Tag: <span>eye exam</span>

Got Diabetes? Get An Eye Exam

Living with diabetes is a constant journey, filled with daily management, lifestyle changes, and regular check-ups. While monitoring blood sugar levels and adopting a balanced diet are integral aspects of diabetes care, one often overlooked but crucial component is a diabetic eye exam performed by an optometrist.

Understanding Diabetes-Related Eye Complications

Diabetes is a systemic disease that affects various parts of the body, including the eyes. High blood sugar levels can lead to several eye complications, collectively known as diabetic eye diseases. These conditions include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. Left unchecked, these conditions can result in vision impairment and even blindness.

Diabetes Eye Exam

Why See an Dr. Yamamoto and Dr. Inouchi for Diabetic Eye Exams?

  1. Specialized Expertise: Dr. Yamamoto and Dr. Inouchi are eye care specialists trained to diagnose, manage, and treat a wide range of eye conditions. They possess the knowledge and experience required to identify diabetes-related eye complications in their early stages.
  2. Early Detection Saves Sight: Diabetic eye exams can catch eye problems before they progress to a stage where they seriously affect vision. Early detection and intervention can help preserve your eyesight and prevent irreversible damage.
  3. Tailored Care: Dr. Yamamoto and Dr. Inouchi understand the unique eye health challenges faced by individuals with diabetes. They can provide personalized guidance on managing your eye health while taking your specific diabetes management plan into account.
  4. Comprehensive Assessments: Diabetic eye exams are more than just a vision check. Optometrists perform a series of tests, including dilated eye exams, which enable them to examine the retina, blood vessels, and other critical structures of the eye. This thorough evaluation helps identify early signs of diabetic eye diseases.
  5. Coordinated Care: Our eye doctors work closely with other healthcare professionals involved in your diabetes management, ensuring a coordinated approach to your overall health and well-being. This teamwork is essential for managing diabetes effectively.

The Importance of Regularity

Consistency is key when it comes to diabetic eye exams. Diabetes is a chronic condition, and its impact on the eyes can change over time. To safeguard your vision, it’s crucial to attend these exams at regular intervals, as recommended by your eye doctor.

Never underestimate the importance of regular diabetic eye exams by a our eye doctors. These exams are not only a proactive approach to maintaining good vision but also a crucial step in preserving your overall quality of life. By catching eye complications early and managing them effectively, you can continue to enjoy the beauty of the world around you while keeping your diabetes in check.

Remember, your eyes are not just the windows to your soul; they’re also a vital part of your well-being. So, make an appointment with Dr, Yamamoto or Dr. Inouchi, and take the first step in safeguarding your precious gift of sight. Your eyes and your future self will thank you for it.

Signs your child might need an eye exam

As your trusted local eye care provider, we'realways here to support you!
Got questions about your vision or need help
with your eyewear? Feel free to get in touch.
We're here to help!
As your trusted local eye care provider, we’re always here to support you! Got questions about your vision or need help with your eyewear? Feel free to get in touch. We’re here to help!

As parents, it’s essential to watch for signs that your child might need an eye exam. Here are some key indicators:

  • Squinting or tilting their head to see better.
  • Frequent eye rubbing, especially when not tired.
  • Sitting too close to the TV or holding devices very close.
  • Complaints of headaches or eye pain.
  • Struggling with schoolwork or reading.

If you notice any of these signs, it might be time to schedule an eye exam. Early detection can make a significant difference in your child’s vision and overall development. Reach out to us to book an appointment or if you have any questions!

Book Your Eye Exam Online

An Eye Exam is not Just About Vision

August is National Eye Exam Month

Perhaps you don’t wear glasses or contacts and haven’t had any issues with your eyes. So, you think, “Why would I need to go to the eye doctor every year?” You might be surprised to know that there is more to an eye exam than just checking your visual clarity. Here are three reasons why you should visit your eye doctor every year.

  1. Detects Early Signs of Chronic Diseases like Diabetes. Regular eye exams are critical because what may seem like a vision-related problem might be an indication of a broader health issue.
  2. Some Eye Diseases Are Symptom-Free. Getting an annual eye exam can help detect health conditions before they progress and may help preserve your vision.
  3. Your Vision Might Not Be as Clear as You Think. You may not notice that your vision changed, but an eye exam can reveal if you need glasses, contacts or an update to your current prescription.

Need an eye exam? Schedule your next comprehensive eye exam today.

Book Your Eye Exam Online

Back-to-School List: Pencils, Books, and an Eye Exam 

As the summer slowly fades away, back-to-school planning is in high gear. One of the most important tools your child needs to start the year off right is great vision. According to the American Optometric Association, one in every four children have a vision problem, yet 93% of children during developmental years never see an eye doctor for diagnosis and treatment. A comprehensive eye exam helps your doctor see signs of common health conditions which is critical in getting treatment early.

So, if you haven’t made your back-to-school list yet, use ours to ensure the essentials aren’t missed:

  • Shop for those important back-to-school supplies.
  • Dust off your child’s backpack and lunch box and give it a wash.
  • Create a homework space in your home.
  • Buy coffee.
  • Schedule a family eye appointment.

After all, good vision and good grades go hand in hand. Get a head start on the school year and schedule an eye exam for your family today.

Schedule Your Eye Exam Now

Tips for Keeping Your Eyes Healthy For A Lifetime

Carrots are good for your eyes.
Carrots are good for your eyes.

Here are some healthy vision tips from Dr. Dan an Dr. Tracie

  1. We feel that patients should schedule yearly comprehensive eye exams Seeing an eye doctor regularly will help keep you and your eyes healthy for a lifetime.
  2. Protect your eyes against ultra violet (UV) rays. Living in Hawaii, ts important to wear sunglasses.
  3. Give your eyes a break from digital devices use. Practice the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes take a 20 second break and look at something 20 feet away.  Limit your screen time.
  4. Practice good nutrition.  Eat your greens. Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables – particularly the leafy green variety.  Leafy greens keep your retina helthy.
  5. Practice safe wear and care of your contact lenses. Keep them clean and don’t over wear them too long.  Don’t forget to dispose of your contact lens on a regular basis.

Proud Supporter of #2020EyeExam

AOA-2020-BadgeWow! During an annual, comprehensive eye exam, doctors of optometry can identify early warning signs and manifestations of more than 270 systemic and chronic diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases and cancers. Schedule your #2020EyeExam today!

Simple Tips for Healthy Eyes

Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma. If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, talk to your doctor.

Protective eye wear

Wear protective eyewear.

Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the home. Protective eyewear includes safety glasses and goggles, safety shields, and eye guards specially designed to provide the correct protection for a certain activity. Most protective eyewear lenses are made of polycarbonate, which is 10 times stronger than other plastics. Many eye care providers sell protective eyewear, as do some sporting goods stores.

Make Vision a Health Priority

With today’s medical advances, more and more people are living longer and celebrating good health: They are eating healthy foods, they are staying active, they are controlling their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and they are not smoking.

Woman getting an eye examPractice good eye health … Make vision a health priority by seeing your eye care professional

Feeling good and living life to its fullest also means taking good care of your eyes. Even if you enjoy relatively good vision now, visiting your eye care professional once a year is the best thing you can do to care for your eyes. Getting an eye exam is more important now than ever before, because as you get older, you are at higher risk of developing several age-related eye diseases and conditions, including—

  • Age-related macular degeneration
  • Cataract
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Glaucoma

In their early stages, these diseases often have no warning signs or symptoms. In fact, the only way to detect them before they become serious and cause vision loss is through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Fortunately, if your eye care professional catches and treats these conditions early, he or she can protect your eyesight.

What is a dilated eye exam?

A comprehensive dilated eye exam is important to maintain and protect healthy vision. During this exam, drops are placed in the eyes to dilate or widen the pupils (the round opening in the center of the eye). The eye care professional uses a special magnifying lens to examine the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye) and optic nerve (the bundle of fibers that send signals from the retina to the brain) for signs of damage and other eye problems.

Take charge of your vision

In addition to seeing your eye care professional routinely, you can do the following things to protect your vision:

  • Stop smoking
  • Eat a diet rich in green leafy vegetables and fish
  • Exercise
  • Maintain normal blood pressure
  • Wear sunglasses and a brimmed hat anytime you are outside in bright sunshine
  • Wear safety eyewear when working around your house or playing sports

Information and resources

The National Eye Institute (NEI) is part of the National Institutes of Health and the federal government’s lead agency for vision research that leads to sight-saving treatments, and it plays a key role in reducing visual impairment and blindness. For more information, visit the NEI Website at www.nei.nih.gov

Simple Tips for Healthy Eyes

Your eyes are an important part of your health. There are many things you can do to keep them healthy and make sure you are seeing your best. Follow these simple steps for maintaining healthy eyes well into your golden years.

Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam. You might think your vision is fine or that your eyes are healthy, but visiting your eye care professional for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to really be sure. When it comes to common vision problems, some people don’t realize they could see better with glasses or contact lenses. In addition, many common eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration often have no warning signs. A dilated eye exam is the only way to detect these diseases in their early stages.

During a comprehensive dilated eye exam, your eye care professional places drops in your eyes to dilate, or widen, the pupil to allow more light to enter the eye the same way an open door lets more light into a dark room. This dilation enables your eye care professional to get a good look at the back of the eyes and examine them for any signs of damage or disease. Your eye care professional is the only one who can determine if your eyes are healthy and if you are seeing your best.

Simple Tips for Healthy Eyes

Proper Eyewear and Healthy Vision Crucial for Athletes’ Performance

Spring is here, and kids everywhere are gearing up for another season of their favorite spring sport – baseball, soccer, softball and lacrosse. It’s estimated that more than 21 million kids between 6 and 17 are active in at least one sport. While parents go to extreme efforts to make sure they have the correct protection of guards and gear, one safety precaution is often overlooked.

Ensuring safe vision for youth participating in sports is essential. That’s why Dr. Daniel Yamamoto is sharing some key considerations for the upcoming spring season/this season of Little League:

  • Schedule an appointment: The school eye screening is simply not enough. For sports that involve throwing, kicking and catching, kids need a regular, in-person comprehensive exam that will focus on depth perception, contact lens wear, binocularity (how eyes work together as a pair), peripheral vision and more. It’s the best way to ensure your child’s eyes are healthy and their vision is ready to play.
  • Use appropriate safety eyewear: In addition to getting the right protective headgear, children need to have the right eye protection gear. For children with glasses, provide a pair without metal frames to avoid potential injuries due to activities such as getting hit with a ball. To prevent injury, athletes are advised to wear eye protection that may include safety glasses and goggles, safety shields, and eye guards designed for a particular sport and that meet American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. These types of protection are designed to be impact resistant without clouding an athlete’s vision.
  • Sun Protection: Wearing a hat is helpful, but will only get you so far. The AOA’s 2017 Eye-Q survey found that three out of ten Americans don’t wear sunglasses while playing outdoor sports. Sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection are important to protect eyes from sun damage.

By visiting Dr. Daniel Yamamoto regularly for comprehensive eye care, athletes can perform their best on the court or field with clear and healthy vision, as well as be sure their eyes are protected and, hopefully, bring home a win.

Early Detection and Treatment is Key in Protecting Vision from the Effects of Glaucoma

Glaucoma affects 2.7 million people in the United States and is the second leading cause of blindness, yet understanding and awareness of the disease is low. In fact, 72 percent of Americans don’t know that glaucoma typically has no early warning signs or symptoms, according to the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) 2014 American Eye-Q® consumer survey.

Often referred to as the “sneak thief of sight,” glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that can damage the optic nerve and impair peripheral vision. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to complete loss of sight. While the disease does not have a cure and is not preventable, it is treatable and can be detected in a comprehensive eye exam provided by your optometrist.

“A common misconception is that glaucoma only affects older adults when, in reality, it can happen at any age. In fact, it’s most commonly detected in people in their 40s,” said Dr. Inouchi. “The key is to identify and diagnose the disease early in order to promptly treat and slow the progression of vision loss.”

Americans are also largely unaware of the factors that put them at greater risk for developing glaucoma – only 13 percent of Americans know that a person’s race increases their chances for developing the disease. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, glaucoma is six to eight times more common in African Americans than Caucasians. Additional factors that put someone at greater risk for glaucoma include those who have a family history of glaucoma, diabetes, hypothyroidism, are over age 60 or individuals who have had severe eye trauma.

Treatment for glaucoma includes prescription eye drops and medication to lower pressure in the eyes. In some cases, laser treatment or surgery may be effective in reducing pressure.

In addition to yearly, comprehensive eye exams, Dr. Daniel Yamamoto & Dr. Tracie Inouchi suggests the following tips to help maintain overall eye health and clear, comfortable vision:

  • Eat green, leafy vegetables and foods rich in nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin C and zinc to protect eyes from disease.
  • Cut down on those bad habits such as smoking and consuming alcohol or excessive caffeine, which can all be harmful to the eyes.
  • If you work in front of a computer, practice the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break and look at something 20 feet away to help avoid digital eye strain.
  • Wear sunglasses with UV-A and UV-B protection year-round.

Contact Dr. Daniel Yamamoto & Dr. Tracie Inouchi today at (808) 949-2662 to make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam and to learn more about ways to help prevent vision loss from glaucoma.