Diabetes is a serious problem in the US, there are newly diagnosed cases every 5 minutes in our country. Diabetes is a buildup of sugar in the bloodstream. Typically our bodies work to remove the excess sugar in our bloodstream through the release of insulin into the bloodstream. However some people become resistant to insulin and it doesn’t work as well as it should leaving the sugar in our bloodstream.

As the blood runs throughout our body the sugar touches many areas of the body causing havoc throughout. When the blood reaches our eyes it can cause the damage to the blood vessels within our eyes, breaking them down and causing problems with our vision. If this process continues without treatment or removal of the excess sugar it can cause eventual blindness.

Below are some signs of Diabetes:

Sudden Weight Loss or Gain

Increased thirst

Increased urination

Blurred vision

Fatigue

Areas of darkened skin

Increased Hunger

Confusion

Increased Irritability

Frequent Headaches

For those of you who have some of the above symptoms talking to your eye care professional or primary care doctor can help with early detection. Additionally getting your yearly eye examination can help save your eyes.

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in I-BRITE eye whitening, LASIK, Keratoconus Treatments, and other procedures. More helpful information is available at www.BoxerWachler.com

As we age it seems to grow harder and harder to avoid Hypertension. Hypertension is the increase in the pressure at which the blood travels throughout your body. The higher the pressure it is putting on the veins the more damaging it can become to your organs, and other areas of the body including your eyes. Often we don’t think of how conditions affect our vision until our vision is impaired. But the truth is it could be damaging to your body including your eyes without any symptoms at all.

The beating pressure of our blood racing through our vessels within the eyes can cause the vessels to bleed. This bleeding can distort our vision causing a loss of vision, and if untreated it can lead to blindness.

Below are a few more conditions that can be caused by Hypertension in the eye:

Hypertensive Retinopathy

Macro-Aneurysms

Optic Neuropathy or Optic Nerve Involvement

BRVO or Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Vitreous Hemorrhage

Finding new ways to improve your Hypertension can assist in healing the damage that has been caused by this life taking condition. Hypertension is one of the main causes of death in those with Diabetes. Hypertension was also known as the “Silent Killer” because of the lack of symptoms in many people causing sudden heart attacks and stroke.

If you feel you maybe at risk of developing Hypertension, have Diabetes, or a family history of Hypertension it is best to get evaluated by the doctor at least once a year, twice a year if you have Diabetes or another chronic condition. Hypertension can be treated with medication if caught early before too much damage is done. Saving your vision should be important to you, striving for the best quality of life possible including your vision.

Often yearly eye exams can assist in detecting Hypertension- so don’t neglect your annual eye exams as part of your health maintenance plan.

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in Keratoconus Treatments, LASIK, I-BRITE Eye Whitening, and other procedures. More helpful information can be found at www.boxerwachler.com

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD has developed a personal supplement to assist with general eye and health maintenance you can learn more at www.IOptimalHealth.com

3 Tips You Should Know

If your asking yourself what is Diabetic Retinopathy you are not alone. While it is the leading cause of Blindness in adults in the US, many still don’t know what it is. Diabetic Retinopathy is a disease of the eyes caused by high levels of sugar in the blood. The sugar damages the blood vessels in the eyes causing vision loss, and sometimes pain.

There are 4 stages of Diabetic Retinopathy:

Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy

Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy

Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy

Proliferative Retinopathy

In the first two stages the Retinopathy causes the blood vessels to swell and become blocked. During the last two stages the body grows more blood vessels that are thinner and the walls can leak causing bleeding in the eye. In the most severe form blindness can occur.

Below are 3 tips you should know about Diabetic Retinopathy:

Be sure to get a dilated eye exam every 12 months: Getting your eyes checked regularly will help catch diabetic Retinopathy at and early stage.

You can develop both Proliferative Retinopathy and modular edema: These two stages don’t always have symptoms however they can put you at risk for vision loss.

You can reduce your risk of vision loss by 95% with treatment: Making sure that your eyes are examined and you get early treatment can reduce your risk of blindness considerably.

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in Keratoconus treatments, Lasik, I-Brite eye whitening, and other procedures. More information is available by visiting www.boxerwachler.com or www.freeeyesurgerytips.com

For years researchers and Doctors have been looking for effective ways to treat patients with keratoconus. In the past the options were very slim with little hope for reversals or healing the corneas. Often patients had to receive corneal transplants to get relief from diseases like Keratoconus. However now they are finding new and less invasive ways to correct the progression of keratoconus.

Keratoconus is caused by free radicals which invade the eye and create a reactive species which break down and cause weakness. The weakness causes the cornea to herniate causing keratoconus. The progression is not over night but over years and the effects of keratoconus can be debilitating for the patient leading to blindness. In the beginning of the disease there are little symptoms and patients often overlook a problem. The condition often strikes one eye first later spreading to the second eye by the time a problem is detected.

Now there is a treatment called C3-R® which can strengthen the cornea in the places that are weakened and give the reverse effect of the damage done by keratoconus. The treatment is relatively easy with only 30 minutes to apply and the cornea is strengthened over the next 2-4 months. Many patients only need one application, while more severe cases may require two.

The use of C3-R® or Corneal Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin has been very effective in recent years and can give tremendous improvement to the patients vision. In addition to C3-R® the doctor can use Intacs, and/or CK to additionally improve the sight of the patient.

A few symptoms of Keratoconus are:

Itchy eyes

Excessive Rubbing

Visual disturbances

Visual discomfort

Glare halo

Squinting

Seeing double

There are two forms of Closed-Angle Glaucoma. Acute which is brought on quickly and considered a medical emergency; and Chronic which can develop slowly with no symptoms.

Acute Closed-Angle Glaucoma is generally caused by a rapid build up of pressure in the eye. Creating a sudden blockage of the fluid that travels between the iris and the lens. Acute Closed Angle Glaucoma can strike at any age and gender.

Chronic Closed-Angle Glaucoma is a silent creeper. It shows no symptoms and is usually caught during a routine examination. General symptoms of Chronic Closed-Angle Glaucoma are not apparent until much damage has been done. It is important to get regular screenings for Glaucoma if you have risk factors or any form of Diabetes. Risk factors for glaucoma are listed below.

Glaucoma Risk Factors:

Predominant Risk Factors-

Aging

Positive Family history

Race [African Americans]

High Intraocular Pressure

Central Corneal Thickness

Suspicious Nerve Appearance

Other Possible Risk Factors-

High Myopia

Diabetes

Hyper Tension

Eye Injury

History of steroid use

Migraine Headaches

Sleep Related-Breathing Disorders

Below are some symptoms of Acute Closed-Angle Glaucoma:

*Note: if you are experiencing these symptoms go to an emergency room for treatment.

Nausea

Vomiting

Severe pain

Rainbow Halos [Around lights]

Reddening of the eye

Acute Closed-Angle Glaucoma is a medical emergency. Failure to treat this serious condition can lead to blindness within one to two days. It is important to call your eye doctor immediately if you are experiencing any form of changes in your vision. Go to a medical center if you are experiencing vomiting, and severer pain in association with these changes. Learn more on other vision treatments : http://www.boxerwachler.com

It is never too soon to take steps to protect your vision. Ensuring we have good vision care should be a high priority in your families health care. Establishing a good vision specialist will protect your eyes in the future. Many of us take for granted our vision care despite the fact that we only have one pair.

Here are 4 things your family can do to ensure good vision:

Choose a good vision clinic:

Ensure that your eye clinic has good customer service and is not too busy to give you an appointment in a reasonable time. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the staff when looking. Note how helpful the staff are and whether they answer your questions without hesitation.

Choose an compatible doctor:

Make sure the doctor you choose for your family is one that is concerned with their patients, and has the time to see them. Many times the doctor is good but very busy and doesn’t have sufficient time to dedicate to you and your family. You want to choose a doctor that has time for you! Ask questions to the patients as well. Some doctors have testimonials on their websites; feel free to research them as well. Be serious about your vision care.

Get regular checkups:

Make sure your family is being seen every two years. If you have risk factors for eye conditions like Diabetes you should be seen every year. If you have trouble remembering your appointments put it on your calendar. Ensuring your families eyes are checked regularly could save them hassles or catch conditions early on.

Educate yourself:

Don’t be afraid to do the research and take some initiative in your vision care. Write down any questions you have for your eye doctor and address them at your next appointment. If you don’t understand the answers they are giving you ask them until you do. This is your vision, and your care.

Remember:

                                                    “You are your best advocate”

For more information on Keratoconus visit: http://www.keratoconusinserts.com

For a free educational webinar visit: http://www.FixesYourKC.com

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