#9 - How to Keep our Vision Sharp with Optometrist Sarah Case The Health Network Podcast

Dr. Marcus Matear talks to Sarah Case, a certified optometrist and a trained physician in children's vision. In this episode, they discuss optometry, conditions that could lead to loss of sight, and the link between eye health and diabetes.

[00:25] Getting to know Sarah Case

[01:50] The Interprofessional Education and Practice Health Students Network

[04:10] Advice to Parents Whose Children Have Never Been to an Optometrist

[06:45] Conditions That Could Lead to Loss of Sight in Children and Adults

[08:40] Tips on How to Prevent Eye Problems

[10:42] Sleep Apnea in Adults

[11:30] How to Improve Sharp and Detail Vision

[12:12] Effects of the Smoking on the Eyes

[14:20] Migraines, Headaches, and the Eyes

[15:09] Interprofessional Collaborations Between Optometrists and Other Medics

[17:02] Autoimmune Conditions That May Risk Eye Health

[20:01] Patient Confidentiality and Why Doctors Don’t Send Patient Information Via Email

[21:03] The Future of Health and Technology

[23:07] The Link Between Eye Health and Diabetes

From a very young age, Sarah always knew she wanted to be an optometrist. She had really poor eyesight and experienced first-hand how amazing it feels when someone's eyesight is fixed.

Her mother is also an optometrist, and so she had a great role model to look up to. The fact that optometry makes a real difference in a person's life was the extra motivation she needed to pursue optometry.

Eye exams for children are a crucial step in ensuring your child's eyes are healthy. Early eye exams are also essential because children rarely know the difference between proper and poor vision. Plus, children need great vision for optimal learning, excellent visual acuity, and improvement of a child's ability to learn. Sarah recommends children should have their first comprehensive eye exam at six months of age. If no issues are spotted, the next exam should be done at age three and then at about age 5 or 6. School-going children, adults, and the elderly should have an eye exam at least every two years. People who need eyeglasses or contact lenses must visit the doctor annually or as recommended by the optometrist.

Unfortunately, not all parents see value in taking their kids to the optometrist. Nonetheless, Sarah believes that, even if your child looks okay, it would be best to have them checked at a young age to correct any issues on time. Many visual disorders in children can go unnoticed, and sometimes parents seek help when it's too late.

Eyesight is one of the most sensitive human senses that can be reduced or lost entirely. Sarah explains that certain health conditions can greatly increase a patient's risk of going blind. For children, "Lazy Eye" can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. The disease occurs when the vision of one eye is weakened by the brain, suppressing its line of sight and favoring the other eye. In adults, glaucoma and diabetes are the two diseases that can lead to potential eyesight loss.

Other than regular checkups, people can preserve their eyesight by spending at least two hours outside every day. However, care should be taken because the sun can also be harmful to your eyes, and thus sunglasses and hats are recommended. If you're also spending long periods facing a computer, Sarah recommends the 20-20-20 rule where after every 20 minutes, you spend 20 seconds looking at things 20 meters away.

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