Blog Archive
Protecting Our Eyes—and Our Communities Most of us would not spend a summer day outdoors without thinking about sunscreen. Yet many people do not give the same consideration to protecting their eyes. Ultraviolet, or UV, radiation can damage the delicate structures of the eye. That damage is often cumulative, developing...
While aging is the primary risk factor for AMD, lifestyle choices also play a major role in long-term retinal health. Patients may reduce their risk of progression by: Avoiding smoking Controlling blood pressure Eating leafy green vegetables Wearing UV-protective sunglasses Managing cholesterol and cardiovascular health Healthy habits combined with regular...
Dry macular degeneration often develops slowly, which means many patients don’t notice symptoms right away. Unfortunately, by the time central vision changes become obvious, retinal damage may already be progressing. That’s why early detection is so important. Regular eye exams can help identify: Drusen deposits Early retinal changes Subtle vision...
One of the most common questions patients ask is whether Valeda™ treatment hurts. The answer is no. Valeda™ is a non-invasive light therapy treatment that is performed in-office. Patients sit comfortably during treatment while the device delivers specific wavelengths of light to the retina. There are: No injections No surgery...
What Is the Difference Between Dry and Wet Macular Degeneration? Many patients are surprised to learn there are actually two types of macular degeneration: dry AMD and wet AMD. Dry AMD is the more common form and develops gradually over time as retinal cells age and accumulate deposits called drusen....
For years, patients diagnosed with dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD) had limited treatment options beyond monitoring, vitamins, and lifestyle changes. Now, new technology is bringing hope to patients looking to preserve vision earlier in the disease process. At Wagner Kapoor Institute, we are excited to offer Valeda™ Light Delivery...
Medical research helps shape the future of eye care — but historically, not all communities have been equally represented in clinical trials. This matters because some eye diseases, including glaucoma and diabetic eye disease, can affect certain populations differently. Without diverse participation in research, treatments may not fully reflect the...
Living near the coast has many benefits, but it can also increase your risk of UV-related eye damage. Patients throughout coastal Virginia, North Carolina, and the Mid-Atlantic Region experience elevated UV exposure because sunlight reflects off: Water Sand Pavement Glass surfaces This reflected UV light can intensify exposure to the...
One of the most common questions patients ask is whether more expensive sunglasses offer better protection. The answer: not necessarily. The most important feature is that your sunglasses block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Whether sunglasses cost $20 or $200, proper UV protection is what matters most. When shopping...
Most people know what a sunburn feels like on their skin, but many are surprised to learn that your eyes can also become sunburned. This condition is called photokeratitis, and it occurs when the cornea is exposed to excessive ultraviolet (UV) light. Common symptoms include: Eye pain Redness Tearing Blurry...
As an ophthalmologist with over three decades of experience and a former neonatal eye surgeon, I’ve seen the powerful difference that early habits can make when it comes to preserving vision. At Wagner Kapoor Institute, there is no age limit for a consultation and we encourage a visit, if needed,...
Children are particularly vulnerable to sports eye injuries because their reflexes and coordination are still developing. Parents can reduce risk by ensuring children: Wear protective eyewear during high-risk sports• Use helmets with face shields when appropriate• Avoid playing sports with regular glasses Encouraging safe habits early helps protect vision for...
Sometimes athletes try to “tough it out” after an injury, but certain symptoms require immediate medical attention. Watch for: Double vision• Loss of peripheral vision• Flashes or floaters• Severe pain or swelling• Blood inside the eye These symptoms could indicate retinal damage or internal bleeding. Prompt evaluation by an ophthalmologist...
Protective sports goggles made with polycarbonate lenses are designed to withstand high-impact collisions. These lenses are: Lightweight• Highly impact-resistant• Safer than standard glasses Athletes who wear prescription glasses should consider sports-specific prescription goggles to maintain clear vision while protecting their eyes. At Wagner Kapoor Institute, we often remind patients that...
Sports-related eye injuries affect thousands of athletes each year, especially children and teenagers. Common injuries include: Corneal abrasions (scratches)• Blunt trauma from balls or elbows• Retinal tears or detachment• Fractures around the eye socket Sports with the highest risk include: Baseball and softball• Basketball• Racquet sports• Hockey• Paintball Many injuries...
Spring brings sunshine, warmer weather, and for many of us, a return to sports and outdoor activities. Whether you’re coaching your child’s baseball team, hitting the pickleball courts, or heading out for a bike ride, April is the perfect time to focus on something that’s often overlooked: sports eye safety....
During Workplace Eye Wellness Month, we often focus on protecting vision in offices, construction sites, and industrial settings. But eye injuries can occur anywhere people are exposed to projectiles, chemicals, or airborne irritants—including large public gatherings and protests. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, crowd-control tools such as rubber...
Every year, thousands of eye injuries occur in workplaces across the United States. The good news is that most of these injuries are preventable. Workers in fields such as construction, manufacturing, landscaping, aviation, and laboratory environments face increased risk of eye injuries from: Flying debris• Chemical splashes• Dust and particles•...
Many people assume workplace eye injuries only happen in industrial jobs, but one of the most common issues ophthalmologists see today is digital eye strain. How Poor Lighting at Work Affects Your Eyes Lighting plays a major role in eye comfort and productivity. Poor lighting conditions can lead to...
Whether you spend your day on a construction site or behind a computer screen, your work environment plays a major role in your eye health. March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month, and it's the perfect time to evaluate how your job could be affecting your vision. At Wagner Kapoor Institute,...
When people hear the words “low vision,” many assume it means total blindness, but that’s far from the truth. As an ophthalmologist, I often meet patients who are navigating vision loss with confusion, frustration, and fear. Low vision refers to a degree of visual impairment that cannot be fully corrected...
A Personal Message from Dr. Bernstein As a glaucoma specialist at Wagner Kapoor Institute, I see patients every day who are dealing with the consequences of this silent disease. The hardest part? Much of the damage was already done before they noticed anything was wrong. Glaucoma is a thief. And...
Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) continues to challenge both clinicians and patients, with limited tools available to meaningfully support retinal health in early and intermediate stages. At Wagner Kapoor Institute (WKI), we’ve introduced Valeda Light Delivery Therapy, the first FDA-cleared photobiomodulation (PBM) platform for dry AMD, to provide a proactive...
Vision Health and Aging: Why It Matters A holistic approach to vision care in the aging population is essential to overall health and wellbeing. Preserving vision in older adults goes far beyond maintaining independence in daily activities—it is a fundamental part of basic health and safety. As a retinal specialist...
Diet Soda and Diabetic Eye Disease: What Patients Should Know Drinking diet soda may be associated with a higher risk of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)—an advanced form of diabetic eye disease that can lead to severe vision loss—according to research published in Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. In this study of...
Reviewed by: Johanna M Seddon MD, Rahul Khurana, MD If you have macular degeneration, you may feel worried about catching the coronavirus or maintaining your eye care during the pandemic. Experts at the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) have assembled the following advice especially for you. This article has been adapted...
The following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation, an online publication covering the latest research. You may be familiar with the idea that your gut and skin are home to a collection of microbes—fungi, bacteria and viruses—that are vital for keeping you healthy. But did you know that your...
When we think of melanoma, we think primarily of melanoma affecting the skin. To be sure, cutaneous melanoma remains the most serious type of skin cancer and can be lethal if it progresses undetected. Even though cancer affecting the eye is much less common, melanoma still remains the most common...
If It’s good enough for astronauts, it must be good enough for all of us! Being able to determine how someone’s health is when that someone is far away requires knowing what to measure, how to measure it, and how to get that information where it needs to go. Our...
In 2013, a group of prominent historians were surveyed and asked to compile a list of the greatest breakthroughs of all time. While some items on the list were clearly revolutionary – such as electricity (#2) and the Internet (#9), others seemed humdrum by comparison (paper at #6!), but clearly...
Women Face Higher Risk of Blindness Than MenStudies show there is a gender gap in eye disease. Women are more likely than men to suffer from sight-threatening conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and glaucoma.1 In support of Healthy Vision Month in May, Alan Wagner, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Kapil...
Young people with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at considerable risk for diabetic retinopathy (DR), according to researchers who looked at the incidence and risk factors for developing DR among youth with DM.1 These findings, which have implications for screening guidelines, challenge the perception that DR is very uncommon in youth.Higher-than-expected...
Whether it was in England in the 1600s mining for coal, or some Stardate in the far far future, the canary signals whether or not the atmosphere is safe for the people around it. The eye, and it's fragile vasculature, plays the same role for the major organs of the...
Hi! Welcome to the new Wagner Macula & Retina Center's website! We are very excited to roll out a new formatted online experience encouraging visitors to peruse our informational webpage to your heart's content. Our new website consists of all of the great information that was included on the old...