June is Cataract Awareness Month, a timely reminder of the importance of getting regular eye exams. An estimated 65.2 million people around the world have cataracts, a condition that requires surgery to correct. Regular comprehensive eye exams can help detect cataracts before symptoms are even present, allowing for early intervention and monitoring.

When Do Cataracts Develop?

Cataracts often begin to develop in middle age. Around the age of 40, proteins in the lens of your eye begin to break down and start clumping. This clumping creates a cloudy area on the lens, which is known as a cataract.

If left untreated, the cataract progresses and clouds more of the lens, severely affecting your vision. Not surprisingly, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the United States.

Although cataracts typically start forming around age 40, most people won’t notice symptoms until they reach age 60 or older.

Risk Factors for Cataracts

Multiple health and lifestyle factors can increase the risk of cataracts, including:

• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Living in an area with bad pollution
• Family history of cataracts
• Diabetes
• Steroid use
• Certain medications
• Eye injuries or surgeries
• Radiation treatment
• Excessive UV exposure

Of course, aging in itself is a risk factor for cataracts, and one that cannot be avoided. Cataracts are very common among older adults. More than half of people over the age of 80 have cataracts.

Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts

The most common signs and symptoms of cataracts include:

• Cloudy or blurred vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Faded colors
• Artificial lights and sunlight appear to be too bright
• Seeing double
• Halos around lights
• Frequent vision prescription changes

Cataracts do not typically cause pain, but they can cause discomfort due to increased light sensitivity.

How Often Should You Have an Eye Exam?

Many people don’t get eye exams as often as they should. You may be able to see clearly, but your vision quality is only one aspect of eye health. Many eye conditions do not have noticeable symptoms and can only be uncovered through comprehensive eye exams.

Exams can also uncover other undiagnosed health issues, such as diabetes or brain tumors.

Comprehensive eye exams are different from vision screenings. Vision screenings generally only test for visual acuity and correct vision problems. A comprehensive eye exam takes a closer look at your peripheral vision and pupillary response to pressure and eye muscle strength.

Generally, here’s how often you should get a comprehensive eye exam based on your age:

• 20s to 30s: Every 5-10 years
• 40s to mid-50s: Every 2-4 years
• Mid-50s to mid-60s: Every 1-3 years
• 65+ years of age: Every 1-2 years

If you have vision problems or a family history of cataracts or another eye disease, you may need comprehensive eye exams more frequently.

If you’re experiencing cataract symptoms, or if it’s just been too long since your last eye exam, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care at 352-373-4300 to schedule your appointment today.

May is Healthy Vision Month, and with warmer weather right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start taking extra care of your eye health. As you spend more time outdoors and work on projects around the house, it’s vital to protect your eyes.

Here are five simple ways to keep your eyes healthy this summer and beyond.

1. Get Regular Eye Exams

Scheduling regular eye exams is one of the best ways to protect your eye health. Experts recommend getting comprehensive dilated eye exams every 1-2 years for people who:

• Are over 60 years of age
• Have a family history of glaucoma
• Are African-American and over 40 years of age
• Have high blood pressure or diabetes

If you wear contacts or eyeglasses, make sure you schedule annual exams to ensure your prescription is up to date.

2. Wear Sunglasses

Most people remember to wear sunscreen before they head outdoors, but they often forget the importance of protecting their eyes from the sun.

UV exposure can contribute to:

• Cataracts
• Corneal damage
• Macular degeneration
• Decreased vision

If you’re spending time outdoors, be sure to wear sunglasses that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB radiation. This one simple step could save your eyes from chronic issues in the future.

3. Wear Protective Eyewear

If you’re playing sports or working on projects around the home, be sure to wear appropriate protective eyewear.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to wear protective eyewear when doing:

• Home improvement projects. Eyewear can protect your eyes from injury and debris, such as sawdust or wood chips.
• Yard work. If you’re trimming bushes, pruning trees, weed whacking or even mowing the lawn, make sure that you’re wearing protective eyewear. A stray branch or stone can cause serious eye injury.
• Sports, such as lacrosse, archery, shooting/hunting, motorcycling, tennis and other sports that involve projectiles.

There are many modern and stylish options for protective eyewear, even prescription versions, so don’t skip this critical step.

4. Eat Healthy and Maintain a Healthy Weight

Eating right and maintaining a healthy weight can help you naturally protect your eyes. Like any other part of your body, your eyes need the right nutrients for optimal function and health.

Make sure that your diet includes plenty of foods rich in eye-protecting nutrients, like:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin C
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Zeaxanthin
• Zinc
• Lutein

Zeaxanthin and lutein are especially important for protecting your eyes from sun damage and blue light.

Eating healthy is only one piece of the puzzle. It’s also important to ensure that you’re maintaining a healthy weight. Research shows that obesity can increase the risk of serious eye diseases, including wet macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

5. Quit Smoking

If you’re a smoker, there’s no better time than now to quit. Studies show that smoking can increase the risk of:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Age-related macular degeneration

Eventually, smoking can lead to vision loss. Take steps to quit smoking. And if you’re not a smoker, kudos!, make sure that you never start.

Whether it’s been a while since your last eye exam, you’re in the market for some great looking protective eyewear, or you just want to ensure your eyes are as healthy as possible, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300.

More than 25% of children ages 2-17 wear prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Many children and teens prefer contacts for daily wear, as they allow for a more natural look and feel. For parents, however, one major concern is whether it’s safe for kids to wear contacts when playing sports.

Are Contact Lenses Safe for Kids Who Play Sports?

Yes, children who play sports can wear contact lenses. In fact, contacts are one of the safest types of corrective eyewear for physical activity. Eyeglasses can easily be knocked off by contact or slide down the nose during gameplay. Children are more likely to lose their eyeglasses when playing sports, and if they break during a game or practice, they can injure the eyes. 

Glasses are so risky that some sports have banned them, including boxing, football and rugby. They make it difficult or impossible to wear properly fitted face masks, helmets and other headgear. 

Safety aside, contacts are often better for performance. Glasses do not correct peripheral vision, whereas contacts do. This means that your child is more likely to see the ball or other player out of the corner of their eye. 

The Benefits of Wearing Contacts While Playing Sports

There are many advantages to wearing contacts while playing sports, including:

• Increased comfort. Overall, many kids find it more comfortable to wear contact lenses while playing sports. When properly worn, contacts aren’t noticeable. In addition, kids don’t have to worry about eyeglasses sliding or moving around on their faces.
• Weather isn’t an issue. With eyeglasses, raindrops can interfere with your vision. Fogging is also common with glasses, especially when playing sports. However, because contact lenses sit on top of the eye, weather and fogging will never be a problem.
• No glares or reflections. Eyeglasses are prone to glares and reflections that can strain the eyes and make it difficult to see clearly while playing sports. Contacts eliminate these issues.

Are Contacts Safe for Water Sports?

Contacts are the better option for land sports, but what about water sports? Water sports are the one exception where it’s impractical or even unsafe for kids to wear contacts.

Wearing contacts while swimming or playing other competitive water sports increases the risk of:

• Bacterial infections
• Eye irritation
• Corneal ulcers
• Loss of vision

Chlorinated and salt water can irritate the eyes. Fresh water may contain bacteria or microbes that can cause infections or other issues.

Eyeglasses, of course, aren’t feasible for water sports. So, prescription goggles are the best solution.

With the exception of water sports, if your child needs corrective eyewear to play sports, contact lenses are typically the safe and comfortable solution. There’s no need to worry about lenses shattering and injuring the eyes, and the risk of losing contacts during practice or games is minimal.

If your child needs vision correction for any activity, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300 to schedule an appointment.

An estimated 600,000 LASIK procedures are performed in the U.S. each year. Many patients who undergo LASIK assume it’s the last eye procedure they’ll ever need. But might the development of cataracts one day require you to see an eye surgeon again?

The Difference Between LASIK and Cataract Surgery

LASIK corrects farsightedness, nearsightedness and even astigmatism by reshaping the cornea of your eye. Cataract surgery corrects blurriness, discoloration and vision loss caused by progressive damage to the lens of your eye. These are two separate eye structures. Thus, even if you previously had LASIK, you still have the same odds of one day developing cataracts and needing cataract surgery.

For Cataract Patients Who Previously Had LASIK

Cataract patients who previously had LASIK should inform their ophthalmologist about their LASIK history. LASIK changes the shape of your cornea, which may affect how your doctor treats your cataracts. 

If you previously had LASIK, your cataract surgeon will need to take additional steps during the pre-operative planning stage to evaluate your eyes and choose the best intraocular lens implant (IOL). Specifically, your doctor will need to know:

• Your eye measurements before and after LASIK
• Vision correction prescription before LASIK
• Vision measurement after LASIK and before developing cataracts

The doctor who performed the LASIK procedure can provide this information to the ophthalmologist performing your cataract surgery.

Although having a history of LASIK adds an extra step to the pre-op stage of cataract surgery, as long as you inform your cataract surgeon in advance, it won’t affect your odds for success.

For LASIK Patients Who Previously Had Cataract Surgery

Yes, you can still have LASIK even after you have cataract surgery. In many cases, however, cataract surgery can actually eliminate the need for LASIK. Advancements in IOL technology, including multifocal lens implants, can correct many common vision problems.

It’s important to discuss your specific vision care options with an ophthalmologist who understands your eyecare history and all the treatment options available to you. A comprehensive eye exam is the best place to start. 

If you or someone you love is suffering with vision challenges, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300 to schedule an appointment.

Nearly 10 million people around the world have cataract surgery each year. Surgery is the only way to correct the vision loss that inevitably results from cataracts, and it’s proven to be one of the safest surgical procedures available. Still, cataract surgery isn’t always necessary the moment you’re diagnosed.

Developing cataracts may initially have little effect on your vision, allowing you to function comfortably with the condition in the short-term. Over time, however, cataracts always get worse. This progression may take months or perhaps years, depending on how early you’re diagnosed and how rapidly your cataracts develop. Eventually, cataracts will rob you of your vision entirely.

A general rule of thumb is that people seek cataract surgery when they experience disruption in their quality of life or significant vision loss. If you're able to read, watch television and read road signs with ease, there's a good chance that you can hold off on surgery.

Issues mainly arise when cataract symptoms progress to the point of:

• Discoloration, which impacts your quality of life and ability to see vivid colors
• The cloudiness of the eye leads to difficulty seeing and enjoying daily life tasks, such as reading or seeing someone's face

When quality of life suffers or you can no longer enjoy work, activities or hobbies because of cataracts, it's an excellent time to consider surgical treatment. An ophthalmologist who specializes in cataract treatment can also help you determine when moving forward with cataract surgery is the best solution for you.

And, with recent advancements in cataract surgery, including laser-assisted cataract surgical options, the entire procedure is pain-free, and many patients see clearly almost immediately. Plus, recovery side effects are limited, allowing most patients to fully return to their normal activities in a just matter of days.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cataracts, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300 to schedule your cataract surgery consultation.

March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month, an initiative by Prevent Blindness and the American Academy of Ophthalmology to bring awareness to eye care and safety at work. 

Thousands of workplace eye injuries occur each year in the U.S., but digital eye strain is often overlooked. Millions of Americans work at computers daily, leading many to suffer from the symptoms and effects of eye strain.

What is Digital Eye Strain?

Digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome (CVS), is a condition caused by prolonged and frequent use of computers, smartphones, tablets and other screens. 

An estimated 50% of computer users suffer from digital eye strain, which can cause:

• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Dry eyes
• Shoulder and neck pain
• Itching eyes

These symptoms can be caused by a number of things, including:

• Poor lighting in the room
• Glares on the screen
• Poor posture
• Improper viewing distance
• Uncorrected vision problems

Staring at a computer screen for long periods of time forces the eyes to work harder. Like the muscles in your body, overexertion of the eyes can cause strain and discomfort. 

How to Prevent Digital Eye Strain in the Workplace

If your job requires you to work at a computer for most of the day, there are steps you can take to help prevent digital eye strain.

Follow the 20-20-20 Rule

To prevent eye strain, experts recommend following the 20-20-20 rule:

• Every 20 minutes
• Take a 20-second break
• And look at something 20 feet away

That 20-second break will give your eyes a much-needed rest and help prevent headaches, dry eyes and other symptoms of eye strain. If you can, take an even longer break. 

To prevent dry eyes, make sure that you’re frequently blinking. Blinking helps keep your eyes moist and prevents dry eyes. 

Create an Ergonomic Workspace

Taking breaks is important, but it’s even more important to have an ergonomic workspace. For example, it’s important to sit an appropriate distance away from the screen and at an appropriate height.

Screens should be:

• 20-26" away from your eyes
• Just below eye level

Yellow-tinted eyeglasses can also help prevent eyestrain. These glasses block blue light and help increase contrast to reduce eye strain. Some of these glasses also have anti-reflective lenses to help further prevent strain.

Creating an ergonomic workspace also means:

• Changing the lighting in the room to prevent glares and reflections
• Choosing a monitor that can tilt or swivel into a more comfortable viewing position
• Using an adjustable chair to sit in an appropriate position

Correct Any Known Vision Problems

Uncorrected vision problems can increase the risk of digital eye strain and make symptoms even worse. 

If you haven’t visited your eye doctor in a while or you’ve been putting off getting glasses, contacts or other corrective solutions, now is a great time to change that. Correcting your vision problems can help prevent eye strain and allow you to work more comfortably.

Final Thoughts

Millions of Americans work at computers each day. Making an effort to prevent and treat digital eye strain can help improve eye health while reducing discomfort in the workplace. Use these tips to give your eyes a break and treat them with the care they deserve.

If you experience dry eyes or other symptoms associated with digital eye strain, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300. Our eye care experts can help diagnose and treat the root cause of your discomfort, allowing you to see clearly again and be your most productive self.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) causes 8.7% of all blindness worldwide. In the United States, 2% of people aged 50-59, and nearly 30% for people over age 75, have ARMD. So, it’s understandable that seniors should have routine eye exams to allow for early diagnosis and treatment.

What is ARMD?

As you age, a protein called drusen, along with small amounts of fat, form under your retinas. For many people, the protein is harmless and doesn’t lead to vision problems. For others, however, these protein and fat deposits grow larger and shift to the center of the retina, called the macula. As the deposit continues to grow, it prevents oxygen from reaching important eye structures, which leads to permanent central vision loss.

ARMD Symptoms

There are two main types of ARMD: dry and wet; with dry being the more common of the two. The primary symptoms of the two ARMD variants are the same.

• Straight-line distortion with lines becoming wavy

• Central vision in one or both eyes is reduced

• Low light level adaptation difficulties

• Color brightness and intensity loss

• Blurred vision, especially when reading

• Defined blind or blurry spot

Dry ARMD vs Wet ARMD

Dry ARMD is much more common than wet ARMD, representing 85-90% of ARMD cases. Thankfully, it also progresses more slowly, meaning patients maintain their vision for longer.

With wet ARMD, patients develop abnormal blood vessels in the macular area. These vessels often the leak fluid, leading to rapid and significant vision loss

ARMD Treatment

Treatment for ARMD primarily depends on the type of macular degeneration (dry or wet) and how far it has progressed. While the symptoms of both types of macular degeneration are similar, treatment options are not.

While no treatment can reverse ARMD, research shows that maintaining a healthy diet and increasing your daily intake of antioxidants may lower your risks.

In early stages of dry ARMD, treatment may include low vision rehabilitation, which is designed to help you compensate for loss of central vision by adapting to better leverage your peripheral vision.

In more advanced stages of ARMD, a telescopic lens implant may be an option. Implants may be implanted in one or both eyes, and work to magnify your current field of vision.

For wet ARMD, medications may help stop the formation of new blood vessels in the eye. There are also therapies to treat the abnormal vessels. These treatments may help slow vision loss, preserve existing vision and potentially regain some lost vision. 

If you notice changes in your vision, or believe you may have symptoms of ARMD, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care at 352-373-4300 to schedule your comprehensive eye exam.

Cataract surgery is among the safest and most effective surgical procedures in the world. It’s performed approximately 4 million times each year in the United States alone.

While no surgery should be taken lightly, cataract surgery is not considered a “major” medical procedure. In fact, cataract surgery is typically an outpatient procedure, meaning patients are released to return home the same day. And while cataract surgery is a relatively minor procedure, patients should educate themselves about what to expect and then select a surgeon with the right credentials and proven experience.

Major versus Minor Surgery

Major surgery is generally defined by the medical community as any invasive procedure that typically causes enough trauma to require an overnight or extensive recovery stay in a hospital. Major surgeries include procedures such as cardiac surgeries, joint replacements and appendectomies, among others.

Minor surgery is generally defined as any surgery that doesn’t rise to the definition of a major surgery. In minor surgeries, there is no need for the surgeon to open the body cavity, neither breathing assistance nor general anesthesia are typically required, and recovery does not require hospitalization. In all these regards, cataract surgery meets the definition of minor surgery.

Cataract Surgery Procedure and Recovery

During a cataract surgery procedure, the surgeon replaces the patient’s cataract-damaged natural eye lens with an artificial intraocular lens implant. The procedure requires only local anesthesia, temporarily numbing just a very small portion of the patient’s face, while the patient remains awake throughout the procedure.

Following the procedure, patients are fitted with a protective eye shield and taken into a recovery room while their eyes adjust to the new lens. Typically after just 30-60 minutes, patients are released to be driven home. Once home, they will wear the eye shield off and on as directed for a few days. During this time, vision may be cloudy or blurred. Depending on the patient, that can clear almost immediately or within a week or two.

Who Performs Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery should only be performed by a trained and skilled ophthalmologist. Some ophthalmologists, like Drs. Gregory Snodgrass and Matthew Gray, specialize in the procedure, and have performed thousands of successful cataract surgeries.

When selecting the right cataract surgeon for you, ask about their training, experience and resources, as well as the types of cataract surgery they offer. You may find laser-assisted cataract surgery preferable to traditional surgery, if offered by your ophthalmologist.

You may also want to consider their personality. You’ll likely visit with your ophthalmologist a few times prior to and following your cataract surgery, so it helps to find an ophthalmologist with whom you’re comfortable.

If you or a loved one is considering cataract surgery, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300 to schedule a consultation.

An estimated 3 million Americans have glaucoma, but only about half know that they have this eye disease. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, yet the condition remains a mystery to many people.

It’s important to understand the signs and symptoms of glaucoma, and the available treatment options. If you’re experiencing patchy blind spots, this may be a key indicator of glaucoma and, as such, it shouldn’t be ignored.

Patchy Blind Spots May Indicate Open-Angle Glaucoma

If you’re experiencing patchy blind spots either in your central or peripheral vision, it could be a sign of open-angle glaucoma.

There are several types of glaucoma, but the most common is open-angle. Open-angle glaucoma occurs when the eye’s drainage angle (the point where the iris and sclera meet) stays open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes partially blocked. The trabecular meshwork is a sponge-like tissue near the cornea, and it’s where aqueous humor (fluid) flows from the eye.

Over time, the blockage in the trabecular meshwork causes a buildup of pressure, which damages the optic nerve. Unfortunately, the process happens so gradually that many people don’t realize there’s a problem until they start losing their vision.

And patchy blind spots are just one of several signs of glaucoma.

Other Glaucoma Symptoms to Look Out For

In advanced stages, open-angle glaucoma can cause tunnel vision. This, along with patchy blind spots, are the two most common symptoms of open-angle glaucoma.

Closed-angle glaucoma (also known as acute angle-closure glaucoma) can cause:

• Blurred vision
• Severe headaches
• Seeing halos around lights
• Nausea or vomiting
• Eye irritation
• Eye pain

This form of glaucoma occurs when the iris bulges outward and narrows or blocks the eye’s drainage angle. The blockage prevents fluid from circulating properly, and pressure builds up. Closed-angle glaucoma can occur suddenly or develop gradually. In either case, it’s a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Diagnosing Glaucoma

Diagnosing glaucoma is a straightforward process that starts with a comprehensive eye exam. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may perform several tests, including:

• Dilation and imaging tests to look for signs of optic nerve damage
• A tonometry, which measures intraocular pressure
• A pachymetry, which measures corneal thickness
• A visual field test to check for vision loss
• A gonioscopy, which inspects the drainage angle

Treatment Options

Unfortunately, glaucoma causes irreversible damage, but routine visits with your eye doctor and following your treatment plan can help slow the progression of the disease or prevent vision loss.

Treatments focus on reducing the pressure in your eye and can include:

• Prescription Eyedrops: The most common treatment to reduce pressure in the eye.
• Oral Medications: If eye drops aren’t enough to reduce the pressure, oral medication may be prescribed.
• Surgery or Laser Treatment: When all else fails, laser treatment or surgery may be recommended to improve drainage in the eye and reduce pressure.

In addition to these treatments, you will need to attend follow-up exams and may need to undergo additional procedures to keep the pressure under control.

While there is no cure for glaucoma, following your doctor’s recommended treatment protocol can help reduce pressure in the eye and prevent further damage.

If you’re experiencing patchy blindness or any other symptoms associated with glaucoma, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300 to schedule your comprehensive eye exam.

Cataract treatment has come a long way since the first successful cataract removal surgery back in 1747. Until recently, however, cataract surgery was still exclusively done manually, relying heavily on the experience and steady hands of the surgeon to limit possible post-surgical pain and discomfort during recovery.

Today, technology gives eye surgeons a dynamic new way to perform cataract removal surgery and the results earn high praise from patients.

Laser-Assisted Surgery is Revolutionizing Cataract Treatment

Laser-assisted cataract surgery, using state-of-the-art technology, like the LenSx Laser Cataract System used by North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care, is more accurate than traditional surgery and offers pain-free recovery. The system precisely maps the eye using high-resolution images to provide detailed measurements and other data used to perform the surgery.

A computer-guided laser then makes a tiny incision in the eye, through which the surgeon inserts a small probe. That probe emits ultrasonic energy to break up the damaged lens. A second probe is then used to suction out the tiny fragments, followed by a third probe used to insert and position the new artificial intraocular lens implant.

Traditional vs. Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

Many ophthalmologists allow their cataract patients to choose between traditional or laser-assisted surgery, based on their preferences. In either case, the results of cataract surgery are life changing. There’s a 98% overall success rate using both traditional and laser-assisted treatment options, but with traditional surgery, there is a higher risk of side effects.

The primary difference in recovery and side effects stems from the fact that laser-assisted surgery allows the doctor to use less ultrasonic energy to break up the damaged lens. This makes the laser-assisted procedure pain-free.

Discussing your cataract surgery options with your eye surgeon prior to the procedure will help you better understand which treatment option is best for you. More often than not, laser-assisted surgery will be the optimal choice.

If you’re one of the 25 million people in the U.S. who has cataracts, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300 to schedule your consultation.