While eye care is important at all stages of life, it becomes even more critical after being diagnosed with glaucoma. If your eye doctor in Chicago has informed you that you have this condition, then continue reading to learn how to help preserve your eyesight.

Glaucoma is typically a result of pressure that builds up in the eye and causes damage to the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting information to the brain. As the optic nerve deteriorates, so does vision. For this reason, glaucoma can lead to blindness in just a few years if not treated by an eye doctor.

Diagnosing glaucoma early and being treated by an ophthalmologist are key to preserving your eyesight when you have this condition. For this reason, it’s important to see your eye doctor regularly for checkups and to adhere to your treatment plan. Some of the treatment options for glaucoma include microsurgery, laser surgery, and medicated eye drops.

When it comes to vision loss in seniors, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common problem seen by eye doctors in Chicago . In developed countries, AMD is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in older adults. If you are nearing age 60 and have concerns about your eye care, then continue reading to learn more about this condition.

The Basics of AMD

At the center of the retina is a small area called the macula, which provides pinpoint vision and enables you to see details clearly. In this way, the macula plays an important role in helping you read, drive, and recognize faces. Macular degeneration refers to the breakdown of the macula, and it’s common for people to develop this condition as a natural part of the aging process. For this reason, age-related macular degeneration is the most common type of macular problem.

The Causes of AMD

Macular degeneration can result from abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina. The formation of deposits under the retina, called drusen, are another cause. Studies indicate that genetic changes could be responsible for many cases of macular degeneration, and researchers suspect that the oxidative stress caused by the formation of free radicals in the body may also play a role in the development of AMD.

The Symptoms of AMD

AMD can affect your central vision by causing blurriness, distortion, or dark spots, and this condition rarely impacts the peripheral vision. As an example, someone with advanced AMD might be able to see the outer ring of numbers when looking at a clock, but not the hands in the middle.

The Treatment of AMD

At this time, there is no cure for macular degeneration. However, your eye doctor may recommend several options that can potentially reduce how AMD affects your eyesight and address your symptoms. Supplementation with certain vitamins has been shown to be beneficial, and your eye doctor may also recommend laser therapy, vision aids, or medications as part of your treatment.

Myopia is a common vision problem. If you’re nearsighted and want a solution other than eyeglasses or contact lenses, then your eye doctor may recommend treatment with intraocular lenses (IOLs). If you’re interested in intraocular implants in Chicago , then continue reading to learn more about this option for vision correction.

Intraocular lenses offer a solution for myopia.

Many people wear contacts or glasses daily in order to see properly. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common type of refractive error, and its prevalence continues to grow. If you suffer from myopia, then this means that you have difficulty seeing objects that are at a distance. Some other symptoms of myopia include eye strain, headaches, and squinting. If you’re nearsighted and are tired of wearing glasses or contacts to see clearly, then intraocular lenses could be right for you.

Intraocular lenses are like permanent contacts.

An intraocular lens is a lot like a contact lens, except that it is surgically implanted in the eye. This means that instead of sitting on the surface of the eye, it is placed in the eye where it can provide you with clearer vision 24 hours a day. An IOL is implanted in front of the eye’s natural lens to work with it and correct your blurry vision. Intraocular lenses require just one surgical procedure and do not need to be removed.

Intraocular lenses offer many benefits.

As an individual with impaired vision, IOLs have a lot to offer you. Intraocular lenses provide stable and predictable results when it comes to giving patients excellent quality of vision. Also, the IOL procedure is relatively simple surgery, allowing your eye doctor to insert the implant through a microincision. IOLs require no maintenance, are invisible, and can be removed later, if necessary. Finally, intraocular lenses are a versatile solution, providing vision correction for a broad range of eye problems and offering an alternative treatment for individuals who are not candidates for LASIK.

When was the last time you visited your optical center in Chicago to have your eyes tested for glaucoma by an eye doctor? If it’s been more than a couple of years, then you could be overdue for a screening. Read on to learn what puts you at greater risk for developing glaucoma.

Age

Individuals over 40 are at a higher risk for both open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and closed-angle glaucoma (CAG), and your age impacts how frequently you should be seeing an eye doctor for testing. People under age 40 should visit an eye care professional every 2 to 4 years. From ages 40 to 54, see your eye doctor every 1 to 3 years. Individuals who are between ages 55 and 64 should have their eyes tested every 1 to 2 years. Once reaching 65 years of age, people should visit their eye doctor once every 6 to 12 months.

Race

Race has been linked to different types of glaucoma. People of African descent are at a higher risk for developing OAG than Caucasians, and people with East Asian ancestry are more likely to suffer from CAG than other individuals. Also, Hispanics in older age groups are at a greater risk for glaucoma. If you fall into one of these high-risk groups, then consider seeing your eye doctor more frequently.

Family History

OAG is the most common form of glaucoma, and both it and CAG are hereditary conditions. This means that if you have immediate family members who suffer from glaucoma, that you should be seeing an eye doctor for testing more frequently than you would otherwise because you have a much greater risk of developing the disease.

Other Factors

There are several other factors that can increase your risk for open-angle glaucoma which include having high pressure in the eyes, having diabetes, and having prior loss of vision due to glaucoma. Additional risk factors for closed-angle glaucoma include being female, having farsightedness, and having CAG in one eye. If any of these risk factors apply to you, then speak with your ophthalmologist about how often you should have your eyes checked for glaucoma.

Your ophthalmologist near Chicago will tell you that the holiday season can be particularly hazardous for the health of your eyes. To help avoid an accident, continue reading to learn how to practice good eye care this New Year’s Eve.

Champagne

If you’re like most people, then you intend to ring in the new year with a champagne toast during your holiday party. To make a great impression on your guests, learn how to open a champagne bottle like a pro, something which does not involve flying corks. The uncontrolled release of a cork from a bottle of sparkling wine or champagne can reach up to 50mph, making it a serious eye hazard, according to eye doctors. You can help protect everyone’s eyes at your party by learning to safely open champagne.

Fireworks

A frequently underestimated New Year’s Eve tradition, the use of sparklers is one of the leading fireworks-related causes of emergency trips to an eye doctor. For this reason, their use should be approached with the same level of caution as fireworks. To use sparklers safely this holiday, only light them outdoors, light only one at a time, point sparklers away from your face and those of others, and always keep a bucket of water nearby. As for fireworks, do not touch unexploded fireworks, always wear protective gear when handling fireworks, and respect all safety barriers at fireworks shows.

Poppers

For many people, a New Year’s Eve party is lacking if there aren’t party poppers involved. If you plan to celebrate with party poppers this holiday, keep in mind that they can cause eye injuries if they aren’t used with caution. First, always point party poppers away from your face and those of others. Second, avoid trying to fix poppers that turn out to be duds because there is a chance that they will explode in your face while you’re working on them. Finally, never allow children to use party poppers alone and be sure to instruct them on their safe and proper use.

Once the cold, dry weather of winter arrives, many people are forced to make changes to keep their eyes comfortably lubricated. If you’re thinking about visiting your eye doctor in Chicago about dry eye treatment, then continue reading to learn what else you can do to prevent dry eye symptoms this season.

While outdoors, dry winter winds can take quite a toll on your eye lubrication, so consider wearing sunglasses during the day and glasses at night when you head outside. Additionally, wearing contact lenses for extended periods of time can lead to dry eye symptoms, so consider favoring your eyeglasses more during the winter and wearing your contact lenses for shorter durations.

Getting enough fluids is important for your overall health year-round but is particularly significant when you want to prevent your eyes from feeling dry and gritty. Also, if you want to avoid dry eye symptoms, then be sure to include plenty of vitamins A, C, and E in your diet this season, as well as foods containing omega-3 fatty acids. Finally, if the air in your home feels dry, run a humidifier as often as necessary to keep your indoor humidity levels within a comfortable range.