By now, most people know that overexposure to the Sun can result in serious skin damage and even skin cancer. What you may not know, however, is that those same ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to severe eye damage. Cataracts, corneal sunburn and macular degeneration are just a few conditions that can be initiated or worsened by UV exposure.

UV Safety Month is a national public awareness campaign that reminds us all to make healthy choices. In support, we offer these crucial tips to help you protect your eyes this summer and beyond.

Select and Wear Sunglasses with UV Protection

Not all sunglasses are made the same. Some offer very little UV protection. To adequately shield your eyes, always look for sunglasses that filter 100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays. These will typically be labeled either “UV400” or “100% UV protection.” Even with that label, however, you should be vigilant to evaluate the quality. Cheaply made sunglasses may boast a UV400 rating, but only offer a superficial film that can quickly wear off with cleaning. For a wide variety of sunglasses that look great and offer reliable UV protection, a local optical shop is usually your best bet.

Limit Your Exposure

Even while wearing UV blocking sunglasses, it’s important to keep your eyes additionally shielded from the Sun. UV rays have a way of seeping in around the edges of sunglasses and causing damage. A wide brimmed hat is an excellent second layer of defense. If you’ll be outside for an extended period – watching sports or lounging by the pool, for example, take advantage of a tent of umbrella. Whatever you do, never look directly at the Sun. And don’t get a false sense of security from the presence of clouds. UV rays pass right through.

Choose Your Outdoors Time Wisely

UV rays are generally strongest from 10am-4pm in late spring and early summer and during daylight savings time. Planning outdoor events earlier or later in the day will help limit your UV exposure. You should also keep an eye on your local weather forecast for an expectation of the day’s Ultraviolet (UV) Index in your area. The UV Index uses a 0-11+ scale (with zero being the lowest and 11 or more being the highest) to describe the day's likely levels of UV ray exposure. Days with a rating of 7 or higher may be best spent indoors.

At North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care, we offer a variety of stylish, UV-protectant sunglasses for the whole family – prescription and non-prescription. Stop by one of our convenient Gainesville optical shops (NW 8th Avenue and 43rd Street or Tioga Town Center) today, or call us at 352-373-4300.

Some people get really attached to their eyeglasses. Or at least it seems that way. They’ll hold on to the same pair of glasses for years and years, even as those glasses stop delivering the same level of vision improvement. Perhaps they don’t know a new eyeglass prescription could offer renewed vision, or maybe they just don’t the signs that point to the need for new eyeglasses.

Headaches

Wearing glasses with an out-of-date prescription can cause headaches due to eyestrain. More frequent headaches, particularly during or after extended periods of wearing your glasses, is a common sign you should see your local eye doctor.

Squinting

Squinting can be a clear indication that your glasses are no longer working as they should. It’s your body’s way of trying to improve focus by reducing the amount of light entering the eye. Proper eyeglasses should make this unnecessary.

Eye Fatigue

Recurring eye fatigue results when the muscles and components of the eye work overly hard to compensate for vision challenges. The right pair of new prescription eyeglasses can help alleviate eye fatigue almost immediately.

Blurred Vision

As obvious as it may seem, blurry vision is the most common sign that it’s time to see your eye doctor for new glasses. It’s also the most commonly overlooked sign. Some glasses wearers mistakenly accept a little bit of a blur as part of aging, when an updated eyeglass prescription could quickly bring life back into focus.

Damaged Lenses

Even the toughest eyeglass lenses inevitably get damaged. Scratches and scuffs can obscure your vision. UV protection and other coatings may break down over time, and become hazy and difficult to clean. 

If you’re getting regular comprehensive eye exams, as experts and healthcare professionals recommend, your eye doctor will help you identify when it’s time for a new eyeglass prescription. 

If you haven’t had an exam in a while, or you’re experiencing any of the symptoms described above, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today. Our team of optometrists and licensed opticians can evaluate your vision, provide the right prescription and fit you for a new pair of glasses – all in one place. Our in-house optical shops feature state-of-the-art frames to fit every style and budget. 

Call us today at 352-373-4300 to schedule your exam.

More than 20 million Americans over the age of 40 have cataracts, a condition that can lead to blindness, but few people understand the causes, symptoms and available treatment options. That’s why Prevent Blindness America declared June as Cataract Awareness Month. By bringing attention to this devastating – yet curable – disorder, healthcare professionals and advocates hope more people will make smart eye health choices and seek treatment to restore their vision. 

What are cataracts?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye lens resulting from a build up of naturally occurring proteins. It prevents light from being properly focused onto the retina, causing visual impairment or even blindness. Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes, and the damage is permanent, requiring surgery to correct.

What causes cataracts?

The primary cause of cataracts is aging. As we get older, the eye lens thickens, making it less transparent. By age 80, 50% of people have some level of cataract development. Cataracts can, however, develop much earlier in life. It’s even possible for babies to be born with cataracts. Genetics, over-exposure to sunlight, smoking, heavy alcohol use and certain medications can increase your risk. 

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

The most common cataract symptom is cloudy or blurred vision. It may only impact a small area of vision at first, but will eventually overtake the patient’s entire field of view. Double vision, light sensitivity, glare and halos are also common. The symptom most people associate with cataracts is lens discoloration. Cataracts can cause colors to dull or be distorted, as if there is a brown or yellow film over the eye.

How are cataracts diagnosed?

When cataract symptoms are identified, your optometrist or ophthalmologist will take a medical history and perform a series of eye tests to diagnose your cataracts. These tests often include a visual acuity test to identify signs of impairment, a slit-lamp test to detect tiny irregularities in the other structures at the front of your eye and a retinal exam to inspect the retina for signs of cataracts.

How are cataracts treated?

Surgery is the only effective treatment for cataracts. The damaged lens must be surgically replaced with an artificial lens. Effective cataract surgery – whether traditional or laser-assisted – can permanently restore the patient’s vision. Cataract surgery is one of the most common and safest medical procedures in the U.S. Approximately 3 million Americans per year have cataract surgery with 99.5% experiencing minor or no postoperative complications, according to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If you or someone you love may have cataracts, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300 to schedule a consultation. We’ll evaluate your symptoms, diagnose the root cause and recommend a treatment plan that’s right for you. Call us today.

Selecting the best eye surgeon for your cataract surgery often requires a little bit of homework, but that effort is well worth your time. No two cataract surgeons are the same. You’ll want to find one with extensive experience, the best surgical technology and a reputation for treating patients with honesty and compassion. So, where can you start?

Talk to Your Optometrist

While your optometrist may be able to diagnose cataracts, only an ophthalmologist is qualified to perform cataract surgery. Through the years, your eye doctor has likely referred numerous patients to a variety of local cataract surgeons. They will have a really good sense of which ophthalmologists delivered successful surgeries and great patient experiences.

Search Online for Local Cataract Surgeons

Performing searches online for terms like “cataract surgeons near me” or “north florida cataract surgeon” will reveal links to a number of local cataract surgeons’ websites. Often, a physician’s character is reflected by his practice’s website. Take some time to explore a handful of sites. Is it helpful? Compassionate? Does it provide insight into the surgeon’s background and the types of cataract surgery he performs? Once you feel good about what you’re seeing online, call to schedule an in-person consultation. 

Read Testimonials

There’s no substitute for hearing directly from someone who has already traveled the road that lies ahead of you. Patients whose vision has been permanently restored through cataract surgery often have glowing things to say. WCJB TV20 interviewed North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision care patient Sally Thompson, who said of the experience, “It’s the easiest thing you could ever imagine. I’ve had more pain with a paper cut. I had the surgery in the morning. I was out by noon. I went home and took an hour nap and I went back to work. I worked until 5:30 that day." 

If you’re ready to explore your cataract surgery options, we invite you to contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care at 352-373-4300. Dr. Gregory Snodgrass is among the region’s most experienced cataract surgeons, with more than 20,000 successful cataract surgeries to his credit. He was also the first local eye surgeon to use the state-of-the-art LenSx laser cataract system.

Schedule your consultation today.

By now, most people appreciate the value of maintaining a healthy body, understanding that when our bodies are strong, we tend to look better, feel better and perform better. Too often overlooked, however, is the importance of eye health. Your eyes are your windows to the world, and without proper care, they could be ailing without you even knowing it. That’s why, in 2003, the National Eye Institute (NEI) established May as Healthy Vision Month. 

Healthy Vision Month is a reminder for all of us to take better care of our eyes. From using proper eyewear during potentially dangerous activities to eating a diet rich in eye-healthy nutrients, there are several steps you can take today to ensure your eyes are on the right path to deliver optimum vision throughout your life. And it all starts with getting regular comprehensive eye exams.

5 Ways to Protect and Improve Your Eye Health

1. Get an Eye Exam

Half of all Americans have vision problems, many of which are undiagnosed. The most effective way to identify these eye health issues is through a comprehensive eye exam. During a comprehensive exam, your eye doctor will evaluate everything from peripheral vision and pupillary response to eye muscle strength and eye pressure, among other things. This can reveal most eye health issues. 

2. Use Protective Eyewear

Eye injuries are a major cause of blindness among adults and the leading cause of blindness for U.S. children. On the job or on the playing field, protective eyewear is a must when participating in any potentially dangerous activity. Safety glasses, goggles, safety shields and the like can go a long way towards protecting your eyes from injury.

3. Wear Sunglasses

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause serious damage to unprotected eyes. Your eyes can even get sunburned. Exposure to sunlight also increases your risk of cataracts, retina damage and growths on or around the eye. Quality UV-blocking sunglasses are your first line of defense. Select sunglasses that block out 99-100% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation and 75-90% of visible light. 

4. Eat Well

Nutrition plays an critical role in keeping your eyes healthy and working well. Several foods, including leafy greens like kale and spinach, oily fish like tuna and salmon, nuts, beans, citrus and berries have key nutrients that promote eye health. And, of course, carrots are also a great source. The beta-carotene in carrots helps prevent cataracts, macular degeneration, blindness and more.

5. Don’t Smoke

Smoking increases your risk for a variety of eye diseases, including cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and more. It also increases your chances of developing diabetic retinopathy and uveitis, a condition affecting the middle layer of the eye. Smoking can also make dry eye symptoms worse.

Do your eyes a favor during Healthy Vision Month by contacting North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Our talented eye physicians will evaluate your overall eye health and identify any issues you should be aware of today or looking ahead to the future.

Call our practice today at 352-373-4300.

If you wear glasses, you’re probably quite familiar with the difference between nearsightedness and farsightedness. These conditions are among the most common vision problems in the U.S. and the world. For those experiencing vision challenges for the first time, however, nearsightedness and farsightedness are easily confused. So, which is which, and what can be done to correct the conditions? 

Nearsightedness

Also known as myopia, nearsightedness is characterized by difficulty clearly seeing objects that are far away. That might seem counterintuitive, so you can remember it this way…if you are nearsighted, you CAN clearly see things that are NEAR. 

Nearsightedness is a type of refractive error. That means your eye shape does not bend light appropriately. With nearsightedness, instead of light focusing correctly on your retina, it focuses in front of the retina, resulting in a blurred image.

Nearsightedness is typically genetic and usually diagnosed through an eye exam during childhood. It often progresses substantially as the body grows rapidly through early adolescence.

Prescription glasses or contact lenses are the most common treatments for nearsightedness. Expertly crafted lenses from your optician help to better focus light on the appropriate part of the retina. Lens prescriptions vary greatly, and are commonly represented by a negative number. The more negative the number, the stronger the lenses that are required to correct your vision. 

Surgery can also correct nearsightedness for many patients, and may offer lifelong vision improvement.

Farsightedness

Also known as hyperopia, farsightedness is less common than nearsightedness, but still among the most frequently diagnosed vision problems in the U.S. People who are farsighted have trouble seeing things that are near them. In other words… if you are farsighted, you CAN clearly see things that are FAR AWAY. 

Like nearsightedness, farsightedness is a refractive error. In this case, it’s generally the result of either your eyeball being shorter than normal or your cornea being curved too little. 

As a refractive error, farsightedness is also treated with either corrective lenses or surgery. Your farsightedness lens prescription will feature a positive number. The bigger that number, the more powerful the required lens. 

If your vision is blurred or you experience double vision, haziness, glare, halos, eye strain or recurring headaches, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. We’ll diagnose the cause of your vision problem and recommend treatment options to dramatically improve your vision.

Call us today at 352-373-4300.

If you’ve never been diagnosed with vision problems, you likely assume your eyes are in great shape. What you may not notice, however, are small vision problems that inevitably get worse over time. Undetected and untreated, your eyes strain to overcome those minor challenges. Before you know it, the problems grow substantially worse and your quality of life suffers. That’s why it’s critical to get regular eye exams.

According to a study by the National Eye Institute (NEI), half of all Americans have some sort of vision problem. By analyzing data on 12,000 people aged 20 and older, NEI researchers found more than one-third were nearsighted, more than one-third had astigmatism and nearly four-percent were farsighted. For your long-term eye health, it’s important to find out sooner rather than later if you’re also among that group. 

The best way to determine your eye health is through a comprehensive eye exam. These exams, which are administered at your local eye doctor’s practice, are much more inclusive than standard vision screenings. Vision screenings generally consider only visual acuity and often miss more substantial yet less obvious vision challenges.

A comprehensive eye exam reviews everything from peripheral vision and pupillary response to eye muscle strength and eye pressure, among other things. This can reveal most eye health issues, as well as a number of undiagnosed health concerns throughout the body. In some cases, brain tumors, diabetes, high cholesterol and more can be initially detected through an eye exam.

Even if you don’t have apparent vision loss or symptoms of eye disease, The Mayo Clinic recommends the following schedule for regular eye exams:

Children under 5 years old

First comprehensive exam between three and five years old, unless your child’s pediatrician notices obvious symptoms earlier 

Older children and teens

Prior to starting first grade, then every one to two years

Adults

Assuming no obvious symptoms of vision impairment, every five to 10 years in your 20’s, every two to four years in your 40’s to mid-50’s, every one to three years in your mid-50’s to mid-60’s, every one to two years after that

If you notice vision challenges at any age, of course, schedule an eye exam right away. And if you have known problems or a family history of eye disease, you should be on a more frequent eye exam schedule. In these instances, you should have an exam at least once per year.

To schedule your comprehensive eye exam, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300.

Until a friend or loved one is diagnosed, most people know very little about cataracts. That’s when the homework starts. One of the most common questions is, “are cataracts contagious?” It’s natural to want to understand your own risk of developing the condition. After all, without surgery to replace the eye lens, cataracts can permanently rob you of your vision.

So, let’s address that critical question. Are cataracts contagious?

No, not at all.

For most people, the cause of cataracts is aging, plain and simple. As we get older, the eye lens naturally thickens and becomes less transparent. 50% of people have some level of cataract development by the time they turn 80-years-old. By age 95, nearly 100% of people have vision loss due to cataracts. And the effects can start much earlier in life.

A handful of factors can increase your likelihood of developing of cataracts. Over-exposure to sunlight, smoking, heavy alcohol use and taking certain medications have been shown to increase your risk. Genetics is also a major contributor. If close family members have cataracts, you are more likely to also develop them. It’s even possible for children to be born with congenital cataracts as a result of genes passed down from their parents.

So, while cataracts are not contagious, if you live long enough, you’re almost assured to experience them for yourself one day. The good news is that vision loss due to cataracts is correctable.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common elective surgeries performed in the United States, and it has an extremely high success rates. Approximately 3 million Americans have cataract surgery each year, with 99.5% experiencing minor or no postoperative complications.

Whether the patient opts for traditional or laser-assisted cataract surgery, the basic procedure is much the same. The surgeon makes a small incision in the cornea and inserts a probe to break up the cataract-damaged lens. The pieces are then suctioned out and a new intraocular lens implant is put into place. The lens implant is artificial, and therefore not susceptible to future cataract damage. Once the surgery is done, you never have to worry about cataracts again.

If you or someone you love is dealing with cataracts, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today for a consultation. Our practice offers state-of-the-art cataract diagnosis and treatment, including laser-assisted cataract surgery using the LenSx system. Our own Dr. Gregory Snodgrass was the first local eye surgeon to use this advanced surgical system.

Call us today at 352-373-4300.

In a world where it’s increasingly convenient to buy many things online, some patients are even turning to the Internet for their eyeglasses. While the accessibility and pricing of retail optical websites may be attractive, there are several reasons to think twice before clicking the buy button.

1. Questionable quality and safety

A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Optometry found that eyeglasses purchased online were more likely to be deemed unsafe or unacceptable due to poor frame fit, unsatisfactory appearance or inaccurate measurements. In fact, 44.8% of the eyeglasses ordered online by study participants included an inaccurate prescription or failed to meet safety standards.

2. Inability to try them on

No two faces are alike, and subtle differences mean a lot when it comes to eyeglasses. Multiple accurate measurements are necessary to perfectly fit your frames to your unique features. Frames that are too large, too heavy or don’t correctly sit on your nose will slip. Frames that are too small may pinch your nose or temples and become extremely uncomfortable. In addition to being uncomfortable, this can cause vision problems. An experienced local optician at a brick-and-mortar optical shop can take precise measurements and help you find frames that fit your face properly and match your needs. Nearly as important, you get to see the frames actually on your face, not just through some idealized 3-D rendering. 

3. Inaccurate pupil distance measurement

Pupil distance (PD) is arguably the most important measurement for finding frames and lenses that will optimize your vision. PD determines where to place the center of each lens in your frames to match the unique composition of your eyes. This has a huge impact on your improved vision quality. Unfortunately, this measurement is not usually provided with your eyeglass prescription, and it is extremely difficult to measure accurately on your own. Online retailers may reference a variety of do-it-yourself alternatives, but usually recommend going back to your optometrist for this measurement. Well, if you have to go back to your eyecare practice anyway, if they offer an in-house optical, why not just get your glasses there?

4. Limited access to multifocal lenses

Fitting multifocal lenses, like bifocals, trifocals or progressives, is especially challenging. In fact, it’s so intricate that most online eyeglasses retailers won’t even attempt it. Still, some websites will work with customers one-on-one to try to achieve a successful result. While in a brick and mortar setting, the measurements necessary for mutlifocals are taken after the frame is selected and personally fitted, without that ability, these online retailers have to estimate and hope for the best. 

Shopping online is a great option for a lot of things, but when it comes to your vision, it’s hard to overstate the value of a local optical shop. If you are in the market for your next pair of eyeglasses, stop by one of our two convenient Gainesville optical shops today or contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care at 352-373-4300.

If you or a loved one is considering cataract surgery, choosing the right surgeon for the procedure is your most important decision. No two surgeons are the same, so it’s essential to research and interview local ophthalmologists to find one with the ability and expertise you expect.

Here are five criteria to consider when selecting your cataract surgeon…

Training

Cataract surgery is a specialty in every sense of the word, one that requires specialized training in both the basic procedure and the modern and evolving surgical techniques that make it one of the safest medical procedures available.

Only about 9,000 physicians in the U.S. regularly perform cataract surgery.

Dr. Gregory Snodgrass of North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care is among the nation’s best-trained cataract experts. He obtained his medical degree from the West Virginia University School of Medicine and completed his internship and Ophthalmology Residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital and The Ohio State University, serving as Chief Resident. Five years ago, he was the first ophthalmologist in North Central Florida to use the LenSx system for laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Experience

There’s no substitute for experience. Book study and med school instruction provide the foundation, but there’s even more to learn from actually performing the procedure. A surgeon who has successfully treated thousands of patients has a lot of real-world experience from which to draw. 

Dr. Snodgrass has performed more than 20,000 successful cataract surgeries, while earning accolades from patients and colleagues alike. He was recently inducted into the prestigious International Association of HealthCare Professionals and named one of Gainesville’s top three eye doctors.

Procedures

Cataract surgery has come a long way in recent years. Not long ago, traditional surgery was the only option available to patients. While traditional techniques are still viable, many patients today opt for laser-assisted surgery. Laser cataract surgery is pain-free and requires less recovery time. Selecting an eye surgeon who offers both will allow you to fully explore all your options. 

North Florida Cataract Specialist and Vision Care has an outstanding track record with both traditional and laser-assisted procedures. In fact, Dr. Snodgrass was the first local eye surgeon to use the state-of-the-art LenSx laser cataract system. He regularly performs both traditional and laser-assisted cataract surgeries.

Resources

The best cataract surgeons surround themselves with outstanding people, tools and resources in order to make the complete surgical process as pleasant and effective as possible. Surgery can be scary, so it’s crucial to have friendly staff with a great bedside manner to make you feel comfortable and cared for. It’s also important to have a facility that offers outstanding surgical technology alongside modern amenities.

North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care’s staff is top-notch. They gladly take time to answer all of your questions and support you in every way possible. From the practice’s three convenient locations to the Laser and Outpatient Surgery Center where Dr. Snodgrass performs cataract surgeries, you’ll find state-of-the-art facilities for cutting-edge eye care. 

Personality

You don’t have to like your surgeon, but it’s a whole lot nicer if you do. After all, through the course of your diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and recovery, you’ll meet several times with your cataract surgeon. Even more important is finding a surgeon you can trust.

Dr. Gregory Snodgrass puts patients first. His pleasant demeanor makes him a patient favorite, leading to reviews including, “Dr. Snodgrass has to be the world's best ophthalmologist! His positive and professional approach includes a focused determination that my eyes will be as healthy as possible,” and, “As a patient, I appreciate his friendliness and concern for my vision and well-being.” 

If you’re considering cataract surgery, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300.