Category: eye health

eye health

Eye Health May Show Insight to Brain Health

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It is joked that “eyes are the mirrors to your heart,” but they saying may need to change to “eyes are the mirrors to your health.” Eye health gains more and more attention; after recent studies indicate other severe health issues are discovered through routine eye exams. The trend continues, as a recent US study proposes that screenings for retinopathy serves as an indicator for brain health. Data from the research show that women age 65 and over with any signs retinopathy, were more likely to show a cognitive regression of the brain. The exams give light to aging issues, such as dementia. This correlation and link solidifies the importance of eye health and routine comprehensive exams.
The complete findings, found in Neurology March 2012 issue, illustrates that an uncomplicated eye test could delve into early signs on retinopathy. Consequently allowing earlier diagnosis and treatments ultimately slowing the process or stopping the disease all together. Furthermore, this information provides insight on early diagnosis and treatment to reduce cognitive degeneration to dementia.
Retinopathy is an eye disease, resulting in blood vessels collecting in the retina at the back of the eye. The retina is a fine layer of light-sensitive tissue along … Read the rest

eye health

What Is Pediatric Eye Care?

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Pediatric eye care is a sub-speciality of ophthalmology that relates to vision care and eye diseases in children. Since good vision is a basic requirement for academic performance and social interaction and influences every aspect of a child’s life, regular eye examinations are a must.
Benefits of eye care for children:
In growing children, good vision is a prerequisite for proper development, both mental and physical. If there are vision problems, detecting them early can ensure timely treatment. A reputed ophthalmologist, besides routine exams and lens fittings provides care and treatment for a range of sight-related problems in children such as:
• Refractive errors related to near vision, far vision and astigmatism
• Lazy eye or amblyopia assessment and treatment
• Strabismus or crossed eye
• Eye infections and inflammation
• Blocked tear ducts
• Eye injury
• Screening for juvenile diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis
• Retinopathy
The ophthalmologist has the expertise to diagnose the need for glasses based on a full eye health examination. This is usually done by dilating the pupils to relax the muscles as this allows the correct measurement. The physician then uses a retinoscope to examine the eye to decide on a course of treatment … Read the rest

eye health

More Than An Eye Examination

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Mrs. J., a long time patient of mine, commented, as I was doing her eye examination, “You have found everything with me.” I asked, “What do you mean?” “Well not only did you find my retinal tear, but you were the first one to suspect my high blood pressure and diabetes.” This is one example which illustrates the value of an eye examination to not just assess the eyes and vision but to sometimes find general health disorders. Some of the more common ones are hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease and some arthritic conditions.
Generally, hypertension is a symptomless disease. The person does not know it exists unless it is specifically tested. However signs of hypertension can often be found in an eye examination when the optometrist examines the retina (at the inside back of the eye). Viewing the retina is like looking into a window on the body’s vascular system since veins and arterioles can be clearly seen. Typical signs of hypertension would include narrowing of the arterioles, and flame shaped hemorrhages in the retina.
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness in North America and thus extremely important in eye care. It is suspected in an eye … Read the rest

eye health

Reasons to Quit Smoking for Eye Health

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Doctors and health professionals around the globe, have the unanimous decision that smoking causes or links to dozens of harmful and life threatening health conditions. Somehow in a world of “no’s” to smoking, cigarettes still appear. Well if you needed even one more reason to kick the habit, we have one for you. Aside from the usual awareness of the dangers of smoking on the cardiovascular, respiratory systems, and cancer, cigarettes also have a negative impact on eye health. Need help with reasons to kick the habit? There are plenty, but here are just a few related to eye health.
Reason #1 – Smoking causes cell damage
Studies show that smoking narrows the blood vessels, reducing the blood supply to the eye and causing cell damage. Smoking declines the quantities of antioxidants, and other protections your eye needs to function properly. The aqueous humor (liquid) and the tissue adjoining the eye and retina deplete due to smoking and create the opportunity for many harmful eye conditions. Once the cells in the eyes are damages they cannot repair themselves and adequately repair the eye.
Reason #2 – Smoking causes retinal damage which leads to vision loss
It is proven that the … Read the rest

eye health

All You Should Know About Glaucoma: Risk Factors and Testing!

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If it is diagnosed soon, glaucoma can be taken care of to avoid greater decline in eyesight or sight loss. Although, because they are experienced in a gradual manner, the indications of glaucoma can be hard to spot without a test carried out by an eye doctor. If glaucoma hits a late phase without being diagnosed, it may cause severe vision loss.
Glaucoma results from damage to the optic nerve, caused by a boost of fluid pressure in the eye or a problem in the optic nerve itself.
The eye requires a specific amount of pressure to permit the eye to maintain its shape, because it is made up of liquid, called aqueous humour. In a strong eye, this liquid moves throughout the eyeball at a consistent pace. If the drainage tubes which carry the liquid away from the eyeball become clogged, strain starts to develop within the eye. This increase in pressure can cause harm to the optic nerve.
Specific characteristics make an individual more disposed to having glaucoma:
– The main consideration is age. The older someone becomes, the greater the chance of glaucoma developing.
– Someone suffering from short-sightedness or myopia also has a greater chance to … Read the rest