Think of your health. Are you thinking of how you take care of your body – how often you exercise, what you consume, how many visits you take to the doctor, etc.? How often do you think to take care of your eyes? Maybe it’s the standard of going to the optometrist once a year, or maybe you haven’t been in quite some time. Our eyes are just as important, if not more important than other organs. They provide us sight, and staying on top of your routine checkups ensures healthy eyes that not only keep us alert but safe.
The month of April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month. Taking care of your eyes and your vision should be at the top of your list. EyeCare Optical in Lake Nona is here to help you maintain your eye health and protect your vision, no matter what. EyeCare Optical Lake Nona opened in May 2019 and is backed by the strong reputation of the Magruder Eye Institute, Central Florida’s standard for excellence in eye care for over 50 years.
Dr. Sarina Amin is an ophthalmologist and retina surgeon at EyeCare Optical who was the first to graduate at the UCF College of Medicine here in Lake Nona. She found her passion and calling for ophthalmology when she shadowed an ophthalmologist who works at the Orlando VA.
“As the first UCF College of Medicine M.D. Program graduate, I am honored to work and serve in this community. It has changed significantly since I completed my medical school degree in 2013, and I am excited to give back to and contribute to the growth of the Lake Nona community that supported my education from the beginning!”
So with it being Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, why should women choose to visit EyeCare Optical?
“The eye care professionals at EyeCare Optical understand the unique risks that women face with their vision and are well-equipped to provide comprehensive care. Our specialists diagnose, manage, and treat dry eye disease, cataracts, glaucoma, retinal issues, and other ocular conditions that affect women every day. We are the only comprehensive practice in the area – a ‘one-stop shop’ for all of your eye care needs,” Dr. Amin detailed.
Why should women be more cautious and aware of their eye health? Preventblindness.org stated that, “Women have higher rates of eye diseases, such as cataract (61%), glaucoma (61%), and age-related macular degeneration (65%), than men.”
The National Eye Institute also stated that women deal with greater instances of eye disorders.
“According to the CDC, an estimated 93 million adults in the United States are at high risk for serious vision loss, but only half visited an eye doctor in the past 12 months. Of these adults, approximately two-thirds of visually-impaired patients are women. This is due to the fact that women typically live longer than men, which puts them at risk of age-related eye conditions such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Women also undergo hormonal changes as they age and during pregnancy, which can contribute to vision fluctuations and dry eye disease,” Dr. Amin described.
If you are having any problems with your vision, Dr. Amin has several recommendations for you.
- “See an eye doctor at least annually to check the health of the eye. You may need to see them more frequently if you have diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune disease, or you are taking medications that can affect your vision like Plaquenil.”
- “If you smoke – try to quit. Smoking can increase the risk of any of the eye conditions named above.”
- “Take nutritional supplements or eat a healthy, balanced diet full of antioxidants and vegetables.”
- “If you are having problems with your vision, get it checked. Waiting to see if any eye problem will go away puts you at risk for permanent vision loss.”
- “Wear UVA and UVB blocking sunglasses and a hat when outdoors to protect your eyes and the skin around your eyes. Skin cancers can also occur on your eyelids.”
- “Change your eye cosmetics regularly, and if you suspect an eye infection, do not use any cosmetics near your eye.”
World Health Day is April 7, and your eye health correlates with your overall physical health. Comprehensive eye exams can help identify certain conditions, which could save your life.
“It is extremely important to take care of your eyes and your vision. Your eyes directly affect your independence and your ability to perform basic daily functions, which we typically take for granted,” Dr. Amin explained. “As you lose your vision, simple daily tasks such as reading a computer or seeing the TV become more difficult. With time, driving privileges and ability to work are jeopardized. Eventually, you depend on your family and friends to help you with your daily activities, and they may have to take time off from work in order to take care of you. By being more proactive about your eye health, you can potentially prevent or slow down eye disease progression – allowing you to keep your vision and your independence longer.”
EyeCare Optical offers a wide variety of fashionable and affordable glasses and frames as well as contact lenses. The business also offers optometry and ophthalmology services, so if you need your routine eye exam, EyeCare Optical can help and accepts most insurances. You can find the EyeCare Optical Lake Nona location in Laureate Park at 13630 Sachs Ave., Suite 120, Orlando, FL 32827. For more information, visit myeyecareoptical.com or call (407) 910-2088.
Photos by Rhys Lynn
