Vision Health – thirdAGE

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma, the silent thief of sight, is a group of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve and permanently impair your vision. According to The Glaucoma Foundation (TGF), it is the leading cause of preventative blindness, affecting as many as 80 million people around the world. The number of glaucoma patients is estimated to increase… Continue reading January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Vision Health Tips for People with Diabetes

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Improving health and avoiding diabetes-related complications is essential for millions of people in the United States who have diabetes. One of the most common and serious complications of diabetes is vision loss. There are steps that will help reduce risk and preserve eyesight. Lighthouse Guild offers the following tips: Take control.… Continue reading Vision Health Tips for People with Diabetes

Eye Health Tips to Protect Our Vision as We Get Older

September is Healthy Aging Month, and as we think about what we can do to maintain our general health as we get older, it’s also a good time to talk about what we can do to protect our eye health. Low vision, vision loss that can’t be corrected with eyeglasses or surgery, is a result… Continue reading Eye Health Tips to Protect Our Vision as We Get Older

Scientists Discover A New Genetic Eye Disease

Researchers from the National Eye Institute (NEI) have identified a new disease that affects the macula, a small part of the light-sensing retina needed for sharp, central vision. Scientists reported their findings on the novel macular dystrophy, which is yet to be named, in JAMA Ophthalmology. NEI is part of the National Institutes of Health… Continue reading Scientists Discover A New Genetic Eye Disease

May Is Healthy Vision Month

Taking care of your eyes should be a health priority, like eating a balanced diet and being physically active. “It starts with a comprehensive dilated eye exam to check for common vision problems and eye disease,” says ophthalmologist Calvin W. Roberts, MD, President and CEO of Lighthouse Guild. “We urge people of… Continue reading May Is Healthy Vision Month

Tips on Coping with Low Vision

Low vision, which affects millions of Americans, can make it difficult to do everyday activities such as reading, shopping, cooking, or writing. However, technological advances and vision rehabilitation can help people with low vision stay independent and make the most of their sight. February is Low Vision Awareness Month, a great time to learn more about low… Continue reading Tips on Coping with Low Vision

Lighthouse Guild Offers Tips for Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, affecting over 3 million people in the United States alone. It is often called the silent thief of sight because it robs people of vision slowly and without early symptoms. However, regular eye exams can lead to early diagnosis and help prevent vision loss. January… Continue reading Lighthouse Guild Offers Tips for Glaucoma Awareness Month

Protecting Kids’ Eyes in a Digital World

Against the current backdrop of virtual learning, lockdowns, and fewer hours of outdoor play, children are using digital devices more than ever before — and the continued spread of the COVID-19 pandemic means that kids’ screen time won’t be going down any time soon. Eye doctors (ophthalmologists and optometrists) are reporting that the top complaints… Continue reading Protecting Kids’ Eyes in a Digital World

What If Your Child Wants Contact Lenses?

These days, eyeglasses can look pretty cool. Still, the day may come when your child asks you for contact lenses. According to a Consumer Update from the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are pros – and cons – to consider. The FDA regulates contact lenses and certain contact lens care products as medical… Continue reading What If Your Child Wants Contact Lenses?

Researchers Make Surprising Discovery about Dry AMD

A protein that normally deposits mineralized calcium in tooth enamel may also be responsible for calcium deposits in the back of the eye in people with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study from researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI). This protein, amelotin, may turn out to be a therapeutic target for… Continue reading Researchers Make Surprising Discovery about Dry AMD

The Maze of Vision Loss and Depression in Older Adults

The association between vision loss and depression is a complex conundrum, as I wrote in a commentary on the challenges of vision loss and depression in older adults, published May 30th, 2019 in JAMA Ophthalmology. The commentary is a response to a study by Sarah E. Jackson, PhD, University College London and co-authors, published in the… Continue reading The Maze of Vision Loss and Depression in Older Adults

Four Tips on Living with Low Vision

February is Low Vision Awareness Month. Not being able to see your favorite television show or read your favorite book can be devastating. But there are steps you can take to continue to enjoy your beloved activities and perform everyday tasks even with vision loss. Low vision is permanent vision loss that cannot be improved… Continue reading Four Tips on Living with Low Vision

The Latest News on Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a frightening vision condition that affects the optic nerve, and if the damage continues untreated, it can lead to blindness. But experts say there is reason for hope. “There are new medications and procedures to treat glaucoma,” said Dr. Andrea Zimmerman, a low vision specialist with the Lighthouse Guild in New York. Additionally,… Continue reading The Latest News on Glaucoma

Watch Out for “Fashion” Contact Lenses

Cosmetic contacts lenses – also known as costume or decorative contact lenses – can change the way your eye looks without correcting your vision. While they may seem like just another fashion accessory, the fact is all contacts require a prescription. Anyone who sells you lenses without getting a copy of your prescription or verifying… Continue reading Watch Out for “Fashion” Contact Lenses

Traditional Glaucoma Test Can Miss the Severity of the Disease

The most common tests for glaucoma can underestimate the severity of the condition by not detecting the presence of central vision loss, according to a 2018 Columbia University study. The study, published November 8th in JAMA Ophthalmology, found that administering a variation of the visual field test that better assesses macular damage can improve diagnosis… Continue reading Traditional Glaucoma Test Can Miss the Severity of the Disease

Direct Injections into Eye Show Promise for Treating Visual Illness

Although most of us shiver at the idea of injecting medicine directly into the eye, that method may work better when it comes to treating the serious eye illness macular edema, research shows. The study, conducted by researchers at a number of institutes including Johns Hopkins and Mount Sinai, was published in the journal Ophthalmology.… Continue reading Direct Injections into Eye Show Promise for Treating Visual Illness

A Contact Lens that Gives Feedback to Doctors

Scientists report that they have developed a contact lens that will tell them how much of a medication is actually making its way into the eye. The visual indicator could help eye doctors and patients readily determine whether these medications are doing what they’re supposed to be doing. Eyes are adept at keeping things out.… Continue reading A Contact Lens that Gives Feedback to Doctors