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Decrease your risk of cataracts this summer

Cataract Awareness Month

One of the most common eye health problems people encounter is cataracts. It is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, and even in the U.S. where we have effective treatment options, more than half of all Americans will have cataracts by the time they turn 80.

June is National Cataract Awareness Month. As with any health issue, there are misconceptions about cataracts, including that it is only a concern for elderly people. The truth is there are risk factors for developing cataracts at a younger age, and the earlier you start taking good care of your eyes, the better your chances of avoiding cataracts.

  • Wear your sunglasses. Studies indicate that exposure to harmful UV rays is linked to the development of cataracts.
  • If you smoke, stop. Smoking is linked to so many health issues, including cataracts.
  • Protect your eyes from injury and disease. Make sure you have an annual check-up to stay on top of eye health issues, and wear protective lenses any time your eyes are at risk during sports, on the job or with other activities.
  • Stay on top of your health. Other diseases such as diabetes and hypertension increase your risk for developing cataracts.

One of the most challenging aspects of treating cataracts is that symptoms often aren’t noticeable in the early stages. Regular eye exams are critical for early detection. Some symptoms to be aware of are:

  • Cloudy or blurry vision.
  • Faded colors.
  • Glare. Light from headlights, lamps and sunlight may appear too bring. A halo effect may appear around the lights.
  • Night vision problems.
  • Double vision or multiple images in the eye.

If you need to schedule your annual exam, summer is a great time to do it. If you have questions about the level of UV protection your sunglasses provide, we are happy to take a look. As always, please get in touch with any questions or concerns you have about your eyes.

 

Warm weather is good for your eyes

Photo courtesy of Ray-Ban

Photo courtesy of Ray-Ban

Warm weather benefits more than just our moods after a long winter and chilly spring. Research shows that it is also good for our eyes to go outside.

Recently Dr. Siegel attended a seminar presented by the Illinois College of Optometry on strategies for addressing the progression of myopia. One topic that really stood out was the difference in rates of myopia in populations with increased exposure to the outdoors versus those confined indoors for a greater part of the year.

For example, the incidence of myopia in people in their twenties and thirties in the U.S. is 36 to 44 percent. In Canada, it is 72.4 percent. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of seven cross-sectional studies published in 2012 indicates that time spent outdoors can be an effective strategy for addressing myopia.

More recent research backs this up. Last year a study of more than 1,300 young adults (ages 19 to 22) in Australia was published that showed further support of an inverse association between outdoor activity and myopia. In other words, higher levels of time spent outside is correlated with lower levels of myopia.

Though it is good to be outside, for many reasons, be mindful of UV exposure. Research does not indicate that there is any reason to leave the house without your sunglasses. This is a great time to make sure yours provide 99 to 100 percent protection from UVA and UVB rays. All sunglasses at Northcenter Eye Care meet this criteria, and we have a great selection for the upcoming warm months.

As always, if you have any questions about your eye health, please feel free to call, email or message us on Facebook.

Virtual care is no substitute for a face-to-face exam

cta2

Face-to-face care is the best way to keep your eyes healthy.

We’ve talked about digital eye strain and other eye health risks associated with technology over the past few months. Another concern with the online world is the increasing number of sites and apps that promise prescription eyeglass fitting and even exams.

An annual comprehensive eye exam performed by an eye care professional, such as one of our doctors at Northcenter Eye Care, is the single most effective way to make sure that you have the information and care you need to keep your eyes healthy and to make sure that your vision correction needs are met.

Virtual exams are very limited in scope, offering only vision correction to individuals who fit a narrow profile. Such exams do not assess any eye health or medical concerns, let alone provide consultation for fitting, adjustments, etc. In addition, many of the services that are part of a comprehensive exam are additional costs in a virtual one. The accuracy of this type of exam is highly questionable too.

March is Save Your Vision Month, and this is a great time to make sure you have your yearly appointment on the calendar. You can book with us online, by phone and even email. Keep in mind that we provide care for the whole family, including children as young as four.

Protect your eyes from digital damage

It seems like computers, smart phones and tablets are an indispensable part of our lives for work, hobbies and home life. Have you ever considered how much time you spend with your eyes on a screen?

Earlier this year, the Vision Council did some research on digital use and found that more than 93 percent of adults spend more than two hours each day on a digital device. Sixty percent spend five hours or more. If you have ever felt physical discomfort after viewing a screen for more than two hours, you’ve suffered from digital eye strain.

Here are the most commonly used digital devices, per the Vision Council.

Digital devices most commonly used

Blurred vision, dry eyes, headaches, neck/shoulder/back pain and general discomfort are all symptoms of digital eye strain. Taking a break every 20 minutes for 20 seconds and looking at something 20 feet away is a great way to give your eyes some rest. Other things you can do to alleviate digital eye strain include:

  • Increase the text size on devices to better define content on your screen.
  • Set up your desk for maximum comfort. When sitting in your chair with your arm extended, your palm should rest comfortably on the monitor.
  • Consider eyewear specifically designed for computer work. Glasses with blue light blocking, anti-reflective coating and/or progressive lenses can provide substantial relief to people who spend long hours in front of a screen.

If you think you are suffering from digital eye strain, please let us know. We can discuss various options for relief, from dry eye treatment to special lenses. As always, give us a call or schedule an appointment online.

These are a few of your favorite things

At Northcenter Eye Care, our philosophy is to treat every patient as an individual with distinct needs, preferences and sense of style. Yet, there are eyewear brands and features that stand out as favorites among our patients. Here is a quick rundown of some of your favorite things.

Silhouette Urban LiteSilhouette Frames
They are light and durable, making them a great solution for comfort and long wear. Silhouette combines innovation and craftsmanship to create some of the lightest eyewear available, which our patients appreciate.

No-Glare Crizal Coating
The benefits of non-glare lenses are significant. Not only does glare affect your vision, it also can cause headaches and eye irritation. Our patients love these for computer work and night driving, as well as for general appearance. They also are scratch-resistant and offer SPF25 UV protection.

Ray Ban Look Up at the SkyRay-Ban
It’s a classic brand, which is probably why it remains so popular with our patients. Their modern, stylish frames appeal to people of all ages.

 

 

Something else we hope to add to the list of patients’ favorite things is protective eyewear for sports. We continue to see studies that support its benefits. Recently the Wall Street Journal reported on a study presented in Eye journal that wearing shatter-proof eyewear while golfing has been shown to prevent injuries such as ruptured eyeballs and orbital wall fractures. Talk to us if you participate in sports or other activities that pose a risk to your eyes.

Beware of Costume Contacts

Applying costume contacts is to be taken seriously.If you think costume contact lenses are scary, you’re right. But it isn’t because they can make you look like a ravenous zombie or a yellow-eyed banshee. Costume contact lenses can do serious damage to your eyes if not properly fitted and prescribed by an eye care professional.

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