Now that we are well into 2011, I thought that now would be a good time to address probably the most common resolution for the New Year – eating healthy and exercising. But let’s look beyond this “resolution” as a means to lose weight, let’s concentrate on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle consisting of good eating and vitamin supplementation as a means to protect and preserve the health of our eyes. After all, we do need to see ourselves in the mirror!

Research suggests that antioxidants (vitamins) may reduce our risk of eye disease such as cataracts and macular degeneration. For example, vitamin A protects against blindness, and vitamin C may play a role in preventing glaucoma. Other nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of dry eye. In addition, the following list of nutrients and vitamins have been found to promote and preserve healthy eyes and vision.

• Beta-carotene: may protect against night blindness and dry eyes,  It is found in green leafy vegetables like kale as well as carrots and sweet potatoes.
• Lutein & Zeaxanthin: may prevent macular degeneration.  The majority of foods that contain these vitamins are green leafy vegetables such as collards, spinach, kale, turnip greens, etc. Interestingly enough, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS)  has been re-vamped to include these compounds as a means to prevent macular degeneration, a condition that can affect the elderly and “rob” them of their central vision.  Most multi-vitamins available on the market today contain these vitamins.  Recent research suggests at least 10mg of the vitamins in total; however, there is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) at this time.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: these nutrients can be found in flax seed oil and fish oil commercially.  Not only do they help prevent dry eyes and macular degeneration, omega-3 fatty acids have cardiovascular benefits.  The American Heart Association recommends 1,000mg daily.
• Vitamin A: may protect against blindness. Found in beef or chicken liver, oil, eggs, etc.
• Vitamin C: may reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.  Found in red or green sweet peppers, oranges, cantaloupes, etc.
• Vitamin D: may reduce macular degeneration.  Found in milk, oily fish like salmon, sardines, etc.
• Vitamin E: when combined with Vitamin C and carotenoids it may reduce the risk of advanced macular degeneration.  It is commonly found in many varieties of nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, etc.
• Zinc: when used in conjunction with Vitamin A, zinc helps reduce the risk of night blindness.  It is found in oysters, beef, and dark meat in turkey.

At Halpern Eye Care and Halpern Ophthalmology, our doctors promote a healthy lifestyle leading to healthy vision.  Proper nutrition is key to promoting overall health, including the eyes.  Current research does suggest that the appropriate intake of vitamins and minerals can prevent eye disease; however, there is little evidence suggesting that vitamins can be used to treat pre-existing eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Be sure to ask your eye doctor at your next visit about ways that you can promote healthy vision through eating properly and possibly supplementing your diet with vitamins and minerals.  After all, our slogan at Halpern is “Our Passion is Your Vision.”

By Timothy Smith, O.D.

Routine eye exams are extremely important regardless of your age or physical health.  Interestingly enough, less than 50% of Americans get eye exams more frequently than every two years.

During a comprehensive eye exam at Halpern Eye Care, your doctor goes beyond just determining your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses.  He or she will check for common eye diseases such as cataracts, diabetes of the eye, glaucoma, high blood pressure, etc.  In addition, your doctor will assess how your eyes work together as a team and ultimately determine your overall physical health state.

The eye is such an amazing organ!  Did you know that the eye is the only organ in the body that we can actually see “active living tissue” without exposing you to painful procedures and expensive imaging techniques?  We accomplish this by looking in the back of your eye with a lens that magnifies the structures of the eye with a dilated or non-dilated view.  Dilation, now that can be a “headache”!  However, at Halpern Eye Care you have the option of utilizing the state-of-the-art Optomap® Retinal exam without the fuss and worry of dilating drops and their side effects.  A picture is taken of the back of the eye that allows your doctor to view a large area of the eye that can’t be seen unless you are dilated.  So why is this important?  As mentioned before, the eye is the only place in the body we can see “active living tissue”.  As a result, we as eye doctors are sometimes the first health care providers to see the devastating effects of diabetes, hypertension, etc. on your body.  And remember, if these diseases are affecting your eyes, they are also affecting your other organs as well.  Your doctor at Halpern Eye Care will thoroughly assess the eye whether you choose to be dilated or view the Optomap® picture and he or she will take the time necessary to educate and inform you on your eye and overall health.

Your experience at Halpern Eye Care  just doesn’t stop once the doctor leaves the room.  He or she will escort you to an optician or technician who will help you find fashionable eyewear or perhaps teach you how to properly insert and remove your contact lenses.  Your eye doctor may also recommend that you return within a specific time frame to have your eyes examined again.

No matter who you are or how old you are, comprehensive eye exams are crucial to seeing clearly as well as learning how to preserve and maintain not only healthy eyes, but your general health as well.  Make an appointment today with one of our eye doctors, your eyes and body will thank you for a lifetime!

By: Dr. Troy Raber, O.D.

Navigating through the world of insurance can be time consuming and at times quite frustrating. With a foreign sounding language of referrals, co-pays, deductibles and abbreviations such as PPO, HMO, EOB, HSA, VSP and VBA, Halpern Eye Associates is always willing to help translate and sort out the details.

One area of common confusion is a result of having multiple insurance plans that cover your eyes and vision. The two insurance plans are your medical insurance and your vision insurance.

Medical Insurance

Many patients are familiar with their Medical Insurance coverage. This is the insurance that you use for visits to your primary care doctor, specialists, lab testing or visits to the emergency room. If your visit to HEA is medically related then this is the insurance plan that will be billed. Typical types of visits that are covered by your medical insurance are those related to medical eye complaints such as injury, pain, redness, itching, tearing, flashes, floaters and double vision. In addition you may be followed for specific conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease or macular degeneration that would fall under your medical insurance. Most medical insurance plans, including Medicare, do not cover the cost of the refraction, which is the procedure done to determines an eyeglass prescription.

Vision Plan

In addition to your medical insurance coverage, your employer may offer you a Vision Plan. This plan may be part of your medical insurance and covered by the same insurance carrier or may be provided by another carrier with a different name. Vision plans cover what is considered by many as a routine annual eye exam. The purpose of this exam is to complete a refraction to determine the need for prescription eye wear and provide and overall comprehensive evaluation of the health of your eyes. If any abnormalities or signs of eye disease are detected, your treatment may include returning for additional testing or follow up care that would be covered by your medical insurance.

In addition to coverage for your annual eye examination, most vision plans will offer either a discount or dollar amount towards the purchase of eye glasses or contact lenses.

Seeing Double- Which Plan to Use?

The reason for your appointment will determine which insurance plan will be billed at that visit. If you are making an appointment for an annual exam without any vision problems, need updated glasses or contacts or have a vision problem such as blurred vision for reading or driving this would be covered under your vision insurance.

For most other visits related to eye injuries, diseases or new problems discussed above, your medical insurance should apply. Be sure to have information for both your medical insurance and your vision plans when making an appointment or contact our patient coordinators for additional assistance.