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Macular Degeneration: What It Is and How It’s Treated

Read more about the article Macular Degeneration: What It Is and How It’s Treated

Losing your vision or discovering new vision problems can be very scary. Macular Degeneration is the most common cause of visual disability for people over age 70.  A common misconception is that nothing can be done for the early form of the disease. That’s false.  Getting doctors to act early has also been a challenge in the US. It’s important that you get checked by a professional who’s up to date with modern risk reduction and treatment.

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is an eye condition in which the central area of the retina, called the macula, degenerates due to health conditions or age. The macula is the part of the eye we use for out best, central and color vision.  Age-related macular degeneration is usually a slow process and the changes seen on exam often precede anything noticeable by the patient. Later symptoms include a slowed reading speed before gradual loss of central vision. 90% of patients have frustrating vision loss. 10% have devastating loss. (more…)

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Cataracts: What You Need to Know

  • Post category:Cataracts

Cataracts are the most common eye condition over age 50. Almost everyone will get a cataract during their lifetime. Guess what the most common surgery in the world is? It’s cataract surgery. It’s also one of the most successful. Cataracts progress slowly so there’s time to plan your best options. Here are some common questions we often are asked about cataracts.

What are Cataracts?

The human lens changes throughout life. Chemical changes first begin to stiffen the lens at age 40 or so.  That’s why most adults will need reading glasses or a bifocal.  With time, those same chemical changes in the lens gradually make it less clear. The lens becomes more yellow, like stained glass, which makes it more difficult to see through. (more…)

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Top 3 Reasons to Move Forward with Lasik Eye Surgery

Lasik eye surgery is one of the most successful surgeries ever done.  There are some very good reasons to get off the fence and move forward with Lasik sooner rather than later. When you look at all the factors involved, Lasik can be very helpful and reduce your expenses over time. Consider these top three reasons to get Lasik eye surgery.

Visual Freedom

Do you remember when you got your first pair of glasses or contact lenses? What was life like before that? Imagine not needing to find your glasses when you first wake up in the morning just to go to the bathroom. Imagine not needing to worry about your glasses or contacts becoming damaged during physical activity. Not having to wear contacts or eyeglasses gives you a freedom that you may not even realize you have been missing.

Cost Effective

Lasik may seem like an added expense, but really, it is an investment that pays for itself over time. Consider how much money you spend every year on contacts or eyeglasses. For most people, the total is in the hundreds. Lasik, by comparison, is rather affordable. You only have to pay for the procedure once, and you will likely never need another pair of distance glasses or contacts again. Over time, you will actually save money. (more…)

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Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma—When To See Your Doctor

  • Post category:Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a very common cause of visual disability world-wide. Sadly is often preventable.

Many people with glaucoma have no early symptoms. So early detection is the key! The sooner glaucoma is diagnosed and treated the better the chances of keeping your eyesight in most cases.

Types of Glaucoma

Many people do not realize that there are actually many types of glaucoma. A common misconception is that the eye pressure has to be high to have the disease!

The most common type is open-angle glaucoma. In this type of glaucoma, there are few symptoms before vision begins to wane. The most common symptom that people notice is gradual loss of peripheral vision in from of the other eye. In advanced stages, you may experience tunnel vision. The eye pressure can sometimes, but not always, be high.

About half the people with open angle glaucoma have never had their eye pressures be high. This is called low tension glaucoma. However the appearance of the optic nerve can be an early tell tale sign. This is why you should never refuse dilation during your exam. If the examiner cannot see the nerve well, this important early sign may be missed. (more…)

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Why You Should Consider Lasik Eye Surgery

If you have less than perfect eyesight, you may be considering Lasik eye surgery. There are many advertisements and testimonials on television and social media, so nearly everyone has at least heard of Lasik. But if you don’t understand how it can help you, you may be on the fence about spending the money. There are several good reasons to consider Lasik eye surgery.

Advances Have Been Made

There have been many advances in Lasik technology and practice in the last decade. Whereas in the beginning Lasik could not correct severe eyesight problems or stigmatism, today these issues can be successfully treated with Lasik. While not everyone who undergoes Lasik will be completely free from glasses, most patients can enjoy some correction that will reduce the cost of glasses and contacts, as well as your dependence on them. (more…)

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A Quick Guide to Treating Glaucoma

  • Post category:Glaucoma

Just like your joints are vulnerable to arthritis as you age, your vision is vulnerable to problems over time. If you’re lucky, you’ll experience nothing more than a bit of near- or far-sightedness, but if you’re like millions of Americans, you’ll one day develop glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a family of diseases that damage the optic nerve and prevent the eye and brain from communicating. It’s a serious issue that shouldn’t be neglected, especially since it can ultimately lead to blindness if left untreated. Luckily, there are many innovative glaucoma treatments available when you need them.

Cyclo G6 Laser

The Cyclo G6 Laser is one of the newest achievements in glaucoma treatment. The entire system is dedicated to treating glaucoma for patients who have not experienced success with eye drops but do not want to undergo surgery. It uses gentle technology capable of reducing intraocular pressure by 30 to 40 percent without the need for incisions or implants. If you want to extend or even eliminate the need for surgery while still improving and protecting your vision, Cyclo G6 Laser treatment is a perfect choice.

Kahook Goniotomy Procedure

This minimally invasive glaucoma procedure uses a Kahook Dual Blade to safely, effectively, and easily relieve glaucoma symptoms. Your surgeon makes an opening in the trabecular meshwork, which is a group of very small canals where fluid leaves the eye. This new opening allows fluid to flow out of the eye and relieve pressure. You can expect the The Kahook Goniotomy procedure to reduce your reliance on eye drops. (more…)

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An Eyelid Lift Can Transform Your Appearance

Your appearance is defined by so many elements, especially in your facial region. The contour of your cheeks, the fullness of your lips, and the size and shape of your eyes all contribute to the distinguished look of the person you see in the mirror. As you get older, you may find that your eyes are changing for the worse, especially around the eyelids.

Eyelid problems are common, especially in older adults. You may have excess, hanging skin that covers the natural fold of the upper eyelids, or you might notice chronic puffiness or deep grooving that ages you ten years. Fortunately, an eyelid lift surgery known as blepharoplasty has become a routine procedure that can reverse these conditions and transform your appearance into a younger and more rejuvenated version of yourself.

How Is an Eyelid Lift Done?

An eyelid lift is done to reverse the effects of age and gravity on the skin around the eyes. It can be done just for cosmetic reasons or even for medical reasons if the extra fold of skin hangs over the eyelashes and disrupts vision. It only takes about two hours for your eyes to transform from saggy and tired to tighter, healthier, and more contoured.

What Are the Benefits of an Eyelid Lift?

An eyelid lift can improve your appearance and boost your confidence in many ways. Not only does it eliminate the puffiness and bags under your eyes, this procedure also lifts and removes the hooded skin on your upper lids to help you look and feel younger and healthier. (more…)

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Are You At Risk Of Cataracts?

  • Post category:Cataracts

Losing your sharp vision to age isn’t the only threat that your eyes face over time. Cataracts are also a major concern, especially for the elderly. Learn all about cataracts to identify your risk level and seek the treatment you need to preserve as much of your vision as possible.

What Are Cataracts?

A cataract forms when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes yellow or cloudy, making everything appear like it is behind a foggy or frosty window. It’s not a sudden condition, but one that gradually forms until it can no longer be resolved with just eyeglasses and stronger lighting.

On a healthy eye, the lens sits positioned behind the colored iris and works to focus light that passes into the eye. When the lens does this correctly, the membrane on the back inside wall of the eyeball basically functions like the film of a camera to help images become visible. However, as the lens yellows into a cataract, the cataract scatters incoming light and prevents sharply defined images from reaching the retina like it should.

What Are the Common Symptoms of Cataracts?

A cataract can be identified from a few different symptoms, none of which should be ignored or assumed to be insignificant.

  • You need to change your eyeglasses or contact prescription
  • You see halos around lights
  • Increased sensitivity to light and glare
  • Double vision
  • Cloudy vision

As the cataract grows, the symptoms will become more obvious, until you can no longer ignore them. You may also notice that the natural lens of your eye looking yellow. (more…)

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How to Diagnose the Problem With Your Eyelids

You probably don’t think about the health of your eyelids as much as you consider the health of your heart or skin, but the truth is that your eyelids play an important role in your overall well being. This means they are also prone to a number of different problems and diseases. If you have been experiencing any of the following, the following issues could be to blame.

Blepharospasm

Blepharospasm is the condition of chronic eyelid spasms that become debilitating over time. You may be in the initial stages of blepharospasm if you notice yourself blinking or squinting repeatedly, especially with forceful closure following by difficulty opening the eyelids again.

Stress, bright lights, fatigue, driving, and social interactions all have the potential to make these eyelid spasms intensify. Unlike diabetes and heart disease that can be improved through healthy choices, blepharospasm can’t be easily avoided. This is why it’s so important to watch for symptoms and seek medical attention as soon as you suspect a problem. (more…)

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