Birmingham Cataract Surgeon & Corneal Specialist Marc Michelson, M.D., informed us about patients with diabetes having cataract surgery. “Cataract surgery can be successfully performed for patients with Diabetes. Diabetes is a known risk factor for developing cataracts and we certainly know that diabetic patients are also at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy-a serious threat to vision and a leading cause of new blindness,” stated Dr. Michelson.
Researchers believe that the abnormal carbohydrate and sugar metabolism that is the hallmark of diabetes causes the sugars and metabolic byproducts to damage the crystalline lens of the eye and form a cataract. Thus, it is not uncommon for diabetic patients to need cataract surgery often at an earlier age than others who are not diabetic. “Fortunately, while diabetes is known to cause difficulty with wound healing, the type of small incision cataract surgery that we perform today really poses no additional risk to diabetic patients than non diabetic patients.’ Explained dr. Michelson. It is important that diabetics considering cataract surgery have a careful evaluation of the retina-especially the macula-using ocular coherence tomography (OCT) to identify the presence of diabetic macular edema (DME), a known finding in diabetic retinopathy that can cause less then optimal results after Cataract Surgery. In addition, in certain situations cataract surgeons may take an added precaution of placing an injection of VEGF inhibitor such as Avastin™ or Lucentis™ into the vitreous of the eye to prevent new blood vessel growth. Other than these considerations diabetic cataract surgery can offer patients good results. Early diagnosis and treatment is the key to preserving eye health and vision with diabetes. See your eye doctor regularly as he or she requests.
If you or someone you know has questions about diabetes and cataract surgery, please feel free to schedule an eye examination at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.
Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.
Bladeless All Laser LASIK at Michelson Laser Vision, Birmingham - Laser Cataract Surgery & Lens Implants at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Birmingham.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Birmingham Doctor on Tired Eyes & Eyestrain
Marc Michelson, M.D. of Alabama Eye & Cataract Center commented on patient complaints regarding tired eyes and eyestrain. “We hear more and more complaints of just plain tired eyes and eyestrain these days. Our everyday lives have now incorporated the use of video display terminals, computer terminals, iPads, iPhones and tablet computers. Eyestrain is the common description that people use for the eye and vision problem called 'asthenopia.' Eyestrain or asthenopia is the eye condition that results when the eyes get tired from excessive or intense use,” noted Dr. Michelson. “While it can be quite annoying, in general it tends to disappear when we stop using our eyes for a while and rest. Typically eyestrain is not a serious condition, but could indicate some underlying problem that needs to be addressed especially if it is related to headaches, double vision, difficulty concentrating and fatigue,” Dr. Michelson further explained.
People who report eyestrain often do so by complaining about symptoms of fatigue, dull eye pain or discomfort, blurry vision, double vision, headaches, dry eyes light sensitivity and sometimes even a stiff or sore neck. Eyestrain is very common among people who use or work on computers or play video games for prolonged periods of time. The use of computer screens of any sort along with uncorrected common refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and the age related near vision focusing problem presbyopia is a frequent cause of eyestrain. Along with even slight eye muscle imbalances, these focusing problems can really result in annoying eye fatigue and strain.
If you or someone you know suffers from eyestrain symptoms they are encouraged to schedule an eye examination at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision so that we can help identify the possible causes and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.
People who report eyestrain often do so by complaining about symptoms of fatigue, dull eye pain or discomfort, blurry vision, double vision, headaches, dry eyes light sensitivity and sometimes even a stiff or sore neck. Eyestrain is very common among people who use or work on computers or play video games for prolonged periods of time. The use of computer screens of any sort along with uncorrected common refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and the age related near vision focusing problem presbyopia is a frequent cause of eyestrain. Along with even slight eye muscle imbalances, these focusing problems can really result in annoying eye fatigue and strain.
If you or someone you know suffers from eyestrain symptoms they are encouraged to schedule an eye examination at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision so that we can help identify the possible causes and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Birmingham Cataract Surgery & Lens Implant Cost
Birmingham
Cataract Surgeon Marc Michelson, M.D. commented on the cost of
Cataract Surgery and Lens Implants. “The administrative staff at Alabama Eye
& Cataract Center works with each patient to explain and understand the cost
of Cataract Surgery and Lens Implants because honestly-it can really get a
little confusing for most patients,” stated Dr. Michelson. “Although just about
all insurances and Medicare cover the bulk of the cost of Cataract Surgery and basic
Lens Implants, deductibles, co-pays and the extent to which certain services
are or are not covered can affect the actual amount you might need to pay out
of pocket,” he further explained. Here are some helpful guidelines and
information about the cost of Cataract Surgery and Lens implants at Alabama Eye
& Cataract Center:
Preoperative Testing and Consultation
With the exception of co-pays and deductibles specific to your insurance plan the eye examination, consultation and measurements necessary for Cataract Surgery and basic Intraocular Lens (IOL) implantation are covered services. If there are specialized tests that might be required such as more precise types of testing for multifocal lens implants or toric lens implants, you may need to pay for these tests out of pocket as your insurance and Medicare may only cover the basic testing. If this is the case these extra tests may range in cost up to a few or several hundred dollars depending on the scope of the necessary testing.
Surgery Center
The surgery center facility fee is generally covered by insurances and Medicare although there may be a small co-pay or deductible with certain plans. This fee will cover the use of the facility including the operating room, the nursing staff, the instrumentation and equipment and all related operating room supplies. Depending on the types of anesthesia used it is possible that there will be an additional fee-mostly covered by your insurance or Medicare-for the administration of anesthesia and the staff.
Cataract Surgeon’s Fee
The Cataract Surgeon’s fee is generally covered by insurances and Medicare although there may be a small co-pay or deductible with certain plans.
Preoperative Testing and Consultation
With the exception of co-pays and deductibles specific to your insurance plan the eye examination, consultation and measurements necessary for Cataract Surgery and basic Intraocular Lens (IOL) implantation are covered services. If there are specialized tests that might be required such as more precise types of testing for multifocal lens implants or toric lens implants, you may need to pay for these tests out of pocket as your insurance and Medicare may only cover the basic testing. If this is the case these extra tests may range in cost up to a few or several hundred dollars depending on the scope of the necessary testing.
The surgery center facility fee is generally covered by insurances and Medicare although there may be a small co-pay or deductible with certain plans. This fee will cover the use of the facility including the operating room, the nursing staff, the instrumentation and equipment and all related operating room supplies. Depending on the types of anesthesia used it is possible that there will be an additional fee-mostly covered by your insurance or Medicare-for the administration of anesthesia and the staff.
Cataract Surgeon’s Fee
The Cataract Surgeon’s fee is generally covered by insurances and Medicare although there may be a small co-pay or deductible with certain plans.
Lens Implant Fee
The cost of a basic Monofocal lens implant is generally covered by
insurances and Medicare within the facility fee. However, should you and your
Cataract Surgeon elect to use an astigmatism correcting toric lens implant or
multifocal lens implant there will be an out of pocket fee as most insurances
and Medicare do not cover these more advanced types of Lens Implants.
If you or someone you know has questions about the cost of Cataract
Surgery and Lens Implant please feel free to call Alabama Eye &
Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930.
Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are
leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists
including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and
cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists-as
well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide
eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens
implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser
vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including
cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age
related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
UV Eye Protection in Birmingham
Marc Michelson, M.D. of Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham commented on the need and consideration for UV eye protection. “Protecting your eyes from UV should be an important part of your daily routine in order to maintain your eye health and vision. A number of scientific studies indicate that spending long hours in the sun without eye protection can damage your eyes by contributing to cataracts and growths on the eye, including certain skin cancers,” commented Dr. Michelson. “Based on these studies at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center we recommend that you wear 99 percent and higher UV (ultraviolet radiation)-absorbent sunglasses and a brimmed hat whenever you're in the sun for long periods of time. The Birmingham sun this time of year is not to be taken lightly.”
Proper sunglasses are critical to protecting your eyes from sun-related damage, and they should be worn anytime you are outdoors, particularly during the summer when the level of ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) is at least three time higher than during the winter, when you are at the beach or in the water, when you are participating in winter sports, especially at high altitudes where the UV is particularly strong and if you use medications that can cause sensitivity to light.
The best sunglasses offer 100 percent UV absorption, are of the best optical quality and are impact resistant. If you wear contact lenses, they may not protect your eyes from UV light. There are contact lenses available with UV protection. If you do not have contact lenses that absorb UV light, you need to protect your eyes with sunglasses.
“But keep in mind that sunglasses cannot protect your eyes from certain intense light sources such as arc welding, tanning beds/lights or gazing directly at the sun, especially during a solar eclipse. These intense lights can severely damage your eyes. Looking at any of these light sources without adequate protection can cause a painful corneal condition called photokeratitis or even damage to the retina, causing a permanent loss of central vision,” further noted Dr. Michelson.
The eye doctors and staff at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are happy to recommend the appropriate measures to take to protect your eyes in special situations. If you have questions or need an appointment to learn more about protecting your eyes from UV please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.
Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK eye surgery for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.
Proper sunglasses are critical to protecting your eyes from sun-related damage, and they should be worn anytime you are outdoors, particularly during the summer when the level of ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) is at least three time higher than during the winter, when you are at the beach or in the water, when you are participating in winter sports, especially at high altitudes where the UV is particularly strong and if you use medications that can cause sensitivity to light.
The best sunglasses offer 100 percent UV absorption, are of the best optical quality and are impact resistant. If you wear contact lenses, they may not protect your eyes from UV light. There are contact lenses available with UV protection. If you do not have contact lenses that absorb UV light, you need to protect your eyes with sunglasses.
“But keep in mind that sunglasses cannot protect your eyes from certain intense light sources such as arc welding, tanning beds/lights or gazing directly at the sun, especially during a solar eclipse. These intense lights can severely damage your eyes. Looking at any of these light sources without adequate protection can cause a painful corneal condition called photokeratitis or even damage to the retina, causing a permanent loss of central vision,” further noted Dr. Michelson.
The eye doctors and staff at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are happy to recommend the appropriate measures to take to protect your eyes in special situations. If you have questions or need an appointment to learn more about protecting your eyes from UV please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.
Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK eye surgery for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.
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