September is a great month! Football’s back, Labor Day is here, Fall officially begins, and it’s Healthy Aging Month. But when was the last time you got an eye exam? Don’t worry; we won’t judge! The team at Carter Eye Center would love to SEE you for a check-up!
Why An Eye Exam is Important
Did you know that one in six Americans age 65 and older have a vision impairment that glasses or contact lenses cannot correct? Scheduling an annual eye exam is essential because we can detect diseases like glaucoma or cataracts even before symptoms form. And the earlier these diseases are detected, the earlier we can start treatment.
Age-Related Conditions
You’re probably wondering what conditions to look out for. Some include:
Presbyopia
Are you constantly reaching for your reading glasses or moving your phone screen until it’s just the right distance away to read it? This common condition is called presbyopia, or “over-40” vision. Thankfully, the experts at Carter Eye Center offer eyedrops to correct your vision!
Cataracts
Millions of Americans live with cataracts, and more will develop them by age 65. Cataracts are caused by proteins in the eye’s lens clumping together, causing blurry, dull vision. Harvey Carter, MD, can remove your cataract at our surgery center in Dallas and replace it with a Lifestyle Lens that can lessen or even eliminate your need for readers.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD is a genetic disease associated with aging, where the central portion of the retina (called the macula) deteriorates. It is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. AMD affects your central vision and impacts everyday activities, such as driving, reading and recognizing faces.
Diabetic Retinopathy
This disease is associated with diabetes and is considered a leading cause of blindness in American adults. Daily blood sugar monitoring can significantly slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy because it helps patients avoid blood sugar levels dropping too low or skyrocketing above recommended levels, which can also cause other health complications.
Glaucoma
This disease is often caused by abnormally high pressure in your eye and occurs more frequently in patients over 60. Symptoms develop slowly, and some are unrecognizable. This is one of the reasons why scheduling an annual eye exam at Carter Eye Center is crucial.
Meet Harvey Carter, MD
For more than 30 years, Dr. Carter has offered high-quality medical and surgical eye care to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and specializes in refractive and cataract surgery. He was the first FDA Investigator in North Texas to perform LASIK and was the first surgeon in the United States to perform Crystalens surgery after approval by the FDA.
Seeing Is Believing
Takeaway: Don’t skip your annual eye exam! There are many diseases and conditions to watch for. Luckily, our experts are equipped with the technology needed not only to detect these conditions but to treat them as well. Schedule your appointment with us today!
