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Common Eye Conditions
Cataracts
Diabetes & Your Eyes
Glaucoma
Dry Eye
Floaters & Flashing Lights
Itchy & Irritated eye
Light Sensitivity
Red eye
Reading Problems
Tearing Problems
Vision Loss
Eye Protection
Nutrition
Glasses & Contacts
Cataract
As we mature our lens hardens and yellows with age. The lens can develop irregularities that result in scattering of light that results in glare and halos around lights. This can decrease your vision. As these changes progress, individuals with cataracts may no longer see as well as they used to, even with glasses. At this point, it is time to think about cataract surgery.
There are things you can do to slow cataract progression and development. Dr. Thompson trained at Johns Hopkins where studies have shown that hats and sunglasses worn by the Chesapeake watermen can slow the development of cataracts. You can help reduce your risks of developing cataracts by protecting yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet rays by wearing a hat and/or sunglasses with UV protection.
Smoking can also speed cataract formation. Smoking has also been associated with an increased risk of macular degeneration, a debilitating disease that may result in loss of central vision and legal blindness.
Some forms of cataracts are more visually disabling than others. Some forms of cataracts progress more rapidly than others. Certain types of cataract progression may be treated changing the glasses prescription. For other types of cataracts, a change in the glasses does not result in visual improvement. Cataract surgery is considered when vision cannot be corrected with glasses and other disease process resulting in vision loss have been assessed.
Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens in the eye and replacing it with a new clear lens. Individuals undergoing cataract surgery do not require a hospital stay. The improved vision following cataract surgery can be remarkable and life-changing. Dr. Thompson and Dr. Blacklock work with our patients to determine their visual needs to help them achieve the best possible vision following cataract surgery.
To learn more about cataracts and cataracts surgery, visit the Mayo Clinic website.
Diabetes and Your Eyes
For some individuals, diabetes mellitus can cause loss of vision and even blindness. However, studies performed in the United States and the United Kingdom have shown that very good control of blood sugar can slow the development of complications due to diabetes. Individuals with newly diagnosed diabetes are also at increased risk for developing glaucoma, a disease that can lead to permanent loss of peripheral vision.
Complications due to diabetes often are attributable to the closure of small blood vessels in the body that occurs slowly over time. In the eye, closure of small blood vessels leads cells to release chemicals to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels. Unfortunately, these blood vessels are fragile. They grow in a way that predisposes them to break and bleed; to leak; and in severe cases to detach the retina. Below is a photo of the retina an eye with severe fibrovascular proliferation due to diabetes.
Fortunately, early detection and treatment of diabetic eye disease can reduce the risk of vision loss.
If you have diabetes, you can help reduce your risk of vision loss by working with your primary care doctor or an endocrinologist to achieve very good control of your blood sugar and by having an annual eye examination. An annual eye examination helps catch diabetic eye disease early before significant permanent damage occurs. If you have diabetes, you should have at least one dilated eye examination by an ophthalmologist each year.
Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock and Dr. Toren will send a note to your primary care doctor, if you would like, to let your doctor know how you are doing. Vascular changes in the eye may indicate that there are changes occurring elsewhere in the body
Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight
Chronic glaucoma is often called “the silent thief of sight” because the disease progresses slowly and painlessly. Significant vision loss can occur without a warning sign that there is a problem. Glaucoma affects an estimated 3 million Americans, with 120,000 blind due to the condition. There are two major types of glaucoma: chronic open-angle and acute closed-angle glaucoma. Other variations include congenital glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma.
About half of Americans with chronic open-angle glaucoma don’t know they have it. Chronic glaucoma gradually reduces your peripheral vision and may result in significant peripheral and even central vision loss. Many patients first see a doctor after permanent damage has already occurred. Dr. Thompson reviewed the results of The Nurses Health Study with Kelly Eckerman’s Health Watch on KMBC Channel 9. The study found that Individuals recently diagnosed with diabetes are at increased risk for developing glaucoma, especially those with more poorly controlled blood sugar levels.
Acute closed-angle glaucoma is less common and is typically associated with the sudden onset of symptoms such as eye pain, grayness of vision, halos around lights, a headache around the eye, and eye redness. “These signs may last for a few hours, or longer. Each attack can cause permanent damage and loss of vision” said Dr. Thompson.
Fortunately, with early detection, the progression of vision loss from glaucoma can be slowed or halted. In the last decade, advances in medical and surgical therapy have prevented vision loss from glaucoma. As we mature, our risk of developing glaucoma increases. Individuals with a family history of glaucoma are at an increased risk of developing the disease. African Americans are also at increased risk of developing glaucoma; however, the disease is present in all racial groups. Early detection is critical to prevent vision loss from glaucoma. An annual eye examination can help reduce your risk of having undetected glaucoma.
To learn more about glaucoma, you can visit the Glaucoma Research Foundation website or the glaucoma facts page at the National Eye Institute website.
Dry Eye Can Result in a Variety of Symptoms
Dry eyes are a common problem. The problem worsens in the winter as our heaters pull moisture from the air. If you can shock someone in the wintertime, it’s too dry. A humdifier can help decrease the rate at which moisture is pulled from your eyes by dry air. Visually intensive tasks such as working at a computer, driving, or watching TV or a movie can exacerbate the problem. Our blink rate decreases when we perform visually intensive tasks. This results in increased eye drying. Dr. Thompson suggests that you “think to blink.” A “blink break” will help refresh the tear film and reduce eye dryness. Artificial tear eye drops may also be used to supplement the tear film.
Nutritional supplements may also help with dry eye symptoms. Certain vitamins have also been shown to be effective in reducing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock, and Dr. Toren can help you determine which supplements may be most appropriate for you.
Dry eyes can be a chronic condition. Treatments vary based on the severity of symptoms and the condition of your ocular surface. Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock, and Dr. Toren follow a stepwise approach to tailor treatment based on the cause of the eye dryness. As the tear film is composed of 3 components, the tears, oil, and mucin. A deficiency in any one of these 3 components can result in ocular problems. Treatments can range from artificial tears and ointments to prescription medicines (like Restasis) and tear duct plugs.
Click on this link to learn more about dry eyes from the Mayo Clinic. An eye examination is the first step toward relieving your symptoms so you can spend less time worrying about your eyes and more time focused on your activities.
Flashing Lights or a sudden increase in floaters may be a precursor to a retinal detachment
As we mature, 50% of individuals may experience the sudden onset of flashing lights or new floaters. This often signfies a posterior vitreous detachment. People with higher degrees of near-sightedness are more likely to experience a posterior vitreal detachment. The vitreous is a jelly filled sac inside the eye that has attachments to the optic nerve and peripheral retina. The vitreous jelly in our eyes condenses as we mature. As it does so, it may cause traction on your retina. This is perceived as a flash of light. For some, this traction results in a tear in the retina. Fluid may get under the tear, resulting in a retinal detachment. A retinal detachment can result in severe and permanent loss of vision. When the retina detaches, it is pulled away from it’s blood supply and starts to die. Early treatment is key to restore vision lost by repairing the retina and putting the retina back in its proper place. More severe vision loss occurs once the center of vision is affected.
To reduce your risk of severe vision loss, it is recommended that you be seen as soon as possible (within 24 to 48 hours) of the onset of these symptoms. However, if you cover one eye and notice that part of the world is missing or shaded in a dark curtain, it is likely that a retinal detachment has occurred and you should be see as soon as possible. Go to see an eye doctor or the emergency department as soon as possible. Don’t drink or eat anything, as you may undergo urgent surgery to repair the retina.
Repairing a retinal detachment before your central vision is affected will reduce the risk of severe vision loss. Small retinal tears may be treated with a laser to create a scar to prevent fluid from getting under the retina and causing a retinal detachment. Being seen early for the onset of these symptoms may help prevent more severe permanent vision loss.
If you develop these symptoms, you should call Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock, Dr. Toren, your local eye doctor or go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Help for the unhappy irritated eye
Itchy eyes and dry eyes are common eye problems that can be caused by numerous external and internal factors. A red eye typically indicates inflammation in the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that coats the outermost surface of the eye and the inside of the eyelids, and is a warning sign that you should see you eye doctor.
Causes
One of the most common causes of an itchy eye is allergic conjunctivitis, or more simply, seasonal allergies. Ragweed, pollen, mold, pet dander, and food allergies can cause itchy irritated eyes. Itchy eyes can also result from bacterial or viral infection. Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, can be caused by many different strains of disease causing organisms. To keep these bothersome oranisms from making your eye a home, avoid touching around your eyes or eye rubbing. A virus can live on surfaces for 4 to 6 hours. Touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eye can result in a viral conjunctivitis, or “pinkeye.”
Symptoms
In addition to eye irritation, itchiness, and ocular discharge, sufferers may encounter swelling, redness, excess tearing, light sensitivity and in some cases blurred vision.
Treatment
The most important step to treating your irritated eyes is to determine the source of the problem. Is there a history of allergies in your family? Did you just get a new pet? Do the symptoms coincide with a seasonal shift? Consulting an eye doctor will help you determine what is causing your symptoms.
Once the cause is determined, the proper treatment can then be chosen. Oral medications, such as antihistamines are a common treatment, but these may the side effect of eye dryness. Fortunately, other options are available such as antihistamine eye drops, mild topical steroids, and topical ointments. There are many other treatments available, but the decision as to which one is best to use should be left to your physician or an ophthalmologist. Over-the-counter eye drops and medications are also available, but these are for short term relief only, and are not intended to provide long term treatment. An examination by an eye doctor can help determine the cause and proper treatment to most quickly, efficiently, and safely treat your eye irritation and prevent it from coming back. Stronger medications can be prescribed that last longer and require less frequent dosing, so you can spend more time doing the activities you enjoy rather than administering eye drops.
Prevention
You should not rub or touch around your eyes. This may put allergens in contact with your eye or spread the infection to the other eye. Rubbing the eyes can induce astigmatism and result in droopy eyelids. Avoid using old mascara or eye make up. Avoid sharing items that might transmit a viral conjunctivitis, such as eye drops, washcloths, or pillows. It is important to wash your hands before and after touching around your eyes. This will reduce your risk of putting allergens or an infectious virus in your eye. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Light
Sensitivity May Be Due to Ocular Inflammation or an Iritis
A persistent or recurring red eye is not normal. Eye redness may be due to allergies , eye dryness , a chemical or irritant exposure , or due to an inflammatory condition. Iritis is an inflammatory condition inside the eyes that may cause eye redness, eye pain, or light sensitivity. Untreated, iritis may result in permanent scarring, glaucoma, and vision loss. There are a number of conditions that can cause eye redness. There is no substitute for a good eye examination to help ensure you are doing everything you can for your eyes.
A number of systemic diseases may be associated with an iritis. For a recurrent iritis or servere iritis, blood work is often done in an attempt to determine a cause for the iritis.
The Dreaded Red Eye
Red-Eye or conjunctivitis is a common problem. Some red eyes are due to infectious causes. Viral conjunctivitis or “pink eye,” is very contagious. Infected individuals often have a prominent watery discharge from their eyes. This watery discharge is contagious and the hearty virus can remain on infectious on surfaces for several hours. The eye is often crusted or mattered shut in the morning. While many improve without sequela, some patients can develop inflammatory membranes and hazy corneal infiltrates that can cloud vision and scar the eye.
Dr. Thompson asks his patients who are infected to follow a list of contact precautions to prevent family members and friends from becoming infected. To reduce your risk of an eye infection, Dr. Thompson recommends that you avoid rubbing your eyes. “If your eyes are irritated, use artificial tears. If you must touch around your eyes, wash your hands first.” If you have viral conjunctivitis, you should not share towels or pillowcases. Be careful not to touch around your unaffected eye. Half of the folks who get viral conjunctivitis spread it to their other eye.
Not all red eyes are viral conjunctivitis. A red eye may be due to iritis, episcleritis, scleritis, pterygia, corneal ulcer, bacterial conjunctivitis, or a more severe eye infection or inflammation. If you are not sure, you should call to schedule an appointment with your local eye care professional. Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock, and Dr. Toren have special training in the evaluation and management of eye diseases.
To learn more about red eyes and conjunctivitis, you can visit the Mayo Clinic, WebMD, or Kid’s Health websites.
Struggling with the Fine Print
Difficulty Reading Fine Print
Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is the inability to focus on objects that are near. Those who are farsighted may have great difficulty making out fine print, or other details that must be viewed up close, particularly as they pass the age of 40. Most often, this inability to make out fine details up close is due hardening of the lens as we age. This hardening of the lens makes it progressively more difficult to change the shape of the lens. The ability to change the shape of the lens provides the ability to focus at distance and near with a single prescription. As we age, the lens hardens and becomes more like a rock candy than a soft gummy bear. The decreased elasticity of the lens results in the problem we call presbyopia. Those in their 40’s with good distance vision, will almost always require glasses to help them see up close.
Treatment
There are many options available for the treatment of presbyopia. There is no single option that works best for every individual. There are a number of very good options. Just like a carpenter employs different tools for different tasks, you may find that there are certain solutions that work best for you in certain circumstances. Talk to your eye doctor about the visual tasks that you need help with. Your eye doctor can work with you to determine what solutions may be best for you. Options include glasses (over the counter reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals, and progressive lenses), contacts (monovision, multifocal contacts), and refractive surgery. For those with computer vision trouble, computer glasses can help eliminate neck and eye strain. A skilled eye doctor can provide specific recommendations to best meet your visual needs.
To learn more about prebyopia you can read an article from the Mayo Clinic, or the American Optometric Association.
Tearing Problems
Tearing problems may have various causes. In infants, it is often the result of a poorly draining lacrimal sac. However, tearing in infants may also be a sign of increased eye pressure. Although a much less common cause of tearing, such high eye pressures may result in glaucoma and permanent vision loss. If your child is experiencing tearing problems, you should have them seen by Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock and Dr. Toren or your local eye care provider.
As we mature, we tend to produce fewer tears. We are more susceptible to eye dryness. You may notice your eyes tearing in the wind due to its drying effects. How can a dry eye cause tearing? Our baseline tearing system is unable to keep up with the tear requirements and our eyes become irritated. Our brain gets the signal that the eyes are irritated and then send a signal to the backup tearing system to turn on. Unfortunately, the backup tearing system is more like turning on a fire hose than a gentle sprinkler. The tearing overwhelms our tear ducts and the tears may stream down your face.
However, not all tearing is due to dry eyes or an obstructed tear duct. One may have excess tearing because of material (like a piece of metal) being stuck in the eye, or due to an ocular infection. Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock, and Dr. Toren can help determine the cause and work with you to develop a plan to help reduce your tearing problems. Dry eyes may be a chronic problem. However, there are a variety of treatment options that may prove beneficial to help reduce or eliminate your symptoms of eye irritation and help to protect your ocular surface.
If you are having trouble with tearing, you should call our clinic for an appointment or see your local eye care provider. To learn more about tearing problems you can review an article at the Mayo Institute website or Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
Sudden Changes in Vision Demand Urgent Attention
Sudden loss of part or all of one’s vision, though rare, is extremely serious, and is usually a symptom of a significant problem that may also be causing a problem elsewhere in your body.
Symptoms
What constitutes sudden vision loss? It does not necessarily have to be complete loss of vision. It could be a partial loss of vision, or a blurring of the visual field. In some cases the affected area might just be the periphery, and often the vision loss only affects one eye. In other cases, the vision loss may appear as a gray splotch that blocks sight. Sometimes the loss of vision might only last a few moments. In other cases, the impairment can last minutes or even hours, or the rest of your life.
Causes
Sudden vision loss is usually attributable to ischemia, or a reduction of the amount of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues of the eyes, resulting in temporary or permanent damage to the retina. It is like a stroke of the eye. Ischemia has several causes and can appear in different forms. It may indicate uncontrolled or high blood pressure. A treatable condition that may save your vision and may abort a stroke.
Amaurosis fugax (‘fleeting blindness”) lasts from a few moments to several minutes, and disrupts the peripheral vision, before progressing inwards, much like fade out in a movie. With this condition, other symptoms include temporary loss of feeling on one side of the body, and impaired speech. Though it bears many striking similarities, it in and of itself does not constitute a stroke, but rather is a strong indicator that one is at risk of suffering a stroke, since amaurosis results from reduced blood flow through the arteries that lead to the eyes. This form of vision loss is most common in adults 50 years of age and older.
An ocular migraine may cause transient wavy vision or a blind spot in one or both eyes. It may last 10 to 50 minutes. The visual aura may or may not be followed by a headache. This transient loss of vision can be quite disturbing. Some individuals have migraine triggers or there may be a combination of factors that together may result in a migraine headache.
Another cause of sudden vision loss in older individuals is giant cell arteritis. This is an auto-immune disorder in which the blood vessels, especially those around the eyes, become inflamed and swollen reducing blood flow. The symptoms are similar to but in some cases not as abrupt as those that accompany amaurosis. However, vision loss due to giant cell arteritis may be permanent and irreversible.
Recently, sudden vision loss has also been connected to impotence drugs such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. Although the number of documented cases of vision loss in users of these drugs is extremely rare, it is nonetheless a serious occurrence. Some users of these drugs have suffered partial or total vision loss. Anyone who has considered taking these medications would be wise to be screened for a “disk at risk” by an ophthalmologist. A disk at risk is considered a small crowded optic nerve head.
Treatment
If you have experienced a sudden loss of some or all vision in one or both eyes call a doctor immediately! Don’t wait. Get an appointment with an ophthalmologist immediately. If it is not possible to find an ophthalmologist in a timely matter, go to the emergency room. Vision loss can be indicative of much more serious issues that it is vitally important to diagnose quickly and treat.
To learn more about vision loss and protecting your eyes from vision loss, please visit the Prevent Blindness website or the Lighthouse International website.
Sunglasses and Safety Glasses
Eye injuries may happen unexpectedly. It is a good idea to think about protecting your eyes. Getting a foreign body embedded in your eye can result in scarring and infection that may result in permanent vision loss. You can care for your eyes by putting on protective eyewear when playing sports, using power tools, or working under something. Grinding metal, hammering on metal, and weed eaters are particularly dangerous and should never be done without eye protection. Safety glasses have a frame all around the lens. The lens is made of an impact resistant material that meets ANSI safety standards. Polycarbonate and Trivex are examples of materials that meet these safety standards.
Wearing sunglasses is high on the list of ways you can care for your vision. Wearing sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection helps slow the development of cataracts and growths on the eyeball, such as pinguecula . A cataract is an eye condition in which the lens of the eye becomes clouded, impairing vision. Pinguecula can disturb the tear film resulting in eye irritation and may have an adverse affect on the appearance of the eyes. Sunglasses also help protect your eyes from airborne particles and the drying effects of the wind. The lens in a childs eye blocks less UV light than the lens in the eye of an adult. Thus, children benefit as much or more than adults from sunglasses.
Polarized sunglasses can help eliminate visually disturbing glare. Reflections off of water or the back of hatchbacks are particularly disturbing. Polarized lenses can help eliminate eye strain. The Thompson Eye Clinic is a registered dealer and has polarized lenses like Maui Jim. Take time to visit an eye care professional to learn more about how you can protect your vision, and improve your quality of life. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration website for more information about the importance of protecting your eyes.
Vitamins, Your Diet and Your Eyes
Like the rest of the body, a healthy lifestyle helps maintain and preserve your vision. In addition to regular physical exercise, and abstaining from the use of tobacco and controlled substances, a well balanced diet is necessary to ensure your eyes’ longevity. Smoking has been associated with an increased risk of cataract formation and age related macular degeneration (a disease that causes severe central vision loss in older adults).
Although there is still much to be learned about the relationship between the eyes and nutrients, medical studies have consistently demonstrated the need for a select group of vitamins and minerals, both as a preventative to eye disease, and a means of therapy. Vitamins are not a substitute for a healthy diet. Nutritional supplements are not intended to replace a healthy diet, but merely enhance it, and should only be taken after research and consultation with a medical doctor.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A, perhaps more than any other substance, is vital for eye health. Derived from carotenoids (or plant pigment-typically yellow and red), vitamin A is necessary to prevent many of the ailments that can afflict the eye. Vitamin A deficiency has been linked to dry eye, corneal ulcers, swollen eyelids, and even total blindness, as has happened frequently in third world countries. There is also evidence to indicate that Vitamin A can prevent the formation of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Those who smoke or drink alcohol have decreased ability to absorb vitamin A. However, smokers should avoid high dose Vitamin A supplementation due to an studies indicating an increased occurrence of lung cancer in smokers. Lutein may be a better supplement for smokers.
In addition to supplements, vitamin A can also be found in liver, carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, squash, red peppers, mangos, cantaloupes, and butter. If it is taken through supplements, the recommended daily dose for men and women is 1000 and 800 RE, respectively.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has also been linked to the prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration. Studies have also suggested that Vitamin C plays a role preventing and alleviating the symptoms of glaucoma through its ability to reduce the pressure within the eye.
It is recommended that men and women take at least 60mg per day, every day, because of the body’s inherent inability to store this vitamin for extended periods of time. High dose Vitamin C, 500 mg, was used in the Age Related Eye Disease Study.
Vitamin C can be found in red peppers, potatoes, broccoli, leafy green vegetables, and any citrus fruits. If possible, these foods should be bought fresh and eaten raw, as Vitamin C tends to be degraded through the rigors of processing and cooking. Also, be sure to buy orange juice (rich in vitamin C) in opaque containers, as sunlight can also degrade its nutritional value.
Vitamin E
Like Vitamins A and C, studies have shown vitamin E to play a role in the prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration. It also has been shown to aid in the development of the retina in growing children. However, controversy has arisen over the possibility of dangerous side effects when taking the vitamin in supplement form.
A recent study published in The Annals of Internal Medicine suggested that those who take mega doses (400 IU or more) have had a higher incidence of internal bleeding and an overall higher mortality rate. The results came from a pooling of data from nineteen previous experimental trials. The results of these studies may or may not apply to you. Consult with your physician before taking high does (400 IU or higher) of Vitamin E.
Like Vitamins A and C, studies have shown vitamin E to play a role in the prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration. It also has been shown to aid in the development of the retina in growing children. However, controversy has arisen over the possibility of dangerous side effects when taking the vitamin in supplement form.
Minerals
Of all the trace elements and minerals within the eye, zinc is by far the most abundant, although its importance to ocular health is still uncertain. A study conducted in 1988 indicated that twice daily supplements of zinc sulfate slowed the progression, and possibly the onset of Adult Macular Degeneration.
Like Vitamins A and C, studies have shown vitamin E to play a role in the prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration. It also has been shown to aid in the development of the retina in growing children. However, controversy has arisen over the possibility of dangerous side effects when taking the vitamin in supplement form.
Additionally, intake of high doses of zinc can impair the body’s ability to absorb important minerals such as copper and iron, which can lead to anemia and hardening of the arterial walls. Most zinc supplements try to compensate by also containing trace amounts of copper, but no study has tested to determine whether this action represents an effective compromise.
In addition to zinc and copper, selenium is also an important mineral, both for its powers as an antioxidant, but also for its ability to aid in the absorption of vitamin E and the body’s ability to produce its own anti-oxidizing agents. It too may have adverse side effects, and all these substances should be taken only upon consultation with a physician.
Ginkgo Biloba
Herbal remedies have become increasingly popular, and one of the most popular of the herbal remedies, is ginkgo biloba. It has been advertised in magazines, and on radio and TV, but what are the benefits for eye health? A French study determined that ginkgo biloba extract (50:1 ratio) was beneficial to individuals who suffered from AMD. Researchers believe its health benefits are due to its ability to inhibit the body’s inflammatory response, yielding increased blood circulation to, among others, the brain and eyes. However, like zinc supplements, ginkgo biloba has yet to be studied on a large scale. Ginkgo biloba poses a health risk to those with weakened ability to clot (such as hemophiliacs) and to those currently taking the blood thinner coumadin. Therefore, if you are interested in taking ginkgo biloba, you should first consult with your physician.
You can learn more about ocular nutrition at the All About Vision webpage.
Glasses & Contacts
Glasses and contacts correct for refractive errors. A refractive error occurs when the light from an object of regard is unable to be focused on the retina, or film of the eye.
As we mature, the lens in our eye hardens and as a result it is less able to change shape. This decreases our range of focus. Thus, if you have good distance vision, it becomes more difficult to focus on near objects as you enter your 40’s. This condition is called presbyopia. Reading glasses are used to provide the additional focusing power for near.
There are multiple glasses options available for people who have trouble with prebyopia. They include a lined bifocal that has your distance power above the line, and near power below the line. Trifocals have 2 lines and 3 zones. The top of the trifocal lens is for distance, the middle zone is for intermediate or computer distance, and the bottom is for near or reading distance.
Progressive lenses have no visible lines. The top of the lens is for distance and the bottom of the lens is for near. In between as you look down the lens the lens gets better for near. These lenses work great for many activities and do not have an unsightly line that some feel dates them a bit. The less sophisticated or older versions of the progressive lens have more distortion has you look from side to side. For these lenses, it is important to point your nose at what you want to look at and then raise your chin to see objects that are closer or to dip your chin to see objects that are further away.
For those working on a computer, computer glasses can be prescribed. The top of the glasses are perfect for the computer and the bottom of the lens is perfect for near work. This helps eliminate neck strain and devotes more space in the lens to the space you are working in.
Contact lenses may be used to correct distance vision or near vision. For those over 40 years old with difficulty seeing at both distance and near, there are multiple contact lens options. Not one contact lens option is perfect for every situation or each individual. You can choose to employ mutliple contact lens options depending on your needs. Contact lenses can be prescribed that focus both eyes at a distance (and use over the counter reading glasses for near). Alternatively, contact lenses that focus one eye at distance and the non dominant eye at near may be prescripbed. Multifocal or bifocal contact lenses provide light from both distance and near in each eye, however a small amount of light is lost due to scattering of the light.
Proper care of your contacts is critical. Improper or “creative” contact lens wear frequently results in an eye infection. For some, these eye infections can be devastating. Severe infections may permanently scar the cornea. If you are a “creative” contact lens wearer, you should consider discontinuing contact lens wear, wear only glasses, or consider LASIK or PRK refractive surgery.
Call our clinic to schedule an appointment to discuss options to correct your vision. We provide prescriptions for glasses and contacts as well as offering refractive surgery to help correct your vision. We offer state of the art contact lenses and a number of sylish frames and sunglasses including Coach, Prada, Michael Kors, Fysh, OVVO, Tura, Kliik, Scott Harris, Vera Bradley, Life is Good, Trina Turk, Maui Jim, Carolina Herrera, Armani Exchange, Flexon.
We also offer a wide variety of safety glasses. Please see this video on youngeroptics.com regarding Trilogy lenses and the impact resistance and chemical resistance they provide.
Cataracts
Cataract
As we mature our lens hardens and yellows with age. The lens can develop irregularities that result in scattering of light that results in glare and halos around lights. This can decrease your vision. As these changes progress, individuals with cataracts may no longer see as well as they used to, even with glasses. At this point, it is time to think about cataract surgery.
There are things you can do to slow cataract progression and development. Dr. Thompson trained at Johns Hopkins where studies have shown that hats and sunglasses worn by the Chesapeake watermen can slow the development of cataracts. You can help reduce your risks of developing cataracts by protecting yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet rays by wearing a hat and/or sunglasses with UV protection.
Smoking can also speed cataract formation. Smoking has also been associated with an increased risk of macular degeneration, a debilitating disease that may result in loss of central vision and legal blindness.
Some forms of cataracts are more visually disabling than others. Some forms of cataracts progress more rapidly than others. Certain types of cataract progression may be treated changing the glasses prescription. For other types of cataracts, a change in the glasses does not result in visual improvement. Cataract surgery is considered when vision cannot be corrected with glasses and other disease process resulting in vision loss have been assessed.
Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens in the eye and replacing it with a new clear lens. Individuals undergoing cataract surgery do not require a hospital stay. The improved vision following cataract surgery can be remarkable and life-changing. Dr. Thompson and Dr. Blacklock work with our patients to determine their visual needs to help them achieve the best possible vision following cataract surgery.
To learn more about cataracts and cataracts surgery, visit the Mayo Clinic website.
Diabetes & Your Eyes
Diabetes and Your Eyes
For some individuals, diabetes mellitus can cause loss of vision and even blindness. However, studies performed in the United States and the United Kingdom have shown that very good control of blood sugar can slow the development of complications due to diabetes. Individuals with newly diagnosed diabetes are also at increased risk for developing glaucoma, a disease that can lead to permanent loss of peripheral vision.
Complications due to diabetes often are attributable to the closure of small blood vessels in the body that occurs slowly over time. In the eye, closure of small blood vessels leads cells to release chemicals to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels. Unfortunately, these blood vessels are fragile. They grow in a way that predisposes them to break and bleed; to leak; and in severe cases to detach the retina. Below is a photo of the retina an eye with severe fibrovascular proliferation due to diabetes.
Fortunately, early detection and treatment of diabetic eye disease can reduce the risk of vision loss.
If you have diabetes, you can help reduce your risk of vision loss by working with your primary care doctor or an endocrinologist to achieve very good control of your blood sugar and by having an annual eye examination. An annual eye examination helps catch diabetic eye disease early before significant permanent damage occurs. If you have diabetes, you should have at least one dilated eye examination by an ophthalmologist each year.
Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock and Dr. Toren will send a note to your primary care doctor, if you would like, to let your doctor know how you are doing. Vascular changes in the eye may indicate that there are changes occurring elsewhere in the body
Glaucoma
Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight
Chronic glaucoma is often called “the silent thief of sight” because the disease progresses slowly and painlessly. Significant vision loss can occur without a warning sign that there is a problem. Glaucoma affects an estimated 3 million Americans, with 120,000 blind due to the condition. There are two major types of glaucoma: chronic open-angle and acute closed-angle glaucoma. Other variations include congenital glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma.
About half of Americans with chronic open-angle glaucoma don’t know they have it. Chronic glaucoma gradually reduces your peripheral vision and may result in significant peripheral and even central vision loss. Many patients first see a doctor after permanent damage has already occurred. Dr. Thompson reviewed the results of The Nurses Health Study with Kelly Eckerman’s Health Watch on KMBC Channel 9. The study found that Individuals recently diagnosed with diabetes are at increased risk for developing glaucoma, especially those with more poorly controlled blood sugar levels.
Acute closed-angle glaucoma is less common and is typically associated with the sudden onset of symptoms such as eye pain, grayness of vision, halos around lights, a headache around the eye, and eye redness. “These signs may last for a few hours, or longer. Each attack can cause permanent damage and loss of vision” said Dr. Thompson.
Fortunately, with early detection, the progression of vision loss from glaucoma can be slowed or halted. In the last decade, advances in medical and surgical therapy have prevented vision loss from glaucoma. As we mature, our risk of developing glaucoma increases. Individuals with a family history of glaucoma are at an increased risk of developing the disease. African Americans are also at increased risk of developing glaucoma; however, the disease is present in all racial groups. Early detection is critical to prevent vision loss from glaucoma. An annual eye examination can help reduce your risk of having undetected glaucoma.
To learn more about glaucoma, you can visit the Glaucoma Research Foundation website or the glaucoma facts page at the National Eye Institute website.
Dry Eye
Dry Eye Can Result in a Variety of Symptoms
Dry eyes are a common problem. The problem worsens in the winter as our heaters pull moisture from the air. If you can shock someone in the wintertime, it’s too dry. A humdifier can help decrease the rate at which moisture is pulled from your eyes by dry air. Visually intensive tasks such as working at a computer, driving, or watching TV or a movie can exacerbate the problem. Our blink rate decreases when we perform visually intensive tasks. This results in increased eye drying. Dr. Thompson suggests that you “think to blink.” A “blink break” will help refresh the tear film and reduce eye dryness. Artificial tear eye drops may also be used to supplement the tear film.
Nutritional supplements may also help with dry eye symptoms. Certain vitamins have also been shown to be effective in reducing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock, and Dr. Toren can help you determine which supplements may be most appropriate for you.
Dry eyes can be a chronic condition. Treatments vary based on the severity of symptoms and the condition of your ocular surface. Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock, and Dr. Toren follow a stepwise approach to tailor treatment based on the cause of the eye dryness. As the tear film is composed of 3 components, the tears, oil, and mucin. A deficiency in any one of these 3 components can result in ocular problems. Treatments can range from artificial tears and ointments to prescription medicines (like Restasis) and tear duct plugs.
Click on this link to learn more about dry eyes from the Mayo Clinic. An eye examination is the first step toward relieving your symptoms so you can spend less time worrying about your eyes and more time focused on your activities.
Floaters & Flashing Lights
Flashing Lights or a sudden increase in floaters may be a precursor to a retinal detachment
As we mature, 50% of individuals may experience the sudden onset of flashing lights or new floaters. This often signfies a posterior vitreous detachment. People with higher degrees of near-sightedness are more likely to experience a posterior vitreal detachment. The vitreous is a jelly filled sac inside the eye that has attachments to the optic nerve and peripheral retina. The vitreous jelly in our eyes condenses as we mature. As it does so, it may cause traction on your retina. This is perceived as a flash of light. For some, this traction results in a tear in the retina. Fluid may get under the tear, resulting in a retinal detachment. A retinal detachment can result in severe and permanent loss of vision. When the retina detaches, it is pulled away from it’s blood supply and starts to die. Early treatment is key to restore vision lost by repairing the retina and putting the retina back in its proper place. More severe vision loss occurs once the center of vision is affected.
To reduce your risk of severe vision loss, it is recommended that you be seen as soon as possible (within 24 to 48 hours) of the onset of these symptoms. However, if you cover one eye and notice that part of the world is missing or shaded in a dark curtain, it is likely that a retinal detachment has occurred and you should be see as soon as possible. Go to see an eye doctor or the emergency department as soon as possible. Don’t drink or eat anything, as you may undergo urgent surgery to repair the retina.
Repairing a retinal detachment before your central vision is affected will reduce the risk of severe vision loss. Small retinal tears may be treated with a laser to create a scar to prevent fluid from getting under the retina and causing a retinal detachment. Being seen early for the onset of these symptoms may help prevent more severe permanent vision loss.
If you develop these symptoms, you should call Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock, Dr. Toren, your local eye doctor or go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Itchy & Irritated Eye
Help for the unhappy irritated eye
Itchy eyes and dry eyes are common eye problems that can be caused by numerous external and internal factors. A red eye typically indicates inflammation in the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that coats the outermost surface of the eye and the inside of the eyelids, and is a warning sign that you should see you eye doctor.
Causes
One of the most common causes of an itchy eye is allergic conjunctivitis, or more simply, seasonal allergies. Ragweed, pollen, mold, pet dander, and food allergies can cause itchy irritated eyes. Itchy eyes can also result from bacterial or viral infection. Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, can be caused by many different strains of disease causing organisms. To keep these bothersome oranisms from making your eye a home, avoid touching around your eyes or eye rubbing. A virus can live on surfaces for 4 to 6 hours. Touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eye can result in a viral conjunctivitis, or “pinkeye.”
Symptoms
In addition to eye irritation, itchiness, and ocular discharge, sufferers may encounter swelling, redness, excess tearing, light sensitivity and in some cases blurred vision.
Treatment
The most important step to treating your irritated eyes is to determine the source of the problem. Is there a history of allergies in your family? Did you just get a new pet? Do the symptoms coincide with a seasonal shift? Consulting an eye doctor will help you determine what is causing your symptoms.
Once the cause is determined, the proper treatment can then be chosen. Oral medications, such as antihistamines are a common treatment, but these may the side effect of eye dryness. Fortunately, other options are available such as antihistamine eye drops, mild topical steroids, and topical ointments. There are many other treatments available, but the decision as to which one is best to use should be left to your physician or an ophthalmologist. Over-the-counter eye drops and medications are also available, but these are for short term relief only, and are not intended to provide long term treatment. An examination by an eye doctor can help determine the cause and proper treatment to most quickly, efficiently, and safely treat your eye irritation and prevent it from coming back. Stronger medications can be prescribed that last longer and require less frequent dosing, so you can spend more time doing the activities you enjoy rather than administering eye drops.
Prevention
You should not rub or touch around your eyes. This may put allergens in contact with your eye or spread the infection to the other eye. Rubbing the eyes can induce astigmatism and result in droopy eyelids. Avoid using old mascara or eye make up. Avoid sharing items that might transmit a viral conjunctivitis, such as eye drops, washcloths, or pillows. It is important to wash your hands before and after touching around your eyes. This will reduce your risk of putting allergens or an infectious virus in your eye. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Light Sensitivity
Light
Sensitivity May Be Due to Ocular Inflammation or an Iritis
A persistent or recurring red eye is not normal. Eye redness may be due to allergies , eye dryness , a chemical or irritant exposure , or due to an inflammatory condition. Iritis is an inflammatory condition inside the eyes that may cause eye redness, eye pain, or light sensitivity. Untreated, iritis may result in permanent scarring, glaucoma, and vision loss. There are a number of conditions that can cause eye redness. There is no substitute for a good eye examination to help ensure you are doing everything you can for your eyes.
A number of systemic diseases may be associated with an iritis. For a recurrent iritis or servere iritis, blood work is often done in an attempt to determine a cause for the iritis.
Red Eye
The Dreaded Red Eye
Red-Eye or conjunctivitis is a common problem. Some red eyes are due to infectious causes. Viral conjunctivitis or “pink eye,” is very contagious. Infected individuals often have a prominent watery discharge from their eyes. This watery discharge is contagious and the hearty virus can remain on infectious on surfaces for several hours. The eye is often crusted or mattered shut in the morning. While many improve without sequela, some patients can develop inflammatory membranes and hazy corneal infiltrates that can cloud vision and scar the eye.
Dr. Thompson asks his patients who are infected to follow a list of contact precautions to prevent family members and friends from becoming infected. To reduce your risk of an eye infection, Dr. Thompson recommends that you avoid rubbing your eyes. “If your eyes are irritated, use artificial tears. If you must touch around your eyes, wash your hands first.” If you have viral conjunctivitis, you should not share towels or pillowcases. Be careful not to touch around your unaffected eye. Half of the folks who get viral conjunctivitis spread it to their other eye.
Not all red eyes are viral conjunctivitis. A red eye may be due to iritis, episcleritis, scleritis, pterygia, corneal ulcer, bacterial conjunctivitis, or a more severe eye infection or inflammation. If you are not sure, you should call to schedule an appointment with your local eye care professional. Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock, and Dr. Toren have special training in the evaluation and management of eye diseases.
To learn more about red eyes and conjunctivitis, you can visit the Mayo Clinic, WebMD, or Kid’s Health websites.
Reading Problems
Struggling with the Fine Print
Difficulty Reading Fine Print
Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is the inability to focus on objects that are near. Those who are farsighted may have great difficulty making out fine print, or other details that must be viewed up close, particularly as they pass the age of 40. Most often, this inability to make out fine details up close is due hardening of the lens as we age. This hardening of the lens makes it progressively more difficult to change the shape of the lens. The ability to change the shape of the lens provides the ability to focus at distance and near with a single prescription. As we age, the lens hardens and becomes more like a rock candy than a soft gummy bear. The decreased elasticity of the lens results in the problem we call presbyopia. Those in their 40’s with good distance vision, will almost always require glasses to help them see up close.
Treatment
There are many options available for the treatment of presbyopia. There is no single option that works best for every individual. There are a number of very good options. Just like a carpenter employs different tools for different tasks, you may find that there are certain solutions that work best for you in certain circumstances. Talk to your eye doctor about the visual tasks that you need help with. Your eye doctor can work with you to determine what solutions may be best for you. Options include glasses (over the counter reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals, and progressive lenses), contacts (monovision, multifocal contacts), and refractive surgery. For those with computer vision trouble, computer glasses can help eliminate neck and eye strain. A skilled eye doctor can provide specific recommendations to best meet your visual needs.
To learn more about prebyopia you can read an article from the Mayo Clinic, or the American Optometric Association.
Tearing Problems
Tearing Problems
Tearing problems may have various causes. In infants, it is often the result of a poorly draining lacrimal sac. However, tearing in infants may also be a sign of increased eye pressure. Although a much less common cause of tearing, such high eye pressures may result in glaucoma and permanent vision loss. If your child is experiencing tearing problems, you should have them seen by Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock and Dr. Toren or your local eye care provider.
As we mature, we tend to produce fewer tears. We are more susceptible to eye dryness. You may notice your eyes tearing in the wind due to its drying effects. How can a dry eye cause tearing? Our baseline tearing system is unable to keep up with the tear requirements and our eyes become irritated. Our brain gets the signal that the eyes are irritated and then send a signal to the backup tearing system to turn on. Unfortunately, the backup tearing system is more like turning on a fire hose than a gentle sprinkler. The tearing overwhelms our tear ducts and the tears may stream down your face.
However, not all tearing is due to dry eyes or an obstructed tear duct. One may have excess tearing because of material (like a piece of metal) being stuck in the eye, or due to an ocular infection. Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blacklock, and Dr. Toren can help determine the cause and work with you to develop a plan to help reduce your tearing problems. Dry eyes may be a chronic problem. However, there are a variety of treatment options that may prove beneficial to help reduce or eliminate your symptoms of eye irritation and help to protect your ocular surface.
If you are having trouble with tearing, you should call our clinic for an appointment or see your local eye care provider. To learn more about tearing problems you can review an article at the Mayo Institute website or Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
Vision Loss
Sudden Changes in Vision Demand Urgent Attention
Sudden loss of part or all of one’s vision, though rare, is extremely serious, and is usually a symptom of a significant problem that may also be causing a problem elsewhere in your body.
Symptoms
What constitutes sudden vision loss? It does not necessarily have to be complete loss of vision. It could be a partial loss of vision, or a blurring of the visual field. In some cases the affected area might just be the periphery, and often the vision loss only affects one eye. In other cases, the vision loss may appear as a gray splotch that blocks sight. Sometimes the loss of vision might only last a few moments. In other cases, the impairment can last minutes or even hours, or the rest of your life.
Causes
Sudden vision loss is usually attributable to ischemia, or a reduction of the amount of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues of the eyes, resulting in temporary or permanent damage to the retina. It is like a stroke of the eye. Ischemia has several causes and can appear in different forms. It may indicate uncontrolled or high blood pressure. A treatable condition that may save your vision and may abort a stroke.
Amaurosis fugax (‘fleeting blindness”) lasts from a few moments to several minutes, and disrupts the peripheral vision, before progressing inwards, much like fade out in a movie. With this condition, other symptoms include temporary loss of feeling on one side of the body, and impaired speech. Though it bears many striking similarities, it in and of itself does not constitute a stroke, but rather is a strong indicator that one is at risk of suffering a stroke, since amaurosis results from reduced blood flow through the arteries that lead to the eyes. This form of vision loss is most common in adults 50 years of age and older.
An ocular migraine may cause transient wavy vision or a blind spot in one or both eyes. It may last 10 to 50 minutes. The visual aura may or may not be followed by a headache. This transient loss of vision can be quite disturbing. Some individuals have migraine triggers or there may be a combination of factors that together may result in a migraine headache.
Another cause of sudden vision loss in older individuals is giant cell arteritis. This is an auto-immune disorder in which the blood vessels, especially those around the eyes, become inflamed and swollen reducing blood flow. The symptoms are similar to but in some cases not as abrupt as those that accompany amaurosis. However, vision loss due to giant cell arteritis may be permanent and irreversible.
Recently, sudden vision loss has also been connected to impotence drugs such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. Although the number of documented cases of vision loss in users of these drugs is extremely rare, it is nonetheless a serious occurrence. Some users of these drugs have suffered partial or total vision loss. Anyone who has considered taking these medications would be wise to be screened for a “disk at risk” by an ophthalmologist. A disk at risk is considered a small crowded optic nerve head.
Treatment
If you have experienced a sudden loss of some or all vision in one or both eyes call a doctor immediately! Don’t wait. Get an appointment with an ophthalmologist immediately. If it is not possible to find an ophthalmologist in a timely matter, go to the emergency room. Vision loss can be indicative of much more serious issues that it is vitally important to diagnose quickly and treat.
To learn more about vision loss and protecting your eyes from vision loss, please visit the Prevent Blindness website or the Lighthouse International website.
Eye Protection
Sunglasses and Safety Glasses
Eye injuries may happen unexpectedly. It is a good idea to think about protecting your eyes. Getting a foreign body embedded in your eye can result in scarring and infection that may result in permanent vision loss. You can care for your eyes by putting on protective eyewear when playing sports, using power tools, or working under something. Grinding metal, hammering on metal, and weed eaters are particularly dangerous and should never be done without eye protection. Safety glasses have a frame all around the lens. The lens is made of an impact resistant material that meets ANSI safety standards. Polycarbonate and Trivex are examples of materials that meet these safety standards.
Wearing sunglasses is high on the list of ways you can care for your vision. Wearing sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection helps slow the development of cataracts and growths on the eyeball, such as pinguecula . A cataract is an eye condition in which the lens of the eye becomes clouded, impairing vision. Pinguecula can disturb the tear film resulting in eye irritation and may have an adverse affect on the appearance of the eyes. Sunglasses also help protect your eyes from airborne particles and the drying effects of the wind. The lens in a childs eye blocks less UV light than the lens in the eye of an adult. Thus, children benefit as much or more than adults from sunglasses.
Polarized sunglasses can help eliminate visually disturbing glare. Reflections off of water or the back of hatchbacks are particularly disturbing. Polarized lenses can help eliminate eye strain. The Thompson Eye Clinic is a registered dealer and has polarized lenses like Maui Jim. Take time to visit an eye care professional to learn more about how you can protect your vision, and improve your quality of life. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration website for more information about the importance of protecting your eyes.
Nutrition
Vitamins, Your Diet and Your Eyes
Like the rest of the body, a healthy lifestyle helps maintain and preserve your vision. In addition to regular physical exercise, and abstaining from the use of tobacco and controlled substances, a well balanced diet is necessary to ensure your eyes’ longevity. Smoking has been associated with an increased risk of cataract formation and age related macular degeneration (a disease that causes severe central vision loss in older adults).
Although there is still much to be learned about the relationship between the eyes and nutrients, medical studies have consistently demonstrated the need for a select group of vitamins and minerals, both as a preventative to eye disease, and a means of therapy. Vitamins are not a substitute for a healthy diet. Nutritional supplements are not intended to replace a healthy diet, but merely enhance it, and should only be taken after research and consultation with a medical doctor.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A, perhaps more than any other substance, is vital for eye health. Derived from carotenoids (or plant pigment-typically yellow and red), vitamin A is necessary to prevent many of the ailments that can afflict the eye. Vitamin A deficiency has been linked to dry eye, corneal ulcers, swollen eyelids, and even total blindness, as has happened frequently in third world countries. There is also evidence to indicate that Vitamin A can prevent the formation of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Those who smoke or drink alcohol have decreased ability to absorb vitamin A. However, smokers should avoid high dose Vitamin A supplementation due to an studies indicating an increased occurrence of lung cancer in smokers. Lutein may be a better supplement for smokers.
In addition to supplements, vitamin A can also be found in liver, carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, squash, red peppers, mangos, cantaloupes, and butter. If it is taken through supplements, the recommended daily dose for men and women is 1000 and 800 RE, respectively.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has also been linked to the prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration. Studies have also suggested that Vitamin C plays a role preventing and alleviating the symptoms of glaucoma through its ability to reduce the pressure within the eye.
It is recommended that men and women take at least 60mg per day, every day, because of the body’s inherent inability to store this vitamin for extended periods of time. High dose Vitamin C, 500 mg, was used in the Age Related Eye Disease Study.
Vitamin C can be found in red peppers, potatoes, broccoli, leafy green vegetables, and any citrus fruits. If possible, these foods should be bought fresh and eaten raw, as Vitamin C tends to be degraded through the rigors of processing and cooking. Also, be sure to buy orange juice (rich in vitamin C) in opaque containers, as sunlight can also degrade its nutritional value.
Vitamin E
Like Vitamins A and C, studies have shown vitamin E to play a role in the prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration. It also has been shown to aid in the development of the retina in growing children. However, controversy has arisen over the possibility of dangerous side effects when taking the vitamin in supplement form.
A recent study published in The Annals of Internal Medicine suggested that those who take mega doses (400 IU or more) have had a higher incidence of internal bleeding and an overall higher mortality rate. The results came from a pooling of data from nineteen previous experimental trials. The results of these studies may or may not apply to you. Consult with your physician before taking high does (400 IU or higher) of Vitamin E.
Like Vitamins A and C, studies have shown vitamin E to play a role in the prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration. It also has been shown to aid in the development of the retina in growing children. However, controversy has arisen over the possibility of dangerous side effects when taking the vitamin in supplement form.
Minerals
Of all the trace elements and minerals within the eye, zinc is by far the most abundant, although its importance to ocular health is still uncertain. A study conducted in 1988 indicated that twice daily supplements of zinc sulfate slowed the progression, and possibly the onset of Adult Macular Degeneration.
Like Vitamins A and C, studies have shown vitamin E to play a role in the prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration. It also has been shown to aid in the development of the retina in growing children. However, controversy has arisen over the possibility of dangerous side effects when taking the vitamin in supplement form.
Additionally, intake of high doses of zinc can impair the body’s ability to absorb important minerals such as copper and iron, which can lead to anemia and hardening of the arterial walls. Most zinc supplements try to compensate by also containing trace amounts of copper, but no study has tested to determine whether this action represents an effective compromise.
In addition to zinc and copper, selenium is also an important mineral, both for its powers as an antioxidant, but also for its ability to aid in the absorption of vitamin E and the body’s ability to produce its own anti-oxidizing agents. It too may have adverse side effects, and all these substances should be taken only upon consultation with a physician.
Ginkgo Biloba
Herbal remedies have become increasingly popular, and one of the most popular of the herbal remedies, is ginkgo biloba. It has been advertised in magazines, and on radio and TV, but what are the benefits for eye health? A French study determined that ginkgo biloba extract (50:1 ratio) was beneficial to individuals who suffered from AMD. Researchers believe its health benefits are due to its ability to inhibit the body’s inflammatory response, yielding increased blood circulation to, among others, the brain and eyes. However, like zinc supplements, ginkgo biloba has yet to be studied on a large scale. Ginkgo biloba poses a health risk to those with weakened ability to clot (such as hemophiliacs) and to those currently taking the blood thinner coumadin. Therefore, if you are interested in taking ginkgo biloba, you should first consult with your physician.
You can learn more about ocular nutrition at the All About Vision webpage.
Glasses & Contacts
Glasses & Contacts
Glasses and contacts correct for refractive errors. A refractive error occurs when the light from an object of regard is unable to be focused on the retina, or film of the eye.
As we mature, the lens in our eye hardens and as a result it is less able to change shape. This decreases our range of focus. Thus, if you have good distance vision, it becomes more difficult to focus on near objects as you enter your 40’s. This condition is called presbyopia. Reading glasses are used to provide the additional focusing power for near.
There are multiple glasses options available for people who have trouble with prebyopia. They include a lined bifocal that has your distance power above the line, and near power below the line. Trifocals have 2 lines and 3 zones. The top of the trifocal lens is for distance, the middle zone is for intermediate or computer distance, and the bottom is for near or reading distance.
Progressive lenses have no visible lines. The top of the lens is for distance and the bottom of the lens is for near. In between as you look down the lens the lens gets better for near. These lenses work great for many activities and do not have an unsightly line that some feel dates them a bit. The less sophisticated or older versions of the progressive lens have more distortion has you look from side to side. For these lenses, it is important to point your nose at what you want to look at and then raise your chin to see objects that are closer or to dip your chin to see objects that are further away.
For those working on a computer, computer glasses can be prescribed. The top of the glasses are perfect for the computer and the bottom of the lens is perfect for near work. This helps eliminate neck strain and devotes more space in the lens to the space you are working in.
Contact lenses may be used to correct distance vision or near vision. For those over 40 years old with difficulty seeing at both distance and near, there are multiple contact lens options. Not one contact lens option is perfect for every situation or each individual. You can choose to employ mutliple contact lens options depending on your needs. Contact lenses can be prescribed that focus both eyes at a distance (and use over the counter reading glasses for near). Alternatively, contact lenses that focus one eye at distance and the non dominant eye at near may be prescripbed. Multifocal or bifocal contact lenses provide light from both distance and near in each eye, however a small amount of light is lost due to scattering of the light.
Proper care of your contacts is critical. Improper or “creative” contact lens wear frequently results in an eye infection. For some, these eye infections can be devastating. Severe infections may permanently scar the cornea. If you are a “creative” contact lens wearer, you should consider discontinuing contact lens wear, wear only glasses, or consider LASIK or PRK refractive surgery.
Call our clinic to schedule an appointment to discuss options to correct your vision. We provide prescriptions for glasses and contacts as well as offering refractive surgery to help correct your vision. We offer state of the art contact lenses and a number of sylish frames and sunglasses including Coach, Prada, Michael Kors, Fysh, OVVO, Tura, Kliik, Scott Harris, Vera Bradley, Life is Good, Trina Turk, Maui Jim, Carolina Herrera, Armani Exchange, Flexon.
We also offer a wide variety of safety glasses. Please see this video on youngeroptics.com regarding Trilogy lenses and the impact resistance and chemical resistance they provide.
See What Our Patients Have To Say About Thompson Eye Clinic:
Such a fantastic experience with my daughter who hadn’t been to an eye doctor before. I was greeted with friendly smiles, very thorough eye exam and the doctor was great at explaining what he was checking for as he went along. My daughter needed a pair of glasses for distance. I was amazed at the endless supply of cute designs. My daughter found a pair that was perfect for her face shape and hair/eye color. The girls fitting her were very patient and kind. I’d highly recommend this eye clinic to friends and family!
KIMBERLY S.
5/5
DAWN H.
5/5
I do like this office. The staff is great, Always smiling! And never, never a long wait. Five stars
FENG Z.
5/5
The clinic great and staffs are friendly and welcoming. Dr. Thompson’s examinations are more thorough than the previous Dr’s consultation. He was patient and took the time to explain things. He told us, in my opinion, the right thing versus what we wanted to hear.
Experience the difference at Thompson Eye Clinic
The doctors at Thompson Eye Clinic provide state of the art eye care for many eye conditions and diseases. Comprehensive and medical exams are available to assess your eye health and to check for and treat eye problems such as dry eye, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
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