Eye Diseases Affect Everyone

Many eye diseases have no easy-to-detect symptoms and you can’t know if you, or someone in your family, has one.

This past fall, Bono announced[1] that he doesn’t just wear his signature tinted glasses for stylistic reasons, in fact he is suffering from glaucoma – an eye disease that causes progressive damage to the optic nerve, which can lead to gradual vision loss and potential blindness if not detected and treated early. He was diagnosed with it over 20 years ago.

More recently, Roseanne Barr revealed that she also was diagnosed with both glaucoma and macular degeneration, which over time will seriously impact her vision.[2]

Due to regular eye exams, both Barr and Bono were able to catch their glaucoma at an early stage, begin treatment and reduce their risk for total vision loss.

Below we answer some common questions you may have about glaucoma:

Who is at risk for developing glaucoma?
Anyone! Although many cases occur in patients over the age of 40, you may also be at risk if it runs on your family, you’re diabetic, have high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or a history of eye injuries.

How will I notice if I have glaucoma?
Usually peripheral vision is affected first, due to optic nerve damage, which is followed by central vision loss during the later stages of the disease. Though, most types of glaucoma have no symptoms in the early stages and can only be detected through an eye exam.

How is glaucoma detected and treated?
A comprehensive eye exam is often the only way to detect glaucoma. A procedure called tonometry will be done by your Doctor of Optometry during your routine eye exam. This procedure measures the internal pressure of your eye – they will also look into your eye to observe the health of the optic nerve and measure your field of vision.

If diagnosed, daily eye drops and/or laser surgery is usually effective at maintaining your vision, but any vision already lost due to glaucoma cannot be restored. Which is why is it essential to receive regular eye examinations with your Doctor of Optometry, in order to screen and prevent you from possible lifelong damage.

For more information or to book an appointment, please visit us online at www.visionsourcenw.com or call us at 604.553.3900.

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Seasonal Allergies

What causes seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergies are caused by specific allergens such as ragweed, grass or tree pollen. When these allergens come in contact with your body, they are considered foreign particles. The allergens bind themselves to mast cells that are loaded with histamine. In response, your immune system starts to release large quantities of histamine and other chemicals from these mast cells to combat the allergens. It is the histamine action that produces the symptoms of sneezing, coughing, nasal congestion, red, itchy, and watery eyes. Seasonal allergic reactions can begin at any age. Areas that have poor air quality can result in more intense symptoms.

How do you prevent seasonal allergies?

Unfortunately, seasonal allergy symptoms can be difficult to completely eradicate. The first step in the management of this condition involves avoiding the specific allergen you are allergic to. This can be difficult especially if you are active outdoors in the summer. There are simple ways to get some relief, such as keeping the windows of your home and car closed and turning the air conditioner on, remembering that pollen release is at its peak in the morning and early afternoon, and making sure the filters in your furnace are clean.

How do you treat seasonal allergies?

Remedies to relieve ocular symptoms of seasonal allergies can involve oral over-the-counter anti-histamine medications taken during your particular allergy season. For those who suffer from severe seasonal allergies, allergy shots may be the treatment of choice. This is usually preceded by tests performed by an allergist to determine exactly what substances you are allergic to.

You can achieve additional comfort by placing a clean face cloth soaked in ice-cold water over closed eyes. Over-the-counter artificial teardrops and antihistamine eye drops can also help reduce red, itchy, and watery eyes. Prescription medications that combine an antihistamine and a mast cell stabilizer work best by providing immediate and long-term relief.

For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, the ocular symptoms can be very uncomfortable. Despite all the different remedies out there to deal with seasonal allergies, there is no cure. It is not recommended to diagnose and treat your symptoms yourself. Consult your Doctor of Optometry to recommend the best therapy to provide relief from seasonal allergies.

For more information or to book an appointment, please visit us online at www.visionsourcenw.com or call us at 604.553.3900.