VI S I O N

B E T T E R
Ophthalmology Associates of Aberdeen

PROTECT YOUR EYESIGHT

Almost 75 percent of people rank sight as their most important sense. And even those who dont

rank it at the top want to protect their eyesight. Learning to recognize the possible signs of trouble can safeguard your vision. Many age-related diseases like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, dry eye and glaucoma develop without symptoms. If a family member has been diagnosed with one of these conditions, you may be at greater risk. Shane Jahraus

310 EIGHTH AVENUE NW ABERDEEN, SD 57401 605 226-2108 1-800-255-7448

The good news, though, is that most eye diseases can be treated especially if caught early. So what are possible signs of trouble that should prompt you to see an eye doctor? Shane Jahraus of Aberdeen lists two: Floaters and flashes.

SUMMER 2009
CURT WISCHMEIER, M.D. JOHN BORMES, M.D.

FLOATERS, FLASHES MAY CAUSE CONCERN

Floaters are tiny clumps or strands inside the vitreous, the clear jelly-like fluid that fills the eye. Floaters, which are common in middle

age, may appear as specks, clouds, dots, circles, lines or cobwebs in front of the eye. Flashes look like streaks of lightning or flashing lights and are also more common with age. Floaters and fashing lights may be a concern, especially when there is a sudden onset or noted increase. This may signal a tear to the retina, the layer of nerve tissue at the back of the eye, which is serious. Ignored, the retina may detach from the back of the eye. The only treatment for retinal detachment is surgery and the sooner, the better. Thats why floaters or flashes should prompt an immediate appointment with your eye doctor. Jahraus, now 22, was just 14 the day he noticed flashing lights in his right eye. It

was early on a school day, so he decided to tough it out. By the time his class went out for recess, half the vision in that eye was gone. And next morning, when he saw Dr. Wischmeier, Jahraus retina was almost fully detached. He had surgery to place a flexible band (scleral buckle) around the eye to help his retina settle back into its normal position. Almost eight years to the day April 30, 2009 Jahraus was in the final weeks of his senior year at South Dakota State University when the same retina again detached: I saw a bunch of cobwebs and an increase in floaters. Surgery was again needed. It will take three to six months to assess the extent of his vision loss, but Jahraus is hopeful because he sought treatment immediately. After the first incident his vision stabilized at 20/50. I hope to get that again, he says. Jahraus, who will enroll in optometry school this fall, is an advocate of prompt treatment. If youre seeing flashing lights, an increase in floaters if somethings not right, get it looked at sooner rather than later.

SEE YOUR DOCTOR AT ONCE IF YOU HAVE Pain or redness in your eyes, Matter or discharge in eyes, Partial or total vision loss, Blind spots, halos around lights, Areas of distorted vision, Double vision, A shade or curtain appears drawn
across your eyes.

BE ON GUARD AGAINST AMD

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes blurring of the central vision. With dry AMD, you may have the

disease for several years before it affects your ability to do things that require sharp central vision, like reading, driving and recognizing faces. Because it does not affect side vision, AMD doesnt cause complete blindness. If you have it in one eye, you may not even notice minor vision changes because your other eye automatically makes up for problems. If your central vision is dim, fuzzy or less sharp and you need more light to read, it could signal onset of AMD. Other symptoms include distortion of objects and/or a Coleen Walker blind spot in the central vision. Although there is no cure or treatment for dry AMD, regular exams with your eye

doctor are important. The onset of wet AMD, though, is sudden and tends to cause acute vision changes and vision loss. Aberdeen resident Coleen Walker describes what happened to her. Ten years ago, I happened to be looking at some straight lines that ran parallel across the street and they were all wavy. She was among the fortunate whose condition could be treated with a drug called Visudyne, and subsequently with Avastin. It helped save my vision, says Walker, who has complete central vision loss in one eye. Even so, she is able to play cards, read the newspaper and use a computer. Like Jahraus, she urges prompt action. If you dont catch it right away, you lose your vision.

MINIMIZE RISKS OF EYE INJURY

Routine use of glasses, goggles or a face shield that meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) safety

standard can safeguard your vision 90 percent of the time whether youre working in the yard, home workshop, kitchen or on the job. The American Academy of Ophthalmology also recommends keeping protective goggles in the trunk of your car for roadside emergencies and everyday repairs. When it comes to injuries as well as eye disease, take the advice of Coleen Walker. You just dont dare wait around. Contact your doctor.
Copyright 2009 by Curt Wischmeier, M.D. and John Bormes, M.D.
No portion of these printed materials may be reproduced for any purpose without written permission.

OPHTHALMOLOGY ASSOCIATES
Dr. Curt Wischmeier is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha. A retinal specialist, he completed a fellowship in retina-vitreous at the Ohio State University Medical Center. Dr. John Bormes is a graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine. He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Both doctors specialize in the treatment of eye diseases and injuries .

BETTER VISION

Ophthalmology Associates 310 Eighth Avenue NW Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401

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VITAMINS AND MACULAR DEGENERATION

WHAT IS AREDS? Ophthalmology Associates With offices in Aberdeen, Britton, Eureka, Faulkton, Gettysburg, Huron, Milbank, Miller, Mobridge, Redfield, Webster; in North Dakota at Bismarck, Ellendale and Oakes; in Minnesota at Graceville, Ortonville and Wheaton.
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) is a

major study sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI), which is one of the federal governments National Institutes of Health. In this study, scientists looked at the effects of zinc, antioxidants and a combination of both on patients with varying stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

WHAT WERE THE RESULTS? The study confirmed that high levels
of antioxidants and zinc can reduce the risk of vision loss from advanced AMD by about 19 percent in high-risk patients (patients with intermediate AMD or advanced AMD in one eye, but not the other).

SHOULD I TAKE NUTRITIONAL The current recommended dose SUPPLEMENTS IF I HAVE AMD? of vitamins in non-smokers with
AMD is Vitamin C 500 mg daily; Vitamin E 400 IU daily; Beta-carotene 15 mg daily (equivalent to 28,640 IU Vitamin A); Zinc oxide 80 mg daily; and cupric oxide 2 mg daily. For AMD patients who are now smoking or who have smoked actively within the last 10 years, current dosages are: Vitamin C 452 mg daily; Vitamin E 400 IU daily; Zinc oxide 69.9 mg daily; and cupric oxide 1.6 mg daily. Additionally, Lutein 10 mg daily is taken instead of Vitamin A. The NEI is studying the following additives for potential future inclusion: Omega 3, Zeaxanthin and Lutein. New recommendations will be made after the study is completed several years from now.