Americans Avoiding Eye Care More Frequently in The Digital World

New research has been collected and studies are showing that one in every six Americans hasn’t had their eyes tested in over a five-year period. Reasons for the eyecare neglect can vary from almost half saying they are not currently experiencing any eye problems, or others saying they do not have the proper insurance coverage for vision in order to be seen by a doctor. Not only does the majority population in this country avoid eye care maintenance in general, but the growth in the use of digital devices continues to grow vastly, which is impacting a person’s eyes negatively more and more. Screens are all around us in our day-to-day functions while either working off computers or also in personal use with smartphones. The study recently has been done shows, on average, a standard user will spend approximately 10 hours staring at a screen a day. All this screen life is bound to have negative effects on our eyes and unfortunately many are not taking the care they need to prevent issues from arising with their eyes. To read more on this current research and more eye-opening statistics, you can read this article, Proper vision care is a must in today’s world and knowing where to find the right help is important as well.

LipiFlow

                As winter approaches, it is common for our eyes to be more susceptible to the negative effects that dry climates, heaters, computer use, reading, and other daily activities can have on the long-term health of our eyes. For those suffering from burning, scratching, and redness of the eyes, Dr. Rohr is able to combat these symptoms with the only FDA-approved to treat meibomian gland dysfunction, LipiFlow.

                LipiFlow is a device used for removing gland blockages and restoring gland function. Through advances in the application of Vectored Thermal Pulsation technology, the LipiFlow treatment utilizes a patented algorithm of heat applied to the inner eyelids and massage to remove the obstructions in your meibomian glands. MGD affects 86% of all those with dry eye and is treatable.

Secondary Cataract Risks

A cataract is a condition where the clear lens inside the eye that becomes cloudy and will cause poor vision commonly found in people older in age. With the technology available today, Laser eye surgeons can restore a person’s vision by removing the cloudy lens and replace with an artificial lens implant through cataract surgery. After receiving this type of procedure, some people may have a side effect that will cause the return of cataract symptoms. This secondary cataract issue can affect about a third of people who have the cataract surgery is done which is why it is important to follow up with your doctor after surgery post-op. In this article, you can read more about what secondary cataracts consist of, how they develop, what symptoms to look out for, and how this cataract issue can be resolved. Having cataracts does not need to be life-paralyzing; if you or someone you know is being affected by cataracts, we at Rohr Eye and Laser Center are happy to schedule a consult and go over the options that are available.

Staying Safe: The Important Benefits of Having Cataract Surgery

Your driving performance is one of the best indicators for needing cataract surgery. Driving tests performed before and after cataract surgery prove that near misses and crashes dropped by 48%. It is important to get cataract surgery in a timely manner so that your poor vision doesn’t become a danger to yourself and others. Cataracts affect about half the population by age 80 and are the leading cause of blurry vision in people over 50.

To read more details on this, read the original article here

A Personal Experience With LASIK

People all over the world are always talking about the good and bad about LASIK surgery and its sometimes hard to know what a fact is, or fiction on the subject. In a recent article, news reporter Sarah Bloom talks about her recent experience with saying good bye to her glasses and contacts and stepping into the clearer world of LASIK. She describes her journey of when she finally decided that it was time for LASIK. Her story continues with how her first appointment had went and what happened after the procedure was over with answers to many questions that many other patients are wondering during those steps through the procedure. To finalize there is a FAQ section of common questions such as costs, her feelings during the surgery, how to know if LASIK is a right fit, ect. Sarah summarized that she felt it was the right choice and can’t wait for her life with better vision. Each person may have different experiences and it is always best to consult with a LASIK surgeon to be sure that LASIK will be the best option for you as well.

Living With Cataracts

As we grow older our bodies deteriorate over time, and our eyes are not excluded from this. While not everybody has perfect eyesight from birth, everybody’s eyesight gets worse as we approach the twilight years of our lives, despite routine eye checkups with optometrists. One of the most common forms of eye deterioration is cataracts.

Cataracts is a gradual process, often not appearing until a later stage in life (although sometimes even later than that). Cataracts comes with its own set of symptoms and are relatively easily noticeable, and while may not be curable without surgery there are ways to slow down development.

What exactly are cataracts?

Cataracts are simply a cloudiness in the lens of your eye. A normal, healthy lens is clear and is the sign of great eyesight by letting the light through without obstruction. With cataracts, a noticeable cloud exists within the lens and blocks out light from adequately doing what it needs to do to let you see clearly. As mentioned, cataracts tend to show up later in life and grow gradually worse as you continue to age. One can attempt to slow down the gradual development of cataracts by doing your best to keep the lens in your eye as safe as possible from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. If you have glasses, making sure the lens of the glasses has an anti-UV coating is a simple way to help prevent prolonged exposure which can damage the eye and bring about an early arrival of cataracts. Sunglasses are also a popular way to keep your eyes free from damage, especially if you spend much time outdoors.

What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Cataracts are relatively easy to diagnose. According to an article by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, clear signs of cataracts are having blurry vision, seeing double, being extra sensitive to light, having trouble seeing well at night, and seeing colors as faded or yellow. While there are plenty of factors that may play into blurry vision, cataracts are an ongoing eye issue, so a small and short case of blurry vision should not be any cause for worry.

What Causes Cataracts?

While aging is certainly a commonplace cause for cataracts, they can also be hereditary, so those with relatives who have cataracts can have an increased chance of developing them themselves. Cataracts can be caused by a single circumstance, such as an injury or surgery to the eye, or something long-standing, such as diabetes and prolonged sun exposure.

Cataracts can be treated by surgery and can restore your vision almost completely, so if you or somebody you knows suffers from cloudy vision or having issues seeing at night, contact an eye doctor to explore a safe method for treatment.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

Eye Exams 101

In the world of health priorities, our eyes seem to be on the lower end of that spectrum. We focus mostly on our bodies, then our teeth, but making sure our eyes are as healthy as the rest of our body usually comes out as nothing more than a “I’ll keep an eye on it” (no pun intended). Some people put off a dentist appointment or doctor checkup so long that they have a subpar understanding of what exactly such an event entails. For eye appointments a lot of people only recall the machine that shoots a puff of air at your eye, but the entire process is good to understand before making that long overdue appointment.

Why are eye exams done?

                The reasoning for eye exams may be obvious: they are used to check the overall health of your eyes. But, the goal of an eye exam is to pinpoint and discover any issues your eyes may be developing at the earliest stage possible. The earlier an issue arises, the better the chance of treatment. It’s when somebody puts off an eye appointment for years that any issue that may be present most likely has advanced to stage an untreatable stage. Having regular eye exams prevents any issue from metastasizing too late.

When should I be making appointments?

                The relative age of the patient is a key deciding factor for making regular eye appointments. For example, newborns and toddlers will usually have their pediatrician look for the most common eye issues during regular checkups. Only when something is found is a proper eye exam conducted, even at that age. For children a little older it is important to have the eyes checked prior to starting elementary school, after which you can expect checkups every one to two years. For adults, the frequency depends on your age range.

What should I do before, during, and after?

                The steps to take when going through an eye exam may seem dauting but the reality is much simpler. For first timers, understanding your eye health history is beneficial to both you and the doctor conducting the exam (not unlike an appointment with a general practitioner). Keep a tally of any health issues you’ve had in the past that may or may not be affecting eye health. You can also take this time to talk to the doctor about LASIK if you know your vision could already be better.

The exam itself is generally short and simple, with machines being used to test visual acuity and sensitivity. When you think of the phrase “better, worse, or the same?”, this is when you’d be asked that question. Also, yes, this is when you’d have the puff of air shot into your eye, so mentally prepare for that.

After the exam you’ll typically get the results of your exam and any issues that may have been found, if any. If issues are found (for example: cataracts), preventative measures and possible surgery can be discussed, and if your vision isn’t as great as you’ve boasted for years, you can try on glasses and find a frame that best fits your style with your new prescription.

That’s it! Not as daunting as it may sound, but it really is something one should keep up with, especially if you want a glasses prescription that is up to date.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.