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 are a clouding of the intra-ocular lens.  The lens of the eye helps us adjust our focus from distance to near and is positioned just behind the colored part of the eye.  The lens protects the eye from harmful UV sunlight and is a major component to the optical system of the eye.  Without the intra-ocular lens, an individual with no glasses prescription would instead be about +20.00 dipoters farsighted.

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.

I was listening to Iowa Public Radio when this broadcast caught my attention.  It is about a boy from Waterloo, Iowa, seeking care for Batten Disease at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

 Nick’s Story

Nicholas Wellner

                           
On February 11, 2008, at the age of six, Nicholas Wellner was diagnosed with Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis or easier said, Batten Disease.  Batten Disease is an inherited, degenerative neurological disease that mostly affects young children.  At this time there is no cure or treatment and the disease is always fatal.

Nicholas has always been our most energetic child!  We always loved to watch him play football with his brother in our back yard.  With his energy and strength we thought we had the next NFL star.  Unfortunately, that has all changed.
Currently, Nicholas has lost most of his vision, he has daily behavioral challenges and has slight memory and learning difficulties.  But what lies in Nick’s future is even more heart wrenching.  He will eventually begin to have seizures, his memory loss will become greater and finally he will loose his mobility. 

Nicholas’ life expectancy is late teens to early 20’s. 

With continued awareness and fundraising efforts, we know we will find A Cure for Nick!

Click to listen to the newscast: Iowa researchers working on Batten Disease

Click to learn more about Batten Disease: Batten Disease Research Association

By Dr. Ryan Nelson

Did you know that every eye is unique and could be used to identify individuals.  This uniqueness of the eye is similar to a fingerprint.  The retinal blood vessels enter the back of the eye through an opening in the optic nerve (the cord that takes visual information from the eye toward visual center in the brain).  The retinal blood vessels extend throughout the back, inside-surface of the eye in a branching tree-like pattern.  Every eye has a unique blood vessel pattern, which should stay the same throughout ones lifetime.

Your retinal blood vessels should be viewed every year by an eye doctor.  The eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare use these blood vessels as clues for diagnosing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other whole-body diseases.  In these instances, and many others, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma and macular degeneration, the inside of the eye can change slightly in its appearance.

Iowa Boer Meat Goat

The use of retinal scans for identification is not widely practiced.  For livestock, however, these scans are commonplace.  In fact, 4-H meat goats, sheep and beef cattle are scanned when individuals intend to show them for the Linn County Fair and Iowa State Fair.  This practice ensures that the same animal being raised and shown, and that no switching of animals has occured.

By Dr. Kimberly Cruise

An eye infection is just one of the common reasons individuals seek medical eye care in Cedar Rapids.  Eye infections can have serious, long-lasting or permanent consequences to the eye and to the visual system.  Seek the care of a medical eye professional immediately if you suspect you may have an eye infection.  The optometrists at Iowa EyeCare are experts in treating all types of eye infections.  Eye infections can attack many different parts or locations on or within the eye:

• Conjunctiva (the clear tissue lining the surface of the white ocular surface)
• Cornea (the clear window in front of the iris and pupil)
• Inside the Eye
• Retina (the light-sensitive inside-surface of the eye)
• Optic Nerve (the cord that takes vision from the eye to the brain)

Viral Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

The most common type of eye infection is viral conjunctivitis, more commonly known as “pink eye”.  Usually the culprit is an adenovirus, the same type of virus that causes the common cold.  The adenovirus is often transmitted through respiratory droplets. These highly contagious eye infections cause redness, watering, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.  The eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare use prescription medications to reduce these symptoms.  Recovery usually occurs within one week.

Iowa EyeCare has locations in Robins, Marion and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  To learn more about eye infections and other eye conditions visit the Iowa EyeCare Website.

Iowa Backyard Chickens

Ocular Histoplasmosis occurs when this fungus causes scarring of the retina on the back, inside-surface of the eye.   I often see patients with these scars and they cause vision problems very rarely. 

Chickens are a fundamental part of Iowa heritage.  More and more Iowans are becoming interested in having their own flock of chickens for good reason.  Chickens can be a good source of both meat and eggs for the family.  Local food is environmentally friendly.  Free-range, organic food is healthier for you.  It reminds us and teaches our children where food comes from.   

Personally, I’m in favor of backyard chickens and the movement by Cedar Rapids Citizens for the Legalization of Urban Chickens (CLUC).  Chickens do not carry more disease than other city-approved animals.  Chickens make make less noise than barking dogs.  A well-maintained chicken coop doesn’t have a foul odor. 

If you have questions about Ocular Histoplasmosis contact one of the optometrists at Iowa EyeCare by calling 319-377-2222 or by clicking on the link: CEDAR RAPIDS EYE DOCTORS.

Information in this article has been re-posted from The Eye Doc Blog (www.theeyedocblog.com).

Results from a pilot study conducted by doctors at the New England College of Optometry* were recently presented at Optometry’s Meeting and the American Academy of Optometry.  In the study, subjects were examined using the methods of traditional ophthalmoscopy and optomap^®assisted ophthalmoscopy, where an ultra-wide field retinal image from the  optomap^® guides the retinal examination.

Forty subjects underwent undilated imaging with the optomap^®. Subjects were then dilated and underwent traditional ophthalmoscopy and optomap^®assisted ophthalmoscopy. The traditional exam consisted of BIO and slit lamp biomicrosopy with precorneal lenses. Optomap^®assisted ophthalmoscopy was identical to traditional, with the exception that the doctor reviewed optomap^® Images before performing their BIO examination. A masked Reader graded the optomap^® Images of all subjects. A retinal specialist examined 28 of the 40 subjects and served as the gold standard.

Sensitivity and specificity of the optomap^® Image review in detecting retinal lesions were compared to sensitivity and specificity of both traditional and optomap^®assisted ophthalmoscopy. The results indicate that using optomap^® Images increases pathology detection. Sensitivity of the Reader (image review alone) outperformed traditional ophthalmoscopy by approximately 15%, while sensitivity of optomap^®assisted ophthalmoscopy outperformed traditional ophthalmoscopy by approximately 30%. Specificity was comparable across all methods.

“I believe the increased sensitivity is due to the optomap^® field of view and in part to the software capabilities. Being able to magnify and zoom-in, adjust the gamma, contrast and brightness as well as using the individual red and green laser separations allows the examiner to really hone in on areas of interest,” said Kristen Brown, OD, FAAO, the Principal Investigator.

Data from a statistically powered study is currently being analyzed, with results expected in 2010.

Schedule an appointment with one of the eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare today to have your eyes examined.

*Independent clinical study conducted by Kristen Brown, OD, FAAO 1,2, Jeanette Sewell, OD 1,2, Tom Travison, PhD3. 1New England Eye Institute, Boston, MA; 2New England College of Optometry, Boston, MA; 3New England Research Institute, Watertown, MA.

Click here to learn how the Optomap saved this young mother's life.

Ancient Egyptian eye makeup may have been more therapeutic than cosmetic.

In the days of the ancient Egyptian empire, the Nile River delta was a place where eye infections were likely commonplace, as sanitation and hygiene practices were not established. 

The periodical, Analytical Chemistry, recently published an article regarding the lead-based compounds found in the tombs of ancient Egyptians.  Their conclusion is that “lead-based compounds were used during antiquity as both pigments and medicines in the formulation of makeup materials.”

 ”According to ancient Egyptian manuscripts,” says Analytical Chemistry, ”these were essential remedies for treating eye illness and skin ailments. This conclusion seems amazing because today we focus only on the well-recognized toxicity of lead salts.”  Analytical Chemistry goes on to say that, “one may argue that these lead compounds were deliberately manufactured and used in ancient Egyptian formulations to prevent and treat eye illnesses by promoting the action of immune cells.”

In modern times, ocular infections still cause problems for millions of people each year.  If you think you might have an infection, walk like an Egyptian to Iowa EyeCare.  Iowa EyeCare has a doctor on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, call 319-377-2222.

Contact Iowa EyeCare in Cedar Rapids, Marion, or Robins, Iowa.