Could old contacts be contributing to micro-plastic waste? What do you do with your old contact lenses? Scientists are hoping the answer isnât flush them down the toilet or wash them down the sink.  A new study shows that contact lenses could be contributing to micro-plastic waste that is creating pollution in our waters. These tiny pieces of plastic measuring no bigger than a sesame seed are considered micro-plastic waste. The study has found that these small pollutants are ending up at the bottom of lakes and in our oceans which could be harming sea life.  The idea to study the fate of contact lenses came when senior study author Rolf Halden, a professor and director of the Center for Environmental Health Engineering at Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute, started to wonder whether there was existing research on what happened to contact lenses after use. There was none. After finding no info on contact lens waste the professor decided to survey both contact lens wearers and non-wearers to find out how they were discarding lenses. After surveying 139 individuals they found that roughly 15-20% of people were discarding them in the toilet or sink. Lead study author Charlie Rolsky, a doctoral student in biology at the same institution, said in a statement. “This is a pretty large number, considering roughly 45 million people in the U.S. alone wear contact lenses.â After the lenses are flushed they end up in water treatment plants which are known to filter out waste, but since these filters are used for larger items contact lenses which can be flexible are slipping through the filters. They also found that bacteria used to breakdown biological waste was ultimately breaking down the contacts into smaller pieces making them a contributor to micro-plastic waste. Moral of the story is when discarding contact lenses be sure to toss them in the waste basket instead of down the toilet or sink. Taking this small step in how you dispose of your lenses could be helping the planet with micro-plastic waste. It could also be one small change that could help aquatic life along the way. More info on contact lens waste: https://www.livescience.com/63376-contact-lens-sewage-microplastics.html
Eye Drops and Nasal Sprays Dangerous When Ingested by ChildrenÂ
Most people consider over-the-counter eye drops to be safe. When used correctly by an adult, they are, but in the hands of a young child, they can be dangerously harmful. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that when in the hands of children, ingestion of redness eye drops, or nasal decongestant sprays can cause serious harm. The FDA reviewed 96 cases of accidental ingestion between 1985 and 2012, by children between 1 month and 5 years and found that resulting events included decreased respiration, decreased heart rate, sedation, nausea, vomiting, mydriasis, lethargy, hypothermia, and even coma. Fifty-three cases were hospitalized. Active ingredients including tetrahydrozoline, naphazoline, and oxymetazoline which are included in a variety of brand name products produced serious symptoms when ingested in the reports. A very small amount of these medication can cause significant symptoms. Tetrahydrozoline is the ingredient that gets the red out in eye drops, oxymetazoline is the ingredient in Afrin nasal spray, and naphazoline is an antihistamine in various topical ocular allergy products, such as Naphcon-A and Opcon-A. The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission proposed a rule requiring redness-relief eye drops and nasal decongestant sprays to have child-resistant packaging. The rule is not in effect, requiring care takers to take additional steps to prevent kids from getting their hand on these products. Take these additional measures to keep your kids safe from these harmful chemicals: Keep medicines in their original packaging. Store potentially hazardous substances out of sight and reach. Keep the national Position Help Line number 800-222-1222 in mind in case of emergency. Avoid taking medicine in front of children. When products are being used, never let young children out of your sight
20 Surprising Health Problems an Eye Exam Can Catch
Many People think that eye exams are just about vision, but complications spotted in the eye are frequently the first sign of disease lying elsewhere. Because your eyes are the openings to nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues throughout your body. Here are 20 surprising conditions your eye doctor may detect during a comprehensive eye exam: 1. Aneurysm An aneurysm is a bubble in the wall of a blood vessel. This can cause a leak or rupture to the wall. A severe, single sided headache or loss of body or facial function can be a sign of an aneurysm. An aneurysm requires immediate medical attention because of its potential damage to your health. 2. Brain Tumor Increased pressure in the brain that get transmitted to the eyes can be cause by brain tumors. Changes to the optic nerve caused by swelling near the back of the eye can be detected by a doctor. Changes in the size of a pupil, recent double vision, or loss of side vision can also be signs of a brain tumor. 3. Cancers of blood, tissue, or skin Some cancers can be found during a detailed eye exam. Skin cancers can affect the outer surfaces of the eye and the eyelids. The most frequent types of skin cancers are melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell. Lymphoma and leukemia can affect the interior part of the eye and tumors in the breast or other areas can also spread to the ocular fixtures. 4. Diabetes A sign of diabetic retinopathy can be in blood vessels in the retina that leak blood or yellow fluid. This disease can sometimes appear in the eye tissue before a person has even been diagnosed. Vision loss and other serious complication can be avoided with early detection. 5. Giant cell arteritis GCA is a prolonged inflammation of medium-sized arteries that affects the arms, upper body, and neck. These arteries help nurture the eyes and inflammation can result in double vision, blurred vision, or even sudden vision loss in one or both eyes. Blood tests or a dilated eye exam can allow an early diagnoses of giant cell arteritis. Medical treatment can avoid a lifetime of blindness and even premature death. 6. High blood pressure Kinks, unusual bends, or bleeding from blood vessels in the back of the eye can be a signal of high blood pressure. High blood pressure affects one in three adults in the US. A known risk factor in the progression or onset of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration and other diseases is high blood pressure. During a dilated eye exam your doctor may be able to notice signs of high blood pressure. 7. High cholesterol A sign of high cholesterol may be a blue or yellow ring around the cornea, particularly in a person younger than 40. Elevated cholesterol can also be detected by deposits in the blood vessels of the retina. This may be an indicator to a life-threatening stroke. 8. Lupus Dry eyes can coexist with this inflammatory disease. Swelling in the white part of the eye, the middle layer or the light-sensitive tissue located in the back of the eye can also be caused by lupus. 9. Lyme disease An infection spread by ticks, lyme disease leads to inflammation throughout the body. Many people with Lyme disease experience encounter inflammation to the optic nerve and an increase in floaters in the early stages of infection. 10. Medication toxicities Some drugs can be toxic to the optic nerve or retina of the eye. Red, scaling eyelids, red eyes, scratchy corneas or conjunctivitis can be symptoms of toxicity. 11. Multiple sclerosis An indication of multiple sclerosis can be inflammation of the optic nerve. This is a degenerative disease that affects the nervous system. Commonly this inflammation can coincide with severe blurred vision, painful eye movement or even double vision. 12. Myasthenia gravis Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that causes muscles to tire easily and weaken. The early symptoms of this disorder often include problems in the eye. A common indicator is drooping eyelids in one or both eyes. Double vision, weakness in the arms or legs, or debilitating problems with breathing, talking, chewing or swallowing are other symptoms of this condition. 13. Rheumatoid arthritis Signs of RA most commonly involve red eyes with deep, severe pain. This can indicate scleritis, a painful inflammation of the white part of the eye which requires medical attention. Commonly, people who have rheumatoid arthritis also suffer from dry eye. 14. Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, including the eyes. Iritis, a recurring, painful inflammation of the iris or colored part of the eye is the most common symptom of this disease in the eye. Light sensitivity can also be caused by this condition. 15. Sexually transmitted diseases Syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, HIV, gonorrhea, genital warts, and pubic lice can all affect layers in the eye. These serious conditions can often be detected during an eye exam. 16. Sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder that can develop stiff, comma-shaped red blood cells that may block the flow of blood to the body. A wide array of ocular changes from severe hemorrhages, redness and burst blood vessels on the surface of the eye and even retinal detachment inside the eye can all be caused by this disease. 17. Sjögrenâs syndrome Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes the bodyâs white blood cells to attack the glands that make tears and saliva. A key feature of this condition is dry eyes. Other symptoms can include blurry vision, dry mouth, and burning or stinging in the eyes. 18. Stroke Blood vessels in the retina can contain blockages or clots. These can cause sudden blind spots or give the illusion of a âcurtainâ closing over a personâs vision. These can also be an indicator of an increased risk for stroke. A loss of side vision could also be a signal of brain
Eating Healthy Prevents AMD
Eating healthy is the starting point for a healthy lifestyle and a better quality of life. We all know our diet can affect everything from our weight to our heart but recently it’s been discovered that eating healthy can have a major impact on your vision and preventing Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
Early Detection Critical to Treating Glaucoma
Early Detection Critical to Treating Glaucoma Scottsdaley Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology remind the public of the importance of eye exams Glaucoma is a major cause of vision loss worldwide. It affects more than 3 million people in the United Statesânearly half of whom are unaware they have the disease. During Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in reminding the public that early detection and treatment can help protect your sight. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the retina to the brain. Typically, the disease initially has no signs or symptoms. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause irreversible blindness.
Understanding Covid-19 and How it Affects Your Eyes
New evidence suggests that the surface of the eye may be resistant to Covid-19 infection. A study led by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis experimented on 25 corneas of human donors and found that they proved to be resistant to Covid-19. As were still learning about Covid-19, there have been many questions about how the virus spreads and different ways a person can get infected. While the general advice of being cautionary not to touch your mouth, nose or eyes circulates from the CDC, researchers are experimenting on how the virus is being transferred. The human corneas tested, which are the transparent dome that protects the iris and pupil, also were exposed to Zika virus, and herpes simplex virus. The experiment showed that there was no sign of COVID-19 replication, but the other 2 viruses were able to replicate. âThe cornea and conjunctiva are known to have receptors for the novel coronavirus, but in our studies, we found that the virus did not replicate in the corneaâ says author and senior ophthalmologist Rajendra S. Apte. The team isnât entirely sure as how this is possible but infers that it is âlikely regulated by a distinct antiviral pathwayâ. We may find in the future that eye coverings are unnecessary to protect against the virus. As these findings are only preliminary, health professionals shouldnât assume otherwise and still wear protective eyewear. It is important that we still take the extra precautions to protect ourselves as we are still learning about the nature of the virus. At Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons we are striving to make sure we are taking the right steps forward in protecting our patients and staff. We are following CDC guidelines at our practice and our Doctors as well as numerous staff members have already received their Covid-19 Vaccination. If you have any questions about the Covid-19 procedures at our office please call our front desk at 480-994-1872.
Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy
If you suffer from diabetes, the possibility of diabetic retinopathy is a real thing. To keep your vision from harm, you should be in the know about the facts of diabetic retinopathy and how to get yourself checked and treated. If you think you could be affected by diabetic retinopathy now or in the future, you may be asking yourself these questions:
7 Myths About Sunglasses
Seven myths about sunglasses that could damage your vision American Academy of Ophthalmology News|July 24, 2020 Did you know that too much sun on unprotected eyes increases the risk of eye disease? The good news is that prevention is simple: Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. But there are a lot of common myths about sunglasses and eye health. Thatâs why the American Academy of Ophthalmology is working to debunk the myths and offer tips to promote smart eye health choices. Myth #1: Sunglasses are only for sunny days. False. UV light gets through clouds and haze. Regardless of the season, sun exposure can increase the risk of developing cataracts, growths on the eye and cancer. Sun reflecting off ice and snow can also lead to photokeratitis, a painful eye condition sometimes referred to as snow blindness. Myth #2: Babies and children donât need to wear sunglasses. False. Children are just as susceptible to the sunâs harmful rays as adults. Start them on healthy habits early. Myth #3: Cheap sunglasses donât offer protection. False. Sunglasses donât have to cost a lot of money to provide adequate eye protection. Less expensive pairs marked as 100 percent UV-blocking can be just as effective as more expensive options. Labels can sometimes be confusing. Some indicate sunglasses offer 100 percent protection from UVA/UVB radiation, others offer 100 percent UV 400 protection. Both block 100 percent of the sunâs harmful radiation. Myth #4: Size doesnât matter. False. The more coverage sunglasses provide, the less sun damage inflicted on the eyes. Consider oversized sunglasses or wraparound-style glasses, which can help cut down on UV light entering the eye from the side. Wraparound glasses may also protect against dry eye due to the wind. Myth #5: Polarized lenses offer more protection from the sun. False. Polarized lenses do not block more radiation; however, they can cut down on glare reflecting off cars, water or pavement, which can make activities such as driving or boating more enjoyable. Myth #6: Darker lenses offer more protection from the sun. False. The darkness of the lens isnât indicative of protection. Make sure the label on the lens says 100% UV-blocking. Myth #7: Tinted lenses offer more protection from the sun. False. Amber, green and grey lenses do not block more of the sunâs harmful rays. However, tinted lenses do offer increased contrast for those who play sports, making a softball or a golf ball easier to see. âYour eyes need protection from the sunâs damaging ultraviolet rays just like your skin,â said Dianna Seldomridge, MD, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. âSunglasses are your prescription for eye health. They are effective, inexpensive, and provide protection year-round.â Stop by our optical boutique and try and on tons of designer shades!
4 Important Back to School Vision Tips
         4 Important Back to School Vision Tips Back to school time is here, and the scramble to get everything done has begun. But have you remembered to make an appointment for your childâs eye exam? Donât worry you are not alone and we are here to help! Ophthalmologists remind busy parents during back to school season not to neglect one of the most important learning tools: their childrenâs eyes!! Good vision and overall eye health are vital to learning!
Three Things Patients Should Know About Cataracts
Three Things Patients Should Know About Cataracts Approximately 25 million Americans have cataracts, which causes cloudy, blurry or dim vision and often develops with advancing age. Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons, PC joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in raising awareness of Cataract by sharing three things everyone should know about the condition and its treatment. As everyone grows older, the lenses of their eyes thicken and become cloudier. Eventually, they may find it more difficult to read street signs, colors may seem dull and their vision may seem overall dim an blurry. These symptoms may be an indicator for cataracts, which affect about 70 percent of people by age 75. Fortunately, cataracts can be treated with surgery. Cataract surgery is very popular and Ophthalmologists perform around three million cataract surgeries each year to restore vision to their patients. Get an idea of what someone with cataracts might experience with this cataract vision simulator. Check out these 3 facts about cataracts. Age isnât the only risk factor for cataracts. Though most everyone will develop cataracts with age, recent studies show that lifestyle and behavior can influence when and how severely you develop cataracts. Diabetes, extensive exposure to sunlight, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and certain ethnicities have all been linked to increased risk of cataracts. Eye injuries, prior eye surgery and long-term use of steroid medication can also result in cataracts. If you have any of these or other risk factors, talk to an ophthalmologist. Cataracts cannot be prevented, but you can lower your risk. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and brimmed hats when outside can help. Several studies suggest that eating more vitamin C-rich foods may delay how fast cataracts form. Also, avoid smoking cigarettes, which have been shown to increase the risk of cataract development. Surgery may help improve more than just your vision. During the procedure, the natural clouded lens is replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens, which should improve your vision significantly. Patients have a variety of lenses to choose from, each with different benefits. Studies have shown that cataract surgery can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of falling. If cataracts are interfering with your ability to see well, consider asking your ophthalmologist about cataract surgery. A life-changing surgery At age 49, Michael’s vision had become so impaired by cataracts that he couldnât distinguish shapes or colors without his glasses on, even if objects were right in front of him. His ophthalmologist recommended cataract surgery. âHaving the surgery was life-changing,â said Sargent, who lives in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. âI can see everything from the time on my alarm clock to a birdâs nest in a tree hundreds of feet away without glasses. Itâs the most amazing experience Iâve ever had.â What our patients our saying: You are more than a great eye doctor and surgeon – you are a “Miracle Man”.  I can see so much better in my left eye after your “cold laser” treatment to clean the lens.  Thank you!  I appreciate you! – Richard I am ecstatic with my cataract surgery results! I can’t believe how well I see! – Rhonda To learn more about cataracts and the treatment available click here   Call you office at 480-994-1872 to make an appointment for a free consultation to discuss your options!