March Awareness

This March we are urging patients to know the risk factors involved with Age-Related Macular Degeneration, which is the most common eye disease. Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a progressive, painless disease that affects the macula and destroys central vision. Driving, reading, writing and recognizing faces will be difficult for those who have this disease, but peripheral vision stays intact. Thus, ARMD does not lead to total blindness.

Although the exact cause of macular degeneration is unknown, several studies have shown the following patients are more at risk:
  • Patients age 50 and older
  • Patients with hypertension
  • Patients who smoke
  • Patients with a family history of ARMD
If you experience changes in vision, such as straight lines appearing wavy, an inability to see details, dark or empty spots in the center of their vision, or decreased ability to distinguish colors then you should see an ophthalmologist promptly. An annual eye exam will ensure ARMD and other eye conditions that threaten vision are detected early. We have office hours 5 days per week and many evenings.

There is new technology that may help certain types of ARMD. Laser treatments can sometimes treat the “wet” form of macular degeneration. Specific vitamin and mineral supplements that we recommend can slow the progression of the “dry” form, the most common form, of ARMD in some patients. Photodynamic therapy or anti-VEGF therapy can reduce the risk of moderate to severe vision loss in patients with specific forms of “wet” macular degeneration.

All patients with a visual acuity < 20/40, a decrease in contrast sensitivity, scotoma, or other visual field loss will be advised of the potential benefits of vision rehabilitation. If vision has been reduced, patients do not have to live a lonely and isolating life. Low vision rehabilitation resources are available to help preserve the quality of life and maintain maximum independence.

Dr. Louise Colletti specializes in low vision aids for the visually impaired. There are several low vision devices that can be prescribed to help a patient enhance their ability to see more clearly. Dr. Colletti can help recommend a device that can best suit a patient. Handheld magnifiers can help with reading and various other tasks. Video magnifiers are devices that use a camera and television screen to enlarge small objects and printed materials. Stand magnifiers may be prescribed for patients with arthritis because they rest directly on reading material. Different devices may be needed for different tasks and Dr. Colletti will train and help patients practice using such devices and educate them about utilizing the public library or online services.

Early detection and treatment is the best defense against losing vision. If you are at risk for macular degeneration, please be sure to have a complete eye exam every year.


This message was brought to you by Friedberg Eye Associates and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cataract Symptoms & Clearing the Blur

Image
More than 20 million Americans over the age of 40 have cataracts and nearly three million patients have cataract surgery in the US annually.  Technological advances have made cataract surgery safer, more comfortable and more effective. A cataract is a gradual clouding of the clear lens in the eye, the part that focuses light and produces clear images.  As old cells die they become trapped.  As time passes, more cells die and accumulate causing the lens to cloud, making vision blurred and dim.  Cataracts form slowly and painlessly, but can eventually lead to blindness. Cataracts can be caused by metabolic diseases such as diabetes, an injury to the eye, medications, long-term exposure to the sun, eye surgery, congenital defects or aging. Please refer patients if they are experiencing any of the following: Blurry vision, with no pain Glare, or sensitivity to light Double vision in one eye The need to read with brighter light Poor night vision Dull ...
Read more

June is Cataract Awareness & Fireworks Eye Safety Month

CATARACT M ore than 20 million Americans over the age of 40 have cataracts.   A cataract is a gradual clouding of the clear lens in the eye, the part that focuses light and produces clear images.  As old cells die they become trapped.  As time passes, more cells die and accumulate causing the lens to cloud, making vision blurred and dim.  Cataracts form slowly and painlessly, but can eventually lead to blindness. Cataracts can be caused by metabolic diseases such as diabetes, an injury to the eye, medications, long-term exposure to the sun, eye surgery, congenital defects or aging. If you experience any of the following schedule an exam: Blurry vision, with no pain Glare, or sensitivity to light Double vision in one eye The need to read with brighter light Poor night vision Dull or yellowed image Family history of cataracts Medical problems, such as diabetes High salt intake Long-term, unprotected exposure to sunlight Eye Injuries...
Read more

Dry Eye Education

Image
There are two main forms of Dry Eye disease. Are you treating the right one? Tears are necessary for your overall eye health. Dry Eye occurs when the eyes do not produce sufficient tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. Without proper treatment, inadequate tears can make daily activities frustrating, affecting your personal and professional life, from reading to watching TV, to driving or working on the computer.  The most common form of Dry Eye is Evaporative Dry Eye, which affects 9 out of 10 (86%) Dry Eye cases. 1 This form results from a shortage of oil in your tears caused by a blockage in your eyelid (Meibomian) glands, leading tears to evaporate faster than normal. This lack of tear oil is often referred to as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).   Now, with the breakthrough LipiFlow® technology, it’s possible to directly treat the root cause of Evaporative Dry Eye. If you think you suffer from  Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) call us tod...
Read more