Is your blurry vision impacting your daily or professional activities? Are you constantly changing your eye glasses prescription again and again? Has your ophthalmologist suggested cataract surgery? Now is the time to read about the common symptoms and benefits of cataract surgery. Cataracts can distract you from being able to do your everyday activities like driving or reading. You may feel less independent and less interested in social activities. Cataract surgery is an option not just for your vision but for your quality of life.
- Your Vision
In the normal aging process, cataracts are known to affect persons of any age, but mostly after age 60. A cataract forms when the natural proteins within the lens of the eye begin to harden and become cloudy. The common symptoms of a cataract are blurry vision, haloes around lights, frequent eyeglass prescription changes, and difficulty with day to day activities like reading, driving, or sewing. Cataracts may also cause double vision in a single eye, which affects the distance vision for outdoor activities like golf.
- Different types of Intraocular Lenses
An intraocular lens (IOL) is a lens replacement that is implanted in your eye during cataract surgery. Before your procedure, Dr. Garcia will go over the different types of IOL replacement options which are: basic IOLs or Crystalens. Basic IOLs offer vision at one distance only, far or near. It is important to understand that traditional IOLs require the use of eye glasses to read or use the computer. Dr. Garcia highly recommends the Crystalens for the best possible vision. The Crystalens was modeled after the human eye which means that the lens is able to flex, providing better vision at all distances. The Crystalens offers a greater range of vision and more advanced technology, compared to the basic lens.
- Advanced Procedure and Recovery time
A great benefit from cataract surgery is that it only takes 15-20 minutes on average, and you are able to go home that same day. After the quick procedure, it is required that you bring someone with you to drive you home. Most surgeons will instruct you to keep the pad and shield over your eye until your post op appointment the next morning. You will be advised of the different activities to avoid while recovering from your operation, such as touching your eye, wearing makeup, and rubbing the eye.
National Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month
(Retina of diabetic retinophaty)
November is National Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. This month may be coming to an end, but the importance of maintaining your diabetic healthcare continues.
You are diagnosed with Diabetes, now what? There is not cure yet, but a healthy lifestyle makes a difference: eating a healthy diet, being physically active, taking medications prescribed and keeping health care appointments to stay on track.
Part of your health care appointments should involve a yearly diabetic eye exam. This exam is highly recommended by Dr. Garcia. It is necessary to evaluate your diabetic health by your ophthalmologist yearly to detect, prevent, and treat any concerns.
All forms of diabetic eye disease have the potential to cause severe vision loss and blindness. Early diagnosis of diabetes and maintaining strict control of blood sugar and hypertension through diet, exercise and medication, can help reduce your risk of developing eye disease associated with diabetes. Help your eyes stay healthy and get your comprehensive eye examination by Dr. Garcia.
Six Common Eye Diseases That You Should Know
Our eyesight is extremely valuable. It allows us to experience the world and take in our surroundings. Because of this, maintaining eye health should be one of our top priorities. Below is a list of six of the most common issues patients experience with their eyes, and some educational tips for each one.
- Cataracts: Most cataracts are age-related and are more common in people aged 50 years and older. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens in the eye. If left untreated, cataracts can cause severe vision loss. Cataracts are one of the only common eye problems that can be completely cured through routine surgery.
- Keratoconus. Refers to weakening of the collagen fibers inside the cornea, leading to structure changes and decreased vision. In advanced cases, the cornea bulges out and can cause extreme astigmatism and severe loss of vision. Treatment options include use of a rigid contact lens, collagen crosslinking, and corneal transplant.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Diabetes can cause both obstruction of and leakage from retinal blood vessels. The high blood sugar can cause severe damage to various structures in the eye, with the most common being intraocular bleeding caused by the rupture or blockage of tiny blood vessels.
- Macular Degeneration: This cause of blindness consists of damage to the central area of the retina that processes 90% of our vision: the macula. Risk factors include: age, smoking, female gender, and family history. Current treatments can slow the progression of the disease.
- Refractive Errors: Refractive errors are the most common cause of vision problems. Refraction in the eye occurs when light passes through the cornea and the lens. Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are types of refractive errors.
- Glaucoma: It is associated with a higher-than-normal pressure inside the eye. This condition causes damage to the eye’s optic nerve. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause peripheral vision loss and can eventually lead to blindness. Once detected, this disorder can be treated with either surgery, lasers or prescribed eye drops.
Underlying eye disease is best detected by annual visits with an Ophthalmologist. Call the offices of MD EyeCare today to schedule a complete eye examination.