Glaucoma is a common cause of irreversible vision loss. This group of eye diseases, which inflict damage on the optic nerve, does not result in symptoms in the early stages. This is one reason why an ophthalmologist in Chicago may speak with you about your risk factors. If you are at a high risk of glaucoma, your ophthalmologist can explain the screening tests that are available at the optical center. One major risk factor is your family history. Having a parent or sibling who has been diagnosed with glaucoma can increase your own risk substantially. Be sure to update your personal and family health history each time you visit the eye doctor.

Another significant risk factor of glaucoma is your age. Your risk increases with each birthday, particularly when you reach your 40s and beyond. Individuals with severe nearsightedness are also at an increased risk of glaucoma, as are those who are of African, Hispanic, or Asian heritage. Patients with type 2 diabetes may already know of their risk of diabetic retinopathy, but they’re also at an increased risk of glaucoma, especially if they’ve had diabetes for a long time.

Intraocular lenses are implants that an ophthalmologist can surgically place in the eye. This type of eye surgery is most often performed for patients who require treatment for cataracts. However, intraocular implants may also be appropriate for vision correction. Because of the delicate nature of eye surgery and because your vision is so important, it’s critical to find an ophthalmologist who regularly performs this type of eye surgery in Chicago . Before undergoing any eye surgery, patients should be fully informed of what the procedure involves and what they can expect.

Cataracts

Cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision loss. They are cloudy areas on the lens of the eye that interfere with the ability of the lens to focus light on the retina. If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts, eyeglasses may initially work to correct your vision. However, if you’re having trouble despite your eyeglasses, it may be time to consider cataract surgery to receive intraocular implants. If you haven’t yet been diagnosed, but are experiencing possible symptoms of cataracts, then it’s important to see your eye doctor right away. Cataracts can cause blurry, cloudy, or dim vision, impaired night vision, sensitivity to light and glare, the appearance of “halos” around light sources, double vision in one eye, and the fading of colors. During cataract surgery, the ophthalmologist will remove the natural lens of the affected eye and place an intraocular lens in its place.

Nearsightedness

Although the development of a cataract is the most common reason to have intraocular lens surgery, some patients with nearsightedness may undergo Visian ICL. These are implantable contact lenses that are surgically inserted into the eye to provide permanent vision correction. This FDA-approved procedure does not involve removing the natural lens; rather, the doctor implants the artificial lens in front of the natural lens. If you are nearsighted, this procedure may be right for you if you have trouble wearing contact lenses or you’re concerned about possible infections from contact lenses. Visian ICL may also be appropriate for people who prefer not to wear eyeglasses, including athletes.

Are you tired of having to wear glasses or contacts to see well? If so, then you may be interested in treatment with intraocular implant lenses, or IOL. These lenses work similarly to contact lenses, but they are implanted into your eyes, offering you a more permanent form of vision correction. When determining your candidacy for IOL, there are several factors that your ophthalmologist near Chicago will consider.

Whether or not your eye doctor will recommend intraocular lenses can depend on your level of visual acuity. IOLs are considered ideal for individuals who have severe myopia, or nearsightedness, and are often advised for patients whose high level of myopia makes LASIK a poor choice. If you have nearsightedness greater than -10 or -11 diopters, then you could be a candidate for IOLs. If you’re interested in learning more about whether this procedure is right for you, then schedule an appointment with your eye doctor for an intraocular lens consultation.

With the growing popularity of DIY projects and home improvement repairs, it may come as no surprise that eye injuries that occur at home are on the rise. As part of your family’s ongoing eye care near Chicago, use the following tips to help prevent eye injuries around your home.

Inside the Garage

Unsurprisingly, many household eye injuries occur inside the garage or workshop. In many cases, these accidents result due to a lack of protective eyewear. If you are using chemicals, working with tools, securing items with bungee cords, or doing a task that creates dust or other eye irritants, it’s important to use caution. Due to the dangers that these activities can pose, eye doctors advise that you and anyone nearby wear protective goggles to help avert accidents.

In the Yard

While people often worry about the safety of using a lawnmower due to the sharp blades, this type of equipment can present a different kind of hazard. While they may seem innocuous, the pieces of grass and the dust particles that become airborne as you mow can be a threat to your eyes, so use protective eyewear for this task. The same eye care advice goes for using power trimmers on your shrubs and hedges.

Inside the House

Many of the eye injuries that occur inside the home involve chemicals and hazardous items such as bleach and household cleaners, so always wear protective goggles when necessary, and wash your hands after using these products to avoid getting them into your eyes. If anyone in your household uses curling irons or other heated styling devices near their face, remind them to take care when using these appliances, so they can avoid inadvertently making contact with their eyes. Also, eye injuries can occur when cooking due to splashing oil or other hot liquids, so always take care while in the kitchen. Finally, eye doctors advise that you always use caution while drilling or hammering, and even while opening champagne bottles, to help avoid injuries.

Routine optical exams are an important part of overall eye care, so it’s important to see your eye doctor in Chicago regularly. Doing so can help keep your eyes healthy by detecting problems, such as glaucoma, in their early stages. Read on to learn more about this eye disease.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma typically results due to fluid buildup that increases the pressure in the eye and causes damage to the optic nerve. The early symptoms of glaucoma are often minor or non-existent, so many people do not realize that something is wrong with their eyes until the disease has become advanced. Because glaucoma progresses slowly and often develops unnoticed, it’s important to visit your ophthalmologist regularly for exams. When caught early, glaucoma treatment can help preserve your vision.

Symptoms

The most common form of this disease is called open-angle glaucoma, and it usually has no symptoms while it’s in its early stages. Eventually, the damage to the optic nerve begins to cause blanks spots in the individual’s vision, but even these are difficult to notice until they become substantial in size. Another form of this disease, called angle-closure glaucoma, can cause an acute attack. These attacks can result in nausea, vomiting, severe eye pain, blurry vision, headache, and rings or halos around lights. If you experience any of these symptoms, see an ophthalmologist immediately.

Causes

The inside of your eyes are lined with a layer of tissue that is sensitive to light, called the retina. The optic nerve, which is composed of many nerve fibers, runs like a cable between your retina and your brain, communicating signals from the eye, which your brain then interprets as images. The front portion of an eye contains a clear fluid called aqueous humor. A healthy eye continually produces new aqueous humor, while draining out the existing fluid at the same time. This process works to maintain the healthy balance of pressure within the eye. Eyes with glaucoma, however, fail to preserve this balance, and the added pressure damages the optic nerve fibers and leads to reduced vision or blindness.

While regularly visiting your ophthalmologist near Chicago is an important part of your ongoing eye care, so is taking care of your vision while at work and home. If your vision gets blurry, your eyes burn, or your neck aches after sitting in front of your computer for a while, then you may be dealing with eyestrain. Watch this video to find out more about this common condition.

Referred to by eye doctors as computer vision syndrome, eyestrain that results from looking at a computer monitor is not an uncommon problem. Luckily, there are several steps that eye doctors recommend for preventing this issue. Your monitor should be 20 to 30 inches from your eyes, so adjusting it to be within this range may alleviate your symptoms. Also, ensure that the monitor is at eye level and that your lighting doesn’t create a glare on the screen.

Intraocular implants may be appropriate for some patients with cataracts or presbyopia. When you visit an optical center in Chicago to discuss having this type of eye surgery , the ophthalmologist will explain the different types of intraocular lenses (IOLs) that are available. One popular option is the monofocal lens, which is designed to provide optimal vision at near, intermediate, or far distances. If your monofocal lens is set for near distance, then you would need eye glasses to see at far distances. Another option is to set one lens for near and another for far distances. This is known as monovision and it provides vision at intermediate distances.

Alternatively, your ophthalmologist might recommend that you have multifocal or accommodative lenses. This is a newer type of IOLs that may reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. A multifocal lens features a series of different focal zones, which can allow for both near and far distance vision.

Did you know that September has been designated as Healthy Aging Month? Its purpose is to remind people that it’s never too late in life to take control of their wellness. One commonly overlooked aspect of aging is its impact on your eyes. Visiting an ophthalmologist in Chicago regularly is important at every stage of life, but it’s particularly crucial as you grow older. Millions of Americans face blindness because of age-related vision changes. Scheduling a comprehensive exam every year with your eye doctor will help you manage your vision health. Not only can your ophthalmologist diagnose problems early on, but he or she can also provide some general eye care tips to help you protect your sight.

Kick the Habit

Your ophthalmologist might advise you to quit smoking. If you smoke, you should know that the habit directly increases your risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Tobacco use can also indirectly increase your risk of vision problems, such as by making you more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases that affect the health of your eyes. Quitting smoking is hard, but dealing with the health consequences of smoking is far worse. By quitting, you’ll improve the health of everyone around you as well as your own health. If you’re having trouble quitting or you need a little more convincing, your eye doctor may refer you to your primary care physician, who can connect you with appropriate resources in your community.

Pay Attention to Your Diet

When you were younger, you might have consumed sugary sodas and baked goods without a second thought, but the body of an older adult is less forgiving. You may have already realized that eating healthier is better for your energy levels, mood, and cardiac health, but it’s also good for your eyes. Certain foods are rich in the nutrients that your eyes need. These include cold water fish like salmon and tuna, dark green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, and citrus fruits like kiwi and oranges. Eggs are also good for eye health because they contain lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients may offer some protection against age-related macular degeneration.

Manage Your Medical Conditions

If you’re undergoing regular wellness exams at your doctor’s office, then you might already know if you have high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, or high glucose levels. If so, it’s important to work with your doctor to manage these problems because they can affect your eye health.

Glaucoma refers to a cluster of eye diseases that inflict damage on the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss and perhaps blindness. Glaucoma is typically characterized by increased intraocular pressure, which can occur when fluid accumulates within the eye instead of being drained away. The optic nerve can sustain damage when this pressure builds up. Although glaucoma is a serious eye disease, the good news is that your ophthalmologist can detect it early and recommend effective treatment options to manage the problem. You can facilitate early detection of glaucoma by scheduling a screening at an optical center in Chicago.

Why You Should Get Screened

Many adults resist going to an ophthalmologist for an eye exam because they think that their vision is fine or that their prescription hasn’t changed. But in fact, eye diseases can develop without causing noticeable symptoms. Only a comprehensive eye exam at an optical center can lead to an accurate diagnosis. Taking an hour or so out of your day to undergo a glaucoma screening is a worthwhile investment in your health. Another important reason why you should get screened is that when left untreated, glaucoma can gradually rob you of your eyesight. When detected and treated early on, glaucoma is quite manageable.

When You Should Get Screened

The reason why it’s important to get screened at age 40 is because this is the time of life when eye diseases and other problems typically begin to develop. Even if your vision appears to be perfect, you could be developing asymptomatic problems like glaucoma. Your ophthalmologist will recommend a glaucoma screening schedule for you to follow. Generally, it’s recommended that patients ages 40 through 54 have a screening every one to three years. Those who are 54 to 64 should have one every one to two years and those who are older than 64 should have one every six to 12 months. Your ophthalmologist may adjust this schedule depending on your specific risk factors of glaucoma.

What Your Risk Factors Might Be

Ask your ophthalmologist if you’re at an increased risk of glaucoma. You may be if you have a family history of the disease, you’re age 40 or older, you have high intraocular pressure, or you are farsighted. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, a history of eye injuries, and a history of corticosteroid use are also at an increased risk.