eye doctor anne arundel county

Aspirin and your Eyes: Could Aspirin be causing your Eye Problems?

January 4, 2013 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

According to new research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the regular use of aspirin could put users at a slightly increased risk of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD damages the central part of the retina, known as the macula, and could potentially permanently distort a person’s central vision.

According to researcher Barbara E.K. Klein, MD, MPH, someone would need to take aspirin at least twice a week for more than three months straight for the drug to negatively affect their vision. Still, even with the regular use of aspirin, the risk of developing wet AMD is extremely low, with only about 1% of people 40 years of age or older contracting the eye disease.

For 20 years, Klein followed nearly 5,000 men and women, ages 43 and older. By the end of the study, 512 people were diagnosed with early AMD and 117 with late AMD.

“This study is suggestive that there may be a relationship but it is by no means definitive,” said George Williams, MD, professor and chair of the department of ophthalmology at Oakland University’s William Beaumont School of Medicine in Rochester, Michigan.

Additional Risk Factors for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

1. Family history

2. Light eyes

3. Tobacco use

Symptoms of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly
Objects appear distorted in shape.
Straight lines look wavy or crooked.
Loss of clear color vision
A dark or empty area appears in the center of vision.

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.

To learn more about Age-Related Macular Degeration, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel 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 click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, our state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

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!

Source: Regular Aspirin Use May Boost Risk of Eye Problem WebMD

Anderson Cooper, Eye Protection, Sunburn on the Eyeballs, & Photokeratits!

December 13, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

A survey by the American Optometric Association recently discovered that 35% of Americans are unaware of the risks that ultraviolet light poses to the eye. Are you one of them? If so, you are not alone. Popular journalist and television personality Anderson Cooper had no idea about the risks of UV rays until recently.

Last week, Cooper learned about those risks the hard way. While reporting on a trip for CBS’ 60 Minutes, Cooper spent one fateful afternoon on a boat in the waters on Portugal. And not thinking anything of it, the reporter did so not wearing any eye protection.

Cooper explained what happened next: “I wake up in the middle of the night and it feels like my eyes are on fire, my eyeballs. [I was] temporarily blinded.”

So what happened to Cooper? Sunburn of the Eyes! You see, while the sun may not have been particularly bright that day, what caused Cooper’s condition was the ultraviolet light reflecting off the surface of the water.

Symptoms of Sunburned Eyes

Redness
Irritation
Tearing
Pain
Feeling like something is in your eye
Blurry Vision
Temporary Vision Loss (Photokeratits)

Preventing Sunburn of the Eye

Protection is simple and easy. The American Optometric Association recommends sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. And just in case you thought you were safe because it is winter, the same thing can happen from UV rays bouncing off snow. This is often referred to as snow blindness. So please be careful and cautious!

Treating Sunburned Eyes

If not too serious, sunburned eyes can easily be treated at home with rest and lubricating eye drops. And, of course, you should stay out of the sun. However, if the pain is too severe, if you experience temporary vision loss, or if the symptoms worsen, you should schedule an appointment with your eye doctor – ophthalmologist or optometrist – as soon as possible.

To learn more about Sunburned Eyes and other common eye conditions, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel 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 click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, our state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

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:

Anderson Cooper Recovers From Sunburned Eyeballs

Sunburned Eyes

Eye Care FAQs: Am I at Risk for Developing Cataracts?

October 19, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Unfortunately, everyone is at risk for developing cataracts. It is a normal part of aging. As we grow older, our eyes undergo natural wear and tear, resulting in the clouding of the eye’s lens, better known as cataracts. In fact, nearly half of all adults will develop cataracts by age 80. There are several factors, however, that can increase one’s risk of developing cataracts. These risk factors include:

Aging: As we have already mentioned, aging is a major factor for cataracts.

Genetics: If you have a family history of cataracts, you are more likely to develop cataracts, yourself.

Diabetes: The high blood sugar (glucose) associated with Diabetes can damage the lens of the eye, making individuals with Diabetes more susceptible to cataracts.

Smoking: Smoking can lead to the formation of chemicals called free radicals, which can damage the eye’s lens.

Infections during Pregnancy: Certain infections during pregnancy, like rubella or chickenpox, can put the infant at risk for developing cataracts before birth.

UVB Exposure: Ultraviolet B (UVB) has been linked to cataract development.

Steroid Medication: High doses of steroids or long-term use can increase one’s risks for cataracts.

Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts

Blurred or blurry vision

Yellowing (clouding) of the eye’s lens

Difficulty with night vision

Sensitivity to light

“Halos” around lights

Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription

Fading or yellowing of colors

Double vision in only one eye

If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor – ophthalmologist or optometrist – as soon as possible. But do not worry. Cataracts are very treatable.

Cataract Treatment

If the symptoms of cataracts persist, surgery is an excellent option for most individuals. Cataract surgery is a quick outpatient procedure involving the replacing of the damaged or clouded lens with a new synthetic lens. The surgery typically only takes about 10 minutes and most patients can resume their everyday activities in very little time. Many can even drive a few days following cataract surgery.

Plus, cataract surgery has the highest success rate of any surgery practiced today.

To learn more about Cataracts or Cataract Surgery, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel 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 click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, our state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

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:

Cataracts – What increases your risk?

Image Source

Diagnosing & Treating Styes :: Eye Care Tips from your Annapolis Eye Doctor

October 11, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Styes are painful and annoying lumps found along the edge of the eyelid, caused by a bacterial infection of an eyelash follicle. A stye is rarely serious and typically goes away on its own, without treatment. Most styes heal in about a week.

Signs and Symptoms of Styes

A red, pimple-like bump along the edge of the eyelid

Most styes will swell for about three days before breaking open and draining.

Sometimes, however, styes become persistent and last for weeks or even months unless actively treated.

Treating Styes

Click here to view our simple, three-step home stye remedy. It is one of the best and easiest ways to treat a stye at home.

If the above remedy does not help alleviate your problem, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor – ophthalmologist or optometrist – at your earliest convenience. Eye pain and vision impairment are serious situations that require prompt medical attention.

Preventing Styes

Stye prevention really comes down to hygiene. The cleaner you keep your face, especially the area around your eyes, the less likely styes are to develop. Below, you will find several tips to help prevent styes from forming.

1. Eye Protection: It is important to wear safety glasses when performing any tasks that may bring irritants, such as dirt and dust, into contact with your eyes.

2. Remove Makeup: For starters, you should never go to bed without first removing your makeup, especially eye makeup. Secondly, it is important to replace your makeup at least every 6 months, as bacteria tend to grow in makeup.

3. Wash your Face: It is important to keep your face clean, especially if you are prone to styes.

4. Lid Massage: While it is true that rubbing your eyes frequently can lead to irritation and introduce bacteria to the eye, lid massage can actually be very beneficial. This will open the glands along the eyelid to better express stagnate oils to allow bacterial growth. For more on cleansing the lid please take a look at our blog on blepharitis.

Differences between Styes, Chalazion, and Hordeolum

Chalazion: A chalazion is a lump in the eyelid, similar to a stye. However, a chalazion is usually larger than a stye and may not hurt.

Hordeolum: When a stye occurs inside the eyelid, it is called an internal hordeolum.

To learn more about Styes, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel 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 click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, our state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

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:

Styes and Chalazia – Topic Overview

Image Source