The Optometric Nutrition Society
A Professional Society Whose Time Has Come
Dr.David Kisling of Fort Collins,Colorado has become an active member of The Optometric Nutrition Society. Lifestyle modification and nutrient intake are proving to play an important role in vision health and eye disease prevention. Several studies have shown a correlation with nutrition and chronic eye disease. This area of study has become a focus of primary vision care doctors.
The purpose of the Optometric Nutrition Society is to:
To promote excellence in the care of optometric patients through nutritional support of eye health and the prevention and control of ocular and systemic disease.
To sponsor professional symposia as well as a website, and to generate materials to educate professionals regarding the role of nutrition in systemic and ocular health.
To provide a collegial atmosphere where health care professionals can exchange ideas and concepts regarding nutritional influences on vision.
Provide a resource pool of clinically relevant refereed studies that support the role of safe nutritional support for the management of ocular and systemic disease.
To monitor and validate claims made by industry regarding the quality and efficacy of nutritional supplements.
To encourage the inclusion of nutrition education in the curricula of optometry schools.
The society closely monitors peer-reviewed published science on nutritional influence on eye health, as well as safety and ethical issues regarding specific micronutrients included in supplements being marketed to vision patients.
For more information contact:
Name: Dr David Kisling, O.D.
Address 181 West Boardwalk Ste. 201
Fort Collins,CO. 80525
Phone: (970) 226-0959
Email info@harmonyeyes.net
Do your child a favor when they visit their optometrist for back to school eye exam this year. Discuss sunwear protection with the eye doctor. Lifetime doses of UV radiation from the sun are associated with nuclear sclerosis. This is a type of cataract where the lens yellows then turns brown similar to plastic left outdoors for a few years. UV exposure has also been implicated as a risk factor for macular degeneration, and recent studies suggest even visible blue light may be damaging.
If you live in an area like Fort Collins at high altitude and snow, closer to the equator, or spend time around lakes or the ocean, your child’s exposure rate is much higher.
Think of sun protection for the eyes just like sun protection for the skin. No reputable childcare center allows children on outdoor excursions without sunscreen. It should be the same for your child’s eyes. UV (Ultraviolet) protection with sunwear that is tinted or transitions lenses that are clear indoors and darken outdoors are both good options. If you child spends a large amount of time in outdoor activities consider sunglasses that wrap around on the side. If you Normal eye glasses may allow 35% of the light in from the side. Gray is the tint that alters color perception the least but brown is popular also.
For non prescription sun wear avoid the cheap $5.00 variety. Look for something with an 100% UV protection. Expect to pay $30 to $40 at minimum for the quality your child deserves. Poor quality sunwear may actually damage your child’s eyes by dilating them and allowing more UV exposure with inadequate protection.
By starting early you are providing preventative care for two of the leading causes of blindness.
The leading causes of blindness in the U.S are diabetic related eye complications, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Cataracts are generally listed as the number one cause but this is somewhat misleading.
Cataracts effect in excess of 20 million people but most cataracts are treatable with modern surgical techniques and artificial lens implants. The complication rate is low. While some cataracts may be inoperable due to other health problems, most can be successfully removed. Many cases of blindness attributed to cataracts are actually due to preexisting retinal problems such as macular degeneration and advanced glaucoma. If the retina is not healthy to start with, removing the cataract will not restore vision, and the low level of vision categorized as blindness is actually not due to cataracts. The cost of cataract surgery is a barrier to treatment to the uninsured and can account for some of the large numbers of blindness attributed to cataracts.
Next to cataracts, diabetic complications in the eye do result in blindness in over 4 million people. With the current increase in obesity in our culture, especially in youth, this is a serious concern for the future. Most diabetes related blindness is due to changes in the blood vessels in the retina that causes microanuysms, bleeding, proliferation of fragile new blood vessels, and detachments of the retinal tissue. There is a correlation with how many years the diabetes has been present and how well the blood sugar has been controlled. Early treatment of retinal complications is a proven method of greatly lowering the incidence of blindness.
Glaucoma also is responsible for several million cases of blindness. Glaucoma has traditionally been thought of as high pressure in the eye. Today it is gradually becoming viewed as a circulatory problems to the optic nerve and a neurodegenerative disease, where the death of the nerves are a vital part of the disease. This will greatly alter our treatment regimins at some point in the future as we transition to using drugs to protect the nerve health and increase blood circulation.
All three of these conditions are primarily a condition of aging and as the population ages the incidence is increasing. All three are also highly likely to prove amendable to lifestlye and nutritional intervetion at early stages.
Protection of the lens in the eye from UV exposure and enrichment of the diet with food and nutriional supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin appears to show promise. Eating a diet with a low glycemic index (limiting refined sugars, eating complex carbohydrates like whole grains, and lost of vegetables) also will probably be shown to reduce cataracts. Finally, like the other leading causes of blindness, reducing obesity will reduce cataract fomration. While vitaimin E and C have been shown in recent studies not to reduce cataract formation. I do not beleive this will prove to be true with repeated studies. I do beleive antioxidants will be shown over time to be useful but it may be true in the context of whole foods and balanced diets, not in the form of supplementation.
Macualr degeneration has it’s proven formula manufactured by Bausc & Lomb under the name of Preservision which was shown in the initial Age Related Eye Disease Study (A.R.E.D.S.) to slow the progression of the mild form of macualr degeneration to the severe form. The supplements in the original formula are:
PRESERVISION
Vitamin A (beta-carotene)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid )
Vitamin E (dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate)
zinc oxide
copper cupric oxide
While a studies have shown an increase in lung cancer in smokers taking Vitamin A (beta-carotene) supplements, this is not a clear cut finding and may be proven wrong in the future. Currently supplements are being made both with and without Vitamin A. The exciting new news on the macular degeneration front is Age Related Eye Disease Study 2 -, which is testing the addition of lutein and zeaxanthin. Omega 3 fatty acids are also currently being looked at as a preventative supllements for macualr degeneration. Oxidative damage is presumably a major factor in macualr degeneration but it, like every other disease is usually not a simple one fix all type of propostition. Focusing on lifestlye prevention and nutrition and not late miracle cures should be a large part of our research expenditures.
It is still incredibly important to remember that many cases of all three of these conditions are due to genetic, environmental,coexisting health conditions, social, and mental health conditions out of our hands; and to place the blame or burden on an individual for their own illness is one of the cruelest and narcissistic attitudes we can take. On the other hand, we are enterning a new era where we can offer new forms of advice and interventions at an early age.
Glaucoma is at an earlier stage where we know less. While we will address individuals supplements and conditions in laters articles, for now a few peices of the clue. Vitamin C loweres eye pressure in some people due to osmotic pressure. Ginko may increase blood flow to the optice nerve. Forskolin comes from a plant named Coleus forskohlii and it has been used to lower intraocular pressure.
You can alter your lifestlye and nutrition and in conjunction with your prevetative eye exams from your family eye doctor thier is a good chance you can expect a lifetime of healthy eyesight. Fortunatly, most vision insurance plans, including Vision Service Plan and Medicare are recognizing the need for annual eye check ups for theses diseases.
As a final note, we feel so strongly about preventing blindness, if you have lost your job the last 12 months and are unisured we will work with you to manage your glaucoama for free for the remaider of the year if we feel we can help your case.
NASA and the National Eye Institute have been working together to develop a non-invasive method to measure very early development of cataracts and monitor any progression. This is important to astronauts receiving higher daily dose of radiation, especially on a long mission such as the future Mars flight, but there are great potential applications for preventing and treating cataracts in the future. The crystalline lens in the eye is composed largely of water but there is a class of proteins present known as alpha-crystallins.
The amount of Alpha-crystallin Proteins in the eye are largely fixed at birth, we don’t produce more. They function to a help the lens maintain it’s refractive index, which allows it to focus light on the retina so we can clearly see images. They also act as so called chaperone’s, dating the bad proteins that breakdown in the lens from oxidative stress. By joining up with theses proteins they prevent cross linking between large numbers of damaged proteins and other damaged cellular substances that can develop into large clumps and form opacities in the lens. These capacities can develop large enough in size that they start to interfere with your eyesight and become clinically referred to as cataracts.
The new instrument measures how much Alpha-crystallin Proteins scatter light and can detect their levels and changes over time. Now the potential exists to measure changes in response to environmental factors.
We have shown that this non-invasive technology that was developed for the space program can now be used to look at the early signs of protein damage due to oxidative stress, a key process involved in many medical conditions, including age-related cataract and diabetes, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s," said NASA’s Dr. Ansari. "By understanding the role of protein changes in cataract formation, we can use the lens not just to look at eye disease, but also as a window into the whole body."
Oxidative Stress is caused by an imbalance between the production of Reactive oxygen species and your bodies capaictiy to neutrlaize them, the reactive intermediates, and repair any resultant cellular damage. Oxidative stress results from UV, radiation, drugs, chemicals,smoking, dietary components and other environmental factors that create oxygen is states where free electrons readily bind to cellular substances, Free radicals are atoms, molecules, or ions with unpaired electrons that also readily bind to proteins, lipids, and the DNA of our cells. When the threshold of repair is passed, and the Alpha-crystallin Proteins become lowered with age to the point where they can’t adequately act as chaperone’s to prevent these damgaed proteins from aggreagting into the clumps, you will likley develop cataracts.
Hopefully we can start to clarify some of the lingering questions and move forward into the arean of cataract prevention and reversal. Antioxidants have held out great hope for cataract prevention and anti-aging in general, but questions have been raised in some recent studies about the capacity of antioxidants to help.There is even a small school of thought that believes low doses of oxidative stress is essential in prolonging life. At this point, the only certainly is Vitamin A is contraindicated in smokers.
I still strongly believe in the value of antioxidants in a preventative role. Some studies have shown lutein and zeathin have reduced the incidence of cataract formation. Extensive studies are underway to test their role in treating macular degeneration. Vitamin C is still on my list as anti-catarogenic. One factor to keep in mind is natural is not always good. St John’s Wort does have some properties that my causes cataracts and sunglasses need to be worn and sunlight limited if you are taking St Johns Wort (commonly used for depression). This does not appear to be a strong causative factor but one to consider and compensate for when working in the sun.
Other lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and eating a high glycemic index (highly refined high sugar,highly refined foods) are controllable risk factors. While I have not see the reasons published, presumably oxidative stress is the common factor. Smoking is know ot decrease antioxidants systemically in your body, the cellular damage from free radicals is obvious in the loss of skin elasticity. Even visible blue light causes oxidative damage in the retina and probably in the lens, Lutien and xeanthin may act as antioxidants in the lens to help prevent cataract development.
We can look forward to a great future in early detection (prior to visible damages) from cataracts and determining what lifestyle, dietary,and potential drugs ans supplements may prevent cataracts at some point in the future.
For now diet,exercise, a healthy body weight, a daily supplement (without the Vitamin A for smokers, added Lutien, Zeanthin, and vitamin C is probably your best bet. And everything you can get from food (such as Lutein from spinach or other foods with high levels is presumably better than a pill.—Add protect your eyes from the UV sunlight with quality sunglasses or UV blocking contact lenses.
The next time you see your Eye Doctor they may just be measuring your alpha-crystallins levels, especially if you signed up for that 3 year cruise to Mars.
Our office is a Proud Participent in Vision Service Plan, and we work with you to maximize your understanding of your vision insurance plans benefits. It is one more way of thankng you for entrusting your eye axam and vision care with us.
Fascinating information from out for this world on new directions in eyecare from the NEI:
NEI Press Release
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Eye Institute
For Immediate Release Thursday, January 8, 2009
From Outer Space to the Eye Clinic: New Cataract Early Detection Technique
Patients and Astronauts Benefit from NEI-NASA Collaboration
A compact fiber-optic probe developed for the space program has now proven valuable for patients in the clinic as the first non-invasive early detection device for cataracts, the leading cause of vision loss worldwide.
Researchers from the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) collaborated to develop a simple, safe eye test for measuring a protein related to cataract formation. If subtle protein changes can be detected before a cataract develops, people may be able to reduce their cataract risk by making simple lifestyle changes, such as decreasing sun exposure, quitting smoking, stopping certain medications and controlling diabetes.
“By the time the eye’s lens appears cloudy from a cataract, it is too late to reverse or medically treat this process,” said Manuel B. Datiles III, M.D., NEI medical officer and lead author of the clinical study. “This technology can detect the earliest damage to lens proteins, triggering an early warning for cataract formation and blindness.”
The new device is based on a laser light technique called dynamic light scattering (DLS). It was initially developed to analyze the growth of protein crystals in a zero-gravity space environment. NASA’s Rafat R. Ansari, Ph.D., senior scientist at the John H. Glenn Research Center and co-author of the study, brought the technology’s possible clinical applications to the attention of NEI vision researchers when he learned that his father’s cataracts were caused by changes in lens proteins.
Several proteins are involved in cataract formation, but one known as alpha-crystallin serves as the eye’s own anti-cataract molecule. Alpha-crystallin binds to other proteins when they become damaged, thus preventing them from bunching together to form a cataract. However, humans are born with a fixed amount of alpha-crystallin, so if the supply becomes depleted due to radiation exposure, smoking, diabetes or other causes, a cataract can result.
“We have shown that this non-invasive technology that was developed for the space program can now be used to look at the early signs of protein damage due to oxidative stress, a key process involved in many medical conditions, including age-related cataract and diabetes, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s,” said NASA’s Dr. Ansari. “By understanding the role of protein changes in cataract formation, we can use the lens not just to look at eye disease, but also as a window into the whole body.”
The recent NEI-NASA clinical trial, reported in the December 2008 Archives of Ophthalmology, looked at 380 eyes of people aged 7 to 86 who had lenses ranging from clear to severe cloudiness from cataract. Researchers used the DLS device to shine a low-power laser light through the lenses. They had previously determined alpha-crystallin’s light-scattering ability, which was then used to detect and measure the amount of alpha-crystallin in the lenses.
They found that as cloudiness increased, alpha-crystallin in the lenses decreased. Alpha-crystallin amounts also decreased as the participants’ ages increased, even when the lenses were still transparent. These age-related, pre-cataract changes would remain undetected by currently available imaging tools.
“This research is a prime example of two government agencies sharing scientific information for the benefit of the American people,” said NEI director Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D. “At an individual level, this device could be used to study the effectiveness of anti-cataract therapies or the tendency of certain medications to cause cataract formation.”
The DLS technique will now assist vision scientists in looking at long-term lens changes due to aging, smoking, diabetes, LASIK surgery, eye drops for treating glaucoma, and surgical removal of the vitreous gel within the eye, a procedure known to cause cataracts within six months to one year. It may also help in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, in which an abnormal protein may be found in the lens. In addition, NASA researchers will continue to use the device to look at the impact of long-term space travel on the visual system.
“During a three year mission to Mars, astronauts will experience increased exposure to space radiation that can cause cataracts and other problems,” Dr. Ansari explained. “In the absence of proper countermeasures, this may pose a risk for NASA. This technology could help us understand the mechanism for cataract formation so we can work to develop effective countermeasures to mitigate the risk and prevent it in astronauts.”
Melanocytes are specialized cells that contain the pigment found in our hair skin, eyes, and other area of the body. The eye has melanocytes in the iris, retina, and the choroidal layer under the retina that supplies it with blood. Underneath the retina is a layer of cells referred to as the retinal pigmented epithelium. These cells interact with the photoreceptor cells, the rods and cones that register light you see and turn it into electrical impulses. Melanin is the pigment and it comes in two different forms. In the retina, melanin acts as an antioxidant to help protect the tissue from free radicals that can damage the cellular DNA.
Various detrimental influences can reduce this protective function and may even cause it to accelerate damage from free radicals. Ultraviolet exposure, blue visible light, and high levels of oxidative stress can cause cell damage and increase the rate of cell death. An article by Meyskens FL, Farmer P, Fruehauf JP suggested that this may be a contributory factor in macular degeneration and choroidal melanomas.
Melanocytes also populate our skin where they protect the underlying levels from ultraviolet damage. UV-B exposure is an essential step in producing the active form of vitamin D. Darker skinned intervals have more UV screening and subsequently are more at risk for low levels of vitamin D. When you wear highly protective sunscreen the same effect occurs, lower levels of UV are absorbed by the skin and the proactive form of Vitamin D does not get its needed UV-B exposure to form. It is a very narrow band of UV-B that is needed, not the entire spectrum.
Vitamin D degeneration is related to multiple forms of cancer and other health problems. Macular degeneration may have an association with lowered vitamin D. One possibility is the overall reduction in UVB on the skin from sunscreen, living indoors, and poor dietary habits results in systemic changes in vitamin D levels that precipitates cellular changes in the retina unrelated to the melanin in the eye. Another possibility is lowered systemic levels of vitamin D resulting in decreased melanin production in the retina. This could lead to an overload to the pigmented epithelial cells from oxidative stress and UV exposure inside the eye, degrading the functional capacity of the melanin to protect the retina.
The irony is UV exposure is a risk factor for cataracts and macular degeneration and we are always encouraging eye protection against UV (and rightfully so given today’s evidence). With the known association of skin cancer and UV exposure it is not prudent to drop recommendation for sunscreen and limiting sun exposure.
At some point there will be better answers. For now, some mild daily exposure to UV with eyewear that includes UV protection is something you should discuss with your eye doctor and dermatologist or family physician. Vitamin D supplementation during winter months and in geographic locations that get limited sunlight should also be considered with your healthcare providers. Perhaps sunscreen lotions will be developed that allow the narrow band of UV-B needed to pass through in the future. Many people have vision insurance coverage like Vision Service Plan that provides coverage for eyeglasses. Even if your prescription is minor, having protection against UV and visible blue light is good preventative medicine if you spend time outdoors. And if you spend six months on a submarine or live underground you should examine your options-and maybe see a psychologist!
Reference:
Meyskens FL, Farmer P, Fruehauf JP (June 2001). “Redox regulation in human melanocytes and melanoma”. Pigment cell research / sponsored by the European Society for Pigment Cell Research and the International Pigment Cell Society 14 (3): 148-54. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0749.2001.140303.x. PMID 11434561.
A cataract is a clouding, opacification, yellowing, or accumulation of fluid in the lens of the eye that results in a loss of vision that interferes with your lifestyle. Most cataracts are related to aging, and by the time you reach the age of 70 it is almost universal to have some early signs of cataracts.
Age related cataract may occur in one eye first but with time will usually be present in both.
The lens is a clear part of the eye that helps to focus light, or an image, on the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that is lined with the photoreceptor cells registering light.
A healthy lens is transparent and passes most of the light to the retina, filtering out some UV. The retinal photoreceptor cells change light into nerve signals that are sent to the brain area in the back of the head.
When the lens becomes cloudy from a cataract, the image you see will be blurred.
Most cataracts are related to aging, but some are have other causes such as trauma, eye diseases,and developmental abnormalities. Eye surgery for glaucoma and other conditions can lead to cataract formation. Certain health conditions like diabetes can also cause cataracts, occasionally very rapidly and in some instances reversible. Prescription steroid medications used long term can result in cataract development. Traumatic cataracts result after serious eye injuries but usually will not progress over time like age related cataracts. Infants occasionally are born with cataracts or develop them in early childhood, often in both eyes. These cataracts may be so small that they do not affect vision. While technically a cataract, I feel opacities need to cause lifestyle interruptions before they should be labeled as a cataract. If they do, the lenses may need to be removed. Radiation exposure can result in cataracts if the dose is high enough or accumulates over repeated exposure.
The lens lies behind the iris and the pupil, the black opening you see in the eyes. The lens adjusts the eye’s focus like the zoom on a camera, allowing us to see things clearly both up close and far away. The lens is made of mostly water with small amounts of protein and other substances. The protein is arranged in precise layers that keep the lens clear and lets light pass through it. When this pattern is disrupted vision becomes hazy and blurry.
There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing cataracts. Smoking is a major risk factor for cataract development as well as most causes of blindness. Reducing your UV sun exposure by wearing quality sunglases that meet A.N.S.I. standards is helpful. Sunwear that wraps and blocks sun exposure from the side is even more helpful.
Although research studies have given mixed results, time will probably bear out a protective effect of antioxidants on the lens tissue. Supplementation with vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin E likely will be shown to reduce cataract development. Eating foods that are complex carbohydrates such as whole grains and less refined foods with a lower glycemic index are associated with a decreased risk of cataract formation. Leafy green leafy vegetables, fruit, and other foods with antioxidants are always the best source of supplements.
Annual comprehensive dilated eye health exams are vital to monitor for cataracts and allow your optometrist to check for signs of macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other eye diseases. Early treatment and detection of eye disease may save your sight and life!
The most common symptoms of a cataract are:
- Cloudy or blurry vision.
- Colors seem faded.
- Glare. Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright. A halo may appear around lights.
- Poor night vision.
- Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses as your eyes become more nearsighted.
Cataracts do not require surgery until they interfere with your lifestyle. In rare cases, the lens can rupture causing serious problems. This is almost unheard of today as eye doctors are widely accessible in all areas of the United States. A new eyeglasses prescription, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses can all be used to help in the interim period. Cataract surgery has a success rate over 95% today and replaces the lens with an artificial implant. Frequently your prescription for distance will be significantly reduced after surgery. Many patients find they have only occasional need for glasses for distance. Some lens implants available today provide some reading capacity also. Most of the time delaying cataract surgery will not cause long-term damage to your eye so you should not feel a need to rush into surgery.
Cataract removal may become essential when other eye diseases in the eye such as macular degeneration or diabetic related complications need to be visualized well to be followed. Even if your eye doctor tells you you have a cataract, your cataract may never develop to the point where surgery is required.
If you have cataracts in both eyes, the surgery may be necessary on one eye only for good vision. If surgery is required on both eyes it will be done at separate times several months apart. This is a much safer approach should complications occur, and allows for refinement of procedure if the first outcome is slightly off.
As with any surgery, cataract surgery does have some risks. Infection inside the eye is the most serious, but rare complication. Lenses may be displaced, cause damage to other tissues in the eye, and the retina tissue in the back of the eye may have swelling or detachments. Some prescription medications predispose you to problems during surgery so be sure to discuss all of your prescriptions with your eye doctor well in advance of eye surgery. Flomax, a prescription used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been associated with Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS). IFIS can cause problems during cataract surgery so you should be sure to inform your eye doctor if you are any prostate medications. Before cataract surgery, your doctor may ask you to temporarily stop taking certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. Over the counter drugs like aspirin and advil may fall in this category. After surgery, you must keep your eye clean, wash your hands before touching your eye, and use the prescribed medications to help minimize the risk of infection. Serious infection can result in loss of vision.
Cataract surgery slightly increases your risk of retinal detachment. Other eye disorders, such as high myopia (nearsightedness), can further increase your risk of retinal detachment after cataract surgery. One sign of a retinal detachment is a sudden increase in flashes or floaters. Floaters are little “cobwebs” or specks that seem to float about in your field of vision. If you notice a sudden increase in floaters or flashes, call your optometrist immediately. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency. If necessary, go to an emergency service or hospital. Early treatment for retinal detachment often can prevent permanent loss of vision.
For a few days after surgery, your eye doctor may ask you to use several eyedrops to help healing and decrease the risk of infection. You will need to wear an eye shield or eyeglasses to help protect your eye. Avoid rubbing or pressing on your eye. Sun glasses will be needed to protect your eyes from the bright glare we have in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado.
When you are home, try not to bend from the waist to pick up objects on the floor. Do not lift any heavy objects. You can walk, climb stairs, and do light household chores.
In most cases, healing will be complete within eight weeks. Your doctor will schedule exams to check on your progress.
Problems after surgery are rare, but they can occur. These problems can include infection, bleeding, inflammation (pain, redness, swelling), loss of vision, double vision, and high or low eye pressure. With prompt medical attention, these problems can usually be treated successfully.
Months or years after cataract surgery cell growth can occur on the artificial lens obscuring vision. This is frequently referred to as after cataracts. A simple, brief laser procedure done in the office quickly resolves this problem.
Cataracts surgery is one of the most successful procedures done today. While you don’t want to rush into any surgery you can rest assured knowing if your vision does become problematic you have a good treatment option available. Medicare will cover cataract surgery when your eyesight has degraded to a designated level. Many types of vision insurance, including Vision Service Plan, provide coverage of cataract surgery under some of their policies. You will need to check with your provider to find out what is covered under your plan. Some types of lens implants are usually excluded.
