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Our organization has always valued the opportunity to teach others the importance of eye care and how immeasurable the gift of sight truly is. Part of our life’s work is educating our community about the importance of eye preservation and to compel others to truly value their vision.
Questions & Answers About Eye Health
Why does the eye doctor need to know about medications and health problems unrelated to my eyes? Answer >>
How do bifocal contact lenses work? Answer >>
Can I do anything to prevent glaucoma? Answer >>
What can I do to help my dry eyes? Answer >>
Can I really get rid of my glasses after LASIK surgery? Answer >>
How do you know if you have glaucoma? Answer >>
What are ultra violet rays, and how does wearing sunglasses protect our eyes from them? Answer >>
What vitamins or foods are good for your eyes? Answer >>
Can high blood pressure affect eyes? Answer >>
How often should a person with diabetes have their eyes checked? Answer >>
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Why does the eye doctor need to know about medications and health problems unrelated to my eyes?
There are many diseases and medications that are health risk to the eyes. The most obvious are diabetes and hypertension. However, diseases such as lupus, kidney disease, cancer, heart disease, anemia, dermatological disorders, as well as many others may have eye related problems. Some medications can cause glaucoma, cataracts, dry eyes, and / or focusing problems. One of the more recent medications found to affect the eyes is Viagra® (sildenafil citrate). Since there are risks you may be unaware of please inform your eye care professional of all your health issues and the medications you are taking.
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How do bifocal contact lenses work?
There are many different designs for bifocal or multi-focal lenses. One that I use frequently has the power at the very center of the lens for close work and the more peripheral portion for distance vision. This design is “pupil dependent.” The pupil is the dark center of the iris and is an opening to the back of the eye. When we look at a distant object our pupils naturally open up or dilate and this allows us to view through the peripheral portion of the lens. When we look at a close object our pupils get smaller allowing us to only see through the center portion of the contact. This design allows us to adjust the distant and close portions of the lens separately.
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Can I do anything to prevent glaucoma?
The best thing you can do is to have annual eye examinations to make sure the optic nerves are healthy. Some studies have found exercise can lower the pressures a small amount. Recently, studies have found some correlation between eye pressure and blood pressure. Therefore, good blood pressure control may have a small effect on lowering eye pressure. However, a person can have eye pressures within a “normal” range and yet have glaucoma. This is why it is important to have your eye checked regularly, especially if there is a family history of glaucoma. A family history increases your risk by approximately 30%.
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What can I do to help my dry eyes?
A deficiency in the tears can occur with age or in response to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and acne rosacea. Some drugs such as antihistamines or oral contraceptives and surgeries such as LASIK can cause dry eyes. The prescription medication Restasis® (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) can work well in some cases, but it can take a few months to reach its full potential. Finally, plugs to block the tear drainage can work well to keep the tears that are produced on the eye longer giving the eyes relief. See your eye care professional to find out which option is best for you.
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Can I really get rid of my glasses after LASIK surgery?
LASIK surgery represents a great advancement in refractive surgery and can drastically reduce or eliminate a person’s dependence on glasses or contacts. However, if a person is loosing their ability to focus, they may need reading glasses. Sometimes after surgery there is a problem with glare and glasses when anti-reflective coatings are worn. LASIK is a wonderful surgery, but it is surgery and should not be taken lightly. It is important you understand the risk and ensure the surgeon has had significant experience. Finally, make sure you have realistic expectations.
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How do you know if you have glaucoma?
Glaucoma, in most cases, silently destroys your vision. Rarely colored halos around lights are a symptom of glaucoma, but typically there are no symptoms until there is loss of vision. Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve. Pressure within the eye damages the nerve fibers and causes a loss of vision. However, the amount of pressure necessary to cause damage varies individually; therefore the appearance of the nerve is more important in a glaucoma evaluation than the pressure. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S., but can be controlled with medications and rarely surgery.
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What are ultra violet rays, and how does wearing sunglasses protect our eyes from them?
In addition to putting out visible light, the sun radiates ultraviolet light. This radiation is not visible to us, but can be very harmful. The radiation is divided into three types: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. The earth’s ozone layer absorbs UV-C, leaving glasses with UV protection to protect our eyes from UV-A and B. Studies indicate that long-term exposure to UV-A and B can contribute to the development of cataracts, macular degeneration, and growths on the eye’s surface.
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What vitamins or foods are good for your eyes?
Many studies have been done to find the right supplements for the eyes. The studies have suggested a positive correlation in eating foods rich in lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, vitamins C, E, and zinc. Most fruits and vegetables are great sources for vitamin C. Vitamin E is more difficult to obtain since it is found in small quantities. However, vegetable oils, almonds, pecans, wheat germ and sunflower seeds are good sources. Beta-carotene is present in dark green leafy vegetables and deep orange or yellow fruits. Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in many foods, but a primary source is the dark green leafy vegetables. Finally, zinc is found in meats, liver, shellfish, milk, whole grains, and wheat germ.
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Can high blood pressure affect eyes?
The increase in blood pressure can cause hypertensive retinopathy. This is damage from hemorrhaging and leaking vessels, swollen tissue, or even optic nerve damage. This can lead to blurred vision, which may become permanent loss of vision if not treated. Often there are no eye symptoms; therefore it is important to have your eyes checked at least yearly to ensure healthy eyes. Improving blood pressure can stop or even reverse some changes that have occurred. Your primary care doctor will advise you on what is the best blood pressure level for you.
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How often should a person with diabetes have their eyes checked?
It depends if there are changes in the eye from diabetes. An examination should be done upon the initial diagnosis and then yearly to ensure healthy eyes. If damage is being done to the eyes, evaluations are performed more frequently. The longer you have diabetes the greater the chance it will affect your eyes. Generally changes from diabetes will occur in around 60 percent of individuals after 15 years even with good blood sugar control. Therefore, the better the blood sugar is controlled the less opportunity for damage from diabetes.
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