Sun Damage to your eyes - prevention can be as simple as a fashion statement.

Summertime and warmer weather is almost upon us.  That means lots and lots of sunshine!  Most of us are really good at putting on SPF so that our skin won't get sunburned.  We forget about putting on sun protection for our eyes.  Thus from the front of the eye to the back of the eye, UV exposure can cause damage over a lifetime that can have dire consequences.

An "eye sunburn" (aka Solar Keratopathy or Solar Keratoconjunctivitis)

Just like your skin can get sunburned, the front of your eyes, (your cornea and conjunctiva) can as well.  This can lead to red eyes that feel gritty, burn, and is accompanied by blurry vision.  If this happens to you, your eye doctor can prescribe eye drops to aid in your comfort and improve your vision.

Our natural lens is designed to absorb UV light so as to protect our retinas.  The result of this absorption is clouding of the lens, also known as a cataract.  Just like UV light ages and damages your skin, it also ages your eyes.   I tell my patients, “Cataracts are sort of like getting wrinkles.”  Consider this:  Two people, exactly the same age with similar health histories live many years.  One person lives most of their life indoors.  The other spends most of their life outdoors.   Both are going to get wrinkles because they are aging. However, the person that spent most of their time indoors is going to have much less wrinkles than the person who spent lots of time outside.  The most common type of cataract is called "nuclear sclerosis".  This is where the lens yellows.     Most individuals over the age of 50 have nuclear sclerosis to some degree.  It's thought that a lifetime of UV exposure precipitates their development.  Cataracts eventually progress until vision is affected and they must be surgically removed.

The yellowing of the lens in a Nuclear Sclerosis Cataract.

The back of your eye can suffer damage from light as well.  As a child, did you ever use a magnifying glass to burn a leaf outside in the sunshine?  Just like this magnifying glass, your eye is a system set up to have a focal point on your retina.  While outside without sunglasses on, the cornea and lens are focusing light onto the retina just like the magnifying glass is focusing rays on the leaf. Thankfully, the cornea and lens bear the burden of absorbing most UV light and thus protects the retina from most of this damage.  However, high frequency blue light is not absorbed by these structures and can still be damaging to the retina.  The lack of sun protection in this scenario can aid in the development of retinal conditions like age-related macular degeneration.

Now you know that you need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.   Are all sunglasses created equal? The answer to that is a resounding, “No”.  Wearing sunglasses that lack UV protection is like wearing sheer fabric and hoping not to get sunburned.  When you buy your sunglasses make sure they have a sticker on them that says "100% UVA and UVB protected".  Polarized sunglasses work even better. Polarization actually cuts out all horizontal light from entering the eye.  This takes away lots of glare, which allows fishermen to see fish in the water and eliminates glare from sunshine hitting the rooftops of cars for drivers.  

Protecting your eyes from UV exposure may be as simple as making a fashion statement. At Visual Eyes Optometric, we offer sunglasses in many styles, from many designers, and both with prescribed and non-prescribed lenses.  Put on a pair of sunglasses. You'll look really good...and you'll look really smart. Visit our office in Fairvew near Asheville, NC. We want to be your eye doctor. :-)

What is age-related macular degeneration?

AMD does not stand for Advanced Micro Devices.

Well, it does, but not for the purposes of Eyecare.  When it comes to your eyeballs, AMD (or ARMD) stands for age–related macular degeneration, a disease that by the year 2020 will affect more than 3 million people (Source: http://www.nei.nih.gov/eyedata/pbd4.asp)

Often times when I say the words, "you have macular degeneration," my patients shut out anything else I say because they feel like they just heard "you're going blind."  That's not always the case.  Luckily, the worst case scenario is usually the least likely thing to happen. 

To understand macular degeneration, you have to have a concept of how the retina works.

The retinal pigment epithelium (also called the RPE) is the cellular layer involved with removing cellular debris made by the "seeing" layer of your retina.  In some individuals, the RPE degenerates.  This may be for several reasons (research does not overwhelmingly point to one specific reason): genetics, smoking, Sun damage from UV exposure, lack of protective pigments within the retina, poor nutrition and, a combination of all of the above.

Damaged RPE allows cellular debris to build up.  These pockets of debris are called drusen.  This is called dry or "non-exudative" macular degeneration, which can cause poor vision and of itself - you can't "see through the debris,"

The body tries to fix this situation by bringing in new blood vessels in an effort to introduce new cells to the area that can remedy cellular damage.  The clinical term for this is "Neovascularization".  These new blood vessels are unstable and very leaky. When they leak blood into the retina, vision quickly decreases.  This situation is called "wet" or "exudative" macular degeneration and is the more severe/visually debilitating form to have.

The sooner that neovascularization is caught, the more likely  your vision is to be saved.  

It is likely that there will be some decrease in vision after events such as these, but thankfully, thanks to modern medicine, AMD is no longer the death sentence of vision that it used to be!

So, you think you can see well and you don't have to worry about having AMD? WRONG!  You may have ZERO symptoms until neovascularization occurs.  Thus, it is VERY important to have regular eye exams to monitor eye health!  

Make your eye exam today! You'll be glad you did!

If you are in the Asheville, NC area, I would be honored to make sure that YOU do not have macular degeneration!  I want to be your eye doctor.  You can make an appointment with me by visiting www.visualeyesoptometric.com and clicking on Request Appointment.  

Next week we'll talk about prevention of macular degeneration (A topic so big that it deserves it's own post!)

Until then...

~Haley Perry, OD

Well, it's me again Margaret (a post about where we've been)

It's hard to believe, but it's been since June that this blog has had a post!  What's that you say? Who is writing this anyway?

Let me take a moment to introduce myself to you:  My name is Haley Ammons Perry.  I'm an eye doctor (an optometrist).  And I love eyeballs.  And people.  And chocolate. 

This isn't the first blog I've written.  I've had 2 personal ones before.  One about my pregnancy & one about being  a working mom.  Blogging fell by the wayside when I took on one of the most challenging and rewarding adventures of my life:  Visual Eyes Optometric, my eye care practice in Fairview, NC.  (I almost said THE most rewarding adventure, but I'm a mom, so let's be real here.)

8 months ago, I had staff help me write the blogs prior to this one, all the while saying, "I'm gonna write again someday."  I am excited to announce: Here.I.Am!!!!

I can't wait to share with you some great stuff about your vision,  your eyes, their health, & preventative care! 

See you soon!

& PS: With the threat of the impending snowpocalypse, here is a great pic of 2 handsome subjects (my husband and daughter) displaying excellent preventative care from the suns rays as it bounces off of snow.  Wear your sunglasses in the snow, folks!  Prevent ocular burns, slow progression of macular degeneration and cataracts with this one stylish step in the right direction!

Polarized Sunglasses Are Important for Eye Health

Sunglasses make more than a fashion statement — they also keep your eyes safe from the Western NC sun and its harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. That’s why choosing the right sunglasses is an essential part of keeping your eyes healthy.

UV rays can raise your risk of developing eye diseases such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and even cancer of the eye and eyelids. Be sure to contact Visual Eyes Optometric in Fairview NC for more information on getting a routine eye exam and prescription sunglasses that protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.

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More Tips for Protecting Your Eyesight

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Children in particular may be at risk. Older people have smaller pupils than young ones, so the younger eye admits more light. When you go outside and put on your sunglasses, make sure that your child is wearing his as well.

A Few Ways to Block UV Rays

Sunglasses can block harmful UV radiation and reduce your risk for potentially blinding eye diseases and tumors, but they’re also great at preventing dust, sand, and other airborne particles from getting into your eyes.

Prescription sunglasses offer the same protection as non-prescription glasses, provided that they have equal UV protection and lens size. Lenses that darken when exposed to light are a good option.

“Transitions and other lenses change the degree of color, but not the actual color itself,” says a professional in the optometry field. “In the past, they were heavy, slow-acting, and only changed slightly. The newest ones have solved these problems and are very useful in environments and situations where the sunlight and glare change often, such as the golf course, on the water, and getting in and out of the car often.”

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Find the Right Eye Doctor

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Are you worried about protecting your eyes from UV rays? Do you wear sunglasses every time you're outside? Considering contact lenses that offer UV protection? If so, this post is for you!

 The best way to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays is with polarized sunglasses. There is simply no other way. Doctors say that the UV protecting contact lenses offered are  incomplete coverage. In this case, be sure to wear non-corrective sunglasses when your contacts are in.

If you are in need of non-corrective sunglasses, be sure to visit www.visualeyesoptometric.com for more information about our Eye Care Practice in Fairview NC. Our Western NC optometrist, Dr. Haley Perry OD, specializes in routine eye care, as well as medical eye care.

Tips for Choosing Effective Sunglasses

• Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.
• Don’t choose sunglasses based on the darkness or color of the lenses. Unless treated, dark lenses do not block out UV rays better than other tints. Read the label instead.
• When it comes to sunglasses, bigger is better. Wrap-around shades that offer side protection are especially good choices. The sun’s rays don’t just come from the front. They can reflect from surfaces such as cars or the water.
• If you do a lot of boating or driving, consider polarized lenses, which are effective at reducing glare.
• Remember: Price isn’t an indication of the quality of UV protection. In fact, studies have shown that some costly sunglasses can be less effective at blocking UV rays than less expensive frames. Since there is no uniform labeling of sunglasses, consult your optometrist for advice on choosing the best pair of sunglasses to protect your eyesight.

More Simple Steps for Keeping Your Eyes Safe

• Always wear your sunglasses when you’re outside. This is particularly important during peak sunlight hours, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when rays are the strongest. Also, be sure to wear your sunglasses when you’re at higher altitudes, where UV light can be especially intense.
• Wear sunglasses even when it’s cloudy. Just as doctors recommend sunscreen on cloudy days, eye care professionals recommend people wear sunglasses even when it isn’t sunny out. That’s because UV rays can penetrate through thin clouds and haze.
• A wide-brimmed hat can also help block some UV rays from getting into your eyes.
• Wear sunglasses year-round. Your eyesight can be affected by sunlight in any season, not just summer. You need the same protection on the ski slopes in January as you do on the beach in August.
• Another bonus to wearing sunglasses: They can help reduce the amount of wrinkles around the eyes. The skin of the eyelids and around the eyes is very thin and susceptible to sun damage. And wearing sunglasses reduces squinting, which can also lead to wrinkles.

By wearing sunglasses that offer effective protection against harmful UV rays, you can enjoy the outdoors while protecting your eyesight.

www.visualeyesoptometric.com will steer you in the right direction for making a routine eye exam appointment with your favorite Asheville NC eye doctor. Dr. Haley A. Perry OD, will do what it takes to ensure your eye health is all that it can be.

Allergy Season is Upon Us

Allergies in Western NC

 

Do your eyes suffer from the following symptoms?

• redness
• swelling
• itching
• dry

If so, you're either suffering from allergies or an after-exposure to something. If allergies are getting the best of your eyes, be sure to do the following:

• Rinse your eyes with over-the-counter eye washing solutions. Using an eye wash will eliminate the eye of the allergens. Dust, mold, pollen, and trees can do a number on your eyes.
• Avoid using Visine or Murine. Those solutions only give temporary relief and never actually solves the problem. Stay away from anything that "gets the red out".
• Put cold packs on your eyes to reduce swelling and itching.
• Use refrigerated No-preservative artificial tears hourly. This will help to sooth and flush the eyes.
• Consider trying an over-the-counter antihistamines, such as Chlor-Trimeton or Benadryl. If you find this beneficial, you may want to consult your general physician to prescribe other antihistamines.
• If you can determine what you are allergic to, try to avoid contact with them, to minimize the problem.
• Consider using glacier type glasses with side shields when out in the pollinated summer.

Allergies tend to get the best of us during this time of year. Don't suffer. See your favorite Fairview NC Eye Doctor. Dr. Haley Ammons Perry, OD will be able to prescribe eye drops for allergy related issues. Call today for an appointment, or visit or website to make a request for an appointment. www.visualeyesoptometic.com

Are you Over-wearing your contact lenses?

Are you Over-wearing your contact lenses? If so, you may want to continue reading. Over-wearing your contact lenses, past the recommended length of time may actually damage your eyes.

The consequences of abusing extended wear contact lenses may permanently affect your sight or ability to wear contact lenses for the remainder of your life.

 

As your preferred Western NC eye care professional, we care about your eye health. Be responsible for the longevity of your good vision. In order to gain responsibility and ensure good eye health, be sure to ask yourself the questions below:

 

1. Would you like to wear your contact lenses for the next 10-20-50+ years?

2. What would you be willing to pay to be able to see with glasses or contact lenses the rest of your life?

We are dealing with your eyes. You don't get another pair.  You decide your comfort level of risk. From studies, research and practice we know our comfortable risk limits. Most patients contact lens wearing/care regime is unacceptable by current standards of care. Patients do not understand the events or consequences of poor compliance. Unfortunately for some people, Visual Eyes Optometric does. We've seen too many eye problems resulting from over-wearing contact lenses. Don't be a risk taker. Take care of your eyes!

The short term effects of over wearing your extended wear contact lenses? Red, painful eyes and/or poor vision. If this ever happens to you, immediately remove your lenses and call our office. If these symptoms are ignored by the patient or simply waived off as “temporary” or “It’ll be gone by the morning”, you move into a higher risk zone with a potentially permanent loss of vision. New blood vessels may grow into the cornea which may mean permanent loss in the ability to wear contact lenses. The worse case scenario would be the development of a corneal abrasion which becomes infected and ulcerates, causing a permanent scar. If this occurs in the center of your cornea where you look through, it may cause such a vision loss that the eye is legally blind.

As you can see,  recommendations of the FDA, AOA, and AMA are important rules to abide by. Below is a photo of an over-wearer's eye. OUCH!!! Don't let this happen to your eyes. Take care of them.

Recommendations:

• Wear extended wear lenses 6 days, maximum. Give your eyes a break. Wear glasses at least one full day a week.
• Leave your lenses out 12 hours a day, so they can obtain enough oxygen with your eyes open.
• Replace lenses exactly when the brand recommends you to. Don't stretch them out, even if you don't sleep in them.
• Be evaluated every 3-6 months, as long as you wear the lenses overnight. If you don't sleep in them, 6-12 months is recommended.
• Put re-wetting drops in your eyes at bed time and upon waking. Be sure to cleanse lenses well after daily use.

If you are suffering from any type of eye disorder, be sure to call Visual Eyes Optometric today. Dr. Haley Ammons Perry, OD, in Fairview, NC, will be happy to asses your eyes. She will also teach you how to take care of your precious eyes.

Visit our website, www.visualeyesoptometric for more information on the services we offer.

How to Better Your Vision

As we've talked about before, eating certain things can actually better your vision. It's hard to know what to eat, though. It's even harder to know how to prepare it, without it being too boring! 

There are actually ways to better you vision by just altering your lifestyle a little. You won't even believe the little things that help!

Below are some great ideas for you!!

1. Mix a cup of blueberries with a cup of yogurt for breakfast this morning. Blueberries are one of the richest fruit forms of antioxidants, and a study published in The Archives of Ophthalmology found that women and men who ate the greatest amount of fruit were the least likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the leading cause of blindness in older people.

2. Spread bilberry jam on your morning toast. Or take a bilberry supplement every morning. The berries contain compounds called anthocyanosides, which may protect the retina against macular degeneration.

3. Have spinach twice a week. Could be a spinach quiche, steamed spinach, or maybe Tuscan spinach — sautéed in some olive oil with garlic and raisins. Regardless, be sure to get your spinach. Studies find that lutein, a nutrient that is particularly abundant in spinach, may prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Ideally, get your lutein in combination with some form of fat (olive oil works great) for the best absorption.

4. Cook with red onions, not yellow. Red onions contain far more quercetin, an antioxidant that is thought to protect against cataracts.

5. Aim your car vents at your feet — not your eyes. Dry, air-conditioned air will suck the moisture out of eyes like a sponge. Aim the vents in your car away from your eyes, or wear sunglasses as a shield. Dry eyes can be more than an inconvenience; serious dryness can lead to corneal abrasions and even blindness if left untreated.

6. Move your computer screen to just below eye level. Your eyes will close slightly when you’re staring at the computer, minimizing fluid evaporation and the risk of dry eye syndrome, says John Sheppard, M.D., who directs the ophthalmology residency program at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia.

7. Take a multivitamin every day. Make it a habit, like brushing your teeth. A major study suggested that if every American at risk for age-related macular degeneration took daily supplements of antioxidant vitamins and zinc, more than 300,000 people could avoid ARMD-associated vision loss over the next five years. Other studies find that women who took vitamin C supplements for at least 10 years were 77 percent less likely to show initial signs of cataracts than those who took no supplemental C. So take a multi with at least 150 mg vitamin C, or take a separate C supplement.

8. Walk at least four times a week. Some evidence suggests that regular exercise can reduce the intraocular pressure, or IOP, in people with glaucoma. In one study, glaucoma patients who walked briskly four times per week for 40 minutes lowered their IOP enough so they could stop taking medication for their condition. It’s also possible — although there’s no proof yet — that walking could also reduce your overall risk of developing glaucoma.

9. Eat fish twice a week. A study from Harvard researchers presented at the 2003 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology’s annual meeting evaluated the diets of 32,470 women and found those who ate the least amount of fish (thus getting the least amount of omega-3 fatty acids) had the highest risk of dry eye syndrome. Even tuna fish (yes, the kind that comes in a can) protected against the syndrome. If you can’t stand fish, or are worried about mercury consumption, try fish-oil supplements to get your omega-3s.

10. Twice a week, walk away from greasy or sweet snacks. A 2001 study found that people whose diets were high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in omega-6 fatty acids (found in many fat-filled snack foods like commercially prepared pie, cake, cookies, and potato chips) were significantly less likely to develop ARMD than those whose diets were high in omega-6 fatty acids and low in omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, if your diet was high in omega-6 at all — even if you still ate plenty of fish — the protective effects of the omega-3 fatty acids disappeared.

11. Have sweet potatoes for dinner tonight. Since they are rich in vitamin A, these sweet spuds can help improve your night vision.

12. Turn down the heat in your house. Heat dries out the air, which, in turn, dries out your eyes. In the winter, you might also try adding some humidity with a humidifier or even bunching a lot of plants together in the room in which you spend the most time.