Northcenter Eye Care

Knowing your family history is an important step in keeping your eyes healthy. Just like eye color, many eye diseases and conditions have a genetic factor.

Glaucoma. If you have a family history of glaucoma, you are four to nine times more likely to be affected by the disease. While there is no cure for glaucoma, you can manage its progression and impact on your vision with early detection and treatment. Untreated glaucoma can result in permanent blindness.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Having a family member with AMD puts you at a 50 percent greater risk of developing the disease yourself. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among people 50 and older in the U.S. Like many other eye diseases, early detection and treatment makes a significant difference in the progression of the disease and a person’s ability to maintain good vision for as long as possible.

Diabetic retinopathy. Type 2 diabetes, one of the fastest growing health conditions in this country, is genetically influenced. While there are a variety of other factors that cause Type 2 diabetes, family history does play a role. You would be surprised how often diabetes is detected through a comprehensive eye exam due to the presence of diabetic retinopathy.

Knowing your family health history can actually save your vision! Make sure to share all the details at your next comprehensive eye exam.

Graphic courtesy of National Eye Institute (NEI)

If you participate in flex spending healthcare accounts, you may find you have money left to spend before the end of the year. Why not treat your eyes? Following are five popular options for using those funds on healthy eyes and great vision.

Offset deductibles. One of the best ways to use your flex spending dollars is to cover deductibles or shortages in allowances for exams and eyewear. If you are due (or overdue) for a compressive exam, December is a great time to make an appointment. Flex spending funds can make a new pair of glasses or a supply of contact lenses more affordable.

Second pairs. There are a number of reasons to invest in a second pair of eyeglasses. For some, having a second pair offers convenience and a necessary back-up when the first pair is lost or damaged. This is especially important for people who remove their glasses frequently throughout the day. Others view eyewear as a fashion accessory, in addition to a medical device, so being able to supplement their wardrobe with a different pair is a bonus. Read more about the benefits of second pairs here.

Prescription sunglasses. Prescription lenses make any pair of glasses a medical device, even sunglasses. If you wear contact lenses, consider a pair of prescription sunglasses as a great alternative for the beach or the pool, where contacts can be less convenient. Flex spending dollars can make the more expensive pairs that are so attractive much more affordable.

Protective eyewear. The vast majority of eye injuries are preventable with protective eyewear. Unfortunately not enough people are aware of the risks. (In fact, one of winter’s most popular sports, basketball, has one of the highest rates of eye injury.) If you or someone in your family spends time on the court, field or in the workshop, using your flex spending funds on prescription protective eyewear is a solid investment. For more information on eyewear for sports, click here.

Computer eyewear. Digital eye strain is a critical health issue, affecting more than half of the adult workforce, per The Vision Council. Even if you don’t wear corrective lenses, you might find that computer glasses ease the effects of digital eye strain.

As always, please call, stop in or send us a message if you have any questions about your eye health. (Your insurance plan is the go-to resource for the specifics of your flex spending options.)

* Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/suphakit73

Family history reveals key info about your eyes

5 Ways To Use Flex Spending On Your Eyes