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Schedule Your Comprehensive Eye Exam Before the Year Ends

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The calendar year is coming to a close. You can take advantage of your health insurance benefits by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam or eye procedure before the end of the year.

If you haven’t maximized your health insurance benefits, it’s time to take action. One of the best ways to stretch your healthcare dollars is to schedule appointments and procedures after you meet your annual deductible. Your healthcare deductible is the amount you must pay for covered medical procedures before your insurance company begins to contribute.

Most deductibles reset on Jan. 1, so now is the time to evaluate whether you should schedule a comprehensive eye exam or cataract surgery. If you meet your deductible, your out-of-pocket responsibility for an elective eye procedure could be considerably less.

Importance of Comprehensive Eye Exams

Yearly eye exams are important for people of all ages and are essential for preventive care. Eye exams test more than your vision. They provide an assessment of your overall health. During a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor will test you for focusing problems, eye diseases and refractive errors (like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism).

Some of the most common eye diseases include the following:
Cataracts: a clouding of the eye lens that will affect everyone at some point
Glaucoma: a family of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve
Macular degeneration: a condition that destroys a person’s sharp, central vision

An eye exam can often detect conditions like hypertension and high cholesterol. If you have diabetes, you are at increased risk for cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Therefore, it is essential to have regular eye exams to manage your condition and preserve your vision.

Why You Should Schedule an Eye Procedure at an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC)

If your ophthalmologist detects an eye disease like a cataract, you can have it removed with cataract surgery. The good news is that you don’t have to schedule cataract surgery or an eye procedure at a hospital. An ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is a less-expensive option and offers exceptional patient care.

An ASC is often smaller than a hospital, which makes it easier to navigate, and it usually has convenient parking. In addition, most procedures at an ASC will be more cost-effective because they don’t have all the overhead costs of a hospital. Finally, an ASC dedicates itself to specific procedures like cataract surgery rather than emergency procedures, so your appointment is less likely to get delayed or rescheduled.

Make an Appointment With an Ophthalmologist

Have you met your deductible already? Schedule your procedure before the end of the calendar year to take full advantage of your health plan’s benefits. Your deductible will reset soon, so contact your insurance company to verify your status.

Are you looking for a board-certified ophthalmologist? It is simple to locate one of our eye care centers. Our centers are located nationwide, and our doctors are accepting new patients. Call today and request an appointment before the end of the year.

Some Foods May Lower Your Risk for Cataracts

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Some risk factors for cataracts are out of your control, but you can choose certain healthy foods to lower your risk of developing cataracts.

What Causes Cataracts?

Cataracts develop naturally as part of the aging process. Around age 40, proteins in the eye’s lens clump together, creating a cloudy area or cataract. Several risk factors can cause cataracts to develop more quickly or at a younger age. These may include the following:

  • Using tobacco or alcohol
  • Diseases like diabetes, glaucoma or hypertension
  • Overexposure to sunlight, ultraviolet rays or x-rays
  • Eye trauma
  • Nutrition deficiency

Foods That Fight Against Cataracts

Certain foods may help reduce your risk for cataracts or delay cataract development.

Eggs

Eggs are a high-quality protein recommended for most adults for a heart-healthy diet. In addition, egg yolks are high in zeaxanthin, a pigment that promotes eye health. One study found that for every 10 milligrams of zeaxanthin, patients experienced a 26 percent decrease in cataract development.

Salmon

Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which is associated with lower cataract risk. It also contains high amounts of selenium and iodine. Some good plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids are flax seeds, chia seeds and walnuts.

SunGold Kiwi

Vitamin C significantly impacts eye health, especially when it comes to cataracts. Studies show that higher levels of vitamin C reduce the risk of a cataract. Kiwi has more vitamin C than any commonly eaten fruit. In particular, SunGold kiwi is among the most nutritionally dense fruits and contains more than 100 percent of the recommended vitamin C intake.

Pumpkin

Research proves that diets rich in vitamins A and E are associated with fewer cataracts. One serving of pumpkin provides 300 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin E and 10 percent of vitamin A. You don’t have to wait until fall to indulge in pumpkin. Add pumpkin puree to smoothies, muffins and oatmeal.

Comprehensive Eye Exams Diagnose Cataracts Early

An ophthalmologist can examine you for cataracts as part of a comprehensive eye exam. Your treatment will depend on how fully the cataract has developed. Surgery is the only way to eliminate a cataract, but you may not require surgery immediately. However, you will want to schedule cataract surgery once cataracts begin to interfere with driving, reading or housework.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common and safe procedures performed in the United States. A surgeon will remove the clouded lens from your eye and replace it with a clear, artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). These lenses will never wear out and are customized to your eye to provide near vision, distance vision or both.

Are you under the care of a board-certified ophthalmologist? We can help. Our physicians are accepting new patients and are ready to meet your vision needs. In addition, our eye care centers are located nationwide and offer complete vision care for the entire family.

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.

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.

Increased Screen Time Threatens Children’s Eyesight

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A new study suggests increased time on digital devices has adversely affected children’s eye health and general well-being.

Digital Device Usage Increased During Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic caused millions of children to adjust to remote learning and to depend on digital devices for their education. A recent paper published in the Journal of School Health analyzed global research studies conducted during the pandemic and discovered that children and teens have significantly increased their screen time.

Worldwide research studies found the following to be true:

  • Almost 90 percent of Canadian parents said their children were exceeding the two-hour guideline suggested by health authorities.
  • Average screen time for children increased by one hour per day in Germany.
  • A Chilean study found preschool and toddler children averaged more than three hours per day of screen time.
  • Researchers in Tunisia said children’s screen time increased 111 percent.

Digital Eye Strain Tied to Health Risks

When children do not have healthy limits on screen time, their health can suffer. For example, too much time on electronic devices puts children at risk for digital eye strain, which is characterized by itchy, red, watery eyes that can feel irritated and uncomfortable. Staring at screens can also increase the likelihood of dry eye, uncorrected refractive errors and unstable binocular vision. It can also result in shoulder and neck strain and back pain.

Using digital devices can also have long-term health consequences. Because it is a passive activity, excessive screen time can cause overeating and even obesity.

“It is really important to be aware of the potential risks to children’s short and long-term eye and general health. It is essential that devices are used appropriately and that activities away from digital devices are encouraged, such as playing outdoors,” said lead author Professor Shahina Pardhan, director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute at Anglia Ruskin University (Medical Xpress).

Tips to Prevent Digital Eye Strain

Parents can help children set boundaries for electronic device usage. Have a conversation with your children to help them understand that screen time can affect their vision and overall health. Here are some tips for discussing with your children:

  1. Establish time limits for digital device usage.
  2. Remind children that homework on a digital device takes priority over playing online games or watching television.
  3. Consider limiting video games, online games and television to weekends.
  4. Teach your children the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away.

Schedule Comprehensive Eye Exams for Your Family

One of the best ways to maintain healthy vision for the whole family is to schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam with dilation. Annual eye exams ensure an eye doctor can diagnose any refractive or focusing error or eye condition that could affect your child’s vision.

An ophthalmologist can also provide you with suggestions on creating healthy boundaries regarding screen time. Sometimes, your kids will be more willing to take advice from their eye doctor than you!

Don’t forget to also make an eye exam for yourself. A yearly checkup is essential for diagnosing common eye diseases like cataracts,  glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Find an Ophthalmologist in Your Area

Are you looking for a board-certified ophthalmologist near you? We can help. Use our Find a Physician locator tool to find an ophthalmologist who is accepting new patients in your area.

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.

Face Masks May Increase the Risk of Dry, Irritated Eyes

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Face masks have become a part of everyday life in the past two years because of the pandemic. While face masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19, they can cause many other unwanted side effects, such as dry, irritated eyes or even a condition called dry eye.

What Is Mask-associated Dry Eye (MADE)?

Mask-associated dry eye (MADE) has affected most of the United States’ population. It occurs when exhaled air channels up out of the face mask and over the eye’s surface. Increased air over the eye evaporates tears more quickly and makes the eyes irritated, gritty, itchy and watery.

One study found that three groups were more susceptible to MADE:

  • Females
  • People who have a history of dry eye disease
  • Anyone wearing a mask longer than three hours per day

Other causes of MADE include prolonged face mask usage in air conditioning and increased use of digital devices.

How You Can Prevent MADE

Face masks are not going away soon, but you can take several steps to alleviate MADE.

  1. Learn the appropriate way to wear a face mask. Make sure your face mask fits closely to your nose, or tape the top of your mask to direct airflow downward.
  2. Limit your time in air conditioning or windy weather.
  3. Take regular breaks from digital devices. Remember the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away.
  4. Try lubricating drops if your eyes feel itchy, gritty or uncomfortable. Ask your eye doctor before using any new product.
  5. Schedule regular comprehensive eye exams with your eye doctor.

Comprehensive Eye Exams Can Diagnose Dry Eye Disease

When was the last time you scheduled a comprehensive eye exam? A complete eye exam with dilation can detect and diagnose common eye conditions like dry eye, cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration. Preventing eye disease is always preferable to treating it. Let us help you find a board-certified ophthalmologist in your area. Click here to use our Find a Physician locator tool.

No Glasses Needed? Monovision After Cataract Surgery

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Do you find yourself squinting to read food labels, menus or your phone? You may have presbyopia, or “aging eye.” As we age, the eye lens loses flexibility, and it becomes difficult to focus on close objects. There are many ways to treat presbyopia. Many people may opt to use a magnifying glass, reading glasses or prescription glasses.

Another option is called monovision or blended vision. This kind of vision can be achieved with contact lenses, LASIK (refractive surgery) or an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).

How Monovision or Blended Vision Works

Everyone has a dominant eye. It is usually the eye that you prefer seeing with if you cover one eye. Your eye doctor can correct your dominant eye for distance vision and leave your non-dominant eye slightly nearsighted to use for seeing objects up close.

Even though it is called monovision, you are still using both eyes. Many people find monovision works well for them, and over time, they cannot tell which eye they use for near vision and which they use for distance vision.

Is Monovision Right for You?

Not everyone can adapt to monovision. Your ophthalmologist may recommend trying blended vision using contact lenses first before a surgical procedure like cataract surgery. In cataract surgery, a surgeon will remove the deteriorated, brittle lens and replace it with an artificial, intraocular lens customized to your vision needs. Often, cataract surgery can reduce dependence on glasses. In some cases, when people can adapt to monovision, they may not have to wear glasses.

Are There Any Downsides to Monovision?

Some people may lose some depth perception when one eye focuses on distance and the other eye focuses on close objects. Other people find they still need reading glasses to decipher small print.

Find an Ophthalmologist Near You

Are you considering cataract surgery, or would you like to reduce your dependence on glasses and corrective lenses? Our board-certified ophthalmologists are accepting new patients and are ready to assist you. Find an eye doctor near you to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. To maximize your health benefits, make your eye appointments before the end of the year when your deductible resets.

COVID Quarantine May Have Worsened Children’s Vision

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A recent study suggests that pandemic lockdown may have increased myopia, or nearsightedness, in school-aged children.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness, can run in families. Still, environmental factors, such as spending too much time indoors, can contribute to children becoming nearsighted.

The 2020 lockdown closed schools across the country and confined millions of children to their homes. While quarantine was essential to protect against the COVID-19 virus, too much time indoors may have negatively impacted children’s vision health.

Lockdown Affected Children Ages Six to Eight the Most

Less time outdoors is a significant risk factor for myopia. According to research published in JAMA Opthalmology, COVID quarantine may have increased myopia in children ages 6 to 13 in China, particularly children between ages 6 and 8. In addition, higher levels of screen time due to online classes and more time spent on electronic devices can directly affect children’s vision according to researchers.

Experts theorize that less time outdoors affects young children more significantly because their eyes are in an earlier stage of development, and myopia may be easier to control in younger children.

Send Children Outside and Limit Screen Time

Parents have an instrumental role in protecting their children’s vision. Encourage your child to play outside every day and limit screen time, even in colder months. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time (except video-chatting) in children younger than 18 to 24 months and only educational media for young children.

New research from The Sleep Foundation also suggests blue light from electronic devices can impair children’s sleep. Artificial light disrupts the natural sleep-wake cycle by fooling the brain into not producing melatonin before bed.

Schedule an Eye Exam Before the End of the Year

It’s hard to believe that we’re approaching the end of the year. Have you scheduled eye exams for your family? A comprehensive eye exam is one of the best decisions you can make for your eye health, and it only takes about an hour. Your eye doctor can assess your visual acuity and screen you for common eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.

Most vision plans include one comprehensive eye exam per year for covered individuals, so don’t let time get away from you. Call today to make appointments for the whole family.

Find an Ophthalmologist Near You

Are you seeking quality care from a board-certified ophthalmologist? We can help. Click here to find an eye doctor near you. Our physicians are accepting new patients and are ready to care for your vision health.

Schedule Your Cataract Surgery or Eye Procedure at an Outpatient Surgery Center

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Many hospitals and healthcare facilities are delaying elective surgeries and procedures, but it’s important to remember your eye procedure is essential for your vision and health.

COVID-19 Delays Elective Procedures

Was your eye surgery delayed because of the pandemic? With the resurgence of COVID-19, many hospitals are delaying elective eye procedures like cataract surgery and glaucoma procedures.

The term “elective” does not refer to the importance of the procedures. Instead, it distinguishes between surgeries due to emergencies and those you can schedule in advance.

For example, procedures like knee replacements or non-emergency hernia repairs are considered elective because you can schedule them for a future date. Many eye procedures, like cataract surgery, are also considered elective. Although elective, each of these procedures is essential for good health.

Importance of Prompt Eye Procedures

Low vision can prevent you from living an active lifestyle and doing the things you love. A canceled or delayed eye procedure means you may experience:

  • Challenges with reading or driving.
  • Difficulty doing tasks around your home.
  • Increased risk of falls or fractures.

Consider an Ambulatory Surgery Center for Eye Procedures

Although many hospitals have pushed back eye surgeries, you have options. Scheduling your procedure at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) may be a good choice for several reasons:

  • Outpatient surgery centers dedicate themselves to specific procedures, not emergency or trauma, so your appointment may be less likely to be affected.
  • Because many ASCs are smaller than other health care facilities, they are easily navigable and usually have convenient parking.
  • Your procedure may be more cost-effective at an ASC.

Schedule Your Cataract Surgery Before Your Deductible Resets

Have you met your deductible already? Schedule your procedure before the end of the calendar year to take full advantage of your health plan’s benefits. Your deductible will reset in January, so contact your insurance company to verify your status. Cataract surgery is one of the most successful surgeries performed today, and it may be less costly than you think.

Find an Ophthalmologist Near You

When is the last time you made an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam? A board-certified ophthalmologist can give you a full assessment of your vision health and advise you on any necessary eye procedures.

Clear vision is the key to maintaining your active lifestyle. Click here to find an eye doctor near you.