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Macular Degeneration – What You Need To Know

A lot of vision loss cases are due to macular degeneration. This is an age related vision problem which is more commonly referred to as AMD or ARMD. What makes this a serious eye problem is the fact that our eyes rely big time on the health of the macula to be able to see clearly.

Macula is the small part in the middle of the retina. It plays a vital role in our vision because it is the one responsible in controlling visual acuity. If the macula degenerates, you will be limited in your everyday activity. You will not have the sharpness of vision to see small details even in everyday objects.

Dry And Wet Macular Degeneration

There are two types of macular degeneration. They are termed dry and wet. Dry macular degeneration, which is non-neovascular, is the atrophic type while the wet macular degeneration, which is neovascular, is the exudative type.

If you get checked by an optometrist or eye doctor and you are diagnosed with macular degeneration, chances are you get the dry type. This is because between these two types, the more common is the dry macular degeneration.

What Causes Macular Degeneration and Who Are At Risk?

While the causes are to be studied further, most macular degeneration cases are brought about by aging. There are also studies that point to heredity and environment as potential causes. As we age, the cells of the macula starts to degenerate thereby causing vision problem.

Because this eye problem is related to aging, older people are at greater risk. In most cases, this vision problem is experienced by people 55 years old and above.

Aside from age, other risk factors include genetics, race, and lifestyle. If someone in the family has AMD, other members of the family may be diagnosed with AMD as well. In terms of race, it seems that more Caucasians are diagnosed with AMD compared to other races. This may have something to do with the light colour of the eyes.

Lifestyle also affects the risk of getting AMD. It is observed that smokers are most likely to get macular degeneration than non-smokers. Furthermore, obesity is also said to affect AMD. In a study published in Archives of Ophthalmology (June 2003), it showed that obese people who are diagnosed with early AMD are more likely to develop a more advanced form of this eye problem.

Progression Of Macular Degeneration

This eye problem has different stages which can be divided into early, intermediate, and late. Some people discover they have this condition when it is already on the late stage. This is the reason why a regular eye exam is very important. A visit to your optometrist or eye doctor will help prevent this condition and if you are already diagnosed with early stage of AMD, the eye doctor will be able to help you slow the progression of the disease.

Little can be done to cure it as until now, there is no known cure for macular degeneration. However, there is something that the eye doctor can do to help you cope with it or slow its progression.

Before it’s too late, visit your Ottawa eye doctor today to get a comprehensive eye exam.

Four Seasons Of Good Eye Health

How you keep your eyes healthy and in perfect condition may differ depending on the season. There are things that you do during summer to protect your eyes that may not be that practical during winter or vice versa.

But no matter what the season is, it is vital that you protect your eyes to maintain or even improve your vision. Here are practical tips from Ottawa optometrist on how to keep your eyes healthy throughout the seasons:

Winter:

During winter, most people turn on their heaters at home. The heat from a heater or fireplace can lead to eye dryness. This situation can bring discomfort or pain especially if you are already suffering from a chronic eye condition like dry eyes. This is when the eyes are not properly lubricated because they do not produce the right amount of tears needed to keep the eyes moist. During winter, this condition can get worse. What you can do is keep your eyes moist by staying away from the heater or using a humidifier. If you visit Ottawa eye clinic, the eye doctor can also prescribe medication to keep your eyes moist.

It is a good idea to wear sunglasses during winter. Why? Because your eyes can get damaged if the temperature is too low. Make sure that your sunglasses has UV protection because the snow can reflect UV rays which doubles the risk.

To avoid snow and ice debris from entering your eyes, especially if the weather condition is not favourable, you should consider wearing goggles. Googles provide maximum protection compared to regular eyeglasses.

Spring:

Spring is the season for allergies. This can cause eye irritations including redness and itchiness. While you can take anti-allergy medications, it is best to consult an eye doctor and get an eye exam in case your eyes become irritated because of your allergy.

If you are engaging in spring cleaning, make sure to use goggles to avoid the dust from entering your eyes.

Even during spring time, the sun’s UV rays can still pose risks so it is still advisable to wear sunglasses with UV protection. This will help you avoid eye problems like cataract and macular degeneration.

Summer:

Same with other seasons, summer is the time when you put your sunglasses to good use. Don’t let the harmful rays of the sun damage your eyes. The brightness of the day can also be very painful for your naked eyes.

Summer is the perfect time to hit the beach. Don’t forget to wear your swim goggles whether you are going to the beach or pool. Saltwater can be damaging to your eyes especially if you accidentally open your eyes while underwater. The bleach on pool water can also cause eye irritations.

For outdoor activities, make sure to use eye protection. The dust and heat from outside can both cause eye damage. Also wear a hat outside as added protection from UV rays and heat of the sun.

Fall:

Throughout the year, you will need your sunglasses. Even if you feel you don’t need it during the fall season, you still do because there is still the risk of the UV rays. Make sure to wash your hands frequently to avoid causing any bacteria to enter your eyes when you happen to touch them.

Fall is also the season of allergies, just like the spring season. Always keep an anti-allergy medication and eye drop ready in case of allergy. It is best to consult your Ottawa optometrist for eye medications that can help relieve or prevent allergy symptoms.

Winter, spring, summer, or fall – no matter what’s the season, you should always protect your eyes. These tips will ensure that you will have good eye health throughout the year.

Understanding The Important Role Of Your Eye Doctor For Eye Health

Annual eye exam has many benefits. It helps ensure that your eyes are always healthy. It aids in detecting the onset of any eye problem. Early detection helps in making sure that your eyes get the proper medical service that you need to recover quickly.

A common misconception about eye exams is that it is only for adults. No, it is actually for all ages. Eye problems don’t choose victims. Whether you are a young student or a professional who has been working for many years already, you can both fall prey to serious eye problems. It is important then to be one step ahead when it comes to eye health.

This infographic from Ottawa Eye Clinic will explain why you need to see an eye doctor and what’s the role of the eye doctor in your vision health.

Treat Your Eyes Right, Ladies

It may come as a surprise but the fact is that gender is actually one of the determining factors for eye health. Yes, you’ve read that right! Research studies have shown than women are more prone to eye diseases such as cataract and macular degeneration compared to men. When it comes to the risk factors for these eye diseases, women beat men. So be careful ladies as you have higher rate of vision loss.

Just like everything else, preventive care is the most ideal thing to do when it comes to eye health. Know what are the risks involved and how to prevent them. This guideline from Ottawa Optometrist, Dr. Zahiri, shows how to keep your eyes healthy ladies.

Don’t Forget Your Child’s Back-To-School Eye Exam

Eye problems are not just for adults. In fact, it is quite alarming that every year, more and more children, particularly the school-age ones, are suffering from different types of eye problems.

If you want your kids to maximize their school experience, you have to make sure that they have perfect vision. Many activities in the school require them to be able to see clearly.

The perfect way to prepare your kids for school is to bring them to an eye specialist. An optometrist will be able to check your kids’ eyes and diagnose if they have vision issues or if they are at risk for some serious eye diseases. Want to know more about getting your child to an eye doctor? Check out this infographic from Ottawa eye doctor.

Blepharitis: How To Get Rid of Sore Red Eyelids

One of the most common eye problems is red eyelids or medically termed as blepharitis. This is the condition wherein one or both eyelids become sore and red. This is caused by either fluid retention or eye infection. Although not sight threatening on its own, blepharitis can signal other health issues.

Blepharitis can be painful and it can cause complications so it should be diagnosed and treated immediately. When it happens, a visit to your eye doctor should be considered. Ottawa Eye Clinic presents more information on this eye condition:

Healthy Foods For Healthy Eyes

Eating right is not only good for your body but it is also very beneficial for your eyes. Do you know what foods you should be eating to keep your eyes healthy?

If you are not yet a fan of healthy diet, you should start thinking about it now. Healthy food options make a huge difference in your vision. They help protect your eyes from the risks of threatening eye diseases.

Here is an infographic from Ottawa Eye Clinic presenting the 7 key nutrients that your eyes need to stay healthy.

What Does It Mean To Be Nearsighted Or Farsighted?

How often have you heard someone saying they are either nearsighted or farsighted? What does it mean? These two conditions are opposites. Nearsightedness means that you can focus on items close to you while farsightedness means that your focus is only on far objects. These conditions can affect your lifestyle. Your activities will be limited only to what your eyes can focus on.

These condition can easily be corrected. The key is early detection. This can be done by a simple visit to an optometrist. Learn more about these eye conditions from this infographic prepared by Ottawa Optometrist, Dr. Zahiri.

Taking Care Of Your Eyes In The Digital Age

While technology has many advantages, there are also some disadvantages to it. It makes life easier but it can cause some serious health problems like vision issues. Research studies show that about 60 million school age children are already exposed to computers and other devices and the alarming truth is they are in front of these devices for hours a day. This can lead to Computer Vision Syndrome or CVS.

CVS is a serious eye problem that can potentially cause long term vision problems and other vision disorders. The good thing is that CVS can be prevented. Here are simple tips from Ottawa Eye Clinic on how to protect your eyes in the digital age.

Protect Your Sight As You Age

As we age, we become prone to many different health issues including eye problems. This is the reason why as early as possible, we should already think about our eye health. There is no better way for our vision to stay perfect as we age than prevent any eye disorder from happening in the first place.

Our eyes are not exempted from aging. It needs better care along with the other parts of our body. How do you keep your eyes healthy as you age? This infographic from Ottawa Eye Clinic presents useful information:

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