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Preventing Pink Eye as Students Go Back to School

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August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, a time to focus on protecting and maintaining children’s eye health. Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is a common eye condition in school-aged children, but it is often improperly diagnosed, which can sometimes worsen the infection.

What Is Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye?

As school begins, parents can anticipate their children contracting contagious illnesses like the common cold, strep throat and pink eye. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, develops when infection or allergies irritate the conjunctiva, the mucus membrane that covers the inside of the eyelids and the front of the eye. Pink eye is the most frequently diagnosed eye infection in the United States, infecting up to six million people annually. Typical symptoms of pink eye include the following:

  • Pinkness or redness in the white of the eyes
  • Increased tear production
  • Swelling of the conjunctiva
  • Burning or itching
  • Feeling like there is a foreign object in the eyes
  • An urge to rub the eyes

Three Common Types of Pink Eye

There are three common types of conjunctivitis with three unique causes.

Viral conjunctivitis is the most common type of pink eye. It is highly contagious and can easily transmit in schools and populated areas. Often occurring in conjunction with a cold, respiratory infection or the flu, viral pink eye can begin in one eye and spread to the other. This type often causes a watery discharge, rather than a thick discharge.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is also very contagious. It often causes sore, red eyes with a thick discharge that causes the eyelids to crust and stick together. Sometimes, bacterial conjunctivitis develops along with an ear infection or strep throat.

Allergic conjunctivitis develops due to an allergic reaction to an environmental irritant like animals, pollen or cigarette smoke. It is not contagious but can cause inflammation, itching and redness.

How to Treat Pink Eye

Most cases of pink eye develop from viruses or allergies and do not respond to antibiotics. Viral conjunctivitis usually improves in one to two weeks without treatment. Although bacterial conjunctivitis responds to antibiotic eye drops, most cases of bacterial pink eye are mild and improve within a week or two without medication.

Unfortunately, doctors overprescribe antibiotics for pink eye symptoms. A study by the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center found that 60 percent of patients with conjunctivitis symptoms receive a prescription for antibiotics, even though antibiotics are often not necessary. In addition, about 20 percent receive antibiotic steroid drops, which can worsen the infection and potentially cause antibiotic resistance.

Call Your Eye Doctor if Your Child Has Pink Eye Symptoms

If your child exhibits symptoms of pink eye, call your ophthalmologist instead of going to a walk-in clinic. Often, conjunctivitis will clear up on its own without medication. Your eye doctor can suggest ways to help your child stay comfortable and prevent spreading the infection to other family members.

Before school begins, schedule a yearly comprehensive eye exam for your family. An eye exam takes less than an hour, and you’ll ensure your family’s vision is healthy and clear when classes resume. You can talk to your eye doctor about any vision or eye concerns you may have. If you are not under the care of a board-certified ophthalmologist, our eye care centers are here to meet your needs.

Failing Vision Can Be Misdiagnosed as Brain Decline

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A new study by the University of South Australia suggests millions of elderly people with vision problems like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are being misdiagnosed with cognitive decline.

What Are Cataracts and Macular Degeneration?

Cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are common causes of vision loss but do not affect cognitive function. Cataracts are a clouding of the eye lens and are the leading cause of vision loss in adults over 55. Over half of Americans will develop a cataract by age 75.

AMD affects five percent of Americans aged 65 and older. Although it does not cause blindness, it affects the ability to drive, read, cook and do everyday tasks.

Poor Vision or Cognitive Impairment?

Brain tests that use vision-dependent tasks could be giving false results in up to 25 percent of patients over 50 who have AMD or cataracts. Researchers from the University of South Australia studied 24 participants with normal vision and asked them to complete two cognitive exams. One exam included vision-dependent activities, and the other used verbal-based metrics.

When the participants used glasses to simulate AMD, they received much lower scores on brain tests involving reaction time tasks compared to when they were not wearing the glasses. The research team noted no difference with verbal fluency tests when participants used the simulation glasses.

“A mistaken score in cognitive tests could have devastating ramifications, leading to unnecessary changes to a person’s living, working, financial or social circumstances,” University of South Australia PhD candidate Anne Macnamara told Medical Xpress. “For example, if a mistaken score contributed to a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, it could trigger psychological problems including depression and anxiety.”

Unfortunately, vision problems are often missed in clinical and research environments. The research team estimates experts underestimate visual impairments in half of all older adults. This statistic will increase as the population ages, so it is crucial that researchers examine vision when analyzing cognitive function in older people.

Prioritize Annual Comprehensive Eye Exams.

A yearly comprehensive eye exam looks at your vision and your eye health. Your ophthalmologist will evaluate you for the following:

  • Focusing problems
  • Refractive errors
  • Eye diseases like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts

Are you looking for a board-certified ophthalmologist in your area? Our eye centers are located nationwide, and our caring staff is equipped to meet your vision needs. Call today to make an appointment.

Vision Improves After Cataract Surgery

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If your eyes are more sensitive to bright lights while driving your car at night, you may have cataracts.

If you notice the color of objects has faded or yellowed, you may have cataracts.

If you experience blurry or double vision in one or both eyes, you may have cataracts.

Nearly one in six or about 24 million Americans 40 or older have cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of your eye, which is normally caused by aging. Cataracts happen when proteins in your lens break down, causing objects around you to look hazy or blurry.

June is Cataract Awareness Month. So, it’s a great time to let you know that cataracts are easy to diagnose and that sight-restoring treatment is readily available. Early symptoms of cataracts may be improved with new glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses, but cataract surgery is the most effective treatment.

Variety of IOLs Available for Vision, Lifestyle

Since 1995, more than 500 million cataract procedures have been performed worldwide. Approximately 4 million cataract procedures are performed every year in the U.S. and nearly 28 million worldwide (Healio).

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that involves removing the cloudy lens from your eye and replacing it with an artificial lens called an IOL, or intraocular lens. An IOL is a clear, plastic lens that becomes a permanent part of your eye and requires no care.

You and your doctor decide which type of IOL is right for your visual needs and your lifestyle. Examples of IOLs include the following:

  • Monofocal lenses offer vision at one distance only (far, intermediate or near).
  • A toric IOL can be used to correct astigmatism to provide clear distance vision.
  • Multifocal IOLs are designed to help you see near, far and intermediate with as little glasses or contact use as possible.

During the pandemic surges, elective surgeries like cataract removal, joint replacements and non-emergency hernia repairs were often canceled to free up hospital beds for COVID-19 patients. Elective surgery is an operation scheduled in advance to address non-life-threatening health problems.

Although it’s considered an elective procedure, cataract surgery is essential for good health. If not treated, cataracts may impair or cause near-complete loss of vision, which can impact the active lifestyle and well-being of the patient.

“Many adults in the U.S. have postponed their medical care and procedures throughout the pandemic, including elective surgeries,” said Indira Venkat, Vice President, Consumer Insights at AARP. “It’s important to keep in touch with your health care providers to maintain good health and wellbeing, especially for older adults who are more likely to have chronic health conditions.” (Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation)

Benefits of Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is one of the safest, most common and most effective surgical procedures performed in the United States, according to the U.S. National Eye Institute. This outpatient surgery only takes a few hours from the time you arrive at the center until you go home, allowing you to return to your life quickly. The surgery itself generally takes less than 30 minutes.

The cost of cataract surgery depends on the type of procedure, the facility (hospital vs. ambulatory surgery center), location of the facility (factor in the cost of living) and the type of IOL (standard vs. premium).

Impaired vision can prevent you from living an active lifestyle and doing activities you love with family and friends. If you cancel or delay your cataract surgery, you may experience difficulty performing tasks around your home, increased risk of falls or fractures and challenges with reading or driving.

Schedule Your Eye Exam

Your vision is important to you. Your vision is important to us. If your vision is impaired, don’t delay your care. If you and your doctor determine you have cataracts, consider scheduling cataract surgery at one of our cost-effective ambulatory surgery centers. Click here to find a center near you.

Retinal Test May Help Detect Risk of Early Alzheimer’s

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New research finds that a simple eye test could help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in earlier stages.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are usually diagnosed when people act uncharacteristically or begin to be forgetful. Traditional MRI scans can help doctors detect Alzheimer’s disease but not in early stages. More advanced MRI scans can help detect the disease in earlier stages but these are still investigational and this type of imaging would be costly.

A recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology suggests that a retinal exam can predict Alzheimer’s disease at a much younger age.

Retinal thinning could be indicator of Alzheimer’s

Researchers from the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, analyzed data from 865 Dunedin Study participants at age 45, looking specifically at the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL).

Participants with thicker GCL and RNFL exhibited stronger cognitive performance in childhood and adulthood. However, thinner RNFL was associated with a more significant decline in mental processing speed in childhood and adulthood. According to the study, RNFL could be an indicator of brain health.

“Given we haven’t been able to treat advanced Alzheimer’s, and that the global prevalence of the disease is increasing, being able to identify people in the preclinical stage, when we may still have the chance to intervene, is really important,” said Ashleigh Barrett-Young, Ph.D., Research Fellow at University of Otago (Medical Xpress).

Although further research is necessary to determine whether a thinning retina can indicate Alzheimer’s, this study provides hope that optical scans could assist in predicting cognitive decline.

Comprehensive eye exams can diagnose early eye disease

When is the last time you scheduled a comprehensive eye exam with dilation? Yearly eye exams can diagnose many common eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration, which can cause irreversible eye damage.

Getting annual eye checkups can also diagnose cataracts, a common vision problem. Cataract-related vision loss is treatable through cataract surgery, a safe, routine procedure. On average, cataract surgeons perform about 10 million cataract operations every year to restore eyesight.

Finally, comprehensive eye exams can also help detect chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes because these diseases target the eyes. It has been said that your eyes are a window to your overall health, so make your eye health a priority.

Find an ophthalmologist in your area

If you are looking for a board-certified ophthalmologist near your home, we can help. Use our Find a Physician locator tool. Our doctors are accepting new patients and are ready to provide you and your family members with compassionate care. Call today and make an appointment for your family.

Cataract Surgery Could Lower Your Risk for Dementia

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Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed today. Both safe and effective, cataract removal can often provide people with the clearest eyesight they have ever experienced. In addition, new research finds that cataract surgery could offer an unexpected benefit: a reduced risk of developing dementia.

Cataract Surgery Lowers Dementia Risk by 30 Percent

The Adult Changes in Thought study observed 5,000 patients over age 65. Based on data from 3,000 participants, the research team discovered that patients who had cataract surgery experienced a 30 percent lower risk of developing dementia than patients who did not have cataract surgery. Additionally, they found the reduced risk of dementia lasted at least ten years after surgery.

“This is really exciting because no other medical intervention has shown such a strong association with lessening dementia risk in older individuals,” said Cecilia S Lee, M.D., associate professor and Klorfine Family Endowed Chair in ophthalmology at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the lead researcher for the study (Medical Xpress).

Other Health Benefits of Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery can offer many other health benefits besides a lower risk for dementia.

  1. Reduced risk for falls and fractures. Poor vision is a common cause of falling. A 2012 study found cataract surgery reduced the risk for hip fractures in the elderly by 23 percent.
  2. Improved night vision and driving safety. One study used driving simulators to evaluate patients’ night vision who underwent first and second cataract surgery. After a first surgery, near-misses and collisions dropped by 35 percent. After the second cataract surgery, numbers decreased to 48 percent.
  3. Better quality of life. Cataract removal can improve quality of life as well. Loss of vision can contribute to isolation and depression, but cataract surgery can help people maintain independence and resume the activities they enjoy.

Find an Ophthalmologist Near You

Cataract surgery offers so many benefits for your vision and overall health. Make clear vision a top priority this year by making an appointment with your ophthalmologist.

Have you recently relocated or need to find a new eye doctor? We can help. Click here to use our Find a Physician locator tool.

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.

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.

Eye Exams and Procedures Delayed by COVID-19 Could Result in Vision Loss

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If you had to cancel your eye procedure or eye exam due to COVID-19, you should reschedule your appointment as soon as possible. Delaying annual eye exams can result in later diagnoses of glaucoma, which causes blindness, and cataracts, which can be easily treated by undergoing cataract surgery.

A recent U.S. study revealed that during the initial months of the pandemic, of all medical service lines, ophthalmology had the greatest patient volume loss. In an analysis of more than 2 million patient visits and encounters from 228 hospitals in 40 states, the study, released by Strata Decision Technology, showed ophthalmology lost 81 percent of patient volume year-over-year when comparing two-week volumes in March and April 2020 versus the same period in 2019.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. About 3.6 million cataract surgeries take place annually. The study found cataract surgery volume decreased by 97 percent, the largest reduction of any surgical procedure. Glaucoma procedures dropped by 88 percent for inpatient and outpatient procedures.

Many Americans have also had their comprehensive eye exams canceled in the past several months. If you missed an eye exam and have had to reschedule, it is important to keep the rescheduled appointment. Millions of patients will be calling to make appointments for comprehensive eye exams this month, so it will only get more difficult to see your eye doctor.

What Can I Do While I am Waiting for Surgery?

If you are waiting for your eye procedure to be rescheduled, you may have to ask for help from family members and friends, while taking precautions to protect against COVID-19. It is easier for loved ones to help you if you provide them with specific requests. You may want to ask people to help you with:

  • Shopping
  • House cleaning
  • Lawn and yard care
  • Driving you to and from your eye appointments and doctor appointments

Call your eye doctor today to reschedule your eye procedure or eye exam.

Patient Safety a Top Priority Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

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COVID-19 has had far-reaching impacts on our lives, with medical procedures and surgeries deemed “elective” postponed in order to slow the virus’s spread. In reality, these procedures are far from optional: delaying medical interventions can result in increased health problems, such as deteriorating vision.

Increased Patient Safety Measures to Combat COVID-19

In recent weeks, we have resumed elective cases and implemented a number of protocols to ensure your safety as you take charge of your health and schedule procedures at our ambulatory surgery centers. These measures include:

  • Screening everyone who enters the center for COVID-19 symptoms
  • Taking the temperature of every person who enters the center
  • Requiring masks for all employees and patients
  • Enforcing social distancing guidelines
  • Requesting patient escorts remain in the car until patient is ready to go home
  • Increasing cleaning of high-touch surfaces throughout the day
  • Providing hand sanitizer and tissues

Patients Feel Safe at our Centers

Patients who have already returned to the centers have first-hand experience of the new protocols in action. Their feedback has been extremely positive, with reactions like:

“During this COVID-19 time, I was especially nervous about my procedure but was immediately greeted by the friendliest nurse around. She was very courteous and kept asking if I was fine. She prepared me for the procedure by carefully doing everything that needed to be done and listened to me. The rest of the staff was also very professional and took great care of my needs. Thank you all for a great experience that I hopefully won’t have to repeat for a while.” San Antonio, April 2020

“Even during these crazy times, I was treated with the utmost respect, courtesy, and care. My doctor and her amazing team took the necessary steps to make sure I wasn’t put at greater risk during my procedure. They ensured all my questions were answered, and I was 100% ready going into and out of the procedure.” Escondido, April 2020

“Sanitary, safe, NICE and COMPASSIONATE staff!! Thank you SO MUCH to all of my nurses throughout the entire experience!” Lakeside, AZ, May 2020

Safely Schedule a Procedure

With increased safety measures in place, there has never been a better time to schedule cataract surgery. Stop putting it off and call your ophthalmologist today to take the first step toward improving your sight!

How to Know When You are Ready for Reading Glasses

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Do you ever feel like you look like you’re playing the trombone when reading a book, text or recipe? It goes something like this: you look at the print up-close, then adjust the distance several times until the words come into focus. If this new method of reading is becoming a habit, it might be time for reading glasses.

The 5 Signs It’s Time for Reading Glasses

  1. You are over the age of 40. Everyone’s eyesight changes at a different rate, but most people develop presbyopia in their 40s. Presbyopia is a condition in which the eyes strain to focus on nearby objects. This is different from farsightedness, or hyperopia, a condition in which you can see distant objects clearly, but objects nearby may be blurry. Hyperopia is usually present at birth, but presbyopia develops during the aging process.
  2. You need brighter light when reading. If you never seem to have enough light, regardless of the room type or the number of lamps you have turned on, it may be time to get reading glasses. According to a study, a 60-year-old requires three times as much light as a 20-year-old to do the same tasks.
  3. Your eyes get tired when reading or working at your computer. Do you find yourself dozing off at your computer, or do your eyelids get heavy when you read or do detailed work? If you are developing presbyopia, your eyes are working harder and straining more than they normally would. A temporary solution is to blink more often, take more breaks, or adjust your screen to reduce glare. Another option would be to get some reading glasses!
  4. You are getting more headaches. Consistently straining your eyes to read or focus on crafts could give you headaches. A headache right behind your eyes could be indicative of hyperopia. It is important to remember the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. If your headaches persist, you should visit your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam.
  5. You see halos. When your lens cannot focus light into your retina, it makes your vision appear blurry. You may see glowing circles around lightbulbs or car headlights. Glasses often solve this problem, but this may also be an early sign of cataracts (Source: Readers Digest).

Staying current with your comprehensive eye exams is the best way to know when you need your first pair of reading glasses, or “readers.” At each visit, your eye doctor will test your distance vision and your near vision so your prescription can be adjusted and fine-tuned to your eyes’ needs. If it has been more than one year since your last comprehensive eye exam, call your eye doctor to make an appointment or use our Find a Physician tool.