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July is UV Safety Month :: Protect your Eyes from the Sun this Summer

July 5, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Sunlight is just one of the many types of energy that the sun releases. Heat is another and Ultraviolet (UV) rays are a third. And while many know that UV rays can cause skin damage, such as sun burn or skin cancer, few people realize that UV rays can also damage vision.

UV rays can attribute to several different eye problems, including:

Macular Degeneration: The leading cause of vision loss for older Americans, macular degeneration affects the part of the retina (the macula) responsible for the sharp, central vision.
Cataracts: UV rays may also contribute to some kinds of cataracts, which is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens.
Pterygium: Another UV-related problem, pterygium is a growth on the white of the eye that can eventually block vision.
Corneal Sunburn: Photokeratitis, better known as corneal sunburn, can be extremely painful. It is the result of high short-term exposure to UV-B rays.
Skin Cancer: Prolonged exposure to UV rays can result in skin cancer around the eyelids.

Protecting your Eyes from Harmful UV Rays

Eye Protection: Wear sunglasses, prescription glasses, and other eyewear that absorb UV rays.
Wide Brimmed Hat: Wearing a wide-brimmed hat will help block at least half of UV rays, which can come from many directions, reflected off the ground, water, snow, sand and more.
Cloudy Days are still dangerous: UV rays can still damage your eyes on cloudy days, so be sure to wear sunglasses whenever you are outside.
Regular Checkups with your Eye Doctor: One of the best ways you can protect your vision is to schedule regular checkups with your eye doctor – Ophthalmologist or Optometrist. 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 and other problems that could lead to vision loss.

Please be safe this summer and be sure to protect your eyes!

To learn more about UV Safety Month and Proper Eye Health, 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:

Protect Your Eyes from the Sun Prevent Blindness America

June is Cataract Awareness Month :: Cataracts Symptoms and Treatment

May 31, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

As we age, our eyes undergo natural wear and tear, resulting in the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. This clouding is known as cataracts. This is a normal part of the aging process. If we live long enough, we will all develop cataracts at some point in our lives.

“I like to compare it to the clear plastic window in the back of a convertible car,” said board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles, M.D. “After years of exposure to sun and weather, the plastic becomes yellow and cloudy.”

Interesting Facts about Cataracts

Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among adults 55 and older.
Nearly half of all adults will develop cataracts by age 80.
Acquired cataracts account for over 99% of all cataracts. Congenital cataracts account for less than 1%.
Cataracts surgery is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States.

Types of Cataracts

Subcapsular Cataracts: This type of cataract begins at the back of the lens.
Nuclear Cataracts: This type of cataract forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, and develops due to natural aging changes.
Cortical Cataracts: This type of cataract forms in the lens cortex and gradually extends its spokes from the outside of the lens to the center.

The type of cataract you have will affect exactly which signs and symptoms you experience and how soon they will occur. Still, there is no need to worry; cataracts are very treatable and can be detected long before the lens becomes cloudy.

Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts

Blurry sight, and occasionally, double vision
‘Halos’ — the eyes become dazzled by bright light, making night driving difficult
Colors may become faded
Eyeglasses prescription changes frequently

If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. Any sudden change in your vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Cataract Treatment

If the symptoms of cataracts persist and become bothersome, surgery is an excellent option for most people.

Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens and, in most cases, replacing it with a clear, intraocular lens implant (IOL). Cataract surgery is a painless outpatient procedure and has the highest success rate of any surgery practiced today. Most patients can resume their normal, everyday function in very little time and can even drive a few days after surgery.

More Information on Intraocular Lenses (IOL)

Previously, Intraocular lenses (IOL) only allowed for vision at one distance (mono-focal lenses), meaning cataract patients still benefit from glasses after surgery. Newer advanced technology IOLs, however, allow for a much greater range of vision, further decreasing the patient’s dependence on glasses.

Advanced technology lenses, also referred to as Premium IOLs, available include: Multi-focal, Accommodating, and Dual-Optic Accommodating. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, including some out of pocket expenses. To find out which lens makes the most sense for you, consult your eye doctor.

A consultation with an experienced and knowledgeable Ophthalmologist will help guide you through your decision. You may find out that a particular lens suits your needs very well.

To learn more about Cataracts, Intraocular Lenses, and Proper Eye Health, 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.

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:

Learn About Cataracts: Facts, Stats, and FAQs

May is Healthy Vision Month :: Eye Care Tips :: Anne Arundel Eye Center

May 11, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Millions of people in the United States alone have undetected vision problems, eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). So in order to raise awareness of this very real problem and promote the importance of proper eye care, early detection and treatment, and eye safety, May was named Healthy Vision Month by the National Eye Institute (NEI) in 2003.

The NEI is one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the country’s primary medical research agency. The NEI helps develop the federal government’s research on the visual system and eye diseases.

One of the best ways you can protect your vision is to schedule regular checkups with your eye doctor – Ophthalmologist or Optometrist. 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 and other problems that could lead to vision loss.

Your vision may change as you age, but vision loss is not a normal part of aging. Any loss of vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Anne Arundel Eye Center

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, Anne Arundel Eye Center (AAEC) is a regional leader in both the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, cataracts, and other vision related problems. Not only does AAEC Offer a wide range of advanced procedures to improve and preserve your vision, but Board Certified Dr. Samuel Boles and the rest of the staff are also passionate about educating patients and their families about the various eye diseases or eye conditions they may be afflicted with.

Early detection and treatment can help to save your sight!

To learn more about Healthy Vision Month and proper eye health, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles and ocular disease specializing optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank as 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.

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:

HVM – May is Healthy Vision Month