Category: Health & Well-Being

Pay attention to your health & well-being with expert insights on eye health and vision care.

Protect Your Precious Eyes from Injury
As spring kicks off, let’s be mindful about taking steps to prevent accidental injury to eyes. Accidents happen in an instant, but 90% can be avoided with the proper protective eyewear. It may also surprise you to learn that nearly half of eye injuries occur at home and are caused by household repairs, yard work, cleaning and cooking. Pay attention and don’t take risks. Protect yourself and those around you. Enhance your awareness and avoid a regrettable situation. If an injury occurs, get medical attention immediately.

People with visual impairments are at risk in particular, because they may be unable to see objects coming at them. For this reason, the use of personal protective eyewear is highly recommended, during all activity indoors and out, to avoid accidental damage to an eye. Choose polycarbonate lenses for all glasses, they are shatterproof and offer 100% UV protection from the sun.

Image shows clear multi-purpose protective eyewear

Indoors
- Wear protective glasses or goggles when using chemicals, cleaners, aerosols and sprays.
- Everyday household items like Knives, forks, scissors, paper clips and wire hangers can accidentally cause injury. Handle with care.
- When cooking food that splatters always wear protective eyewear and use a grease shield.
- Attend to hazards that can cause falls. Secure rugs and eliminate clutter. Improve contrast and lighting. Be aware of sharp edges. More about this on the OE Patients Podcast Episode 2: Don’t Take the Fall, Prevent it
Image shows kids wearing protective sports glasses
and helmets

Outdoors
- Take precautions when outdoors on windy days by wearing wraparound sunglasses to shield your eyes from flying debris, dust and particles.
- Protect eyes while gardening, mowing the lawn or using a leaf blower.
- Do not give children sharp objects, or toys with projectiles or toy guns that fire.
- Choose ASTM approved protective eyewear, not sunglasses, for sports, particularly sports with balls, bats, racquets, pucks or sticks.
- Even opening champagne bottles can be hazardous to eyes and should be handled with caution. Point the bottle away from your face, and the faces of others. Do not shake the bottle and cover the cork with a towel so it doesn’t fly.
Image shows pairs of wraparound dark sunglasses

Under the Sun

Don’t overlook the damage UV rays will do to eyes. More about this on OE: Keep the Sun Out of Your Eyes and Put Sunglasses on Your Kids, the Benefits are Long Term to avoid the serious damage caused to eyes by UVA and UVB rays.

Image shows brightly colored fireworks display

Fireworks

Stay away from do-it-yourself pyrotechnics — leave the fireworks to the professionals. Not even sparklers are a good idea, unless wearing protective goggles. The nation’s ophthalmologists issue advisories for July 4th in anticipation of increased fireworks related injury, especially to bystanders and children.

Post first published Jun 30, 2022 and updated Mar 16, 2023.
March 16, 2023
Keep Learning, It’s Good for Your Brain

Everyone’s talking about brain health, as well as they should. We are coming through a long period of seemingly unending and unprecedented stressful events. Vision loss and aging can also add to the drag on our cognition. But that doesn’t mean we have to give in to these adverse effects. In fact, taking steps to keep the brain healthy, delivers immediate positive results to our sense of well-being. Continued learning is the key to good mental acuity. It doesn’t require a PhD; just make time in every day to learn something new or practice what you’ve learned. Here are some viable paths to a sharper brain. Do it your way!

Mature woman taking online course

Learn with Hadley

HadleyHelps.org is number one on this list because, for people with vision loss, there is simply no better place to learn. The mini courses are all online and they’re also free of charge. Log on and they ask, “What would you like to learn today?” Choose from a great depth of choice in each category including: Daily Living, Adjusting to Vision Loss, Technology, Working, Recreation, and Braille. Meet Hadley 2.0 Your Personal Tutor

Mindful couple doing post-workout meditation at home

Yoga and Audio Described Exercise

There is a direct connection between fitness and brain health. Shaking up your regular routine, or learning some new moves, is always good for mind and body. We’re loving these audio-described fitness and Accessible Workouts.

Man with headphones listening to audio magazine

Join Choice Magazine Listening

This, the original audio magazine, will definitely light up your brain. Created for people with vision loss, the quarterly curated collection is a representation of high quality writing from the best magazine publications. So much to learn and enjoy, you’ll look forward to every release. Subscribe through NLS. New for Fall from CML the Talking Magazine

Young woman with headphones, deeply focused
in audiobook

Do Deep Reading

Get immersed in an epic story, fiction or nonfiction, read with your eyes or your ears. Listening to an audiobook is every bit as satisfying as a visual read. They are also equally good for brain health and are easy to read while on the move. Get Back the Joy and Enjoy a Great Audiobook

Man with headphones relaxes with music

Appreciate Music

Research shows music has the ability to enhance brain health, as well as mental and physical well-being. Learning a new tune on a musical instrument, a new song to sing on repeat, or even enjoying music in the background, of your day, is good for the brain. An AARP study shows, both casual and focused listeners report less depression and anxiety. Those attending live musical events and concerts may derive even higher benefits. Practicing an instrument, or singing in a choir, also is connected to higher rates of happiness and cognitive function. It is never too late to boost your daily dose of music and reap the healthy results.

December 15, 2022
Avoid Phone, Email & Text Scams
Scam calls, emails and text messages have significantly increased. They attempt to defraud you by tricking you into revealing personal, credit or financial information. So prevalent they have spawned an industry of theft known as phishing by email, smishing by text, and vishing by voice call. Federal Trade Commission data released in 2022 shows that consumers reported losing more than $5.8 billion to fraud in 2021, a whopping increase of more than 70% over the previous year. Of the 2.8 million fraud reports received by the FTC, imposter scams were the most commonly reported, followed by online shopping scams; fake prizes, fake sweepstakes and fake lotteries, and scams involving phony internet services or nonexistent business or job opportunities.

The scams are coming at you on a daily basis, designed to rob your money or steal your identity. They often target older adults with bogus threats related to debts owed or a family member in trouble. When fraud is directed at you personally, it is frightening and very dangerous to your financial accounts. To avoid falling prey, be aware, and be vigilant; although the scenarios presented in scams are fake, the potential for losing thousands of dollars is quite real.

Do Not Engage
- Don’t Answer. The absolute best and most effective advice for avoiding phone scams is…do not answer unfamiliar calls, emails or texts. If you answer a contact and realize it could be a scam — disconnect immediately and do not answer when they attempt to contact you again.
- Set Call ID. If vision loss prevents you from seeing incoming phone numbers, consider setting your phone to announce the incoming call, or assign a special ringtone to your favorite callers. Contact your carrier to find out if they offer options for blocking calls identified as spam.
- Don’t Give Information. Beware of any call or message asking for your personal information including social security number, Medicare ID, date of birth, username, password, mother’s maiden name or credit card info. Government agencies and legitimate businesses do not ask for personal information by phone. Email or text message, if someone does, it is most likely fraud. Confirm the request independently with a call to the company or agency’s customer service line.
- Do Not Send Money. Don’t be pressured to send money urgently. Beware of requests for payments by wire transfer, preloaded debit or gift cards, Google Pay, and Bitcoin. Unusual payment methods are almost certainly indicative of a scam
- Don’t Be Fooled by phone numbers or email addresses that appear to be legitimate; both can be easily faked by scammers.
Senior man with serious expression talking on phone.

Be Aware Of These Scams
- Social Security Scams will try to convince you that someone is fraudulently using your SS# or there is a judgment against you which may lead to your arrest. Never respond to calls or messages of this nature.
- Medicare Scams will claim new Medicare cards are being issued or that you are eligible for a free medical device. They will ask for your Medicare and banking information. This is a fraud. Hang up.
- IRS Scams involve a call to demand immediate payment for taxes owed, using a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. Hang up on this scam and do not return calls to voicemail messages. The IRS does not collect taxes by phone or request unusual payment methods. The fraud can be easily confirmed by calling the IRS directly.
- Grandparent Scam calls or email involve a con artist posing as a family member, lawyer or law enforcement agent reporting serious trouble that urgently requires a wire transfer of funds for bail money, lawyers fees or other fictitious expenses. Don’t believe it, verify the whereabouts of your loved one independently.
- FBI Scams claim you are under investigation and demand a fee to avoid arrest.
- Fishing Scams involve calls, texts and email that impersonate Apple, Verizon, American Express and JP Morgan Chase, among many others, to claim your account has been compromised and you need to reset. Do not call the number or click the links provided. Instead, verify by calling the company’s published customer service number.
- Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams Call or email to inform you that you have won the big prize, but must first pay taxes or fees before it can be released to you. There is absolutely no winning; you can only lose on this one.
No matter what type of scam, the best advice is the same: Do Not Engage! Don’t respond to suspicious calls. If you pick up a questionable call, hang up immediately. Do not call back. Don’t open suspicious emails and don’t open attachments or click links.

Always Protect Your Private Information
- Don’t share your passwords, keep them private and update regularly.
- Shred documents that contain personal or financial information before discarding.
- When using an ATM, cover or block the keypad when entering your PIN.
- Use direct deposit for paychecks, tax refunds, benefit payments, etc.
- Review financial statements monthly and correct errors.
- Review credit report yearly and correct issues.
This article was originally posted July 13, 2019 and updated December 8, 2022.
December 9, 2022
Stronger Balance Longer Life
How is your balance? Can you stand on one leg for 10-seconds? Do you feel steady on your feet? Are you able to walk in a straight line? Any recent falls? The results of a 12-year Brazilian balance study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found difficulties with balance portend increasing frailty and decreased longevity. Problems are not relegated to the elderly, they can start in mid-life, but they do significantly increase with age. Vision loss, physical injuries and medical conditions can exacerbate the issue.

The 1,700 participants in the study, ages 52 to 75, were asked to take the 10-second balance test by standing on one leg (the other leg resting on the back of the standing leg), with both arms at their sides while looking straight ahead. They got three attempts to complete the task successfully. More than 20% failed.

In the final eye-opening assessment, scientists estimated that those unable to pass the balance test faced an 84% increased risk of death over the next 7 years. The bottom line is it all comes down to falls, which is the second leading cause of death by unintentional injury. Those able to complete the test had a much lower risk of falling.

Grandmother, daughter and granddaughter practicing balance outdoors

Improve Balance at Any Age

The test is a powerful indicator and wake-up call, but certainly by no means an exact science. Balance issues can be related to many underlying causes, and researchers hope the Balance Study will inform and inspire more physicians to include the 10-second test in annual physicals. But don’t wait for that, if you are feeling off balance, talk to your physician, or physical therapist, without delay. Isolating and reducing physical activity will only make matters worse. Incorporate balance work into every day (whether you pass the test or not). Do strength training. Practice Tai Chi, yoga or balance exercises. Dance or do aerobics. Get started now with a selection of the exercises linked below from the experts at Very Well Fit.
- How to Do a Single Leg Stance
- Start Aging Better Today
- Communicate Better with Your Doctor
- Advanced Balance Exercises
September 15, 2022
What’s In Your Go Bag?
Extreme weather, and war, have a special way of eroding our, already tenuous, sense of safety. At this point flash floods and wild fires affect more people than we would have ever imagined, yet many are still caught totally off guard. Don’t be surprised by the urgent need to evacuate. By now we know everyone should have a bag ready to go when you have to get out in a hurry.

Obviously, the need for preparedness is essential for people with vision loss, as it is much more difficult to gather things in a rush when you cannot identify them easily with your eyes. An organized bag, waiting to be scooped up at a moment’s notice, will give you some peace of mind and a better sense of security.

NASA image inside massive storm.

Heed the warnings. I was ill prepared for the damage done to my building, overlooking New York City’s East River on October 29, 2012. The evacuation order seemed extreme, so I ignored it and hunkered down at home. Power was lost hours before Hurricane Sandy wreaked her historic havoc on the island of Manhattan, breaching the rivers on both east and west sides. The super storm’s surge brought in nearly 2 feet of water, flooding the main lobby and destroying everything in it, including the majestic fig trees that stood in its beautiful atrium for 25 years. It left behind several inches of mud and decimated all the power, heat and air mechanisms contained on the lower level. It took more than a week to restore essential services to my home, while many New Yorkers were displaced for much longer periods. The day after, I packed the Go Bag, and walked it down 19 floors in a pitch black stairwell, never to challenge an evacuation order again.

Start putting together that Go Bag today and then review and update it periodically. Think of it as a bag that holds the things you need to get by, with some degree of comfort, if displaced from home for a week. Keep it in check, don’t create a kit for surviving the wilderness. Begin with a list of must-have items, along with important documents.

Image of Backpack ready to go.

Contents of the Go Bag
- Waterproof Sealable Bags – Protect everything
- Documents – Passport, emergency contacts, etc.
- Backpack – Select for comfort and don’t overstuff it
- Emergency Cash – Small bills are best
- Mobile Phone Chargers – Wired and portable
- Masks – Protection from virus, flu, smoke from fires
- Disinfectant Wipes to clean everything
- Flashlight with Batteries
- Travel Kit Holding all Personal Hygiene Items
- Eye Glasses, Contacts, Solution, Magnifiers
- Sunglasses
- Hearing Aids and Batteries
- Medications – Prescription and OTC
- Changes of Clothing
- Food and Water – Bottled water, protein bars, nuts, dried fruit
- Pet Food and Water
Grab and Go
- Wallet with ID, Credit Cards
- Mobile Phone
- Laptop, Tablet, Earphones
- Sunglasses
- Glasses, Contacts
- Magnifier
Keep your Go Bag in a designated place and let family members know where it can be found. Keep the things you use everyday, together and in a place where you can grab them, with your bag, and go.
March 23, 2022
New Drug, Less Shots for AMD & DME

Vabysmo (faricimab-svoa), recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, is the first bispecific antibody for eyes. The drug, developed by Roche Genentech to treat both wet age-related-macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema offers a dosing regimen that requires less frequency than injectable medications currently in use. Physicians and patients will likely agree, more options and less shots in the eye represent an important advance in the treatment of two leading causes of vision loss.

Without effective treatment, patients with AMD and DME live with a progressive loss of detail vision causing difficulty reading, facial recognition and driving, while peripheral vision remains intact. Wet age-related macular degeneration happens in about 10% of all AMD cases and is marked by abnormal blood vessels that develop underneath the retina and cause bleeding and swelling of the macula. Common symptoms include blurriness and waviness or loss of central vision. Diabetic macular edema can occur at any stage of diabetic retinopathy marked by changes that lead to fluid accumulation, also known as edema, in the retina. If fluid accumulates in the macula, or the central area of the retina which provides your sharpest vision, the vision may become severely compromised.

Charles C. Wykoff, MD, PhD, a Vabysmo phase 3 investigator and director of research at Retina Consultants of Texas, said in a press release “With Vabysmo, we now have the opportunity to offer patients a medicine that could improve their vision, potentially lowering treatment burden with fewer injections over time.”

The new drug works by inhibiting 2 pathways, Ang-2 and VEGEF-A to reduce inflammation and leakage of blood vessels, minimizing the loss of vision. Vabysmo treatment begins with 4 monthly intravitreal injections, with follow up injections at 1 to 4 month increments.

More at: VABYSMO Patient Website

February 18, 2022
This Year Take Care

Getting to 2022 was no easy feat, so congratulations. On October 2, 2021, I stood on the National Mall surrounding the Washington Monument, in Washington DC, and observed the 700,000 white flags placed in a perfect and seemingly endless formation. Each flag in memory of an American who died of COVID. The powerful sight of this installation ended the next day, but the deaths continued. As of January 19, 2022, deaths have risen to over 857,000.

Image shows white flag memorial installation at Washington Monument on October 2, 2021.

The installation named, “In America: Remember,” was also a powerful reminder of our collective survival. I could not help but think of that as I watched the other living visitors to the massive field of flags, paying respect. Perhaps the best way to celebrate the life we continue is to take care of it. So many aspects of our lives have been affected by the pandemic, whether we contracted the virus or not. Even the luckiest among us is likely to be dealing with some collateral damage. The year ahead is the right time to recognize your need for recovery and make self care a priority.

Life, as we knew it, has been interrupted by the pandemic. In some ways it is strikingly similar to the disruption caused by vision loss. And to be fair, we must acknowledge, dealing with both is a heavy load. If you’re feeling burnt out and exhausted, that would actually make sense.

We can take steps to improve on behaviors that may have suffered under the stress. Here are some thoughts and ideas that might help as you evaluate and recover from your own particular pandemic injury. Begin a new year by taking care.

Help for Your Head.

Mental health and emotional well-being are front and center as we re-acclimate and find our path forward. We must take care of self first, before we can take care of others. Read the OE article linked below for smart steps and stress relieving strategies to help our recovery.

Prioritize Your Emotional Health

Eating Well.

If good eating habits faltered during the pandemic, now is the time to get back to nourishing yourself with healthy food choices. Be mindful about your consumption and remember it’s best to focus on mostly unprocessed foods, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, whole grains, fish and some meats. Keep your plate colorful and predominantly plant-based. The foods that hold age-related macular degeneration at bay, are based on the same Mediterranean diet that promotes heart health.

The Anti-AMD Diet

Think Small.

There’s no sense trying to counter overwhelming change with more overwhelming change, so Keep the corrections small, even tiny. In the OE article linked below I recommend the bite size approach to productivity, while utilizing the 1-minute rule, micro learning and exercise snacks.

Small Changes are Big

Exercise, Sleep, Learn, Connect.

The same practices, behaviors and habits that keep your brain sharp are major players in your overall health and well-being. Exercise daily, keep learning, sleep well and stay socially connected — it is key to maintaining cognition.

6 Ways to Keep Your Mind Young

Have Fun.

Don’t underestimate the importance of fun, it feels good and it’s good for us. Prioritize the people and activities that are most likely to create playfulness, connection and flow in your life on a regular basis. Read more on this subject from Catherine Price in The New York Times.

Why We All Need to Have More Fun

January 21, 2022
A Pharmacy Reimagined for Visually Impaired People
There’s something about the name “Accessible Pharmacy” that gives you a sense of ease. It could feel that way to anyone who’s grappled with a pharmacy, a prescription or any number of things relating to obtaining a medication. Now add vision loss into that equation. If you don’t drive, getting to the drugstore might be the first challenge. Then think about the small print and tiny text wrapped around prescription containers. It’s a wonder anyone can read it. And paying for your medication often involves a request that you confirm some personal information on a screen, at the register, but you can’t read those words either.

Issues relating to visual accessibility at the pharmacy have not gone unnoticed. There are various solutions available, but few are integrated into the pharmacy experience. CVS Pharmacy now offers Spoken RX which enables the CVS app to scan and read an RFID code on the prescription. Siri or the Google assistant will read the details which include patient name, medication name, dosage, and directions. Walgreens makes medication accessible with Talking Pill Reminder, and they provide access to Aira for assistance shopping in-store.

If that sounds rather unimpressive, in terms of accessibility from the two largest pharmacy chains in America, well, it is. Perhaps they are slow to offer meaningful accommodations or enhanced service to customers who are visually impaired or blind, because they do not understand the problem.

Image shows pharmacist at computer labeling prescriptions.

Accessible Pharmacy

Recently the need was addressed from a new perspective, by Alex Cohen, marketing PhD, entrepreneur and visually impaired person. Together with a group of partners, he reimagined the pharmacy experience and launched Accessible Pharmacy in 2020. It was a bold move and Accessible Pharmacy is getting some attention for it. In a story about the new venture, the New York Times reported, “The pandemic has cast a spotlight on inequalities at pharmacies, where precautions and new programs have further limited access.” The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for regulating prescription drug labels, but even a 2012 law has been ineffective in making drug information accessible to visually impaired people.

The Accessible Pharmacy was created to remove the barriers that exist in traditional pharmacies, while eliminating the need to visit a brick and mortal location. They want to put forth “an incredibly welcoming sense of hospitality,” an element that can get lost in disability services. The goal is to deliver a personalized concierge service, transacted by phone with a live member of the pharmacy staff. Most people still appreciate that human touch, especially when dealing with pharmaceuticals. Home delivery, accessible packaging, support and labeling are free of charge. There is an Accessible Pharmacy mobile app and a direct line to the pharmacy staff is available on the Be My Eyes app, n the Trained Support section under Personal Health.

Products and Services:
- 10 Prescription Medication Packaging Options
- Over the Counter Medications
- Eye Drops
- Insulin
- Vitamins and Supplements
- Medical Devices
- Accessible Packaging and Labeling
- A team of blind, low vision and sighted professionals who understand your unique needs
- Free Home Delivery and there is no additional fee for the consultations or service
- Free accessible packaging and labeling including contracted braille and ScripTalk
- Education, service and support from our specialized pharmacy team
- High-tech, low-tech and no-tech solutions to help you manage your medication
- Eliminate the uncertainty and reduce medication errors
- Automated refills
Phone: 215-799-9900

Web: AccessiblePharmacy.com
September 30, 2021
Don’t Allow Vision Loss to Affect Your Cognition
It is often said that vision loss affects your eyes, not your brain. We know many capable people who continued to thrive in their personal and professional lives despite the added challenges of severe vision impairment or blindness. We want to believe our brains will hold up against the inevitable injury that occurs with a loss of sight. On the other hand, Jane Brody writes, “if the brain has to work extra hard to make sense of what our eyes see, it can take a toll on cognitive function.”

The news was reported in the Personal Health column of the NY Times, based on findings from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The research followed 1,200 women and men, age 60 to 94, and involved both vision and cognitive testing. Participants with ophthalmic issues including poor visual acuity, depth perception and low contrast, were also more likely to show cognitive decline over the course. The information is not exactly uplifting, but delivered in that quintessentially Jane Brody kind of way, it was bad news followed by good news. That’s right, there is something we can do about it. Like many other factors involving health and aging, this too is all about the steps we take to keep our brains fit. It very much depends on how we deal with it.

Preventing cognitive decline related to vision loss is within our grasp. Vision loss that goes unaddressed often results in a decrease in physical and social activity, which adds to the decline in brain power. Here are steps recommended to maintain mental sharpness with changing eyesight and age:
- Get annual eye exams, to identify problems early that can be corrected or addressed before they contribute to mental decline
- Uncorrectable vision loss, or low vision, can be helped by vision rehabilitation, which includes evaluation, counseling and training that helps visually impaired people compensate and adjust
- Don’t wait until a visual impairment begins to adversely impact daily function, start adjusting early
- If the doctor says nothing can be done to medically treat the vision problem, that does not mean there is nothing you can do to improve your quality of life
- Maintain a strong social connection to friends and family
- Making adjustments in our home and work environment can significantly improve daily function, productivity and confidence
Cognitive decline is an eye opener, bringing a new sense of urgency to coping with vision loss. Jane Brody’s message is one advanced by OE Patients everyday. Find more OE links below to more helpful content relating to this topic:

In the Know About Low Vision

10 Things to Know About iPhone for Vision

Your Smartphone is a Comprehensive Low Vision Device

OE Agrees with AAO

Making Excuses, Breaking Excuses

Nate’s Low Vision Makeover

6 Ways to Keep Your Mind Young
September 10, 2021
OE Patients AMD Guide

There is a lot to know about age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This is particularly true for newly diagnosed patients, but also important for patients at every stage of AMD.

STAY POSTED with OE Patients monthly updates, here’s the signup.

Wrinkled Face Of Elderly Woman

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

You’re not alone if you were recently diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It’s one of the most common causes of visual impairment in older adults, affecting millions in the United States alone. Chances are the nice woman sitting next to you in a clinic’s waiting room has AMD also and is undergoing treatment.

Read the Article

Fresh vegetables and fruits spread out on a gray table.

The Anti-AMD Diet

One of our most popular posts, authored by a nutritionist and wellness expert, looks at the impact diet has on slowing the progression of AMD. It’s popularity reflects the interest in, and importance of, making healthy food and lifestyle choices for better outcomes overall.

Read the Article

Three generations of a family sitting on a park bench.

Hope for Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition that impacts millions in the United States alone. In our previous article, What is AMD?, we explored the different levels and types, as well as major risk factors. Thankfully, treatment is an effective option now. Even just fifteen or so years ago, having the advanced form of AMD almost guaranteed that your vision would become severely impaired.

Read the Article

Artists Work Through Macular Degenerat

Artists Work Through Macular Degeneration

These visual artists with AMD, in their 70’s and 80’s, continued to flourish, some crating their best work after vision loss. They inspire us to carry on doing what we love to do.

Read the Article

Three seniors using different technology in a living room.

OE Agrees With AAO

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), most patients with age-related vision loss believe there is nothing they can do to improve quality of life. AAO and OE want patients to know — that is not correct.

Read the Article

Image shows group of AMD patients applauding.

NEI Study Shows AMD Vitamins Work

A 10-year follow-on study by the National Eye Institute confirms the AREDS2 supplement formula is effective in slowing progress of AMD in patients with moderate to advanced disease.

Read the Article

Image of the logo for The Retina Counselor.

The Retina Counselor – AMD

Learn about treatments in development for AMD and find a printable PDF to discuss with your retina specialist.

Read the Article

August 30, 2021
Celebrate National Sunglasses Day

If you have not already developed the habit of protecting your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun, today is the day to start practicing. Learn to take the steps on a daily basis, that will preserve your precious sight. This is extremely important, not just in the summer, but every day of the year.

It’s National Sunglasses Day, a great excuse to buy yourself a fabulous new pair or get one for someone you love. We encourage everyone to express their personal style and to be sure the glasses they select are qualified for the job. The American Optometric Association recommends lenses that block out at least 99 percent of UVB and UVA rays and screen 75 to 90 percent of visible light.

There is no shortage of options for shielding eyes during all outdoor activities. Be certain your shades provide maximum protection, good coverage, fit well and look great. Choose the lens type and color that best suits your needs.

Sun is damaging to young and old eyes alike. Light eyes are at greater risk because they contain less of the melanin that protects darker eyes. All eyes are susceptible to damage over time, including the development of cataracts, macular degeneration and both ocular and skin cancers. Excessive exposure to sun rays can also burn the cornea.

Protective lenses are a must for snow sports. UV is more intense at higher altitudes and snow reflects about 80 percent of the suns rays, which is like getting hit twice. The same goes for water and sand.

Obviously, sunglasses are far more than a fashion accessory. They should be worn even on cloudy days and in shaded areas. A brimmed hat is another great way to further minimize exposure. And please don’t forget sunscreen on uncovered skin. It’s much smarter to be safe now, than sorry later.

This isn’t our first reminder about protecting your eyes from the sun. Here’s another post we shared on the subject:

“Keep The Sun Out of Your Eyes”

Group of people wearing sunglasses outside.

This article was originally posted on Jun 26, 2018 and resurfaced Jun 27, 2021.

June 27, 2021
Prioritize Your Emotional Health
Emotional well-being is no longer the hidden stigma it once was. As we slowly begin to put the pandemic in our past, the conversation and clear need for more and better mental health supports has been elevated to sweeping proportions, reaching across national headlines and newscasts, to workplace programs and consumer apps, right down to local school board meetings and community outreach events. Perhaps, too, it has been a personal conversation in your own home or with your primary care provider. Mental health and emotional well-being finally have a well-deserved seat at the dinner table.

What it means and how we interpret emotional well-being is as personal and diverse as the many names and notions it can go by: mental health or illness, persistent stress or worry, fatigue and mental fog, anxiety or depression, resiliency and recovery, hope, behavioral health, counseling or therapy, spiritual or religious healing, mindfulness and meditation, positive psychology, social connection, coping, focus and more.

Over the past year, we have endured numerous challenges and stressors in vastly different ways. Loneliness, isolation, death, job loss, trauma, burnout, and drastically new routines in our everyday lives has severely affected our emotional well-being. As society begins to reopen and we re-acclimate to a new normal, it’s a good time to reflect on our changed lives and path to healing. The meaning of emotional well-being that resonates best with you is the best place to begin your self-care journey.

Image shows patient talking with primary care provider.

How are you coping?

Finding a healthy practice to promote emotional well-being has many similarities to changing eating habits or starting a new exercise plan for physical health. Your goals are as unique as you and demand some well-deserved thought.

Prioritize yourself. You cannot take care of others until you take care of yourself. So, like the airline instructions, put on your safety mask first.

Write down your why. Identify the reason(s) you want to make a change in your life. Entering into a personal contract with yourself requires commitment. Finding your motivation not only helps sustain movement toward your goal, but keeps you focused and gives you purpose.

Take a few SMART steps to success.
- Specific: Create a personal mission statement by defining what you wish to achieve.
- Measurable: Make your goal tangible by establishing markers or milestones of success to track your progress.
- Achievable: Choose a goal that is doable. Avoid overcommitment.
- Relevant: Align your goal with your personal values and long-term objectives.
- Time-bound: Set end dates to keep you on track and stay motivated. Set short and long term goals. Acknowledge that it takes time to reach goals worth working toward.
Avoid personal pitfalls. Identify the situations, people or places that cause stress, anxiety, or other harmful ruminations. Do your best to set your goals in ways that avoid these known stressors.

Seek professional support. Recognizing when you need help is a strength. Additional support or treatment from licensed professionals can propel you to your goals. Consider a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, therapist, and chaplain among others.

Image shows man in meditation at sunrise.

Try relaxing more and stressing less.

From aroma and art therapy to positive self-talk and yoga, there’s sure to be an effective stress reliever and relaxation technique that works best for you. To help you get started, explore just a few of these options below.
- Guided meditation is a form of meditation and relaxed concentration that may provide mental, emotional, or physical healing. Try it here
- Progressive muscle relaxation is a method of breathing and body control to help relieve physical tension. Try it here
- Deep breathing or diaphragmatic breathing is a stress management and relaxation technique. Try it here
- Relaxation or calming yoga is a gentle exercise that can help relieve stress and physical tension. Try it here
Finding the best stress relief strategies may take some time and practice. But it’s important for your total well-being to keep your stress at a manageable level. Remember the small things too, like hugging your loved ones, maintaining social connections, or even taking a walk outside.

Be well!

Image shows woman giving warm hug to loved one.
June 4, 2021