Treating Age-Related Eyesight Problems

 

Occurring naturally as we age, diminishing eyesight is often unavoidable. Routine eye checks are crucial in diagnosing weakening eyesight, but what are some major culprits? Continue reading to find out. 

Cataracts
One of the most common eye-related problems, cataracts, occurs when blurry vision or nighttime driving issues arise due to the loss of the eye’s natural clear lens. In time, most people develop cataracts, relative to age being the primary culprit. To remedy cataracts, surgery is often recommended. The procedure replaces clouded lenses with a clear, artificial lens, completely treating the issue. 

Macular Degeneration
In contrast, this is a less-common issue affecting seniors. As the retina ages, it thins and causes dry eyes, which affects vision. Macular degeneration is hereditary and can be passed down through generations. Moreover, smoking increases one’s risk of developing this ailment. Eye injections can treat the disease.

Presbyopia
Many aging adults suffer from this near-vision loss, which cannot be prevented. Presbyopia is usually exhibited by having trouble focusing on words up close. Treatment options are vast and include glasses, specialized contact lenses, laser vision correction, or prescription eye drops. 

Dry Eye
This ailment forms through time as the body ages; similar to how the skin dries out, the eyes also experience depleted moisture. Artificial tears, along with ointments or prescription eye drops, are a go-to remedy for dry eyes. Specific medications can also reduce eye inflammation and increase tear production.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma forms when high pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve, affecting your brain’s ability to recognize objects. Genetic predispositions can be a factor, and there is no indicator of developing glaucoma unless an eye doctor screens for it. Most types of glaucoma do not cause pain but can be treated with specialized eye drops to minimize long-term effects. 

An eye care professional can detect many of the diseases described above early on. Deteriorating vision sometimes signals other issues. Get your eyes checked at Zen Eye Institute sooner than later, as treatment options are best in the early stages. 

Zen Eye Institute, formally Rohr Eye & Laser Center, has served the greater Grand Blanc area for over twenty years. Now operating under Dr. Charles Zenzen, we offer comprehensive medical and surgical eye care treating various conditions and diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, dry eyes, and more. For exceptional eye care at our state-of-the-art practice, call (810) 579-0202 to make an appointment today! 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

FDA Approves First Advanced Macular Degeneration Drug

 

A severe form of macular degeneration called geographic atrophy is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in adults over 50. Geographic atrophy impacts 1 million people in the United States.

While macular degeneration is typically considered an incurable eye disease, and its origins are unknown, it has been determined that genetic and environmental factors can contribute to the development of the disease. 

Clinical trials are underway at Willis Eye/Mid Atlantic Retina for Syfovre, the first and only drug to treat this advanced form of macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, which can lead to blindness. While Syfovre has been proven to slow the progression of advanced macular degeneration, it will not reverse or cure the disease. 

Dr. Sunir Garg at Willis Eye said, “It’s a big deal for us because we went from not having anything to finally having something and that is a monumental achievement in our profession. It reduces the inflammation, and the inflammation is what is causing the damage. As time goes on, we can help them [patients] better protect their vision for a longer period of time.” 

Dr. Eleonora Lad, associate professor of ophthalmology at Duke University Medical Center, helped to oversee the clinical study of Syfovre. She said the new treatment is a “game changer” and “the beginning of a new treatment era for patients with geographic atrophy.” 

Macular degeneration experts such as Dr. Steven Schwartz of the UCLA Stein Eye Institute said the FDA’s approval is “very positive” for patients with unmet needs who need to preserve their vision. He said, “It’s particularly important while we continue to rapidly develop stem cell therapies that hold the promise for restoring vision already lost to this horrifying all-to-common cause of central blindness.” 

If you suffer from vision loss or need to schedule an exam to see an ophthalmologist, contact the doctors at Zen Eye Institute today.

Zen Eye Institute, formally Rohr Eye & Laser Center, has served the greater Grand Blanc area for over twenty years. Now operating under Dr. Charles Zenzen, we offer comprehensive medical and surgical eye care treating various conditions and diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, dry eyes, and more. For exceptional eye care at our state-of-the-art practice, call (810) 579-0202 to make an appointment today! 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

Novel Femtosecond Laser Cataracts Surgery Can Restore Vision

 

If you live long enough, chances are cataracts will affect you at some point later in life. Most people develop cataracts in one or both eyes, as it is a prevalent condition. 

Vincent Diaz, MD, MBA, a Yale Medicine ophthalmologist, said, “As long as there have been humans, there have been cataracts. For thousands of years, the goal was to get the cataract out without blinding the person. Literally, that was the goal.” 

Cataracts are formed when a structure inside your eye that focuses light onto the retina (that usually provides a clear image) becomes cloudy and blocks light from passing through. This effect is caused by the degrading of lens proteins. Since the consistency changes, clarity becomes more challenging, and blurry vision is one of the earliest signs of cataracts. 

Other symptoms of cataracts can include glare and sensitivity around lights (especially while driving at night), seeing halos, or trouble reading in a dimly lit area. 

Through the years, cataract surgery has made vast improvements, and now, thanks to field advances, patients have many options, such as laser-assisted surgery and synthetic replacement lenses. 

Yvonne Wang, MD, a Yale Medicine ophthalmologist, said, “What’s great about cataract surgery now is that we not only remove the cataract, but we can restore patients’ vision. They may have been wearing prescription contacts or glasses for many years. We can now put a prescription inside their new lens and give them better vision than they ever had before.” 

Two surgical options are available to replace the intraocular lens (IOL) with a synthetic lens. They are: 

1. Basic cataract surgery: One of the most common forms of surgery worldwide, an incision is made in the eye, an ultrasonic device breaks up cataracts, and the pieces are removed. Then, an IOL is placed into the lens. 
2. Laser cataract surgery: A femtosecond laser quickly pulsates and creates incisions to soften the cataract for easier removal. The laser allows more precise incisions to take place in a shorter time frame and can allow for more accurate vision correction than the first option. 

Cataract surgery is safe and performed in an outpatient setting. After a few weeks, patients return for a second treatment on the other eye. 

Are you considering surgery for your cataracts? Contact the experts at Zen Eye Institute today to learn more.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center is now Zen Eye Institute! We offer the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 to learn more.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/