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Health and Wellness
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Bedminster Eye and Laser Center, P.A. • Cataracts • Glaucoma • Multifocal & toric lens replacement surgery • Eye Exams • Contact Lenses • Emergency Services Dr. Lawrence V. Najarian, M.D., Medical Director Berit Goro, O.D. LIC# 27OA00551401 CERT# 27OM00067000 Susan L. Franson, O.D. LIC# 27OA00604401 CERT# 27OM000145000 Donald F. Baker, O.D. LIC# 27OA00374900 CERT# 27OM00018200 See the Difference with Our Outstanding Eye Care Team 400 Main Street • P.O. Box 103 • Bedminster, NJ 07921 908-781-2020 www.bedminstereye.yourMD.com Sophia Chadda, D.D.S. Periodontics, Including Dental Implants DIPLOMATE, AMERICAN BOARD OF PERIODONTOLOGY Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology Assistant Professor of Periodontics, RSDM PERIODONTICS, INCLUDING DENTAL IMPLANTS • Specialized treatment of gum/ periodontal disease • Prevention • Dental Implants • Cosmetic gum treatment • Laser treatment • Regenerative treatment 41 Stonehouse Road Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 908-626-0333 Visit us at: www.drsophiachadda.com OFFICE HOURS BY APPOINTMENT New Jersey Specialty Permit Number 5246 at “Dr. Sophia Chadda ” EXERCISE AND YOUR EYES By: Lawrence V. Najarian, M.D. Medical Director Bedminster Eye and Laser Center, P.A. You already know that daily exer- cise is beneficial to your heart, waistline and energy level. But are you aware that it can also do your eyes a world of good? Many eye diseases are linked to health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high choles-t
erol levels. Exercise can help pre- vent these problems or limit theiri
mpact if they do occur. Studies have also shown an eye- opening link between exercise and eye disease. In one study (publishedi
n Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 2011 ), researchersf
ollowed more than 5,600 men and women to see if there was ar
elationship between moderate exercise and ocular perfusion pres-s
ure, an important risk factor for glaucoma. People who engaged in moderate physical exercise were 25 percent less likely to develop glau- coma than people who were large-l
y inactive.I
n another study, researchersl
ooked at the medical history of more than 3,800 people to see ift
here was a relationship between developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and being physically inactive. The scientistsf
ound that people who exercisedt
hree times a week were less likelyt
o develop AMD than people who didn’t exercise.I
f you already have a health prob-l
em, exercise can often help you manage it. For example, physical activity can help people with dia- betes keep their disease under control. That reduces the risk of complications, including diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of vision loss among working age adults. Exercise has also been shown to help people who have glaucoma. Moderate physical exercise, like going for a walk three times a week, can lower your intraocular pressure (IOP) and improve blood flow to the retina and optic nerve. However, to fully reap the benefits of exercise, you need to stick with it. When you stop exercising, your IOP will return to previous levels. The good news about exercise is that you don’t have to be a triath- lete to enjoy the benefits. Taking a brisk walk, climbing the stairs, danc- ing and swimming are all great activities that will help keep you and your eyes healthy. But, before begin- ning any new type of exercise regi- men, consult your family physician. To schedule a comprehensive eye exam with one of the board-certi- fied eye care professionals at Bed- minster Eye and Laser Center, phone 908-781-2020. Lawrence V. Najarian, M.D. is a board- certified ophthalmologist and founder of Bedminster Eye and Laser Center, P.A., which has served the Bedminster commu- nity and beyond for more than 25 years. Dr. Najarian recently received a Gold Doc Award from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. This national award is given to doctors who demonstrate “exemplary skill, sensitivity and compassion” toward patients. Dr. Najarian has been a faculty member of both New York University (where he was recently honored with a volunteer service award) and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary for the past 25 years. *For more information about these studies, visit http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/ and http://www.iovs.org/content/52/11/8186. abstract