Claris Eye Care Rising Risks of Digital Eye Strain During Quarantine

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a Comprehensive eye exam, Pediatric eye exam and Contact lens eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Myopia or Nearsightedness, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Is LASIK eye and vision surgery an option for you ? Our Watertown eye doctor is always ready to answer your questions about eye disease and Contact lenses.

Our Eye Doctor Shares Tips to Prevent Painful Computer Vision

You and your kids are staying home, practicing social distancing in order to reduce the potential spread of Covid-19. It’s certainly the responsible, safe thing to do. However, the current stay-at-home lifestyle has also led to people spending more time on digital devices. Screen time is dedicated to both work and leisure, which keeps everyone busy and entertained, but unfortunately, it has also led to a higher rate of digital eyestrain and other vision complications.

More people of all ages have been visiting our eye clinic complaining of uncomfortable or painful vision, and our optometrist regularly diagnoses digital eyestrain. To protect yourself from a range of annoying symptoms, read these eye care tips to prevent computer vision problems:

• Pay attention to position

  When you sit down at your office desk, it’s probably equipped with ergonomic furniture and set at the perfect height. But your home workspace may not meet the same requirements. Take care to position your computer screen about an arm’s length and slightly beneath your line of vision. This will protect both your eyes from strain, as well as your posture and neck. Additionally, good back support will reduce discomfort caused by sitting for long periods. To reduce glare and accompanying eye fatigue, point your screen away from any bright lights.

• Take coffee breaks

  Even if you’re not in the mood for another java, regular breaks to stand up and stretch are vital for your body and eyes! Get up and walk around your house a bit. Any activity that allows you to look away from your screen will give your body and eye muscles a well-needed respite.

• Watch for warning signs

  In general, our eye doctor hears patients complain about the following computer vision symptoms when they visit our eye clinic:

  1. HeadachesWhen the pain is concentrated at the front of your head, it’s typically vision related. When it’s at the back of your head, it’s usually posture related. If your temples are throbbing, it’s probably tension.
  2. Neck and shoulder painThis is a direct result of a poorly positioned workspace. Your chair, screen, desk and keyboard all need to be aligned correctly for healthy posture.
  3. Blurry visionIf blinking clears up your sight, it could indicate a dry eye problem. But if your blurred vision usually occurs at the end of the day, it could point to mild farsightedness that’s being exacerbated by so many hours of close work.
  4. Dry eyesProlonged screen time leads to reduced blinking, which leaves your eyes exposed and compromises your moisturizing tear film. Burning or itching eyes are usual symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

  Computers can compromise children’s eye health

  During quarantine, kids depend heavily on digital devices for entertainment and socializing. There are no afternoon clubs or groups to attend, minimal opportunities to socialize, and education itself has become remote in most places. Computers are filling a range of roles in kids’ lives.

  While digital tech has been highly successful at keeping children occupied and happy, research also shows that kids who don’t spend time outdoors are at an increased risk for myopia (nearsightedness) and progressive myopia, especially if it runs in the family.

  During the pandemic, more and more parents are bringing their children to our eye care provider for eye exams. The most typical signs of a problem include:

  • Squinting at the TV or moving closer and closer to the screen
  • Headaches, particularly at the end of the day
  • Difficulty reading (when they didn’t have previous trouble)
  • Problems sleeping at night

  Tips from our optometrist

  • Practice the 20-20-20 rule for ocular health: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet into the distance for 20 seconds. This will help your eyes feel comfortable for longer.
  • Keep appropriate distance from screens: mobile phones should be about one foot from the face, desktops and laptops should be about two feet away, and TV screens should be about 10 feet away
  • Encourage kids to engage in physical activity outdoors, taking permitted walks or even kicking a ball around the backyard
  • Drink enough to stay hydrated
  • Remember to blink regularly
  • Don’t use digital devices within 2 hours of bedtime, so the blue light doesn’t disrupt your circadian rhythms

  Suffering from digital eye strain? Our eye doctor can help! Stop by our eye clinic to learn more about various strategies and products that can prevent and soothe the painful symptoms of computer vision.

  Claris Eye Care, your Watertown eye doctor for eye exams and eye care

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Claris Eye Care Eye Doctor in Watertown, Wisconsin

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a Comprehensive eye exam, Pediatric eye exam and Contact lens eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Myopia or Nearsightedness, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Is LASIK eye and vision surgery an option for you ? Our Watertown eye doctor is always ready to answer your questions about eye disease and Contact lenses.

Remote Learning? Blue Light Glasses Can Protect Your Eyes

In normal amounts, blue light can be beneficial for your health, setting your sleep-wake cycle and boosting your mood. But overexposure to blue light, especially when the source is digital devices, can increase certain health risks. In particular, it can strain your eyes and lead to a slew of painful symptoms. Nowadays, as the number of students learning remotely has risen dramatically, the damaging effects of blue light on eyes has become a hot topic. To protect and soothe your vision, our eye doctor near you recommends purchasing a pair of blue light glasses, available at our eye clinic.

What do blue light glasses do?

Blue light glasses help to filter out blue light rays. If you have a pair, you can see the difference for yourself – point a blue light pen at one lens, and you’ll notice immediately that the brightness getting through the lens becomes much weaker compared to what happens with a regular unfiltered lens.

Are all blue light glasses the same?

No. In addition to coming in all sizes and crafted for just about all prescriptions, blue light glasses come in different color tints that filter out varying amounts of brightness. That’s because blue light comes from various sources that have different intensities, such as the sun, laptops, smartphones and all LED lights. To find the best blue light glasses for your lifestyle, consult with our eye care professional.

What problems can blue light cause?

If too much time is spent exposed to blue light, it can interrupt your circadian rhythm, making it hard to sleep, or it can put tremendous strain on your eyes. Consequently, all that time spent learning remotely can make you tired, distracted and less able to focus on your school work.

Additionally, overexposure to blue light may be linked to an increased risk of vision loss as a result of macular degeneration in the future, as well as potential overstimulation for anyone on the autism spectrum.

In sum, blue light glasses can enhance your visual comfort and eye health. Stop by our eye care center to book an eye exam with our knowledgeable eye doctor near you, and to learn more about how to stay safe from blue light.

Claris Eye Care, your Watertown eye doctor for eye exams and eye care

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Claris Eye Care Eye Doctor in Watertown, Wisconsin

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a Comprehensive eye exam, Pediatric eye exam and Contact lens eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Is LASIK eye and vision surgery an option for you ? Our Watertown eye doctor is always ready to answer your questions about eye disease and Contact lenses.

Priorit-eyes Your Vision During Covid-19v

The global pandemic can be overwhelming, and investing so much daily energy into staying healthy is certainly stressful. However, with all the health concerns facing us, your eye doctor reminds you that it’s still essential to make your eyes a top priority!

Our eye care team shares a few simple steps you can take to keep your eyes in good shape, as you protect your overall health.

Visit Your Optometrist for an Eye Exam

One of the best ways to value your vision is by getting regular comprehensive eye exams. According to a recent study co-conducted by VSP Vision Care and YouGov, a market research agency, almost 97% of people surveyed agreed that healthy eyes are essential and vision loss is feared, but only about half of these people actually go for yearly eye exams!

Practice Proper Contact Lens Hygiene

If you wear contact lenses, following safe hygiene practices can help you prevent eye irritation and infection:

• Be sure to wash your hands before inserting or removing your lenses.
• Rinse and disinfect your lenses with the solutions recommended by your eye doctor.
• Don’t wear your contacts for longer than the wearing schedule you were given.
• Keep your contact lens case clean, so harmful bacteria don’t find their way into your eyes and cause an infection.
• Don’t swim or sleep in your lenses (unless directed to by your optometrist).

Switch to Dailies – Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

If you wear weekly, bi-weekly or monthly contact lenses, now may be a good time to consider switching to daily disposable contacts. Generally, people who wear daily disposable lenses tend to experience fewer problems. Every morning, you insert a fresh pair of lenses so there is minimal maintenance required to keep your eyes safe and healthy.

Pay Attention to Comfort

Touching your eyes is never a smart move, but during Covid-19, it’s even more important to keep your fingers away. However, if you’re wearing uncomfortable contacts – not touching your eyes is much easier said than done. In fact, studies show that 89% of contact lens wearers in the US say they manually adjust their lenses or rub their eyes when vision feels uncomfortable. If your contacts are causing discomfort, book a visit to your eye care provider. A new type of contact or a better fit can help reduce your eyes’ exposure to the germs on your fingers. Not all contacts are created equal, and we offer a wide range of types in our eye clinic.

Additionally, if you find that your contact lens solution seems to dry out your eyes, book an eye exam with our optometrist; a new solution may be advised.

Claris Eye Care, your Watertown eye doctor for eye exams and eye care

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Claris Eye Care Eye Doctor in Watertown, Wisconsin

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a Comprehensive eye exam, Pediatric eye exam and Contact lens eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Is LASIK eye and vision surgery an option for you ? Our Watertown eye doctor is always ready to answer your questions about eye disease and Contact lenses.

10 Tips for Keeping Your Eyes and Vision in Good Health in Watertown, Wisconsin

2.2 billion… That’s the number of people worldwide who suffer from blindness and impaired vision. What is perhaps even more astounding is that nearly half of these people suffer from visual defects that are preventable.

While most eye diseases are related to natural aging, there are some lifestyle habits that can help preserve the health of your eyes and vision. Our eye doctor near you shares 10 tips to promote optimal visual health.

• • Know Your Eye Health Nutrition

    Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, zinc and protein are all beneficial for your eyes. Fish, in particular, is a fabulous source of these nutrients, namely salmon, sardines, tuna and mackerel.

    Other foods that our eye care team recommends include:

    1. Beef; it contains zinc for protecting against age-related macular degeneration
    2. Carrots; they have vitamin A (beta carotene) which contribute to eye health
    3. Leafy vegetables; green leaves such as kale, spinach and collards are full of vitamin C
       and lutein
    4. Eggs; they have lutein and zinc to prevent age-related eye conditions
    5. Legumes; they are packed with vitamin E to protect eyes
    6. Water; a well-hydrated body protects against dry eyes

  • Wear Protective Eyewear

    Sunglasses are the ultimate accessory to block dangerous UV rays from reaching your delicate eye tissue, reducing your risks of developing macular degeneration and possibly cataracts and other ocular diseases. Visit our eye clinic near you anytime to browse our trending collection of high-quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection.

    If you’re working outdoors, trimming trees or spraying pesticides, or if you’re playing risky outdoor sports, eye care providers stress that protective eyewear is also important.

  • Waterproof Your Vision

    Swimming goggles are essential for keeping your sensitive eyes safe against swimming pool chemicals, as well as against salty ocean water and bacteria in natural bodies of water. If you require corrective eyewear to see clearly, our optometrist near you can provide a precise vision prescription for goggles.

  • Practice Eye-Hand Hygiene

    As much as you may try to avoid rubbing your eyes, it’s inevitable that your fingers will make contact with your face throughout the day. For contact lens wearers, that’s even more true. Keep your hands clean!

  • Schedule Regular Eye Exams

    Even if you don’t notice any signs of a problem with your eyes or vision, regular check-ups at an eye doctor near you are vital. Eye exams give your optometrist a detailed view of the internal and external parts of your eye so any early signs of eye disease can be spotted, such as retinal detachment, macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts. Your eye doctor can also detect certain underlying health conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

  • No Smoking

    While you’re likely aware of the detrimental effects smoking can have on your lungs, did you know that studies have also shown a link between smoking and poor eye health? Smoking can lead to cataracts and raise your risk of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Also, smoking is a major cause of dry eyes and uveitis and other visual impairments.

  • Break Up Screentime

    Staring at your computer for long periods each day can strain your eyes, leading to headaches, blurry vision and eye fatigue. You may also suffer from neck or back pains. Taking regular 15-20 minute breaks to walk around and look around will help relax your eyes and body.

  • Position Your Screen Properly

    Your computer screen should be about 18 inches (45 cm) from your face, and the brightness of the screen should be adjusted to reduce glare.

  • Sleep Enough

    A good night’s sleep (six to eight hours per day) is essential for refreshing your eyes after a long day. Sleep also helps to keep your eyes lubricated, enhancing visual comfort.

  • Know Your Eye Care Provider

    An open relationship with an eye doctor near you is the foundation of quality ocular health. You should choose an eye clinic with an experienced, highly qualified team that you can trust.

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Claris Eye Care Diabetic Eye Exams in Watertown, Wisconsin

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a Comprehensive eye exam, Pediatric eye exam and Contact lens eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Myopia or Nearsightedness, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Is LASIK eye and vision surgery an option for you ? Our Watertown eye doctor is always ready to answer your questions about eye disease and Contact lenses.

Why Diabetic Eye Exams are Essential in Watertown, Wisconsin

At present, one in 10 Americans has diabetes – and the trend is continuing upwards. While routine comprehensive eye exams are important for diagnosing the early signs of diabetes, that doesn’t mean eye exams become insignificant after diagnosis!

How does diabetes affect the eyes?

Diabetes, especially when uncontrolled, can affect blood vessels and nerves throughout the entire body. Excess blood sugar can damage tiny blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to ocular inflammation, bleeding and devastating vision loss when left untreated.

The most common types of eye diseases associated with diabetes are:

• Diabetic retinopathy – small blood vessels in the retina weaken and sometimes leak blood
• Glaucoma – elevated pressure levels of fluid in the eye
• Cataracts – a clouding of the eye’s lens that blurs vision

Who needs diabetic eye exams?

If you have diabetes of any type, yearly diabetic eye exams are critical for preserving your healthy, sharp sight. That’s because damage to the eyes can be seen during a dilated eye exam way before vision loss occurs.

Sadly, surveys estimate that about 60% of people with diabetes are not vigilant about booking annual eye exams. As a result, early sight-threatening changes in the inner eye tissues are often missed. Only a diabetic eye exam can reliably detect or rule out the start of many dangerous eye conditions. In addition, when your eye doctor notices changes in your eye health as a result of diabetes, it can indicate that a change in your diabetes management regimen may be needed.

If you’ve been diagnosed with eye disease, such as diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma, diabetic eye exams will be done to monitor your condition to determine the most effective treatment program.

When is a diabetic eye exam needed immediately?

Besides visiting your eye doctor for annual eye exams, the following symptoms are a warning that you should schedule an urgent diabetic eye exam:

• Seeing red spots
• Seeing small black lines or spots that don’t glide away
• Seeing red tinted fog
• Sudden changes in your vision
• Taking longer than usual to adjust to darkness

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Claris Eye Care Eye Doctor near you in Watertown, Wisconsin

Nowadays, cancer is so widespread that most people have faced it – either directly or indirectly through the diagnosis of a friend or family member. However, despite the grim picture cancer statistics have presented over the years, scientists have also made tremendous strides towards understanding the biology of cancer cells. Medicine has reached many breakthroughs that improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a Comprehensive eye exam, Pediatric eye exam and Contact lens eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Myopia or Nearsightedness, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Is LASIK eye and vision surgery an option for you ? Our Watertown eye doctor is always ready to answer your questions about eye disease and Contact lenses.

Local Eye clinic near you in Watertown, Wisconsin

Is there anything to do other than wait for new research results? Yes, there are ways to protect yourself against cancer. Our eye care specialist outlines the following ways to take action and protect your health:

1. Visit your eye doctor for regular eye exams
   The vast majority of people don’t get around to visiting their eye doctor unless they notice a problem. However, eye exams are extremely valuable for reasons that go way beyond basic eye care services. When your eye doctor performs a comprehensive dilated eye exam, he or she can spot the early signs of eye cancer – which is typically asymptomatic. While eye cancer is rare, it does occur and can appear at any age. The good news is that most eye cancer is highly treatable when diagnosed early.
2. Prevention goes far
   Taking advantage of preventive healthcare is a powerful way to stay safe. That means going to yearly wellness exams and following your physician’s instructions for cancer screenings, such as a colonoscopy. This the best proven way to prevent cancer and catch it at a very early stage, when treatment is easiest. Self-exams for lumps and suspicious moles or skin lesions are also effective ways to improve early detection.
3. Don’t neglect your dental exams
   Who likes going to the dentist? Almost nobody… And some people dread it so strongly that they’ll avoid the dentist until their tooth pain becomes unbearable. Yet, good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist will not only help your smile look nicer, but they could also help prevent cancer too.

   Research suggests that compromised oral health is associated with the development of cancer. In sum, even if you can’t stand the dentist – this is a time to grit your teeth and get regular dental exams!

4. Live healthy
   Paying attention to proper nutrition (eat an abundance of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables) and incorporating physical activity into your days are both excellent ways to promote your lasting health. Not smoking and not drinking excessive alcohol (binge drinking is particularly bad for you) are essential behaviors for helping to prevent certain types of cancers. Obesity is another risk factor for developing specific cancers.
5. Don’t take risks
   Sometimes, it’s the little things that increase your risk of cancer, such as spending too much time in the sun without protection and having too many sexual partners.

   Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and it’s also the most preventable! Avoiding tanning beds or sun lamps, covering up during the sunniest times of day, and wearing enough sunscreen to block UV rays can all prevent skin cancer.

   In addition, the more sexual partners you have – the higher your risk for developing HIV, AIDS, or HPV, all conditions that raise your chances for particular cancers.

6. Avoid occupational hazards
   If you work in an industrial environment, make sure you are well-protected against industrial and environmental toxins, such as benzene, asbestos fibers, aromatic amines, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). But don’t fret over your proximity to electromagnetic radiation from high-voltage power lines or radiofrequency radiation from cell phones and microwaves; these types of exposure have not been found to cause cancer.

We’re here to help you stay safe and make the most of your health. Using the latest technologies, our eye doctor performs comprehensive eye exams as a part of our expert eye care services. Visit our eye care center near you for more tips on how to optimize your vision and your overall health!

Claris Eye Care, your Watertown eye doctor for eye exams and eye care

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Claris Eye Care Eye Doctors in Watertown, Wisconsin, share Tips on How to Have Healthy Eyes

30 Second review.

You look through your eyes to see the glorious world around you, and your eye doctor looks into your eyes to see a view of your health. In addition to spotting the signs of ocular disease, conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, and possibly your risk for Alzheimer’s can also be detected by an eye exam at your eye clinic.

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a Comprehensive eye exam, Pediatric eye exam and Contact lens eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Myopia or Nearsightedness, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Is LASIK eye and vision surgery an option for you ? Our Watertown eye doctor is always ready to answer your questions about eye disease and Contact lenses.

Eyes comprise many delicate parts that don’t always age well.

That’s why regular comprehensive eye exams by a qualified eye care provider are essential! These check-ups give your optometrist or eye doctor a chance to view the eyes’ inner tissues, where the early signs of a problem often appear.

Approximately 61 million people in the US are at an increased risk for serious vision loss. In fact, researchers at Johns Hopkins found that losing one’s eyesight holds the #1 spot on Americans’ list of worst health nightmares. Learn how you can help prevent this nightmare from coming true.

Lifestyle changes that benefit your eyes

Eye care professionals claim that embracing these lifestyle hacks can help keep your vision sharp and healthy for the long-term:

• Eat a lot of veggies: In particular, choose to munch on produce that’s packed with vitamin A, such as carrots, squash, and pumpkin, as well as vegetables high in antioxidants (namely lutein), such as leafy greens like collards, spinach, and kale.
• Don’t smoke: If you’re a smoker, quitting can lower your risk of lung and heart disease, along with helping to prevent age-related macular degeneration, optic nerve damage, and cataracts.
• Wear sunglasses: It’s important to protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays all year round. Choose sunglasses with large lenses that block 99% to 100% of the radiation from the sun’s rays.
• Protect your eyes with safety goggles: Safety goggles or eye guards protect your eyes during sports and construction work, especially when you’re engaged in activities such as playing with a speeding ball, using chemicals, or grinding metal.

Get eye care for uncomfortable symptoms

If you experienced painful vision with symptoms such as itching, stinging, redness, swelling, or blurriness – don’t ignore it! Contact an eye clinic near you to schedule an emergency eye exam. Only an eye doctor or certified optometrist can assess your condition to determine whether treatment is required. Leaving certain eye conditions untreated can lead to vision damage.

Self-help to safeguard your eye health in Watertown, Wisconsin

Relieve dry eye syndrome in Watertown, Wisconsin

Staring at a screen can cause or exacerbate the symptoms of dry eye. Intense watching of any digital device can make you forget to blink, which dries out your eye surface. Practice the 20-20-20 rule to relax and moisturize your eyes (= every 20 minutes, look 20 feet into the distance, for 20 seconds).

Prevent eye infections and pink eye (conjunctivitis) in Watertown, Wisconsin

Some unhealthy (but unfortunately, common) practices can lead to serious eye infections, such as using old makeup. Be sure to discard eye makeup every three months to prevent bacteria from building up. If you wear contact lenses, inadequate hygiene is another cause of eye infections. Always wash your hands before handling your contacts, take them out nightly (even if they’re labeled for extended wear), and disinfect and store them, or discard them, according to your optometrist’s instructions.

How to Handle Floaters in Watertown, Wisconsin

In general, floaters are harmless clusters of cells that glide around in the clear vitreous gel of your eyeball. Your brain adjusts to floaters, and eventually, you won’t see them. However, if you suddenly notice a bunch of new floaters or you see flashes of light or a shadow cast over your vision, contact your eye doctor immediately. An eye exam is necessary to rule out or diagnose any retinal problems, such as a retinal tear.

Sharp vision is valuable for all parts of life – help keep your eyes healthy by taking care of them with the eye care they deserve!

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Yet despite these findings, few Parkinson’s patients visit an eye doctor for regular eye exams!

30 Second review.

A recent study based on U.S. Medicare records found that problems with vision are much more common in elderly people who suffer from Parkinson’s than in their peers. Additionally, these vision problems were associated with poorer general health outcomes. Data from more than 285,000 Parkinson’s patients was studied, and perhaps most noteworthy about all the results was that less than 60% of the people actually visited an eye clinic for yearly eye exams.

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a Comprehensive eye exam, Pediatric eye exam and Contact lens eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Myopia or Nearsightedness, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Is LASIK eye and vision surgery an option for you ? Our Watertown eye doctor is always ready to answer your questions about eye disease and Contact lenses.

What did the Parkinson’s study investigate?

In people with Parkinson’s, vision problems have been recognized as a non-motor symptom of the disease. Backing this up, researchers at UPENN investigated Medicare claims data from 2010-14, closely inspecting the incidence of visual impairment and the outcomes. Specifically, they aimed to figure out the prevalence of moderate to severe visual impairment in Parkinson’s patients, with a focus on how vision disorders are related to disease outcomes.

What did the data show? The researchers concluded that 1.1% of Medicare beneficiaries in 2014 had a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, and 0.72% of them were diagnosed with moderate to severe visual impairment. Additionally, the vision problems were much more common in people with Parkinson’s (1.67%) than in the general population of older adults (0.71%). Vision problems were also more common in those of racial and ethnic minority backgrounds (Blacks and Hispanics), as well as in people with diabetes and hypertension.

Another conclusion that the researchers made from the data was that moderate to severe visual impairment in the Parkinson’s population was strongly associated with anxiety, depression, and dementia, as well as with a higher incidence of falls. Altogether, the combination of Parkinson’s and vision problems translates into a significantly lower quality of life.

How can the quality of life be improved for Parkinson’s patients?

The simple answer is – eye exams. Regular comprehensive eye exams done by a qualified optometrist or eye doctor are essential for detecting the early onset of eye disease, which goes far towards preventing the progression of ocular disease and the associated vision loss. Most cases of visual impairment are either preventable or treatable, and yearly eye care at a professional eye clinic can make a world of difference for preventing complications.

In sum, visual impairment is more common in people with Parkinson’s disease, and therefore early detection and treatment programs – eye exams and professional eye care – for these patients is particularly important.

(The original study was published in Movement Disorders and titled “Visual Impairment is More Common in Parkinson’s Disease and Is a Risk Factor for Poor Health Outcomes.”)

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