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African Americans Can Reduce Risk for Eye Disease

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Some eye diseases disproportionately affect African Americans. African Americans are more likely to develop certain eye diseases and less likely to receive necessary eye surgery than Caucasians.

Research shows African American individuals are at increased risk for cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Disparities in Cataract Treatment

Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 24.4 million Americans over 40 have cataracts. By age 75, at least 50 percent of Americans will have a cataract.

Cataracts are treatable with cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is the most common procedure performed on Medicare beneficiaries, and it has a success rate of over 90 percent. However, studies show African Americans are less likely than Caucasians to have cataracts removed.

African Americans Are at Higher Risk for Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a family of eye diseases that damages the optic nerve and can cause permanent vision loss. Besides cataracts, glaucoma is the most common cause of vision loss among African Americans and individuals of African heritage. African Americans are six to eight times more likely to develop glaucoma than Caucasians and the vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible (Glaucoma Research Foundation). Because there is no cure for glaucoma, the only way to preserve vision is to diagnose and treat glaucoma in the early stages.

Diabetic Retinopathy Incidence Is Increasing

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that can develop in individuals who have diabetes. Diabetes damages retinal blood vessels which can cause vision loss and blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults between the ages of 20 and 74.

The longer people have diabetes, the more likely they are to develop diabetic retinopathy. More than 800,000 African Americans have diabetic retinopathy, and experts predict the numbers will increase to 1.2 million by 2030. One of the biggest challenges is encouraging people with diabetes to schedule annual comprehensive eye exams so eye doctors can diagnose diabetic retinopathy early.

Importance of Comprehensive Eye Exams

Many eye diseases do not have symptoms in the early stages, but they can cause long-term vision loss or even blindness if they go untreated. Almost 190,000 African Americans suffer from low vision due to undiagnosed or untreated eye conditions.

If it has been over a year since your last comprehensive eye exam, it is time to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. In less than one hour, an eye doctor can assess your vision, test for eye diseases and provide you with helpful information about your eye health.

Find an Ophthalmologist Near You

Enter your zip code to find an eye doctor in your area, and call today to make an appointment.

Could Vitamin B3Treat Glaucoma?

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Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness and affects 80 million people around the globe. Currently, the only available glaucoma treatments are eye drops, oral medication or surgery. There is no cure for the disease, and glaucoma-related vision loss is irreversible.

What Causes Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of diseases characterized by optic nerve stress, often associated with elevated eye pressure. No one knows what causes optic nerve degeneration, and glaucoma can be a tricky disease to diagnose. It usually does not cause pain or other symptoms. An eye doctor’s goal in treating glaucoma is to detect the disease early and treat it promptly to prevent permanent eye damage.

Emerging Glaucoma Treatments

Glaucoma researchers continually seek new treatments that will prevent the death of retinal cells and regenerate diseased fibers in the optic nerve. They have found that a molecule called NAD declines in the retina as people age, and this puts retinal cells at risk for degeneration.

Studies have shown nicotinamide, a water-soluble form of vitamin B-3, prevented NAD depletion and reduced the risk of glaucoma in animals. Nicotinamide is found in foods like poultry, fish, eggs and cereal grains.

A study in Sweden is exploring a potential neuroprotective therapy for glaucoma. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and St. Erik Eye Hospital are testing nicotinamide, also known as niacinamide, on animal and cell models for glaucoma.

Should I Supplement With B3?

If you have glaucoma, you may think you should begin taking vitamin B3. However, you should not start any new supplements or vitamins without talking to your provider.

If you have questions about new glaucoma treatments or natural treatments, call to make an appointment with your eye doctor. All medications can have side effects and can interact with other drugs.

Find an Ophthalmologist Near You

Are you under the care of a board-certified ophthalmologist? You deserve the best vision care possible. A comprehensive eye exam is an essential part of preventive care and can detect many common eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. Here is a list of qualified professionals near you. Call to make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam today.

Need Cataract Surgery? Consider a Multifocal Lens

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Cataracts are a common vision problem that typically occur in both eyes as we age. Although cataracts cannot spread from one eye to another, it is not unusual for a cataract to first develop in one eye and later appear in the other eye.

How Does a Cataract Form?

In a healthy eye, the lens allows light to pass through and focus an image on the retina. As we age, a cataract forms when the lens, predominately composed of water and protein, becomes cloudy due to proteins clumping together. Once a cataract has developed, images typically appear increasingly cloudy, distorted and blurry.

What is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States. The procedure is simple, virtually painless and usually has a rapid recovery time. A skilled surgeon will remove your cloudy lens during cataract surgery and replace it with an intraocular lens (IOL) customized for your vision needs. Cataract surgery can often provide people with the best vision they have ever experienced. In fact, many patients comment after surgery that they wish they had chosen cataract surgery sooner.

What Type of IOL is Right for You?

There are many types of IOLs from which to choose:

  • Monofocal Lens: This lens is designed to provide sharp distance vision. Medicare and other insurance plans usually cover it. Glasses may still be necessary for reading, and in some cases, distance vision, especially if you have astigmatism.
  • Astigmatism-Correcting Monofocal Lens: your surgeon may be able to correct your astigmatism as well as your cataracts during one simple procedure. With the advanced technology of astigmatism-correcting monofocal lenses, most people only need glasses for reading after surgery.
  • Multifocal Lens: Imagine not needing to rely on corrective glasses anymore! Multifocal lenses can help you see both near and far, so you may have the luxury of being glasses-free after cataract surgery.

Although most insurance and Medicare only cover the cost of a monofocal lens, there are many factors to consider. For example, selecting a multifocal lens may reduce your dependence on glasses after surgery. When making your decision regarding the type of lens you prefer for your cataract procedure, compare the one-time cost of purchasing the multifocal lens with the cumulative cost of buying contacts or glasses for the rest of your life. You may find that a multifocal lens proves to be the most affordable choice.

Find an Ophthalmologist Near You

Are you interested in cataract surgery? New research shows many benefits of getting cataract surgery at a younger age, so you may not need to wait. There are many choices that exist that may provide you with the desired vision. Consult with your physician and determine the best lens choice for you. Make an appointment with a board-certified ophthalmologist to discuss your options. Connect to one of our many eye care centers located across the country.

Vision Impairment Could Shorten Your Life

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The leading causes of vision loss in the world are cataracts and refractive errors, or the need for glasses. Eighty percent of vision problems are correctable; however, millions of adults and children experience vision impairment.

Your Vision Affects Your Health

According to a recent study published in The Lancet Global Health, vision impairment is linked to mortality. After studying 48,000 people from 17 different studies, the meta-analysis found that patients with severe vision impairment experienced a higher risk of mortality than patients with normal vision or mild vision impairment.

The mortality risk for those with mildly impaired vision and severely impaired vision was 29 percent and 89 percent, respectively, compared to those with normal vision.

Joshua Erlich, MD, MPH, was the lead author of the study. “It’s important these issues are addressed early on because losing your vision affects more than just how you see the world; it affects your experience of the world and your life,” Ehrlich said. “This analysis provides an important opportunity to promote not only health and wellbeing, but also longevity by correcting, rehabilitating, and preventing avoidable vision loss across the globe.”

Comprehensive Eye Exams are Essential for Wellbeing

Have you canceled or delayed your eye exam due to COVID-19? Healthy vision is not just a luxury. It is a medical necessity. A comprehensive eye exam offers so many more benefits than just adjusting your eye prescription. It can detect and diagnose:

  • Focusing problems, including presbyopia
  • Refractive error: farsighted, nearsighted or astigmatism
  • Eye diseases, such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy
  • Vision problems, such as amblyopia, strabismus, or binocular vision
  • Other conditions, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, can often be detected in an eye exam

Need Help Finding a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist?

Perhaps you have not scheduled a comprehensive eye exam because you need to find a new eye doctor. We have a network of board-certified ophthalmologists who are accepting new patients. Our doctors are ready to assess your vision needs and provide you with exceptional care as well as state-of-the-art treatments.

Prioritize Your Eye Health for the Sake of Your Loved Ones

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We all have loved ones who need us in their lives, those who rely on us and can’t wait until we can all safely gather together again once the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. You owe it to your friends and family to care for your eye health so you can enjoy quality time together.

While it is important to avoid exposure to COVID-19, it is imperative to take care of your eyesight. Conditions like cataracts and glaucoma are usually caught during comprehensive eye exams, which is why it is critical to reschedule eye appointments you may have postponed.

Cataracts, the Most Common Form of Vision Loss

Over 30.5 million Americans have cataracts. A cataract is the clouding of the eye lens. At first, you may not be aware you have a cataract because the cloudiness affects a small part of the lens. Over time, cataracts can cause symptoms like:

  • Blurred vision
  • Double vision
  • Glares and halos
  • Difficulty reading
  • Challenges with night driving

If left untreated, cataracts can cause severe vision impairment. The good news is that cataract-related vision loss is treatable with cataract surgery. This procedure offers good long-term results, and about 98 percent of all cases performed by an experienced surgeon are complication-free and successful.

Glaucoma, the Sneak Thief of Sight

Glaucoma refers to a family of diseases that damage the optic nerve and can cause permanent eye damage. Usually developing without symptoms or pain, glaucoma has been called the sneak thief of sight. Glaucoma usually affects peripheral vision at first. By the time symptoms are noticeable, much of the visual field has already permanently deteriorated.

There is no cure for glaucoma, but there are effective medical, laser and surgical therapies. A comprehensive eye exam will detect glaucoma, and treatment can begin immediately.

You may not consider a comprehensive eye exam to be a priority during this already stressful time, but neglecting your vision health can have serious implications. Your loved ones want you to be able to see many more major milestones. Don’t delay your eye exam any longer so you can have many years of clear vision. Find a board-certified ophthalmologist in your area.

Blindness and Vision Loss Rates May Double in 30 Years

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Blindness and vision impairment affects an estimated 338 million people worldwide. According to a new pre-print study accepted by The Lancet, the number may reach 900 million people by the year 2050.

Vision loss is a global problem. According to recent research led by Rupert Bourne, Professor of Ophthalmology at Anglia Ruskin University:

  • 8 million people have a mild vision impairment
  • 1 million people have a major vision impairment
  • 3 million people are blind

Bourne said although blindness among people age 50 and older has reduced by almost 30 percent in the past 30 years, the number of people who are blind has increased by 50 percent because of population growth.

“It is encouraging that age-adjusted prevalence of blindness has reduced over the past three decades, yet due to population growth, progress is not keeping pace with needs,” said Bourne. “We face enormous challenges in avoiding vision impairment as the global population grows and ages” (Medical Xpress).

What Causes Vision Impairment?

Three common causes of vision impairment are cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among people older than 55. In the U.S., cataracts affect about 20.5 million people. Cataract-related vision loss can be reversed through cataract surgery, an incredibly safe and simple procedure.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and is caused by optic nerve damage. Vision loss due to glaucoma is irreversible, so it is imperative to have routine glaucoma screenings. Even though there is no cure for glaucoma, there are many effective therapies and treatments.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects about five percent of Americans 65 years of age or older. AMD affects central vision, which is necessary for activities like reading and driving. Early detection of AMD is crucial to slowing vision loss. There are two types of AMD: wet AMD and dry AMD. There is no cure for dry AMD but vitamin supplements can slow the progression. There are several therapies for wet AMD, and again, these don’t cure the disease but they can slow AMD’s progression.

Find a Local Ophthalmologist

The best way to preserve your vision and prevent vision impairment is to schedule annual comprehensive eye exams for the entire family. Eye exams offer more than just an evaluation of your vision. They offer a window into your overall health.

Our board-certified ophthalmologists are accepting new patients and are dedicated to your eye health. At a comprehensive eye exam, your ophthalmologist will make sure your prescription is current and screen you for degenerative eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

If you are not under the care of a board-certified physician, you can access a list of doctors in your area and find an ophthalmologist near you.

A Vegetarian Diet Could Decrease Risk for Cataracts

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According to a study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, eating a vegetarian diet could decrease the likelihood of cataracts, especially in overweight patients.

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is the clouding of the eye lens. Over time, multiple factors including oxidative stress from UV rays, poor diet and environmental toxins slowly deteriorate the clear lens until it becomes increasingly clouded and blurred. Cataracts are a common vision concern, especially as people age. In the United States, over 20.5 million people have a cataract.

Plant-Based Nutrition Can Fight Cataracts

Researchers examined data from the Tzu Chi Health Study in Taiwan. Some participants were vegetarian and some were not. A vegetarian diet was associated with a 20 percent lower risk of cataracts compared with a non-vegetarian diet. Because plant-based foods contain more antioxidants than animal-based foods, eating a vegetarian diet is more successful at reducing oxidative stress that causes cataracts. The researchers also found many similarities among the vegetarians in the Tzu Chi Health Study. More of the vegetarians tended to be:

  • Female
  • Nondrinkers
  • Nonsmokers
  • Nondiabetic
  • Nonhypertensive
  • More physically active
  • Less educated

The vegetarians also had lower:

  • Body mass index
  • Fasting glucose levels
  • Total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

The study concluded, “It is unclear whether the effect of vegetarian diets on cataracts varies among different ethnic populations. This study aimed to investigate the association between a vegetarian diet and cataract risk in Asians through a prospective cohort study in Taiwan” (Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics).

Should We All Become Vegetarians?

You do not need to become a vegetarian to have a healthy lifestyle and prevent cataracts. However, this study underscores how diet can be a significant component in preserving your vision. Vegetables, especially leafy greens, have high levels of antioxidants, which protect eye cells from oxidative stress that damages the eye lens. Fruits, especially dark berries, and nuts also contain high amounts of protective antioxidants.

Decrease Your Cataract Risk

Adding more whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds into your diet is just one way to enhance your eye health. Here are some specific ways you can decrease your risk for cataracts:

  • Wear sunglasses that block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays
  • Apply sunscreen when you are outside
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors
  • Get plenty of physical exercise

Make an Appointment for a Comprehensive Eye Exam

A comprehensive eye exam is essential for optimum eye health. Call today to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your eye doctor. During the exam, your doctor will be able to detect a developing cataract and provide treatment options like cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is among the simplest and most successful eye procedures, and it can restore cataract-related vision loss.

If you are not under the care of a board-certified eye physician, you can access a list of doctors in your area and find an ophthalmologist near you.

New Study Finds Link Between Glaucoma and Depression

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A recent study in Mexico discovered glaucoma patients have a tenfold greater risk of developing depression than the general population.

Glaucoma is one of the world’s leading causes of vision loss and a leading cause of blindness. It can be a psychological and financial burden and cause significant stress. According to a study published in the Journal of Glaucoma, glaucoma severity directly impacts depression incidence and severity, as well as patient compliance.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a family of diseases characterized by optic nerve stress caused by spikes in inner eye pressure. More than three million Americans have glaucoma, but only half are aware they have the disease. Often, glaucoma does not cause any noticeable symptoms until vision loss occurs.

Depressed Glaucoma Patients Are Less Compliant

The study examined 111 patients with glaucoma, and about half of the patients were depressed. The researchers found a direct relationship between the worse eye’s glaucoma severity and the severity of depression. Patients who were depressed were 38 times more likely to not adhere to their treatment plan than patients who were not depressed.

Researchers suspect patients with the most severe glaucoma may fall into a dangerous pattern. The associated depression with severe glaucoma may cause these patients to resist taking medication and attending eye doctor appointments, thereby exacerbating glaucoma and depression.

The authors of the paper wrote, “Patients with a decreased visual field become physically impaired due to the chronicity of their disease such as when they perform certain daily activities such as driving. The possibility of becoming blind generates anxiety and social withdrawal and the elevated cost associated with medical and surgical treatment adds to their stress” (Journal of Glaucoma).

The study suggests patients with glaucoma should create a team of specialists, including an ophthalmologist, glaucoma specialist, psychiatrist and psychologist to produce the best outcome.

Risk Factors for Glaucoma

Anyone can develop glaucoma, and it is a challenging disease to diagnose and treat. Are you familiar with the risk factors of glaucoma? You may be at increased risk for glaucoma if you:

  • Are 60 or older
  • Are diabetic
  • Are severely nearsighted
  • Have a family member who has glaucoma

Call Your Ophthalmologist

An annual comprehensive eye exam includes a glaucoma screening. During your exam, your ophthalmologist can perform a test to evaluate your inner eye pressure and let you know if you are at risk for developing glaucoma.

Optic nerve damage is permanent, so there is no cure for glaucoma. Therefore, it is imperative to detect glaucoma early. Early detection allows for immediate intervention to stop the progression of glaucoma. There are many treatments available to manage the condition such as:

  • Laser treatments
  • Medication
  • Traditional surgery
  • MIGS-minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.

A board-certified eye doctor can help carefully manage your glaucoma so you can maintain your active lifestyle.

Visit Your Eye Doctor to Treat Your Pandemic-Related Dry Eye

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More patients are visiting the eye doctor during the pandemic due to increased screen time and subsequent dry eye syndrome.

What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a common condition that affects millions of Americans. It results when the tear glands do not make sufficient tears to lubricate the eyes. Untreated, dry eye can cause significant discomfort and vision problems, so it is best to visit an eye doctor for relief.

Dry Eye Cases Increasing in the United States

Eye care specialists are seeing increased numbers of patients during the pandemic. COVID-19 quarantine and lockdowns have forced much of the American workforce and school systems to go remote, and eye health is suffering. Staring at computer and smartphone screens all day can decrease the blink rate by 33 percent and cause eye fatigue, eye strain and dry eye (Medical Xpress).

It is essential to seek treatment for dry eye because, when severe, it can lead to severe vision complications, including:

  1. Surface damage to the eyes. Severe dry eye can result in inflammation, corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers and loss of vision.
  2. Eye infections. Natural tears protect the eyes from infection. Inadequate tear production can put the eyes at risk for invasion from germs and bacteria.
  3. Decreased quality of life. Dry eye can make it challenging to perform daily tasks like reading and driving.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

Anyone can get dry eye, regardless of age. Typical symptoms of dry eye include:

  • Red eyes
  • Stinging or burning of the eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Watery eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • A scratchy feeling in the eye

Natural Treatments for Dry Eye

If you are experiencing dry eye syndrome symptoms, call your eye doctor to make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam. In the meantime, you can try some of these natural treatments:

  1. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
  2. Take regular breaks from screens. Remember the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break from your screen and look at something at least 20 feet away to refocus your eyes.
  3. Position your computer screen below eye level. You will not have to open your eyes as wide.
  4. Quit smoking or avoid areas where people smoke.
  5. Try over-the-counter lubricating eye drops.

Call Your Ophthalmologist

Annual comprehensive eye exams are an essential part of preventive care. Eye exams offer a window to your overall health, and your ophthalmologist will test you for several eye diseases as well as evaluate your eye prescription. Find an eye care specialist in your area.

New Study Says Ocular Hypertension Can Prevent Glaucoma

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Elevated inner eye pressure can cause glaucoma and vision loss, but not in all patients, according to a new study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a general term for a family of diseases that damage the optic nerve and can cause permanent vision loss. The most common type of glaucoma is primary open-angle glaucoma. In this type, the channels that drain the eye’s fluid become gradually obstructed, causing the pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure) to rise.

In angle-closure glaucoma, fluid builds up suddenly and causes dangerous pressure spikes.

Open-angle glaucoma has few symptoms, so it is essential to detect glaucoma in the early stages to prevent irreversible eye damage. Once symptoms are present, vision loss has already occurred.

Ocular Hypertension

In most patients with glaucoma, elevated intraocular pressure would prove to be quite dangerous. However, according to a new study from LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence and the University of Copenhagen, a subset of glaucoma patients does not have this same sensitivity: those with ocular hypertension.

Why do patients with ocular hypertension not have the optic nerve damage that is glaucoma? After all, ocular hypertension is when intraocular pressure is higher than what is in the “normal” range.

The study found patients with ocular hypertension possess “increased antioxidant capacity and higher levels of anti-inflammatory, omega-3 derived chemical messengers involved in sustaining cell function in their plasma compared to patients with normal-tension glaucoma and age-matched controls.”

Having an increased amount of omega-3 fatty acid chemical messengers seems to lower oxidative stress in the eye and prevent the optic nerve’s deterioration.

This new research could provide exciting new therapies for glaucoma patients: “The study opens avenues of therapeutic exploration highlighting the significance of the omega-3 fatty acid chemical messengers’ antioxidant capacity as a potential diagnostic biomarker and as a novel treatment to prevent glaucomatous neurodegeneration,” notes Dr. Nicolas G. Bazan, Boyd Professor, Ernest C. and Ivette C. Villere Chair of Retinal Degeneration, and Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine (Medical Xpress).

Facts about Glaucoma

This study’s results are exciting, but the fact remains that glaucoma is a complex disease that can affect anyone. Here are some essential facts about glaucoma:

  1. Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness in the world.
  2. Glaucoma affects more than three million Americans, but over half are unaware they have the disease.
  3. African Americans are 15 times more likely than Caucasians to have glaucoma-related vision loss.
  4. Risk factors for glaucoma include being over age 60, having diabetes, having a family member with glaucoma and being severely nearsighted.

Call Your Ophthalmologist

You can protect your vision by making annual appointments for a comprehensive eye exam. During your exam, your eye doctor can test your inner eye pressure and tell you whether you have ocular hypertension or are at risk for glaucoma.

Early glaucoma detection can help preserve your eyesight so you can maintain an active, independent lifestyle. Call an ophthalmologist today to schedule your annual eye exam.