Akron eye doctor

Akron | Why Diabetic Eye Exams are Essential

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates Local Diabetic Eye Exams near you in Akron, Ohio

At present, one in 10 Americans has diabetes – and the trend is continuing upwards. While routine comprehensive eye exams are important for diagnosing the early signs of diabetes, that doesn’t mean eye exams become insignificant after diagnosis!

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a Comprehensive eye exam, Pediatric eye exam and Contact lens eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Is LASIK eye and vision surgery an option for you ? Our Akron eye doctor is always ready to answer your questions about eye disease and Contact lenses.

How does diabetes affect the eyes?

Diabetes, especially when uncontrolled, can affect blood vessels and nerves throughout the entire body. Excess blood sugar can damage tiny blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to ocular inflammation, bleeding and devastating vision loss when left untreated.

The most common types of eye diseases associated with diabetes are:

Diabetic retinopathy – small blood vessels in the retina weaken and sometimes leak blood
Glaucoma – elevated pressure levels of fluid in the eye
Cataracts – a clouding of the eye’s lens that blurs vision

Who needs diabetic eye exams?

If you have diabetes of any type, yearly diabetic eye exams are critical for preserving your healthy, sharp sight. That’s because damage to the eyes can be seen during a dilated eye exam way before vision loss occurs.

Sadly, surveys estimate that about 60% of people with diabetes are not vigilant about booking annual eye exams. As a result, early sight-threatening changes in the inner eye tissues are often missed. Only a diabetic eye exam can reliably detect or rule out the start of many dangerous eye conditions. In addition, when your eye doctor notices changes in your eye health as a result of diabetes, it can indicate that a change in your diabetes management regimen may be needed.

If you’ve been diagnosed with eye disease, such as diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma, diabetic eye exams will be done to monitor your condition to determine the most effective treatment program.

When is a diabetic eye exam needed immediately?

Besides visiting your eye doctor for annual eye exams, the following symptoms are a warning that you should schedule an urgent diabetic eye exam:

Seeing red spots
Seeing small black lines or spots that don’t glide away
Seeing red tinted fog
Sudden changes in your vision
Taking longer than usual to adjust to darkness

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates, your Akron eye doctor for eye exams and eye care

Alternatively, book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Akron | Risk of Vision Loss is Increasing

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates Eye Doctor in Akron, Ohio

As the elderly population in the US grows larger, millions of American senior citizens are in danger of losing their vision, according to a new study. Federal health data shows that between 2002 and 2017, the amount of people at risk for vision loss rose from 65 million to 93 million.

Scientists at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that while the current numbers are high, they will likely continue to get higher as more Americans pass 65 years old and the prevalence of diabetes increases.

In response, eye care professionals encourage everyone – especially people over age 60 – to visit their local eye clinic for regular eye exams performed by a qualified optometrist or eye doctor. Regular eye exams are vital for preventing vision loss.

Who is at the greatest risk for vision loss?

In addition to seniors, people with diabetes and anyone with a pre-existing eye or vision problem is also at an increased risk of losing their sight.

What can you do to protect your sight as you age?

Regular eye exams are essential! They give your eye doctor the opportunity to detect the signs of a dangerous eye disorder before it causes irreversible vision damage. That way, you can receive treatment as early as possible. According to surveys in 2017, about 57% of the approximately 30,000 adults who participated in the survey said they had an annual eye exam.

Not only do eye exams safeguard your vision, but they can also save lives. More than 270 systemic diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and cancer, can be detected by a comprehensive eye exam (NOT by a generic vision test) before these conditions exhibit symptoms.

The bottom line: As you get older, if you care about your vision and your overall health and don’t want to be added to the number of people suffering with vision loss, contact an eye clinic near you to book regular eye exams with a certified optometrist or eye doctor.

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates, your Akron eye doctor for eye exams and eye care

Alternatively, book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Akron | Tips on how to have healthy eyes

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates Eye Doctor in Akron, Ohio

You look through your eyes to see the glorious world around you, and your eye doctor looks into your eyes to see a view of your health. In addition to spotting the signs of ocular disease, conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, and possibly your risk for Alzheimer’s can also be detected by an eye exam at your eye clinic.

Eyes comprise many delicate parts that don’t always age well. That’s why regular comprehensive eye exams by a qualified eye care provider are essential! These check-ups give your optometrist or eye doctor a chance to view the eyes’ inner tissues, where the early signs of a problem often appear.

Approximately 61 million people in the US are at an increased risk for serious vision loss. In fact, researchers at Johns Hopkins found that losing one’s eyesight holds the #1 spot on Americans’ list of worst health nightmares. Learn how you can help prevent this nightmare from coming true.

Lifestyle changes that benefit your eyes

Eye care professionals claim that embracing these lifestyle hacks can help keep your vision sharp and healthy for the long-term:

Eat a lot of veggies: In particular, choose to munch on produce that’s packed with vitamin A, such as carrots, squash and pumpkin, as well as vegetables high in antioxidants (namely lutein), such as leafy greens like collards, spinach and kale.
Don’t smoke: If you’re a smoker, quitting can lower your risk of lung and heart disease, along with helping to prevent age-related macular degeneration, optic nerve damage and cataracts
Wear sunglasses: It’s important to protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays all year round. Choose sunglasses with large lenses that block 99% to 100% of radiation from the sun’s rays.
Protect your eyes with safety goggles: Safety goggles or eye guards protect your eyes during sports and construction work, especially when you’re engaged in activities such as playing with a speeding ball, using chemicals or grinding metal.

Get eye care for uncomfortable symptoms

If you experienced painful vision with symptoms such as itching, stinging, redness, swelling, or blurriness – don’t ignore it! Contact an eye clinic near you to schedule an emergency eye exam. Only an eye doctor or certified optometrist can assess your condition to determine whether treatment is required. Leaving certain eye conditions untreated can lead to vision damage.

Self-help to safeguard your eye health

Relieve dry eye syndrome

Staring at a screen can cause or exacerbate the symptoms of dry eye. Intense watching of any digital device can make you forget to blink, which dries out your eye surface. Practice the 20-20-20 rule to relax and moisturize your eyes (= every 20 minutes, look 20 feet into the distance, for 20 seconds).

Prevent eye infections and pink eye (conjunctivitis)

Some unhealthy (but unfortunately, common) practices can lead to serious eye infections, such as using old makeup. Be sure to discard eye makeup every three months to prevent bacteria from building up. If you wear contact lenses, inadequate hygiene is another cause of eye infections. Always wash your hands before handling your contacts, take them out nightly (even if they’re labelled for extended wear), and disinfect and store them, or discard them, according to your optometrist’s instructions.

How to Handle Floaters

In general, floaters are harmless clusters of cells that glide around in the clear vitreous gel of your eyeball. Your brain adjusts to floaters, and eventually, you won’t see them. However, if you suddenly notice a bunch of new floaters or you see flashes of light or a shadow cast over your vision, contact your eye doctor immediately. An eye exam is necessary to rule out or diagnose any retinal problems, such as a retinal tear.

Sharp vision is valuable for all parts of life – help keep your eyes healthy by taking care of them with the eye care they deserve!

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates, your Akron eye doctor for eye exams and eye care

Alternatively, book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Akron Eye Clinic – Is a Blinding Eye Disease Hiding?

Vision loss can occur with early signs only an eye doctor can see

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam, pediatric eye exam and contact lens eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Is LASIK eye and vision surgery an option for you? Our Akron eye doctor is always ready to answer your questions about eye disease and Contact lenses.

During the very early stages of many eye diseases, most people never notice a problem. For example, when age-related macular degeneration (AMD) first appears, blind spots can develop that people don’t see because their brain is compensating. But while the individual with AMD may not be aware of the disease, an eye doctor will detect it during a comprehensive eye exam. That’s why the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) strongly recommends people over age 40 to protect themselves from vision loss by visiting an eye clinic regularly for dilated eye exams.

How common is age-related macular degeneration?

Estimates report that more than 2 million Americans live with the most progressive forms of AMD, and this number is expected to rise to 4.4 million people by 2050. Age-related macular degeneration is the top cause of blindness among white Americans who are older than 40, and it’s one of the most common reasons for permanent vision loss in the world.

What is AMD?

This eye disease occurs when your macula, a part of the retina, is damaged. The macula is responsible for giving you a crisp, clear vision in the center of your field of view. A loss of central vision has far-reaching effects on your life, hampering your ability to read, drive, and see faces.

How often do I need to visit an eye care professional?

According to the AAO, adults with no signs or risk factors for ocular disease are advised to start with regular eye exams from age 40. Then, until age 54, guidelines recommend visiting an eye clinic every two to four years; between age 55-64, you should see your eye doctor every one to three years. By the time you are 65, annual eye exams are encouraged – even if you don’t experience any visual or eye symptoms. Of course, if you have additional risk factors for eye disease, your eye doctor may instruct you to visit more frequently.

Can vision loss from AMD be prevented?

Nowadays, eye doctors have even more technologies to diagnose age-related macular degeneration as early as possible – as long as you are vigilant about visiting your eye clinic for eye exams! Why are all these eye exams so important? Because the earlier AMD is detected and treated; the more effective treatment can be.

Possible treatments to help prevent vision loss from age-related macular degeneration include:

Injections of drugs to stop new blood vessels from forming and to block leaking from unhealthy blood vessels (symptoms characteristic of wet AMD)
Laser therapy to destroy abnormal blood vessels that are actively growing
Photodynamic laser therapy that causes damage to abnormal blood vessels
Taking vitamins as eye health supplements

Don’t let your brain fool you into thinking your vision is fine! Instead, let an eye doctor make that decision. In the year 2020, you couldn’t pick a better time to focus on your eyes. Contact an eye care center near you to book an eye exam today.

Call Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates today to make an appointment: 330-752-6888 or alternatively you can book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Akron Eye Clinic – How to Improve Your Vision

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates Our eye doctor in Akron, Ohio explains

Your eyes give you so much, isn’t it time to give back?

In the US, it’s been estimated that 12 million people over the age of 40 have some type of vision impairment! Yet, while the numbers are overwhelming, it doesn’t mean poor eyesight is simply inevitable as you age. In addition to taking advantage of our expert eye care services, our eye doctor shares 7 ways to improve and protect your eyes against problems.

Eat a nutritious diet

Eating heart-healthy foods also helps to protect your vision. That means following a diet with minimal saturated fats and salt, a moderate amount of lean proteins (legumes and nuts are great options), whole grains, and plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. In particular, antioxidant-rich foods, such as strawberries, walnuts, and dark leafy greens, can help decrease your chances of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.

Visit your eye doctor for eye exams

A comprehensive eye exam can pick up on problems you may not have noticed, because many eye diseases don’t present symptoms at the early stages. That’s why regular eye exams by an eye care professional (not the same as basic vision screening done at your local pharmacy!) are critical, even if you have no vision complaints. Plus, as you age, it’s common for your vision to naturally change, and keeping your prescription up to date is a no-brainer keeping your vision clear.

Keep chronic health conditions stable

Many chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, put you at higher risk for vision of complications. However, controlling your condition drastically reduces your chances of a problem. With diabetes, keeping blood sugars in the parameters recommended by your physician can help prevent diabetic retinopathy from developing and progressing. Controlling blood pressure also helps prevent retinal bleeding and swelling.

Quit smoking

While genetics may be the number one risk factor for age-related macular degeneration, smoking is the number two risk factor! Smoking is also linked to cataract progression. You may not be able to control the genes you inherit, but you can control whether or not you smoke.

Call Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates today to make an appointment: 330-752-6888 or alternatively you can book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Pink Eye Treatment Clinic Akron

Local Pink Eye Treatment Clinic in Akron, Ohio

If you wake up and find your eyes sealed shut with crusty gunk, you probably have conjunctivitis, better known as pink eye. This type of eye infection can look and feel pretty nasty, but you’re in good company. It’s one of the most common eye conditions in the world, and it’s highly treatable. Contact your eye clinic as soon as possible to get treatment and relief from the icky symptoms.

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates Our eye doctor in Akron, Ohio explains

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the thin, transparent membrane that lines the whites of your eyes and the inside of your eyelids. It can be caused by a variety of things, and your eye doctor will help figure out the cause in order to recommend the best treatment.

What causes pink eye, and what are the symptoms?

Viral infection a virus, such as the common cold, leads to viral conjunctivitis. This type of eye infection is highly contagious, but it also tends to clear up on its own within a few days. Most of the time it affects both eyes, and you may have a cough or runny nose along with it.
Bacterial infection a bacterial infection is to blame for bacterial conjunctivitis. This is the kind of pink eye that most often leads to yellow, crusty, and sticky discharge that builds up in the corner of your eye and along the lash line. When this discharge is severe, it can glue your eyelids together as you sleep. Typically, bacterial conjunctivitis starts in one eye and moves to the other.
Allergic reaction allergic conjunctivitis is caused by airborne eye irritants such as dust, pollen, and pet dander. It is often seasonal, although cases can flare up all year round. Even people who aren’t allergic to these substances may experience allergic conjunctivitis, just because the lining of the eye is easily irritated and can get inflamed.

How do eye doctors treat pink eye?

Treatment for conjunctivitis is largely dependent on which type of infection you have. Your eye doctor will perform an eye exam – paying close attention to your symptoms to determine if your pink eye is viral, bacterial, or allergic.

Like other viruses that you pick up, there’s no treatment for viral conjunctivitis; it just needs to run its course. You can apply warm compresses to help alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms. For bacterial conjunctivitis, your eye doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic ointment or eye drops. The symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis may be diminished and relieved by allergy medications.

Should I stay home if I have conjunctivitis?

If you suspect you or your child has conjunctivitis, don’t rush off to work or send your kid to school! Instead, head to an eye clinic for an eye exam with an eye doctor near you as soon as possible. In the meantime, the golden rule is to practice good hygiene to avoid spreading your infection to family and friends.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is spread through direct contact with infected hands or any objects that made contact with your infected eye. Try not to touch others when you have pink eye, and do your best not to touch any shared items to your eye. If you have viral conjunctivitis, sneeze and cough into your elbow or a tissue.

No matter which type of pink eye you have, our eye doctor’s best advice is to wash your hands often! And even when you’re feeling better, follow your eye doctor’s advice about when you can be around others without the risk of spreading the infection.

Call Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates today to make an appointment: 330-752-6888 or alternatively you can book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Akron Eye Clinic – 14 Eye Care Secrets

Why didn’t my eye doctor tell me?

How much do you really know about eye care? Here’s a rundown of how you should treat your eyes so you can enjoy clear, healthy vision for as long as possible.

1.Sunglasses offer more than style

Just like you slather on the sunscreen before a day outdoors, you also need to protect your eyes from dangerous UV rays. Putting on a pair of trendy sunglasses will give you more than a fabulous look, it will also help safeguard your eyes against damage. Wraparound frame designs are ideal.

2.Polarized sunglasses aren’t always best

When you shop your eye clinic for sunglasses, don’t automatically reach for the ones with polarized lenses. While they are exceptional for reducing glare, they can make it near impossible to read the LCD display on your navigation system or phone. Banking at an ATM also becomes challenging when wearing polarized sunglasses.

3.Carrots are not the ultimate eye-healthy food

We’re not out to debunk your mother’s wisdom, but to let you in on a secret – dark, leafy veggies like kale and spinach are just as good, if not better for your lasting eye health than carrots. But that doesn’t mean orange and yellow foods don’t have anything to offer. Carrots, pumpkin, and other sunshine colored foods are also rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which help protect against age-related macular degeneration.

4.Eye make-up should smell fresh

Did you know bacteria can lurk and breed in your eye cosmetics? By using old make-up, you risk exposing your eyes to nasty germs that can lead to eye infections. Rule of thumb is to toss your eye cosmetics every three months. But if you can’t bring yourself to do that, sniff the product before applying. If it has a funky “off” smell, it’s possible bacteria have taken root.

5.Eye drops are better when chilled

To prevent your eyes from stinging when inserting eye drops, store them in the refrigerator.

6.OTC eye drops aren’t always safe

Before buying eye drops off the drugstore shelf, speak to your eye doctor! Even better, visit your eye clinic for an eye exam. If you have an infection, steroid drops can clear up the redness but worsen the infection. Your eye doctor will recommend the best type of eye drops for your condition.

7.Don’t be afraid of the dark

You may be surprised to hear that reading in dim light won’t damage your eyes. However, you may get a headache.

8.Eyeglasses need special care

Tissues and toilet paper aren’t made for cleaning your glasses. Think about it, paper is made from wood, which can scratch your lenses. Soft and silky microfiber cloths are best.

9.Smoking can affect your eyes

Everyone knows about the effects of smoking on the lungs and heart, but did you know smoking has also been linked with the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)? Cigarette smokers are at a 4x greater risk of being blinded by AMD than non-smokers – and even more frightening is that the risk lasts for up to a decade after you quit smoking.

10.Over 60? Get LASIK after you have a cataract

If your insurance is paying for cataract removal surgery, your eye doctor can fix your vision at the same time. Also, if your finances make it hard to get cataracts removed as soon as they are diagnosed, waiting is rarely dangerous. Cataracts may blur your view, but generally they won’t hurt you.

11.Pink eye isn’t always harmless

Pink eye can be caused by various culprits, including bacteria and viruses. If you have pink eye as a result of a bacterial infection, you need antibiotic treatment. Leaving it untreated can lead to lasting problems, such as light sensitivity or vision loss.

12.Keep your feet cold, not your face

Aim the a/c vents in your car at your feet, not at your eyes. Hot and cold dry air from car a/c units can rob your eyes of all moisture, leading to dry eye syndrome and an increased risk of eye infection.

13.Regular eye exams are a must

We know the typical question – “Why should I visit my eye clinic until I have a problem?” The answer is that many sight-threatening eye diseases don’t have symptoms until they’ve already damaged your vision permanently. A yearly routine eye exam is the only way to spot the signs of certain problems early on.

14.Don’t sleep in extended-wear contacts

Even though they’re called extended-wear, these contact lenses post a 10-15x greater risk of eye infection if you sleep in them. It’s best to remove them before bed.

Looking for more eye care tips? Head to your eye clinic to learn more about how to benefit from clear vision and healthy eyes.

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates, your Akron eye doctor for eye exams and eye care

Alternatively, book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Akron Eye Clinic – Does Diabetes Put You at Risk for Losing Your Sight?

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates Our eye doctor in Akron, Ohio explains.

Topics: Diabetes, Pre-diabetes, Diabetes symptoms, Symptoms of diabetes

If you have diabetes, you’ve probably been told about how you’re at risk for a range of serious health complications. Out of all these threatening problems, blindness may be the most feared.

Diabetic eye disease can develop as early as one year after the onset of diabetes, and statistics report that up to 45% of people with diabetes display some degree of damage to their retina. No matter which type of diabetes you have – type 1, type 2, insulin-dependent or not – the risk for eye disease is higher, and it’s increased by the number of years that you have diabetes. Also, African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and American Indians/Alaska Natives have a higher chance of losing vision from diabetes.

However, as our eye doctor reminds every patient with diabetes, vision loss is not inevitable! You can lower your chances of diabetic eye disease by taking several important actions.

Link Between Diabetes and Eyes

When blood sugar levels aren’t stable and maintained within the normal parameters (as recommended by your physician), it can weaken the blood vessels at the back of the eye. These abnormal retinal blood vessels can start to bleed and leak, blurring vision and impairing sight permanently. This condition is known as diabetic retinopathy, and it’s the most common eye problem caused by diabetes. During a diabetes eye exam at our eye clinic, we will inspect your eyes thoroughly for any signs of this dangerous condition.

In addition to retinopathy, people with diabetes are also at a greater risk of cataracts and glaucoma. Both of these eye diseases can blur vision, and glaucoma can damage the optic nerve – causing permanent loss of peripheral vision that can progress to complete blindness when left untreated.

You won’t be able to see diabetic eye disease until it’s too late! You may be surprised to learn that just because you don’t have any symptoms or visual complaints, it doesn’t mean your eyes are healthy. Most of the time, retinopathy doesn’t cause any symptoms until it has advanced to a point where the vision loss is irreversible. That’s why it’s so important to visit an eye care center for regular comprehensive eye exams! At these eye exams, your eye doctor will dilate your eyes to get a detailed view of the retina and optic nerve.

If you do notice symptoms, such as the sudden appearance of many floating spots (similar to spider webs), a “veil” covering your vision, or vision changes in one or both eyes, call your eye clinic immediately.

Diabetes-related Vision Loss Can Be Preventable

When retinopathy and other diabetic eye diseases are detected during their early stages, treatment can be highly effective and prevent permanent damage to your eyes. Early intervention is critical for the lasting health of your vision. If you have diabetes, the importance of visiting your eye clinic for yearly dilated eye exams cannot be overstated!

Additionally, good blood sugar control and healthy blood pressure go far towards protecting your eyes. That means following your physician’s instructions for how to care for your diabetes, be it through medication to keep blood sugars stable, exercising, eating nutritiously, losing weight, and making healthy lifestyle changes.

Treatment Can Save Sight

Various treatments are available for retinopathy. If the results of your eye exam show any problematic blood vessels, your eye doctor will discuss treatment options with you. Possible therapies given at your eye care center include injections of medication to decrease blood vessel leakage and inhibit the growth of abnormal blood vessels. This will stop the progression of diabetic eye disease. Laser surgery is another option, which may be performed at your eye clinic or local hospital. Treatment for diabetic eye disease can not only stabilize vision, but can sometimes even improve the quality of sight.

Make Visits to Your Eye Doctor a Part of Your Diabetes Care

If you have diabetes, annual eye exams at a qualified eye care center are essential for reducing your risks of eye disease!

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates, your Akron eye doctor for eye exams and eye care

Alternatively, book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Reference:

Akron Eye Clinic – What Causes Glaucoma?

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates Our eye doctor in Akron, Ohio explains

Summery: Glaucoma is an eye disease that involves an abnormal increase in your intraocular pressure (the fluid inside your eye). As the pressure rises, it damages your optic nerve. Because the optic nerve is responsible for transmitting images to your brain, this damage affects vision. When glaucoma is left untreated, the damage continues – leading to vision loss and blindness.

Topics: Glaucoma treatment Akron, Eye Exam Akron

What causes this sight-threatening condition?

Normally, your intraocular fluid (aqueous humor) flows out of the eye through a special channel – called the trabecular meshwork. When this channel gets blocked, the fluid can’t drain properly and pressure builds.

Most of the time, glaucoma is inherited and occurs in older adults, above age 60. Less commonly, glaucoma can be caused by severe eye infections, a chemical or blunt injury to your eye, inflammatory conditions, or a blockage of the blood vessels in your eye. Usually, both eyes are affected, but they may not be in exactly the same condition.

How is glaucoma detected?

Glaucoma doesn’t usually present early symptoms or pain. So the only way to know if you have it at an early stage is by visiting your Akron eye clinic for a comprehensive eye exam. Eye doctors recommend getting a complete eye exam yearly if you are older than 40 or if you have a history of glaucoma (or any eye disease, for that matter) in your family. If the signs of glaucoma are detected, you can begin glaucoma treatment in Akron – as soon as possible, which is the best way to protect your eyes and prevent vision loss!

Are there different types of glaucoma?

There are two types of glaucoma:Open-angle glaucoma (also called wide-angle glaucoma), is the most common form of this eye disease. Even though the drainage structure in your eye looks good, the intraocular fluid doesn’t flow out efficiently.

Angle-closure glaucoma (also called acute or narrow-angle glaucoma), occurs when the drain space between the iris and cornea becomes too narrow to facilitate proper drainage. Consequently, pressure rises suddenly in the eye.

Who gets glaucoma?

Risk factors for glaucoma include:

- Over age 40
- A family history of glaucoma
- Asian, African, or Hispanic heritage
- High eye pressure
- Farsightedness or nearsightedness
- Having had an eye injury
- Using long-term steroid medications
- Corneas that are thin in the center
- Thinning of the optic nerve
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Migraines
- Poor blood circulation

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

The earliest symptoms of glaucoma can include a loss of peripheral vision, but usually people don’t notice any symptoms at all until late in the disease. That’s why glaucoma has been nicknamed the “sneak thief of sight.” If you want to make sure you don’t have glaucoma, book an eye exam at our Akron eye clinic.

Occasionally, pressure can build up in your eye to an extreme level, leading to headaches, blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights. If you experience the following glaucoma symptoms, seek immediate medical assistance:

- An eye that appears hazy
- Eye pain
- Vision loss
- Seeing halos around lights
- Redness in the eye
- Narrowed vision (tunnel vision)
- Nausea or vomiting, accompanied by the listed eye symptoms

What glaucoma treatment is provided in Akron?

Glaucoma treatment by our Akron eye doctor may involve eye drops that reduce fluid pressure, laser surgery, or microsurgery. The goal of all of these treatments is to lower intraocular pressure in the eye. Laser surgeries accomplish this in several different ways – either by making a tiny hole in the iris to let the fluid flow more smoothly, treating areas of the eye to reduce fluid production, or opening the drainage area. Microsurgery creates a new channel for drainage.

Is there a way to prevent glaucoma?

Presently, there are no proven methods to prevent glaucoma. But if the disease is diagnosed early, we offer progressive glaucoma treatment in Akron, to protect your sight. Once vision is lost, it cannot be restored – but regular eye exams in our Akron eye clinic can detect the early signs of glaucoma, preventing damage to your vision before it’s too late!

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates, your Akron eye doctor for eye exams and eye care

Alternatively, book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Reference:

Akron Contact Lenses- Overuse of Contact Lenses – What Happens? How Can You Prevent It?

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates Tips from our eye clinic on how to keep your eyes healthy with contact lenses

Contact lenses can be a fantastic way to see crisp and clear without bothersome eyeglasses. They give a wider field of view and healthy, comfortable vision – as long as you don’t overuse them!

Nowadays, with so many quality contact lenses on the market that provide exceptional visual clarity and convenience, it’s easy to abuse their use. However, this practice poses serious risks to your eyes. To avoid damaging your vision, our eye clinic shares the following information about avoiding the overuse of contact lenses.

How much use is overuse?

You should be removing your contact lenses for a minimum of 18 awake hours per week, giving your eyes time to rest and get sufficient oxygen. Your eyes need to absorb oxygen from the air (not from your lungs, like other organs), so allowing your eyes time to breathe without contact lenses in the way is essential.

Don’t leave home without eyeglasses

If you insert your contacts in the morning and will be out into the wee hours of the night, pack along a pair of glasses to switch to later in the day. This will help prevent eye strain and, ocular irritation.

Don’t sleep in contact lenses

Keeping your contacts in while dozing will damage your eyes, depriving them of oxygen and hydration. Without enough moisture, your contact lenses can dry out and lead to problems, such as corneal scratches.

Replace your contact lenses on time

Because modern contact lenses are made from advanced materials, they offer supreme comfort. That’s why so many people end up wearing them longer than prescribed – until they become uncomfortable. However, this is a risky practice that can lead to vision damage. When used for too long, contacts can develop tiny tears and accumulate calcium or protein deposits that can seriously irritate or injure your eyes. When you buy contacts from our eye clinic, we’ll provide you with instructions on how long each pair lasts and when to replace them.

What happens from the overuse of contacts?

There are three main problems that can result:

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC): wearing your contact lenses for too long without changing them can lead to deposits in the lenses that cause Papillae (large granules that rub against the cornea) to form under the eyelids. As a result, you can experience itching, red eyes, light sensitivity, and the constant feeling that something is stuck in your eye.
Corneal ulcer: this is a serious infection that occurs on the outer layer of the eye and can damage vision. Wearing contact lenses while swimming can allow dangerous microbes to enter your eye. When these microbes stick to contacts, it increases your risk of corneal ulcers. Symptoms include redness, blurred vision, eye pain, and watering. Corneal ulcers require prompt medical treatment to prevent irreversible vision loss.
CLARE – Contact Lens Associated Red Eye: this sudden redness in your eye is typically caused by wearing contact lenses during bedtime. Insufficient oxygen to your cornea (because of tight-fitting contacts) is the culprit. It is a relatively mild problem, but you’ll need an eye exam at our eye clinic to determine whether you’re suffering from CLARE or an infection.

When you visit our eye clinic for a contact lens eye exam or fitting, we’ll be happy to provide you with instructions on the proper way to use your contacts – and not overuse them!

Dr. Ty J. Miller & Associates, your Akron eye doctor for eye exams and eye care

Alternatively, book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT