Eyes For A Lifetime

From the Spring 2011 StayHealthy Publication

Now is the Time to See Your Eye Doctor

When and Why

Sure, you should see an eye doctor when you struggle to read or recognize the neighbors, but did you know that an eye doctor can detect conditions as serious as diabetes, cancer and stroke risk? That’s right, according to Ophthalmologist Douglas Zale, MD, of Chesterton. “The eye is the only place in the body where we can see blood vessels directly. An eye exam can show weak, blocked or thickened blood vessels and also reveal inflammation that can be an early indicator of serious disease,” he said.

Zale recommends that eye exams begin before a child enters school and then continue every two to three years until you turn 60, when they should be every year or two. “However, some people should be seen more frequently, such as those with a family history of eye problems, those who wear contacts or have diabetes, high blood pressure or other chronic diseases. Children born prematurely or showing problems with eye crossing or poor vision should also be seen right away.”

An eye exam tests vision, the pressure within the eye and inspects the eye front and back (using dilation) to assess circulation, the optic nerve, and the retina. “A change in eyesight can indicate diabetes as high sugar levels can lead to a thickening of the lens. The good news is that this damage, along with damage from other conditions such as glaucoma, can be reversed or slowed if it’s caught early,” said Zale.

In addition to regular eye exams, Zale recommends a healthy diet to maintain vision health. “Those carrots aren’t just an old wives’ tale. But it’s not just carrots. Red peppers and green leafy vegetables high in beta carotene contain the same healthy chemicals found in the retina,” he added.

What the Future Holds

Cataracts are common and curable

If you’re lucky enough to see 60 candles on your birthday cake, you’re also likely to be seeing cataracts. “Your eye is like a camera with a lens and over time the lens begins to cloud, gradually interfering with vision,” said Valparaiso Ophthalmologist Scott Buck, MD. According to Buck, cataracts can begin in your 40s or younger and can also be caused by trauma. Some people are even born with them. “There is even some evidence that UV exposure and tobacco use may promote cataract development,” he added.

You may have cataracts if…

“Generally people will complain of difficulty driving at night, or of seeing a glare or halo around lights. They may also note trouble reading or seeing the TV, even when they’re wearing their latest eyeglass prescription,” said Buck of the symptoms for cataracts. “We begin with a complete exam to confirm and rule out other issues.”

No more cataracts. No more eyeglasses?

The good news is that cataracts are very treatable through surgery, which can actually improve your vision. “Treating cataracts involves a simple outpatient procedure to remove the lens and replace it with a plastic implant custom measured for your eye,” Buck explained. “Today we have implant options that can do more than clear the lens. They can actually improve vision for many candidates. It’s absolutely possible for patients to stop wearing their glasses after surgery.”

According to Buck, cataract surgery takes less than half an hour and doesn’t usually require needles or stitches. “There’s very little discomfort, few complications, and recovery is fast . Generally, people see better the very next day or two,” he said.

“Often patients will have cataracts in both eyes, but usually schedule surgery in one eye first; then after about a week they set a date for the second eye if it’s ready,” said Buck. “It’s a pretty slick procedure – often just 10 minutes. Today we can offer patients lots of options to achieve spectacle independence, oftentimes for the first time in years. Patients are really happy with the results.”