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
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Archive for the ‘Eye Disease’ Category
Batten Disease: A True Story
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010(more…)
Retinal Blood Vessels Are Like Fingerprints
Sunday, May 16th, 2010
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. (more…)
Eye Infections
Sunday, April 11th, 2010An 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.
Backyard Chickens & Histoplasmosis in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Sunday, March 28th, 2010
Iowa Backyard Chickens
Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Fortunately, Histoplasmosis most often results in no symptoms or illness. This fungus grows in the soil and is thought to be carried through chicken and other bird droppings. Histoplasma capsulatumis transferred to humans via the respiratory tract. Histoplasmosis is common in Iowa and reports show that more than 60% of the population has already been exposed.
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.
Optomap® Images Increase Ocular Pathology Detection
Sunday, February 28th, 2010Information 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.
*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.
Eye Disease in Ancient Egypt
Sunday, February 14th, 2010Ancient 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.
Obesity and the Eye
Sunday, January 17th, 2010The visual system is vulnerable to the effects of excessive body weight. Numerous eye conditions are caused by or accelerated as a result of obesity. Maintaining a healthy body weight will reduce your risk of getting these eye conditions and many others:
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Diabetic Retinopathy: Microvascular abnormalities cause blurred vision and can result in severe vision loss or even blindness.
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Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Permanent central-vision loss.
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Cataracts: Clouding of the ocular lens results in glare and blurred vision.
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Glaucoma: Elevated intraocular pressure can cause peripheral vision loss and may ultimately lead to blindness.
A personal decision to make lifestyle changes is the most important step in fighting obesity. Obesity is often the result of high caloric consumption and low caloric utilization. It is for this reason that the primary treatment for obesity is to change diet and exercise habits. Use the food pyramid provided to help you choose the right foods to eat. The doctors at Iowa EyeCare recommend at lease 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each day. Don’t forget to include aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise in your routine.
Obesity is increased body weight caused by excessive accumulation of fat to the extent that ones health is negatively affected. Excessive body weight is associated with diabetes type 2, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and many other systemic conditions. The consequence of obesity is a reduction in life expectancy by almost 7 years and unfortunately new evidence tells us that the prevalence of obesity is rising in both children and adults.
Contact Iowa EyeCare now. We have locations in Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Robins, Iowa.
Food Pyramid
Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Sun Protection for Your Eyes
Sunday, January 10th, 2010
You know sun protection is important for your skin. The eyes need sun protection too. Even during the Iowa winter months.
Iowa EyeCare strongly recommends all of our patients wear UV eye protection when outdoors, even on cloudy days and even during the Iowa winter. Limit you time in direct sunlight, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and always wear sunglasses. Sun protection is especially important in children. Significant UV damage occurs in children when the eyes are not properly protected from the sun because their eyes do not filter UV as well as adults.
The radiation you receive from the sun is known to cause multiple adverse eye conditions including:
- Cataract: a clouding of the lens.
- Macular Degeneration: loss of light-sensitive tissue inside the eye.
- Pterygium: a growth on the surface of the eye.
- Photokeratitis: sunburn of the eyes
- Dry Eye: inadequate tear film.
Save Money! If you have insurance that allows you to get new frames, why not make your old glasses into sunglasses?
Get an Eye Exam! The eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare are ready to serve all of your vision care needs. We are confident that Iowa EyeCare can provide you with the best sunglasses in Iowa. Contact us today: Iowa EyeCare has locations in Marion, Robins, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
- Iowa’s Winter Sun
What does the term “lazy eye” mean?
Monday, December 14th, 2009
Dr. Dennis Francis
I often hear patients say they have (or think they have) a lazy eye. The term “lazy eye” is actually synonymous with the medical term “amblyopia”. Amblyopia occurs when one eye fails to provide adequate vision and the brain begins to collect visual information from only the better eye. The poorer seeing eye subsequently fails to develop normally. If left untreated, amblyopia results in a best-corrected vision of worse than 20/20 and reduced binocular vision.
Amblyopia is most often a consequence of unequal glasses prescription between the two eyes or from monocular strabismus (one eye turning in or out). It is very difficult to re-train the brain once it decides not to use the amblyopic eye. Amblyopia is one of the most common causes of vision loss in children because it often arises without symptoms. Routine eye examinations play a key role in preventing vision loss from amblyopia.
The American Optometric Association and the eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare agree that even if no eye or vision problems are apparent, at about age 6 months, you should take your baby to your doctor of optometry for his or her first thorough eye examination. We can offer helpful suggestions to prevent amblyopia and, if necessary, begin treatment for any eye-related problems.
Young Mother Develops Cancer of the Eye
Monday, November 30th, 2009
Dr. Richard Noyes
The importance of routine examinations cannot be under stated. The light-sensitive retina (located on the back, inside surface of the eye) should be examined at least annually, even for those with perfect vision. The following is a real-life example of why a retinal exam is so important.
Not long ago, a 32-year-old, single mother of three came to Iowa EyeCare’s Marion office to see optometrist Dr. Richard Noyes for an eye exam and to get new contact lenses. She had no symptoms and was in good health.
Melanoma of the Eye
An Optomap® retinal exam was performed. The image of the right eye is shown here and has a dark oval lesion: melanoma. This patient was sent to the University of Iowa to see an ophthalmic oncologist (an eye-cancer doctor) and the eye was removed 3 days later.
Cancer of the eye is deadly. The early diagnosis made by Dr. Noyes saved this woman’s life. Fortunately, she doing fine and was fit with a prosthetic eye.
Don’t wait to schedule your next eye exam. We have locations in Cedar Rapids, Marion and Robins, Iowa.
