The Top Questions For Your Retinal Specialist
California Retina Specialist
Each year, many people choose to make an appointment with their eye doctor to make sure their eyes are in good shape or to get a new prescription for their glasses. While many people leave these appointments with no surprising information, your eye doctor may recommend seeing a retina specialist. If you have never gone to see a retina specialist, it can help you to be prepared for your first appointment and know what to expect. Unlike an annual eye exam, you should know that you will likely be at your first appointment for a few hours, so make sure you set aside enough time for your driving as well as your exam.
What happens at my first exam?
Typically, you will start your appointment undergoing certain diagnostic testing. Expect that your pupils will be dilated and that you will need a friend or family member to drive you home from your appointment. After diagnostic testing, your doctor, like a California retina specialist from an office like the Retina Associates of Orange County will discuss your exam results and if any further testing is necessary.
What should I bring with me to my exam?
At your exam, it is good to have:
- Any insurance cards and insurance information necessary for your appointment
- Sunglasses
- Eyeglasses, if you have them
- A list of any known allergies you have to medication
- A list of any medications you are on
What can retinal exams detect?
You may be wondering: what is the point of undergoing an exam like this? A simple retina exam can go a long way in ensuring your eyes are healthy. These exams can help to detect things like:
- Glaucoma
- Cancer
- Macular degeneration
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Retinal detachment
Particularly when it comes to your eyes, prevention is going to be key in ensuring they stay healthy. Your retinal specialist will be able to detect something early, especially if you get an exam annually. This can help show your eye’s health history over time and tell your specialist if there are any changes, good or bad. With a retinal exam, your doctor can tell you more about your eye health as well as your health in other areas of your body. If you are hoping to get on the schedule for a retinal exam, contact a local retina specialist’s office today. The sooner you go, the sooner you can begin taking better care of your eyes.
BY: Retina Orange County
Eye care news
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Should You Seek Help For Macular Degeneration?
Santa Ana AMD Specialist
As we age, we know that we often need to see doctors more regularly and get health checkups to ensure that everything is healthy and there are no underlying conditions that we are unaware of. When it comes to your eyes, many people understand that there is a risk of getting age-related macular degeneration. Because it is not uncommon, many people believe there is nothing to do about it and that it is simply a part of getting older. Your doctor will be able to put you through a series of tests to ensure you get the right diagnosis and proper treatment for macular degeneration.
How can my doctor tell?
If you are concerned about macular degeneration or have noticed a change in your eyesight, you should contact an eye doctor, like a Santa Ana AMD specialist from an office like Retina Associates of Orange County. When your doctor is checking for macular degeneration, they will likely perform any of the following tests:
- A dilated eye exam. For anyone who has gotten their eye checked in the past, getting your pupils dilated is not uncommon. With eye dilation, your doctor will be able to examine your eye for different types of diseases.
- Fluorescein angiography. With this type of test, your doctor will use a specialized dye that can detect your blood circulation. When this happens, they can determine if you have any problems with your blood vessels.
- Amsler grid. Your doctor may choose to have you look at an Amsler grid. By looking at this, they may be able to detect certain areas in your vision that are blurry or have you make note of areas where there are blank spots.
- Tonometry. This test helps to measure the pressure level in your eyes. If you have too much pressure, it can damage the nerve fibers that are in your eye. If this is the case, it is possible that high pressure could lead you to become blind.
Your doctor will want to know if you have experienced any sudden changes in your eyesight and vision. Although not all changes will be a sign of macular degeneration, your doctor will want to take a look to rule it out or to begin some sort of treatment.
If you are having problems with your vision or believe it is time to get an appointment to take care of your vision, speak with your local eye specialist today. Your vision is incredibly important and the sooner you get it checked, the sooner you will be able to take care of any problems. Call to schedule an appointment today.
BY: Retina Orange County
Eye care news
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Can I Receive Workers Comps for an Eye Injury?
Eye injuries are not all that uncommon in the workplace. Safety measures that include washing your hands, wearing safety glasses or goggles, or shields that protect your face can decrease the amount of injuries, however, pretty much any job contains the risk of an eye injury.
- Computer work. There is a medical disorder that is caused by continuously staring at a computer screen called Digital Eye Strain, or Computer Vision Syndrome. The symptoms include headaches, blurred vision, shoulder and neck pain. For most people, these symptoms go away, but for some it can get worse or just keep recurring.
- Tiny fragments in the eye. If you work at a job where there may be a lot of debris or particles in the air because of the nature of the task (i.e. construction, welding), your eye could get scratched or you could suffer an abrasion.
- Infection. An infection in your eye can occur if you are exposed to blood or other bodily functions.
- Radiation. Exposure to ultraviolet lights or radiation can cause damage to your eyes
- Exposure to Chemicals. Cleaners or other liquids that splash or have toxic fumes can damage your eyes if you are exposed to these chemicals on a regular basis.
If you work in any of the following professions, you should be aware that there is the possibility of eye injury and take the precautions necessary to avoid getting injured. Some of these occupations include:
- Welders
- Construction workers
- Janitors
- Veterinary workers and others who handle animals
- Office workers
- Janitors
- Laboratory workers
- Anyone who works in a hospital including doctors, nurses and technicians
- Daycare workers
- Nursing home caregivers
If you do suffer an injury to your eye while you are at work, be sure to get the proper medical attention and check to see if where you work offers workers’ compensation.
It is imperative that you document and report your injury to your employer and seek medical care as soon as possible for your injury. It doesn’t have to be a serious an injury, like blindness, to recover workers’ compensation. Blindness is frequently considered a catastrophic injury and is possibly handled in a different manner than other forms of eye injuries in the workplace.
If you have suffered from an eye injury caused in your workplace, you should consult with an attorney that specializes in workers’ compensation claims. You may be entitled to reimbursement of medical expenses, income lost because of your injury, and if necessary, permanent disability benefits. Your lawyer can work with you to make sure you get compensated for your injury and that you have access to the appropriate medical care to enable you to recover as much as possible.
Of course, you should always be aware of the possible risks associated with the work you are performing and take the required precautions to avoid eye injuries whenever you can. However, some injuries, like the ones obtained while using your computer are not that cut and dry. Consult with your human resources department to see if workers’ compensation is an option. If you are not satisfied with their answer, consult a Hauppage NY workers comp lawyer.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Workers Comp NY for their insight into workers compensation.
BY: Retina Orange County
Eye care news
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5 Reasons Why a Healthcare Practice Should Hire a PR Media Company
For the past few years, we have seen a lot of changes in the healthcare industry. Medical centers have established strong online platforms and marketing strategies to get their names out there. The downside of the digital age is the increased risk of damage to a firm’s reputation on the part of cyber criminals, malicious competitors, or dissatisfied customers.
This is where a PR company can be invaluable. An established PR media company can protect, enhance, and build the reputation of the organization through targeted media and other channels. There are five good reasons for a healthcare practice to consider hiring a PR company.
- A PR Company Can Take Care of the Healthcare Firm’s Communication Needs
Healthcare professionals interact with a variety of people on a daily basis. There are multiple individuals who require personalized messages and services from the organization, from patients to the public to employees and more. A healthcare institution requires someone who has the knowledge and skills in public relations to handle these messages and all the various communication tasks. A public relations company can ensure that the appropriate messages reach the intended audiences on a timely basis. Each message can reinforce the organization’s reputation for excellence and expertise.
- A PR Company Can Help Build and Expand the Brand
Public relations is a key factor when it comes to building brands. Unlike 30 years ago when brands depended on local newspaper ads for growth, today they are built with publicity then maintained with advertising. PR strategies can give your brand the depth and personality required to be ahead of others in the competitive market. PR companies help healthcare outlets tell their stories in a more concise, authentic and genuine way. They identify the right target audiences, select an effective communication channel and establish robust thought leadership in the industry.
- A PR Company Can Act as a Trusted Adviser
A PR firm acts as an adviser for the healthcare outlet in many ways. They are often involved in making important marketing decisions in conjunction with the organization. A good PR firm understands how to analyze the current business atmosphere and target favorable demographics. They can identify new trends and determine potential challenges within the market. They then use their acquired knowledge to advise the company on short and long term business strategy.
- A PR Company Can Help Generate Leads
A firm, like a PR firm New York NY trusts know how to establish robust programs to foster a good environment for quality leads. They may incorporate programs of various types including digital or online, media, and seasonal or special events. These firms know how to blend organic and paid media for campaigns that are likely to offer an attractive return on investment. They can build campaigns that, if executed well, can increase the number of patients and cement a healthcare practice’s place within the community.
- A PR Company Can Assist with Market Research
Market research is important in the healthcare field as it helps management to identify the needs and preferences of patients. Research is also essential for organizations that would like to know more about the current and potential competition. A good PR company will help you collect critical information about the market and your competitors. PR firms also have tools to track the performance of the healthcare practice in real time. This is invaluable for determining past, present, and future success of a healthcare firm’s marketing efforts.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Goldman McCormick PR for their insight into PR for healthcare providers.
BY: Retina Orange County
Eye care news
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Doctors Visits After Auto Accidents
The aftermath of an auto accident can be a stressful and confusing times for the victims, especially if they have been hurt or injured. This stress can grow significantly if the accident was the fault of someone else who was driving poorly or dangerously. However, with the help of a skilled car accident attorney Dekalb County GA relies on, victims may be able to receive compensation for their injuries and other damages.
If you have any concerns that you may be injured after an accident, you should make a point to get to a hospital as soon as you can. Many injuries may not seem like a large issue at the time, but injuries such as concussions could grow quickly into a danger towards your health. It is also important to have documentation of your injuries should you need to file a claim against the insurance of the driver who was at fault in the accident.
During your initial visit with the hospital, be complete and descriptive about any discomfort or pains you began to experience after the accident. The staff of the hospital will document what you have said in your medical records, and this will become crucial evidence when demonstrating the severity of the injuries caused by the accident. This trip to the hospital may seem expensive, but it will help to create a strong case which could lead to the compensation you need to receive every bit of necessary treatment to heal fully and properly.
Before making any attempt to contact the insurance company of the driver at fault, be sure to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Having an attorney on your side is the best way to make sure that your rights are being protected in the aftermath of an accident, and any insurance company will be attempting to find whatever excuse they can to avoid paying the amount necessary for you to heal properly. Every single case is unique, and only a skilled attorney can truly make sure that you are reaching the absolute best settlement.
Thanks to our friends and contributors at Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. for their insight into follow up treatments after an accident.
BY: Retina Orange County
Eye care news
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Vision Impairment Caused by Work Conditions: Do I Have a Case?
Your employer has a responsibility to protect you while you work. This means offering protective eye equipment when staring into bright lights or if you may be exposed to smoke or soot that could get into your eyes. If you discover that your vision has been impaired because of employer negligence, you may have a case for workers’ compensation benefits.
Was Protective Equipment Provided?
The first question that you or your attorney should ask is whether or not an employer made protective eye equipment available. This means that goggles or other materials that cover your eyes or entire face were both there for you to use, and were in good working condition. If equipment didn’t fit properly or was otherwise useless for some reason, the employer may still be considered negligent.
Were You Aware That Equipment Was Available?
Were you made aware that you could wear goggles and they were available for you to use? Were you ever made aware of the fact that there were eye washing stations or other resources available to clean out of your eyes if necessary? If not, your employer may still be liable as they are generally required to notify and train employees on how to use safety equipment.
Did You Use Available Equipment?
There are times when employees will fail to use safety equipment because they think that it is too dangerous or too inconvenient to put on. However, if you were aware of safety equipment available to you and failed to use it, it may have an impact on the amount of your award, or whether it is approved or not.
Were You Engaged in Tasks That You Were Qualified to Perform?
There is a level of danger in almost any task that you may perform at work. However, your employer is responsible for ensuring that you are properly trained or otherwise qualified to undertake a specific task at work. If you lose your vision or suffer from impaired vision because you were asked to do something that you couldn’t do safely, you will generally have a case against your employer.
Did You Voice Concerns Previously?
While this won’t necessarily disqualify you from seeking workers’ compensation benefits, it may help if you had voiced concerns about vision problems previously. If you can show that you complained or sought treatment, it may strengthen the link between unsafe work conditions and your issues.
Your DC workers’ compensation lawyer may also advise you to go see a doctor and obtain any relevant medical records in an effort to show that your employer could have done more to help you. If you either didn’t seek treatment in the past, or didn’t voice concerns to your supervisor, your employer may try to argue that your vision loss was caused by a condition not connected to your employment.
If you noticed that your eyesight has diminished or you have problems seeing, it may be possible to obtain compensation. It may help you pay for any costs related to your condition, as well as replace of some or all of your salary on a temporary or permanent basis. Consult a local workers’ compensation attorney today for more information.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Cohen & Cohen, P.C. for their added insight into workers compensation claims.
BY: Retina Orange County
Eye care news
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Common Eye Care Mistakes You Should Avoid
When it comes to taking care of your eyes, there are a few things you should avoid ,in addition to seeing your Laguna Hills eye doctor regularly. A strong eye care routine may help you have better eye health for life. Unfortunately, there are many common mistakes that may seem small, but which could damage your eyes. By avoiding these mistakes and listening to the advice of your eye doctor in Laguna Hills, you can take good care of your eyes.
Makeup
You may think that eyeliner you apply to your eye won’t do any damage, but are you sure? Your Laguna Hills eye doctor may be able to help you if your beauty routine is putting your eyes at risk. The biggest thing to remember is to make sure you don’t apply the eyeliner to your water line. This prevents oxygen from reaching your water line, and can dry out your eye. It also increases the risk of infection.
Another mistake to avoid is using mascara that it is outdated, or that has been contaminated. If you have an eye infection at any point, make sure you throw away the mascara you used during that time. Avoid sharing mascara with anyone else. Be sure to pay attention to when you purchase your eye makeup, eye pencils, and mascara and throw them away after they’ve expired.
Contact Lenses
If you have contact lenses, you may think that wearing them while you are asleep isn’t a big deal. Even though you may have a brand that says you can wear them at night, any Laguna Hills eye doctor ought to tell you that wearing them at night, even if it’s FDA approved, isn’t a good idea.
The risk of a corneal ulcer is 10 to 15 times greater in individuals who wear their contact lenses at night. If you fall asleep with them in, don’t panic, just don’t make a habit out of it. Be sure that you don’t sleep with contacts that aren’t meant for extended wear in your eyes. These contact lenses can dry out your eyes, which could make it difficult to take them out without the help of an experienced eye doctor Laguna Hills residents trust.
Lens Solution and Eye Drops
Your Laguna Hills eye doctor will likely tell you that if you wear contact lenses, it’s important that you don’t use expired solution. The solution is meant to kill the bacteria on your contacts. Using old solution prevents it from destroying the bacteria on your lenses, and may lead to an eye infection.
Using outdated eye drops is also not advisable, because they could be contaminated and cause harm to your eye. Always throw expired eye drops away, and do not use eye drops that are cloudy or discolored, or if the tip of the bottle has touched an infected eye.
If you are careful about your eye care and see your Laguna Hills eye doctor regularly, you may be able to enjoy great eye health for life. If you have questions or concerns about your eyes or vision, call our experienced doctors at the Retina Associates of Orange County at (949) 777-5011 today.
BY: Retina Orange County
Eye care news
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5 Ways to Protect Your Eyes While On the Job
It can be very difficult to do your job properly if you don’t have your vision. Therefore, it may be important for you to take steps to protect your vision while you are at work. Ideally, your employer will have a worker safety policy that provides resources to reduce accidents and promote the health of their employees. The following are five ways to protect your eyes while on the job.
- Wear Goggles While Working With Materials
Depending on your job, there may be a variety of substances that could come into contact with your face or eyes during work. For example, sawdust may float freely in the air when a builder cuts a piece of wood. A welder is often in close proximity to sparks from hot metal, which might reach their eyes or face when working with the material. Chemicals might spill while scientists experiment with them, which may result in chemical contact in the eye area. A pair of goggles can provide a shield that will likely protect those who work in fields where harmful substances might come into contact with their eyes.
- Don’t Stare at Screens For Too Long
You may suffer severe eye strain by staring at your office computer or any other screen for too long. Therefore, it may be in your best interest to take a break at least once an hour or once every 30 minutes, if possible. Simply glancing over to the copier or looking down at your lap can help keep your eyes fresh and reduce the odds of an injury.
- Wear Sunglasses While Outside
When you work outside, make sure that you protect yourself from the sun’s glare. It may also be a good idea to wear sunglasses if you work in bright environments indoors. This will help reduce the glare and intensity of the light that hits your eyes while you work. Also, you should never look directly into the sun or any other type of light.
- Don’t Rub Your Eyes When They Itch
Rubbing an itchy eye with a hand that has touched pollen, wood shavings or other debris will likely make the issue worse. Doing so might result in an allergic reaction or possibly transmit a pathogen from your hand to your face. The better option may be to first wash your hands and then try to wash your eyes out with water or eye drops. If your eyes don’t get better, it may be a good idea to seek medical attention.
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings at All Times
A simple poke to the eye or a hit in the face may result in severe eye injuries that could take months to heal. Staying alert and remaining aware of all possible hazards reduces the risk of an unexpected injury that may keep you out of work for days or weeks at a time.
Your eyes are among the most important parts of your body. Without the ability to see, you won’t even be able to drive yourself to work — let alone work as efficiently as you did before you got hurt. Therefore, it may be helpful to either buy protective gear for your face or insist that your employer provide it for you if necessary.
If you believe that your eyes or eye site are being negligently neglected by your employer, you may have a case. Contact a Charlottesville VA workplace injury lawyer for more information or to discuss your potential case.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from MartinWren, P.C.for their insight into on the job eye injuries.
BY: Retina Orange County
Eye care news
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5 Common Work-Related Eye Injuries
Over 20,000 eye injuries occur in the workplace each year in the United States, requiring the injured person to take time off from work. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, further reports that workplace eye injuries cost an estimated $300 million annually in lost employee productivity, medical treatment and expenses, and workers’ compensation payments of different types. Five of the most common work-related eye injuries involve chemicals, flying objects, tools, airborne particles, or a combination of these hazards.
Chemicals
In reality, nearly every workplace has chemicals on site that may result in eye injuries. If nothing else, a workplace usually has cleaning supplies on site. Even these products may contain chemicals that can cause an eye injury. There are certain types business at which extremely hazardous chemicals are present. If one of these chemicals end up in a person’s eye, severe damage will likely result. Indeed, permanent damage is a possibility in some instances.
Flying Objects
Another common work-related eye injury involves flying objects that come into contact with one’s eyes. This is because objects can become airborne for a number of different reasons.
In the case of a manufacturing establishment, equipment and machinery of different types will likely cause items of different sizes to become airborne. Even something as basic as horseplay in the workplace might cause an object to become airborne, which may subsequently come into contact with one’s eyes.
Tools
Tools of different types represent another common cause of eye injuries in the workplace. More often than not, when a tool causes an eye injury it is because the piece is not being used properly. However, there are some tools that are inherently dangerous themselves and pose a threat to a worker even if used properly.
Particles
Particles in the air may cause eye injuries in the workplace as well. Particles can end up in the work environment in a number of ways. For example, a manufacturing process may cause particles to be released into the air. Without proper ventilation, these particles may accumulate in the air in the workplace, ultimately coming into contact with with a worker’s eyes.
Combination of Hazards
Unfortunately, an eye injury may involve more than one hazard. For example, a manufacturing process may involve the use of chemicals while also releasing particulates into the air. The chemicals and the airborne particles may interplay, causing a worker to suffer an eye injury.
Workers’ Compensation Claim
An eye injury in the workplace may result in a workers’ compensation claim. Milwaukee WI workers’ compensation lawyersfocus their practices on providing legal representation to injured workers. As a general rule, a workers’ compensation attorney charges no fee for an initial consultation with an injured worker.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Hickey & Turim, S.C. for their insight into work-related eye injuries.
BY: Retina Orange County
Eye care news
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Eye injuries as the result of an auto accident
According to the National Institutes of Health, motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of eye injuries in the United States. At least 9,200 eye injuries occur every year from automobile accidents. Eye injuries can result in temporarily impaired vision or complete loss of vision. Some of the factors that are likely to cause eye injuries during a car crash include:
- Rapid changes in velocity
- Broken glass
- Deployment of airbags
- Not wearing a seatbelt
- Direct contact with various objects
The following are some of the most common eye injuries caused by auto accidents.
Corneal abrasions
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped area located at the front of the eye. While it partially protects the eye, its main purpose is to focus and control light. Corneal abrasions are likely the most common type of eye injury. When a person suffers a corneal abrasion, the cornea is scratched. Symptoms may include pain, discomfort, redness and sensitivity to light. Luckily, most corneal abrasions can be easily treated.
Black eye
A black eye occurs when trauma from a foreign object causes blood vessels under the skin to break. Blood and other fluids might cause the area around the eye to swell and bruise. A black eye shouldn’t be ignored, as bleeding between the cornea and iris could lead to blindness. Although a black eye is probably easily treated with ice, it may be a good idea to consult with an eye doctor for safe measure.
Cuts to the eyelid
Eyelid cuts can also be caused by trauma during a car accident. These cuts should be looked at carefully by an eye doctor, as there might be damage to the eyeball as well. If stitches are needed, care must be taken to ensure that the stitches themselves do not damage the cornea and further complicate the healing process.
Detached retina
The retina is made up of tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends messages to the brain through the optic nerve. The injury itself might be painless, but an accident victim with a torn retina may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Particles throughout their field of vision
- Flashes of light
- Blurred vision
- Impaired side vision
A torn retina might result from trauma or even rapid acceleration and deceleration. Retinal detachment is a serious condition, and the longer it goes untreated, the greater the risk of permanent vision loss.
Hyphemia
This condition occurs when blood accumulates at the anterior chamber of the eye between the cornea and the iris. Pain and blurred vision are the most common symptoms, but a large hyphema might make the affected eye look as if it’s filled with blood. If this occurs, one should seek medical treatment immediately as this condition may be serious. The condition will likely resolve over time with proper care and treatment.
Orbital fracture
An orbital fracture involves an injury to the bone surrounding the eye socket. The three different types of orbital fractures include:
- Rim fractures that are commonly seen in car accidents
- Blowout fractures when the rim remains intact but the floor of the eye socket is fractured
- Direct orbital fractures, which are rim fractures extending to the floor of the socket
Smaller orbital fractures probably won’t require surgery and are typically treated conservatively. More serious orbital fractures will likely require surgery, particularly if movement of the eye is impeded by the fracture. For the sake of your vision, any eye injury should be examined and treated by an eye doctor specialist.
BY: Retina Orange County
Eye care news
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