Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is an accumulation of fluid in the macula part of the retina that controls our most detailed vision abilities—due to leaking blood vessels. In order to develop DME, you must first have diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that damages the blood vessels in the retina, resulting in vision impairment. Left untreated, these blood vessels begin to build up pressure in the eye and leak fluid, causing DME. DME usually takes on two forms:

• Focal DME, which occurs because of abnormalities in the blood vessels in the eye.
• Diffuse DME, which occurs because of widening/swelling retinal capillaries (very thin blood vessels).

Diabetic Retinopathy and DME are common problems for diabetics. Roughly 8% of the U.S. population is diabetic, and about 28% of those diabetics have eye trouble because of it.

DME Risk Factors

• Those who have had diabetes for an extended amount of time
• Severe hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Fluid retention
• Hypoalbuminemia (low levels of protein in body fluids)
• Hyperlipidemia (high levels of fats in the blood)

DME Symptoms
Common symptoms of DME are blurry vision, floaters, double vision, and eventually blindness if it goes untreated.

Treatments for DME
The treatments for focal and diffuse DME differ, but they both involve laser procedures. Most doctors use focal laser treatment to treat focal DME and grid laser treatment to treat diffuse DME. The goal of both kinds of procedures is to stop the leakage in the macula.

DME Procedure Recovery
Normal recovery time after a DME procedure is 3-6 months. As the eye heals and the swelling in and around the macula subsides, you may experience sensitivity to light, irritation in the eye, and black spots in the center of your vision. These are normal side effects, and they will likely disappear with time. Unfortunately, laser surgery does not always provide improved vision to those with DME.

Prevention
Sometimes, there is nothing you can do to prevent diabetic retinopathy or DME, but your best chance at avoiding them comes by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, eating lots of vegetables and fruit, and visiting your eye doctor at least once a year to stay on top of your eye health.

Information received through VSP Vision Care channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Article ©2020 Vision Service Plan. All rights reserved. Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited. This article was originally published at https://www.vsp.com/eyewear-wellness/eye-health/diabetic-macular-edema

Am I experiencing Ocular Migraines?

Most people are familiar with classic migraines, but ocular migraines are less well-known. An ocular migraine is a condition where the blood vessels in the optic nerve at the back of your eye tighten and swell, resulting in various visual distortions. While classic migraines usually result in intense headaches, sensitivity to light and loud sounds, or nausea, ocular migraines are not necessarily painful.

If you’ve never had an ocular migraine before, your first one can be frightening. Although sudden vision impairment can also be a sign of stroke or carotid artery disease, true ocular migraines don’t actually indicate or cause any damage to your eyes or brain. You can often tell if you’re about to experience one if you start to lose your ability to see the focal point of your vision. For example, you might be able to see a street sign but not be able to read the text on it. The onset of an ocular migraine can last anywhere from about three to eight minutes.

The aura stage, or “light show” as many sufferers call it, usually follows the onset. This stage affects more than just the focal point of your vision. You might see something that looks like a lightning bolt moving about in your peripheral and central vision. Some people compare this stage of an ocular migraine to looking through a kaleidoscope. Everything appears very fluid, and you can become quite disoriented. Retinal detachment displays similar “light shows,” only these types of light flashes typically last for only a split second and come in flurry form, rather than kaleidoscope form.

The causes of ocular migraines differ from person to person, and sometimes they are just unexplainable. Some say chocolate or caffeine triggers them, while others believe stress and certain medications are a factor. Still, other sufferers say they experience ocular migraines randomly. Once an ocular migraine has begun, it’s difficult and sometimes impossible to stop. The migraine aura typically disappears in about 30 to 40 minutes, and headaches (if you get them) come about 10 to 15 minutes after the aura stage.

My advice to those who suffer from ocular migraines is to just relax and enjoy the show. The more relaxed you can be, the better the odds are that you won’t bring on a stress-induced headache ‐ a common side effect ‐ when the show is over.

Other than that, just be aware of what’s happening and be sure to contact your primary care physician or eye doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the symptoms above.

This is a guest article by Matthew Alpert, O.D., who is the lead optometrist at Alpert Vision Care in Woodland Hills, CA.

Information received through VSP Vision Care channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Article ©2020 Vision Service Plan. All rights reserved. Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited. This article was originally published at https://www.vsp.com/eyewear-wellness/eye-health/ocular-migraines

Everything You Need to Know About Glaucoma

Did you know that Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of vision loss and blindness? There are more than 3 million people affected by the disease in the U.S. today, and that number is expected to reach 4.2 million by 2030.

Glaucoma affects the nerves in the eye and can develop quickly. If not treated properly or promptly, the disease can result in vision loss. For those at risk of developing glaucoma, the American Optometric Association recommends an annual comprehensive eye exam.

Below are some common questions about the eye condition:

What are the main types?

Open-Angle:
Open-angle glaucoma is an imbalance in the production and drainage of the clear fluid that fills the eye between the cornea and iris. The fluid imbalance leads to pressure inside the eye that pushes against the optic nerve, depriving oxygen and nutrients and eventually causing irreversible damage.

Angle-Closure:
Angle-closure glaucoma is caused by a blocked drainage canal, resulting in a sudden rise in eye pressure that can develop very quickly. The symptoms and damage of this type may be more noticeable.

Can the disease be prevented?

While there are no known ways to prevent glaucoma, getting regular, comprehensive eye exams and consulting with your eye doctor if you notice any changes in your vision, can help identify the early warning signs of the eye condition. A healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a nutritious diet is also recommended to help lower your risk.

Can it be treated?

Glaucoma can be treated with medication or surgery to slow or prevent further vision loss. However, vision already lost to the disease cannot be restored.

What are the risks factors and warning signs?

Risk Factors:

1. Age: People over the age of 60 and African Americans over the age of 40
2. Race: African Americans, people of Asian descent and Native Alaskans
3. Family history of glaucoma
4. Medical conditions: Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease
5. Physical injuries to the eye

Warning Signs:

• Hazy or blurred vision
• The appearance of rainbow-colored circles around bright lights
• Severe eye and head pain
• Nausea or vomiting (accompanying severe eye pain)
• Sudden sight loss

Schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam if you’re concerned you might be at risk for Glaucoma.

Information received through VSP Vision Care channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Article ©2020 Vision Service Plan. All rights reserved. Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited. This article was originally published at https://www.vsp.com/eyewear-wellness/eye-health/glaucoma-questions

As the weather warms up, you may find yourself spending more time outside. To protect you and your family from the elements, sunglasses are a must!

UV Exposure and Eye Health

You’re exposed to more eye health risks than you may realize. UV rays are present year-round, yet many aren’t wearing sunglasses regularly. According to eyewear brand Maui Jim, even in the summer months, only 80% of consumers wear sunglasses. Wearing sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection is one of the easiest ways to reduce several eye health risks.

Sun damage can be harmful to your eye health and can put you at risk for a corneal sunburn, redness and irritation, and long-term effects like age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, blindness, and even eyelid skin cancer. In fact, 5-10 % of skin cancer occurs around the eyes.

People with lighter colored eyes have an increased risk for developing eye diseases related to UV exposure because more UV light can pass through the iris. For that reason, people with light colored eyes may also experience more light sensitivity than people with darker eyes.

And, don’t forget about the kids. Sunglasses are also important for kids as their eyes are still developing. Sun exposure from a young age can contribute to the development of eye disease later in life.

Choosing the Right Pair of Sunglasses

While style and comfort play a big role in choosing the right pair of sunglasses, the right lenses can also make a big difference. The first rule of thumb is to always choose sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection; but don’t be fooled, darker lenses don’t automatically offer more protection. Look for 100% UVA/UVB protection when you purchase from your VSP network eye doctor or eyeconic.com.

Different lens tints can be beneficial for different activities. Polarized sunglasses can also help reduce glare and reflection off surfaces like water. Did you know that Maui Jim sunglasses eliminate 99.9% of glare? Popular lens colors like gray and brown each serve a unique purpose. Gray lenses provide the truest color perception and are typically dark enough to feel comfortable in bright conditions, while brown lens tints can offer better depth perception. Learn more about benefits of different lens tints with this helpful lens color guide.

Larger lenses and wraparound style sunglasses also provide more coverage, and help protect the delicate skin around the eyes. They can also help block irritants like allergens from entering your eyes on windy days.

Starting Healthy Habits
Sun protection is important year-round and UV damage is cumulative within your lifetime. Wearing sunglasses daily when you head out the door is a stylish and easy way to support your eye health.Your VSP network eye doctor is a great resource for questions about sunglasses and protecting your eye health.

Article ©2020 Vision Service Plan. All rights reserved. Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited. This article was originally published at https://www.vsp.com/eyewear-wellness/lasik-glasses-lenses/frames-sunglasses/sunglasses-uv-protection

For years, we’ve casually referred to sunglasses as “shades” – a nickname that reflects the laid-back, cool vibe that goes along with the look of sunglasses. After all, for many, sunglasses represent fashion, not health.

To those fashion focused folks, we say take a closer look at your sunglasses and read what Stephen Cohen, a VSP network doctor from Scottsdale, Arizona, has to say about the health benefits of wearing sunglasses.

“Sunglasses used to be more about looking stylish than about taking care of your vision, but not anymore,” says Dr. Cohen. “Today there’s increasing evidence that ultraviolet rays in sunlight can significantly increase your risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.” Both conditions usually affect older people, and it’s no wonder since years and years of sun exposure leave their mark over time.

The doctor adds, “Because both conditions can threaten healthy vision, I recommend wearing sunglasses on sunny days year-round. Plus, you’ll experience better night vision when you wear sunglasses on sunny days.”

What to Look for when Choosing the Right Pair of Sunglasses

There are a few key things to look for when picking the right pair of sunglasses. “When buying sunglasses,” says Dr. Cohen, “make sure they carry a consumer-protection label stating they’re 99-100% UV-absorbent or provide UV absorption up to 400 nanometers (nm).

“Once you’ve eliminated the threat from UV light, you can focus on other issues, such as reducing glare and choosing a tint that will allow you to control the degree of brightness reaching your eyes.”

Here’s a rundown of other things to consider when picking the perfect pair of sunglasses:

 

• Go big or wrap it: Bigger frames and lenses, and also wrap-around styles, give you more UV protection because they block peripheral rays.
• Pick polar: Polarized lenses block out sunlight glare bouncing off windshields, pavement, and other smooth surfaces.
• Consider color: Gray lenses are best. Why? They don’t change colors. Green and brown lenses are good too.
• Purchase prescription shades: If you wear prescription glasses, why not add prescription sunglasses to your eyewear wardrobe?
• Shade your specs: You can make your regular glasses into sunglasses. Look for clip-on or magnetic tinted lenses that can attach to your specs.
• Automate: Ask your eye doctor about light-reactive lenses. They automatically get darker outside, then return to normal inside.

Visit a VSP network eye care professional for a wide selection of sunglasses and lens enhancements.

Already have an RX and prefer to shop online? Use your benefits at Eyeconic®, VSP’s in-network online retailer.

Article ©2020 Vision Service Plan. All rights reserved. Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited. This article was originally published at https://www.vsp.com/eyewear-wellness/lasik-glasses-lenses/how-to-choose-sunglasses