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What Supplements Slow the Progression of Macular Degeneration?

Our eyesight is a precious function that many of us take for granted and while sitting in the doctor’s office may not be something you enjoy doing, a yearly visit with your ophthalmologist is a great way to protect your vision from degenerative eye disease. Supplements for Macular Degeneration can help make those visits go better!

Macular degeneration is the most common eye disease. If you are 55 years or older, your ophthalmologist should examine your eyes every year as early diagnosis is the key to a successful treatment plan.

What Causes Macular Degeneration?

There are many risk factors for macular degeneration such as heredity and age, smoking, high blood pressure, and vitamin deficient diets.

The two types of macular degeneration are wet and dry. Both will lead to loss of vision if they are not diagnosed and treated aggressively. For more information on risk levels and the types of macular degeneration, contact your ophthalmologist.

If you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration, you are not alone, and while macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness, it is also treatable. Depending on your level of degeneration and your adherence to a treatment plan, you can protect your sight for many years.

Supplements for Macular Degeneration

There are many treatments available for macular degeneration patients, and your specific treatment options will depend on the type, stage, and your personal medical history.

Remember, your ophthalmologist is a trained professional, so regardless of the treatment recommended, following it closely is imperative to maintaining your vision. The first step in most macular degeneration care plans is changing up your diet to some eye-healthy  of a variety of supplements to your daily medication regimen.

Here is a list of the most common changes for your diet:

1. Zinc and Antioxidants

After years of research, studies have shown that taking supplements with high levels of zinc and antioxidants may help slow the progression of macular degeneration.

Your ophthalmologist will recommend the right type and dosage of these supplements, but if you are at risk of developing macular degeneration or are concerned about this condition, ensure your daily multi-vitamin contains these vital nutrients.

2. Other vitamins and minerals

In addition to zinc and antioxidants, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a daily supplement with high doses of vitamins C and E, copper, and zeaxanthin. This regimen is based on recent findings that suggest these supplements may prevent intermediate dry macular degeneration from advancing to wet macular degeneration, the stage when loss of vision occurs.

3. Eye-Healthy Foods

While supplements are the most common treatment for macular degeneration, remember that simply taking a daily vitamin will not prevent or slow the progression of this destructive disease.
Ophthalmologists also recommend, in addition to daily supplements, eating a diet rich in nutrients that promote healthy eye function. When choosing fruits and vegetables, choose colorful vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens like spinach and kale.

Preventing Macular Degeneration

Your best defense against developing a degenerative eye disease is to practice preventative measures, so macular degeneration will not be a threat to your eyesight.

Yearly examinations with ophthalmologists like the specialists at Specialty Eye Institute will verify that your eyes are healthy and if not, allows for early detection of eye degeneration, so you can utilize the many treatments and supplements for macular degeneration. Schedule an appointment online or call us at 877-852-8463

Common Causes and Treatments for Eye Twitching

Many people experience occasional eye twitching. Consistent twitching, while annoying, can also impact your daily activities. The good news is that with some minor changes to your daily routine, you can easily relieve eye twitching. These changes will not only help alleviate your twitches but improve your overall eye health.

What Causes Eye Twitching?

According to Mayo Clinic, most occurrences of eye twitching are not life-threatening or even cause for concern.

Here are the most common habits that cause eyelid twitches and facial spasms:

  • Reading too much or working long hours on the computer
  • Lack of sleep
  • Excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption
  • If this sounds familiar, keep reading for some simple solutions.

Treatment Options for Eye Twitching

Some of these solutions are easier than others, but they are all important in increasing your overall wellness, in addition to reducing the frequency of eye twitches.

1. Change Your Routine

If you work in an industry where a large portion of your day requires you to sit in front of a computer or read extensively, consider taking a short break from your work every hour.

Frequent twitches can signal the onset of eye strain. Taking a walk around the office to relax your eyes will prevent eye strain and reduce the occurrence of eyelid spasms.

Stress and lack of sleep are common in high-stress lifestyles. Adding stress-reducing activities like yoga or meditation to your daily routine can reduce stress and increase your ability to achieve restful sleep and prevent eyelid twitches.

2. Limit Alcohol and Caffeine

While it is common to indulge in a cup of coffee or the occasional alcoholic beverage, frequent and prolonged consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated stimulants can increase the frequency of eye twitches.

You should consider reducing your intake of these substances if you consume more than three cups of coffee or alcohol daily.

3. Schedule an Eye Exam

If you have tried to treat your eye twitches, and relief continues to elude you, schedule an appointment with your ophthalmologist. Further investigation may also reveal that you need a stronger corrective lens prescription.
There are many over-the-counter and prescription eye treatments that can quickly alleviate your twitches.

When Eye Twitching is Serious

If these treatment options are ineffective, your eye twitching may be a symptom of something more serious, and the ophthalmologists at Specialty Eye Institute can help.

Serious conditions like blepharitis, or clogging of the eyelash oil ducts, can be painful and should be treated with medication to prevent permanent complications. Similarly, other conditions like chronic dry eye and light sensitivity can occur at any age, and an ophthalmologist will create a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms.

If you experience eye twitching and headaches, your twitches increase in intensity and last for more than a few days, or treatment does not stop the condition, contact your ophthalmologist immediately because this can be a sign of a degenerative eye disease or neurological condition.

The most important rule for treating eye twitching is to monitor your overall eye health and continue to visit your ophthalmologist every year because your eye twitching is a reminder to manage your physical health as well as your daily habits.

Use Your End of Year HSA/FSA/Deductible Spending on Your Vision

Instead of waiting for the New Year to improve your health, spend your end of the year HSA/FSA/deductible spending on correcting your gift of sight and improve your health now. The new resolutions we will make to improve our lives. While a lot of new year resolutions are healthy goals related to diet and exercise, only few often consider how their vision impacts their health and quality of life.

Your eyesight is one of the most important biological assets in your possession, yet this gift is often the last on the list for scheduled maintenance. This is common because many insurance plans do not cover yearly eye exams, preventative diagnostics, and devices like glasses and contact lenses.

What is an HSA?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is an account that allows you to set aside money without taxation for preventative healthcare costs such as premiums, co-pays, and medical expenses not covered by your regular insurance or prescription plans.
Many patients use this type of savings account to pay for necessary annual preventative care such as dental exams, elective procedures, vision care, and corrective procedures.

What is an FSA?

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an account that you can create for various healthcare-related expenses, including your deductible. This account is non-taxable by the government and depending on your employer, they may match your monthly contribution to this account or offer reimbursement for certain expenses associated with this account.

FSA and HSA Compatible Expenses

When considering the best way to spend your end of year FSA and HSA balance, instead of paying for expected co-pays and deductibles, consider spending your balance on FSA approved vision expenses.

1. Eye Exams

Preventative eye exams are the key to diagnosing infections and progressive diseases, such as macular degeneration, which can cause irreversible blindness.

Despite these risks, some insurance plans do not cover annual eye exams. Treat your eyes well this winter and use your FSA and HSA balances to visit your ophthalmologist.

2. Eyeglasses and Contact Lens

Even if your annual eye exam is covered in your insurance plan, necessities like eyeglasses and corrective lenses are often only partially covered.

Correcting your vision is important to daily functions, and these necessary adaptive devices are included in the compatible expenses list for both FSA and HSA accounts.

3. Corrective Eye surgery

While many eye surgeries are classified as elective procedures and not covered under most insurance plans, procedures like eye surgery help many people see clearly and can make lasting improvements to your quality of life.

Rather than spending money on glasses and contact lenses each year, consider a one-time surgery that can correct your vision, so you will never have to purchase corrective devices again.

Your Vision is Important – Don’t Wait

Regardless of your vision needs, if you have money in your FSA/HSA for 2019, now’s the time to spend it! Invest in your health. At Specialty Eye Institute, we have a variety of services that can help you see better and ensure your eyes are healthy because we put our patients first. So, don’t wait, schedule your appointment today. Your vision may depend on it.

Now offering PanOptix, the First and Only Trifocal Lens in the US for our Cataract Patients!

The FDA recently released the PanOptixTM trifocal lens for cataract patients. What does this mean for Specialty Eye Institute patients? As a practice, we’re always working toward giving our patients the best possible visual outcomes and this lens provides patients with a full range of vision.

PanOptix is already one of the leading presbyopia-correcting IOLs in more than 70 countries. It is designed for today’s active lifestyles, from viewing mobile devices and computer screens to high-quality distance vision in a range of lighting conditions. The new lens uses ENLIGHTEN®Optical Technology, a proprietary design that optimizes intermediate vision without compromising near and distance vision.

“We are excited to offer our patients the proven technology winner in depth of focus lenses. PanOptix has been available in Europe for over 7 years with over 500,000 lenses implanted and the clear favorite lens internationally. It is finally available here in the United States and we too are experiencing its distinct advantages in our patients,” states Dr. Kevin Lavery, Cataract Specialist at Specialty Eye Institute.

The advantage of this lens over others is not only does it offer equal distance acuity, but with an improved intermediate focal point at 60 cm means the possibility of better visual outcomes for daily tasks including using your phone, computer, and reading a book or menu.

“We have been watching closely for this technology to become available to us and are thrilled to finally have this as an option. Panoptix is the first lens of its kind that gives excellent vision in all levels of patient needs (distance, mid-range, and near),” Paul Ernest, M.D., Cataract Specialist and Founder of Specialty Eye Institute.

4 Things to Know About Macular Degeneration

The leading cause of vision loss among Americans 60 years of age and older is macular degeneration. It affects 11 million people in the United States, and that number is expected to double by 2050. The disease affects the small central portion of your retina, known as the macula. This portion of your eye is responsible for our sharp, central vision. It helps us read, recognize faces, drive, and more. In macular degeneration, this spot deteriorates and leads to irreversible destruction that could dramatically change your life as you age.

Two Forms of Macular Degeneration: Dry & Wet

Dr. Carmelina Gordon, of Specialty Eye Institute, says the dry form of macular degeneration is the more stable form of the disease while the wet form is the more aggressive one. There is a 10%
chance of converting to the wet form from the dry stage. Ninety percent of legal blindness from macular degeneration is due to the wet form. The dry form is characterized by the presence of yellow deposits in the macula, while the wet form is characterized by leaking abnormal blood vessels growing underneath the macula.

Risks for Macular Degeneration

While age and family history are the most prominent factors, there are other factors that make you more susceptible to macular degeneration. They include:

  • Smoking doubles the risk of developing the disease
  • Diets that lack vegetables & fruits
  • Women are more likely to develop the disease
  • Macular degeneration is more common among whites
  • High blood pressure & cholesterol

Are There Early Stage Symptoms of Macular Eye Degeneration?

The early stages of macular degeneration can be bereft of symptoms. Hence, a complete exam including a yearly dilated eye exam is recommended for people above 50 years of age.

Treating Macular Degeneration

Once diagnosed, Dr. Gordon says there are various treatment options. Vitamins containing high dose antioxidants and zinc are recommended for intermediate stage dry AMD. Your eye care professional will determine whether your macular degeneration is in the intermediate stage, and will make the recommendation to use these vitamins. The wet form is treated using intravitreal injection of anti VEGF drugs that are given every 4-8 weeks for an average of 2 years or more. These anti VEGF meds include an off label drug called Avastin, and 2 FDA approved drugs namely, Lucentis and Eylea. Numerous research studies are underway for new drugs to treat wet and dry macular degeneration. “We are constantly looking for more efficacious and permanent treatment regimen”, states Dr. Gordon, who oversees and directs the macular degeneration studies at Specialty Eye Institute.

While rarely resulting in total blindness, the potential significant visual disability caused by macular degeneration can be life altering. Its negative effect on our central vision (crucial for everyday
activities), further showcases the importance of regular exams especially as we age.

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