The Heart Eye Connection ♥️ 👁️

 

They say the eyes are the window to your soul, but did you know they can also show how healthy your heart is? If you weren’t aware, you’re not alone. Specifically, researchers found that approximately half of the nearly 2.2 billion cases of vision impairment worldwide could be improved, or even prevented, by taking simple steps to improve your overall cardiovascular health.

Eye exams are the most reliable, non-invasive way to identify a number of serious—often fatal—cardiovascular conditions.

An annual eye exam detects risk factors consistent with heart disease much sooner than tests and checkups conducted during an annual physical, including identifying high cholesterol 65% of the time, high blood pressure 30% of the time, and diabetes 20% of the time.

In most cases, patients are unaware of minor changes occurring in the vascular system located at the back of the eyes. Changes may include:

• Increased force against the arterial wall—a sign of hypertension
• Tiny embolisms or clots in and around the retina—a sign of blocked arteries
• Small changes in the blood vessels of the eye caused by increased blood sugar levels—an indication of diabetes

Long-term eye health effects

Obviously, left untreated, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes result in debilitating and even deadly outcomes, but over time they also result in specific vision issues, including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

The good news is that researchers now believe, with increasing confidence, nearly 50% of all eye health issues can be improved or prevented by making heart-healthy lifestyle changes.

5 lifestyle changes for a healthy heart and vision

1. Quit smoking

Smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death, by far. Thousands of studies have proven smoking causes significant damage to your blood vessels and your heart health. It’s also a leading contributor to high blood pressure and contributes to increased insulin resistance and diabetes.

2. Live an active lifestyle

You don’t need to run marathons but should make some sort of physical activity a part of your day, every day. Your heart and eyes are muscles, and the stronger your muscles, the better they function. Specifically, the stronger your heart, the easier it is for blood to be pumped throughout your body, including to your eyes. Research consistently shows walking 15-20 minutes a day, or even for 10 minutes after each meal, lowers your blood sugar and improves blood pressure.

3. Lose weight

Being obese, or even overweight has devastating effects on your health. In fact, even being slightly overweight adds additional stress to your heart, increases blood pressure, and contributes to nearly 30% of heart disease in the U.S.

4. Eat a heart and eye-healthy diet

Research shows us that eating a healthy diet prevents heart disease, lowers cholesterol, and helps maintain a healthy weight. 

A healthy diet means many things to many different folks, but at its core, a healthy diet focuses on eating more fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and beans, while eating less saturated fat and avoiding processed foods at all costs.

You can get as specific and detailed with a “healthy” diet as you’d like but focusing on the essentials is the key to improved heart and vision health.

5. Reduce your stress

You’ve heard that stress kills, right? It can cause serious damage to your heart as well as your eyesight.

Some of the ways to reduce stress include exercise, yoga, meditation and deep breathing.

The connection between the health of your eyes and the health of your heart is just one example of how the health of one organ can affect the health of another and can be a key indicator of your overall health.

Make sure to schedule an annual eye exam with Dr Boyer and Dr Brian. It’s crucial in taking care of your overall health. 

Drboyeroptometrist.com

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 

MAY: Healthy Vision Month

 

Vision Health for All Ages

You should have a dilated eye exam regularly to check for common eye problems.

We encourage all Americans to make vision a health priority this Healthy Vision Month.

• Although older adults tend to have more vision problems, preschoolers may not see as well as they can.
• Just 1 out of every 7 preschoolers receives an eye exam, and fewer than 1 out of every 4 receives some type of vision screening.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends vision screening for all children aged 3 to 5 years to find conditions such as amblyopia, or lazy eye, which can be treated effectively if caught early.

Some eye conditions can cause vision loss and even blindness. These include

• Cataracts, a clouding of the eye.
• Diabetic retinopathy, which causes damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye.
• Glaucoma, damage to the optic nerve, often with increased eye pressure.
• Age-related macular degeneration, which gradually affects central vision.

Other eye conditions, such as refractive errors, which happen when the shape of your eye doesn’t bend light correctly, are common problems easily corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery. Americans aged 12 years and older could see better if they used corrective lenses, or eye surgery, if appropriate.

If you haven’t had an exam for some time, schedule one this month at one of our local offices: 

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 

#drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD www.drboyeroptometrist.com

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

 Did you know that Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of vision loss and blindness? There are more than 3 million people affected by the disease in the U.S. today, and that number is expected to reach 4.2 million by 2030. 

Glaucoma affects the nerves in the eye and can develop quickly. If not treated properly or promptly, the disease can result in vision loss. For those at risk of developing glaucoma, the American Optometric Association recommends an annual comprehensive eye exam. 

Below are some common questions about the eye condition: 

What are the Main Types? 

Open-Angle: 

• Open-angle glaucoma is an imbalance in the production and drainage of the clear fluid that fills the eye between the cornea and iris. The fluid imbalance leads to pressure inside the eye that pushes against the optic nerve, depriving oxygen and nutrients and eventually causing irreversible damage. 

Angle-Closure: 

• Angle-closure glaucoma is caused by a blocked drainage canal, resulting in a sudden rise in eye pressure that can develop very quickly. The symptoms and damage of this type may be more noticeable. 

Can the Disease be Prevented? 

While there are no known ways to prevent glaucoma, getting regular, comprehensive eye exams and consulting with your eye doctor if you notice any changes in your vision, can help identify the early warning signs of the eye condition. A healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a nutritious diet is also recommended to help lower your risk. 

Can it Be Treated? 

Glaucoma can be treated with medication or surgery to slow or prevent further vision loss. However, vision already lost to the disease cannot be restored. 

What are the Risk Factors and Warning Signs? 

Risk Factors: 

1. Age: People over the age of 60 and African Americans over the age of 40 
2. Race: African Americans, people of Asian descent and Native Alaskans 
3. Family history of glaucoma 
4. Medical conditions: Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease 
5. Physical injuries to the eye 

Warning Signs: 

• Hazy or blurred vision 
• The appearance of rainbow-colored circles around bright lights 
• Severe eye and head pain 
• Nausea or vomiting (accompanying severe eye pain) 
• Sudden sight loss 

Schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam at www.drboyeroptometrist.com if you’re concerned you might be at risk for Glaucoma.

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 

November is Diabetic Awareness Month

 People with diabetes are more likely to develop blinding eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Yet recent studies have revealed low awareness of the issue among ethnicities at higher risk for diabetes. With the findings signaling that many Americans may not be defending themselves against diabetes-related vision loss, Dr Boyer and Dr Brian encourages those with diabetes to take proactive steps to protect their vision.

Diabetic eye disease has no warning signs, however, early detection and timely treatment can help reduce the risks.  An annual, comprehensive dilated eye examination is one of the best ways to detect early signs of diabetic eye disease.  Taking your diabetic medication as prescribed, maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and refraining from smoking can also help control your diabetes which lessens your risks of diabetic eye disease.

Ways that diabetic eye disease may affect your eyes:

• Cataract: Clouding of the lens of the eye
• Diabetic retinopathy: damage to the blood vessels in the retina
• Glaucoma: increases the fluid pressure inside your eye and leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision

It is a good idea to have an annual comprehensive eye examination even if you do not suffer from diabetes and especially if you’ve experienced any visual problems.  If you suffer from diabetes, make sure you have a comprehensive eye examination with dilation each year.  Make an appointment with our experienced trained doctors today.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Healthy Aging Month 👵🏼

 

Like any other part of your body, your eyes age as you get older. In honor of Healthy Aging Month, here are a few tips to help keep your eyes healthy as you age.

Aging is a process that brings many changes. Vision loss and blindness, however, do not have to be one of them. There are several simple steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy for the rest of your life.

One in six Americans age 65 and older have a vision impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. The risk of eye disease increases with age, yet many older adults neglect to see an optometrist for care. We want to bring attention to taking care of our eyes as we age, by recognizing Healthy Aging Month, and to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of vision loss - and steps to help seniors take care of their sight.

• Get regular eye exams                                        Comprehensive eye exams are recommended on a regular basis for adults and those who frequently use computers. *For those 65 and older, as well as those with family history of eye disease, it is advised that you visit your eye doctor more frequently. We have two convenient locations and hours to see you.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.                                           Loading up on fruits and vegetables can help keep your eyes healthy and disease free. Dark, leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collard greens, which are good for your overall health and well-being, are especially good for eye health. Eye health benefits also come from eating fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut.
• Know your risk factors 
  As you age, you are at higher risk of forming age-related eye diseases and ailments such as AMD, cataract, diabetic eye disease, dry eye, and glaucoma. Having a family history of eye disease also puts you at higher risk. And being heavy or obese increases your risk of forming diabetes and other systemic conditions that can lead to vision loss. If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, talk to your doctor.
• Use protective eyewear                                                          Put on protective eyewear like goggles, safety glasses, face shields, and eye guards when playing sports or doing activities around the home and encourage your family and close friends to do the very same. Most protective eyewear lenses are made of polycarbonate, which is 10 times sturdier than other plastics. Our office sells protective eyewear. 

One of the most common changes to your vision as you age is an increased difficulty in performing near-vision tasks, like reading and close work. This is known as presbyopia, the worsening of vision that occurs with age. As you age, the lenses in your eyes thicken and lose their elasticity, and the muscles surrounding the lenses weaken. 

• Did you know that you should have a baseline comprehensive eye exam at least by age 40?

While vision loss and blindness are not a normal part of aging, some vision changes such as losing focus, having trouble distinguishing between colors such as blue and black, and needing more light to see well are common. These changes can often be corrected with contact lenses or glasses and improved lighting.

Visit our offices today and get a comprehensive eye exam 

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD 

www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Healthy Vision Month

Approximately 37 million adults in America have age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma, all of which can cause visual impairment or blindness. However, recent studies show that making healthy choices and getting regular eye exams can help reduce a person’s risk of vision loss. Make an appointment to discuss how to reduce your risk (909) 596-6756 2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100 1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #healthyvisionmonth www.drboyeroptometrist.com

 

Men’s Health

You workout. You try your best to eat healthy. You drink plenty of water. But what about your eyes? What does it takes to keep your vision healthy? Your eye health has a major correlation to the rest of your overall health.

Part of staying healthy is making sure you’re on top of your preventative checkups. However, men tend to schedule 1/2 as many health visits as women.

Maybe you don’t wear glasses or contacts and haven’t had any issues with your eyes. You might think, “Why would I need to go the eye doctor every year?” It turns out that men have a higher mortality for most leading causes of death including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Early warning signs of these diseases can be found through an eye exam.

In partnership with an eye exam, you can also diminish your risk with proper nutrition. Research has shown nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin, found in leafy green vegetables and eggs, can support healthy vision. As well as vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, which can be found in whole, unprocessed fruits and vegetables.

Schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam today with Dr Boyer or Dr Brian to ensure you’re staying on top of your health and can work with your doctor’s to address any issues.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750

 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Why Do I Need A Yearly Eye Exam?

You don’t wear glasses or contacts and haven’t had any problems with your eyes. So, why would you need to go to the eye doctor every year? Like most people you’d be surprised to know that there is more to an eye exam than just checking your vision. Here are three reasons why you should visit your eye doctor every year.

1. Early Signs of Chronic Diseases like Diabetes

Your eyes reveal a lot about your overall wellness. An eye exam can detect early signs of serious health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Regular eye exams are critical because what may seem like a vision-related problem might be an indication of a broader health issue.

2. Some Eye Diseases Are Symptom-Free

What do glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration all have in common? All these conditions share a common characteristic—no early warning signs. Getting an annual eye exam can help detect health conditions before they progress and may help preserve your vision. 

3. Your Vision Might Not Be as Clear as You Think

You may think your vision is clear, but many people are often surprised to discover they aren’t seeing as well as they thought they were. You may not notice that your vision changed, but an eye exam can reveal if you need glasses or contacts – or an update to your current prescription to ensure you’re seeing as clearly as possible.

Schedule your annual check-up at either of our two offices

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Diabetes and your eye exam

There are 30 million American adults living with diabetes. Another 84 million are living with prediabetes, yet 90% of them don’t know they have it. People living with diabetes or prediabetes face increased risk for glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in working age adults. 

Blurry vision is often one of the first warning signs of diabetes. Your vision may be blurry because fluid is leaking into the lens of your eye. This makes the lens swell and change shape. Those changes make it hard for your eyes to focus, so things start to look fuzzy. If you have diabetes, you’re at increased risk for a variety of eye problems. It’s important to have regular checkups and eye exams. This should include a comprehensive eye exam, including dilation, every year.

Fortunately, we can effectively manage and even prevent diabetic eye disease with early detection and treatment. For those living with diabetes, an annual eye exam is a must – offering a simple way to prevent or delay disease and vision loss caused by diabetes. 

Dr’s Ken and Brian Boyer are specially trained and certified to treat and manage eye care for diabetics. Call for an appointment to receive an exam and treatment information today.
(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill Blvd, La Verne, CA 91750 drboyeroptometrist.com