This document discusses updates in eye care, including common age-related eye changes, disorders, and prevention guidelines. It also reviews options for correcting refractive errors such as glasses, contacts, refractive surgery, and gentle molding. Gentle molding involves using rigid gas permeable contact lenses to reshape the cornea and improve unaided vision, either permanently or through periodic use of retainer lenses. The document emphasizes the importance of nutrition, exercise, sunglasses, and regular eye exams in maintaining healthy vision.

1. Updates in Eye Care
Chris D. Teichmiller, O.D., M.P.H.
Innovative Eyecare

2. Topics
• Normal age related changes
• Common eye disorders
• Prevention guidelines for healthy eyes and
vision
• Correction options for common refractive
errors

3. Doctors of Optometry
Examine, diagnose, treat and manage
diseases, injuries and disorders of the visual
system, the eye and associated structures as
well as identify related systemic conditions
affecting the eye.

4. Doctors of Optometry
• Diagnose the ocular manifestations of
diseases that affect the entire body, such
as diabetes and hypertension.
• Evaluate their patients for surgery when
appropriate and often manage their
patients care pre- and post-operatively.

5. Myth or Fact
• In a recent study conducted by the
American Optometric Association, nearly
three-fourths of respondents age 55 and
older reported noticing changes in their
vision between the ages of 40 and 45.

6. Myth or Fact
• To cope with vision loss or various eye
problems, less than one third of
respondents increased their nutrient
intake to try to improve their overall eye
health.

7. Myth or Fact
• Almost 50 percent of Americans still
believe carrots are the best food for eye
health, when in fact, spinach and other
dark leafy vegetables provide more
nutrients to the eyes because they contain
large amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin.

8. Myth or Fact
• In order to maintain healthy eyes, studies
have shown that 10 mg of lutein should be
consumed each day or one cup of cooked
spinach four times per week.

9. Myth or Fact
• More than 50 percent of Americans do not
get the recommended dosage of vitamin C
per day even though one 8 ounce glass of
orange juice contains 81.6 mg of vitamin C,
more than enough to help offset some eye
diseases.

10. Common Age-Related Changes
• Need for more light
• Difficulty reading and doing close work
• Problem with glare
• Reduced tear production

11. Increased Risk of Eye and Vision
Problems
• Chronic systemic conditions, diabetes or
HBP
• Family history of glaucoma or ARMD
• History of elevated cholesterol
• History of thyroid disorders
• Anxiety or depression
• History of arthritis

12. Early Warning Signs of Serious Eye
Problems
• Fluctuation vision- diabetes, HBP or
medications
• Flashes or floaters-normal vs. retinal
detachment
• Loss of side vision-TIA or glaucoma
• Distorted images- ARMD, macular edema,
MS, and certain medications such as
Plaquenil and other drugs that can cause
macula toxicity

13. To Maintain Health Eyes and Good
Vision
• Eat healthy-As part of a healthful diet, eat
five servings of fruits and vegetables each
day. Choose foods rich in antioxidants
such as green, leafy vegetables and fish.
• Supplement with Vitamin C, Vitamin E,
Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Omega 3’s (fish oil and
cod liver oil), Vitamin A, Zinc and Ginkgo
Biloba.

14. To Maintain Health Eyes and Good
Vision
• Don’t smoke
• Increases risk of macular degeneration
by 50%
• Increases risk of cataracts
• Associated with chronic dry eye

15. To Maintain Health Eyes and Good
Vision
• Get regular exercise
• Increases blood circulation
• Increases oxygen levels to the eye
• Increases removal of toxins from the
body

16. To Maintain Health Eyes and Good
Vision
• Wear sunglasses
• Protects your eyes from harmful UV rays
when outdoors.
• Lifetime of UVA and UVB exposure
associated with increased risk of
cataracts
• Choose sunglasses that screen UVA and
UVB 400

17. To Maintain Health Eyes and Good
Vision
• Get periodic eye examinations
• Although vision generally remains stable
over time, some problems may develop
without any obvious signs or symptoms.
• The best way to protect your vision and
eye health is through regularly
scheduled eye examinations.

18. Correction Options for Refractive
Error
• Glasses
• Bifocals
• Trifocals
• Progressive Addition Lenses

19. Correction Options for Refractive
Error
• Contact Lenses (Soft, RGP or Specialty)
• Distance only with reading glasses
• Monovision: One eye corrected for
distance and the other eye corrected for
near
• Multifocal contacts

20. Correction Options for Refractive
Error
• Refractive Surgery
• LASIK
• PRK
• Anterior chamber phakic IOLs
• Cataract surgery (New refractive surgery)
• Monofocal IOLs
• Toric IOLs
• Multifocal IOLs

21. Correction Options for Refractive
Error
• Gentle Molding, Corneal Reshaping Therapy, or
Orthokeratology or Ortho K.
• This procedure involves using a series of
therapeutic rigid, gas permeable contact
lenses to gently and safely reshape the cornea
to change the curvature to reduce or correct
nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism
and presbyopia resulting in improved unaided
vision and decreased dependency on daytime
glasses or contact lenses.

22. Correction Options for Refractive
Error
• Gentle Molding
• Has been in practice for over 40 years
• Reasons for its resurgence in popularity
• New advances in lens design
• New advances in lathe technology
• New lens materials FDA approved for
overnight wear
• Increased ranges of correction
possible

23. Candidates for Gentle Molding
• Occupations that require excellent unaided
vision, includes airline pilots, firemen and police
officers
• People who want the benefits of unaided vision
for recreational and athletic pursuits such as
swimming, jogging, tennis, golf, biking,
gardening, enjoying the beach, etc.
• People who suffer from dry eyes and ocular
allergies
• People who want to see clearly in emergencies

24. Correction Options for Refractive
Error
• Gentle Molding
• Usually works within days to weeks but
higher prescriptions may take up to 3-4
months
• Once corrected, the lenses only need to
be worn periodically, similar to dental
retainers
• The retainer lenses are generally worn
for up to 8 hours while sleeping a few
nights or nightly

25. Correction Options for Refractive
Error
• Gentle Molding
• As long as the retainer lenses are worn
on a regular basis, one can expect clear
vision throughout the day.
• If the lenses are discontinued, the
cornea will return to its original shape
within a few days to weeks

26. In Summary
• Nutrition will continue to play an
important role in eye health and disease
prevention
• Preventive eye health exams are crucial
• There are many new options for correcting
vision problems, including Gentle Molding

27. Thanks for your attention
• Chris D. Teichmiller, OD, MPH
• Innovative Eyecare
• 823 6th Ave SE
• Decatur AL 35601
• 256-353-1871
• www.Innovative-Eyecare.com
• drchrisod@aol.com