Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey

Michigan's Leading Eye Care Physicians

Eye Health Q&A

Eye Michigan eye health

5 Common Questions About Vision Care

Many people don’t worry about their eyesight until there is a problem. Information is your best weapon against many eye-related conditions and diseases. The following list will help you learn more about your vision.

  • How Often Should I Get an Eye Exam?

Healthy patients between the ages of 20 and 39 should get a comprehensive eye exam once every two to four years. Grosinger, Spiegelman & Grey ophthalmologists recommend that healthy patients make an appointment annually once they hit age 40 to catch any issue early before there are symptoms.

  • What Does Nearsighted and Farsighted Mean?

Nearsighted means that you can see objects that are nearby, but your vision becomes blurry the further away an object is to you. Farsightedness is the opposite, meaning you can see objects that are farther away while those that are closer appear blurry.

  • What Are Cataracts and Can They Be Treated?

A cataract is a condition where the lens in the eye becomes cloudy, causing a loss of vision or blindness. They can be removed with surgery. The procedure has a high success rate and involves cutting away the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with an artificial lens.

  • Is LASIK Eye Surgery Safe?

LASIK eye surgery is very safe and comes with a low risk of complications. Patients should make sure they choose a reputable facility and learn more about the process and recovery before having the procedure done.

  • What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease that occurs when fluid builds up in the eye, causing pressure that damages the optic nerve. It is the leading cause of blindness in patients over age 60.

Talk to an ophthalmologist to get answers to other eye care questions or to discuss changes in your vision. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians located in southeast Michigan to make an appointment.

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Benefits of Cataract Surgery That CAN Improve Your Life

When your ophthalmologist says the words “cataract surgery,” your initial reaction may be of concern. The thought of someone operating on your eyes can be scary. The good news is that there is nothing to be afraid of if you need this common procedure. According to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, this operation has a 98% or higher success rate. There are also other benefits that could improve your life.

Regain Control of Your Independence

Cataracts are clouding that appears on the eye’s natural lens. As the condition progresses, the patient will have an increasingly more difficult time performing daily tasks. Things that once came easy, like driving or reading, may become nearly impossible. This can lead to social withdrawal and even depression.

After cataract surgery, many patients find that they regain the ability to perform these common tasks. They can live more independently and return to a more social lifestyle. This can help prevent depression and improves the patient’s overall quality of life.

Lower Your Risk of Falling Injury

When you can see properly, you are less likely to suffer a falling injury. An unseen object or change in terrain can be very dangerous. A fall can have a negative long-term effect, especially on older individuals or those with health conditions that could hinder recovery.

A 2012 study of Medicare beneficiaries with cataracts found that cataract surgery decreased the risk of a hip fracture by 16% one year after the procedure. Patients with severe cataracts lowered the risk by 23%.

Increase Your Chances of a Longer Life

Cataract removal can also increase your chances of living longer. A long-term study released in 2013 revealed that patients had a 40% reduction in mortality risk after cataract surgery compared to those who did not undergo the procedure.

If you experience changes in vision or have cataracts, contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians right away to schedule an appointment to assess your eyes and make a recommendation for treatment.

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Understanding Diabetic Eye Disease: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Diabetic eye disease describes conditions that affect patients with diabetes. All types have the potential to cause severe loss of eyesight and complete blindness. Diabetic retinopathy affects the blood vessels found in the retina and is the most common cause of vision loss in diabetic patients. Diabetic macular edema, or DMA, is swelling in the macula and can occur as a result of diabetic retinopathy.

Symptoms of Diabetic Eye Disease

If you or someone close to you is diabetic, you should know how to recognize the signs of eye disease. The early stages may include no symptoms. As the condition worsens, the patient may notice floating spots and blurred vision. An ophthalmologist can diagnose the problem by performing the following tests:

  • Visual Acuity Testing – Using an eye chart to measure patient’s ability to see at a distance
  • Tonometry – Measures the pressure inside the eye
  • Pupil Dilation – Dilation with eye drops to allow a doctor to examine the retina and optic nerve
  • Optical Coherence Tomography – Uses light waves to capture images of tissue inside the eye

How to Treat Diabetic Eye Disease

Some cases of vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy are irreversible. The best way to avoid irreparable damage is early detection. Patients can slow progression by maintaining normal blood glucose levels. Patients should also keep blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels to lower risk as much as possible.

Diabetic Eye Disease Prevention

The same tactics are also employed to prevent diabetic eye disease altogether. Control blood sugar levels and report any changes in vision as quickly as possible. Patients should schedule regular eye exams to watch for changes that could indicate the beginning of the condition. Contact Grosinger, Spigelmen & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians for an appointment today.

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Amblyopia: Diagnosis & Treatment of Lazy Eye

Eye Michigan Amblyopia Lazy Eye

 

Amblyopia, better known as lazy eye, is a condition that prevents one eye from focusing properly. The affected eye appears normal but does not function as it should because the brain is relying more heavily on the other eye.

Causes of Lazy Eye

Any condition that doesn’t allow the eye to focus can cause amblyopia. It can also be brought on by strabismus, or the misalignment of both eyes. Patients with strabismus may have eyes that turn out or cross. Cataracts can also cause lazy eye.

Lazy Eye Treatment

Patients who wear glasses may notice some vision improvement, but this will not completely correct the condition. The brain becomes accustomed to seeing the blurry image of the affected eye, which means it must re-learn how to use it.

To do this, the normal eye can be covered with a patch. This may be done for several hours daily or all day. Treatment may take weeks or even months. People who have trouble wearing the patch can be given a prosthetic contact lens that stops light from entering the good eye.

Atropine eye drops may be used instead. One drop is placed in the patient’s good eye each day to blur vision and force the brain to strengthen the lazy eye.

Adults with lazy eye or anyone who notices changes in their vision should contact one of our ophthalmologists to learn more about diagnosis and treatment options. Contact Eye Michigan for an appointment today.

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Over 40 Vision Care: Understanding 5 Common Age-Related Eye Diseases

As we age, many of us find that our vision isn’t what it used to be. There are many things that can affect our ability to see the world. It’s important to understand the most common diseases, so you know when to seek medical attention.

Cataracts

Cataracts appear as clouding on the lens of the eye. This area is made of protein and water. As we age, the protein may begin to clump together, causing the cloudy appearance. Cataracts usually begin with fuzzy or cloudy vision and glare-related issues. Patients may also describe double vision in one of their eyes. This condition can be corrected with surgery.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve that brings on blindness. Patients may notice no symptoms at first. As the condition worsens, they will begin to notice peripheral sight fading.

Glaucoma ranks as the biggest cause of vision loss in the U.S. It may be treated with medication or eye drops. When a prescription doesn’t work, surgery may be recommended.

Temporal Arteritis

This condition occurs when large and medium arteries in the temple are blocked or become inflamed. Patients may describe a severe headache and pain when chewing. After a few weeks, the patient may also experience sudden vision loss in a single eye accompanied by a low-grade fever. Vision may be restored if the condition is caught early.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a disorder that can happen in patients with diabetes. As the disease changes retinal blood vessels, they can begin to leak and grow where they shouldn’t be. This can lead to hemorrhaging. As the vessels heal, they can cause retinal detachment. Diabetic retinopathy symptoms include shadows, distorted or blurred vision, and partial loss of vision in one eye.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration causes diminished sight at the center of the patient’s field of vision. It happens when the macula deteriorates. Patients may notice difficulty reading, driving, or performing other tasks. This condition can be treated with laser surgery.

If you notice a change in vision or any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact your eye doctor immediately for an appointment. The best way to ensure maintaining healthy vision is by visiting your ophthalmologist yearly for a comprehensive dilated eye exam.

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Understanding Color Blindness

ye Michigan Color Blindness

Color blindness describes a condition that causes a person to have a deficiency in their ability to view color. A color blind person is not blind and can otherwise see normally. A red and green deficiency is the most common, while blue and yellow deficiency is rare. Prevent Blindness America estimates that around 8% of males and less than 1% of females are color blind.

The Symptoms of Color Blindness

How does a person determine that they are color blind if they were born with the condition and never saw color the way others do? Color blindness is inherited and can be diagnosed early in childhood. An eye doctor can use HRR (Hardy-Rand-Rittler) and Ishihara Color Plates screening tests to evaluate patients.

The only real symptom of this condition is a deficiency in how a person interprets colors. Most patients see a washed out hue. It is rare for someone to only see gray tones.

The Cause of Color Blindness

There are six to seven million cones in our eyes that are responsible for letting us see color. They are found in the center of the retina in an area called the macula. When these photoreceptors do not respond as they are supposed to, it prohibits the eye from seeing certain colors properly.

If you had normal sight and suddenly notice an inability to see colors, contact Eye Michigan immediately for an appointment. This is not normal and could be an indication of another health issue, like cataracts.

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Understanding Cataracts: What They Are & How to Treat Them

Eye Michigan Understanding Cataracts

Cataracts are a common vision problem that affects more than 24.4 million people over the age of 40 in the United States. While they are generally not dangerous, they can cause the gradual loss of eyesight.

What Causes Cataracts?

The lens in the human eye is 65% water. It contains no blood supply and is transparent to allow light to pass through. Our bodies continue to produce new cells to replenish our lenses. An array of factors can cause protein to build up on the lens, making it cloudy. Common causes include:

  • Age

Age is the most common cause of cataracts. The condition may start to form long before the patient notices any loss of vision.

  • Trauma

An injury to the eye at any age can cause a cataract to form.

  • Congenital

Babies can be born with cataracts. This can happen as a result of injury, infection, or poor development before birth. They can also appear as the baby enters childhood.

  • Symptoms & Side Effects

A cataract may be the symptom of a medical condition. They can also form as a side effect due to exposure to radiation, UV light, toxins, or when taking certain medications like diuretics or corticosteroids.

Cataract Treatment

Your ophthalmologist may prescribe contacts or glasses in situations where vision can be corrected. Otherwise, cataract surgery may be required. This is an outpatient procedure that involves removing the lens and replacing it with an artificial one. Over 95% of patients who have cataract surgery report better vision afterward. Contact Eye Michigan for an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam and to find out if you need treatment for cataracts.

 

Age-Related Eye Conditions

Eye Michigan Age Related Eye Conditions

As many older individuals will attest to, as you age, you tend to be more susceptible to a variety of conditions and impairment. While you can experience vision problems at any age, there are certain conditions that become more prevalent as you get older. You may even notice that you are becoming more reliant on your glasses or that things are becoming a bit blurrier than normal. While worsening vision is a normal sign of aging that most adults over 40 experience, certain types of visual impairment are indicative of eye disease.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) gradually diminishes your sharp vision while cataracts cloud your vision. Diabetic Eye Disease and Glaucoma gradually cause you to lose parts of your visual field. All of these diseases can lead to impaired living and should always be taken seriously. While none of them are completely reversible, there are treatment options available to slow down the process and reduce the damage.

It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with your eye doctor to perform a comprehensive dilated exam even if you think your vision is in tip-top shape. The best time to detect eye disease is before you notice any changes, that way, you can correct the problem before the damage takes place.

Contact Eye Michigan to make an appointment today.

Celebrate Cataract Awareness Month with Healthy Eyes & Clear Vision!

Eye Michigan June Is Cataract Awareness Month

Prevent Blindness America, an outreach program that brings eye care to Americans with a high risk of vision loss, has declared June Cataract Awareness Month! Cataracts affect more than 20 million people over the age of 40 in the United States. It is also the leading cause of blindness. These are some of the reasons why it is so important for everyone to understand what cataracts are, how they form, and how to treat them.

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are caused by a protein buildup on the lens of the eye. As the condition worsens, the lens becomes milky, and eyesight is diminished. Everything begins to look hazy, cloudy, and less colorful. Eventually, the condition can cause serious vision problems that prevent the patient from working and living as they once did.

How Are Cataracts Treated?

Cataracts are common, but they are also easy to treat. Once the condition gets to the point where it is starting to affect the patient’s ability to live and work, an ophthalmologist will usually recommend surgery. The procedure involves removing the cloudy lens and applying a clear artificial replacement known as an intraocular lens. The entire process usually takes 20 minutes. Many patients report a relatively short recovery time, usually a few days.

How Can I Keep My Vision Clear?

It’s always best to keep your vision as clear as possible before a problem appears. There is no way to stop age-related cataracts from forming, but you can slow progression and lower risk with a healthy lifestyle. Reduce UV ray exposure, don’t smoke, eat nutritious foods and always wear eye protection when playing sports or engaging in activities that could cause injury. Talk to your ophthalmologist to learn more about keeping your eyes healthy. Schedule an appointment with your Eye Michigan doctor today!

How Often Should I See My Eye Care Professional?

Eye Michigan How Often Should I See May Eye Care Professional

Most people know it is important to see an eye care professional but how often should you make an appointment for an eye exam? If you are having any problems with your vision, you should contact your ophthalmologist and schedule an appointment immediately. This is especially important for individuals in “at-risk” populations. A visit to your eye care provider now will provide you with the preventative measures and early-treatment you need to preserve your vision.

Even if you currently don’t wear glasses or fail to notice any significant changes in your vision, it is important to still make time for your ophthalmologist. Seeing your eye doctor annually helps identify any potential problems before they start so you can continue to enjoy healthy vision. It is recommended for those with healthy eyes to visit an ophthalmologist once a year for a comprehensive dilated eye exam. This procedure can identify the early signs of glaucoma, cataracts, and many other conditions. Those patients already diagnosed with an eye disease or are susceptible due to other health factors, may need to see their ophthalmologist more often.

Having regular visits with your eye doctor is an effective method to catch an eye condition early or even preventing the problem entirely. Contact Eye Michigan for an appointment today.

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