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 

Grapes vs Carrots

 

Generations of children have had to be cajoled into eating their carrots 🥕 with the promise that the vegetables are good for their eyesight. Now new research has delivered a much sweeter deal, revealing that eating grapes is good for the eyes and could reduce the risk of going blind later in life.

The fruit protects against a chemical process known as oxidative stress, which releases harmful molecules called free radicals into the retina, the study found.

Grapes are rich in antioxidants that protect healthy cells from DNA damage and it is believed these compounds are behind the eyesight benefits. Eating grapes may help protect eye health, according to new research published in the journal Nutrition, in keeping with previous studies that indicate grape-derived compounds are biologically active in the retina.

The retina is the part of the eye that contains the cells that respond to light, known as photoreceptors. Retinal degenerative diseases cause progressive photoreceptor death and irreversible vision impairment, including blindness, affecting millions of people in the U.S. Elevated oxidative stress is strongly associated with retinal disease and has been widely studied in the development of age-related macular degeneration and other retinal degenerations.

Widely recognised as a superfood, grapes are packed with vitamins C and K and beta- carotene, which help rid the body of free radicals, by-products of oxygen use that cause cellular damage.

And in further benefits, research by scientists at the University of Glasgow found that the antioxidant benefits of drinking purple grape juice could also reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

These results are very exciting and build on the growing evidence that suggests a very real benefit for grape consumption and eye health along with your yearly eye exams.

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #eyewear www.drboyeroptometrist.com

JUNE: Cataract Awareness Month

 

Cataract is the world’s leading cause of blindness, accounting for approximately 42 percent of all cases of blindness in all nations. In the United States, more than 25 million Americans are estimated to have cataract. THE RISK OF CATARACT IS HIGHER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WITH THE DISEASE.

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, which blocks or changes the passage of light into the eye. The lens of the eye is located behind the pupil and the colored iris, and is normally transparent. Vision may become blurry or dim because the cataract stops light from properly passing through to the retina. Generally, a cataract does not cause pain, redness or tears.

Risk factors for cataracts include:

• Older age
• Long-term exposure to UV rays from the sun
• Certain diseases, such as diabetes
• Inflammation in the eye
• Hereditary influences
• Events before birth, such as German measles in the mother
• Long-term steroid use
• Eye injuries
• Eye diseases
• Smoking

Most cataract cases in the United States are in older adults, but children may also develop pediatric cataracts. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, cataracts in a child can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (develop after birth). Without treatment, cataracts in young children can cause poor development of the visual pathway between the brain and the eye, leading to vision impairment. Therefore, diagnosing and treating cataracts early in children is critical to promoting normal vision development.

Although cataract is the world’s leading cause of vision loss, it is an eye disease that can be treated successfully with access to quality eyecare services. We strongly encourage everyone to educate themselves on cataract and what services are available to see clearly today and in the years to come.”

How To Prevent Cataracts?

Being outside in the sun may feel great, especially in the summer, but you need to protect your eyes. UV rays from the sun can lead to the early development of cataracts as well as other damage to your eyes

Some steps you can take now to protect your eyes and slow the progression from the formation of cataracts is:

•  wear UV blocking sunglasses 
• take nutritional supplements, 
• quit smoking, and 
• learn your family health history
• wear a wide-brimmed hat

We understand how precious your vision is, and one thing that can help keep your eyes healthy is a comprehensive eye exam at least once every year. It’s difficult to stress how vital annual eye exams are. Still, when it comes to detecting and diagnosing cataracts, they make a difference—seeing your eye doctor once a year allows them to monitor cataract progression and take action once cataract surgery becomes necessary.

Schedule your family’s eye exams today to get started with monitoring the health and risks for their eyes. 

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

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

www.drboyeroptometrist.com

How To Get Rid Of Under Eye Bags

 

Under-eye swelling or puffiness is a common cosmetic concern. Often referred to as “eye bags,” these areas of swollen tissue under eyes can add to the appearance of aging or sleepiness. According to the Mayo Clinic, bags under eyes rarely signal a serious health condition, but many people still struggle with this feature of their appearance. 

Puffy eyes and dark circles under the eyes occur for many reasons, including genetics, allergies, stress, eye fatigue, and salt consumption. Swelling around the eyes is caused by an accumulation of fluid in the surrounding skin tissue. Because the skin around the eyes is very thin, swelling and discoloration can be easily visible.

Bags under eyes generally result from a variety of factors, including:

• A weakening of the muscles around the eyes, which happens naturally with age
• Consuming too much salt
• Allergies
• Genetics
• Dehydration
• Lack of Sleep 
• Stress

Lifestyle Changes

Reduce your salt intake: Too much salt in your diet can cause your eyes to puff, as excess sodium levels can lead to fluid retention. If you think too much salt may be the cause of your puffy eyes, cut back on salty foods

Eat potassium-rich foods: A healthy intake of potassium acts as a counterbalance to high sodium levels. The combination of too much sodium and not enough potassium not only causes puffy eyes but relates to your cardiovascular health as well. Bananas, avocados, spinach, sweet potato, coconut water, yogurt, and other potassium-rich foods help restore the balance of potassium in your body and reduce the water retention that contributes to bags under the eyes.

Stay hydrated: When your body is dehydrated, it tries to retain more water, causing your under eye area to swell. The Mayo Clinic’s water drinking recommendations are that men drink about 3.7 liters of water per day, while women drink about 2.7 liters.

Manage Stress

Medical studies show that stress changes the salt balance in your body. If salt and water balances are off, your eyes can retain more water and swell as a result. Stress also causes some people to lose sleep. Lack of sleep causes the blood vessels under the thin skin of the eyes to dilate, creating the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Look for ways to reduce your stress, such as the following recommended by the Cleveland Clinic:

• Exercise
• Quitting smoking
• Meditation
• Deep breathing
• Counseling

Another way to reduce stress is by maintaining a relaxing bedtime routine.

Home Remedies for Puffy Eyes

To accelerate your treatments of puffy eyes, you can also use home remedies such as: 

• Chilled spoons
• Frozen bags of peas
• Gentle facial massages
• Eye creams*

*Be aware some eye cream preservatives and retinoids around the eyes can cause skin dryness to the sensitive under eye area, or even do damage to the glands that nourish the eye, and can cause dry-eye syndrome. [dry eye syndrome or blepharoconjunctivitis are the most common side effects, appearing in 20-50% of patients treated with retinoids. They often contribute to other occurrences or side-effects such as ocular discomfort and contact lens intolerance.]

Surgery

With aging, and in other cases, the only true treatment might be a surgical procedure known as lower eyelid blepharoplasty. It’s always good to talk to our doctors who can recommend qualified surgeons in our area.

And last but not least…

Skin Protection 

Protect your skin from the sun (sunlight damages the skin and makes eye bags worse)

• Use UV protection sunblock 
• Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection (polarized vs non polarized sunglasses-we’ll post that in another blog article)

Schedule an appointment for your yearly eye exam and discuss this information with our doctors to get the best medical advice for your personal situation.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

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

#undereyebags www.drboyeroptometrist.com

February is Age-related Macular Degeneration Month

 February is the month of love ❤️ , but it’s also the month we spotlight a condition that is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States—Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

At Dr Boyer Optometrist, it is always our goal to help you with the vision you deserve. So, in honor of February, we want to show you some love by sharing everything you need to know about this sight-stealing condition.

All About Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the deterioration of the eye’s macula and is a disease associated with aging. AMD is also one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. It affects your central vision and has a negative impact on everyday activities, such as driving, reading and recognizing faces. Millions of people are diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration each year.

Types of Macular Degeneration

There are two types of AMD: dry (by far, the most common type) and wet. Treatment for dry AMD begins with routine eye exams with your eye doctor, especially after age 60, with the goal of early detection. If detected, our experienced eye doctors may prescribe a mix of zinc and antioxidants to help in slowing the progression of the disease.
Treatment for the much less common wet AMD can include a number of options, including intravitreal injections that inhibit the growth of the abnormal blood cells that cause wet AMD.
By identifying the early signs of macular degeneration, we can help prevent and treat this disease.

Who is at Risk for Developing AMD?

Risk factors for developing Age-Related Macular Degeneration include:

• Being over age 50
• Smoking
• Caucasian, lighter eyes
• Having a family history of AMD
• Obesity and high blood pressure

What Are The Symptoms Of AMD?

Slightly blurred vision is the only symptom that patients will notice before dramatic vision loss. If you notice any changes in your vision, including the inability to see dim light, seeing spots, partial vision loss or generally blurred vision, you need to contact an ophthalmologist immediately.
Macular degeneration is irreversible, so patients who are at risk for age-related eye disorders need to be diligent about their eye care.

Dr Boyer Optometrist difference 

At Dr Boyer Optometrist, we provide the latest state-of-the-art diagnostic tests, treatments and procedures, customized to your needs, lifestyle and vision goals.

Schedule an appointment with our office to learn more about how to protect and preserve your vision today and in the future. (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

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

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 

Dry eyes

We rely heavily on our eyes every day, yet we often take them for granted. We spend too much time staring at bright screens, going out into the sun without any eye protection, and overtaxing them by close reading and burning the midnight oil during exams.

Yet most of us tend to be unconcerned about our eye health as long as we can see clearly.

Don't wait until you develop blurry vision before paying attention. Start taking care of your eyes with some simple habits:

1. Reduce screen time

Daily use on various screens such as laptops, mobile phones and tablets, can cause eye strain and dry eyes. These devices also emit blue light, which is harmful to your eyes. To reduce your exposure to blue light, make the effort to cut down on your screen time, adjust your screen settings, or invest in special glasses that filter it out.

2. Take a break to reduce eye strain

If you find it difficult to cut down the amount of time you spend looking at screens, make it a point to practise the 20-20-20 rule: take a 20 second break every 20 minutes of screen time to look at something that is 20 feet away.

3. Avoid exposure to UV light

Excessive exposure to UV light from sunlight or other light sources can be damaging to your eyes. Get a good pair of sunglasses that completely blocks both UVA and UVB light, and make it a point to wear them whenever you are outdoors during the day.

4. Avoid rubbing your eyes

Even though it might provide immediate relief or distraction from irritated or itchy eyes, it can exacerbate the problem and further worsen the discomfort. Use some eye drops to soothe eye irritation instead.

5. Get the right kind of nutrition to optimize your eye health

Getting the right nutrition is key to keeping your eyes healthy. Berries are good for this purpose, as they are packed full of antioxidants and contain anthocyanins, which have been found to be beneficial to people with cataracts, and could help to protect the retina from damage caused by ageing and overexposure to light. Berries also contain vitamin C, which may slow down macular degeneration and vision loss.

Call for an appointment to get the latest facts, procedures and supplement information for dry eye at drboyeroptometrist.com

 (909) 596-6756   2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750  #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #dryeye