Five Forks Vision

03/20/2023

Spring is here and so are allergies! Take steps to protect your eye health from airborne pollen and harmful UV rays. Schedule an eye exam to learn more about caring for your eyes during the spring months.

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03/15/2023

CAN I PREVENT AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION?

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a prevalent cause of vision loss in older adults. It affects the macula, the area responsible for central vision. As we age, the risk of developing AMD increases, making it essential for older adults to take steps to prevent it. In the past few years, doctors have understood the various risk factors for AMD and the strategies for preventing or slowing its progression.

You can do several things to maintain good vision as you age, including healthy eating, exercising, and undergoing regular eye exams. Whether you are just beginning to be concerned about your vision or have already been diagnosed with AMD, you can maintain your sight for years to come.

What Is AMD?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative condition of the retina. AMD affects the macula, a small area in the center of the retina that is crucial for fine, detailed vision. As the condition progresses, the macula deteriorates and loses its ability to function properly, causing a gradual loss of central vision. This can make reading, driving, recognizing faces, or performing other tasks that require good vision challenging.

Types Of AMD-
There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. The dry form is the most common of the two and is characterized by a slow loss of central vision due to the thinning and deterioration of the macula. On the other hand, wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels develop behind the retina. These leak fluid and blood, causing rapid and severe vision loss.

What Causes AMD?
The exact cause of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is not fully understood. However, researchers believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors causes it. Some of the known risk factors for AMD include:

Age
Genetics
Smoking
Sunlight exposure
Diet
Cardiovascular disease
Obesity

How To Prevent AMD:
Quit Smoking-
Quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of developing AMD. Smoking is a major risk factor for AMD, and smokers are at least two to three times more likely to develop the condition.

The harmful chemicals in to***co smoke can harm the blood vessels in the eye. These lead to abnormal blood vessels in the retina, a hallmark of wet AMD. Smoking also increases the risk of developing dry AMD by contributing to drusen formation. These are small yellow deposits in the macula that can cause vision loss.

Eat A Healthy Diet-
Eating a nutritious diet rich in certain nutrients helps reduce the risk of developing AMD.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C can help protect the retina from damage caused by sunlight

Vitamin E: Vitamin E may help slow AMD's progression

Lutein and zeaxanthin: These carotenoids are found in foods such as spinach, kale, and eggs and can help protect the macula from damage

Omega-3 fatty acids

Zinc: Zinc also helps protect the retina

Wear Sunglasses-
Wearing sunglasses is one strategy that can help prevent AMD. Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can damage the retina over time. Long-term exposure to UV rays can increase the risk of developing AMD. Sunglasses that block UV rays can help protect the retina from damage. Look for sunglasses blocking 99% or 100% UVA and UVB rays.

For more on whether you can prevent age-related macular degeneration, visit Five Forks Vision at our office in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Call (864) 520-2480 to book an appointment today.

03/08/2023

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03/06/2023

THE ROLE OF SLEEP IN MAINTAINING EYE HEALTH 😴

Do you ever notice that your eyes feel uneasy before you go to sleep when you have not been getting enough sleep? Ocular discomfort is a short-term result of inadequate or delayed sleep, and symptoms include dryness, soreness, hyperemia, and pruritus of the eye. Although these are typical biological reactions to sleep deprivation, they can negatively affect your vision.

Since our bodies recover and regenerate at night, we require adequate sleep for optimal health. It is crucial that getting enough sleep is a part of your routine because sleeping rejuvenates our eyes exceptionally well.

How Does Sleep Benefit The Eyes?

Regularly getting a decent night's sleep is crucial, but the CDC estimates that greater than one-third of individuals do not get enough sleep. According to doctors, adults should sleep at least seven hours every night.

A study on how inadequate sleep might impact the eyes was just published in Stem Cell Reports by scientists from China and the U.S. They discovered that sleep deprivation could affect the cornea's stem cells and its tear film surface.

Sleep is the only time the fluids that keep your body regulated circulate without interruption. These fluids also circulate in the eye structures. They help lubricate the eyes and rejuvenate the different parts of the eyes.

What Happens When You Do Not Get Enough Sleep?

Dark Circles
Lack of sleep causes swollen skin under the eyes, along with dark circles around the eyes. You do not need to worry too much about your general health, but you end up exhausted all day.

Eye Twitches
Eye twitches or spasms in the eyes occur due to muscle contractions. Your eyelids twitch because of the muscles' contractions. Spasms are brought on by lack of sleep. Although it does not cause any long-term eye conditions or vision loss, it is an unpleasant sensation that is easily avoidable.

Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eyes might be brought on by lack of sleep. Your eyes may also appear puffy, bloodshot, and red. Dry eyes result from your eye ducts not producing adequate tears to maintain moisture in your eyes.

You may have eye pain and redness. It can cause itchiness, light sensitivity, and blurred vision. Consequently, getting a good night's sleep can stop dry eyes. You can also apply eye drops to lubricate your eyes for immediate effects.

Glaucoma
Getting less sleep might exacerbate serious eye conditions like glaucoma. Because of the lack of sleep, the eyes do not get enough rest, leading to pressure within the eyes. This pressure can cause glaucoma, which in turn can cause total blindness. Your eyes can relax, recover, and refuel the following day by getting seven hours of sleep at night.

Ocular Ischemic Neuropathy
When there is insufficient blood flow to your eyes, it results in ischemic optic neuropathy. Your eyes receive a rejuvenating increase in blood flow while you sleep. So, getting less sleep results in less blood reaching your eyes. In turn, this harms optic nerves, leaving you with painful eyes and hazy vision.

For more on the role of sleep in maintaining eye health, visit Five Forks Vision at our office in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Call (864) 520-2480 to book an appointment today.

03/01/2023

Postponing your eye exam or buying new glasses because you don’t have vision coverage? No problem!

Get same-day coverage when you call VSP Individual Vision Plans at 855.926.8877.

Then call us at 864-520-2480 to set up your exam!

02/27/2023

It’s Healthy Heart Month! Did you know that an eye exam can detect early signs of heart disease? Give us a call today to schedule your next eye exam. Your heart and your eyes depend on it.
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864-520-2480

02/13/2023

Whether it’s love or vascular health, it is important to consider what your heart needs! February is American Heart Month and an eye exam can reveal a lot about the vascular system through the blood vessels in your eyes. Schedule an exam this month and support your .

02/08/2023

Did you know that heart health and eye health go hand in hand?

In February, operate from the heart and make sure you are keeping up with your routine medical exams. Eye exams can help detect early signs of diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension which can be contributing factors to heart disease.

02/01/2023

Keep an eye on your heart during American Heart Month and visit our practice to learn more about how your routine eye exam can help show your heart some love.

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01/18/2023

We have partnered with TerraCycle US to help you recycle your contact lens!

When you think of plastic pollution, you probably imagine discarded straws. And water bottles. And bags. Some folks are also focusing on something smaller — itty-bitty items millions of us use everyday. Contact lenses, when improperly discarded, likely create contaminating microplastics.

To help prevent microplastic pollution, responsible disposal is important. A free program is in place to help you recycle your used contacts.

ONE by ONE Recycling Program
The recycling initiative accepts used lenses from any brand. It also accepts empty blister packs and foils, which most curbside recycling programs are not equipped to process."

Contact lenses, when flushed or washed down the drain, create microplastic pollution. Learn how you can easily recycle them through a free program.

01/11/2023

Vision is part of your general health. Here are a few tips you should keep in mind to maintain healthy vision.

Go To Regular Eye Checks:
You must have an eye exam at least each year. People at least 40 years old must have these eye checks more often. Your eye doctor at Five Forks Vision can notice signs of eye diseases or changes in your eyes. A custom-fit preventive plan can help ensure your eye health.

Choose Clean Eating:
Your eyes can suffer from infections & inadequate function. This can result from an insufficient intake of essential nutrients. Healthy fats, vitamins, & antioxidants can help keep your eyes & vision healthy. You can get vitamin E from hazelnuts, avocados, & sunflower oil. Broccoli, tomatoes, & oranges are rich in vitamin C. You can get your zinc allowance from seafood & red meat. Soybeans, fish, & walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Remove Contact Lenses Before Bed:
Proper contact lens care can help maintain your healthy vision. You should remove your contacts before bedtime. This allows your eyes to breathe because not every contact lens lets oxygen in. Forgetting to take out your contacts can cause deformities & swelling. Allowing your contact lenses to sit in a cleaning solution overnight can lengthen their life & prevent infections.

Wear Your Prescription Glasses Or Contact Lenses:
Your prescription lenses can help you see better. You should follow your eye doctor’s instructions & wear your glasses or contacts when needed. Observe proper lens cleaning at all times. This can prevent scratches & bacteria from clinging to your prescription eyewear. Storing them in hard cases can help make them last longer.

Communicate With Your Eye Doctor:
Speak to your eye doctor as soon as you notice changes in how you see. If something in your eyes is bothering you, telling your doctor immediately can help with early treatments.

Wear Proper Eye Protection:
Sports, housework, or woodwork may put your eyes at risk. That is why it is crucial to wear proper eye protection whenever you do these activities. You can ask your eye doctor for custom-fit eyewear based on your prescription. This can help you see better and keep your eyes safe.

01/05/2023

January is . Get the facts about glaucoma and schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam to protect your sight.

Glaucoma's one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness.