Keeping Eyes Young

Keeping your eyes young and having great vision for years to come is an ideal sought by the masses. Here are some ways I address these concerns with my patients daily.

Cataracts are an eye condition that will happen to everyone fortunate to live long enough. Many lifestyle choices will determine how soon and how quickly the condition will affect you. If you have cataracts, you may notice decreased vision, glare or halos around lights, reduced night vision, or difficulty driving especially at night.

Whether you have been diagnosed with cataracts or not, there are ways to delay the onset and progression of this condition. Every day, patients of mine are interested in discussing cataracts and how to decrease progression. Allow me to share some highlights from our discussions.

Condition and Symptoms

Cataracts occur within the lens of the eye. The lens is clear and located directly behind the iris, the colored part of the eye. Over time, this clear lens becomes yellow and rigid causing vision to decrease. When this happens, glasses will be less able to improve vision.

Sun exposure, smoking, more birthdays, and a handful of medical conditions can contribute to cataract occurrence and progression. Generally cataracts progress slowly over many years. But some patients, especially those with diabetes, can experience progression much more quickly.

Prevention

Now that we know more about cataracts, we can take logical steps to decrease their onset and progression. Avoiding risk factors such as unprotected sun exposure, eye trauma, and smoking, will greatly decrease risk of cataracts. In other words if you wear sunglasses with UV protection, use protective eye wear with sports, and avoid smoking, your risk of acquiring cataracts early will greatly decrease. Doing these things will keep your eyes young and seeing well for extra years to come.

If you have any medical conditions – particularly diabetes, or if you take steroids, it is very important to get your eyes examined. Your eye doctor is able to work closely with your other doctors to ensure your eyes remain healthy along with the rest of your body.

Cataracts do not improve without eye surgery. Following these guidelines will help ensure your eyes provide you great vision without requiring early cataract surgery

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have cataracts, you can make an appointment to see Dr. Jackson by calling 432-640-6600.

Chase Jackson, O.D.
Board Licensed Optometric Glaucoma Specialist and member of the American Optometric Association

Chase Jackson, O.D. is a Board Licensed Optometric Glaucoma Specialist. He received his Doctorate Degree from the Arizona College of Optometry and specializes in primary and secondary eye health care. Moreover, Dr. Jackson is an Adjunct Faculty Professor of Ophthalmology at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. His services include state of the art eye examination, diagnosis, treatment and management of a wide range of eye diseases and pathologies, including:

• Diabetic Eye Care
• Glaucoma
• Macular Degeneration
• Eye Trauma Management
• Cataract Surgery co-management
• Pre/Postoperative Laser Eye Surgery Management
• BioTissue Corneal Wound Care
• Eye Exams for all Ages
• Medical Eye Exams
• Exams for Glasses and Contact Lenses

Center for Primary Care – West University
6030 West University • Odessa, Texas 79764

Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm, Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Phone: (432) 640-6600