When considering health and well-being, you may not immediately think about your eyes. However, eye care plays an important role when it comes to being able to see well and remain in good health overall. An early diagnosis of any eye condition is essential for living a healthy lifestyle and preventing further damage.
Some of the most recent technologies and advancements in eye care are aiding in catching diseases and conditions early on to ensure proper treatment. There are also choices you can make daily that will help you better protect your eyes. With the right approach, you will be able to address concerns as soon as they develop and take measures to keep your eyes healthy.
Here we’ll take a deeper dive into what those advancements in the field are, tips for general optometric health, bust some eye care myths and touch on the latest trends as they relate to glasses, eyewear and colored contacts.
Latest Technology and Advancements in the Field
Technology is always evolving and continues to enter all areas of our lives, including the eye care field. The good news is that it offers many benefits for optometrists and doctors as well as patients.
Dr. Rachel Romenesko, optometrist at Corr Opticians in Neenah, explains: “The newer technology helps in how we do imaging for following the health of the eye over time. It allows us to look at things more in depth and easily than what could be done in the past, which means it’s faster and easier for the patient to get results.”
She goes on to say that there is some AI technology coming into the field, in the sense that optometrists can use an AI scribe that takes notes for you.
“Modern AI algorithms can analyze retinal scans, OCT images, and fundus photos with remarkable precision – often exceeding human diagnostic capabilities. These newer imaging advances offer higher resolution, deeper visualization, and computational enhancements, transforming how doctors diagnose and monitor disease,” Dr. Michael Vrabec, MD, at Valley Eye Associates in Appleton, adds.
It’s apparent that there are technologies and advancements that are happening in the field that are important and make it easier for doctors to care for their patients’ eyes, as well as diagnose conditions.
“Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) testing has become more common and has been a game changer in eye care,” Dr. Louise Marquardt, optometrist at Faces Eyewear in Appleton, says. “It is useful in testing for glaucoma. It is extremely helpful in testing the macula, as subtle changes can be seen on OCT. OCT is a way to monitor for progression of a condition that is being watched or to see the response to treatment.
“It’s also promising that there are more options for cataract surgery than ever before.”
This can provide less dependence on glasses after surgery. There are also more surgeries for glaucoma using stents to lower eye pressure.
Due to these advancements in technology, there are diseases and conditions that are more preventable or caught earlier, which is good for everyone involved.
Dr. Vrabec, MD, says that in particular, “glaucoma and macular degeneration are the more important diseases to catch early on, and with these advancements, we have the ability to detect them earlier. This means more personalized care, safer procedures, and for the first time, potential restoration of vision lost to previously irreversible diseases.”
“From a disease standpoint, with the technology we’ve integrated, we pick up on things much sooner, like glaucoma, in which you can lose your vision, so if you can find that earlier, then we can treat it sooner,” Dr. Romenesko adds. “Preventing vision loss over time is the goal.”
The same goes for macular degeneration; if you can pick up on it, it can be treated sooner and prevent vision loss. She sums it up nicely by adding, “While we can’t stop the disease from happening, it can slow it down to help maintain good vision for a lifetime.”
Regarding these advancements, Dr. Marquardt adds, “OCT has helped with the diagnosis of glaucoma. Earlier diagnosis helps prevent vision loss. OCT can pinpoint what is going on in the macula. Subtle macular changes can be seen on OCT. Earlier treatment of wet macular degeneration can maintain better vision.”
How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy
It’s essential that individuals are proactive to maintain good overall health, including that of the eyes. There are actions you can take and ones to avoid to ensure long-term eye health. For example, think about taking care of your eyes the way you would your body and physical health. “There are similar things you do to keep your body healthy that are also good for your eyes,” Dr. Romenesko stresses.
For example, it’s wise to eat healthy foods such as leafy green vegetables and limit screen time.
“From a vision standpoint, most people spend a lot of time on computers and phones, so eye strain and dry eye are a huge component of digital eyestrain results. It’s recommended to take breaks throughout your day and look away from screens. Artificial tears can keep eyes moisturized. Also, just like you put on sunblock to protect your skin, your eyes can get damaged from the sun, so you need good sunglasses to protect eye health,” she says.
“Keeping your eyes healthy goes along with keeping your body healthy. That means we should try to get good rest, good nutrition, and avoid alcohol and tobacco products. The top nutrients we should try to consume are Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Omega-3 Fatty acids,” Dr. Vrabec, MD adds.
Dr. Marquardt agrees. “Do not smoke. Smoking accelerates cataract development. Macular degeneration risk is 4x higher in smokers. Thyroid eye disease is much worse in smokers, too. What is good for the heart is good for the eye. Diet and exercise are important. Lutein is high in foods such as spinach, kale, and broccoli. You may also want to consider eating a Mediterranean diet.”
Regarding what to stay away from or not do to keep your eyes healthy, it’s wise to avoid rubbing your eyes if you can. You don’t want to press hard on the eye cause it can change the shape of your eye over time.
Dr. Romenesko urges you to pay attention to the makeup and makeup products you use as well. “Make sure you are removing it at the end of the day, as there are little glands on the inside of the eyelashes that secret oil to keep the eyes moisturized, and makeup blocks the glands, which results in dry and itchy eyes, ” she says.
Dr. Marquardt emphasizes that, “it’s also important to wear sunglasses, practice safety during high-risk activities by wearing safety glasses or sports goggles, and get annual eye exams. Contact lens wearers should practice good hygiene when handling lenses and not overwear them.”
Biggest Myths Surrounding Eye Care
There are some myths surrounding eye care to be mindful of. One of these is that, “You only need an exam if your vision is blurry,” which is incorrect, says Dr. Vrabec, MD. “Many serious eye diseases (including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration) can develop without any early symptoms. Regular comprehensive eye exams detect problems before vision is affected, which is critical for preventing permanent loss.”
Dr. Romenesko confirms this as well and says when it comes to myths around eye care, “People tend to overlook their eye care.” You think that if you can see, then you are fine. “It’s still important to have a yearly eye exam with an optometrist even if you see really well to ensure the health of the eye is getting checked, (especially the inside health of the eyes).”
Avoid assuming that, “You only need an eye exam if you wear glasses,” says Dr. Marquardt. Instead, “Everyone should have an eye exam from time to time. A glasses prescription is one part, and an eye health check is the other part. Many systemic diseases and medications can affect your eyes.”
What’s Trending in Glasses, Eyewear and Colored Contacts?
Selecting glasses or contacts is a timely and sometimes costly process. Therefore, you want to make sure you make the right choice for you from the start. Dr. Romenesko believes that eyeglasses are an excellent option and shares that there are such fun trends nowadays, such as bold frames, geometric shapes, and bright colors. “Don’t be afraid to branch out and choose something based on your style and personality. Classic frames are still great, too. If you want it to look like you’re not even wearing glasses, then choose frameless lenses.” It truly can be whatever you want.
Contact lenses are also a good option for getting out of your glasses or if you’re playing sports. What’s most critical is that you, “Find a lens that is going to be comfortable and that you see well out of,” says Dr. Romenesko. There are daily disposable contacts that you put on in the morning and throw away at night. However, if you’re environmentally conscious, then there are lenses you can wear for a few weeks.
Dr. Romenesko observes that some people choose to wear colored contacts and that there are various choices. For example, there are, “Color enhancement options that make your greens look more vibrant green, and other contacts that offer a more intense color change, such as if you have brown eyes and want a green tint, you can do that too.”
Dr. Marquardt states that, “Daily contact lenses are the area of biggest growth, including multifocal (bifocal) contact lenses.” While colored contact lenses are fun, she notices that they tend to have limited availability these days.
Additional Considerations
This article covers eye care as a whole, but there are also some additional considerations to take into account and tips that will ensure your eyes remain in good health. Dr. Vrabec, MD, says, “The bottom line is that technology isn’t just improving, it’s about how these advances are making vision care more convenient, more personalized, and more effective. It’s no longer just about helping you see better today. It’s about keeping you seeing well for the rest of your life.”
Go get those annual eye exams as well. Dr. Romenesko mentions that, “The biggest message to get out there is that whether you have good vision or not so great vision, it’s important to still have a yearly eye exam.” Also, if you have other health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure, then you should without a doubt get an eye exam every year. These conditions can change your vision and cause issues at the back of the eye, and impact how the eye functions.
There are also some hot topics in the field going on to be aware of, shares Dr. Marquardt. For example, for dry eye, “There are new drops and procedures for dry eye relief. Also, myopia control, which is using drops, special contact lenses, or glasses to slow the increase in nearsightedness that happens in childhood.”
Finally, you’ll be seeing more “Scleral contact lenses, which are specialty contact lenses that provide better vision than glasses can in eyes with corneal irregularities.”
You should now feel a lot more comfortable and knowledgeable when it comes to eye care technology, what you can do to keep your eyes healthy, and the latest eyewear and contact lens trends. Now is the perfect time to look at the calendar to confirm you have had your yearly eye exam or get on the phone and schedule an appointment with an optometrist in your area.
Prevention is key when it comes to keeping your eyes healthy, so it’s a matter you don’t want to put off for much longer. Be proactive and do what you can to live a healthy lifestyle and take good care of your physical health and well-being, as well as your eyes.