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Early Glaucoma Detection:: Anne Arundel Eye Center

September 23, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center Leave a Comment

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of vision loss in the United States behind only cataracts. Currently affecting more than 3 million Americans – though half are unaware they even have the eye disease – glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that lead to intraocular pressure and damage to the optic nerve, the nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. This pressure comes from a buildup of normal fluid called the aqueous humor, which is naturally and continuously produced in the front of your eye.

Everyone is at risk of glaucoma. However, certain factors can increase that 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 need steroids.

To make the situation worse, many people will not experience any symptoms of glaucoma until they begin to lose their vision. The most common type of glaucoma induced vision loss is tunnel vision, the gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision. Other signs and symptoms include: severe eye pain, nausea and vomiting, sudden onset of visual disturbance (often in low light), blurred/blurry vision, halos around lights, and reddening of the eye.

Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. While there is currently no cure for glaucoma, regularly scheduled eye exams, early detection, and treatment (medication and possibly surgery) can help slow or even prevent further vision loss brought on by this disease.

Since glaucoma damage begins well before conventional tests can identify it, we are increasingly thankful for the ability to identify early, subtle nerve damage. Doctors are able to utilize advanced imaging devices – special cameras – to create a three dimensional image of the optic nerve, the part of the eye where the eye pressure does its damage. These tests use infra red light or laser light to create a sophisticated computer aided image of the central portion of the optic nerve called the optic cup, and the retinal layer around the nerve, the nerve fiber later, to help predict who might be at risk for vision loss.

These sophisticated early detection devices are helping doctors “predict the future” of glaucoma and intervene long before you have any perceptible loss of visual function.

Besides, Early detection equals earlier, simpler and more effective treatment.

If you have any questions about what you have just read, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here today!

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

Sources:

Glaucoma MayoClinic.com

Macular Degeneration

September 9, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center Leave a Comment

Macular Degeneration, also referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans 60 years of age and older. This eye disease, which affects the part of the retina (the macula) responsible for the sharp, central vision, comes in two types – dry (non-neovascular) and wet (neovascular).

• The dry form, which is the more common of the two types (accounting for 85-90% of AMD cases), is characterized by the presence of yellow deposits, called drusen, in the macula. As these drusen grow in size and number, they may lead to a dimming or distortion of vision.

• The wet form is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels from the choroid underneath the macula. These blood vessels leak blood and other fluid into the retina, causing distorted vision that makes straight lines appear wavy, as well as loss of central vision. These abnormal blood vessels eventually scar, leading to permanent loss of central vision.

Macular Degeneration tends to affect Caucasians and females more than other demographics. Additional risk factors include:

• Aging

• Obesity and Inactivity. Overweight patients with macular degeneration have more than double the risk of developing advanced forms of macular degeneration compared with people of normal body weight.

• Heredity. Recent studies have found that specific variants of different genes are present in most people who have macular degeneration.

• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). High blood pressure may be associated with development of macular degeneration.

• Smoking. One study found smoking to be directly associated with about 25 percent of AMD cases causing severe vision loss.

• Lighter Eye Color. Some researchers have theorized that the extra pigment found in darker eyes was a protective factor against the development of the eye disease.

The symptoms of macular degeneration include:

• Straight lines start to appear distorted, or the center of vision becomes distorted

• Dark, blurry areas or white out appears in the center of vision

• Diminished or changed color perception

If you experience any of these symptoms, see your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Regular eye exams can help to detect macular degeneration before it causes significant vision loss. While there is no cure for AMD, treatment can slow vision loss.

Treatment options include:

Anti-angiogenesis drugs: These medications block the development of new blood vessels and leakage from the abnormal vessels within the eye that cause wet macular degeneration.

Vitamins: A recent study found that vitamins C, E, beta carotene, zinc and copper can decrease the risk of vision loss in patients with intermediate to advanced dry macular degeneration.

Laser therapy: High-energy laser light can sometimes be used to destroy actively growing abnormal blood vessels that occur in macular degeneration.

Photodynamic laser therapy: A two-step treatment in which a light sensitive drug is used to damage the abnormal blood vessels. A doctor injects the drug into the bloodstream to be absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels in the eye. The doctor then shines a cold laser into the eye to activate the drug, damaging the abnormal blood vessels.

Low vision aids: Devices that have special lenses or electronic systems that produce enlarged images of nearby objects.

Submacular surgery (experimental): Surgery to remove the abnormal blood vessels or blood.

Retinal translocation (experimental): A surgical procedure used to destroy abnormal blood vessels that are located directly under the center of the macula, where a laser beam cannot be placed safely.

Currently, about 1.75 million U.S. residents currently have advanced age-related macular degeneration with associated vision loss, with that number expected to grow to almost 3 million by 2020.

If you feel you may be at risk, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. As with any eye disease, early detection and treatment are your best options.

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!

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

Sources:

Macular Degeneration Medline Plus

Age-related Macular Degeneration All About Vision

Eye Health: Macular Degeneration WebMD

Glaucoma: Finding Out If You Are At Risk

July 22, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center Leave a Comment

You may have heard of glaucoma which is a common eye disorder and one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. But what else do you really know about it and are you at risk?

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve suffers damage and can permanently impair vision in the eye(s). There are different types of glaucoma and the disease can present itself without warning or symptoms. The most common form is the result of elevated pressure of the fluid in the eye and sometimes other factors that cause the fibers running through the optic nerve to slowly deteriorate. Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss.

Who is at risk?

Everyone is at risk. However, certain factors can increase that 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.

Over 3 million Americans have glaucoma, yet half are unaware that they even have the disease. This is why regular eye exams are so important. While there is no cure for glaucoma, these eye exams, early detection, and treatment (medication and possibly surgery) can help slow or even prevent further vision loss brought on by this disease.

So, when was the last time you had a thorough eye exam?

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Anne Arundel Eye Center to meet with cataracts and glaucoma specialist Dr. Samuel Boles, or if you simply have a questions about what you have just read, contact Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here today!

You can check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube as well!

Education on Glaucoma and Cataracts Detection and Treatment

July 7, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center Leave a Comment

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!

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!