Early Detection and Treatment Leads to Healthy Eyesight

Forget your sunglasses – no big deal, right?  Think again.  Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a known culprit for painful sunburns and melanoma, yet few adults associate it with serious vision problems. But unprotected exposure to UV rays can have very serious eye consequences – especially over the lifetime. A study by The Vision Council found that 40 percent of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses outside, increasing unfiltered exposure to the sun. This statistic is troubling but the good news is that wearing UV-protective sunglasses can prevent damage and reduce the onset of vision diseases. Here’s a look at the benefits of wearing sunglasses every day:  The Good:   Sunglasses Reduces UV-related eye damage:   UV-protective sunglasses block dangerous UV rays from reaching the eye.  A host of vision problems can occur from UV exposure,  so limiting eyes’ vulnerability to the sun can mean healthy eyes and vision well into adulthood. Protects eyes an...

Fireworks sales will be blazing across the country from now through the Fourth of July. As retailers begin their promotions, Friedberg Eye Associates joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in shining a light on this explosive fact: the number of eye injuries caused by fireworks has more than doubled in recent years. Fireworks injuries cause approximately 10,000 visits to the emergency each year, according to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.i Injuries largely occurred in the weeks before and after the Fourth of July. The CPSC’s most recent fireworks report showed that about 1,300 eye injuries related to fireworks were treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2014, up from 600 reported in 2011. This is why some ophthalmologists – physicians that specialize in medical and surgical eye care – have to keep operating rooms on call to treat these injuries each year. To help prevent these injuries, the Academy is debunking four myths about consumer fireworks risks: 1. ...

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 Injuri...

Sunglasses make it easier to see on a sunny day, whether out on the road or the water. However, wearing the right sunglasses is also a great defense against ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause short- and long-term eye damage. These are the most important factors to consider when purchasing sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun: Make it 100 percent.   The single most important thing to look for when buying sunglasses to protect your eyes is a sticker or tag indicating that they block 100 percent of UV rays. However, fewer than half of people buying sunglasses bother to check whether the lenses protect the eyes from ultraviolet light, according to the Academy's 2014 national sun safety survey . Bigger is better.   The more coverage from sunglasses, the less sun damage inflicted on the eyes. Consider buying oversized glasses or wraparound-style glasses, which help cut down on UV entering the eye from the side. Darker lenses don't protect better.   While very...

S easonal allergies affect more than 35 million Americans each year  and can have a tremendously negative impact on an individual’s quality of life. Tree pollens in April and May, grass pollens in June and July and mold spores and weed pollens in July and August add up to a five-month barrage of eye-irritating allergens. Triggered by the same allergens that cause intermittent allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is the most commonly occurring ocular allergy. A part of a wide array of allergic conditions that involve inflammation of the conjunctiva, seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is characterized by a combination of ocular itching, inflammation, watering and redness. If seasonal conjunctivitis is bothering you, here are some tips that can help: Study your geography . You can monitor tree, grass, weed and mold spore counts for your particular geographic area. That way you can determine when it might be best to stay indoors, thus minimizing exposure to irritating ...

Take  Simple Steps to Protect Your Sight   Approximately  37  million  adults in America have age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma, all of which can  cause visual impairment or blindness, acc ording to the National Eye Institute (NEI). i  However, recent studies show that making healthy choices and getting regular eye exams can help reduce a person’s risk of vision loss. In support of NEI’s  Healthy Vision Month  in May, Friedberg Eye Associates  and  the American Academy of Ophthalmology are encouraging everyone to take charge of their eye health and preserve their sight by following some simple tips.    Live a healthy lifestyle . Eating a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking can lower your risk of eye disease.  Foods that boost eye health  include dark green leafy greens, cold water fish and citrus fruits. A study recently ...

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. With LipiFlow®, treat the cause of Evaporative Dry Eye LipiFlow® is a new procedure designed to treat the root c...