iPhone App for Glaucoma Eye Drops



Tyler Hall, M.D.
Alabama Cataract Surgeon

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center Ophthalmologist Tyler Hall, M.D. alerted us to the availability of an iPhone app for helping patients with their glaucoma eye drops and medications. “It is really critical that glaucoma patients remember to use their glaucoma eye drops and other medications as we prescribe them,” said Dr. Hall. “The free smartphone EyeDROPS app should help us get better patient compliance and consistency with their glaucoma medications and thus hopefully better control of the eye disease.”

The EyeDROPS app prompts users to enter information about the eye drops they are taking, including dosages and schedules. The app then alerts patients via their phones when it’s time to put in their eye drops. The app keeps a record of medication usage and informs the patient of the next scheduled dosing time. The free EyeDROPS app even allows patients to take a photo of each bottle to avoid confusion when taking more than one kind of eye drop. The EyeDROPS app is available for Android phones through Google Play and for the Apple iPhone through the App Store. “Early detection, diagnosis and consistent treatment is the name of the game in preventing vision loss from glaucoma,” said Dr. Hall.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about glaucoma, needs a glaucoma eye exam or wants additional information on the free EyeDROPS, please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 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 & Corneal Specialists-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 and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.

Birmingham Doctor on Narrow Angle Glaucoma

Birmingham eye doctor Marc Michelson, M.D. explained about the risks and symptoms of narrow angle glaucoma. “Narrow angle glaucoma can be a considerable risk to vision. It is important for those patients who might be at risk to learn about the symptoms in order to avoid the potential for vision loss,” commented Dr. Michelson of Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham, AL.

The angle of the eye is located at the junction between the iris-the colored part of the eye-and the cornea which is clear curved dome in the front of the eye. “A narrow angle is an anatomical configuration in the eye that under certain conditions can result in high eye pressure. High eye pressure may lead to glaucoma,” explained Dr. Michelson. Only a small percentage of patients with narrow angles actually develop narrow angle glaucoma. As with many eye conditions, problems and diseases, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the development of angle closure glaucoma.

Dr. Michelson further explained, “The crystalline lens inside the eye grows throughout life and actually increases in size. As its size increases it can move the iris forward and slowly narrow or crowd the angle. Narrow angles tend to be seen more commonly as we age and some eyes are more predisposed to narrow angles than others. Narrow angles are more commonly found in people over the age of 40, females, farsighted or hyperopic patients, and in people of East Asian, African and Inuit descent.”

“Unlike open angle glaucoma which really produces no symptoms, symptoms that the angle is closing intermittently include episodes of blurred vision, perhaps seeing halos around objects, a headache-like pain around the eye or brow and even red eye,” explained Dr. Michelson. “These symptoms can sometimes resolve spontaneously and may occur periodically over days or weeks. In addition, if the angle closes and does not reopen spontaneously, you may experience nausea and vomiting,” Dr. Michelson said. “If this happens you need to call us right away and tell us you need an immediate appointment as an angle closure is a medical emergency,” stressed Dr. Michelson.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about narrow angle glaucoma or is concerned about having narrow angles please schedule an eye examination at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting 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 & Corneal Specialists-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 and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.

Use LASIK Flex Plans in Birmingham-Now is the Time!

“Now is the time for patients who want LASIK in Birmingham to use any Flex Plan funds that might be available to them,” commented Melindi Morton of Michelson Laser Vision in Birmingham, Alabama. “January is a popular month for New Year’s resolutions which often include personal self improvements like LASIK. If you or a family member has Flex Plan funds to use, this is a good time to make LASIK affordable.”

Many employers offer Flex Plans-Flexible Spending Accounts or FSA’s. These plans allow you to have money taken out of your paycheck over time to pay for LASIK. What is even more appealing about Flex Plans is that money is withheld in Pre-Tax dollars allowing you to get extra tax savings.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about LASIK or any Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction please schedule a Free Consultation in Birmingham by calling Michelson Laser Vision at 205-969-8100, visiting Michelson Laser Vision 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 & Corneal Specialists-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 and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.

Glaucoma Eye Exams for Birmingham Patients

Birmingham eye surgeon Marc Michelson, M.D. explained what you need to know about glaucoma eye exams and screenings and preventing vision loss from glaucoma. “We know that early detection, diagnosis and treatment are the keys to preventing vision loss from glaucoma. This is why proper glaucoma eye exams and screenings are so important-especially if any family member has a history of high eye pressure or a diagnosis of glaucoma,” commented Dr. Michelson of Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham, AL.

Eye exams for glaucoma should begin by checking your visual acuity with and without your eyeglasses or contact lenses. Then, the tonometry test should be performed. This is a method of measuring your Intraocular Pressure (IOP) and gives the eye doctors the first piece of important information in determining whether you might have glaucoma. Ophthalmoscopy is another examination procedure used to detect and diagnose glaucoma. Ophthalmoscopy is a method of carefully examining the inside of the eye-especially the optic nerve-in order to detect glaucoma.  It is necessary to have some eye drops placed in your eyes in order to dilate your pupils so that the doctors can make a clear and direct observation of the optic nerve.

If either the Intraocular Pressure (IOP) is elevated or the optic nerve appears unusual, additional tests will be necessary in order to complete the glaucoma examination. These may include Visual Field Perimetry, Gonioscopy, Optic Nerve Computer Imaging and Pachymetry. Should you need any of these tests we explain them fully to you and answer your questions so that you understand how they allow us to diagnose glaucoma.

If you are under 40 years of age and do not have any family history of glaucoma or ocular hypertension-and have no other glaucoma risk factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes or being of African-American or Hispanic descent, then having a glaucoma eye examination every two years should be sufficient. If you have any glaucoma risk factors, a family history or are over 40-especially if you are of African-American or Hispanic descent, then a glaucoma eye exam each year is recommended.

If you or someone you know is concerned about the risk of glaucoma and need a glaucoma eye exam they are encouraged to  schedule an eye examination at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting 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 & Corneal Specialists-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 and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.