Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey

Michigan's Leading Eye Care Physicians

World Diabetes Day

Grosinger Spigelman and Grey World Diabetes Day 2019

A diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes is rapidly increasing throughout the world. This disease is typically preventable and if left untreated can effect your overall health including your eyes. Diabetic eye disease worsens as time passes and can cause eye damage and the ability to see. Conditions that can develop due to diabetes include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important that you also make an appointment with an ophthalmologist to manage the progression. Contact Grosinger, Spigleman & Grey located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to schedule an appointment.

Why Is It Hard to Focus When I Read Now That I’m Over 40?

Eye Michigan Why Am I Struggling to Focus When Reading

Our bodies change as we age. Those changes extend to our eyes. It’s important to understand what is happening so you can learn how to overcome the challenges of growing older.

Seeing After Age 40

Many adults notice diminished eyesight by the time they reach their early to mid-40s.  This usually causes problems when seeing objects that are close by, like when reading a book or newspaper. This condition is known as presbyopia.

You may be able to adapt by holding your reading material farther away from your face. Some adults may need prescription glasses. You may be at a higher risk for developing presbyopia if you:

  • Have a family history of macular degeneration or glaucoma
  • Were diagnosed with high blood pressure or diabetes
  • Work in a field that is visually demanding
  • Take medications for anxiety, depression, arthritis, thyroid issues, or high cholesterol

Signs of Age-Related Eyesight Changes

The number of symptoms and level of severity will vary from one patient to the next. The following, lists common signs that your eyesight changes are age-related:

  • Difficulty viewing things that are close to you
  • Difficulty with glare, especially when driving at night
  • Difficulty distinguishing different shades of color
  • Dry or irritated eyes with less tear production
  • Need more light to see well

Signs Your Vision Problem Isn’t Age-Related

Just because you are over age 40 doesn’t mean your vision change is age-related. Seek medical advice right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:

  • Vision that fluctuates in clarity
  • Seeing floaters or spots
  • Loss of peripheral or side vision
  • Images viewed appear distorted

Even if you suspect your changes are related to age, you should still talk to an ophthalmologist. It is important to make sure there are no other underlying causes and recommend the best way to address the problem. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Bloomfield Hills offices now to schedule your eye exam.

5 Lifestyle Choices That Can Lower Your Risk of Glaucoma

Eye Michigan Lifestyle Choices Can Reduce Risk of Glaucoma

The choices you make in life affect your health. That includes your eyesight. Establishing better habits now will pay off in the future. The following list will help you get started so that you can keep your vision for as long as possible.

  • Be Proactive – Take a proactive approach by learning about your risks. You may be more likely to develop glaucoma if you are over age 40, have a family history, are farsighted, suffer an eye injury, have high blood pressure or use corticosteroids.
  • Don’t Smoke – Smoking can be harmful to your health. While there isn’t currently a direct link to smoking and glaucoma, some studies found that it can cause intraocular pressure (IOP) to increase.
  • Maintain a Healthy Weight – Obesity has been connected to age-related cataracts, maculopathy, and glaucoma. It can also bring on a host of other health problems. Keep a healthy weight to lower your risk of these and other diseases.
  • Limit Caffeine – It’s okay to drink a little coffee. However, it should be enjoyed in limited quantities. A Blue Mountains Eye Study found that patients who drank coffee regularly had a noticeably higher IOP compared to those that don’t.
  • Get Daily Exercise – Research has found that moderate to vigorous exercise like jogging may lower your risk of glaucoma. In one study, regular workouts can reduce risk by as much as 73%.

See Your Eye Doctor

There are many factors involved in determining your risk. It is best to talk to a professional who can assess your eye condition and lifestyle and make recommendations. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey ophthalmologists today to schedule an appointment.

Are Eye Diseases Hereditary?

Grosinger Spigelman and Grey Hereditary Eye Diseases
There are over 350 known hereditary eye conditions.

When you visit a doctor for the first time, they will most likely ask about your family history. That’s because many conditions can be hereditary. The same goes for your eyes. Some diseases can be passed down genetically. Knowing all of your risk factors will better equip your ophthalmologist when diagnosing problems or choosing treatments.

What Are Hereditary Eye Diseases?

A hereditary disease causes approximately 60% of blindness in infants. As many as 40% of patients diagnosed with ocular misalignment (strabismus) have family history of the disease. We currently know of over 350 hereditary eye conditions that affect people across the world. The list includes:

  • Colorblindness
  • Glaucoma
  • Optic atrophy
  • Retinitis pigmentosa
  • Albinism
  • Leber congenital amaurosis

Genetics can also play a role in common vision problems. Researchers have found that there is a connection between family history and refraction errors like nearsightedness and farsightedness.

What Do I Do If I Have Eye Disease in My Family History?

While we can’t necessarily fix a genetic problem, we can use that information to make better health choices.

The first thing you should do is learn about your family history. Find out if you have a genetic predisposition for any disease. You should cover everything because some conditions can have side effects that damage the eyes. Talk to your family members and let your primary care doctor and your ophthalmologist know what you find.

Next, you should learn as much as you can about the conditions and what causes them. Some lifestyle choices could increase risk. Things like smoking, excessive drinking, and obesity could make you more likely to develop the condition. Manage the factors you can change to keep your overall risk at a minimum.

Schedule regular ophthalmologist appointments. An eye care professional can monitor your health and watch for early signs of disease. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Bloomfield Hills offices to schedule your visit.

What Is 20/20 Vision?

Grosinger Spigelman Grey What Does 20 20 Vision Mean

Chances are you have heard the term “20/20 vision” mentioned in relation to eye care. It’s a common phrase, yet many do not know exactly what it means.

Understanding Visual Acuity

Visual acuity refers to the sharpness of a person’s vision. This measurement is taken using one of the most recognizable tests in the ophthalmologist’s office: the eye chart.

The patient remains seated and stationary while looking at a black and white chart with lines of letters or numbers. This is usually hung a short distance away on a wall. The rows get smaller the further down the chart they go. The patient is asked to read the lines down to the smallest size they can see.

Visual acuity is determined by three factors:

  • How the cornea and lens focus light
  • Nerve sensitivity in the retina and brain
  • Brain’s ability to interpret visual data

Breaking Down 20/20 Vision

What do eye charts have to do with 20/20 vision? The measurement is based on Snellen fractions, named for Dutch ophthalmologist Herman Snellen. The first number is the distance between the eye chart and the patient. Doctors in the U.S. usually use 20 feet while other countries prefer six meters.

One of the smaller lines is used as the baseline for normal vision. This is considered the 20/20 line. Anything below that is even smaller and identified by lower numbers (15, 12, 10). If you can read those, then you have better than average visual acuity.

Anything above the 20/20 line is identified by higher numbers (40, 60, etc.). Only being able to read down to one of these larger lines indicates less-than-average visual acuity. The large “E” at the top of the eye chart is considered 20/200. Patients who can only read the “E” while using corrective lenses are considered legally blind.

Find out what your visual acuity is by calling Grosinger, Spiegelman & Grey today and making an appointment at our Bloomfield Hills office. We can help you find the best prescription for the clearest eyesight and make sure that your eyes are healthy.

10 Easy Tips for Healthy Eyes

Grosinger Spigelman Grey 10 Easy Tips for Healthy Eyes

Good vision starts with healthy habits. By actively taking care of your eyes, you will reduce your chances of disease and injury later in life. What can you do to enjoy clear vision for years to come?

  • Eat Healthy and Watch Your Weight – Poor diet and obesity can cause many health problems. A big part of healthy eyes starts with a healthy body. Make sure fruits and vegetables are part of your daily diet.
  • Avoid Bad Habits Like Smoking – Bad habits like smoking can cause eye conditions like AMD and glaucoma. Also, avoid drinking alcohol and coffee in excess.
  • Check Your Family History – Some eye conditions are genetic. That means you can develop the same ones your relatives have or had. Check your family history, so you know your risk factors.
  • Use Protective Eyewear – Wear protective eyewear anytime you engage in activities that could cause eye injury. These include playing sports, working construction, or handling chemicals.
  • Follow the 20-20-20 Rule – When using a computer or device with a screen, stop every 20 minutes. Spend this time to focus your eyes on an object that is about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to prevent eyestrain.
  • Handle Contacts with Clean Hands – Anything that’s on your hands can be transferred to your eyes on your contacts. Always handle lenses with clean hands.
  • Don’t Rub Your Eyes – If you have the urge to rub your eyes, don’t. This can allow germs to come in contact with eyes, causing infection.
  • Use Quality Facial Products – If you wear beauty products on your face like makeup or lotion, only use quality brands you trust. Knock off products or those of poor quality can contain bacteria or questionable substances that are harmful to eyes.
  • Watch for Vision Changes – Talk to a doctor as soon as you notice a change in your vision.
  • Have Regular Comprehensive Eye Exams – Regular eye exams allow your doctor to monitor your eyesight and watch for signs of underlying problems. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey’s Bloomfield Hills offices now to schedule your next eye exam.
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