In This Issue: April 2023
- April is Sports Eye Safety Month
- Recall Alert: Eye Drops
- Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease Through Eye Exams
- Eye Care Tip of the Month: Go Green, Get LASIK
April is Sports Eye Safety Month
Nearly 30,000 people of all ages sustain sports-related eye injuries every year from both low and high-intensity sports. From soccer to bike riding, from youth leagues to the pros, all players run the risk of injuries such as:
- Corneal abrasions
- Bruising around the eye
- Retinal detachment
- Internal bleeding
- Sunburn of the eye (photokeratitis)
- Blindness
You have the power to significantly reduce your risk by taking one simple step. Experts agree that 90% of these injuries can be avoided by wearing protective eyewear. Regular sunglasses do not provide adequate protection. Sports glasses need to be made of polycarbonate lenses and meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) sport-specific requirements and standards. There are also a variety of sports goggles, shields and helmets that can provide adequate protection. Learn more by clicking here. At Nevada Eye Physicians, we have a selection of sports glasses in our optical shops. Contact us today at (702) 896-6043 to schedule an appointment.
Recall Alert: Eye Drops
Dry eyes and allergies can be a pain as the seasons change. If you’ve started using artificial tears to remedy eye discomfort, it’s important to make sure the products you’re using are safe.
There was a recall in February of Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops distributed by EzriCare, LLC due to possible contamination.
There were 55 reports of adverse events including eye infections, permanent loss of vision and a death with bloodstream infection. If you’re using artificial tears, please discuss them with your eye care provider.
If you’re in need of allergy or dry eye relief, contact us. Dr. Darrick W. Neibaur and Dr. Vincent A. Gassen are our in-house dry eye experts who have helped our practice become a recognized Dry Eye Center of Excellence. Contact us to schedule an eye exam: call (702) 896-6043 or click here.
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease Through Eye Exams
A new study suggests that by looking at the back of your eye (the retina and optic nerve), doctors may soon be able to identify early stages of Alzheimer’s disease – well before memory and behavior are altered. The 14-year study of the brains and retinas of 86 human donors with different degrees of mental decline found “significant increases in beta-amyloid, a key marker of Alzheimer’s disease.” This connection between the retina and brain/cognitive function may ultimately help doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s disease earlier and more accurately. More research is needed, but this was an encouraging study.
Eye Care Tip of the Month: Go Green, Get LASIK
Earth Day is April 22, 2023. An estimated 50,000 pounds of contact lenses get flushed down the drain every year, adding to microplastic contamination of our water systems. It has also been reported that 291 million pounds of contact lens-related plastic waste is generated worldwide annually: waste from lenses, bottles of cleaning solutions and replacement contact cases. By having LASIK vision correction, you can enhance your vision and improve your quality of life while also helping to protect the environment. You win, the earth wins. Click here to take our LASIK Self-Test to find out if this procedure is right for you.
Even if you don’t get LASIK, please take measures to dispose of your contact lenses and related products properly. Click here to visit the TerraCycle® website to learn more.
