Recent studies by the University of Michigan and the University of Washington, Seattle have linked poor vision with an increased risk for cognitive disorders.

The importance of routine eye care cannot be under stated. Decreased vision due to cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration or other eye-realted conditions have long been associated with poor quality of life, but evidence now suggests that it could be a contributor for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

At the University of Michigan, elderly people with untreated vision problems were found to have a risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease 9 times greater than those whose vision was treated.

In Seattle, it was found that visual impairment is associated with both an increased risk and an increased clinical severity of Alzheimer’s disease.

In the United States, an estimated 5.4 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and someone develops the disease every 69 seconds. Unless something is done, as many as 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s in 2050 and someone will develop the disease every 33 seconds. In 2010, 14.9 million family members and friends provided 17 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias – care valued at $202.6 billion.

Blur due to Irregular Cornea

Refractive surgery, corneal transplants, infections and corneal syndromes like Keratoconus are among the many potential causes for irregular corneas. An irregular cornea results in symptoms of blur and distortion that glasses and most contact lenses are unable to correct.  Visual symptoms from an irregular cornea are constant, but often worsen in dim light when the pupil is more dilated.

In the past, some of these individuals were fit with rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses.  RGP lenses do not conform to the shape of the eye like a soft lens does.  Instead the RGP’s rigid structure allows tears to fill in behind the lens and create an optically smooth surface for light to enter the eye and provide improved vision.  Unfortunately, RGP lenses are too uncomfortable for most patients, are easily lost, and can cause scarring to the front surface of the eye.

ClearKone Lens Design

ClearKone is a new hybrid contact lens product that has both the comfort of a soft lens combined with the acuity benefits of a rigid lens.  ClearKone is an improvement upon other similar hybrid products because its unique design is more comfortable and easier to remove than older hybrid lenses.

Special expertise is required to fit the ClearKone lens.  Currently, Dr. Ryan Nelson, optometrist at Iowa EyeCare in Cedar Rapids, is the only physician in  Iowa approved fit ClearKone lenses.  Dr. Nelson gives each ClearKone candidate extensive one-on-one time during the fitting process to ensure a good contact lens fit the first time.

“The ClearKone design is sure to revolutionize the way patients with irregular corneas are managed.  Some of my patients have been overwhelmed with emotion when they experience the ClearKone lens for the first time,” says Dr. Nelson.

To schedule an appointment or to learn more about ClearKone lenses, call Iowa EyeCare at 319-377-2222.

Contact us at www.iowaeyecare.com.

By Dr. David Christensen

An ophthalmic migraine is a temporary loss of vision, thought to be caused by blood-flow changes to the brain’s visual center.

Ophthalmic migraines are common and often occur in otherwise healthy individuals.  They may or may not be combined with a headache. Visual symptoms may last only a few brief minutes, or they may linger for 30-45 minutes.   Because the symptoms of an ophthalmic migraine are sometimes similar to those that are associated with severe vision problems, such as retinal detachment or transient retinal artery blockage, it is important to contact an eye doctor right away.  The doctors at Iowa EyeCare are specially trained to diagnose all retinal problems, including ophthalmic migraine.

Ophthalmic migraines often occur spontaneously, without warning, but may be triggered in some individuals by stress, diet, medications, or changes in hormones.  It is very important to stay safe during an ophthalmic migraine.  If you are driving, pull over and wait for the visual symptoms to stop before continuing down the road.

The specific cause for keratoconus is unknown.  It is estimated that keratoconus presents in 1 out of every 2,000 individuals in the general population, without regard to race or gender.

The doctors at Iowa EyeCare are experts in the diagnosis and treatment for keratoconus. Iowa EyeCare is proud to provide patients with state-of-the-art corneal topography to map keratoconus and monitor any changes.  Frequent examinations are often necessary to sufficiently manage the progression of keratoconus.  If you have questions about your eyes or your vision, schedule an appointment with one of the eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare.  Iowa EyeCare has locations in Robins, Marion, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Contact us today by visiting our website or calling 319-377-2222.

Glaucoma Technology

By Dr. Dennis Francis

Early diagnosis is the key to the successful management of glaucoma.  The goal of treatment is to slow or to stop the progression of vision loss because there is no cure for glaucoma.  Careful monitoring of eye pressure, visual field, optic nerves, the nerve fiber layer of the retina, and more is critical.  Iowa EyeCare is proud to provide patients with the very latest glaucoma-management technology.

Most often, glaucoma can be managed with eye-pressure lowering eye-drop medications.  Sometimes more than one medication is needed.  Glaucoma medication eye-drops are almost always used indefinitely.  Therefore,  once glaucoma has been detected and medications have been prescribed it is important to keep taking the medication so that no further vision loss or glaucoma-progression occurs.  Regular follow-up appointments are important to make sure that the glaucoma treatment is still working.

In some severe cases eye drops alone are not able to lower the eye pressure.  In these cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.  Two major types of glaucoma surgery exist.  The least invasive is a laser that increases the outflow of fluid from the eye through the angle between the iris (colored aperture)  and the sclera (structural white wall of the eye).  Filter surgery is occasionally performed as a last-resort and involves cutting into the eye.

Early detection of glaucoma cannot be over-stressed.  Call Iowa EyeCare in Cedar Rapids, Marion, or Robins, Iowa at 319-377-2222 or contact Iowa EyeCare online.

Learn more about glaucoma and other eye conditions at www.iowaeyecare.com.

Optice Nerve with Glaucoma

By Dr. Dennis Francis

Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve (the cord that transmits information from the eye towards the brain).  Glaucoma damage to the optic nerve causes permanent vision loss for millions.  Glaucoma affects people of all ages, races, and genders.  Early glaucoma is void of symptoms and the only way to help prevent glaucoma from causing permanent vision damage is to have your eyes examined annually.

High eye pressure is the number one indicator for glaucoma.  At Iowa EyeCare, eye pressure is measured using Goldmann tonometry during every annual examination.  Goldmann tonometry, the “gold standard”,  is far more accurate than air-puff measurements.

The diagnosis of glaucoma is not based on eye pressure measurements alone.  Visual field, scanning-laser analysis and optic-nerve observation are also crutial elements for the diagnosis of glaucoma.  At Iowa EyeCare you will have access to the very best glaucoma diagnosis technology in Iowa.

Please contact us at any time to schedule an appointment.  You may also call Iowa EyeCare at 319-377-2222.

By Dr. Ryan W. Nelson

Iowa has been in the news recently as millions of eggs have been recalled nationwide due to an outbreak of salmonella gastrointestinal illnesses.

What does that have to do with eyes?

The answer: Reactive Arthritis or “Reiter’s Syndrome”.

Reiter’s Syndrome is an uncommon, but potentially debilitating consequence of salmonella infection. The 3 hallmark symptoms for Reiter’s Syndrome are “Can’t See… Can’t Pee… Can’t Dance with Me”.

Let me explain…

Reiter’s Syndrome is characterized by inflammation of the eye (“Can’t See”), the urethra (“Can’t Pee”), and the muscle tendons (“Can’t Dance with Me”).  Inflammation of the eyes can cause pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, redness and general irritation.  The treatment for inflammation of the eyes usually consists of prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops and close monitoring of symptoms.

Routine eye exams are expecially important for those who have recently had a gastrointestinal, genitourinary, or viral infection, as these may all lead to complications from Reiter’s Syndrome.

Iowa EyeCare has office locations in Marion, Robins, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Call us today at 319-377-2222 or contact us online by clicking here: Contact Iowa EyeCare.

By Dr. David Christensen

When vision becomes significantly worse due to an opacity within the natural lens of the eye, it is called a cataract (Click here to learn more about cataracts). Once a cataract has been formed it does not get better on its own or with medications.  The only solution is to remove the opacified lens from the affected eye.  The removal of the intra-ocular lens is performed by a cataract surgeon.

Before surgery is performed the eye must be measured extensively.  Only detailed measurements of the eye will produce a quality surgical result.  The cataract surgeon will also review your medical history and any medications you may be taking, as these factors may influence the risk of complication.

In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, most cataract surgeries are performed in out-patient clinics.  Occasionally, high-risk patients are scheduled to have cataract surgery in a hospital.

During cataract surgery a small incision is made in the cornea (a clear window in front of the colored part of the eye).  The opacified lens is then broken-down and swept away by a specialized surgical instrument.  Finally, a new intra-ocular lens is implanted into the space where the old lens once existed.

After your surgery, frequent follow up visits with your eye doctor are required. Additionally, a regimen of eye-drop medications must be strictly followed.

The eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare are experts at the diagnosis of cataracts and can tell you when it is time to consider surgery.  Click here to schedule an appointment at one of our Cedar Rapids, Marion, or Robins, Iowa eye clinic locations.  You may also call 319-377-2222.

By Dr. David Christensen

Just about everyone will get cataracts if they have enough birthdays.  What most people don’t realize is that there is more than one type of cataract and that they can be caused by more than just getting older.

Nuclear Sclerosis Cataract

Cataracts may be caused by age, genetics, trauma, drugs, metabolic disease (such as diabetes or hypothyroidism), eye-disease (such as uveitis), infections, or poor ocular development.  The risk for developing a cataract is even higher for individuals who smoke, endure prolonged sun exposure (such as having an outdoor occupation), dehydration and chronic diarrhea.

The most common type of cataract is called nuclear sclerosis.  This is just a general yellowing of the lens, usually due to aging.  Another type of cataract is a cortical wedge-shaped or spoke-like cataract.  Cortical cataracts are also common for the aging individual.  Traumatic blunt-force injuries to the eye may cause star-shaped cataracts.  Posterior subcapsular cataracts are located at the back, inside-surface of the intraocular lens.  These cataracts can be the most devastating and often result in very poor vision.

Traumatic Cataract

The eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare are experts at the diagnosis of cataracts.  Click here to schedule an appointment at one of our Cedar Rapids, Marion, or Robins locations.  You may call 319-377-2222.

MDD Test for Macular Degeneration

Iowa EyeCare is now using another new technology to help us better detect eye disease affecting central vision, including age-related macular degeneration.  It’s called the MDD-2 Macular Adaptometer.  MDD stands for Macular Degeneration Detection.

The MDD-2 differs measures the function of the macula, making it different from other equipment that take images of the tissue to determine presence of macular degeneration.

The MDD-2 Macular Adaptometer is a hand-held medical instrument that measures photostress recovery.  This macular degeneration test takes less than 5 minutes to test both eyes, it is not invasive, and the results of the test are immediate.

The optometrists at Iowa EyeCare also endorse the use of MacuHealth dietary supplements that include lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin. Pigment located in the macula comes from plant compounds called carotenoids.  Carotenoids help by filtering light and neutralizing harmful free radicals.  These supplements are now available for purchase at either our Cedar Rapids, Robins, and Marion, Iowa, locations.

Protect your eyes from vision loss due to macular degeneration by scheduling an appointment with an eye doctor at Iowa EyeCare in Cedar Rapids, Marion, or Robins, Iowa.