Lehigh Valley Center For Sight

It’s estimated that 1.8 million people have age-related eye health issues, while 7.3 million are at risk. Which are you? Age-related eye health issues are the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S in those 50+ . These issues don’t develop overnight— they progress slowly. Symptoms of age-related eye health issues don’t usually surface in the early stages. People can go weeks or months without realizing their vision is changing. So, the question becomes simple… How Do I Know If I Have Age-Related Eye Health Issues ? To know for sure, your eye doctor can give you a comprehensive eye exam with a detailed view of the retina. But, you should definitely tell your eye doctor if you’ve noticed anything different about your vision, such as: Sharpness in vision gradually lost Straight lines appear wavy Distorted appearance of objects A dark or empty space in the center of vision These are signs and symptoms of age-related eye health issues. Unfortunately, if age-related eye h...

We don’t think of the eyes as being an extension of the brain, but they are! In fact, eye health can mirror brain health. New research shows certain eye exams can determine the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology , two recent studies show there is a way of detecting signs of Alzheimer’s in a patient’s eyes in a matter of seconds. A new imaging device called optical coherence tomography angiography was used in the research studies. It enables physicians to see the smallest veins in the back of the eye. Since the optic nerve connects the eyes to the brain, researchers believe the eyes mirror the changes going on in the brain. The results show people with Alzheimer’s have altered, small blood vessels in their retina at the back of the eye. Even people who simply have a family history of Alzheimer’s but no signs of the illness showed altered red blood vessels. Early Detection Diagnosing Alzheimer’s is challenging. Current technique...

The most intimate moment in the life of a parent happens as darkness overcomes the day and you tell your children a bedtime story, tuck them into bed, and kiss them goodnight.  For years, our son Tom needed a night light to eliminate his fear of the dark and allow him to sleep. The other day I had the privilege of referring our friend Suzanne Thornton to Dr. Sameh Mosaed, a researcher and practicing physician at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute (GHEI) with a special interest in glaucoma. Over lunch our friend Suzanne candidly talked about her overwhelming sense of fear at her loss of vision, the recent falls she had taken, and the steps up or down she couldn’t see.  Thankfully Dr. Mosaed is very confident in Suzanne’s prognosis based on the cutting edge improvement in surgical outcomes for glaucoma due to her research at GHEI. For 8 years I served as a member of the Academy of Ophthalmology’s Foundation Board.  In that time we conducted a number of studies in all areas of vision prese...

Long Island native Michael Kalberer has a knack for connecting with everyone around him, despite being born with cerebral palsy (CP), a disorder that affects a person’s ability to move and maintain balance. The condition can also cause vision loss. At the age of 12, Michael noticed issues with his depth perception and visual field, which resulted in a diagnosis that he was legally blind. At 33 years old, he was finally diagnosed, specifically, with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Although Michael’s childhood had more obstacles than most, he recalls growing up like “any typical kid.” He attended a K-12 school for those with disabilities, which he enjoyed, and loved spending time with his friends and family, especially his brother, Scott. “My parents raised me as an individual with a disability, and not a disabled individual,” says Michael. “Being raised as an individual with a disability did not change my parent’s expectations of me or my aspirations for the future.” After high sch...

Diabetes is one of the most common, chronic health issues in the world, affecting nearly 30.5 million Americans. It’s also one of the leading causes of vision impairment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone with diabetes loses visual function every 15 minutes. Current Data Trends Approximately 11.0% of U.S. adults with diabetes have some form of visual impairment (3.8% uncorrectable and 7.2% correctable). Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults ages 20 to 74 years. Currently 4.2 million people with diabetes ages 40 years or older (28.5%) had diabetic retinopathy (DR). Of these, 655,000 (4.4% of those with diabetes) had advanced DR that could lead to severe vision loss. DR is projected to affect 16 million people with diabetes by 2050. Although the statistics indicate that more people are developing diabetes, the numbers also show that there is increasing awareness of the causes, prevalence, and available c...

Written by Dr. David Evans Last modified on August 28, 2018 I’m one of the estimated 45 million Americans who wears contact lenses to correct a refractive error. Although the general concept behind contacts dates all the way back to Leonardo da Vinci in the 1500’s, the corrective technology has only really been a functional solution to refractive error since around 1948 when the first all-plastic “corneal” contact lenses were introduced. Since then, the world of contact lenses has seen a number of evolutions, including the introduction of rigid gas permeable lenses, followed by the introduction of soft extended wear lenses, bifocal lenses, toric lenses and many others. One of the more noteworthy (and somewhat recent) evolutions came with the introduction of daily disposable contact lenses in 1995. Disposable lenses have real benefits, but the issue of disposal is not as simple as you might think. The Good Generally speaking, the more frequently you replace your contacts, the bette...

Nutrition seems to be an ever-changing industry. As more research is conducted, more and more nutrients and their benefits are being discovered. One such nutrient that has been gaining popularity over the last few years is alpha lipoic acid (ALA). From metabolic support to brain health, ALA can impact several aspects of health and everyday life. What Is Alpha Lipoic Acid? Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant, or a natural, vitamin-like chemical. Known as the “universal antioxidant,” ALA is found naturally inside every cell of the human body. The mitochondria produce this antioxidant in small amounts, but that amount tends to decrease with age. ALA is both a water and fat-soluble nutrient, meaning it can make its way into and function in any part of the body. This potent antioxidant can be found in red and organ meats (liver, heart, kidney, etc.), potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, peas, Brussels sprouts, and rice bran. What Does Alpha Lipoic Acid Do for the Body? As a potent mi...

Meet Tom Sullivan – DEF’s Ambassador of Vision Over the last 40 years, I’ve been committed to working on behalf of blind children and their families.  My involvement has spanned the entire gamut of participation – from direct involvement in the classroom and counseling parents to hosting organized 10K races and celebrity golf tournaments that carried my name.  In that time, my wife and I raised just over $8 million thanks to the generosity of so many people.  Though my commitment to this cause has not changed, I’ve chosen to take on a new challenge that has in every way re-energized my passion. I’ve recently become the Ambassador of Vision for the Discovery Eye Foundation (DEF), a remarkable organization that funds cutting edge research that I believe someday will eliminate many forms of blindness.  The principle reason for my enthusiastic commitment is largely due to the fact that DEF directly funds researchers and avoids institutional restrictions. As of this blog, DEF is engaged ...

When it comes to nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, there seems to be no shortage of emerging trends. For centuries, people have utilized different fruits, vegetables, roots, and seeds to help with different ailments. One of those tools that have a wide variety of benefits is grape seed extract. Grape Seed Extract Grape seed extract is a natural substance rich in antioxidant content taken from grape seeds. Its contents are primarily polyphenols like oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs), a powerful antioxidant responsible for most of the benefits of grape seed extract. Winemakers usually provide seeds taken from grapes used for red wine. Benefits of Grape Seed Extract The polyphenols found in this fruit extract have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects for several different areas of the body. Along with increasing antioxidant levels in the body and bloodstream, grape seed extract: Counteracts effects of free radicals Protects heart tissue and the cardiovascular sys...

In today’s health-conscious society, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are becoming a popular addition to many people’s lifestyles. It seems like almost every other day, another “critical” ingredient is discovered, so it can be difficult to understand what each one does or if they really are necessary for good health. A phytochemical known as Pycnogenol ® has been making its way into daily nutraceuticals, supplements, vitamins, and other applications, but what does it do? What is Pycnogenol ? A compound of natural chemicals, Pycnogenol is made up of polyphenolic procyanidins that serve as antioxidants. This compound can be found in a number of sources, including peanut skins, grape seeds, and witch hazel bark. Most commonly, however, Pycnogenol is derived from French maritime pine bark. After 40+ years of research and 420 scientific publications, Pycnogenol has been shown to have several health benefits. What Does It Do? Pycnogenol’s chemical composition makes it a natural ...

As winter approaches and the temperature falls, we have come to expect the onset of the hectic holiday season. Traveling, gathering with friends and family, keeping up with work, school, and other commitments – it all adds up to stress! Perhaps this is part of the reason it is not uncommon to get sick at this time of year. Why not bring the craziness down a notch this year with a steaming mug of tea? Especially with a tea that has nutritional properties to help your body and eyes meet their many demands. Tea is available in seemingly endless varieties. Each type of tea has unique nutritional properties. One type of tea that has found renewed interest contains Curcuma longa, a root also known as the rhizome turmeric, that belongs to the ginger botanical family.  As an ancient spice, turmeric has long been prized in the kitchen. It has also been used for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. What Is Curcumin? The active nutrient in turmeric is a brightly colored orange/ye...

Is it possible to enjoy a sweet treat that is also good for eye health? Yes! As the leaves turn orange, red, and yellow, it reminds us that fall is here. Autumn brings the start of many holiday celebrations. When we think of each holiday celebration, it is frequently associated with a special meal or food… Halloween – trick or treat candy; Thanksgiving – turkey and pumpkin pie; Hanukah – potato pancakes and jelly doughnuts; Christmas – a standing rib roast with a rich dessert. Celebrating with friends and family is an important ritual that supports emotional health and wellness. To support physical wellness, it is important to limit candy and desserts with excessive sugar and unrefined carbohydrates. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun! For Halloween, I designed a panna cotta using coconut milk. The fat in coconut milk has a special fatty acid known as lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium chain triglyceride (MCT). Fatty acids are necessary for cellular membrane constructio...

Written by Dr. David Evans Last modified on August 23, 2018 During pregnancy, women experience a drastic shift in their hormonal balance that has a ripple effect throughout the body. The spike in hormones like progesterone, estrogen, prolactin, oxytocin and relaxin are all important for a healthy pregnancy, but these increased levels can also impact gastrointestinal processes, blood pressure, skin pigmentation and, you guessed it, ocular health. Due to refractive changes that often occur during pregnancy, most refractive surgeons advise against LASIK during pregnancy, instead suggesting women wait several months after giving birth before considering treatment. Women who have already undergone LASIK may then wonder if the changes in ocular health that can occur during and after pregnancy impact post-LASIK refraction. New research presented by John Kanellopoulos, MD, New York University Medical School, NY, and LaserVision.gr seems to throw cold water on any such concern. The Eyes an...

Written by Dr. David Evans Last modified on October 4, 2018 I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but based on recent figures from the National Coffee Association (NCA), it appears I’m part of a growing minority. According to the latest data from the NCA, 64 percent of Americans over the age of 18 said they had at least one cup of coffee the previous day (up from 62 percent in 2017). There’s no arguing the fact that coffee is the fuel that many people need to jumpstart their day. But, did you know that in addition to helping you wake up, that morning Cup of Joe could be protecting your long-term eye health? A study from Cornell University found that a daily cup of coffee can potentially protect against the retina damaging effects of glaucoma , age-related vision loss and diabetic retinopathy . Published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry , the research tested a particularly strong antioxidant (chlorogenic acid or CLA) on mice and monitoring retinal health. Those pretr...

Written by Dr. David Evans Last modified on August 6, 2018 Once up on a time, allergies were a seasonal issue. The start of spring would bring with it some nasal congestion, respiratory stress and itchy, red eyes. The increased pollen count associated with spring and the source of the allergic reaction typically lasts through summer. After which you could rest easy until the start of the next season. But if you’re an allergy sufferer like me, you might be feeling like the last couple of allergy “seasons” have stretched a little longer than usual. Turns out this is more than a feeling. This issue was recently addressed at the 2018 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) annual meeting. Experts weighed in noting a growing prevalence of asthma and allergy health problems outside the typical seasonal schedule. The rise in allergy prevalence can be explained in part by some of the aberrant weather cycles and their associated effects. Increased storms and associated...

Vitamins are becoming a very popular way to fulfill nutritional needs. It’s becoming especially popular for those who may be deficient in one or more necessary nutrients. Sometimes, these supplements are derivatives of the actual vitamin or mineral, but because they are absorbed better by the body, they’re used to manage deficiencies. One example of this kind of supplement is benfotiamine. What Is Benfotiamine? Benfotiamine is a derivative of thiamine or Vitamin B1. Foods like legumes, seeds, nuts, and fortified wheat products, including bread, rice, and cereal, contain thiamine. Used as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, benfotiamine is fat-soluble and chemically manipulated by enzymes in the intestines then broken down by red blood cells or the liver into thiamine. It seems to be more bioavailable and easier to absorb than thiamine alone as it increases blood levels of Vitamin B1 fivefold, making it a prime candidate for inclusion in a multitude of nutritional aids. What Can Ben...

Written by Dr. David Evans Last modified on August 6, 2018 What’s that small, red, pimple-like bump on your eyelid that’s causing so much discomfort? It’s probably a stye (sometimes referred to as a sty or hordeolum). Besides being difficult to say 5 times quickly, an eye stye is a type of localized infection that can occur along the base of your eyelashes or underneath your eyelid. Styes that form along the base of the eyelashes are called external styes. They typically occur as a result of an infected eyelash hair follicle and look like the type of pimple that occurs when your pores are clogged with dirt and oil. Styes that form inside the eyelid are called internal styes. Similar to external styes, they are caused by an infection of an oil-producing gland behind the eyelid rather than an eyelash hair follicle. Internal styes result in generalized swelling of the eyelid rather than forming a pimple-like bump. Stye Symptoms As a stye develops, you might begin to experience pain...

Written by Dr. David Evans Last modified on September 6, 2018 An article I wrote back in April described a National Bureau of Economic Research study that concluded cataract surgery patients have a life expectancy 1.8 years longer than people with cataracts who do not undergo surgery. Much of that piece focused on the finding that people, who have vision diminished by cataracts, are less likely to be active, and more likely to suffer accidental falls and related injuries. As a follow-on, a new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology suggests an even stronger link between cataract surgery and mortality risk. About the Study The genesis of this study was something completely different than evaluating effects of cataract vision loss. Its original purpose was to evaluate the effects of hormone therapy and dietary changes in postmenopausal women. That study was cut short once it was determined that hormone therapy increased the risk of vascular events. Although the hormone therapy aspect ...

Written by Dr. David Evans Last modified on September 13, 2018 Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss for people over the age of 60. Typically viewed as an age-related vision problem, glaucoma is associated with abnormal pressure levels inside the eye (intraocular – IOP) resulting from a buildup of fluid. (Although in Asian countries, many glaucoma patients do not have high IOP.) There is no curative treatment available for glaucoma, however there are a number of options available to help slow its progression and limit additional vision loss. These treatment methods have typically included the use of medicated eye drops, drugs and eye surgery aimed at reducing IOP. Given the serious impact of glaucoma and its relative common nature, there is ongoing research aimed at developing new and innovative treatments (I’ve previously written about exfoliation glaucoma research ). One such new and innovative treatment that recently caught my attention is Balance Goggles. Wha...