News from The EyeMDs

Here’s What Ophthalmologists Want You to KnowThe diabetes drug semaglutide has been making headline news ever since the medication received FDA approval to help with blood sugar control and obesity treatment. Semaglutide medications include Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. Results of the Ozempic studies show semaglutide can significantly help people control their blood sugar. But the studies also showed it can cause vision changes, including blurred vision, worsening of diabetic retinopathy and macular complications. So, do the benefits outweigh the risks? What Is Semaglutide and How Does It Affect the Eyes? Semaglutide helps people lose weight and control their blood sugar by releasing the hormone that makes us feel full while eating. This hormone, called GLP-1, also prompts the body to create more insulin, which reduces blood sugar. When the body…

Choosing an Eye Doctor When it's time to get your eyes checked, make sure you see the right eye specialist for your needs. Each member of the eye care team plays an important role in providing eye care, and they often work together in the same office. It's easy to confuse the types of professionals called "eye doctor" and their responsibilities in maintaining your eye health. Here's how they compare. Ophthalmologist vs Optometrist: What's the Difference? The levels of training and expertise—and what they are allowed to do for you—are the major difference between types of eye care professionals commonly called “eye doctor.” An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor, and the only eye doctor with a medical degree (MD). An optometrist is not a medical doctor but is often referred…

The Home Office Is Here to Stay: Protect Your Eyes from Digital Strain As the lines between home and office space blurred during the pandemic, many people found themselves spending significantly more time in front of screens. This shift has led to a rise in complaints about eye discomfort—everything from headaches and dry eyes to blurry vision. Many have expressed concerns about the potential long-term effects on their eyesight. According to a survey, two-thirds of businesses plan to make remote work a permanent option. In recognition of Workplace Eye Wellness Month this March, The Eye MDs and the American Academy of Ophthalmology are offering practical advice on how to create a home office environment that minimizes the risk of digital eye strain. What is Digital Eye Strain? Digital eye strain…

Protection is Key! Sunglasses are must-have eyewear. They help reduce brightness and protect your eyes and vision in any season. Sunglasses are more than fashion accessories. They protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays, the radiation energy produced by the sun. These UV rays—including UVA and especially UVB—damage the eye’s surface tissues, cornea and lens. That damage can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration and other vision-stealing eye conditions.  Sunglass Selection Tips To help keep your eyes healthy, keep these tips in mind when buying sunglasses. Don’t settle for less than 100% UV protection When buying sunglasses, make sure they have a tag or sticker that says they provide 100 percent UV protection from all UV light. Some labels say “UV absorption up to 400nm.” This is the same thing as 100 percent UV absorption. Darker sunglasses…

If you’re like most Americans surveyed in a recent Harris Poll, you probably thought you would notice a change in your vision if you had an eye disease. The fact is some of the leading causes of blindness—such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy—can begin without any symptoms. That’s why The EyeMDs  and the American Academy of Ophthalmology urge all healthy adults to get an eye exam at age 40, even if their vision seems fine. Early signs of disease and changes in vision may start to happen at this age. “Even if you think you have 20/20 vision, set up a time to get your eyes checked. It may save your sight,” said Dianna Seldomridge, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Need more motivation to have your eyes examined? Here are four good reasons to…

Nearly 30,000 people suffer sports-related eye injuries every year. An astounding 90 percent of these ER visits could have been avoided if the athlete wore protective eyewear. Even the most low intensity sports activities pose some risk for eye injuries. From basketball to racquetball, from youth leagues to the pros, players need to protect their eyes. The EyeMDs and the American Academy of Ophthalmology are reminding the public that the best defense against potentially blinding sports-related injuries is wearing protective eyewear. “Getting athletes of any age to wear protective eyewear is a challenge,” said Dianna Seldomridge, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Ophthalmologists hear all the reasons for not wearing eye protection: it’s cumbersome, it will impair peripheral vision, it will fog up. But sports goggles have vastly improved over the years. And…

The average office worker spends 1,700 hours per year in front of a computer screen. And that doesn’t include our addiction to phones and other digital devices. All this screen time has led to an increase in complaints of eye strain, dry eye, headaches and insomnia. During Workplace Eye Wellness Month in March, The EyeMDs and the American Academy of Ophthalmology is offering tips to desk workers everywhere whose eyes may need relief from too much screen time. Why does computer use strain the eyes more than reading print material? Mainly because people tend to blink less while using computers. Focusing the eyes on computer screens or other digital displays has been shown to reduce a person’s blink rate by a third to a half, which tends to dry out the eyes. We also tend to…