FEBRUARY is National Macular Generation Awareness Month. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recognizes the month of February to promote awareness about Age-related Macular Degeneration, also called simply macular degeneration or AMD, the nation’s leading cause of vision loss. We want to give you information regarding AMD and offer insights into how to prevent or stop the progression of macular degeneration.

WHAT IS AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION? AMD is a deterioration of the eye’s macula, the central part of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye called the retina. The macula is much more light sensitive than the rest of the retina and helps us focus in fine detail, such as the ability to recognize faces, read fine print, read street signs, etc. FACTS ABOUT AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, AMD affects more than ten million Americans, more than cataracts and glaucoma combined. -AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among people over 50. The disease usually affects people who are 60+, but it can occur earlier. -Age is the major risk factor for AMD. Other risk factors include smoking and people with a family history of AMD. -People of Caucasian descent are more likely to develop AMD than those of African American or Hispanic/Latino descent. -AMD does not lead to complete blindness, only affecting your finest central vision. AMD usually does not impact your peripheral vision. People with advanced AMD may develop legal blindness due to loss of central vision. -There is no cure for AMD, only treatments that can help slow its progression. -AMD usually affects both eyes, but one eye may be affected before the second eye. -Many people do not know they have AMD until they have a noticeable vision problem, or until it is discovered during a routine eye examination. -There are two kinds of AMD, “wet” and “dry.” -Early detection is key to slowing the progression of AMD. .

Why children's eye exams are important:

Eye exams for children are very important to insure your child's eyes are healthy and have no vision problems that could interfere with school performance and potentially affect your child's safety.
A child who is unable to see print or view a blackboard can become easily frustrated, leading to poor academic performance.

Schedule an appointment today!

2020: Year of THE EYE EXAM

How often should you get your eyes checked? The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends annual eye exams.   If you don’t get an eye exam every year, your eyes will usually tell you when they need help.  If you find yourself rubbing your eyes a lot or holding things as far from (or as close to) your face as possible to see them clearly, it’s probably time to see your eye doctor. 

Comprehensive eye exams are one of the most important, preventive ways to preserve vision and overall health - make 2020 your year of the eye exam!

Eye Complications and Multiple Sclerosis

Eye Complications and Multiple Sclerosis

Eye and vision problems associated with MS can be frightening, but many times they improve over time.  They're often the first symptom of MS, but can occur later in the course of the disease as well.

Some of the eye complications associated with MS include optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve), diplopia (double vision), nystagmus (involuntary eye movement), and internuclear ophthalmoplegia (impaired horizontal eye movement.

If you have any symptoms affecting your eyes or vision, schedule an appointment with us by calling 770-479-0222, or book on-line at our website:  Edwardseyecare.com.

What Is Anisocoria?

Anisocoria is when your eye’s pupils are not the same size. The pupil allows light to enter the eye so that you can see.

Anyone can have pupils that differ in size with no problems. In fact, one out of five people have pupils that are normally different sizes. Anisocoria can be caused by several things. You can be born with this condition or develop it later. You might experience it on an ongoing basis or only temporarily. In some cases, your doctor might diagnose an underlying medical condition or other cause of anisocoria.

If you notice a difference in size between your pupils, contact your doctor right away. During your appointment, your doctor will examine your eyes and have your vital signs taken. You should also discuss any other symptoms you’ve been experiencing.

What is your exam missing? iWellness!

WHAT IS YOUR EYE EXAM MISSING?  iWellness!


The iWellness test is a state-of-the-art technology that is a quick and non-invasive scan of the eye (much like an ultrasound).

iWellness testing allows us to see the layers of your retina in order to see any underlying problems that cannot be viewed with the naked eye. Most sight-threatening eye diseases often have no outward signs or symptoms in the early stages.  A proactive approach to eye health may reduce your risk of vision loss.




We are committed to your vision and the health of your eyes so we offer this test at your exam for reasonable fee. 

HALLOWEEN EYE SAFETY

HALLOWEEN is just around the corner.  If your children enjoy dressing up and trick-or-treating thru the neighborhood for candy, make sure they do it safely. Many eye injuries are reported every year as a result of Halloween activities.


Masks, wigs and eye patches are fun Halloween accessories, but make sure they don't block visibility. Some masks are very dangerous for children because they block their side vision.

If you decide to disguise your child with make-up instead of a mask, use hypo-allergenic options and keep it away from the eyes. It's a good idea to carry a wet towel or washcloth in case the make-up begins to run while trick-or-treating. Running around in a costume makes some kids perspire, so a quick clean-up around the eye area may be necessary before the night is over.


Some costumes don't seem complete without swords or wands. Still, do not allow your child to carry sharp objects. Sharp, pointed props endanger your child eyes as well as the eyes of other children.


Older kids and adults often complete their Halloween costumes with cosmetic contact lenses. Remember that contact lenses are medical devices and require a valid prescription. If not used safely, contact lens use could lead to vision loss.

PINK EYE PANDA - Do you Have "Pink Eye"

Pink eye — also called conjunctivitis — is inflammation of the thin, clear covering of the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids (conjunctiva) and is a highly contagious infection.  See your eye doctor immediately!

Conjunctivitis can have several causes:

• Viral conjunctivitis symptoms include watery, itchy eyes or sensitivity to light. One or both eyes can be affected. Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can be spread by coughing and sneezing.

• Bacterial conjunctivitis symptoms include a sticky, yellow or greenish-yellow eye discharge in the corner of the eye. In some cases, this discharge can be severe enough to cause the eyelids to be stuck together when you wake up. One or both eyes can be affected. Bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious, usually by direct contact with infected hands or items that have touched the eye.

• Allergic conjunctivitis symptoms include watery, burning, itchy eyes and are often accompanied by stuffiness and a runny nose, and sensitivity to light. Allergic conjunctivitis affects both eyes, but this type of pink eye is not contagious.

Here are precautions you can take to significantly reduce your risk of getting pink eye:

1. Wash your hands frequently, especially when spending time at school or in other public places.
2. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
3. Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes.

Vandana Gandhi, O.D.

Board Certified Optometric Physician
Graduate of University of Illinois
Graduate of Illinois College of Optometry

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Dr. Gandhi Patel has been practicing optometry for more than 10 years with much of that time spent in the Midwest and Chicago area. She completed residency training at a Veteran’s Hospital in Primary Care/Disease Management.

She joined the Edwards Eye Care team of doctors in 2017, seeing patients on Tuesday's and Friday's.

She has extensive experience in all types of contact lens fittings (such as soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable contacts, daily contact lenses, monovision and multifocal contact lens care), comprehensive eye examinations, diabetic eye examinations, emergency eye care, eye disease management including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, allergies, dry eye and more.

She lives in the Cherokee County area and in her free time enjoys playing tennis, cooking and spending time with her husband and two children.

Glaucoma Awareness Month and Annual Eye Exams

It's a new year and what better resolution than leading a healthier lifestyle in 2012. One item on everyone's list this year seems to be heading back to the gym - to improve their fitness level, or just eating healthier overall for a better quality of life. However, how many of you think about going to the doctor more often for preventative health care screenings? Though it may be down your resolution list a bit, making it a point to see your eye doctor for regularly scheduled eye exams is a must in order to keep seeing your best in 2012 and beyond. It does not matter whether you wear corrective lenses or not, or even if you think our eyes are in perfect condition. Getting a regular eye exam is a necessary part of your overall health care, and vital to make sure you continue with healthy vision. Prevent Blindness America is helping promote the importance of regular annual eye exams by recognizing January as Glaucoma Awareness Month. Close to three million people actually have glaucoma, but half of them do not realize it because there are often no warning symptoms. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States of America and the first major leading cause of preventable blindness. Approximately 120,000 Americans are mostly blind because they suffer from glaucoma, accounting for 9% to 12% of all cases of blindness in the United States of America. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among the African-American population in the U.S. as well. The condition is 6 to 8 times more common to be found in African-Americans than in Caucasians. Annual eye exams are the number one deterrent from individuals suffering vision loss from Glaucoma and other preventable eye diseases. This is because even in a routine eye examination, your eye doctor can detect signs and/or risk factors of glaucoma. If the condition is detected early enough their are many steps that can be taken to maintain the amount of healthy vision you currently have through topical (eye drops), laser, or surgical treatments. So make sure you make an annual eye exam a part of your healthier lifestyle in 2012 and keep seeing your best this year and beyond.

What is that floating spot in my vision?

Floaters are small semi-transparent or cloudy particles that are suspended within the vitreous body of your eye. The vitreous body is the clear, jelly-like fluid that fills the inner portion of the eye.

Generally a few floaters are normal and are seen by many individuals at one time or another. These floaters often appear as specks of various shapes and sizes or similar to cobwebs in your vision. These floaters are often more apparent in your vision when in natural lighting and staring at a constant light background; such as when reading a book outside.

There are a few different causes for floaters. They may be small flecks of protein trapped during the formation of the eyes before birth that remain suspended in the clear fluid of the vitreous. Deterioration of the vitreous fluid may also cause floaters to develop. This deterioration is a normal part of the aging process, though this process can be brought on by certain eye diseases or injuries as well.

However, if you are experiencing the appearance of streaks of light in your vision this may be a sign of a vitreous or retinal detachment. If you experience any of these signs or symptoms please see you eye doctor for an eye exam. In a comprehensive eye examination, your eye doctor can examine the vitreous, retina and the other interior parts of the eye to determine the causes of the flashes and floaters that you see.