Four Decades of Trust and Care

For over 47 years, we have built a thriving practice by providing “advanced eyecare with a home-town touch.” It’s our hope that this newsletter, coming to you four times a year, reflects this commitment by sharing news and updates that answer your questions about the latest eye care and eyewear. We’ll also share the milestones and accomplishments of our ever-expanding team now numbering 8 ophthalmologists, one optometrist and 80+ support staff!

Thank you for trusting us with your precious eye health and vision, which has enabled us to become the largest, most experienced eye care practice in Gwinnett County. We pride ourselves on offering you the latest advances in technology, all the while treating you and your family as our neighbors and dear friends.

We also thank you in advance for taking the time to read this newsletter. We promise to provide accurate and practical “news you can use” in an easy-to-read format. We welcome your comments and feedback so we may better serve your individual eye health and vision needs.

Sincerely yours,

Richard Carlin, MD, your home-town ophthalmologist and Founder of CarlinVision.

September is Healthy Aging Month

21 Ways Aging Changes Your Eyes

Two out of three Americans falsely believe vision loss is inevitable as we age. Sure, aging can affect your eyes — but vision loss is not the norm. Here are 21  common changes to vision and eye health that aging adults should watch for, and the best ways to protect your sight. (Photo credit: Mikhail Nilov)

  1. Trouble reading fine print Presbyopia is common after the age of 40. This makes up-close activities, such are reading or sewing, more challenging. Reading glasses can help, as can some contact lenses and refractive surgeries. There are even new eyedrop medicines that can help improve near vision due to presbyopia.
  2. Difficulty seeing at night Older adults may notice that their eyes take longer to adjust and focus in the dark than they used to. Studies suggest that the eye’s rod cells, which are responsible for low light vision, weaken with age. That’s why driving becomes trickier at night, or during poor weather. The National Traffic Safety Administration recommends that older people only drive during daytime.
  3. Dry Eyes Older adults tend to produce less tears. This is an uncomfortable eye condition called dry eye. Dry eye is especially common among women who have gone through menopause. Your ophthalmologist will recommend the best dry eye treatment for you.

You Are What You Eat: Healthy Diet May Protect Your Vision

No, you’re not getting any younger. But eating the right foods may help protect your vision and keep you healthy as you age. (Photo credit: Jane Trang Doan)

Foods rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to lower risks of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract and other eye conditions later in life. It’s also possible that diet plays a role in glaucoma, though it’s not yet clear how.

What does this nutrient-rich diet look like? Let’s break it down:

  • Vitamin C. Foods with lots vitamin c are oranges, grapefruit, kiwifruit, strawberries, tomatoes, red and green peppers, and broccoli.
  • Vitamin E. Healthy sources of vitamin E include almonds, sunflower seeds, olive oil, and avocadoes.
  • Zinc. Legumes (beans and lentils), seeds, meat/seafood, dairy, and eggs are all good sources of zinc.
  • Lutein and zeaxanthin. Both of these nutrients are found naturally in the retina- the light sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. This is why boosting your diet with lutein and zeaxanthin is a win for your eye health. Lutein and zeaxanthin-often found in many foods-are part of the “carotenoid” family of plant pigments. Carotenoids give color to many vegetables and fruits. You can find lutein and zeaxanthin in leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, and swiss chard. Broccoli, asparagus, and colorful fruits like raspberries, papaya, peaches, and mangoes are also chock-full of eye-healthy carotenoids.

Four Risks of Costume Contact Lenses

Cosmetic contact lenses change your eye color or appearance, helping you make a subtle or bold statement with your eyes. But beware: buying cosmetic contact lenses not prescribed by an eye doctor who has examined your eyes can lead to serious eye problems- even vision loss. 

Contact lenses require a prescription from a licensed eye care practitioner. They are deemed medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Contact lenses are banned from being sold by non-licensed vendors, including gas station, convenience stores and beauty parlors. It is illegal to import and sell counterfeit contact lenses into the U.S., and federal law enforcement agencies work to stop this from happening. The simply fact is that unregulated cosmetic contacts are bad news for your eyes.

Click here to learn four ways that over-the-counter decorative contact lenses can hurt your eyes.

The Eye Doctor Approved Holiday Gift Guide

Air guns are a notorious threat to the eyes. But new findings suggest these guns are harming more eyes than ever before. Eye injuries from paintball, pellet, airsoft and BB guns have risen by 50% since 1990 — even as injuries to other body parts become less common. Below is a guide to buying safe toys, as well as information on protective eyewear. 

Running out of gift ideas for the kids? Buy your child safe toys that will finally get them off their screens. Here is what eye doctors are keeping in mind as they put together their own holiday shopping lists.

How can you tell which toys are safe for your kids? 

Eyes are particularly vulnerable to injuries. And serious injuries to the eye can have life-long effects. Commonly reported injuries from toys include corneal abrasions and ocular hyphema. More severe trauma can lead to retinal detachment, ruptured eyeballs, and even blindness.

The good news is that most eye injuries can be easily prevented by following a few key safety tips:

Learn more from the American Academy of Ophthalmology

DID YOU KNOW?

The Optical Boutique is open from 8:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday. 

Prescription Eyeglasses Are a Senior’s Best Friend

  • Prescription eyeglasses are necessary for most American seniors as their eyesight declines gradually, making it challenging to perform daily tasks such as reading, driving, and navigating the world. (Photo credit: Andrea Piacquadio)
  • Seniors are prone to experiencing certain vision issues that can affect their daily lives, such as presbyopia and dry eyes.
  • Presbyopia is a vision condition that impacts the ability to see nearby objects and is prevalent among seniors. Symptoms of presbyopia include difficulty reading small print, eye strain, headaches and fatigue.
  • Dry eyes happen when the eyes don’t generate sufficient tears or when tears evaporate rapidly. This can result in discomfort, irritation, and a gritty sensation and can lead to blurred vision, light sensitivity, and eye fatigue. Dry eyes diminish the comfort of contact lenses.
  • Choosing the right eyewear for seniors can be overwhelming and confusing, with many factors, with many options and features. It is important to consider factors such as prescription strength, lens materials, frame styles, and durability.
  • Seniors should consult with their eye doctor to determine the appropriate prescription, and with a frame styling expert to select the eyewear that can improve their daily lives and make tasks easier.