VISION HEALTH

A Publication of Edmond Life & Leisure Page 23 By Erika Williams

Taking care of your vision is just as important as taking care of the rest of your body, but it can be hard to know exactly what to do for your eyes. Ophthalmologists at Edmond Regional Eye Associates suggest that eye care can actually be easier than you think.

When it comes to eye health, Dr. Robert Gourley, who has been practicing in Edmond since 1979, says that taking care of your overall health is the best way to help your eyes.

“The best way to take care of your vision health is to keep your whole body healthy,” said Dr. Gourley. “Have a good diet, exercise, keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.”

Dr. Andrew Hogue, who joined the practice in 2005, added that many health problems can have an unexpected impact on the eyes. “There are a lot of systemic diseases that have ocular manifestations. There are a lot of problems that your eye can develop that you don’t really have any symptoms from until it’s too late,” said Dr. Hogue. “For instance, one of the number one reasons people go blind in the United States is diabetic retinopathy. You can have plenty of changes in the eye and still see 2020, and not have any pain or discomfort. You wouldn’t even know you have a problem unless you come see the eye doctor and they’re looking to monitor those things.” Dr. Gourley says that three things to look out for when it comes to vision are cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

“Almost everybody will develop a cataract to some degree, and it will impact vision at different levels,” said Dr. Gourley. “Glaucoma is a very common health problem. It used to be called the silent thief in the night because it has no symptoms early on. So, if you’re not having exams and checkups you don’t realize you’re developing glaucoma.”

Eye care is important at all ages. Dr. Gourley says that children should have an eye exam by age three in order to catch anything serious.

Dr. Hogue added, “A child can develop something called amblyopia where they can’t see well out of one eye or the other, and if you catch it early enough, you have from birth to about 7 or 8 years old where you can actually correct that.” Edmond Regional Eye Associates is located at 920 S Bryant Ave and houses three doctors, Dr. Robert Gourley, Dr. Hogue, and Dr. Vince Venincasa. They offer eye exams, blepharoplasty surgery, glaucoma surgery and more.

Dr. Gourley and Dr. Hogue say that yearly eye exams are necessary for children, people over 65, and anyone struggling with their vision. Outside of that, other eye exams are only necessary every two to three years. Vision Health