Archive for the ‘General Eye Care’ Category

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Optomap® Images Increase Ocular Pathology Detection

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

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.

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

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The Eye Muscles

Sunday, February 7th, 2010
 
By Dr. David Christensen

Eye Trivia:

Good eye muscle skills are a critical part of having good vision.  Eye muscles work as a team to help us track moving objects as well as fixate on still targets. They help us in nearly every task throughout the day; tasks such as reading, driving, watching TV, or pouring a cup of coffee.

Did You Know?  Eye movement is controlled by SIX different muscles!  Eye muscles controlling movement are located behind the eye.  You won’t see them looking in the mirror.  Each muscle is attached to the globe of the eye on one end and to the bony orbit at its opposite end.

The Eye Muscles

The Eye Muscles

 

The eye muscle names:

  • Superior Rectus
  • Inferior Rectus
  • Lateral Rectus
  • Medial Rectus
  • Superior Oblique
  • Inferior Oblique

 

As you may already know, muscles shorten when they are stimulated to contract.  Therefore it makes sense that the superior rectus moves the eye upward.  The inferior rectus moves the eye downward, the medial and lateral recti move the eye in and out, respectively.  The superior and inferior oblique muscles help the rectus muscles and allow for torsional rotation of the eye.

If you or your child has a problem with the eye muscles in any way will limit visual function and can lead to many problems, including double vision and poor binocularity.  Assessment of the eye muscles is included with examination at Iowa EyeCare.

Contact us in Marion, Robins, or Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for an appointment.

If you have a question about eyes or vision, leave a comment

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Coffee Culture

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

By Dr. Ryan Nelson

small_cup_of_coffee

Since attending professional school at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, I’ve been a heavy coffee drinker.   I still think about cramming for a test with my classmates every time I walk into a coffee shop.  The latte and the expresso have been introduced to every street corner in America (Yes, even in Iowa) and most of us are guilty of buying a mocha-choka-somethin’ at one time or another.  I thought you’d like to know how all this coffee and caffeine might be affecting your eyes and vision. 

Physiologically, when caffeine is consumed it stimulates our central nervous system (our brain).  Because of these direct  affects on the brain, caffeine is  known to cause blurred vision as well as eyelid twitching or ”eyelid myokymia”.  Although caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant drug, it is considered a safe food substance by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Caffeine is an ingredient in some prescription pain medications.  It has also been included in oral diet supplements.  Don’t forget that prescription medications are regulated by the United States FDA, diet supplements are not.  For those who regularly consume high amounts of caffeine can expect to have withdrawal symptoms, which may include headache, irritability, drowsiness, and upset stomach.  I think most physicians would agree with me that moderation is the key.

After doing some additional research on wikapedia I discovered that caffiene is found naturally in coffee plants where it acts as a pesticide.  Now there’s some food for thought!

Do not despair coffee drinkers.   There are plenty of benefits to consider including lowering your risk of colon cancer, Parkinsons, and diabetes.  Caffeine may also help prevent cavities and temporarily boost your athletic ability.

Do you have dry eyes? Your not alone, Dry Eye Syndrome affects an estimated 3.23 million women and 1.68 million men in the United States each year. Did you know that caffeine may help relieve dry eye symptoms?  More research needs to be done, surely, but an article from Review of Ophthalmology in September, 2000, reported that those who drink coffee are 25% less likely to experience dry eye.  Learn more about Dry Eye on the Iowa EyeCare website.

To schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor at Iowa EyeCare call 319-377-2222 or Schedule an appointment online.  Iowa EyeCare has locations in Marion, Cedar Rapids, and Robins, Iowa.

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Dry Eye & Artificial Tears

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

By Dr. David Christensen

Artificial Tears

Artificial Tears

Most of us experience dry eye from time to time.  Especially during the Iowa winter months.  Most people experience symptoms either in the car, at work, or at night watching TV or reading a book.  If you go to the local supermarket, you’ll find a whole wall full of eyedrops.  It can be difficult trying to decide which eye drops to buy.  The eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare can help you best manage your dry-eye symptoms.  Sometimes we recommend over-the-counter artificial tears, environmental changes, dietary changes, and other times we might decide that a prescription medication or other treatment options are most beneficial.  Multiple treatment modalities are needed because individuals experience dry eye for different reasons. Dry eye may be due to poor lid function, poor aqueous production, poor eye-lipid production, or excessive tear drainage.

Keep in mind that all eyedrops are not created equal.  Lubricating eyedrops that are designed to combat dry eye, do so in different ways.  Before spending your money on an eye drop that may not work for you, schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors at any of our Robins, Marion, or Cedar Rapids, Iowa, locations.

You can also learn more about Dry Eye on the Iowa EyeCare website.

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Eye Care for the Aging Eye

Monday, December 28th, 2009

By. Dr. Dennis Francis

Dr. Dennis Francis

Dr. Dennis Francis

It’s a fact of life that your vision changes as you get older. Knowing what to expect and when to seek professional care is important to your visual well-being. Wise lifestyle choices and routine eye examinations can significantly improve your chances for maintaining good eye health as you age.  Developing a healthy lifestyle that includes a proper diet, plenty of exercise, cessation of smoking, cessation of drug use or alcohol, drinking water, getting routine visual and general medical care are all important to your eyes later in life.

Macular Degeneration, Cataracts, Diabetes, and Glaucoma are principal causes of blindness in Iowa and in the United States. Tremendous progress has been made recently in both the diagnosis and treatment of these common diseases. Iowa EyeCare has the best tools in the Cedar Rapids area to combat these conditions. Early intervention can make a difference in your outcome.

Dry Eye is among the most common eye conditions of the aging eye.  Burning, watering, irritating eyes, can cause discomfort and reduce your quality of life.  Iowa EyeCare specializes in finding the right treatment option for the type of dry eye that you have.

Iowa EyeCare always welcomes new patients, both young and old.  Make an appointment to get started now.

 

The Aging Eye

The Aging Eye

 

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Thicker, Darker and Longer Eyelashes? Consider Latisse®

Monday, December 7th, 2009

By Dr. Richard Noyes

Latisse Results

Would you be interested in a product that will make your eyelashes thicker, darker and longer? 

 Latisse® allows you to achieve beauty naturally, using the body’s own pigment.  Latisse® contains an active ingredient that optometrists have used safely for years and is the only FDA-approved prescription treatment for inadequate eyelashes.  Latisse® is proven to prolong the growth phase of hair and stimulate thicker, darker and longer eyelashes.

 Latisse® is applied once daily to the eyelashes using a sterile applicator.  Users can expect to see results in 8 weeks with full results occurring at 12-16 weeks.

 Latisse® may eliminate your need to use mascara and has the potential to reduce lid conditions and contact lens complications that can result from incomplete or improper removal of mascara.

 To find out if Latisse® is right for you, schedule a consultation with the doctors at Iowa EyeCare today by calling 319-377-2222.  Iowa EyeCare has locations in Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Robins, Iowa. Additional information about Latisse® can be found at http://www.latisse.com/.

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Visual Fatigue Syndrome

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
Visual+Fatigue+Man+(2)

Visual Fatigue

In recent years there has been a shift in the way we use our vision.  Instead of using our eyes to see most things at distance, we spend most of the day viewing objects that are within arms reach.  These items include the computer, television, cell phone, PDAs, even books are now available in digital format. Both the real world and written word have now been replaced by a constant barrage of illuminated, digital pixels. This new visual environment commonly induces visual fatigue.

 

Users of digital media may experience eyestrain, blurred vision, tired eyes, dry eyes, neck and back pain. Even those who can see 20/20 and those who do not normally wear glasses may experience visual fatigue.  Studies have shown us that 83 percent of all individuals experience one or more symptoms of Visual Fatigue Syndrome. 

 

Unfortunately most of those affected by visual fatigue are not getting the help they need.  The reason is poor education. Most people do not understand why they are experiencing problems and, in many cases, eye doctors are not properly trained to recognize the symptoms of visual fatigue. Even when an eye doctor is well informed, he or she may lack the proper tools necessary to help patients combat symptoms.

 

The eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare can teach you about proper monitor heights, angles, and distances, as well as other tips regarding visual media.  We also use various lenses and lens designs to enhance your experience with digital media and reduce visual fatigue.

 

The Essilor Anti-Fatigue lens may be prescribed for anyone who uses digital media.  These lenses may be used in both children and adults and can even be used over contact lenses.  Our patients tell us that the Essilor Anti-Fatigue lens makes things seem brighter and reduces visual discomfort.

AF+Lens+(2)

Anti-Fatugue Lens

  

For those who currently need extra help up close in the form of a lined or progressive bifocal lens, our eye doctors may prescribe the Essilor Computer lenses to increase their overall computer experience.  The Essilor Computer lens is specifically designed to maximize the intermediate range of vision, while maintaining some areas for both near and distance.

EC+Lens+(2)

Computer Lens

 

Contact us today to schedule an examination with one of our eye doctors.  Iowa EyeCare has locations in Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Robins, Iowa.

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What should be included in a comprehensive vision examination?

Monday, November 16th, 2009

 

 By Dr. Kimberly Cruise

 

 

The Eye Exam

I am often told by patients that their last eye exam was a screening performed at school, at work, or at the Iowa department of motor vehicles.  It is important for us all to understand why a vision screening is not a replacement for a comprehensive vision examination. 

The eye is like a window that can show your eye doctor what is going on inside the rest of the body.  It is the only place where blood vessels and nerves can be viewed directly.  Many whole-body conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and even some types of cancer can sometimes be found within the eye.  Every day, eye doctors save lives by diagnosing and monitoring diseases that may otherwise have no signs or symptoms. 

At a minimum, assessment of visual acuity, eye muscles, visual field, pupil reaction, binocularity, glasses prescription, eye pressure and both the front surface and the inside of the eye should be included in a comprehensive examination.  The eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare recommend that, regardless of age, you have a complete eye and vision examination at least every year.  In some cases of ocular disease or general ailment, more frequent visits may be necessary. 

Remember that not all vision exams are created equal.  Make sure that you and your family are receiving the very best medical care by scheduling an examination with us today in Cedar Rapids, Marion, or Robins, Iowa.

Dr. Cruise

Dr. Cruise

 

Visit us on our website www.iowaeyecare.com

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Scratched Eye

Monday, November 9th, 2009

By Dr. Dennis Francis

 

The doctors at Iowa EyeCare have a different term for “scratched eye”.  We call it a corneal abrasion.  The cornea is the clear window in front of the colored part of your eye.  It’s about the thickness of a credit card and has 5 different layers.  The front or top layer, the epithelium, is designed to protect the rest of the cornea, but it’s also very sensitive and susceptible to damage.  When the epithelium is injured by an abrasion, the eye is at risk contracting an infection.  Corneal infections can have severe consequences, including permanent vision loss.

Prompt care can help to protect the eye and prevent permanent vision loss.  An antibiotic eye drop is usually required to help thwart infection and get you feeling better again. Your doctor may also choose to use additional medications or even a bandage contact lens, depending on the nature of the injury.  Either way, close monitoring of the abraded eye is critical.  It is important to follow up as directed by your Iowa EyeCare optometrist.

Prevention is always the best medicine.  Never forget to use safety glasses when it is appropriate, especially when doing yard work or working with metal.  A scratched eye can be very painful and it is important to seek medical care immediately.  At Iowa EyeCare we have a doctor on call 24 hours and day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to care for any type of eye emergency.

If you or someone close to you has an eye emergency, you’ll want to call us right away.  Our phone number is 319-377-2222.  Keep number on hand, so when bad things happen your prepared.

 

Visit us on our website www.iowaeyecare.com

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Okay, so what exactly is “astigmatism”?

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

By Dr. Ryan W. Nelson

 

Astigmatism is the most common refractive condition.  It’s different from being nearsighted or farsighted.  Astigmatism means that light entering the eye is not focusing in one place.  Instead light is being scattered and the result is blurred vision. 

Most often, astigmatism results from misshapenness on the front surface of the eye (the cornea).  Instead of the cornea being spherical like the side of a basketball, it’s shaped more like the side of a football, flatter in one area and steeper in the other areas. 

At Iowa EyeCare we correct astigmatism using glasses, contact lenses, or even LASIK surgery.  If you aren’t seeing as well as you think you should, it just might be astigmatism that’s causing a problem.  Schedule an appointment today in either of our Marion, Robins or Cedar Rapids, Iowa, locations to find our which treatment options are right for you.

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