Safely Viewing the April 2024 Solar Eclipse in Buffalo, NY

As the April 2024 solar eclipse approaches, excitement builds in Buffalo, NY, where observers anticipate a breathtaking event. According to NASA, the partial eclipse will commence at 2:04 p.m., with totality beginning at 3:18 p.m. However, it’s crucial to prioritize eye safety during this awe-inspiring moment. Buffalo, NY, finds itself in the path of totality, offering a rare opportunity to witness the sun completely obscured by the moon. Here at ECVA, we’re dedicated to guiding you on safely viewing this extraordinary phenomenon. 

Where to Get Eclipse Glasses in Buffalo 

Thanks to Erie County’s support, free eclipse glasses are now at the Buffalo Museum of Science (limit: two per person). You can also get them at all 37 branches of the Buffalo & Erie County Library System. Call your library ahead to check availability. If buying your own, choose reputable sellers like RainbowSymphony.com. Make sure the glasses are certified for solar viewing and meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard for direct observation of the sun. 

Dangers of Unprotected Viewing 

Staring directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause severe eye damage or even permanent blindness. The sun’s intense rays can burn the retina, leading to solar retinopathy, a condition where the cells of the retina are damaged by solar radiation. Therefore, it’s crucial to emphasize that looking at the eclipse without proper eye protection is extremely dangerous. 

Why Can’t I Wear My Sunglasses to Watch The Eclipse? 

 While sunglasses are essential for shielding your eyes from harmful UV rays during regular daylight, they are not suitable for viewing a solar eclipse. Regular sunglasses do not provide adequate protection against the intense brightness of the sun during an eclipse. Staring at the sun through them can still cause significant damage to your eyes. 

Using Specialized Eclipse Glasses 

The safest way to view a solar eclipse is by using specialized eclipse glasses. These glasses are equipped with solar filters that block out harmful ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light rays. When choosing eclipse glasses, ensure they meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard to guarantee sufficient protection for your eyes. Additionally, inspect the glasses for any damage or scratches before use, as compromised lenses can allow harmful light to penetrate. 

Making Your Own Solar Eclipse Viewer 

If you’re unable to procure specialized eclipse glasses, you can create a simple solar eclipse viewer using household items. One method involves constructing a pinhole projector using cardboard or paper. By poking a small hole in one piece and allowing sunlight to pass through onto another surface, such as a piece of paper or the ground, you can safely observe the eclipse’s progress without looking directly at the sun. 

Our Focus is on Care 

Whether you’re using specialized eclipse glasses or crafting a DIY solar eclipse viewer, take the necessary precautions to safeguard your vision. Let’s make this celestial event a memorable and safe experience for everyone in Buffalo, New York. 

Ways to Take Better Care of Your Eyes in 2023

Caring for your eyes is an excellent way to help keep them healthy. Specific eye care habits can reduce your odds of developing specific conditions, while others can keep your eyes comfortable during changing environmental conditions. 

Fortunately, creating an effective eye care routine is typically far simpler than most people expect. If you are prioritizing your health this new year, here are a few simple ways to care for your eyes every day. 

Wash Your Hands Regularly (and Avoid Touching Your Eyes) 

Regular hand washing helps remove bacteria, dust, and dirt, reducing the odds of transfer if you contact your eye area. By also avoiding touching and rubbing your eyes, you make it even less likely that any substance or bacteria will infect your eyes. Plus, not rubbing can reduce irritation if anything is in your eye, making injuries less likely, too. 

Adopt Healthy Eating Habits 

Eating a healthy, balanced diet and drinking enough water can improve your eye health. Remaining hydrated can prevent your eyes from getting dry and irritated. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, lycopene, lutein, beta-carotene, and others also help ensures your eyes have what they need to stay healthy. 

Quit Smoking 

Smoking isn’t just harmful to your lungs; it also negatively impacts your eyes. Smokers are more at risk of developing certain conditions, including cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and others. Smoking also leads to optic nerve damage that can reduce your visual acuity over time, even if it doesn’t lead to another condition. By quitting, you reduce your risk significantly, so it’s worth doing. 

Where UV-Blocking Glasses 

Ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your eyes in several ways. Corneas are susceptible to sunburns which, along with being uncomfortable, can potentially lead to vision issues. Exposure to UV rays is also associated with conditions like photokeratitis and age-related macular degeneration. 

By wearing UV-blocking sunglasses or getting UV-blocking coatings on regular glasses lenses, you can filter out harmful UV light. Coupling those with hats or visors can also make the approach more effective. 

Use Screens Correctly 

Digital devices and screens can lead to a variety of eye issues. Improper distances, excessive glare, or extended durations classically lead to problems like eye strain and dry eye. 

When you’re using screens, keep the brightness and angle appropriate. For computer screens, that generally means keeping the monitor about 20 degrees below eye level and the distance close to arm’s length. For any screen, make sure you look away every 20 minutes and focus on a spot that’s about 20 feet away from your position. It’s also wise to take breaks regularly, giving you a chance to move around and rest your eyes before returning. 

At ECVA, the safety and health of our patients’ eyes are our priority. We recommend that everyone get their eyes checked annually by an eye doctor to ensure eye health and early detection of any problems. Schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today, we’d love to see your family for a checkup. 

ECVA Giving Back to the Community

Every year, ECVA gives back to the community by adopting a local veteran family for the holidays. This ECVA tradition started in 2015, and it’s become a moment our team and patients look forward to every year. 

ECVA aims to make supporting its community and giving back a joyous occasion for all involved, including our employees and patients. Here’s a look at how ECVA gives back and how you can take part in this holiday tradition. 

Supporting Veterans and Their Families Through Basket Raffles 

At ECVA, we hold a basket raffle every year that benefits a veteran and their family during the holiday season. The baskets are created with donated items from staff members. Once they’re put together, raffle tickets are purchased by employees and patients, and the money raised through ticket sales is matched by our doctors. 

Every ECVA office has its own raffle. Once winners are selected in early December, staff members contact the winners the following week, allowing them to pick up their baskets. 

After gathering the donated funds, the money is used to purchase gifts for the veteran and their family members. Along with traditional presents, ECVA aims to provide gifts that are enjoyable all year-round, such as annual passes to the Buffalo Zoo & Aquarium and movie theatre gift cards. In some years, furniture and appliances were also given as presents. 

Partnering with WNY Heroes to Connect with Veteran Families in Need 

ECVA is proud to partner with WNY Heroes to connect with a veteran family in need this holiday season. Since 2007, WNY Heroes has worked diligently to provide veterans and their families with critical support, ensuring they have access to essential services, financial assistance, and more. 

WNY Heroes identifies veteran households during the holidays that could use help to have a brighter holiday season. ECVA adopts a family in need every year, raffling off gift baskets to gather donations that are then used to purchase items for the veteran and their family. 

How You Can Help Give Back and Support Local Veterans 

Patients and other community members are always welcome to get involved and help support local veterans and their families. You can purchase raffle tickets at our offices, allowing you to donate funds for a good cause and have a chance at taking home an amazing gift basket. 

Raffle tickets are still available, and this year’s drawing will occur on December 2. If you want to participate, stop by one of our offices at any time before the drawing and speak to the receptionist about raffle tickets. Each office has a unique raffle, so feel free to head to other offices to have a chance at winning one of the many fantastic gift baskets our teams created this year. 

At ECVA, the safety and health of our patients’ eyes are our priority. If you haven’t seen your eye care provider in the past year, the ECVA team is here to help. Schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today. 

Family looking at eyeglasses

Night Blindness and Trouble Seeing at Night

Many people struggle with seeing clearly at night. This is particularly true under specific conditions. For instance, glare created by headlights on oncoming vehicles may result in temporary vision difficulties. 

However, trouble seeing at night might be more severe. With night blindness, there are broader issues with seeing in the dark or in dimly lit spaces. If you’re wondering if your issues seeing at night are genuinely night blindness, here’s what you need to know. 

What Is Night Blindness? 

Night blindness – which is formally known as nyctalopia – is a vision impairment that results in poor vision when in dark or dimly lit spaces. It often leads to difficulties when driving at night, but it can also make dining in dim restaurants, moving through movie theaters, and similar situations hard to navigate. 

Often, the issues are most noticeable when transitioning from a well-lit space to a darker one. For example, heading into a dimly lit restaurant on a bright, sunny day may cause struggles. Similarly, oncoming headlights or streetlamps along the road at night may result in definitive symptoms. 

What Causes Problems with Night Vision? 

Night blindness may occur for a variety of reasons. Certain medical conditions that impact how light moves through the eye are common examples. This can include anything from general nearsightedness to cataracts to retinitis pigmentosa. 

In some cases, medications may result in night blindness, as the condition is a known potential side effect. Specific birth defects or genetic disorders – such as congenital stationary night blindness or Usher syndrome – may also cause the condition. 

Temporary issues with night vision can also occur after vision correction surgery like Lasik. At times, a vitamin A deficiency may result in night blindness. However, this is generally rare and is more common in individuals with cystic fibrosis or conditions that cause pancreatic insufficiency. 

Can You Correct Night Vision Issues? 

Whether night blindness is correctable depends on the root cause. If nearsightedness is responsible, specific vision correction options – such as glasses or contacts – may solve the issue. For vision correction surgery-related night blindness, the situation may resolve after a patient fully heals from the procedure. 

With cataracts, cataract removal surgery may restore night vision. If the issue is caused by a medication, switching to a new treatment can be effective. For vitamin A deficiencies, a supplement or diet change may work well. 

However, night blindness related to other conditions may be uncorrectable. That’s the case for night blindness caused by specific birth defects or genetic disorders, such as retinitis pigmentosa. 

When to See an Eye Care Provider 

If you’re experiencing difficulty seeing at night or when transitioning from brightly lit to dim spaces, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your eye care provider. They can gather information and perform tests to determine if night blindness is occurring, its cause, and what treatment options are available based on the results. 

At ECVA, the safety and health of our patients’ eyes are our priority. If you are experiencing symptoms of night blindness or simply haven’t seen your eye care provider in the past year, the ECVA team is here to help. Schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today. 

Why Does Bright Light Bother My Eyes?

Many people’s eyes are bothered by bright light. A degree of photosensitivity, as a result, isn’t uncommon overall. However, the causes of photosensitivity can vary. While some are relatively benign, others may require care from an eye care provider to resolve. 

By understanding why bright light can be uncomfortable and when you should seek medical care from an eye care provider, you can make wiser choices and protect your vision. Here’s a look at common reasons why bright light may bother your eyes, as well as when to see a doctor. 

Causes of Photosensitivity 

Many people experience mild discomfort when exposed to bright light, particularly when transitioning from a darker space. For example, leaving a darkened movie theater and walking straight out into the midday sun would cause some photosensitivity in many people, so it isn’t inherently concerning. 

However, some causes of photosensitivity are potentially troubling. Several conditions have sensitivity to bright light as a symptom, which makes getting evaluated by an eye care physician wise. 

For example, eye inflammation conditions like uveitis, episcleritis, or acute iritis can cause photosensitivity. The same is true of glaucoma, meningitis, or migraines. Even a chalazion or wearing poorly fitted contacts, or keeping contacts in for an extended period, may cause photosensitivity. 

Certain medications or illicit substances can trigger photosensitivity. Corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers, and burns to the eye can lead to issues with bright light. At times, photosensitivity is a side effect of eye surgery. 

Each of the conditions and situations above can vary in severity. Additionally, some may require treatment to ensure your vision is preserved, as they can cause other types of damage beyond light sensitivity, some of which may be permanent without intervention. 

Ultimately, photosensitivity isn’t uncommon, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. While the occasional twinge when a bright light hits the eye after being in a dark space isn’t often cause for concern, if there are any additional symptoms – such as redness or pain – it’s best to assume that something besides normal reactions to bright light may be occurring. 

When to See an Eye Care Provider About Photosensitivity 

Generally speaking, it’s best to see an eye care provider if your photosensitivity is accompanied by certain symptoms. Redness or blurry vision that doesn’t resolve within 24 to 48 hours should be evaluated by a professional, as it could be indicative of an infection or other medical condition. 

Additionally, if your light sensitivity is severe enough that wearing sunglasses indoors or turning off indoor lights is a must, set an appointment with your eye care provider. The same goes for photosensitivity that’s painful, especially if it’s severe and repeatedly occurs or lingers. 

Eye Care Providers in Buffalo, NY

At ECVA, the safety and health of our patients’ eyes are our priority. We have four locations in Western New York; Buffalo, Orchard Park, Niagara Falls, and Williamsville. If you are experiencing photosensitivity and are concerned about its origins or simply haven’t seen your eye care provider in the past year, the ECVA team is here to help. Schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today. 

Are Dry Eyes Serious?

Dry eye is a relatively common condition where tear production doesn’t sufficiently keep the eye lubricated. The cause can vary, though it usually falls into one of two categories. First, the eye may not produce enough tears. Second, the tear composition may not provide enough lubrication, even if the quantity is high.  

For those that have dry eyes, finding relief is typically a priority. However, it’s also common to wonder whether dry eye is a serious condition. If you’re wondering whether you should be concerned about your dry eyes, what treatment options are available, and whether you should see your eye care provider, here’s what you need to know.  

Are Dry Eyes Serious?  

Dry eyes can be a serious condition for several reasons. First, the discomfort they cause can be disruptive to daily life. Itching, burning, and stinging eyes are distracting at a minimum. Second, they can harm visual acuity, as focusing may become challenging.  

Finally, dry eyes can increase a person’s odds of developing certain medical conditions. Your risk of an eye infection generally increases. In some cases, abnormal blood vessel development can happen. Scarring and corneal thinning are also possible side effects. In any of these scenarios, permanent vision changes may occur, especially if the dry eyes are left untreated.  

Home Treatments for Dry Eyes  

If you have mild to moderate dry eye, some home treatments may be viable. Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops are the most common option, as they’re readily available and reasonably affordable.  

Other steps may also help. For example, limiting screen time can help. People tend to blink less when viewing screens, which can make dry eyes worse. Having a humidifier may also help, particularly if you live in a dry climate or during the winter when heaters are in use. This increases the amount of moisture in the air, which can slow tear evaporation.  

Wearing wraparound sunglasses when outdoors can make a difference, too. That helps keep irritants out of the eye and shields your eyes from the wind. Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids could also potentially provide some relief.  

Ophthalmic Treatments for Dry Eyes  

If you have moderate to severe dry eye, certain ophthalmic treatments may be more effective than home remedies. There are several prescription eye drops that can treat potential causes of dry eyes. These can include anti-inflammatories, steroids, immunosuppressants, and more.  

Certain other medications might work in specific scenarios. For example, there are oral tear-stimulating drugs that can increase tear production. You may also be a strong candidate for eye inserts that work similarly to artificial tears.  

Punctal plugs that intentionally block tear-draining ducts to keep tears in your eyes longer may be a viable treatment option. Medical procedures that unblock clogs tear glands might be worth considering as well.   

When to See Your Eye Care Provider  

Generally, if your dry eye symptoms are disruptive and don’t improve after using home remedies, it’s best to see your eye care provider. They can examine your eyes to determine the potential cause, allowing them to develop an effective treatment plan based on your specific needs.  

At ECVA, the safety and health of our patient’s eyes are our priority. If you are experiencing symptoms of dry eye or simply haven’t seen your eye care provider in the past year, the ECVA team is here to help. Schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today.  

What is a Visual or Ocular Migraine

When people think of migraine headaches, physical discomfort or pain is usually the part that comes to mind first. However, migraines can also come with visual disturbances, and it’s even possible to have a migraine where the only symptom is a change to your vision. In either of those cases, the person is dealing with a visual migraine.  

Also known as ocular migraines, visual migraines can cause significant vision issues, making it hard – if not impossible – to navigate their environment safely. If you’re curious about visual migraines, including the different types, the symptoms you may experience, and when it’s wise to seek treatment, here’s what you need to know.  

Types of Visual Migraines and Their Symptoms  

Generally speaking, there are two types of visual migraine. First, there is migraine with aura. Here, both eyes may experience vision changes. Usually, it begins with the formation of a flickering, jagged blind spot. As the migraine continues, the blind spot can grow, generally forming a C-shape.  

Along with blind spots, a person might experience bright flashes of light or stars. The blind spots can also develop into a wide range of shapes and patterns and are often accompanied by other symptoms, including tinnitus, numbness, tingling, facial weakness, and difficulty speaking. Usually, a migraine with aura symptoms lasts between five and 60 minutes.  

The other kind of visual migraine is a retinal migraine. Generally, retinal migraines only impact one eye at a time. There may be bright flashes followed by a vision decline, including losing the ability to see out of that eye entirely.  

Usually, the symptoms of a retinal migraine last for up to 20 minutes. Additionally, they are highly intrusive while occurring, substantially altering a person’s vision to the point of having trouble navigating environments or managing everyday tasks.  

It’s important to note that vision losses can remain after a retinal migraine ends. However, this is relatively rare.  

When to Seek Treatment for Visual Migraines  

Generally, it’s best to seek treatment for all kinds of visual migraines. While a migraine with aura usually ends within an hour, the symptoms a person experiences can align with other potentially serious medical conditions. As a result, it’s best to consult with a professional to confirm a migraine is responsible.  

With retinal migraines, seeing an eye care provider is also essential. By doing so, a treatment plan can be developed, reducing the odds of long-term vision changes after episodes. Additionally, some of the symptoms of a retinal migraine are also symptoms of some serious medical conditions, such as a retinal detachment or injury. By seeking medical attention right away, you increase your odds of getting prompt treatment if another condition is causing the symptoms.  

At ECVA, the safety and health of our patient’s eyes are our priority. If you have signs or symptoms of ocular migraines and want professional insights into what you’re experiencing or haven’t seen your eye care provider in the past year, the ECVA team is here to help. Schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today. 

Understanding Cataract Progression

Cataracts are an incredibly common eye condition, particularly as people get older. Often, the disease progresses slowly, giving those with cataracts time to determine which course of action is best for their needs. However, there are times when cataracts can advance quickly, particularly if they’re related to an injury, illness, certain genetic conditions, environmental factors, or if they begin forming early.  

However, even if symptoms aren’t worsening quickly, that doesn’t mean treatment isn’t a necessity. If left unaddressed, cataracts can cause severe vision issues and even blindness.  

By understanding how cataracts progress, you can ensure that you receive treatment properly. Here’s an overview of the early- and late-stage symptoms, as well as guidance on when to seek treatment.  

Early-Stage Cataract Symptoms  

During the early stage of the condition, cataracts themselves tend to be small, limiting their impact on vision. Some of the more common symptoms of this stage include:  

  • Blurriness  
  • Cloudy vision  
  • Color perception changes, including dulling or the appearance that everything is covered in a yellow tint  
  • Double vision  
  • Halos  
  • Reduced night vision  
  • Light sensitivity  
  • Contrast reductions  

Needing to update your glasses or contacts prescription more frequently could also be a sign of cataracts. The same goes for requiring increasingly strong reading glasses.  

Late-Stage Cataract Symptoms  

As cataracts progress, their impact on vision is more significant. Additionally, they can cause the eye itself to turn milky white.  

Here is an overview of late-stage cataract symptoms:  

  • Milky white spot on the lens  
  • Reading difficulties  
  • Significantly decreased visual acuity  
  • Clouding over the entire lens  

When cataracts progress, the alterations to your visual capabilities have a greater impact on your daily life. You may lack the ability to see well enough to accomplish specific tasks, reducing your overall quality of life.  

When to Seek Treatment  

Generally speaking, cataracts become more challenging to treat as the condition progresses. While immediate intervention during the earliest stages may not be necessary, monitoring the cataracts’ progress is essential. That way, they can be appropriately treated once they advance to a critical point or begin having a notable impact on your quality of life.  

Delaying cataract treatment does come with risks. It can lead to significant vision loss and may cause blindness. Alterations to the lens create an increasingly dramatic colorcast over your visual field, making everything seem increasingly yellow or brown.  

Ideally, you want to work closely with your eye care provider. By keeping regular appointments, any signs of cataracts can be caught early. Then, they can track the condition’s progression, ensuring treatment can occur at the proper time. That way, the odds of permanent damage are substantially reduced, allowing you to maintain your vision long-term.  

At ECVA, the safety and health of our patient’s eyes are our priority. If you have signs or symptoms of cataracts, want to learn more about the severity of your condition, are exploring treatment options, or simply haven’t seen your eye care provider in the past year, we are here to help. Schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today.  

Improve Your Hygiene, Learn How to Prevent Eye Infections

When your eye is exposed to harmful microorganisms – such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi – an infection can occur. Both portions of the eyeball and the surrounding tissues can become infected, including the eye’s front surface (cornea) and the moist membrane that lines the inner eyelids and outer eye (conjunctiva).

Eye infections can produce a wide range of symptoms, including redness, pain, swelling, light sensitivity, watering, dryness, itching, vision changes, and discharge. Additionally, while some infections are largely an annoyance, others can be dangerous and might lead to serious damage.

Luckily, it is possible to prevent many eye infections, including conjunctivitis (more commonly known as “pink eye”), ocular herpes, acanthamoeba keratitis, and more. Proper hygiene can be the key to avoiding many infections entirely. If you want to improve yours, here’s how to get started.

Wash Your Hands

Whether you’ve been near someone with an infection or have handled items that may be contaminated, hand washing is often your first line of defense. Some microorganisms can be easily transferred between people or off of objects, including shared items like doorknobs and shopping carts. By washing your hands, you can rid yourself of many of the bacteria, fungi, and viruses that could lead to an infection.

Avoid Touching Your Eyes

Often, to get an eye infection, a microorganism needs to get to your eye. By not touching your eyes unless absolutely necessary (and always washing your hands first) and avoiding excess rubbing, you can decrease your odds of getting an infection.

Don’t Share Cosmetics or Eye Drops

Anything that touches your eye area should not be shared. By not allowing others to use your cosmetics or eye drops and not using those that belong to other people, you can limit your risk of exposure.

Proper Wear and Clean Contact Lenses

Contact lenses can cause infections when not properly worn or cleaned. Make sure you wash your hands before handling your lenses. Additionally, always cleanse and replace your lenses and case according to our ophthalmologist’s or optometrist’s instructions.

It’s also wise to avoid sleeping in your contacts whenever possible. Even lenses that are approved for overnight wear can increase your risk of infection, so remove them before sleeping every chance you get.

Clean Bedding, Towels, and Clothing

By cleaning any material that regularly contacts your face, you can remove microorganisms that could cause an infection. Additionally, if a family member has an eye infection, make sure they don’t share bedding, towels, or clothing with anyone else until the infection is gone to limit the chance of transfer.

By following the tips above, you can reduce your risk of acquiring an eye infection. If you are concerned you may have an eye infection or haven’t had your eyes checked recently, schedule an appointment at your nearest ECVA clinic today. Our skilled ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians work to ensure the eye health of all of our patients, including offering treatment options that can help you overcome an eye infection.

TALK WITH ONE OF OUR EYE CARE PROFESSIONALS TODAY!

If you have further questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of the Ophthalmologists at Eye Care and Vision Associates please call 716.631-EYES (3937) or visit www.ecvaeyecare.com .

Macular Degeneration: How to Spot the Symptoms and How Your Eye Doctor Can Help

Macular degeneration is a progressive disease that can rob a person of their vision. Without intervention, the damage gets worse over time, stealing a person’s central vision as the condition worsens.

Since macular degeneration is serious, knowing how to spot the symptoms is beneficial. That way, if you notice any of the associated changes, you can seek help immediately. Additionally, your eye doctor can provide you with treatment options designed to combat macular degeneration. Here’s what you need to know about the symptoms of macular degeneration and how your eye doctor can help.

Symptoms of Macular Degeneration

In most cases, the impact of macular degeneration is slow and painless. While the symptoms can vary from one person to the next, there are a few that are more common.

Having difficulty adapting to low light is a frequently observed symptom. It may manifest as needing brighter light to read or do close up work. Additionally, having trouble recognizing faces is a symptom of macular degeneration.

Haziness over a person’s central or overall vision is also characteristic of macular degeneration. Blurriness or a central vision blind spots are similarly symptoms, as well as straight lines appearing wavy.

In any case, symptoms may appear in one eye or both. It’s important to note that many people don’t notice the first signs of macular degeneration, especially if they only occur in one eye. When the condition isn’t in both eyes, the unaffected eye may work to compensate for the one with macular degeneration, effectively hiding the symptoms.

However, by maintaining your regular eye doctor appointments, your ophthalmologist or optometrist can look for early signs and perform diagnostic tests. That way, you are increasing the odds of the disease being detected early if you develop it.

Treatment Options for Macular Degeneration

There is no cure for macular degeneration, but treatments can potentially slow the progression of the disease and limit vision loss. Anti-angiogenic drugs – which are specific medications that are injected into the affected eye – can block the formation and leaking of abnormal blood vessels that are characteristic of wet macular degeneration. In some cases, laser surgery may be a viable option for treating abnormal blood vessels, as well.

For dry macular degeneration, there is no formal treatment. However, your eye doctor can recommend lifestyle changes, like certain vitamin supplements and healthy-habit formation, that may slow the condition, particularly if it is caught early.

Additionally, they may be able to assist you with low vision rehabilitation. Essentially, your eye doctor will help you find methods for adapting to your vision changes, helping to preserve your quality of life.

For those with severe dry macular degeneration, in rare cases, implanting a telescopic lens into one eye may be beneficial. It has a very narrow field of vision but may improve the quality of one’s eyesight. If you haven’t had your vision checked recently or are having macular degeneration symptoms, schedule an appointment at your nearest ECVA clinic today. Our skilled team works diligently to ensure your eye health, performing thorough exams to look for various conditions, correcting a range of vision acuity issues, and providing treatment options that are designed to meet the needs of our patients.

TALK WITH ONE OF OUR EYE CARE PROFESSIONALS TODAY!

If you have further questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of the Ophthalmologists at Eye Care and Vision Associates please call 716.631-EYES (3937) or visit www.ecvaeyecare.com .