Double Vision

August is National Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

August 25, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

One in four children, roughly 12.1 million children worldwide, have a vision impairment. Of children ages three to five, one in 20 have a problem that could result in permanent vision loss if left untreated. Most of these issues, however, can be corrected if caught early enough and treated properly.

You should have your child’s eyes examined shortly after birth, before each school year, and as any problems arise. As parents, it is important to be aware of the warning signs your child might be experiencing impaired vision. These include:

•Blurred or double vision
•Headaches or pain in the eyes
•Difficulty copying from board at school
•Holding books close to read or sitting close to the T.V.
•Squinting
•Sensitivity to light
•Burning, itching, watery or redness in eyes that is not explainable

If you suspect your child is suffering from any of the above conditions, do not hesitate to schedule an eye exam with your regular eye doctor. An eye care professional can rule out various eye diseases, recommend treatment, and prescribe corrective lenses if appropriate.

The most common types of eye problems seen in children are:

•Myopia (nearsightedness)
•Stabismus (crossed eyes)
•Amblyopia (lazy eye)

In order to increase awareness of childhood vision problems, August has been named National Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. And with the school year right around the corner, now is the perfect time to schedule your child’s next eye exam.

If you have any questions about what you have just read, contact Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here today!

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Sources:

1) August is National Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month: Foods your whole family can eat for healthy vision DiscoverBulk.com

2) August in National Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month LAReaders.com

3) Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month NewEngland.HealthCHarities.org

4)August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month KISBYTO.Blogspot.com

Education on Glaucoma and Cataracts Detection and Treatment

July 7, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

More than 3 million Americans have glaucoma, yet half are unaware that they have it, while cataracts, the leading cause of visual loss in people 65 and older, will affect half of adults by age 80. These are two very different diseases that have one big thing in common; they are both treatable if caught early.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that can affect your sight without warning and, if left untreated, can lead to blindness.

Everyone is at risk for glaucoma, however, certain factors may increase this risk including: if you are over 60 years of age, if you are African American, if you have high myopia (nearsightedness), diabetes, hypertension, or if you are a steroid user.

The bad news is that there is currently no cure for glaucoma. The good news is that early detection and treatment (medication and surgery) have been proven to slow down or even prevent further vision loss due to glaucoma, which is why regular eye exams are so important.

Cataracts

A cataract, or clouding of the eye’s natural lens, is a disease usually brought on by age – affecting half of adults by age 80. After years of natural wear and tear, the lens becomes clouded, much like a clear plastic window on a convertible car that turns yellow after years of exposure to sun and weather.

Cataracts symptoms include: blurry sight and sometimes double vision; halos and glare—the eyes become dazzled by bright light, making night driving difficult; colors may become faded; and frequent changes in glasses prescription.

Whether you are experiencing symptoms of cataracts or you fear you may have glaucoma, the earlier you are diagnosed by a certified ophthalmologist, the more a doctor will be able to help you without major intervention/surgery. If you feel you may be at risk, schedule an eye appointment right away.

At Anne Arundel Eye Center, a state-of-the-art treatment center offering complete ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic surgical eye care, the staff works to not only treat you, the patient, but also educate you about your diagnosis.

“When you give people that knowledge and power, it gives them the ability to take part in their care,” Dr. Samuel Boles told What’s Up Magazine “Patients are more likely to comply with their therapy if they know what you’re asking them to do and why you’re asking them to do it. It’s important to me to help my patients understand the importance of taking care of themselves.”

Anne Arundel Eye Center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone. If you have any questions, contact Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here today!

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National Cataract Awareness Month

June 27, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Did you know that June is Cataract Awareness Month? What better time than now to learn about cataracts: whom they affect, their symptoms, and how they are treated.

Nearly half of all adults will develop cataracts by age 80. The older we get, the more natural wear and tear our eyes suffer, resulting in clouding of the eye’s natural lens, known as cataracts.

“I like to compare it to the clear plastic window on 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.”

But there is no need to worry, cataracts are very treatable and can be detected long before the lens becomes cloudy. Early symptoms of cataracts include: blurry sight, double vision, halos, glare – the eyes becomes dazzled by bright light, difficulty driving at night, and frequently changing your glasses prescriptions.

If you feel as if you may be suffering from one or more of these symptoms, you should schedule an eye exam at your earliest convenience. Early detection is the key to slowing or even stopping the spread of cataracts.

If these symptoms persist, however, and become bothersome, surgery may be your best option. Cataract surgery involves removing the damaged lens and replacing it with a new synthetic one. Cataract surgery is a quick outpatient procedure that takes about 10 minutes (not including pre and post-op preparation) 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.

So what are you waiting for? Schedule an eye exam today. Many eye conditions, including cataracts,that can become problematic are easily diagnosable and treatable with regular eye exams.

If you have any questions, contact Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!