By ALLISON RUPP
Star-Tribune staff writer
Dr. Clark Jensen, an optometrist at Jensen Eye Care, will offer free screenings for the leading cause of blindness in the country later this month.
He said he wants to educate the public about macular degeneration, which affects colored and detail vision, because the common disease is "a mystery" to most people.
About 1.8 million people in the United States suffer from advanced macular degeneration, and 7.3 million people suffer from intermediate macular degeneration. Jensen said it is "a big problem, a huge problem" in his Casper practice.
Two months ago, his office purchased a new piece of equipment that allows eye doctors to see deeper into the retina than previous screening tools. A doctor can see not only the damage but also the layer of the retina where damage is occurring.
"It's just awesome cool," Jensen said. "It lets us see the retina in great detail, detail we have not seen before."
The new screening allows the doctor to determine right away if the patient has a problem.
Macular degeneration affects the macula, which is a part of the retina in the back of a person's eye. People with the disease struggle to read mail, watch television or enjoy a book.
"It is very frustrating," Jensen said. "They still have vision, but it is terribly compromised."
Jensen said some forms of the disease are treated successfully while others are resistant to treatment.
Types of treatment vary depending of the type of degeneration but range from taking antioxidant vitamins to eye surgery, he said.
"It's better you know about it and then deal with it rather than hope nothing is wrong," Jensen said. "Ignorance of the problem is not how people should approach their vision and their eyes."
Risk factors for the disease include age, family history, smoking, diabetes and lifetime exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Many people do not know they may have already started developing symptoms or they are at risk, Jensen said.
That's why it is important to visit an eye doctor regularly and not just when a person needs new glasses or contacts, Jensen said.
Healthy people over 40 should see an eye doctor every year, and people under 40 should see an eye doctor every two years.
"I think, 'Ah dang. If I could have seen this person two years ago, five years ago or 10 years ago, I could have helped them,'" Jensen said.
Contact health reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com.
Screen your eyes
What: A free screening for macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the country. Generally, people do not need to have their eyes dilated for the screening.
Who: People over the age of 50.
When: From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 28.
Where: Jensen Eye Care, 3101 S W Wyoming Blvd.
For more information: Contact Dr. Clark Jensen's office at (307) 265-7008 for information on the screening or the disease and to schedule your screening appointment.
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