June is Cataract Awareness Month, a time to give attention to this leading cause of vision loss in the United States and leading cause of blindness in the world. Most of us are going to have to deal with cataracts at some point in life. Currently there are an estimated 24 million Americans over the age of 40 who are being affected by cataracts
More to eye health
With our busy lifestyles, it is easy to put off an eye exam if your vision seems to be fine and your eyeglasses are in good shape. Skipping an eye exam, though, could lead to serious vision issues in the future. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim that only half of the estimated 61 million Americans at high risk for serious vision loss have been to the eye doctor in the past year. A comprehensive eye examination can often detect a potentially serious eye problem. If treated in a timely manner, these problems can be addressed and vision loss can be prevented or slowed down.
The American Optometric Association recommends that low risk adults under 60 get an exam every 24 months. Older adults and people with risk factors like diabetes should be checked annually.
Here are some of the most common eye conditions that can go undetected without an examination.
As everyone ages, the lens of the eye can become cloudy making it difficult to read, drive at night or recognize things from a distance. When vision is affected by cataracts, surgery is performed to remove the cloudy lens and put in a new one. The surgery has a 95 percent success rate and requires only a tiny incision in the cornea. Most of the time, the procedure takes about 15 minutes and can be done in an outpatient surgery center. Over 3 million Americans undergo cataract surgery annually.
The macula is the tiny central part of the retina which is needed for sharp vision. During the aging process, this area can be affected. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people 60 and older. The American Macular Degeneration Foundation estimates that more than 10 million Americans are affected by this condition. There are treatments that can help control the vision loss if detected early.
If the retina becomes detached from the supportive tissue, it can't function and can lead to permanent vision loss. The sudden appearance of floating specks in front of your eyes, flashes of light or loss of peripheral vision are all warning signs for this condition. The symptoms can occur gradually or suddenly. The more quickly the retina is reattached, the better the chance for restoring vision.
Glaucoma is an optic nerve disease that often occurs without symptoms. Since the optic nerve sends the information from the retina to the brain, this disease will lead to loss of vision, especially if left untreated. Although there are few symptoms, eye professionals are able to detect the disease. The earlier it is diagnosed, the more successful treatment will be.
Caring for your eyes.
Your vision is precious so take steps to protect it. Eat a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens such as spinach or kale. There are also eye health benefits found in eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and halibut. Regular exercise will help improve blood circulation and oxygen levels, which benefits your eyes. Avoid eyestrain, especially with a computer screen. Try the 20-20-20 rule which means taking your eyes off the screen every 20 minutes and looking at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds or more. When going outdoors, be sure to wear sunglasses for eye protection. Finally, get a regular eye examination to check for potential problems.
Taking care of yourself
It is easy to get so busy taking care of a career and family that your own needs are ignored. Putting off eye exams, doctor visits and medical issues can lead to bigger problems. There are times when you need to put personal needs first. Whether it is an unexpected medical event or a restorative procedure, be sure to get the best care possible by choosing to recover at Whitehall of Deerfield where you will receive top-notch medical care and pampered personal attention.
Whitehall of Deerfield's team of therapists provide one-on-one physical, occupational and respiratory therapies up to seven days a week while an experienced nursing staff offers care around-the-clock. The medical team, which includes a full-time nurse practitioner and a full-time respiratory therapist, can address your health needs.
Whitehall of Deerfield also offers a variety of hotel-like amenities that include attentive concierge service, daily delivery of Starbucks coffee and newspaper to your room, fresh baked goods, massage services, salon services, a wide-ranging choice of cuisine in selective menus to be enjoyed in a beautiful dining room or in the privacy of your room, complimentary ice cream shop, a putting green, and a nostalgic Main Street with delightful diversions for both guests and visitors and much more.
When it’s time to care for yourself, choose Whitehall of Deerfield. To discover more about the services found at Whitehall of Deerfield, visit whitehallofdeerfield.com or call 847-945-4600.