Exercise Reduces Risk of Macular Degeneration

Exercise may be helpful in reducing your risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD) according to the Beaver Dam Eye Study. Researchers reporting in the British Journal of Ophthalmology presented data that suggests that regular exercise can decrease the risk of the eye disease age-related macular degeneration (AMD). “AMD is one of the most common causes of vision loss among seniors and those over 50 years old. It affects central vision, which is important for driving, reading, seeing faces, said NY eye surgeon Satish Modi, M.D. of Seeta Eye Centers in Poughkeepsie, Carmel and Fishkill, New York.

The researchers examined about 4,000 women and men who were followed for more than 15 years, conducting eyes tests and recording their levels of exercise. They were aged 43 to 86 and were assessed every five years starting in 1988. Considering other factors like age, weight, and blood fat levels, those participants who were active lowered their chances in developing AMD by up to 70% when compared to those who barely had any exercise. Those who regularly walk were found to have lowered their chances to 30%.

But how much exercise is enough? The U.S. Department of Agriculture has recommended 90 minutes every day. This should be enough if you have an active job or walk during the say but would probably require you to do more if you have a sedentary lifestyle. It may help if you wear a pedometer, just to know how much you are walking. You can also try other forms of exercise such as cycling, golf, gardening, swimming, and other sports activities. Cleaning your house can even be of great help.

So how much does exercise to help eye health? It is a little too hard to tell exactly how exercise exactly affects eye health but here are some facts to give you some idea:

• Exercise can lower eye pressure helping to reduce the risk of glaucoma.
• Exercise can help prevent half of the cases of type 2 diabetes, a known risk for significant vision loss from diabetic retinopathy.
• Exercise improves the health of the cardiovascular system by lowering triglycerides and increasing HDL levels. Macular degeneration has been known to be caused by some factors of heart disease.
• Exercise can make us less likely to perform risk taking activities which can damage our health as well as that of others.

If you or someone you know has questions about exercise, macular degeneration and eye health please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

 

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County including Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Middletown, Kingston, New Paltz, Newburgh, Beacon, Bedford, Catskill, Cornwall, Eastchester, Ellenville, Florida, Goshen, Harriman, Harrison, Highland, Highland Falls, Kerhonkson, Mahopac, Monroe, Montgomery, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, New City, Scarsdale, Saugerties, Spring Valley, Tarrytown, West Point, White Plains, Woodstock, Yorktown Heights and Yonkers, NY.

Osteoporosis Medication & Eye Pain Problems

Certain osteoporosis medication may cause eye pain and eye problems according to recently reported research. “We see many patients today taking osteoporosis medications such as Fosamax®, Boniva® and Actonel®”, commented NY Ophthalmologist Andreas Wolter, M.D. of Seeta Eye Centers serving the Hudson Valley in Poughkeepsie, Carmel and Fishkill, New York. “Patients on these medications need to be aware of the potential for eye inflammation and associated eye pain.”

According to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, users of oral bisphosphonates such as Fosamax®, Boniva® and Actonel® were 45% more likely to develop uveitis and 51% more likely to develop scleritis compared with patients who had never used these medications.

If you take medicine for osteoporosis, you will also need to get enough calcium and vitamin D, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. A large part of treating or reducing the effects of osteoporosis is getting enough calcium and vitamin D. “If your physician does start you on any type of osteoporosis medication you should not ignore the symptoms of eye pain no matter how mild they might seem. Even at your regular eye exam, make sure to tell your eye doctor if you have started bisphosphonates medication such as Fosamax®, Boniva® and Actonel®. We need to know as sometimes the associated side effects of these osteoporosis medications can be subtle-but they are important”, noted Dr. Wolter.

If you or someone you know has questions about eye pain, osteoporosis medication or eye inflammation please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County including Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Middletown, Kingston, New Paltz, Newburgh, Beacon, Bedford, Catskill, Cornwall, Eastchester, Ellenville, Florida, Goshen, Harriman, Harrison, Highland, Highland Falls, Kerhonkson, Mahopac, Monroe, Montgomery, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, New City, Scarsdale, Saugerties, Spring Valley, Tarrytown, West Point, White Plains, Woodstock, Yorktown Heights and Yonkers, NY.

Dry Eyes before LASIK from Contact Lenses

“Even the successful wearing contact lenses can cause dry eyes that should be considered by contact lens wearers prior to LASIK,” noted Satish Modi, M.D. a NY LASIK Surgeon at Seeta Eye Centers in Poughkeepsie, Fishkill and Carmel, New York. Dry eyes can be a very real problem for both rigid and soft contact lens wearers. Researchers reporting in the Eye & Contact Lens: Science & Clinical Practice demonstrated that both rigid and soft contact lenses negatively impacted the tear film surface quality. This research is important to keep in mind when contact lens wearers present for LASIK consultations since the evaluation of the tear film quality and quantity is a critical consideration of determining the patient’s candidacy for any type of Laser Vision Correction-but especially for LASIK surgery. “A considerable number of our LASIK patients are previous or current contact lens wearers. Dry eye is probably the most common side effect of LASIK we see so we need to be aware that some of the pre LASIK procedure tear film abnormalities we find are actually due to contact lens wear and that with sufficient time without contact lens wear, many contact lens wearers who want LASIK will recover normal tear film surface quality and be able to proceed comfortably,” noted Dr. Modi.

Contact lens patients considering LASIK or any type of Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction are encouraged to find the best LASIK Surgeons in their area and have a thorough evaluation, examination and consultation in order to find out if they are good candidates. 

If you or someone you know has a question about LASIK, contact lenses, dry eyes or would like to schedule a Free LASIK Consultation please call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County including Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Middletown, Kingston, New Paltz, Newburgh, Beacon, Bedford, Catskill, Cornwall, Eastchester, Ellenville, Florida, Goshen, Harriman, Harrison, Highland, Highland Falls, Kerhonkson, Mahopac, Monroe, Montgomery, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, New City, Scarsdale, Saugerties, Spring Valley, Tarrytown, West Point, White Plains, Woodstock, Yorktown Heights and Yonkers, NY.

My Story of Cataracts at a Young Age

More than twenty years ago I was told by my eye doctor that I had the beginnings of cataracts. It was a bit unsettling to me, as I was not even 40. It happens, he said, but it wasn't terribly common. Ten years after that when I went in for LASIK surgery in NYC, I was told that when I was ready for my cataract surgery, they had just the man for me. And now, ten years later, and living in upstate New York, I've just completed first my left, then my right eye – and the cataracts are gone. 

Suddenly I can see a sign down the block. I can see who that is walking their dog down my street. And I can tell for sure that that's my daughter at the end of the grocery aisle and not wonder, is it her? Or is it someone else? 

I think sometimes we hide behind things – our hair, our glasses, and in my case, the gloom that the cataracts gave me – that muddy, indistinct environment that became the eyes with which I saw the world. Basically, I waited too long to do something about my cataracts. I kept changing my prescription and spending lots of money on new lenses every six months. And never seeing anything very well. And losing lots of confidence along the way.

Then I went to the Seeta Eye Center in Poughkeepsie – highly recommended to me by my GP. I was told I shouldn't be driving and that I should have my cataracts taken out ASAP. And, of course, they were right. 

I was nervous – I'll admit it. I didn't want anyone messing with my eyes, but there was a respectful professionalism from the practice of Drs. Alterman, Modi & Wolter that I liked immediately. Dr. Modi did my surgery and has been my follow-up doctor in the weeks after surgery, and he will be my eye doctor from now on because, frankly, I enjoy being around a doctor who is both a gentlemen, and a person who clearly loves the work he does and respects the science of the eye – as well as the person whose eyes he's looking into.

To the staff at the Seeta Eye Center I must extend my sincerest thanks – for really, in the end, it is they who make it all happen. And with such kindness. So, if you've been told you need cataract surgery, don't wait. Do it. If you do you'll see your daughter at the end of the grocery aisle and be thrilled that you do.

If you or someone you know has questions or concerns about cataract surgery please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County including Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Middletown, Kingston, New Paltz, Newburgh, Beacon, Bedford, Catskill, Cornwall, Eastchester, Ellenville, Florida, Goshen, Harriman, Harrison, Highland, Highland Falls, Kerhonkson, Mahopac, Monroe, Montgomery, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, New City, Scarsdale, Saugerties, Spring Valley, Tarrytown, West Point, White Plains, Woodstock, Yorktown Heights and Yonkers, NY.

Eye Exam to Test for Stroke Risk

Your eye exam may prove more and more useful in evaluating your risk of stroke. A new eye test called Ocular Pulse Amplitude (OPA) may help identify patients who are at high risk for stroke. Each year, approximately 795,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke and more than 137,000 of these people die as a result. Satish Modi, M.D. commented on eye exams and stoke. “A recent study about a new eye test for stroke risk from the University of Zurich published in Ophthalmology, showed that a test called Ocular Pulse Amplitude (OPA) can reliably detect carotid artery stenosis (CAS) or carotid artery narrowing, a condition that clogs or blocks the arteries that feed the front part of the brain which is a known risk factor for stroke. We would like to catch and treat CAS before that can happen, but because CAS has no symptoms and an efficient test is not currently available the disease often goes undetected I am hopeful that we will soon be able to perform this test as part of a routine eye exam,” said Dr. Modi.

If you or someone you know has questions about eye exams, eye health and stroke prevention please feel free feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County including Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Middletown, Kingston, New Paltz, Newburgh, Beacon, Bedford, Catskill, Cornwall, Eastchester, Ellenville, Florida, Goshen, Harriman, Harrison, Highland, Highland Falls, Kerhonkson, Mahopac, Monroe, Montgomery, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, New City, Scarsdale, Saugerties, Spring Valley, Tarrytown, West Point, White Plains, Woodstock, Yorktown Heights and Yonkers, NY.