Age-Related Eye Diseases

We seem resigned to the idea that as we age, we will have trouble getting around, become hard of hearing, and begin to not see too well. Leading eye care researchers and clinicians, though, are calling for a shift in the way we think of vision and aging. The fact is, low vision can often be delayed or prevented with appropriate screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
You can’t control the passage of time, but you can do a great deal to preserve your sight as you age:

• Be aware of your risk factors. You need to know what genetic factors, lifestyle choices, diseases, and exposures place you in a higher risk category for certain diseases so that you and your vision care provider can adjust your screening intervals accordingly.
• Have a baseline eye exam at age 40 if you are an adult with no risk factors for cataracts, glaucoma, AMD, or diabetic retinopathy. People who have no vision problems or obvious risk factors should have a baseline eye examination at age 40, to establish a standard against which future exam results can be compared.
• Get screened earlier or more frequently screening if you have risk factors for cataracts, glaucoma, AMD, or diabetic retinopathy. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease, for example, or if you fall into a high-risk ethnic group, you should receive thorough eye examinations more often. Click on the links above for lists of risk factors and recommended screening intervals.
• Cooperate with your vision care provider. This advice applies to examinations, preventive measures, treatment, and follow-up care. If you have diabetes, for example, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye examination annually. If you have glaucoma, you should use your eye drops daily as prescribed. If you have AMD and your provider has asked you to test your vision with an Amsler grid, you should do so every day. After cataract surgery, you should wear your eye shield and use your antibiotics as your provider has instructed.
• Listen to your body and report any new symptoms promptly to your vision care provider. If your vision changes, especially if you have AMD or diabetic retinopathy, tell your provider immediately.

To read the original click here.
Human eye is an amazing organ that most of us rely on every waking moment of the day.
You have only a pair of eyes, so take care of your eyes. It is always a good idea to consult with your eye doctor to discuss your options.

Diabetes Affects the Eyes and Vision

Although individuals with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age and are twice as likely to develop glaucoma as are non-diabetics, the primary vision problem caused by diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of new cases of blindness and low vision in adults aged 20-65:

• "Retinopathy" is a general term that describes damage to the retina.

Diabetic Retinopathy

In addition, fluid can leak into the macula, the small sensitive area in the center of the retina that provides detailed vision. This fluid can cause macular edema (or swelling), which can occur at any stage of diabetic retinopathy, although it is more likely to occur as the disease progresses.
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy can include:

• Blurred or double vision
• Flashing lights, which can indicate a retinal detachment
• A veil, cloud, or streaks of red in the field of vision, or dark or floating spots in one or both eyes, which can indicate bleeding
• Blind or blank spots in the field of vision

Ocular and functional effects of diabetic retinopathy can include any or all of the following:

• Fluctuating vision in response to changing blood glucose levels; vision can change from day-to-day, or from morning to evening
• Blurred central vision from macular edema can interfere with reading
• Decreased visual acuity can interfere with seeing the markings on an insulin syringe or the display on a standard blood glucose monitor
• Irregular patches of vision loss or "blind spots" can make it difficult to judge the size of food portions on a plate.
• Decreased depth perception, in combination with decreased visual acuity, can make it difficult to see curbs and steps, or walk to the diabetes clinic.

Read the original article on afb.org

If you are facing eye problem or eye injuries drop in at 20/20 EyeGlass Superstore we are always ready to help you anytime. We also have Independent Optometrists located on site who will be happy to examine your vision. Walk-in’s are welcome but we ask that you come 15 minutes prior to your desired appointment time.

March is International Earth Week and 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore is celebrating by creating a special deal, See the Beauty of Planet Earth with Better Vision. Stop in today for your eye examination and recycle your old eyeglasses and get $30 off the Buy-One-Get-One-Free offer with this ad. You can also ask about our daily Manager’s special.