FAQ

1. Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam. A dilated eye exam is the only way to detect many common eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and age related macular degeneration in their early stages.
2. Know your family's eye health history. It's important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with a disease or condition since many are hereditary. This will help determine if you are at higher risk for developing an eye disease or condition.
3. Eat right to protect your sight. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale or collard greens is important for keeping your eyes healthy. Research shows there are eye health benefits from eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna and halibut
4. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions which can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma. If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, talk to your doctor.
5. Wear protective eyewear. Protective eyewear includes safety glasses and goggles, safety shields, and eye guards specially designed to provide the correct protection for certain activities.
6. Quit smoking or never start. Smoking is as bad for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body. Research has linked smoking to an increased risk of developing age related macular degeneration, cataract, and optic nerve damage, all of which can lead to blindness.
7. Wear your shades. Sunglasses are a great fashion accessory, however their most important job is to protect your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet rays. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.
8. Give your eyes a rest. If you spend a lot of time at a computer of focusing on any one thing, you sometimes forget to blink and your eyes can get fatigued. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This can help reduce eye strain.
9. Clean your hands and your contact lenses properly. Always wash your hands thoroughly before putting in or taking out your contact lenses to avoid the risk of infection. Make sure to disinfect contact lenses as instructed and replace hem as appropriate.
10. Practice workplace eye safety. Employers are required to provide a safe work environment. When protective eyewear is required as part of your job, make it a habit of wearing the appropriate type at all times and encourage your coworkers to do the same.

There are many different parts of the eye that help to create vision. We actually "see" with our brains; our eyes only collect visual information to begin this very complex process.

*Light passes through the cornea which is the clear, dome shaped surface covering the front of the eye. The cornea "refracts the incoming light.

*The iris, which is the colored part of the eye, regulates the pupil size, the opening that controls the amount of light entering the eye.

*The lens is right behind the pupil, it is the clear part of the eye which further focuses light, or an image, onto the retina.

*The retina is a very thin, delicate photosensitive tissue containing the "photoreceptor" cells that convert light into electrical signals.

*These electrical signals are further processed and travel from the retina of the eye to the brain through the optic nerve, a bundle of approximately one million nerve fibers.

Acomprehensive dilated eye exam is a painless procedure in which and eye care professional examines your eyes to look for common vision problems and eye diseases, many of which have fo early warning signs. Reguler comprehensive eye exams can help you protect your sight and assure you are seeing your best.

You should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam every one to two years, but that may depend on your age, risk factors, and if you are already wearing corrective lenses. Contact lens wear, visual changes, and family history of diseases of the eye indicate the need for more frequent comprehensive eye exams. Your doctor will evaluate the factors and discuss when you should return for follow up care.

AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION:

Age related macular degeneration usually occurs in people who are age 50 and older. As people age, the risk increases. Other risk factors include:

SMOKING. Research shows that smoking increases the risk of AMD two-fold.

RACE. Caucasians are much more likely to get AMD than people of African descent.

FAMILY HISTORY. People with a family history of AMD are at higher risk.

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CATARACT:

The risk of cataract increases as you get older. Other risk factors of cataract include:

Certain diseases such as diabetes.

Personal behavior such as smoking and alcohol use.

The environment such as prolonged exposure to sunlight.

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DIABETIC RETINOPATHY:

All people with diabetic retinopathy- both type 1 and type 2- are at risk.

During pregnancy, diabetic retinopathy may be a problem for women with diabetes.

The longer a person has diabetes, the greater his/her chances of developing diabetic retinopathy.

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GLAUCOMA:

Anyone can develop glaucoma. Some people, listed below, are at higher risk than others:

African Americans over age 40.

Everyone over age 60. especially Mexican Americans.

People with a family history of glaucoma.

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