Like so many diseases, few people know the warning signs of cataracts, or what to do about them. Cataracts are cloudy areas in the lens of the eye. They prevent light from passing through the lens (or lenses if both eyes are affected) and, as they become progressively worse, can make the patient’s vision similar to looking through frosted glass.

Below are symptoms that may indicate you are developing cataracts.

Cloudy or blurred vision

Cataracts start off small, so only a minimal area of your vision is initially impacted. You may occasionally look a specific direction and notice a blurred spot. It’s fairly common for patients to brush off these early signs. That clouded area will eventually grow, however, and overtake your full vision.

Lens discoloration

Cataracts cause a discoloration of the lens that result in patients beginning to notice that colors aren’t as bright as they once were. It’s like looking at life through a yellow or brownish film. Blues and purples are especially hard for the patient to distinguish as cataracts progress.

Light sensitivity, glare and halos

Cataracts can cause sunlight and lamps to seem uncomfortably bright. They can also cause patients to see glare around these light sources. When driving at night, a person developing cataracts will often see halos around the headlights of oncoming traffic.

Double vision

Double vision in one eye is common in cataract patients. Oddly enough, this may improve as the cataract grows larger and covers a larger portion of the lens’s surface. This is a dangerous symptom because it can throw off a person’s balance, so it should be checked out immediately.

Temporarily improved near vision

As strange as it may sound, some farsighted patients experience short-term vision improvement due to the impact cataracts have on the shape of the lens. They may even be able to read without the assistance of glasses for a short time. The improvement is only temporary, however.

Changes in vision

As pointed out above, cataracts can dramatically change your vision as they progress. As a result, patients developing cataracts frequently need changes to their eyewear prescriptions. A trained optometrist or ophthalmologist should be able to quickly recognize this issue in a patient.          

Presence of the symptoms above – individually or in combination – does not necessarily mean a patient has cataracts. Some symptoms can result from other eye diseases. Contact Gainesville Eye Physicians and Optical for a comprehensive exam, diagnosis and treatment plan.

Halloween is a popular time for people to use colored contact lenses to enhance their costumes.  From crimson vampire eyes to glow-in-the-dark lenses, costume contact lenses can add a spooky touch to your Halloween attire.  However, few people know the risks associated with these lenses.  Most people believe that decorative contact lenses do not require the same level of care or consideration as a standard contact lens because they can be purchased over the counter or online.  This assumption is far from the truth.

It is, in fact, illegal to sell colored contacts without a prescription in the United States.  All contact lenses are medical devices that require a prescription and proper fitting by an eyecare professional.  Retailers that sell contacts without a prescription are breaking the law, and could be fined up to $11,000 per violation.

Never buy contact lenses, costume or otherwise, from a retailer that does not ask for a prescription.  There is no such thing as a "one-size-fits-all" contact lens, and the lenses offered online or in novelty shops are most likely not approved by the FDA.  Lens that are not properly fit to your eye may scratch the cornea or cause other damage, even if worn only a few hours.  

To safely wear costume contact lenses for Halloween or any time of year, follow these guidelines:

• Get an eye exam from a licensed eyecare professional who will measure each eye and instruct you regarding proper contact lens care.
• Obtain a valid prescription that includes the brand name, lens measurements, and expiration date.
• Purchase the colored contacts from an eye product retailer who asks for a prescription.
• Never share contacts with another person.
• Get follow up exams with your eyecare provider.

If you notice redness, swelling, discharge, pain or discomfort from wearing contact lenses, remove the lenses immediately and seek medical attention from your eyecare provider.

Staring at your computer screen, smartphone, video game, or other digital devices for long periods won't cause permanent eye damage, but may cause your eyes to feel dry and tired.  Normally, humans blink about 18 times per  minute, but studies show we blink half that often while using computers and other digital screen devices.  Here are some tips to reduce eyestrain from computer use:

• Sit about 25 inches from the computer screen and position the screen so your eye gaze is slightly downward.
• Reduce glare from the screen by lighting the area properly; use a screen filter if necessary.
• Every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds (the 20-20-20 rule).
• Use artificial tears intermittently to refresh your eyes when they feel dry.
• Take regular breaks from computer work, and try to get enough sleep at night.  

If you have to be at your computer for an extended period of time, take regular rest breaks if possible.  If your eyes begin to feel irritated and tired, apply a washcloth soaked in warm water to your closed eyelids for a few minutes.  If you are a contact lens wearer, give your eyes a break and switch to glasses during a "marathon" computer session.

Over the years, studies have demonstrated an increased rate of glaucoma among people with sleep apnea, but these studies only proved that the sleep disorder was a marker for poor health in general.  However, new research from Taipai Medical University shows that sleep apnea itself is an independent risk factor for open-angle glaucoma.

The retrospective study took information from data collected across the population and found that those who had been diagnosed with sleep apnea were 1.67 times more likely to have open-angle glaucoma in the five years after diagnosis  than those without the sleep condition.

Glaucoma affects nearly 60 million people worldwide and is the second-leading cause of blindness.  If not treated, glaucoma reduces peripheral vision and eventually may cause blindness by damaging the optic nerve.  Half of the people who suffer from glaucoma are unaware of it, because the disease is painless and vision loss is typically gradual.

Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that blocks breathing during sleep for more than 100 million people worldwide.  In obstructive sleep apnea, the airway becomes blocked, causing breathing to stop for up to two minutes.  Symptoms include loud snoring, choking or gasping while sleeping, morning headaches and persistent sleepiness during the day.

The researchers hope the study will encourage doctors to mention the increased risk of glaucoma to patients with obstructive sleep apnea and recommend treatment for those who need it.  While the association between the two conditions is clear, the reasons for this connection is not yet understood.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends all adults get a baseline eye exam from an ophthalmologist by age 40, when early signs of disease and vision changes may start to occur.

Avoiding or quitting smoking is one of the best investments you can make in your long-term eye health.  Smoking-even at a young age when your senior years seem far away- increases your future risks for cataracts and age related macular degeneration.  And the more a person smokes, the higher the risks.  The good news is that after people quit smoking, their risks for these eye diseases become almost as low as for people who never smoked.

Smoking also raises the risks for cardiovascular diseases that influence your eyes' health.  And tobacco smoke, including second-hand smoke, is an irritant that worsens dry eye syndrome, a very uncomfortable eye condition that is most common in post-menopausal females.

Smoking increases the risk of serious vision loss in people with other eye diseases.  And when women smoke during pregnancy they are more likely to give birth prematurely, putting their babies at higher risk for a potentially blinding disease called retinopathy of prematurity as well as other health problems.

This blog post is an unedited account of a patient's cataract surgery experience:

"I Wish That I Had Not Waited So Long"

Dr. Marshall told me I was developing cataracts in both eyes during my annual appointment several years ago.  Dr. Marshall then told me that the cataracts had advanced to the point that the surgery would have to occur in the coming year during my appointment in October 2012.  I had by then noticed that the lighting in my home and office seemed to have dimmed and I was replacing bulbs with the strongest strength bulbs that the fixtures would safely burn.  I constantly thought the lenses in my glasses needed to be cleaned, I could no longer shoot my bow, I was running into the edges of tables, I was cutting my fingers in the kitchen, and I had suffered a series of falls.  The world in general was becoming a dim and narrow place with muted colors.  I had begun to have trouble driving at night by the end of February of this year so I knew that I simply had to find the time to have the surgical procedure.  I decided that Dr. Gregory Snodgrass was the surgeon that I wanted to operate on my eyes since Dr. Snodgrass is a surgeon with many years of experience with an excellent reputation and does a large number of these surgeries.  An added plus is that Dr. Snodgrass is a member of a practice that prides itself on individual patient attention.

I was fortunate enough to be scheduled for the April surgical schedule.  The pre-op preparation was simply incredible.  Two obviously well-trained and experienced med techs spent at least two hours independently measuring the specifications for my artificial lenses including talking with me together the better part of a half hour about the types of artificial lenses to assist me in making my choice of lens.  Your type of lens choice is pretty much a final choice.  I chose the type of lens that would give me crisp and sharp mid and far distance vision accepting the need for reading glasses since there would be a 20%-30% chance that I would need readers if I chose the multi-focal lens type.

The surgery itself is pretty much an anti-climax.  You are awake but medicated so that you are not in any way uncomfortable during the surgical procedures that I have an impression lasted only 15 or 20 minutes each.  Dr. Snodgrass works with an anesthetist (who insists that you call him Tim), who I think has ways to know if he needs to adjust your medication so that you remain comfortable.  The medication is administered through an IV placed on the top of the hand on the side of the eye that is being operated on that day.  A topical anesthetic is administered to the top of the hand before the IV is placed.  I was aware enough during the surgeries to realize that Dr. Snodgrass himself prepped my eyes for surgery.  The staff in the surgical suite even knew from the pre-op interview that I needed to have my left shoulder supported because an injury to the shoulder back when I was in high school makes it difficult for me to lie on my back.  I was home reading the newspaper by 9:30 a.m. and went to work the next day after both surgeries.  The time between the first and second surgery was the only difficult time in the whole process. You have one eye with crisp, sharp, bright and colorful 20/20 vision, you are wearing your old glasses with a lens trying to correct the vision in the other eye, and you find that you can hardly wait for the day of the second surgery.

As with any medical procedure, I was informed that there is a small risk of a bad result that becomes much lower if you use your three antibiotic and anti-inflammation prescription eye drops four times a day for a month and wear the special sunglasses that Dr. Snodgrass provides when out in direct sunlight for several weeks.  I was informed that the eye drops do have a brief stinging sensation with some patients and I was one of them but the sensation lasts just a moment.  The eye drops simply have to be used as prescribed.

It is hard to describe the joy that I felt when I walked out of my home the morning after the second surgery and saw the world again as it really is.  A real payoff came several mornings later when the weather had cleared and I went outside before daylight to pick up the newspaper.  I had forgotten that you can see craters on the face of the moon.

I regret that I waited so long to have Dr. Snodgrass fix my eyes and I am most grateful to Dr. Snodgrass and his staff for giving me my vision back.  There is no way that I can recover two years of gradually dimming and stumbling time in my life but you can avoid a similar loss if advised that you need a lens replaced.  Do not wait like I did.  Please contact Dr. Snodgrass' staff if you have any hesitation about the process or the surgery itself and the staff will put you in touch with me.  I will be happy to discuss the process with you.        

Phil D.

Eyes may change somewhat during pregnancy due to fluid retention, increased blood volume, fluctuation of hormones and other physical changes that are part of pregnancy.  Usually these changes are temporary and resolve after the baby is born, or after weaning a breast-fed child.  Vision changes tend to be minor and don't require a new eyeglass prescription.  LASIK or other refractive surgeries should not be performed when a woman is pregnant or breast-feeding.

A condition known as dry eye syndrome may result from hormonal fluctuations.  Talk to your eye physician about lubricating drops and other treatment options that are safe during pregnancy.  Wearing contact lenses may be uncomfortable when dry eye is present.  Eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, and flax seeds, may help improve dry eye syndrome and also supports good overall health.

If your vision becomes very blurry, it may signal serious conditions such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes.  If this occurs, you should contact your obstetrician immediately.

It is already well known that 30 minutes of physical exercise daily can benefit your heart, your waistline and your energy level, but it can also do your eyes a world of good.  It's simple logic that your eyes would receive the same benefit that the rest of your body does when you exercise.  Many eye diseases are linked to other health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels.  Exercise can help keep these problems under control and limit their impact.

Two recent studies have shown that people who exercise regularly were less likely to develop serious eye disease.  In one study, it was found that people who engaged in moderate physical exercise were 25 percent less likely to develop glaucoma than people who were largely inactive and lead a sedentary lifestyle.  In another study, researchers looked at the medical history of more than 3,800 people to see if there was a relationship between developing age-related macular degeneration and being physically inactive.  The scientists found that people who exercised three times a week were less likely to develop ARMD than people who didn't exercise.

If you already have a disease, exercise can help you manage it better.  For example, physical activity can help people with diabetes keep their disease under control.  That reduces the risk of complications, including diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of vision loss among working age adults.

The good news about exercise is that you don't have to be a marathon runner to reap the benefits.  Check out your local health and fitness club for a program that would fit your age and lifestyle.  Taking a brisk daily walk, climbing the stairs, and dancing are all great ways to get a good workout that will help you and your eyes stay healthy.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology now recommends that adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline eye exam screening at age 40 - the time when early signs of disease and changes in vision may start to occur.  Based on the results of the initial screening, your ophthalmologist will prescribe the necessary intervals for follow-up exams.  For people of any age with symptoms of eye disease or with a family history of eye disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, the Academy recommends an exam with an ophthalmologist to determine how frequently their eyes should be examined.

This recommendation does not replace regular visits to the eye doctor to treat ongoing diseases or injuries, or for exams for eye glasses or contact lenses.  Much like other "preventative" health screenings for adults in their 40's and 50's, an eye disease screening is a reminder to adults as they age that they need to maintain their eye health.  A baseline evaluation is important because it may detect eye diseases common in adults aged 40 and older.  Unfortunately, several common eye diseases can impact individuluals without them being aware there is any problem with their eyes. A screening creates greater opportunity for early treatment and preservation of vision.

A complete ophthalmologic evaluation can uncover common abnormalities of the visual system and related structures, as well as less common but extremely serious ones, such as ocular tumors or melanomas.  This evaluation can also uncover evidence of systemic disease that may affect the eyes, like diabetes or hypertension.  With appropriate treatment, potentially blinding diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy often have a favorable outcome.  

If you are age 40 or older and have not had a recent evaluation for eye disease, call and schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist today.  It is an essential step toward preserving your vision and keeping your eyes healthy.

As you think about ways to improve or preserve your eye health, it's important to realize that vitamins and nutrients are not a cure for eye disease, nor will they give you back vision you may have already lost.  However, good nutrition at all ages is vital for your entire body, and plays an important role in maintaining healthy eyes.  

Foods rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are good for eye health as well as general health, according to the Age-Related Eye Diseases Study (AREDS).  These foods are linked to lower risk for age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), cataracts, and dry eyes.  Eye-healthy food choices include citrus fruits, vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, and cold water fish.

People who have diabetes or ARMD or are at risk for these diseases can also benefit by following a low-glycemic index diet.  The GI value is based on how fast a food's carbohydrates raise the body's blood sugar levels; low GI foods have less impact on blood sugar fluctuations.

People with macular degeneration may be able to slow the progression of the disease by taking a special nutritional supplement called the AREDS formula, developed as a result of the AREDS research.  This is promising news for people who are at risk for or already have ARMD.  Be sure to discuss any supplements with your primary care physician as well as your eye physician.  You may learn more about these supplements on this site's Nutriceuticals page.

Making healthier food choices is a good thing no matter how early or late in life we begin.  Encouraging good eating and exercise habits with kids sets patterns they're likely to stick to their entire lives.  As an adult, you  should speak to your eye physician about any concerns regarding your eye health and for specific recommendations involving nutritional supplements.