Early Detection and Treatment Leads to Healthy Eyesight

M any eye diseases and disorders become more common as we age.  Advances in Ophthalmology allow most people to maintain good vision as they grow older.  Many eye problems can be prevented or corrected if detected in their early stages.  The following are problems commonly experienced by older people: Presbyopia - When you are young, the lens in your eye is flexible and changes shape easily, allowing you to focus on objects both close and far away.  As you grow older, your lens becomes less flexible.  By about age 40, the lens cannot change shape as easily as it once did and reading becomes difficult.  This normal condition is presbyopia.  You will need glasses or bifocals to help your eyes focus.  The lens continues to harden, so you will need to change prescriptions as you grow older. Floaters - You may sometimes see small specks or webs moving in your field of vision.  They are called floaters.  Floaters are actually tiny clumps of gel or cells within the vitreous  gel-like flui

May is Healthy Vision Month , and we are reminding patients that eye care is for everyone. Preventative eye care can help ensure that everyone has good vision throughout life.   Eye conditions and diseases can strike at any time in life, destroying healthy vision.   Infants and toddlers should be screened for common childhood eye problems, such as strabismus and amblyopia, during their regular pediatric appointments.  Vision testing is recommended for all children starting at around 3 years of age.  Some warning signs in children include wandering or crossed eyes, family history of childhood vision problems, redness, discharge, a disinterest in reading,  viewing distant objects closing one eye when outside, or excessive blinking. Young adults and middle-aged patients can be affected by eye problems also.  Those at risk for disease include people with diabetes, those over age 60,  African-Americans over age 40,  patients who wear contact lenses and those with a family history of