Blog

Eye Associates of South Texas reminds you that it is not safe to wear contact lenses that were not prescribed especially for you. This includes contact lenses purchased without a prescription and contact lenses prescribed for someone else. Your eyes are at risk of serious harm — and potentially blindness — when you wear contact lenses that were not prescribed specifically for you.

As we age, our risk of developing eye diseases increases significantly. In fact, one in six Americans aged 65 and older has a vision impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma are more prevalent in older adults and can lead to significant vision loss if not properly managed.

Some of the leading causes of blindness—such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy—can begin without any symptoms. That’s why Eye Associates of South Texas and the American Academy of Ophthalmology urge all healthy adults to get an eye exam at age 40, even if their vision seems fine. Early signs of disease and changes in vision may start to happen at this age.

Prevent Blindness has designated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month. This important initiative aims to increase awareness about eye diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect women.  Why are women at higher risk?  For some women, fluctuations in hormones due to pregnancy, perimenopause or menopause can bring on such changes.

Eye injuries at work are alarmingly common. These injuries range from simple eye strain to severe trauma that can cause permanent eye damage or vision loss.  The most important thing you can do to protect your vision at work is to always wear appropriate protective eyewear. This can prevent more than 90% of serious eye injuries.

AMD is a degenerative disease that happens when part of the retina called the macula is damaged. It’s the part of the eye that delivers sharp, central vision needed to see objects straight ahead. Over time, the loss of central vision can interfere with everyday activities, such as the ability to drive, read, and see faces clearly.

Cataract surgery involves replacing the eye’s cloudy lens with a synthetic intraocular lens (IOL) to restore clear vision. One of the choices available to patients is a multifocal IOL, designed to offer different levels of vision correction, allowing clear vision at various distances. Multifocal lenses for cataracts can be particularly beneficial for individuals looking to reduce their reliance on glasses or contacts post-surgery.