Maryland

What You Should Know: Emergency Eye Care

February 20, 2022 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

An eye emergency constitutes an event that puts your eyesight at risk. Any such event requires immediate professional treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. Examples of eye emergencies include:

Loss of Vision: If you experience any form of vision loss, even if you are not experiencing pain, contact your eye doctor immediately. In fact, loss of vision is one of the most significant indicators of an eye emergency. Lack of pain in no way diminishes the seriousness of the situation.

Torn or Cut Eyelid: If you experience a cut or torn eyelid, apply gentle pressure with a clean, dry cloth until the bleeding subsides. Then rinse the area with water, cover with a clean bandage, apply a cold compress over the bandage to reduce pain and swelling, and seek medical help immediately.

Scratched Eye: If any direct damage occurs to your eyeball, DO NOT apply any pressure to stop the bleeding. Gently place a cold compress over the affected eye to reduce swelling and help control any bleeding and seek medical help immediately.

Protruding Eye: Any bulging of a single eye, especially in children, is a very serious sign and requires immediate professional attention. Contact your eye doctor immediately.

Foreign Object Under the Eyelid: First of all, DO NOT rub your eye if something becomes stuck under your eyelid. Try to wash it out with water. If that does not work, contact your eye doctor immediately.

Chemicals in the Eye: If any chemicals come into contact with your eye, immediately flush the eye with cool tap water. Turn your head to the side, with the affected eye facing down. Hold the eyelid open and allow the water to run over the eye. Do this for 15 minutes. After flushing the eye, seek immediate medical attention.

Foreign Object Embedded in the Eye: First and foremost, as hard as it may be to resist, DO NOT try to remove the object or apply pressure to the eye. Leave the object in place and bandage the eye. Then cover the healthy eye with a clean cloth or gauze and seek immediate medical attention.

There is a general theme when it comes to eye emergencies; if you experience an eye emergency, seek immediate medical attention and contact your eye doctor – ophthalmologist or optometrist – right away. If you are unable to reach your eye care physician, have a family member or friend drive you to the nearest emergency room. And remember the following advise.

•DO NOT rub your eye.

•DO NOT attempt to remove a foreign object that is in contact with the cornea or that is embedded in the eye.

•DO NOT use dry cotton or sharp objects on the eye.

•DO NOT contaminate a burn. Avoid breathing on the affected area.

If you have any questions about what you have just read or if you would like to learn more about AAEC’s Emergency Eye Care Services, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010.

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.

Sources:

Emergency Eye Care ClearVue.org

What is the Best Way to Prevent Vision Loss Due to Glaucoma?

July 31, 2015 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Glaucoma is a well-known eye condition that is not well known. Wait, what? What we mean by this is that while most people have heard of glaucoma, many do not know much about this eye condition, or more accurately a group of eye conditions. According to a 2002 survey by Prevent Blindness America, an astonishing 80% of respondents had no idea what glaucoma was.

What is Glaucoma?

There are many forms of glaucoma (as many as 70-80). Most stem from increased intraocular pressure (IOP), or outside factors, such as trauma or disease, and damage the optic nerve, which is responsible for carrying visual signals to the brain.

At first, vision loss due to glaucoma is almost unnoticeable. There are no warning signs, no symptoms.

Normal eye pressure is 12-21 mm Hg. Anything above 21 is considered elevated.

What is the Best Way to Prevent Vision Loss Due to Glaucoma?

Currently, there are 60 million people worldwide (2.2 million Americans) afflicted with glaucoma. What’s scarier is that roughly half of those people – nearly 30 million people – don’t even know they have glaucoma. How is this possible? At first, vision loss due to glaucoma is almost unnoticeable. There are no warning signs, no symptoms. As a result, a person can lose as much as 40% of his or her vision before they even notice a difference.

So what is the best way to prevent such vision loss? Regularly Scheduled Eye Exams. Only a compressive eye exam, including tonometry, visual field exam, visual acuity, and a dilated eye exam can determine if glaucoma is present.

If caught early and treated properly, vision loss due to glaucoma can be stopped 95% of the time. When was your last eye exam?

Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment in Maryland

The Anne Arundel Eye Center is a regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. Led by board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, AAEC offers complete ophthalmic exams, as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Over the years, Dr. Boles and his staff have helped preserve thousands of patients’ vision. They can help you too.

Dr. Boles will diagnose your specific condition and make recommendations for treatment and future glaucoma management.

If you have any questions about Glaucoma Treatment or wish to schedule an appointment with Anne Arundel Eye Center (AAEC), please contact Board Certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, Dr. Kathryn Gurganus Turner, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010 or Click Here to fill out our contact form.

You can also follow AAEC on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

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

Cataract Treatment in Annapolis, Maryland

February 13, 2013 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. Board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles, M.D. likes to compare cataracts to the clear plastic window on a convertible car.

“Just like the little plastic window in the back of a convertible, the natural lens inside the eye can become cloudy after many years of natural exposure to the sun and through the normal aging process,” said Dr. Boles.

There are three categories of cataracts:

Subcapsular Cataract: Beginning in the back of the lens, subcapsular cataracts are most common among those with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa, or those taking high doses of steroids.
Nuclear Cataract: The most common form of cataracts, nuclear cataracts forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, as a result of natural aging.
Cortical Cataract: Forming in the lens cortex and gradually extending its spokes from the outside in, cortical cataracts are most common in people with diabetes.

What causes Cataracts?

Cataracts are usually caused by age, when the protein in the lens may start to clump together and cloud a small area of the lens. No one knows for sure why this occurs, however, several studies claim that exposure to ultraviolet light could be to blame.

Are Cataracts Common?

Simply put, yes. Nearly 50% of all adults will develop cataracts by the time they turn 65 years old.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts?

Common cataract signs and symptoms include:

Blurry sight
Double vision
Halos
Difficulty driving at night
Colors may become faded
Frequent changes in 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.

What is the Treatment for Cataracts?

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

Best of all, cataract surgery has the highest success rate of any surgery practiced today. And recovery is a breeze. Most patients can resume their normal, everyday function in very little time and can even drive a few days after surgery.

Where can I have my Cataracts treated in Maryland?

Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and cataracts, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers complete ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or seeking surgical treatment, our state-of-the-art treatment center can meet all your eye care needs.

To learn more about Cataracts, 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!

Are Eye Diseases, like Glaucoma & Cataracts, on the Rise?

July 10, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

According to a new report by Prevent Blindness America, eye diseases are rising at an alarming rate in the United States, with many of these vision problems are severe enough to cause vision loss or even blindness.

United States Eye Disease Statistics

Instances of Diabetic Retinopathy, which involves damage to the blood vessels in the retina, have risen 89% over the past 12 years., now affecting nearly 8 million Americans over the age of 40.
Instances of Macular Degeneration, which affects the part of the eye (macula) that provides sharp, central vision, have risen 25%, now affecting more than 2 million American over the age of 50.
Instances of Cataracts, which is the leading cause of vision loss among adults 55 and older, have risen 19%. The eye disease now affects more than 24 million Americans over the age of 40.
Instances of Open Angle Glaucoma, which is the most common type of glaucoma, have risen 22%, now affecting more than 3 million American over the age of 40.
34 million Americans over the age of 40 have Myopia (Nearsightedness).
14 million Americans over the age of 40 have Hyperopia (Farsightedness).
2.9 million Americans suffer from Low Vision.
Currently, about 1.3 million Americans are Legally Blind.

Preventing Vision Loss

The best way to protect your eye health is by getting regular eye checkups from your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist. During your 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 and other problems that could lead to vision loss.

To learn more about Eye Diseases or 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:

Eye Diseases Rising at a Rapid Rate in U.S.

What is a Cortical Cataract and how is it Treated? :: Cataracts Awareness Month

June 28, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

As part of Cataracts Awareness Month, we at Anne Arundel Eye Center are trying to spread awareness about the different types of cataracts. So far, we have covered the Warning Signs of Subcapsular Cataracts, as well as The Signs and Sypmtoms of Nuclear Cataracts. And this week, we are going to focus on a third type of cataracts, Cortical Cataracts.

What is a Cortical Cataract?

Each type of cataract develops in a specific portion of the lens. A cortical cataracts forms in the shell layer of the lens, known as the cortex, and gradually extends its spokes from the outside of the lens to the center.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Cortical Cataracts?

The different types of cataracts each present themselves with different signs and symptoms. The signs and symptoms associated with cortical cataracts include:

Vision loss
Blurred vision or blurry vision
Glare
Difficulty driving at night
Double vision involving one eye (monocular diplopia)

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.

What are the Common Treatment Options for Cortical Cataracts?

While there are no scientifically approved medications designed to cure cataracts, there are several treatment options available, including:

Prescription Glasses: Since cortical cataracts can result in decreased visual acuity, glasses may be prescribed to make up for the vision loss. However, this is only a short term solution as the cortical cataract continues to develop. Eventually, glasses will cease to be an effective method of treatment. When this happens it is probably time to consider cataract surgery.
Cataract Surgery: When glasses fail to make up for the vision loss caused by a cortical cataract, cataract surgery may be your best option to restore your sight. Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure and involves the eye surgeon removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens.

A consultation with an experienced and knowledgeable Ophthalmologist will help determine if you have cataracts and, if necessary, guide you through your cataract treatment options.

To learn more about Cortical Cataracts 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 by contacting us.

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, and YouTube!

Sources:

What Are the Treatments for Cortical Cataracts?

Cortical Cataract Symptoms