Patient care

Planning to spend time quality time outdoors this Winter? Be sure to take precaution to prevent damage to your Corneas and Retinas. Conditions like snowblindness result from a sunburned cornea due to overexposure to the sun’s UV rays. When hiking, skiing, or anytime you plan to be outdoors for extended periods of time, be sure to wear goggles or glasses that block 100% of the sun’s UV rays. For maximum protection also choose eyewear that are wrap-style or have side shields to protect your eyes from indirect as well as direct sunlight. Learn more at http://bit.ly/2RktUBO, and share with your friends who enjoy the outdoors this time of year.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and loss of cells in the Retina. RP is an inherited disorder that results from gene mutations that damage photoreceptors in the Retina. There are two types of photoreceptors – Rods, which allow us to see in dim and dark light, and Cones, which allow us to perceive fine visual detail and color. Symptoms of RP typically appear in childhood. Children may have difficulty getting around in the dark, and as their visual field becomes restricted, they often trip over things or appear clumsy. RP progression varies greatly from person to person. Some people experience a restricted visual field into their 50s, while others experience significant vision loss in early adulthood. Eventually, individuals with RP will lose most of their sight. Learn more at http://bit.ly/2CXyGfF .

Changes in your Retina offer a glimpse into your heart health. A recent study found that rising blood pressure and stiffening arteries – two indicators for vascular disease – create easily detectable changes to the tiny blood vessels in the back of the Retina. Although these changes don’t necessarily signal vision problems, narrowing Retinal arteries may signal a higher risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, or death. Learn more at http://bit.ly/2XBJxWk. Share this with your loved ones, and be sure to schedule regular eye exams with your High Country Macula physician.

If you experience sudden flashes of light, be sure to see your Retinologist at HCM right away.
Flashes are pinpricks or spots of light that appear in your field of vision. People often refer to them as “shooting stars” or “lightning streaks.” Occasional flashes are usually harmless, but sudden or repeated flashes of light could be a sign that your Retina has torn or detached, which must be treated quickly to prevent blindness. Learn more at http://bit.ly/2Ow5uSv . If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms do not hesitate to contact your Retinologist at High Country Macula. Share this to help to preserve vision.

As you gather with family during the Holidays, be sure to learn more about your family’s history of eye disease. Age-related Macular Degeneration and many other eye diseases can be genetic, so having a family history of eye disease can put you at a higher risk for developing one yourself. When you’re with family this holiday season, ask if any of your relatives have suffered with eye disease. Being aware of risks could help save your sight.

Did you know that a poor diet can lead to blindness? Dietary deficiencies are rare in developed world because of easy access to nutritious food, but the story of the 17-year-old boy who became legally blind from eating a diet of only chips, fries, white bread, and processed pork shows that you can be blinded by what you don’t eat. It was concluded that his diet resulted in B12 deficiency; low levels of vitamin D, copper and selenium; high levels of zinc, and severe optic neuropathy, which damaged his optic nerve and stole his sight. Physicians have long known that good nutrition benefits your vision, learn more at http://bit.ly/2OqBPKw

This Holiday Season, give the gift of sight by connecting an older loved one with an Ophthalmologist at High Country Macula. The leading causes of blindness and low vision are primarily age-related eye diseases. Early detection and treatment can help a loved one save, preserve, and restore their sight.

December is Safe Toy and Gift Month. Prevent Blindness America encourages everyone to consider keeping children’s vision safety in mind when choosing gifts for kids and grandkids this Holiday season. Learn more at http://bit.ly/2CVq8pP , and share with your friends and family during this gift-giving season.