World Sight Day

October 8 is World Sight Day! As an ophthalmologist, my goal every day is to help patients have the best vision possible. And a big part of that is prevention and education.

The leading causes of blindness worldwide include cataracts, glaucoma, infections (of the cornea or retina), diabetes, and macular degeneration. What are these exactly? 👀

Cataracts are the clouding of the lenses inside your eyes. Most people will get these with age (like white hair and wrinkles) - the question being whether they bother you enough to get surgery to remove them.

Glaucoma is typically an inherited disease in which high eye pressure causes damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma can be treated with drops, lasers, or surgery. This happens to be my specialty! 👩🏻‍⚕️

There are many types of eye infections that can cause vision loss - from contact related bacterial infections to viral retinal infections in immunosuppressed patients. Prevention and/or quick diagnosis and management by an eye care professional are key.

Diabetes is a well known systemic disease - especially in the US - that affects your blood sugars and can damage blood vessels. In the eyes, it can lead to cataracts, bleeding, glaucoma, and retinal detachments. Early detection and control of systemic disease is paramount.

Just like its name suggests, age related macular degeneration is an inherited age related degeneration of the macula (or center of your vision). Unfortunately there is no cure for macular degeneration but there are supplements that can help progression and injections that can help preserve vision.

Thankfully, most of these eye diseases are preventable and treatable, so see your eye doctor regularly for screenings! 🥼

#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼#2020vision