SCARY LENSES: 5 FRIGHTENING RISKS OF WEARING COSTUME CONTACT LENSES

miseps-scary-contact-lenses

1.Scratches to the eye – If contacts are not professionally fitted to your eye, they can scratch the clear front window of the eye. This is called a corneal abrasion, which is not only painful, but can cause permanent damage. Just ask Laura Butler, who was in severe pain due to corneal abrasions 10 hours after putting in non-prescription … Read more

Celebrate Healthy Eye Month This May

Take These 5 Steps to Lower Your Risk of Eye Disease

By age 65, one in three Americans will have a vision-impairing eye disease. Many sight-robbing conditions can be effectively treated if detected early enough, in many cases limiting or eliminating the damage to eyesight.Four eye diseases — age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathyglaucoma and cataracts — account for most cases of adult blindness and low vision among people in developed countries. Because these eye diseases cause no pain and often have no early symptoms, they do not automatically prompt people to seek medical care. That’s why we urge you to see an Eye Md. A thorough checkup by an ophthalmologist can detect them in their earliest stages. Early treatment is vital because it can slow or halt disease progression or, in the case of cataracts, restore normal vision.

A thorough eye exam can also detect other health conditions, such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, sexually transmitted diseases and some cancers. It’s not uncommon for a trip to the ophthalmologist to actually save a life.

Follow these five simple steps to take control of your eye health today:

  1. Get a comprehensive medical eye exam at age 40.Early signs of disease or changes in vision may begin at this age. An exam by an ophthalmologist is an opportunity to carefully examine the eye for diseases and conditions that may have no symptoms in the early stages. For those concerned about the cost of an exam, the Academy’s EyeCare America® program may be able to help. More than 5,500 dedicated volunteer ophthalmologists provide eye exams and care, often at no out-of-pocket cost to eligible patients. Learn if you qualify.
  2. Know your family history. Certain eye diseases can be inherited. If you have a close relative with macular degeneration, you have a 50 percent chance of developing this condition. A family history of glaucoma increases your glaucoma risk by four to nine times. Talk to family members about their eye conditions. It can help you and your ophthalmologist evaluate your risk.
  3. Eat healthy foods. A diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, benefits the entire body, including the eyes. Eye-healthy food choices include citrus fruits, vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables and cold water fish.
  4. Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk for eye diseases such as cataract and age-related macular degeneration. Smoking also raises the risk for cardiovascular diseases which can indirectly influence your eye health. Tobacco smoke, including second-hand smoke, also worsens dry eye.
  5. Wear sunglasses. Exposure to ultraviolet UV light raises the risk of eye diseases, including cataract, fleshy growths on the eye and cancer. Always wear a hat and sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection while outdoors.

“An eye exam doesn’t just check how well you can see, it evaluates the overall health of your eyes,” said Rebecca J. Taylor, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “The Academy encourages everyone, particularly if you’re over age 40, to get regular eye care. By making vision a priority, we can help protect our sight as we age.”

To learn more ways to keep your eyes healthy, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart® website.

Advocating for patient centered, medically led vision care!

Michigan was very well represented in Washington DC at the AAO’s 2019 Mid-Year Forum. We had seven residents from four Ophthalmology residency programs — Beaumont, Henry Ford, Kresge and University of Michigan participate. They spoke eloquently on behalf of their patients and profession about pressing issues like the risks of step therapy (fail first), the … Read more

TOP TIPS FOR CHILDREN’S EYE HEALTH

miseps-childrens-eye-health-tips

Research shows that children’s eyes- just like their skin – can be damaged from too much exposure to the sun. “Excess sun exposure can increase your child’s risks of ocular diseases, such as, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, and eyelid cancers and can be avoided with sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Avoid excess sun between the … Read more

SCARY LENSES: 5 FRIGHTENING RISKS OF WEARING COSTUME CONTACT LENSES

miseps-scary-contact-lenses

1.Scratches to the eye – If contacts are not professionally fitted to your eye, they can scratch the clear front window of the eye. This is called a corneal abrasion, which is not only painful, but can cause permanent damage. Just ask Laura Butler, who was in severe pain due to corneal abrasions 10 hours after putting in non-prescription … Read more