Myopia

The Link between the Outdoors & Your Eyesight Explained by Your Annapolis Eye Doctor

May 2, 2013 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Myopia, better known as nearsightedness, is much more common nowadays than it was just 40 years ago, according to American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). But why? Could it be the increasing popularity of computers, video games, television, and other indoor activities? Well, according to research, the answer could be yes!

According to a study presented at the 115th Annual Meeting of the AAO in Orlando, Florida, spending more time outdoors could decrease the likelihood of nearsightedness in children. Myopia currently affects 33% of Americans, causing the blurring of objects at a distance. However, researchers claim that each additional hour spent outdoors during a week helps decrease the risk of developing nearsightedness.

“This translates to about a 13% reduced chance of developing nearsightedness per extra hour per day of physical activity outdoors,” said researcher Anthony Khawaja, MBBS, an ophthalmologist at the University of Cambridge, U.K.

According to the study, children with myopia typically stayed indoors around four hours more per week than children with normal vision.

“Increasing children’s outdoor time could be a simple and cost-effective measure with important benefits for their vision and general health,” said Khawaja.

Do you suffer from nearsightedness? Do you even know? When was the last time you had your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist or optometrist? Schedule an appointment with the Anne Arundel Eye Center, Your Annapolis Eye Doctor.

Led by Board Certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers complete ophthalmic exams to help diagnose common eye problems, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness. So if you are experiencing blurred vision, squinting, and fatigue, schedule an appointment at either of our state-of-the-art treatment centers. And if you are diagnosed with either nearsightedness, we will be happy to provide you with a referral to an optometrist or ophthalmologist who can fit you for glasses or contacts or provide Lasik services.

To learn more about The Link between the Outdoors & Your Eyesight, please contact Dr. Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

Source:

Does Playing Outdoors Benefit Kids’ Vision? WebMD
115th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Orlando, Fla., Oct. 23-25, 2011.
Anthony Khawaja, MBBS, ophthalmologist, University of Cambridge, U.K.
Anne Sumers, MD, ophthalmologist, Ridgewood, N.J.

Glaucoma & the Importance of Regular Eye Exams :: Annapolis, MD Eye Doctor

September 15, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

According to a 2011 study conducted by the Center for Disease Control, nearly 40% of adults over the age of 40 said they avoided the eye doctor last year. Of the 11,503 people surveyed, almost 35% said they believed they had healthy vision and didn’t feel they needed an eye exam.

Perhaps these individuals did not know that the majority of people suffering from glaucoma experience no symptoms until the eye disease has progressed. In fact, an individual can lose as much as 40% of their vision before even noticing a problem. This is why it is estimated that nearly half of the 2.2 million Americans affected by glaucoma are unaware that they even have the eye disease. And once a person begins to lose their vision, the damage is irreversible.

This is why regular eye exams are so important. With no cure, the best way to deal with glaucoma and preserve one’s vision is with early detection and regular treatment.

You are at an increased risk developing glaucoma if…

You are of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent

You are over the age of 60

You have a family member who has already been diagnosed

You are diabetic

You are severely nearsighted (myopic)

While everyone should have their eyes examined regularly, those with the above risk factors should increase the frequencies of those examinations.

During your routine checkup, your eye doctor will not only evaluate your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, but he/she will also inspect your eyes for common eye diseases, like glaucoma and cataracts, that could lead to vision loss.

Testing for Glaucoma

Field Vision Tests evaluate both central and peripheral sight through a series of subjective examinations that measure the entire scope of an individual’s vision.
The measurement of eye pressure (normal range 12-22).
A close assessment of the optic nerve.
A measurement of the cornea of the eye.

These tests are repeated once a year or more often if there is any concern about glaucoma risk or progression.

To learn more about Glaucoma, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision. Vision problems may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

CDC: Many Americans are Skipping Eye Care

Diagnosing Glaucoma with Visual Field Tests

September 7, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

To test for glaucoma – an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve and peripheral vision – patients identified as at-risk for the condition will undergo a visual field test. For those who have been previously diagnosed with glaucoma, visual field testing is required to track the progression of the disease, monitor potential loss to the visual field, and adjust treatment approaches to ensure proper management of the condition.

Visual field tests evaluate both central and peripheral sight through a series of subjective examinations that measure the entire scope of an individual’s vision. They are utilized to help determine the total area in which objects can be seen in the peripheral vision while the eye is focused on a central point. Separately mapping the visual fields of both eyes, it requires the patient to understand and actively participate in the entire test to ensure accurate results.

Considered the gold standard for diagnosing glaucoma, automated perimetry – which is the measurement of visual fields – is one of the most commonly used methods of visual field testing. An advanced computerized examination issued by a trained technician, visual field testing requires the patient to look inside of a concave dome, where white lights of varying intensity will flash one at time in different places around the dome. With one eye covered, the examinee is instructed to press a button when he detects a light, which transmits a signal to the computer, allowing it to adjust the flashes by making them brighter or dimmer. The patient’s reactions help to determine if a visual field defect is present in his eyesight.

Visual field testing is recommended for glaucoma suspects and those who have already been diagnosed with the condition in order to track the progression of the disease on patient eyesight; it is covered by most healthcare insurance plans.

Those at risk for developing glaucoma include those with:

High Myopia (nearsightedness)

Ocular Hypertension (elevated eye pressure)

Thin Cornea – Central corneal thickness less than .5 mm

At Anne Arundel Eye Center, we offer visual field testing for patients with glaucoma or for those who might be at risk for glaucoma, and our doctors are dedicated to educating and informing patients about their condition while offering inclusive treatment and prevention plans.

To learn more about Visual Field Testing for Glaucoma, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, or consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank, and Dr. Corinne Casey, the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Visual Field Test

Time Outdoors may help your Child’s Vision :: Anne Arundel Eye Center

August 21, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

After reviewing 23 studies on myopia in children and teens, new research suggests that time spent outdoors may reduce the risk of myopia in children. Observational findings include:

There appears to be a significant connection between time spent outdoors and the prevalence of myopia in the nearly 10,000 children observed.

Risk of myopia dropped by 2% for each additional hour spent outdoors each week.

Increased time outdoors appeared to slow the progression of myopia.

These findings still need to be confirmed by further studies, but the results are promising.

“Even though a substantial proportion of myopia cases can be explained by inheritance, this does not exclude strong environmental influences being the driving force behind the rapid increases in the prevalence of myopia over time,” said researcher Justin Sherwin, of the University of Cambridge.

What is Myopia?

Myopia, more commonly referred to as nearsightedness, is a common refractive error that occurs when light entering the eye is focused incorrectly because the physical length of the eye is greater than the optical length. Because of this error, objects in the distance appear blurred and out of focus.

Signs and symptoms of nearsightedness include:

Objects in the distance are blurred / blurry.

A person with nearsightedness can easily read the Jaeger eye chart (the chart for near reading), but has trouble reading the Snellen eye chart (the chart for distance).

Eyestrain

Headaches

If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist – at your earliest convenience. Myopia is very treatable using eyeglasses, contact lenses, or LASIK surgery.

To learn more about Myopia (Nearsightedness), please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Time Outside May Reduce Nearsightedness in Kids WebMD