The most effective glaucoma treatment is working with your ophthalmologist to manage your glaucoma. There are currently medications (usually eye drops), laser treatments, and surgeries available depending on the type of glaucoma and the severity. The goal is to reduce the pressure in the eye to decrease the damage to the optic nerve. [Read more…] about Glaucoma Treatment
Open-Angle Glaucoma Symptoms
The most common type of Glaucoma is Open-Angle Glaucoma. This type of glaucoma often has no warning signs or symptoms, and if not detected early, can permanently damage your sight. By the time most people have symptoms, there have already been irreversible damage to the eye. This is yet another reason to visit your ophthalmologist annually, so it can be diagnosed early. Intervention and treatment are key in maintaining your vision. Other types of Glaucoma do have symptoms such as severe pain, which should be treated as an emergency. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey if you notice any new symptoms or if it is time for your comprehensive eye exam.
Glaucoma Awareness Month
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States affecting more than three million Americans. It is caused by pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve. Risk factors can increase the probabilities of developing the disease. keep on reading!
Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness
Diabetes can cause problems with your eyes. Glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and cataracts are common conditions that affect many diabetics. It is important to manage your diabetes and maintain regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist in order to protect your vision.
If you smoke, it is very important that you stop as soon as possible. You also need to manage your glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Your general practitioner can help you with your diabetic maintenance. It is important that you take your health seriously.
Diabetic eye disease rarely shows symptoms before the problem has become severe. This is why regular exams by an ophthalmologist are so important. Problems need to be caught early. You will need a dilated eye exam at least once a year. Dilation allows the doctor to check the blood vessels in your eyes. This is where diabetic eye disease begins.
A third of people with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy. Your chances of having glaucoma or cataracts are doubled if you are diabetic. African Americans, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and American Indians have particularly high rates of diabetic eye disease. Older adults and pregnant women are also high-risk populations.
If you have diabetes or are experiencing any vision disturbances, you need to schedule an eye exam right away. Even if you have no symptoms, you should schedule an exam if you haven’t been seen in the last six months. While there are treatments for diabetic eye disease, they rely on the condition being caught early. Once you are experiencing symptoms, the damage may already be permanent. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey in Bloomfield Hills for an appointment today.
Eye Exams Are Essential for Diabetics
Diabetes increases the risk of developing eye diseases, particularly glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. These diseases without intervention can cause blindness. A comprehensive eye exam can catch many eye diseases, so they can be treated. Regular exams are the best way to preserve your vision. Schedule an appointment with Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey, Michigan’s leading eye care physicians, located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
World Diabetes Day
A diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes is rapidly increasing throughout the world. This disease is typically preventable and if left untreated can effect your overall health including your eyes. Diabetic eye disease worsens as time passes and can cause eye damage and the ability to see. Conditions that can develop due to diabetes include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important that you also make an appointment with an ophthalmologist to manage the progression. Contact Grosinger, Spigleman & Grey located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to schedule an appointment.
5 Lifestyle Choices That Can Lower Your Risk of Glaucoma
The choices you make in life affect your health. That includes your eyesight. Establishing better habits now will pay off in the future. The following list will help you get started so that you can keep your vision for as long as possible.
- Be Proactive – Take a proactive approach by learning about your risks. You may be more likely to develop glaucoma if you are over age 40, have a family history, are farsighted, suffer an eye injury, have high blood pressure or use corticosteroids.
- Don’t Smoke – Smoking can be harmful to your health. While there isn’t currently a direct link to smoking and glaucoma, some studies found that it can cause intraocular pressure (IOP) to increase.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight – Obesity has been connected to age-related cataracts, maculopathy, and glaucoma. It can also bring on a host of other health problems. Keep a healthy weight to lower your risk of these and other diseases.
- Limit Caffeine – It’s okay to drink a little coffee. However, it should be enjoyed in limited quantities. A Blue Mountains Eye Study found that patients who drank coffee regularly had a noticeably higher IOP compared to those that don’t.
- Get Daily Exercise – Research has found that moderate to vigorous exercise like jogging may lower your risk of glaucoma. In one study, regular workouts can reduce risk by as much as 73%.
See Your Eye Doctor
There are many factors involved in determining your risk. It is best to talk to a professional who can assess your eye condition and lifestyle and make recommendations. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey ophthalmologists today to schedule an appointment.
Why Can I See Better When I Squint My Eyes?
Most people think that you would see better when your eyes are open wider. This sounds logical. Your eye is getting a broader view of the world, and more light is accessible to produce a clearer image. However, in practice, many people find that the opposite is true.
When we squint, we can often see things a little clearer. That’s why we squint to see the alarm clock when we wake up at 2 am. What is it about squinting that helps us see better than when our eyes are wide open?
What Does Squinting Do to Your Eye?
Even though it doesn’t feel much different, squinting does three things to our eyes that lead to slightly clearer vision.
- Our Eye Lens Changes Shape – The lens of the eye is flexible and changes shape when we squint.
- The Eye Lens Adjusts – Small adjustments in the lens allow us to focus better, much like a camera.
- Less Light Enters the Eye – Less light enters, reducing the impact on the retina and allowing the object we view to look sharper.
Why Do I Have to Squint So Much?
Occasional squinting is normal, even for people with healthy eyes and clear vision. If you are over the age of 40 and have never had to wear prescription glasses, then this is likely normal.
If you find yourself squinting a lot, then you may need to talk to an eye doctor. This could be a sign of eye strain or fatigue. You may need glasses if you also experience:
- Headaches
- Double vision
- Difficulty reading
Other symptoms, like feeling pressure in the eye, seeing halos, and decreased night vision could indicate a developing problem. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey to schedule an ophthalmologist appointment for a comprehensive eye exam to find out if you need glasses and assure that your eyes are healthy.
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The first public museum strictly to address vision is set to up in 2020. Learn more.
Why Does My Doctor Dilate My Eyes During an Exam?
Eye dilation is an important part of your exam. This is usually done using eye drops that keep the eyes dilated for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Patients with lighter color eyes may experience a longer duration before the effect wears off. Once applied, the drops cause the pupils to open fully.
Getting a Good Look Inside Your Eye
Dilated eyes allow your ophthalmologist to get a better look at what’s going on in your eye. They can identify problems that, if left untreated, could cause blindness, like a tumor or detached retina. They can also look for signs of eye diseases, including:
- Cataracts – A cataract is a cloudiness that forms on the eye lens. It causes vision problems and requires surgery to remove.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration – AMD can be diagnosed by the presence of abnormal blood vessels and pigment or protein build up.
- Glaucoma – Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve over time. If untreated, it can cause permanent vision loss.
- Diabetic Retinopathy – Diabetic retinopathy includes blood vessels in the retina that swell, leak, or grow abnormally.
What Can I Do While My Eyes Are Dilated?
Dilated eyes don’t usually affect your ability to see at a distance. However, your pupils cannot control how much light enters your eye, which can make glare a problem. This may mean it is unsafe to drive unless you wear sunglasses to help manage the glare.
You may not be able to return to work right away if you need to see things that are close to your face, so it is best to schedule your appointment accordingly.
Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey located in Bloomfield Hills to book an appointment with one of our top ophthalmologists.