NorthEast Eye Research Associates

Interesting report from our friends across the pond, updating a previous study about preventing dementia by indentifying risk factors associated with the debilitating disease. This report added LDL (bad cholesterol) and vision loss as key risk factors. This reinforces what most Eye Care Practitioners know, the importance of vision/ocular health in keeping our brain healthy. One of the frustrating parts of seeing dementia patients is seeing thick cataracts that you know are blocking light and dulling their view of the world, literally and figuratively. If you have a patient (or family member) that is delaying having their cataracts taken care of while they can (mobile and able to focus) or not treating their glaucoma/mac.degen. or just not updating their specs in a timely manner, this info should help us all spur to action. Like always, an ounce of prevention trumps a pound of cure. #NEERAeye #dementia #optometry #eyehealth

As the popularity of pickleball has increased, so have visits for eye trauma. Though the eye has amazing healing abilities it is still such a structurally delicate organ. And no matter how “tough” you are, the size of the ball is a perfect fit for the human eye socket to do damage that can last a lifetime, specifically retinal detachments. Wear proper safety wear and if you dont have them, sunglasses or any type of eyewear is better than nothing. Don’t get yourself in a pickle. (Waka waka) #NEERAeye #optometry #eyesafety

The future is here. The ability of AI to accurately and quickly identify diseases in the fields of ophthalmology, radiology, dermatology, etc are here to stay. Of course, this should not & will never take the place of doctor-patient relationships & finding other signs of disease. But as far as the specific disease rating, this will be a great tool in our bag to make care in the U.S. more efficient and effective. It’s up to all of us, to embrace it and work with the technology; including CMS & insurance companies to properly cover & reimburse. Exciting times. #AI #science #optometry #research #NEERAeye