Happy Holidays from Eye Michigan
The Importance of a Retina Examination
Regular checkups are just as important for your eyes as they are for the rest of your body. Even if you notice no changes or problems, there may be a condition developing that will require treatment. The best way to monitor for these issues is by scheduling regular eye doctor visits which should include a retina examination.
What Is a Retina Examination?
A retina examination lets your ophthalmologist look at the structures found at the back of the eye. Your pupils are dilated beforehand. Your eye doctor will shine a bright light and look through a microscope to assess the optic nerve, retina, and blood vessels. The process is comprised of four parts.
- Dilating the Eyes – The first thing your eye doctor will do is dilate your eyes with drops that cause the pupil to widen. This allows more light to enter and provides a clear view of the inside.
- Tonometry Test – Tonometry measures pressure inside the eye. This helps your ophthalmologist look for signs of glaucoma. A puff of air is blown directly into the eye or a pressure-sensitive tip is positioned near or up against the eye.
- Visual Field Test – This test measures the entire scope of vision. That includes the center and peripheral fields. One eye is tested at a time. Modern testing devices will also track the patient’s ability to maintain a straight-ahead gaze.
- Visual Acuity Test – This test involves reading an eye chart. This is the most well-known of all eye tests.
What Can a Retina Exam Diagnose?
A retina exam can diagnose conditions like hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, detached retina, and macular degeneration. Some problems are not accompanied by obvious symptoms, making a test necessary for early detection. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians today to schedule your retina examination.
Safe Toys and Celebration Month
How Can Your Grandchild’s Toys Affect Their Vision?
December is an exciting time for families across the United States. Many celebrate religious holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah. It’s a big time for toy shopping as well. That’s why it is the perfect time to observe Safe Toys and Celebration Month.
The toys your grandchild plays with can present a risk to their vision. Some playthings are not as safe as others. That’s because they may contain parts or edges that could hurt your little one – including their eyes. Every parent and grandparent should keep this in mind when buying kids gifts this year.
10 Tips for Buying Eye-Safe Toys This Holiday Season
The following tips can help you choose the safest toys for every child on your gift list this holiday season.
- Avoid toys with sharp edges or components
- Avoid projectile toys like dart or pellet guns
- Only choose toys rated for your child’s age group
- Buy the necessary safety gear to go with items like sporting equipment
- Read toy warning labels before you buy
- Avoid toys with pointed ends like plastic swords and guns
- Laser pointer toys can cause blindness if misused
- Do not buy aerosol string because the chemicals used can cause eye irritation
- Buy playground equipment that is in new condition and intended for your child’s age group
- Be careful when browsing budget or off-brand toys because these tend to be less sturdy
Keep your loved ones safe over the holidays season.
Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Wishes You a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!
What Causes High Intraocular Pressure?
Intraocular pressure is the term used to describe the fluid pressure inside an eye. This is measured using tonometry, which provides readings in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Sometimes pressure in the eye becomes excessive, leading to a condition known as ocular hypertension. You may notice no symptoms, which is why it is so important to schedule regular eye examinations to check for changes in pressure. A reading of 21 mmHg or more is usually considered higher than normal.
Causes of High Intraocular Pressure
Various problems can lead to high intraocular pressure. The best course of treatment will depend on the root cause of the condition.
- Excessive Fluid Production – The aqueous is the clear fluid inside the eye. It is produced by the ciliary body and moves between the iris and cornea. If too much is produced, it will increase pressure within the eye.
- Inadequate Fluid Drainage – Inadequate drainage of fluid can also cause ocular hypertension. The fluid that moves through the eye eventually drains through the trabecular meshwork, which is found where the iris and cornea meet. If it doesn’t drain properly, it can cause imbalance and build pressure in the eye.
- Eye Injury and Trauma – Any trauma inflicted on the eye can affect the aqueous. The effects may not be noticed until months later, which is why all injuries should receive treatment right away.
- Medications – Some medications can cause high intraocular pressure, including steroids prescribed for asthma.
A condition like corneal arcus or pigment dispersion syndrome can also change the pressure in the eye. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan for an appointment to measure your intraocular pressure and check for conditions like glaucoma.
Study Shows Cataract Surgery Reduces Car Crash Risk
Cataracts are a common problem that affects over 24 million people over the age of 40 in America. More than half of all U.S. citizens develop cataracts by the time they are 80 years old.
Do Cataracts Cause Vehicle Accidents?
When people grow older and develop cataracts, it becomes much harder to do the things they used to do. That includes everyday activities like driving. Oxford Academic published a study on September 28th, 2018 that found cataract surgery had a positive impact on the number of seniors involved in car crashes.
The study involved 2,849 drivers age 60 or older in Western Australia. Each had undergone cataract surgery on both eyes and were involved in a vehicular accident as the driver. A total of 1,312 participants were involved in 1,347 accidents during the 12 months before they had cataract surgery. A total of 775 were involved in 850 accidents during the time between their first and second surgeries. And 895 were involved in 916 accidents during the year after their second cataract surgery.
Researchers compared the results and worked in other risk factors to find that there was a 61% reduction in accident risk after the first cataract removal. There was a 23% reduction after the second surgery.
Cataract Removal Reduces Accident Costs
The total cost of all the accidents counted in the study was around $80.5 million AUD (or $57.30 million USD) during the year before the first removal. The total was $60.4 million AUD after the second surgery. The total surgeries cost $5.1 million AUD, which netted a savings of $14.9 million AUD for the community that was credited to participants having their cataracts removed.
If you experience vision changes, contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey’s ophthalmologists for an appointment. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend treatment that will keep you driving safely well into your golden years.
Happy Hanukkah
The Symptoms and Causes of 5 Common Eye Diseases
Common eye diseases can cause a wide range of symptoms. Often, the earlier a disease is detected, the better the outcome is for the patient. The following list will provide an overview of five common eye diseases and their causes and symptoms.
- Cataracts – Cataracts cause clouding on the lens of the eye. This can occur as the lens becomes less flexible and thickens due to natural aging. They can also form after an eye injury. Symptoms can include blurry or dim vision, poor night vision, light sensitivity, seeing halos, fading colors, and double vision in one eye.
- Glaucoma – Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve and can cause blindness. This happens due to increased pressure from fluids in the eye. It can be hereditary and may not be noticeable without an examination because it often causes no symptoms. Eventually, the patient will begin to lose their peripheral sight that eventually moves into the center field of vision.
- Diabetic Retinopathy – Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to blood vessels found in the light-sensitive tissue in the retina. This can develop in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Symptoms include spots or strings floating in the field of vision, blurred or fluctuating vision, inability to see colors properly, dark spots, and vision loss.
- Keratoconus– Keratoconus is a progressive condition that happens when the cornea thins and starts to bulge, causing a cone-like shape. This causes light to be deflected and distorts vision. Symptoms include irregular astigmatism, progressive nearsightedness, light sensitivity, glare, and blurry vision.
- Macular Degeneration – Macular degeneration happens when the center of the retina deteriorates. This area focuses our central vision and allows us to do things like read, recognize faces, and see detail. Symptoms include the appearance of straight lines that seem distorted as well as dark areas or a whiteout that starts at the center of the field of vision.
If you notice any changes in your eyesight, contact an ophthalmologist immediately. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to schedule an exam that could save your vision.
Happy Thanksgiving
There is so much to see this holiday. As you admire the fall colors, the bountiful feast on the table, and the smiling faces of loved ones, we hope that you know how much we appreciate you. We are grateful to have such a dedicated staff who work hard to bring our patients the best vision care possible. We would also like to express our gratitude to everyone who trusts us to care for their eyes. Our patients mean the world to us, and we wish them all the best now and all year round. May you and your loved ones enjoy a Thanksgiving full of warmth, love, and happiness!
What Causes Excessive Tearing?
Watery eyes describe a condition where the eyes produce excessive amounts of tears. This can happen in people of all ages for a variety of reasons. Some are minor, but others may be more significant and require medical attention.
Excessive Tearing Causes
Certain types of medications can cause watery eyes. They include epinephrine, echothiophate iodide drops, pilocarpine drops, and chemotherapy drugs. Radiation therapy can also increase your risk of excessive tearing. Non-medication related causes include
- Tear duct blockages
- Common cold
- Allergies and hay fever
- Eye scratch or damage
- Eyelid that’s turned out or in
- Corneal ulcer
- Infection in tear duct
- Ingrown eyelash
- Inflamed cornea
- Foreign object in eye
- Contact with a chemical substance
- Trachoma (bacterial infection)
- Eye injury
Watery eyes can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition. You may be more likely to develop excessive tearing if you are diagnosed with:
- Chronic sinusitis
- Bell’s palsy
- Facial nerve palsy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Thyroid disorder
- Tumor
How to Treat Watery Eyes
The best treatment plan for watery eyes will depend on what’s causing the condition. You may need prescription eye drops, antibiotics, or a medication to help reduce allergy symptoms. If a tear duct is blocked, then you may need surgery. Scratches, burns, or injuries should be treated accordingly to allow healing that will eventually correct the problem.
Your ophthalmologist can provide more information and recommend an effective treatment plan for watery eyes. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey, Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians today to schedule an appointment.