Summit Eye Associates

What Are Cataracts and How Are They Caused?

Studies by the American Academy of Ophthalmology show that approximately 22 million individuals in the United States ages 40 and above suffer from cataracts. In fact, more than half of all Americans will have a cataract by the time they are 80 years old. Fortunately, an ophthalmologist can check for cataracts and other vision conditions during a routine eye exam.

• Understanding Cataracts
  A cataract refers to a progressive clouding of the lens within your eye that leads to impaired vision. Most cataracts are caused by the buildup of protein in the lens as a result of the natural aging process. However, additional risk factors for the development of cataracts include a family history of cataracts, having type I or type II diabetes, frequent exposure to ultraviolent light or radiation, and taking certain medications. Other habits such as smoking and heavy alcohol consumption have also been linked to cataracts.
• Signs and Symptoms 
  Cataracts may not show symptoms until they grow large enough that they block out noticeable areas of light. When the cataract is large enough to produce symptoms, they typically include cloudy or blurry vision, difficulty driving at night due to glare around headlights or streetlights, double vision, frequent changes in glasses prescription, progressive nearsightedness, and changes in seeing color.
• Treatment Options 
  Individuals suffering from cataracts can benefit from cataract surgery. During this procedure, the natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens implant. The three main cataract surgery methods include phacoemulsification, extracapsular cataract surgery, and intracapsular cataract surgery. Cataract surgery patients can also choose a number of intraocular lens styles, including monofocal lenses, toric lenses, and multifocal lenses. However, multifocal lenses are often the most popular, as they allow individuals to see at a variety of distances.

Here at Summit Eye Associates, our intraocular lens implants can be placed on an outpatient basis in only minutes. Learn more about our premium lenses by contacting us at (615) 883-2356.  We also offer Lasik surgery.

Eye Care Tips to Keep Your Vision Clear

Studies show that refractive error accounts for approximately 80% of visual impairment in individuals 12 years of age and older. While some individuals are genetically predisposed to developing refractive errors and certain eye diseases, there are several ways that you can increase your chances of maintaining clear vision during your lifetime:

• Protect Your Eyes from the Environment
  The things you encounter outside on a daily basis, such as sunshine, pollen, and dust, particles can damage your eyes.  As with your skin, UV damage to your eyes builds up over time and has been linked to the development of cataracts and macular degeneration. Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that offer both UVA and UVB protection. It is also important that your sunglasses wrap around the sides of your eyes for optimal protection.
• Lead a Healthy Lifestyle
  Proper nutrition is important to maintaining the health of your eyes. In fact, research suggests that proper nutrition in addition to staying active, controlling your blood pressure, and avoiding smoking may lower the risk of developing certain eye diseases. Consider increasing your consumption of eye-healthy foods such as carrots, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, turkey, wild salmon, and sardines.
• Undergo Routine Eye Exams
  Periodic eye examinations are a crucial part of proper eye health. Routine eye exams with a qualified ophthalmology clinic not only help to identify early signs of vision loss, but also rule out symptoms of certain eye diseases including cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration.

Whether you are interested in an eye exam, glasses, or Lasik surgery, Summit Eye Associates is here to help. For more information on our eye care services, contact us at (615) 883-2356. You can also visit us online to set up a consultation or browse the frames and sunglass options available through our optical shop.

Get To Know More About Your Vision With The Information Provided On These Great Websites

Would you like more information about visual acuity? Click through the following resources to learn more about what to expect during a routine eye exam and how visual acuity is measured. For more information, call Summit Eye Associates at (615) 883-2356.

• For an in-depth explanation of how the Snellen chart measures visual acuity, visit this webpage.
• Check out this article from WebMD.com to learn about some common eye problems.
• Read this article from the Mayo Clinic for information about the pupil dilation test.
• Learn when and why the eye refraction test is used when you visit this page from Medline Plus.

What to Expect From Your First Visit to the Eye Doctor

Regular visits to the eye doctor are crucial to optimal visual health. If you have never had a comprehensive eye exam before and are wondering what to expect, this brief guide can help you to prepare:

• Medical History

Make plans to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to your first eye appointment. The extra time will allow you to fill out your paperwork, including your medical history, so that your actual examination can begin on schedule.

• Standard Exams

A comprehensive eye exam generally takes about 90 minutes. Your eye doctor or technician will likely begin by asking you questions about your vision, including any concerns you might have. From there, you may go through a series of specialized tests. These tests may include a visual acuity test with an eye chart, a cover test to check how your eyes work together and a visual field test to check for blind spots or problems with peripheral vision.

• Specialized Tests

Some patients may need additional tests to check for glaucoma, astigmatism, or other eye conditions. In some cases, if abnormalities are found, your eye doctor may recommend additional specialized testing.

• Pupil Dilation

The majority of comprehensive eye exams include pupil dilation to examine the internal structure of the eye. This dilation can make your eyes very sensitive to light for several hours after your exam. Most people are able to drive themselves after dilation by using sunglasses, but if you are concerned about your ability to drive, consider asking someone to come along with you to your appointment.

If you are concerned about your vision or simply want to be proactive in your visual wellness, contact us at Summit Eye Associates. Our physicians specialize in eye health and can help you restore or optimize your vision through glasses, Lasik, or other corrective procedures. Call (615) 883-2356 to schedule an appointment.

A Look at How Visual Acuity Is Measured and Tested

A visual acuity test is a major part of any optical examination. In simple terms, visual acuity measures the accuracy of your eyesight. The increments your eye physician uses to gauge this accuracy, however, are somewhat more complex.

• Visual Acuity Measurement

Even if you’ve never had an eye exam before, you are probably familiar with the eye chart. This chart is a series of letters of varying sizes arranged in rows that correspond to the Snellen measurement of visual acuity. Snellen measurements are fractions represented by the distance in feet you stand from the chart over the distance in feet that a person with normal vision can accurately read the line.

The standard measurement for ideal eyesight is 20/20, though measurements of 20/15 and 20/10 are not uncommon. Variations of this chart exist for evaluating people with special needs, such as people unable to read or children who have not yet learned to recognize letters.

• Visual Acuity Testing

The visual acuity test is fairly straightforward. Standing or sitting 20 feet from the eye chart, you will read each line on the chart as you cover one eye. The last line that you are able to read accurately is the bottom number of your acuity measurement for that eye. It is possible to have different measurements in each eye.

This test can be performed either with or without glasses or contact lenses depending on the type of exam you are having.  You do not need to make any special preparations in order to have this test done—it is non-invasive and poses no risk to the patient. If your visual acuity test shows abnormalities, you may need additional tests to determine whether you need glasses or other treatments.

At Summit Eye Associates, visual acuity testing is a standard part of our comprehensive eye exams. Call us at (615) 883-2356 to schedule your appointment with our skilled physicians.