Sports Eye Injuries: Which Sports Are Most Likely?

Which Kids Are Most Likely to Have Sports Eye Injuries?

Sports eye injuries are most likely to occur in kids playing basketball, baseball and participating in cycling according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology. Of the 30,000 annual emergency room visits for sports related eye injuries the majority happens to kids under the age of 18. Basketball and cycling were the two sports most likely to cause eye injuries, while 21 percent of baseball and softball injuries resulted in actual fractures of the bones around the eye, which often require surgery to repair. Research has shown that wearing sports appropriate protective eyewear can significantly reduce the incidence of sports-related eye injuries. We have witnessed that when appropriate eyewear is available-even if not mandatory-top-performing athletes frequently choose to wear it. Wear protective eyewear! The message is clear for sports participants, parents and sports program organizers.

If you or someone you know plays sports recreationally or competitively, take the time to select proper sports protective eyewear to avoid the risk of sports eye injury. 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.

Eye Drops May Treat Macular Degeneration in Future

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) can cause people to lose central vision and is a leading cause of vision loss in seniors. The prompt treatment of “Wet” Macular Degeneration is very helpful in preventing catastrophic vision loss for most patients. The “Wet” form of AMD is currently treated by repeated injections into the eye of drugs called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) inhibitors-that stop, reverse and prevent new blood vessel growth. The most common VEGF inhibitors include Lucentis®, Eylea® and Avastin® and often require monthly injections to be effective. Researchers from the University of Birmingham (UK) Institute Inflammation and Aging reporting in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science have developed a method of delivering the AMD treatment drugs via an eye drop rather than by injection. The eye drop uses a molecule called a cell–penetrating peptide (CPP) to deliver the drug to the relevant part of the eye and hold future promise for treating Age Relater Macular Degeneration (AMD) with eye drops rather than injections.

If you or someone you know has a family history of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and is over 50 years of age or is a senior who has not had regular eye exams, please schedule and eye exam to help us help you avoid vision loss. 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.

AMD & Physical Activity

Does Physical Activity Help Protect Against Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

The benefits of staying active throughout life are constantly being reviewed and communicated to people of all ages-but especially seniors. The benefits include joint and muscle health as well as cognitive processes, mood and cardiovascular health to name a few. Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the main cause of irreversible severe vision loss in seniors.  A recent review article presented in the American Journal of Ophthalmology  suggested that physical activity is associated with lower odds of early and late AMD in Caucasians. These findings have important implications for staying active throughout life. However, the authors also felt that additional studies were needed to confirm and further characterize an actual protective effect of physical activity on the onset and/or progression of AMD.

If you or someone you know has a family history of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and is over 50 years of age or is a senior who has not had regular eye exams, please schedule and eye exam to help us help you avoid vision loss. 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.