April is Sports Eye Safety Awareness month. Â Sports-related eye injuries cause an estimated 100,000 doctor visits each year. Yet, most of these injuries can be prevented by wearing eye protection. In fact, a recent study of high school field hockey players shows that traumatic eye injuries fell 67 percent after eye protection became mandatory.[1]
Everyday UV-A Light and it’s impact on Cataracts
We spend so much time in our vehicles driving to and from work, running errands, or carting the kids all over town, but are we getting the protection we need from the sun? A Recent assessment on automobiles was conducted to assess the levels of ultraviolet light protection in windshields and driver side windows. This study was done after recent findings that associated Ultraviolet-A light (UV-A) with an increased risk for skin cancer and cataracts.
Vision Problems are Common in Children with Hearing Loss
Vision Problems are Common in Children with Hearing Loss Did you know? About one-fifth of children who have a particular type of hearing loss also have visual disorders, according to a recent study. An estimated one to three children out of 1,000 has some degree of sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs as a result of abnormalities in the inner ear or in the auditory center of the brain. Half of all cases in children result from environmental causes and half from genetic causes; one gene accounts for a large proportion of sensorineural hearing loss cases in Caucasian patients. Because children with hearing loss rely heavily on their other senses, undiscovered visual problems could have further harmful effects on their development and untreated visual problems can become worse. Since there is a correlation between hearing loss and vision loss in children frequent eye exams are extremely important. Eye examinations for all children with sensorineural hearing loss can lead to early diagnosis and to help minimize visual problems and significantly help children with hearing loss. If your child has been diagnosed with hearing loss make an appoint now to get your child’s eye’s examined! Call our office at 480-994-1872 to make an appointment today or make an appointment online! This article reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart⢠campaign (www.geteyesmart.org).
Medical Myth: Will My Child Outgrow Crossed Eyes?
MYTH: âChildren outgrow crossed or misaligned eyesâ One question eye doctors hear from time to time is “will my child outgrow crossed eyes?” Crossed eyes or Strabismus is a condition that affects the muscles in the eyes and prevents them from looking at the same place at the same time.  With this condition one eye will focus in on the object you are viewing while the other eye is misaligned looking either upward, downward or inward.  Strabismus can affect just one eye or can be intermittent between both eyes. This condition can be present at birth or can develop in childhood.  Children with a family history of strabismus may be at a higher risk.  Most children are diagnosed between the ages of 1 and 4 years old. Here is a great chart From All About Vision that shows the symptoms of misaligned eyes. False. Children do not outgrow crossed eyes.  A child whose eyes are misaligned may develop poor vision.  The straight or straighter of the two eyes becomes dominant and the brain can “turn off” or ignore images from the weaker eye and a lazy eye may develop.  If left untreated the unused or misaligned eye will not develop good vision and can affect the development of depth perception. Children with symptoms of misaligned eyes should be examined and treated as soon as possible by an eye doctor.  less invasive treatment for crossed eyes can include eye glasses if the child has farsightedness, an eye patch can be worn over the good eye to help strengthen the muscles in the weaker of the two eyes, or eye drops to blur the vision in the stronger eye to encourage muscled development in the weaker eye.  If those treatments do not work to correct the misaligned eye surgery can be performed to repair the muscles in the weaker eye. If your child is presenting symptoms of misaligned eyes call our office at 480-994-1872 to make an appointment today or make an appointment online! This article reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart Campaign (www.geteyesmart.org).
Caregiver Teen Receives The Gift of Sight!
Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons along with The Aid Foundation and Channel 3’s Surprise Squad had the privilege of helping a deserving valley teen! Melanie is a straight A teen and instead of doing what most kids her age do in their free time, she spends it taking care of her disabled mother.  Melanie and her mother did not have the resources available for her to be seen by an eye doctor or pay for the eyeglasses she so desperately needed. When The Aid Foundation and AZ Family’s Surprise Squad reached out to us here at Scottsdale Eye Physicians informing us of the need of this young teen had we jumped at the opportunity to help.  Melanie came into our office and was able to get an eye exam and a pair of prescription glasses for free! All of us here at Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons were so honored to be apart of this amazing surprise helping this young teen with the gift of sight! Watch the full video from AZ Family’s Surprise Squad here! To find out more about the Aid Foundation and what they do to help those that are less fortunate around the valley head over to their website Aid.org!
Could Bananas Prevent Blindness?
New research conducted to find out if Bananas prevent blindness The big question researchers having been asking is can bananas prevent blindness? Carotenoids, pigments found in Bananas have now been shown to help prevent blindness and are an important vitamin in the foundation of eye health!  A study recently published in ACSâ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, outlines a more in depth knowledge of how bananas create and store Carotenoids. The study focused on two types of bananas the pale yellow Cavendish banana as well as the orange Asupina banana. They found that the Cavendish or yellow banana, what we typically find in our grocery stores today, produce low levels of Carotenoids but high levels of an enzyme needed to break it down. The orange Asupina banana, not as popular and well known, produces larger quantities of Carotenoids and stockpiles it in small sacs during the ripening process. Researchers say these findings will provide the information needed to develop and breed bananas that contain more carotenoids and in turn can be a super food for our eyes!  Adding foods that protect your vision to your diet is always recommended, for more foods that protect your vision check out this post and also read about this new study that shows blueberries now protect against Dry Eye Syndrome! As always Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons is here to provide our patients with the vision and comfort they desire!  Call our office at 480-994-1872 to make an appointment with one of our Eye Doctors! Sources: MDLinks, Medical News and Information www.mdlinx.com
Study finds blueberries may protect against dry eye disease!
A study was recently released at The 2016 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) revealed that an anti-oxidant, Pterostilbene, found in blueberries has been found to protect against dry eye disease.
Could you be suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome?
Could you be suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome? Do your eyes ever burn or feel sandy and gritty? Are they ever red and irritated? You may be suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome. Historically, eye doctors attributed dry eye syndrome to a reduced amount of tears on the eyes. Although this is a very common cause of dry eye, studies have shown that dry eye is far more involved. Your eye doctor will check the amount of tears, the drainage and quality of your tears, the oil glands that align your eye lids, and the way you blink. All of these factors are important to know prior to determining a treatment plan specific to your individual needs. In many cases, simply adding an artificial tear to oneâs daily routine is not enough to manage symptoms of dry eye. Because there are a multitude of underlying conditions that can lead to dry eye, we treat not only our patientâs symptoms, but the underlying cause of our patientâs dry eye as well. At Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons, our first approach to treating dry eye disease is utilizing a homeopathic technique when possible. In many cases, incorporating warm compresses, artificial tears, and a doctor recommended Omega-3 supplement into your daily routine, can significantly improve your symptoms. If you are experiencing burning, redness, gritty sensation, excessive watering or intermittent blurry vision call 480-994-1872Â to make an appointment or click here to make an appointment online!
5 Easy Things You Should Be Doing To Protect Your Vision
5 Easy Things You Should Be Doing To Protect Your Vision  Take Simple Steps to Protect Your Sight Approximately 37 million adults in America have age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma, all of which can cause visual impairment or blindness, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI).[1] However, recent studies show that making healthy choices and getting regular eye exams can help reduce a personâs risk of vision loss. In support of NEIâs Healthy Vision Month in May, Scottsdale Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology are encouraging everyone to take charge of their eye health and preserve their sight by following some simple tips. Live a healthy lifestyle. Eating a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking can lower your risk of eye disease. Foods that boost eye health include dark green leafy greens, cold water fish and citrus fruits. A study recently published in the journal Ophthalmology showed that a diet rich in vitamin C can cut the risk of cataract progression by nearly a third.[2] Other research shows that smoking doubles the risk of the eye disease age-related macular degeneration, is linked to cataracts, and worsens dry eye. Know your family history. Certain eye diseases can be inherited. If you have a close relative with macular degeneration, you have a 50 percent chance of developing the condition. In addition, a family history of glaucoma increases your chances of developing the condition by four to nine times. So talk to your family members about what eye conditions they have. It can help you and your eye care professionals evaluate whether you may be at higher risk. Get a dilated eye exam. Many eye diseases may have no symptoms in their early stages. A dilated eye exam is the best way to detect eye diseases so they can be treated as soon as possible to help prevent vision loss. The Academy recommends that adults have a baseline comprehensive eye exam with an eye doctor by the time they turn 40. This is when age-related eye changes often begin to occur. People who are 65 and older should get an eye exam every one to two years. Those with chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure or known eye diseases may need to go earlier and more often. Wear sunglasses. Over time, exposure to UV rays from the sun can increase your risk of cataracts, certain cancers and growths in or around the eyes. When choosing sunglasses, pick ones that block out at least 99 percent of UV rays. A wide-brimmed hat offers great additional protection as well. If you are not sure that your sunglasses have UV protection stop into our optical boutique and we will check them for free! Use protective eyewear to prevent injuries. Roughly a third of all emergency room visits for eye-related issues stem from traumatic eye injuries, according to a recent study in the journal Ophthalmology.[3] To help prevent these injuries, wear the right protective eyewear when doing activities that could cause eye injuries, such as home repair, garden work and sports. âPeople donât often realize that simple, everyday actions can help them preserve their vision well through their golden years,â said Rebecca J. Taylor, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. âWe encourage everyone to take these steps in order to keep their eyes healthy.â To learn more ways to keep your eyes healthy, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s public information website at www.aao.org/eye-health. If you have not been in for a comprehensive eye exam, call our office to make an appointment or request an appointment on our website! [1] https://nei.nih.gov/eyedata/adultvision_usa [2] Genetic and Dietary Factors Influencing the Progression of Nuclear Cataract, Yonova-Doing, et al, Ophthalmology, article in press March 2016. [3] Eye-related Emergency Department Visits in the United States, 2010, Vaziri, et al. Ophthalmology, April 2016.
Statins show continued potential as treatment for dry AMD
High doses of statins, known for lowering blood cholesterol, may someday prove to be a viable treatment for the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a new study. “As the population ages, finding safe and inexpensive strategies for the treatment and management of AMD is paramount.” The results of the relatively small study were published Feb. 4 in the online journal, EBioMedicine. In the study, high doses of Lipitor (80 mg) were given daily over a 12- to 18-month period to 23 people who suffered from dry AMD, which occurs when high deposits of lipid and fatty proteins form under the retina. In the pilot study, 10 patients experienced a regression in drusen deposits and their sight improved slightly. None of the subjects saw their sight worsen. Researchers have been looking at the potential of statins for years as a treatment for AMD, says Steven G. Ferrucci, O.D., chief of optometry at Sepulveda VA Medical Center and professor at Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University. But the results have been mixed. Dr. Ferrucci has written and lectured extensively on AMD. “For many years, researchers have postulated that statins may be protective for AMD,” Dr. Ferrucci says. “One study from 2001 looked at the incidence of AMD in patients using statins. Those who took statins had significantly decreased risk of being diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration compared with those who were not taking statins.” Dr. Ferrucci noted the size of the new studyâonly 23 patients participated. So it’s important to keep the results in perspective. He agreed with the study’s authors, a team of researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School and the University of Crete, that more study is needed. “These patients represent a specific subset of AMD patientsâthose with soft lipid depositsâwhich not all dry [AMD] patients have,” he says. “So obviously more research with a larger study must be done, and even then, it seems it may only benefit a percentage of AMD patients.” What the study means for eye doctors and patients Dr. Ferrucci says, “We should stay alert to these studies so we can properly inform our patients of new developments that may be of help, as well as temper those stories that might send false hope.” And for patients? A leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over age 50, AMD affects 1.8 million Americans with millions more at risk for the condition. “If statins turn out to be a successful treatment, that’s great for patients,” Dr. Ferrucci says. “Repurposing current FDA-approved medications, such as statins, which are very accessible and well-studied, would be huge. It would represent a huge cost and time savings versus discovering a novel drug.” He adds, “Statins are already well studied. They have a good safety profile and there’s lots of clinical experience regarding dosing and side effects. As the population ages, finding safe and inexpensive strategies for the treatment and management of AMD is paramount.” The AOA follows all research closely, including potential dry AMD treatments. Although statins are an interesting treatment possibility for patients, more research is needed regarding their influence on visual health. For more information or help for better vision, please visit the AOA website.