Eye Problems in Women with Neurological Conditions

Women are more likely to experience neurological problems, such as migraines and multiple sclerosis, with eye problems and complications. When women come to see us for eye exams complaining of headaches or sudden visual problems we have to be more aware that there are certain neurological conditions that target women. These can include:

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological disorder that affects woman more than men and often first becomes noticeable with eye problems such as optic neuritis with decreased vision and pain when moving your eyes as well as possibly double vision.

Migraines

Although migraines can occur at any point, after puberty, women are more likely to suffer from these vision-affecting headaches by a factor of two. Many patients with migraines come in for an eye exam complaining of visual phenomena or aura, which can range from zigzag lines or aura to fragmented vision or complete visual loss. These types of symptoms are associated with “classic migraines.”

Thyroid Eye Disease

Thyroid eye disease, also known as Graves ’ disease, affects women in their 50s and 60s and may be associated with thyroid problems and brings patients in complaining of dry eye symptoms such as irritation and redness. In more advanced cases Graves’s patients could have bulging eyes and double vision as well due to poor eye muscle movement.

Learn more about neurological diseases and disorders that affect your eyes at The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Alzheimer’s Disease & the Peripheral Retina

Your eyes can tell us a great deal about your overall health. In fact your eyes may turn out to be a “window” to brain degenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Researchers reporting in the Journal of Ophthalmic Research demonstrated that carefully examining and imaging the peripheral retina could identify a greater number of drusen which might be a marker for Alzheimer’s Disease. In addition they found that that while it is normal for blood vessels to get thinner as they approach the peripheral retina, Alzheimer’s patients had a significantly greater rate of thinning as the blood vessels were more peripheral in the retina. While peripheral retinal imaging is not a diagnostic measure for Alzheimer’s Disease, peripheral retina examination ad imaging of change in the eye could serve as a tool for disease progression in the brain.

Cataract Risk from Working Outdoors

Cataracts are a leading cause of decreased vision, especially in seniors. Patients always ask us if it is possible to prevent cataract from forming. There has been a great deal of research that has identified your exposure to solar radiation-or sunlight-as a main risk factor for developing a cataract. This is one of the reasons we urge patients to wear proper UV absorbing eyewear when they are exposed to sunlight. Further, patients who have outdoor occupations and are exposed to long hours of sunlight on a daily basis should be especially aware of the need for UV protection as they perform their daily work activities. A recent review of 15 different cataract studies regarding the relationship between cataract risk and sunlight or solar radiation exposure confirms the increased risk, and reinforces the need to limit sunlight exposure.

If you or someone you know spends a great deal of time outdoors or is exposed to sunlight as part of each day due to your work environment please be sure to wear UV protecting eyewear. If you are concerned about developing a cataract please schedule an eye exam at The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Steps to Lower Your Risk of Eye Disease

5 Steps to Lower Your Risk of Eye Disease

By age 65, one in three Americans will have a vision-impairing eye disease. Many sight-robbing conditions can be effectively treated if detected early enough, in many cases limiting or eliminating the damage to eyesight. Four eye diseases-age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts-account for most cases of adult blindness and low vision among people in the U.S. Because these eye diseases cause no pain and often have no early symptoms, they do not automatically prompt people to seek medical care. But a thorough eye exam can detect them in their earliest stages allowing early treatment which is vital because it can slow or halt disease progression or, in the case of cataracts, restore normal vision. A thorough eye exam can also detect other health conditions, such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, sexually transmitted diseases and some cancers. Here are some steps to helping preserve your eye health and vision:

Get a Comprehensive Medical Eye Exam at Age 40-Early signs of disease or changes in vision may begin at this age. If you have not already had one, a comprehensive medical eye exam is an opportunity to carefully examine the eye for diseases and conditions that may have no symptoms in the early stages.

Know Your Family History-Certain eye diseases can be inherited. If you have a close relative with macular degeneration, you have a 50 percent chance of developing this condition. A family history of glaucoma increases your glaucoma risk by four to nine times. Talk to family members about their eye conditions. It can help you and your eye doctor evaluate your risk.

Eat Healthy Foods-A diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, benefits the entire body, including the eyes. Eye-healthy food choices include citrus fruits, vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables and cold water fish.

Stop Smoking-Smoking increases the risk for eye diseases such as cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Smoking also raises the risk for cardiovascular diseases which can indirectly influence your eye health. Tobacco smoke, including second-hand smoke, also worsens dry eye.

Wear Sunglasses-Exposure to ultraviolet UV light raises the risk of eye diseases, including cataract, fleshy growths on the eye and cancer. Always wear a hat and sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection while outdoors.

If you have not had a comprehensive medical eye exam be sure to schedule one by calling The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Glaucoma Status Affected by Certain Medications

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma and is generally treated by eye drops, laser treatment and/or surgery to help reduce the eye pressure or intraocular pressure (IOP). Certain systemic medications that you take for anxiety or depression that are in the class called “SSRI,” such as Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa and Paxil, or blood pressure medications in the class called “calcium channel blockers,” such as Norvasc, Cadizem, Procardia and Calan may be associated with your glaucoma risk. SSRIs are strongly associated with a reduced risk of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma whereas calcium channel blockers were strongly associated with an increased risk. According to researchers reporting in Ophthalmology, the official journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, this is important and useful information to us as we assess your risk of glaucoma, but is helpful to researchers seeking new medications for the treatment of glaucoma as it might indicate novel approaches with medications used for other systemic diseases.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about glaucoma risk and systemic medications or schedule a glaucoma eye exam, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Weight Loss Surgery & Eye Pressure (IOP)

Did you know that an indirect benefit of weight loss surgery turns out to be a lowering of eye pressure, or IOP in patients with ocular hypertension? According to a study reported in Acta Ophthalmologica patients who had bariatric or weight loss surgery and successfully reduced their weight by a significant amount demonstrated a marked IOP reduction. Thus, the researchers believe that significant weight loss could have beneficial effects on IOP in obese individuals with ocular hypertension which might them to avoid having to use glaucoma eye drops.

If you or someone you know is contemplating bariatric weight loss surgery and has a high eye pressure they should be aware and schedule an eye exam with glaucoma testing. Schedule an eye exam at The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

U.S.M.C. LASIK Experience

“My name is Michael and I am a Master Sergeant in the United States Marine Corp. I had LASIK done with Dr. Confino because I wear contact lenses and I was notified I was being deployed overseas. I did not want to go into those environments with contact lenses or glasses. I felt I would not be at my best in every situation. A couple of my fellow marines had gone to Dr. Confino for their LASIK and they told me I should go see him. I later found out my aunt and uncle had also had their LASIK done years ago by him. I had my treatment done and am seeing great-20/20, very clear.”-Michael V.

If you or some you know is tired of the hassle of glasses or contact lenses for seeing at distance and would like to find out if LASIK might be a good vision correction option, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.