IN Peters Township December 2018/January 2019 | Page 59

HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N be well maintained to ensure many years of seeing and hearing the things you love. Eye Health It is important to visit your eye care professional once a year for a comprehensive eye exam. Although you may think you are seeing fine, issues may be lurking without any warning signs. During a yearly visit, your pupils will be dilated, or widened, so that your eye care professional can examine the back of the eye for damage or disease. It is important to know your family’s eye health history as well, since some conditions are hereditary. Some of the most common eye diseases include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). • Diabetic Retinopathy: This type 1 or type 2 diabetes complication is caused by damage to blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissues in the back of the eye. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy could cause blindness. Early stages of this condition may go unnoticed if an eye care professional is not visited yearly. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include blurred vision, impaired color vision, floaters, and/or dark areas in your vision. Symptoms may occur if there is too much sugar in your blood, which can cause a blockage in the blood vessels that lead to the retina. Proper management of diabetes is the best way to prevent vision loss. • Glaucoma: The second leading cause of blindness, glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve. The risk of developing glaucoma increases with age and if parents or siblings have the disease. During an eye exam, glaucoma can be detected by measuring eye pressure, inspecting the drainage angle of the eye, evaluating the health of the optic nerve and testing the visual field of each eye. Depending on the type and severity of the disease, glaucoma can be treated through eye drops, medication or surgery. • Cataracts: A cataract affects vision by clouding the lens of the eye. Chances of cataracts increase greatly with age, with more than half of all Americans either having a cataract or having had cataract surgery by the age of 80. People in their 40s and 50s can have cataracts, but they are typically small and do not affect vision. Cataracts are detected by blurred vision, faded colors, glare from headlights or lamps, poor night vision, double vision, or frequent prescription changes in eyeglasses or contact lenses. Early detection can improve cataracts through new eyeglasses, anti-glare sunglasses or brighter lighting. Surgery can also be done to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens. • Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): One of the common but lesser known eye conditions is AMD. A leading cause of vision loss among people 50 years of age and older, AMD affects the macula, the millions of light-sensing cells that provide your eye with sharp, central vision. Age is a major risk factor for developing AMD, with most cases occurring after the age of 60. Genetics, race, and smoking can also affect risk for AMD. A comprehensive eye exam can detect it through dilation ACADEMY OF PODIATRY General Podiatry: Medical & Surgical Treatment of the Foot & Ankle John M. Jason A. Zach M. Kristin J. Phil W. D.P.M. D.P.M. D.P.M. D.P.M. D.P.M. Snyder Hughes Thomas Thomas Brown New Laser Therapy For Fungal Toenails Diabetic Foot Care Most Insurances Accepted Let Us Keep You On Your Toes Visit “THE FOOT STORE” in Bethel Park for a large selection of custom fitted shoes, diabetic socks & insoles Bring this ad in to receive 20% off on selected shoes BETHEL PARK 5841 Library Road 412.831.1515 DORMONT 2882 W. Liberty Ave. 412.531.9990 WHITE OAK 1976 Lincoln Way 412.896.8019 Dr. Anna B. Miller MD, PhD, and Board Certified Complete Eye Care Center Dr. Anna B. Miller and staff offer complete eye care, including routine exams, diabetic eye exams, glaucoma treatment, and cataract surgeries. Dr. Miller also performs eyelid surgeries and cosmetic treatment of the eyes, face, and hands with multiple fillers, and Botox. 3402 Washington Rd McMurray, PA 15317 S&T Bank Bldg. Suite 303 (724) 941- 2309 2639 Brownsville Rd Pittsburgh, PA 15227 (412) 881- 4242 www.seewell-lookgood.com Continued on page 60 > PETERS TOWNSHIP ❘ DECEMBER 2018/JANUARY 2019 57