ganglion cell death in mice.

Additionally, this class of drugs has shown similarly protective effects against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases in animal models. Currently, clinical trials are underway to test the medications against neurodegenerative diseases, conditions in which cells of the human brain and spinal cord are lost.

Are You At Risk?

Glaucoma affects 3 million Americans and is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. It is important to know if you are at risk. In addition to diabetes, risk factors for glaucoma include:

• Age 45 or older
• Family history of glaucoma
• History of injury to the eye
• African American
• History of steroid use, either in the eye (drops) or systemically (orally or injected)
• Nearsighted (myopic)
• Farsighted (hyperopic)
• History of elevated intraocular pressure

Visit an Ophthalmologist

There is no cure for glaucoma. Early detection is of primary importance because there are usually no symptoms until permanent vision loss has occurred.

It is recommended that you schedule a comprehensive eye exam and let your ophthalmologist know if you are at risk for glaucoma.

Do you find yourself squinting to read food labels, menus or your phone? You may have presbyopia, or “aging eye.” As we age, the eye lens loses flexibility, and it becomes difficult to focus on close objects. There are many ways to treat presbyopia. Many people may opt to use a magnifying glass, reading glasses or prescription glasses.

Another option is called monovision or blended vision. This kind of vision can be achieved with contact lenses, LASIK (refractive surgery) or an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).

How Monovision or Blended Vision Works

Everyone has a dominant eye. It is usually the eye that you prefer seeing with if you cover one eye. Your eye doctor can correct your dominant eye for distance vision and leave your non-dominant eye slightly nearsighted to use for seeing objects up close.

Even though it is called monovision, you are still using both eyes. When you are reading or driving, the brain slightly suppresses one eye, but both eyes still contribute visual information.  Many people find monovision works well for them, but it varies among individuals.

Is Monovision Right for You?

Not everyone can adapt to monovision. Your ophthalmologist may recommend trying blended vision using contact lenses first before a surgical procedure like cataract surgery. In cataract surgery, a surgeon will remove the deteriorated, brittle lens and replace it with an artificial, intraocular lens customized to your vision needs. Often, cataract surgery can reduce dependence on glasses. In some cases, when people can learn monovision, they may not have to wear glasses at all.

Are There Any Downsides to Monovision?

Some patients experience problems with monovision. These may include:

• Eye fatigue or eye strain from too much near work–You may try using reading glasses for the distance vision eye.
• Blurred vision—You may need to wear distance glasses to correct the reading eye.
• Blurry intermediate vision—You may find computer tasks are difficult, and you might need intermediate correction.
• Challenges with night driving—You may experience glare, burn and flare when driving at night, and you may need glasses part-time (Stanford Health Care).

In some cases, people may lose some depth perception when one eye focuses on distance and the other eye focuses on close objects. Some people find they still need reading glasses to decipher small print.

Find an Ophthalmologist Near You

Are you considering cataract surgery, or would you like to reduce your dependence on glasses and corrective lenses? Call your ophthalmologist to make an appointment to discuss monovision. Don’t wait until the beginning of the year when your deductible resets. Call today to maximize the benefits of your health plan.

A recent study suggests that pandemic lockdown may have increased myopia, or nearsightedness, in school-aged children.

What is Myopia?

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness, is a worldwide health issue. Insufficient time outside is a significant risk factor in developing myopia, as well as increased near-work activity.

The 2020 lockdown closed schools across the country and confined millions of children to their homes. While quarantine was essential to protect against the COVID-19 virus, too much time indoors may have negatively impacted children’s vision health.

Lockdown Affected Children Ages Six to Eight the Most

According to research published in JAMA Opthalmology, COVID quarantine may have increased myopia in children ages six to 13 in China, particularly children between six and eight. Researchers suggest higher levels of screentime due to online classes and more time spent on electronic devices negatively affect children’s vision.

Researchers analyzed data of over 123,000 children aged 6 to 13 years from 10 elementary schools in Feicheng, China. The prevalence of myopia in 2020 was higher than myopic rates among all age groups in the past five years.

Experts theorize that less time outdoors affects young children more significantly because their eyes are in an earlier stage of development, and myopia may be easier to control in younger children.

Send Children Outside and Limit Screen Time

Because children’s eyes are so sensitive to environmental factors, parents have an instrumental role in protecting their children’s vision. There are many ways parents can encourage healthy habits in their children during the critical period that can affect myopia:

• Encourage children to play outside every day for at least 40 minutes.
• Limit screen time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time (except video-chatting) in children younger than 18 to 24 months, and only educational media for young children.
• Establish a rule that that there is no screen time within an hour of bedtime. New research from The Sleep Foundation suggests blue light from electronic devices can impair children’s sleep. Artificial light disrupts the natural sleep-wake cycle by fooling the brain into not producing melatonin before bed.

Schedule an Eye Exam Before the End of the Year

Have you scheduled eye exams for your family? A comprehensive eye exam is one of the best decisions you can make for your eye health, and it only takes about an hour. Your eye doctor can assess your visual acuity and screen you for common eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.

Most vision plans cover one eye exam per year per covered individual, so don’t let time get away from you. Call your eye doctor today to make a comprehensive eye exam appointment for the whole family.

Many hospitals and healthcare facilities are delaying elective surgeries and procedures, but it’s important to remember your eye procedure may be essential for your vision and health.

COVID-19 Delays Elective Procedures

Did your eye surgery get delayed because of the pandemic? With the resurgence of COVID-19, many hospitals are reallocating resources and delaying elective eye procedures like cataract surgery and glaucoma procedures.

The term “elective” does not refer to the importance of the procedure. Instead, it simply distinguishes between surgeries that are for emergencies and those that can be scheduled in advance.

For example, non-emergency hernia repair and knee replacement surgery are considered elective procedures because you can schedule them for a future date. Many eye surgeries are also labeled elective. However, each of these procedures can be essential for optimal health.

Importance of Prompt Eye Procedures

Low vision can prevent you from living an active lifestyle and doing the things you love. A canceled or delayed eye procedure means you may experience:

• Challenges with reading or driving
• Difficulty doing tasks around your home
• Increased risk of falls or fractures

Consider an Ambulatory Surgery Center for Eye Procedures

Although many hospitals have delayed eye surgeries, there is another option. Scheduling your procedure at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) may be a good choice for several reasons:

• Outpatient surgery centers dedicate themselves to specific procedures rather than emergency or trauma surgeries, so your appointment may be less likely to be affected.
• Because many ASCs are smaller than hospitals, they are easily navigable and usually have convenient parking.
• Your procedure could be more cost-effective.
• Some patients say that ASCs feel more home-like and comfortable than hospitals.

Schedule Your Cataract Surgery Before Deductible Resets

Have you met your deductible already? Schedule your procedure before the end of the calendar year to take full advantage of your health plan’s benefits. Your deductible will reset in January, so contact your insurance company to verify your status. Cataract surgery is one of the most successful surgeries performed today, and it may be less costly than you think.

Find an Ophthalmologist Near You

Call your ophthalmologist to schedule a comprehensive eye exam for you and your loved ones. A yearly eye exam will ensure that your vision is clear and you are not at risk for common eye diseases and conditions.

According to the World Health Organization, 80 percent of children’s UV exposure occurs before turning 18. If this is true, why aren’t more kids wearing sunglasses?

Eye protection from the sun is essential for all ages, but especially for kids. Most children receive more annual sun exposure than adults. This increased exposure to sunlight increases the risk of eye damage from ultraviolet (UV) light.

UV Exposure and Eye Problems

Adults have a mature lens, but children’s eyes cannot filter out UV rays as efficiently.  “UV radiation, whether from natural sunlight or indoor artificial rays, can damage the eye’s surface tissues as well as the cornea and lens,” said ophthalmologist Michael Kutryb, MD, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the dangers UV light can pose.”

By encouraging your children to wear sunglasses, you can help prevent them from developing:

• Photokeratitis, or sunburn of the eye. This is a temporary condition from UV rays reflecting off water, snow, ice or sand.
• Growths on the eye, like pterygium. This condition often affects young people in their teens and 20s like skiers, surfers or those who spend long days in the sun.
• Cataracts, a common form of vision loss. A cataract forms when proteins in the eye lens clump together and the lens gets cloudy. UV exposure can hasten this process.
• Macular degeneration, a condition that destroys the sharp, central vision, which is needed to see objects clearly.
• Eye cancer, a rare but serious condition.

Choosing the Right Sunglasses to Protect Children’s Vision

Make eye protection a daily habit for the whole family. Because sun damage is cumulative, it is best to begin UV protection at an early age. Here are some ways you can decrease your children’s UV exposure:

1. Purchase sunglasses with 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Sunglasses do not need to be expensive, but they should meet the American National Standards Institute guidelines. Glasses should block between 99 and 100 percent of UVA (long-length) and UVB (short-length) rays. If your child wears corrective lenses, consider photochromic (transition) lenses. Transition lenses offer 100 percent UV protection.
2. Select a wraparound lens. It is essential to protect the sides of the eyes, so choose a wraparound lens covering more skin. You can let your child help select the style, but make sure the sunglasses are durable as well.
3. Choose the right sunglasses for activities. If your child is in sports, you may want to consider impact-resistant, scratch-proof polycarbonate lenses. Green or amber lenses are also great for contrast.
4. Buy a spare pair of shades. Everyone forgets things from time to time, so keep a pair of sunglasses in each car or your bag.
5. Be the example. Parents should wear sunglasses daily to set the standard for proper eye care.
6. Apply sunscreen and wear hats. In conjunction with sunglasses, have your children wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat to minimize UV exposure (Medical Xpress).

Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam

Another essential component of vision health is a comprehensive eye exam. Has it been over a year since you saw your eye doctor? Then, it may be time to call the office and schedule exams for the family.

A complete eye exam takes less than an hour, and it tests for refractive errors, focusing problems and common eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. If your doctor detects a vision problem, you can begin treatment right away.