Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in men and women over age 50.

Even though AMD is common among older people, it’s not as well known as cataracts — another eye disease that occurs more often with age. But while cataracts can be treated and “cured,” there’s no cure for AMD. Instead, people who have AMD require treatments that help slow the progression of the disease, which is why early detection is very important.

If you are concerned about macular degeneration, call Sarah H. Appel, OD or schedule your appointment online.

What is age-related macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration — abbreviated as AMD — is a disease of the retina, the light-sensitive portion of your eye. The retina is located at the back of the eye, and the macula is a small area near the very center. Your macula is responsible for your central vision.

In AMD, the macula loses its ability to detect light, resulting in a partial or total loss of central vision. People with late-stage AMD are unable to see objects straight in front of them, making it difficult to perform many activities, like using a computer, reading, driving, or recognizing faces.

AMD typically causes no symptoms until vision begins to fade. Having routine eye exams, especially over age 50, is important for catching AMD as early as possible.

What are the risk factors for AMD?

Age is the biggest risk factor for AMD, followed by having a family history of AMD. You’re also at greater risk of developing AMD if you are:

Caucasian (white)

Female

Have had prolonged sun exposure

A smoker or past smoker

Genetic predisposition

Can I reduce my risks of developing AMD?

One of the most important things you can do is have regular eye exams to monitor the health of your retinas.

Taking specific “eye vitamins” may help slow the progression of AMD, and it’s also important to take care of your overall health. Quitting smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling your blood pressure and your cholesterol are important lifestyle changes you should consider.

You should also wear sunglasses that protect you from UVA and UVB rays and use blue light protection when operating a computer or your cell phone.

How is AMD treated?

AMD occurs in different stages, and there are two types of AMD: dry and wet. The dry type is much more common, but the wet type is more severe and also develops more quickly.

If you have the wet form of AMD, medications or laser therapy may help slow your vision loss. Otherwise, treatment focuses on monitoring the progression of the disease, along with taking nutritional supplements and incorporating the lifestyle changes listed above.

How is AMD detected?

Dilated eye exams allow your eye doctor to look at your retina so they can check for changes associated with AMD, and until recently, those exams were the only tool eye doctors had to detect this disease.

At Sarah H. Appel, OD, we want all our patients to enjoy the best possible vision at every age. To learn more about AMD screening in Mount Vernon or to schedule an eye exam, give us a call or book your appointment online.

One of the leading causes of blindness for people over 60, Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damages the nerve connecting the eye to the brain. Left untreated, glaucoma can result in permanent blindness in just a few years. The seriousness of this common eye disease underscores the importance of having regular eye exams.

If you haven’t seen an eye doctor within the past year, call Sarah H. Appel, OD today or schedule an appointment online.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to your optic nerve. It typically results from a build-up of fluid in the front part of the eye. The pressure caused by this extra fluid damages the optic nerve, leading to blindness.

There are two primary types of glaucoma: open-angle and angle-closure.

Open-angle glaucoma (a.k.a. wide-angle glaucoma) is the most common. With this type of glaucoma, your eye’s drainage system looks normal but the fluid doesn’t leave the eye as it’s designed to do.

Angle-closure glaucoma is more common in Asia than in Western countries. It is also sometimes called chronic angle-closure glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma. This type of glaucoma is marked by the drain space between your cornea and iris narrowing. This can cause your intraocular pressure to suddenly buildup. Farsightedness and cataracts are also associated with this type of glaucoma.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Glaucoma doesn’t usually display any symptoms in the early stages, which is why early detection during yearly eye exams is essential.

The following are some common symptoms of glaucoma:

Halos surrounding lights

Redness in your eyes

Vomiting and/or nausea

Eye pain

Loss of peripheral vision

Narrowed, or tunnel, vision

Who is at risk for developing glaucoma?

Anyone can develop glaucoma. But in most cases, it affects adults age 40 and older.

Other risk factors include:

Diabetes

Trauma to the eye

Taking certain medications such as prednisone

Family history of glaucoma

How is glaucoma diagnosed and treated?

During an eye exam, your eye care provider will check your eye pressure and dilate your pupils to examine the back of your eye, including the optic nerve. You’ll likely also undergo tests such as a visual field exam to check your peripheral vision.

If you do have glaucoma, the treatment plan will depend on the severity of the condition. Typical options include eye drops, laser surgery, or microsurgery. The least invasive treatment is preferred, but severe cases may require surgery immediately in order to alleviate fluid blockages.

At Sarah H. Appel, OD, we partner with you to protect the health of your eyes and your vision. Learn more about glaucoma by calling our office or by scheduling an appointment online.

Diabetic Retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one-third of adults over the age of 40 with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy. And the rates are even higher among African- and Mexican-Americans.

If you suffer from diabetes, call Sarah H. Appel, OD today or schedule an appointment online for a comprehensive eye exam.

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes that affects your eyes. It is the number one cause of vision loss in diabetic patients.

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). This causes bleeding, swelling, and abnormal blood vessel growth. The longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar is, the more likely you are to develop this eye condition.

What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?

Like many other eye conditions, diabetic retinopathy often causes few (if any) symptoms in the early stages. You may only notice minor vision issues that could be attributed to other causes. Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness.

Due to the fact that anyone who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy, it’s important to have regular comprehensive eye exams.

The disease typically affects both eyes. As it gets worse, you may notice symptoms such as:

Empty or dark areas within your line of vision

Fluctuating vision

Dark strings and/or spots (i.e. floaters) in your vision

Loss of vision

Reduction in color vision

Management of your diabetes under the care of a medical professional — with a treatment plan that includes regular visits to the eye doctor — is the best way to prevent loss of vision.

Even if you are seeing your eye doctor on a yearly basis as recommended, if you notice the sudden appearance of the symptoms noted above, make an appointment right away.

What complications arise from diabetic retinopathy?

Because diabetic retinopathy causes the retina’s blood vessels to bleed and grow abnormally, vision problems are common. You could experience one or more of the following complications:

Vitreous hemorrhage

The centers of your eyes are filled with a jelly-like substance that’s clear. Blood vessels formed by diabetic retinopathy could leak into this vitreous jelly and cause floaters or even block your vision completely.

Retinal detachment

The presence of abnormal blood vessels encourages the growth of scar tissue in the retina. This could pull the retina away from its position at the back of your eye. Common symptoms of a retinal detachment include flashes of light, severe loss of vision and/or spots floating in your vision.

Glaucoma

If the abnormal blood vessels that mark the presence of diabetic retinopathy grow into your eye’s front area, they could block the normal flow of fluid from your eye. The result could be glaucoma which is an increase in the eye’s pressure. You might experience damage to the optic nerve if it’s left untreated.

Blindness

Over time, diabetic retinopathy, or its complications, could cause you to completely lose your ability to see.

At Sarah H. Appel, OD, we are committed to helping our patients enjoy exceptional vision throughout their lifetime. Call us today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about diabetic retinopathy and how we can help.

Cataracts are probably the most well-known eye condition associated with age. By the age of 80, more than half of all people living in the US either have a cataract or have undergone cataract surgery.

If you notice any unusual or unexplained changes in your vision, call Sarah H. Appel, OD or schedule an appointment online.

What are cataracts?

Inside your eye, there is a natural lens that is normally clear. Over the years, changes in the eyes lead to the breakdown of the lens’ proteins, causing them to become cloudy. When viewing things through a cataract, items may appear hazy, blurry or less colorful.

In general, cataracts develop in both eyes, though not always evenly. Because the cataract in one eye might be more developed than in the other, there could be a marked difference in vision.

In addition to the vision changes noted above, other symptoms of cataracts include:

Greater sensitivity to glare and light

Yellowing of colors

Dim vision

Double vision that’s in just one eye

Needing more or brighter light for reading and similar activities

Difficulty with driving, especially at night

Seeing rings or halos around lights

Who is at risk for developing cataracts?

While cataracts are a common condition associated with aging, there are other risk factors that could increase your chances of developing them or having them appear earlier in your life.

Risk factors include:

Excessive sunlight exposure

Past eye surgery

Excessive alcohol use

High blood pressure

Diabetes

Extended use of corticosteroid medications

Previous eye inflammation and/or injury

Obesity

There is also a strong genetic factor regarding the development of cataracts. If your parents, siblings, or other family members have cataracts, your chances of also getting them increases.

How do I reduce or prevent cataracts?

While cataracts are a part of the natural aging process for many people, there are still a number of strategies you can implement that could help slow their progression or prevent them from developing earlier in your life.

Stick to regular eye exams

This is the main way to keep your eye health in check. Only during a comprehensive eye exam can your optometrist detect early signs that could point to the development of cataracts. During your appointment, your eye doctor may go over some lifestyle changes that could improve the health of your eyes if there are changes to the eye’s lens.

Protect your eyes from the sun

The sun’s powerful ultraviolet rays can contribute to the development of cataracts. When you’re out in the sun, make sure to wear sunglasses that block UVB rays as well as a hat.

Make positive lifestyle changes

Eating a healthy diet that consists of lots of vegetables and fruits can help you maintain a healthy weight while also providing your eyes with the vitamins and minerals they need. If you drink alcohol frequently or in excessive amounts, cut back or stop altogether. Smoking can also have a detrimental effect on your eyes’ health. Quitting can help prevent eye diseases.

How are cataracts diagnosed and treated?

Your eye doctor is the only one who can provide a definitive diagnosis of cataracts. There are several tests that can assist in this diagnosis, including a slit-lamp exam, visual acuity test, and retinal exam.

During the early stages of the disease, the changes in vision associated with cataracts can often be addressed by using prescription glasses. When this strategy to clear your vision is no longer working, surgery is often the next step.

At Sarah H. Appel, OD, we’re passionate about caring for the health of your eyes. Call or schedule an appointment online, and let us help you protect your vision.