Jacksonville Magazine, February/March 2021, Women of Heart

GOOD BUSINESS

EYES ON JAX

SALUTING NORTHEAST FLORIDA COMPANIES THAT PUT COMMUNITY AND GIVING FIRST

DELAYED VISION CARE LEAVES PATIENTS IN THE DARK

EAST MEETS WEST

SUMMER CAMPS?

IN PONTE VEDRA DREAM HOUSE

YES, THEY ARE HAPPENING THIS YEAR

WOMEN OF HEART TEN LADIES LEADING THE FIGHT AGAINST HEART DISEASE

MIND IF I ASK? There are no bad questions relating to one’s health

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n the shadow of the tumultuous year 2020, we find ourselves trying to repair the damage done by the coronavirus. Patients of all kinds skipped their annual check ups, cancelled long-awaited procedures, and ignored dangerous symptoms, all in fear of COVID-19. Many patients said they were concerned about being exposed to the pandemic at a doctor’s office or hospital.

Ophthalmology has been especially affected. In early April, eye doctors noted a sharp drop in patient visits of nearly 80 percent,

Q. Can increased screen time affect your vision? My husband has been using FaceTime or Skype to see and interact with his parents every day for about 20 minutes. I am very concerned about the effect of this screen time on his parents’ eyes. Should I be concerned about the effect of their continuing this long-term?

However, if your parents’ eyesight is getting worse when looking at screens, take notice.

For patients ages 60 and over, this could be the first sign of cataracts, glaucoma or another serious eye condition.

At Florida Eye Specialists, we’ve noticed younger and younger patients coming in with cataracts because they can’t see fine details

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The American Academy of Ophthalmology offers an online service for anyone with a question regarding their eye health. Of all the questions asked last year, here are the most common, with answers from the local eye care specialists at Florida Eye Specialists.

on their phones or the TV. That’s why we recommend all patients over 60 receive regular, comprehensive eye exams, so we can catch vision problems quickly and treat them.

Kathryn B. Freidl, M.D. Board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataracts and glaucoma

A. No, but it can help you spot serious eye conditions. Many of us are spending more time staring at screens due to remote work, schooling and socializing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It’s true that looking at your computer, phone, or tablet screen for several hours a day can make your eyes feel tired or strained. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry that you’re permanently damaging your vision this way.

according to data published by The Commonwealth Fund. This is concerning for patients with diseases like glaucoma, since by the time patients realize they have vision problems, damage can be extensive, and it is irreversible.

Q.

Why are my eyes itchy, watery, or feel glued shut after I sleep? When I close my eyes, usually within an hour they feel like I have applied glue to them. I have to apply a warm washcloth to my eyes to open them. I have used drops, but this doesn’t help. What could be causing this, and how is it treated?

A. Dry Eye can cause serious irritation. It’s

estimated that millions of people are affected

by Dry Eye. This problematic eye condition affects people of all ages and genders, and it can occur at any time.

Dry Eye is caused by a lack of lubrication or tears on the eye’s surface. This can make your eyes feel glued shut, itchy or otherwise irritated. In some more severe cases, Dry Eye can even cause inflammation or permanent scarring of the eye, which is why it is not something that should be ignored.

For some patients, using store-bought hydrating eye drops is enough to keep the symptoms of Dry Eyes at bay. However, for those who still experience symptoms, a visit to an eye doctor may be needed.

At Florida Eye Specialists, our team can use treatments like Lipiflow, MiBo Thermoflo, ProKera therapeutic devices, and special gels to reduce inflammation and improve moisture production in the eyes. The key is to determine the cause of your Dry Eye so we can come up with a custom-tailored plan of treatment to suit your needs and lifestyle.

Kimberly Riordan, O.D. Head of the Dry Eye Center for Florida Eye Specialists