One of my COVID goals was to create a monthly patient newsletter. The American Academy of Ophthalmology offers wonderful resources to help educate the public in monthly campaigns.
Delighted to promote June as Cataract Awareness Month! Regional Eye Associates shares 3 pearls about cataracts. Check out our monthly newsletter below or here. You can also subscribe to the newsletter here.
June is Cataract Awareness Month!
Approximately 25 million Americans have cataracts, which causes cloudy, blurry or dim vision. Cataracts often develop with advancing age. This June, Regional Eye Associates joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in observing Cataract Awareness Month. Dr. Miano and Dr. Goel share three pearls about cataracts and its treatment.
As you grow older, the eye’s natural lens thickens and becomes cloudier. Eventually, you may find it more difficult to read street signs. Colors may seem dull. These symptoms may signal cataracts, which affect about 70 percent of people by age 75. Fortunately, cataracts can be corrected with surgery. Ophthalmologists, physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care, perform around three million cataract surgeries each year in the United States to restore vision to those patients. Get an idea of what someone with cataracts might experience with this cataract vision simulator. The following are facts people should know about the condition.
1. Age isn’t the only risk factor for cataracts. Though most everyone will develop cataracts with age, recent studies show that lifestyle and behavior can influence when and how severely you develop cataracts. Diabetes, extensive exposure to sunlight, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and certain ethnicities have all been linked to increased risk of cataracts. Eye injuries, prior eye surgery and long-term use of steroid medication can also result in cataracts. If you have any of these or other risk factors, talk to an ophthalmologist.
2. Cataracts cannot be prevented, but you can lower your risk. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and brimmed hats when outside can help. Several studies suggest that eating more vitamin C-rich foods may delay how fast cataracts form. Also, avoid smoking cigarettes, which have been shown to increase the risk of cataract development.
3. Surgery may help improve more than just your vision. During the procedure, the natural clouded lens is replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens, which should improve your vision significantly. Patients have a variety of lenses to choose from, each with different benefits. Studies have shown that cataract surgery can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of falling. If cataracts are interfering with your ability to see well, consider asking your ophthalmologist about cataract surgery.
A life-changing surgery
At age 49, Mr. S’s vision had become so impaired by cataracts that he couldn’t distinguish shapes or colors without his glasses on, even if objects were right in front of him. His ophthalmologist at Regional Eye Associates recommended cataract surgery.
“Having the surgery was life-changing,” said Mr. S, who lives in South Jersey. “I can see everything from the time on my alarm clock to a bird’s nest in a tree hundreds of feet away without glasses. It’s the most amazing experience I’ve ever had.”
Both Dr. Miano and Dr. Goel are board-certified comprehensive ophthalmologists. Dr. Miano and Dr. Goel are available to evaluate overall eye health and discuss treatment options for common ophthalmic conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and dry eye.
Call 856-795-8787 to schedule an office visit or telemedicine consultation.
Our Optical Shop is also open by appointment! Call 856-795-8564 to schedule a time with our opticians.
To learn more ways to keep your eyes healthy, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart® website.
Regional Eye Safety Protocols with COVID-19
We invite you to read recent blog posts which address Regional Eye Associates efforts to optimize the patient experience during COVID-19:
1. In-office patient experience
2. Curbside/parking lot patient experience
3. Telemedicine patient experience
4. Surgical face masks, gloves, & NIH 3-D printed face shields
Subscribe to our newsletter!
If you were sent this newsletter by a family member or friend, please subscribe to our newsletter here.
