Most of our patients are surprised to find out that women have a higher incidence of vision problems and have an increased risk of permanent vision loss compared to men. Many eye diseases start with no symptoms. Early diagnosis is key to help keep your vision longer. Regular comprehensive eye exams are the best way to receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan for an appointment.
LASIK for Graduation
There is no better gift for a college graduate than the gift of sight. Before your student heads out on their career path, provide them the freedom of discarding their glasses and contacts, so they have one less nuisance to contend with as they head out into the real world. Make an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists to see if they are a candidate for LASIK surgery.
Eyelash Facts
Eyelashes protect our eyes from dirt and debris, as well as contain sebaceous glands at the base that lubricates and protects from dryness and irritation. The lifespan of an average eyelash is three to five months, opposed to the rest of your hair which lasts two to four years. Eyelashes are the thickest hair on the human body. Most people have between 150-250 individual lashes on the top of the eyelid and between 50-100 on the lower lid. Eyelashes grow in uneven rows, 5 to 6 on top and 3 to 5 on the bottom.
UV Protection for Your Eyes
UV rays are more robust in the summer, but you can experience the effects of UV rays on your eyes all year round. Skin safety is at the top of everyone’s mind when it comes to the sun; however, your eyes are vulnerable to UV damage as well.
It is best to start wearing UV eye protection at a young age to prevent damage to the eye’s surface tissues, the cornea, and the lens, but it is never too late to start. Too much UV damage to the eyes can increase your risk of certain eye diseases such as cataracts, eye cancers, growths on the eye, and snow blindness.
By doing simple things like wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, you can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about the sun causing damage to your eyes over time.
Here are some tips to keep your eyes safe from UV rays:
- Wear sunglasses when outside any time of year.
- During times of exceptionally high UV rays, like midday during the summer, wear a wide-brimmed hat with your sunglasses for extra protection.
- Don’t look directly at the sun.
- Remember that clouds do not protect against UV rays, so wear your eye protection even on cloudy days.
- Avoid tanning beds; as artificial UV rays are just as damaging as the sun.
If you have any questions about UV safety for your eyes, talk to your eye doctor for expert advice on your specific situation.
A Look at Diabetic Eye Disease
American Diabetes Alert Day brings attention to Diabetic Eye Disease that impacts millions of Americans. Diabetic Eye Disease is not one eye disease, but rather a group of different eye diseases that often affects people with diabetes.
One of the lesser-known facts of diabetes is that over time it can cause damage to your eyes and eventually poor vision or even blindness.
One of the eye diseases that may occur in people with diabetes is Diabetic Macular Edema. Diabetic Macular Edema is a condition where vessels protrude in the eye, leaking fluid or blood, which causes swelling and vision trouble.
Some other common eye diseases that appear in diabetics are glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy damages the blood vessels in the retina, causing vision trouble.
There are some steps you can take to help prevent diabetic eye disease, including managing your diabetes as a whole.
Best practices that you can take to help protect your eyes if you are diabetic include:
- Have an in-depth eye exam at least once per year
- Work with your doctor to manage your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
- Quit smoking, as it can raise factors that make your diabetes worse, such as blood pressure
Remember that vision trouble with diabetes happens over time, so there is still an opportunity to get back into good health and protect your vision. At first, you might not notice your diabetes affecting your eyes, so it is essential to maintain optimal health and visit your ophthalmologist regularly to protect your eyes in the future.
To schedule a preventative eye exam, contact Grosinger, Spigelman, and Grey, Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians, today!
Keeping Your Eyes Safe on the Job
Workplace Eye Wellness Month rolls around every March to remind us of how best to protect our eyes on the job. Click on this link to learn more about how you can safeguard your eyesight at work.
Eggcellent Eyesight
The Easter bunny does not have perfect vision despite the childhood tales that we have been told. Bunnies are farsighted creatures and have difficulty seeing things immediately in front of them because their eyes are on the side of their heads.
SO, WHY DID THIS RUMOR START? [Read more…] about Eggcellent Eyesight
Alcon Vivity Lens
The new Alcon Vivity lens allows a greater range of vision than the traditional standard lens. This new technology is an exciting ophthalmic advancement and may be viable for some patients who were previously not candidates for a multifocal like Panoptix or Symfony. Schedule an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists to see if you qualify for the Alcon Vivity Lens to help reduce dependence on glasses.
Save Your Vision
Keeping your body and eyes healthy can help save your vision as you age. Vision gradually decreases as we grow older, and conditions such as presbyopia may arise. The hardening of the lens causes presbyopia as a part of the natural aging process. The lens becomes less flexible, making it difficult to focus on things near and far. If you want to keep your eyes and vision healthy, here are some tips to follow. [Read more…] about Save Your Vision
Glaucoma Treatment
The most effective glaucoma treatment is working with your ophthalmologist to manage your glaucoma. There are currently medications (usually eye drops), laser treatments, and surgeries available depending on the type of glaucoma and the severity. The goal is to reduce the pressure in the eye to decrease the damage to the optic nerve. [Read more…] about Glaucoma Treatment