Macular Degeneration And You

Age Related Macular Degeneration(ARMD) occurs when the cells in the macula break down, causing loss of sight in the central part of the field of vision, but leaving peripheral vision intact.  Most often, ARMD is a slow progressive, painless disease which often affects both eyes, usually one after the other.  Once you are diagnosed with ARMD, as many as ten years may pass before you have any noticeable loss of vision.  Even though breakdown of macular cells may not begin until age 60 or 70, long-term awareness and preventive measures should begin much earlier in life.

The exact cause of age-related macular degeneration is unknown.  Currently, most hypotheses favor that this is an aging-related phenomenon related to breakdown products associated with the cells that lie underneath the retina.  The degeneration of these cells and the accumulation of these breakdown products within these cells eventually results in an abnormal functioning of the macula.  However, the exact cause has not been determined.  ARMD may run in families.

The symptoms of ARMD are decreased central vision in the affected eye, a possible distortion which is characterized by straight lines acquiring a bent or irregular shape.  Occasionally, bleeding complications or other changes associated with ARMD may result in the appearance of a dark spot in the center vision area directly or next to the center vision area.

As the cells in the macula deteriorate, your ability to see will begin to change.  Objects directly in front of you appear to change shape, size or color and may seem to move or disappear.  Your vision may become blurry, lines may become distorted, or dark spots may appear in the center of your field of vision.  Eventually, ARMD results in a circular area of blindness which, at normal reading distance, may block out several words.  However, most people with ARMD retain a reasonable amount of peripheral vision and can learn to make the most of their remaining vision.

There are Two Main Types of Macular Degeneration:

‘Dry’ ARMD (Atrophic), which accounts for 90% of cases, occurs when small yellowish deposits called drusen start to accumulate beneath the macula.  These deposits gradually break down the light-sensing cells in the macula, normally causing distorted vision in one eye, then the other.  Dry ARMD does not usually cause total loss of reading vision.  It is important to monitor the progression of dry ARMD closely, as it can often progress to the more severe wet form.

‘Wet’ ARMD (Exudative) accounts for the other 10% of ARMD cases.  It occurs when tiny, new, abnormal blood vessels begin to grow behind the retina.  Here, they often leak blood and fluid that damage the macula, causing rapid and severe vision loss.  Wet ARMD almost always occurs in people who already have dry ARMD, and results in legal blindness in most of its sufferers.

New laser treatments (Photodynamic Therapy) and intraocular medication injections (Macugen, Avastin, Lucentis) may slow and stop wet ARMD, if found and treated early.  Smoking, ultraviolet light exposure, and a diet low in antioxidants worsens ARMD.  It is imperative to wear sunglasses (100% UVA/B), not smoke, take antioxidant vitamins, and get regular eye exams to reduce your risk of ARMD.  Because the dry form of AMD can change into the wet (Exudative) form, it is important for patients to monitor their vision with Amsler grid charts and report any new changes to their eye doctor immediately.

Summertime Eye Protection

As you prepare for summer fun and sun, don’t forget to protect your eyes.  Overexposure to the sun without eye protection can cause a burn to the eyes similar to the sunburn you see on the skin.

This burn, called photokeratitis, sometimes causes temporary discomfort.  This occurs in the minority of cases.  Sun damage is cumulative in nature and begins at an early age.  Cataracts and macular degeneration are problems that can arise from exposure to the sun.

The most readily available means of protecting your eyes is a pair of sunglasses that blocks 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.  Prescription glasses can be tinted or a clear coating applied to block UV radiation.  Another option is photochromic lenses which tint only when you are in the sun and return to clear when indoors.

For further information, visit our website at www.eyecareinstitute.com.

Is LASIK an Option?

If you wear glasses or contact lenses and find them a bother, you may have wondered if LASIK could be for you. 

Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, or LASIK, is an outpatient vision correction procedure that treats myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.  The procedure enables people to perform most everyday tasks without corrective lenses.  The vast majority of patients achieve independence from glasses.  LASIK cannot correct presbyopia, the age-related loss of close-up focusing power but this can be addressed with what is called monovision to allow you to see close up with one eye and far off with the other.

If you would like to explore what LASIK could do for you, the first step is to schedule a complimentary screening.  Your eyes will not be dilated for this visit.  You will meet directly with Dr. John Meyer and your prescription will be checked.  This takes less than 30 minutes.

If you decide to move forward with LASIK, Dr. Meyer will perform the procedure in our office at 1536 Story Avenue.  The actual procedure takes less than 10 minutes for both eyes but we ask that you prepare for an hour-long visit.  This allows time for any additional questions you may have and also allows for preparation time.  Most patients are able to return to normal activities, such as driving and returning to work, the next day.  Your vision will stabilize in a few days.

Find out more information about LASIK.

Louisville Bats Baseball is here!

We are proud to announce to be to be the official eye care providers for our hometown Louisville Bats baseball team!! 

Did you know that from 1973-1981, Louisville did not have a minor league baseball team?  In 1982, baseball returned to Louisville as the Redbirds, a Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.  The Redbirds were affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals for 16 seasons.  In 1998, Louisville became the Triple-A affiliate with Milwaukee.  Following the 1999 season, the Louisville Bats (formerly Redbirds) announced their affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds. Louisville Slugger Field opened in April of 2000.  The 120- year-old Brinly-Hardy warehouse serves as the grand entrance to the stadium that leads into one of the best modern day ball parks anywhere.

Not only will you find America’s favorite past-time at Louisville Slugger Field, you will also be entertained throughout the game.  Check the promotions schedule on the Louisville Bats website www.BatsBaseball.com.  You will find exciting events such as  Jake the Diamond Dog, Mad Chad (he can juggle chainsaws!), Boy Scout nights, Baseball Bingo, post-game fireworks every Friday night, and even $1 hot dogs and $1 soft  drinks every Tuesday, as well as much more!!

Come on out and enjoy a great day or evening at beautiful Louisville Slugger Field and support our exciting Louisville Bats!!