disease

When is Blurred Vision a Medical Emergency?

by Russ Lazarus May 3, 2021

Almost everyone experiences blurry vision. If a headache occurs with or causes blurred vision, it may be due to an underlying condition or medical emergency.

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Glaucoma, Tunnel Vision and Low Vision

by Russ Lazarus May 3, 2021

Glaucoma causes ‘Tunnel Vision’ and is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Glaucoma is an eye diseases that damages the optic nerve, leading to permanent vision loss. The most common type of glaucoma shows no early warning signs, and can only be detected during a comprehensive eye exam. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause peripheral vision loss and even permanent blindness.

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What Causes Low Vision In Children? 

by Russ Lazarus May 3, 2021

More than half a million children in North America are blind or have low vision.   Having impaired vision makes it difficult to read, play sports,

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Glaucoma: ‘The Silent Thief of Sight’

by Russ Lazarus April 13, 2021

Did you know that rock star Bono from U2 has glaucoma? U2’s Bono is not alone, at least 3 million North Americans have glaucoma, but only 50% know they have it! In 95% of glaucoma cases, it starts off asymptomatic and by the time the condition is noticed, the vision loss is irreversible. That’s why regular eye exams are so crucial, even if you don’t suspect a problem.

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Can Sugar Affect Eye Health?

by Russ Lazarus March 18, 2021

We all enjoy a sweet treat now and then, but too much sugar in our diet can come at a price. Here’s how eating excessive

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Glaucoma: Myths and Facts

by Russ Lazarus March 1, 2021

Do you want the facts on the most common glaucoma myths? More than three million Americans are living with glaucoma, 2.7 million are aged 40 and older.

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Glaucoma: Can Meditation Help?

by Russ Lazarus March 1, 2021

Could meditation be the next glaucoma ‘wonder drug’? Can adding meditation to your day help manage your glaucoma? What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a common

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Eye Health

by Russ Lazarus February 21, 2021

Eyes are known as the ‘windows to your soul’, but they are the window to your health as well. Diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol, heart and vascular diseases, and even some forms of cancer could be detected during an eye exam. According to Eye-Q, over 20% of Americans say an eye doctor detected a health issue – not related to the eyes.

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Eyes and Obesity

by Russ Lazarus February 18, 2021

Obesity is a global medical epidemic, research clearly shows the direct correlation between obesity and eye diseases. Studies show that obesity increases the risk of

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Science Needs Compassion

by Russ Lazarus February 18, 2021

Have you ever wondered if the smile of a nurse or the bedside manner of a doctor actually increase the chances of positive treatment results? 

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Does Smoking Affect the Eyes? 

by Russ Lazarus February 17, 2021

Smoking, especially over a long period of time, can have a major effect on your eye health and vision. The effects of cigarettes and tobacco on health are widely known, but few understand the negative impact they can have on eye health and vision. 

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Treatments for Eye Floaters

by Russ Lazarus February 11, 2021

If eye floaters are affecting your vision, effective treatments are now available to give you relief. Eye floaters cause visual disturbances and can become so

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Guide to Low Vision Devices

by Russ Lazarus February 11, 2021

With the large variety of low vision devices now available on the market, our guide will help you choose a magnifier that best suits your

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Low Vision In Children 

by Russ Lazarus February 11, 2021

Many children suffer with vision loss, but there are a range of low vision aids that can give them the best chance to engage with the world around them. There are a number of conditions that can cause vision impairments in children. While some of these conditions can be treated in early childhood, many can result in low vision or even total blindness.

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Eye Floaters: Should I Worry?

by Russ Lazarus February 11, 2021

Eye floaters can be a sign of serious disease, but now eye doctors can successfully treat with a range of very effective options. What are

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What’s Worse: High Myopia or Smoking?

by Russel Lazarus January 11, 2021

Smoking can lead to the development of sight-threatening eye diseases — but did you know that myopia can also increase your risk of these serious

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Answers to Your Top 6 Questions about COVID-19 and Your Eyes

by Russ Lazarus November 17, 2020

With healthcare information changing daily amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, little attention has been given to the virus’ effect on one of the most sensitive parts

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Keratoconus Treatment: Corneal Cross-linking 

by Russ Lazarus November 11, 2020

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that weakens the cornea and changes its structure — leading to vision problems and even vision loss.  The cornea

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Unequal Pupil Sizes (Anisocoria)

by Russ Lazarus November 11, 2020

Different sized pupils could indicate a serious health issue requiring urgent medical care. The pupil is the black hole in the center of the iris,

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Pregnancy Complications: When to See an Eye Doctor 

by Russ Lazarus November 3, 2020

How do pregnancy complications affect the eyes? Pregnancy is a time filled with lots of excitement and emotions— but pregnancy can also have an impact

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What Is an Eye Stroke?

by Russ Lazarus October 27, 2020

A retinal blood vessel occlusion, commonly referred to as an ‘eye stroke’ occurs when the blood vessels in the eye become narrowed or blocked. The

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Night Blindness: Treatments and Prevention

by Russ Lazarus October 21, 2020

Night blindness (nyctalopia) affects vision clarity in low light conditions and can significantly impact performance of daily activities. Night blindness, despite its name, does not

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What Causes Night Blindness?

by Russ Lazarus October 21, 2020

Night blindness (nyctalopia) causes reduced vision in low light conditions, and can be a source of fear and anxiety for those affected by it.   Decreased

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Why Does Diabetes Cause Blurry Vision?

by Russ Lazarus September 23, 2020

If you have diabetes, high blood sugar levels may be the cause of your blurry vision. Blurred vision, or any changes to your vision can be quite concerning. But before you panic, understand that blurry vision is commonly associated with diabetes and can sometimes just be a temporary problem.

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4 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Vision

by Russ Lazarus September 22, 2020

Diabetes can increase your risk of eye disease and permanent vision loss. Diabetes affects the way your body regulates glucose (sugar), and prevents the glucose

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Are You at Risk for Diabetic Eye Damage?

by Russ Lazarus September 21, 2020

An estimated 30 million Americans have diabetes, and approximately 25 to 45 percent of them will develop some form of diabetic eye damage. According to

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A Deeper Understanding of Diabetic Retinopathy

by Russ Lazarus September 21, 2020

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss among people with diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is critical to ensure

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How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Treated?

by Russ Lazarus September 21, 2020

Without proper treatment, diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss and even blindness. Diabetic retinopathy occurs in four stages and can progress rapidly if not treated and monitored properly. Treatment of this sight-threatening disease may include different methods, depending on the stage of the disease.

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Contact Lenses: What Can Go Wrong?

by Russ Lazarus September 14, 2020

When it comes to eyewear, contact lenses offer many benefits. But contact lens use can also cause serious complications to your eye health and vision,

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Dry Eye and Menopause

by Russ Lazarus September 3, 2020

Approximately 61 percent of perimenopausal and menopausal women are affected by dry eyes.  Many women during menopause suffer with dry eyes. During menopause, the body

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Does Eyelid Cleaning Improve Dry Eye?

by Russ Lazarus August 31, 2020

Over 50 percent of dry eye symptoms are caused by inadequate eyelid hygiene. Dry eye can be a symptom related to many different conditions, but

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Vision Therapy: Glossary of Terms

by Russ Lazarus August 30, 2020

Have you heard some terms from friends, family or even your eye doctor, that you are not sure what they mean? Here is a guide

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Systemic Diseases That Cause Dry Eye

by Russ Lazarus August 30, 2020

Up to 70 percent of patients with systemic conditions suffer from dry eye. Dry eyes is a common condition caused by insufficient tear quantity, or

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What Is an OCT Eye Exam?

by Russ Lazarus August 23, 2020

An optical coherence tomography scan (OCT scan) is a critical device for the early diagnosis of many serious eye conditions.  An OCT eye exam is

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What Is Corneal Topography?

by Russ Lazarus August 23, 2020

Corneal topography, also known as corneal mapping, is a diagnostic tool that provides 3-D images of the cornea. The cornea is the outer layer of

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What Is a Digital Retinal Image?

by Russ Lazarus August 23, 2020

Digital retinal imaging (DRI) is a quick and painless way for your eye doctor to look inside your eye and track changes to your ocular

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Why Is Eye Pressure Important?

by Russ Lazarus August 15, 2020

Have you heard your eye doctor mention ‘eye pressure’, but you are not really sure what it means? Eye pressure, also called intraocular pressure (IOP), refers to the fluid pressure inside the eye. Maintaining a healthy IOP will help to preserve your vision and prevent vision loss from eye conditions such as glaucoma, a sight-threatening ocular disease.

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Keratoconus

by Russ Lazarus August 9, 2020

What is keratoconus? Keratoconus is a progressive disease that causes thinning and reshaping of the cornea, the front part of your eye.  In a healthy

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Double Vision (Diplopia)

by Russ Lazarus August 7, 2020

Each year, approximately 850,000 visits to the doctor and emergency room are associated with double vision.  Double vision, medically termed diplopia, can be very worrisome.

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Bell’s Palsy

by Russ Lazarus August 7, 2020

What is Bell’s palsy? Bell’s Palsy is a condition that causes the muscles on one side of your face to droop or become stiff, either

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Wet Macular Degeneration (AMD)

by Russ Lazarus July 23, 2020

Wet AMD accounts for approximately 10 percent of all AMD cases, but is responsible for 90 percent of legal blindness. Wet AMD develops as a result of abnormal blood vessels that form under the retina, and leak blood and fluid into the macula. Wet AMD is the more advanced stage of AMD, with dry AMD usually preceding it.

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Protecting Yourself From Macular Degeneration

by Russ Lazarus July 22, 2020

Macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults over the age of 50. Follow these 8 tips to prevent AMD and protect your ocular health and eyesight.

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What Is a Diabetic Eye Exam?

by Russ Lazarus July 22, 2020

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, annual eye exams will help to protect your eyes from serious sight-threatening eye diseases, linked to diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that prevents the body from using and storing sugar properly. As a result, excessive amounts of sugar remain in the bloodstream and if uncontrolled, can cause damage to the tiny blood vessels all over the body, including those in your eyes.

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Amsler Grid Test: Screening for AMD

by Russ Lazarus July 22, 2020

Early detection of eye disease is crucial when it comes to protecting your eye health and vision.  Macular degeneration (AMD) is the number one cause

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Dry Macular Degeneration (AMD)

by Russ Lazarus July 22, 2020

Dry AMD accounts for 80-90 percent of all AMD cases. Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is an eye disease that occurs as a result of permanent damage to the macula, the center of the retina. Dry AMD causes loss of central vision and the ability to see fine details

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How Do Anti-VEGF Injections Work?

by Russ Lazarus July 22, 2020

What is VEGF? Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a protein in your body that stimulates the growth of new blood vessels needed for healing—

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5 Tips to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy

by Russ Lazarus July 16, 2020

Diabetic retinopathy affects over 30 percent of people with diabetes. Follow these 5 tips to reduce your risk of life-long vision loss.

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Normal Tension Glaucoma

by Russ Lazarus July 9, 2020

What is normal tension glaucoma (NTG)? Glaucoma is the name for a group of ocular diseases that occur as a result of: High eye pressure

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Glaucoma FAQs

by Russ Lazarus July 7, 2020

The top 12 glaucoma questions asked by patients to their eye doctors.

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What Is Open Angle Glaucoma?

by Russ Lazarus July 7, 2020

Open-angle glaucoma accounts for more than 80% of all glaucoma cases. Open angle glaucoma (OAG) is the most common form of glaucoma that usually progresses

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What Is Angle Closure Glaucoma?

by Russ Lazarus July 7, 2020

Angle closure glaucoma is a rare, but serious form of glaucoma that requires immediate medical attention.   Closed angle glaucoma develops as a result of a

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Diabetic Macular Edema 

by Russ Lazarus July 2, 2020

Diabetic macular edema occurs when damaged blood vessels from the retina leak fluid into the macula, the center of the retina. Diabetic macular edema causes the macula to swell and thicken, resulting in distorted vision.

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Can I Prevent Glaucoma?

by Russ Lazarus July 2, 2020

Catch the ‘Silent Thief of Sight’ before it catches you! The most reliable way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma is by visiting your eye doctor for regular eye exams. While preventing glaucoma altogether is not yet possible, early detection of the disease can help to preserve your vision, and reduce vision loss. Your eye doctor can identify signs of glaucoma, even in its early stages, and then recommend effective treatments to stop or even reduce its progression.

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Cataract FAQs

by Russ Lazarus July 1, 2020

The top 12 questions by patients to their eye doctors on cataracts.

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Lesions of the Eyelids

by Russ Lazarus June 23, 2020

What is an eyelid lesion? An eyelid lesion is a growth that develops on the eyelid, this can be a serious tumor or just a

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What is Myopia Management?

by Russ Lazarus June 7, 2020

Myopia management has shown to decrease myopia progression by up to 78%. Myopia management is a treatment program to keep the level of myopia as low as possible, and reduce your risk of developing a serious sight-threatening eye disease. Myopia management can involve the use of eyeglasses, contact lenses, and eye drops— all scientifically proven to aid in the control of myopia progression.

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What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

by Russ Lazarus June 1, 2020

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness. This ocular disease is caused by high levels of sugar in the bloodstream and results in progressive damage to the light detecting retina responsible for sending visual signals to the brain.

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Retinal Diseases

by Russ Lazarus June 1, 2020

What is the primary function of the retina? The retina is a thin layer of tissue that contains millions of light-sensitive cells (rods and cones),

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Ocular Oncology

by Russ Lazarus June 1, 2020

What is ocular oncology? Ocular oncology involves the diagnosis and treatment of all tumors that occur in or around the eye— tumors of the eyelid,

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Guide to Eye Conditions

by Russ Lazarus June 1, 2020

Early detection of most eye conditions can ensure you maintain clear sight and enjoy years of good eye health. Have you been told you have an eye disease or need eye surgery? There are 4 main eye diseases, and many others than can impact your vision.

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What is Low Vision?

by Russ Lazarus June 1, 2020

Do you or a loved one have low vision? Low vision is diagnosed when vision cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or eye surgery— allowing you to participate in every day activities. It is often accompanied by blurred vision, blind spots or tunnel vision— and may also be called legal blindness. Low vision may prevent you from driving, watching TV, reading, using a computer or participating in your favorite hobbies.

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Pinguecula and Pterygium

by Russ Lazarus May 31, 2020

Pingueculae and pterygia are benign growths that appear on the eye’s conjunctiva, the clear covering over the white part of your eye. What is a

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What is Glaucoma?

by Russ Lazarus May 31, 2020

Have you been diagnosed with Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a progressive ocular disease that causes vision loss from damage to the optic nerve, which is responsible for carrying visual signals between the eye and brain.

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Eyes and Nutrition

by Russ Lazarus May 31, 2020

How does nutrition impact ocular health? A balanced diet should provide all the nutrients required for optimum eye health. Nutrients are vital for healthy eyes. Many nutrients help to support eye function, and serve as protection against harmful light. In this way, nutrients may reduce the risk of age-related degenerative ocular diseases that can put your vision in danger.

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What is Macular Degeneration?

by Russ Lazarus May 28, 2020

Have you been diagnosed with macular degeneration? Macular degeneration (AMD) is an ocular disease caused by deterioration of the macula, the center of the retina that controls your visual acuity. Macular degeneration accounts for 8.7 percent of all blindness worldwide, and is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults over the age of 60. 

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What Are Cataracts?

by Russ Lazarus May 27, 2020

A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s focusing lens,  causing blurry vision and vision loss. This condition is painless and usually develops gradually over time. It is the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 45.

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Eyecare for Children

by Russ Lazarus May 25, 2020

Eyecare for Children Are you worried about your child needing glasses? Do you want to understand why your child needs bifocals or multifocals? Are you

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Guide to Eye Turns

by Russ Lazarus May 12, 2020

Eye turns, are also known as strabismus, and affect over 1 in 20 babies and toddlers. With early detection and eye care treatment, with eyeglasses and vision therapy, the eye turn can often be resolved, without relying on complicated eye surgeries.

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Why Is My Child’s Myopia Worsening?

by Russ Lazarus May 10, 2020

Are you concerned that your child needs stronger eyeglasses? Myopia is not only blurry vision but can also lead to serious sight-threatening eye diseases. Myopia

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What Is Myopia?

by Russ Lazarus April 29, 2020

Myopia affects clarity of vision for any distant images and objects – the board in a classroom, driving, the television, a clock on the wall, etc. Myopia affects millions of children and adults, worldwide, over 30% of the U.S. population suffers from myopia.

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Why Is Myopia Management Important?

by Russ Lazarus April 23, 2020

Is there a way to prevent my child’s myopia from worsening? A number of recent studies suggest that it may be possible to control myopia by totally stopping, or at least slowing down, its progression during childhood and teenage years. Myopia management is a treatment program aimed at controlling myopia, keeping the level of myopia as low as possible, in order to reduce your child’s risk of developing vision threatening eye diseases later in life.

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Vision Therapy

by Steve Sicherman April 17, 2020

Just checking how exerpts work

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Vision and Down Syndrome 

by Russ Lazarus March 30, 2020

The frequency of Down Syndrome (DS) is approximately 1 in every 800 births, with an increased frequency among older mothers. With the specialized improvements in the quality of eye care individuals with DS can live a more productive, longer life. Individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) are at a higher risk for a range of vision conditions that may affect the development of their visual skills.

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The 4 Frequent Eye Conditions

by Russ Lazarus March 11, 2020

Have you been told you have an eye disease or need eye surgery? This guide will help you understand the 4 most common eye conditions:

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Eye Exams

by Russ Lazarus March 11, 2020

Why are eye exams important? A comprehensive eye exam includes a thorough examination of your ocular health and visual abilities. Early detection of eye conditions can prevent life-long vision loss.

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