VEGF Injections for Diabetic Macular Edema

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Inhibitor injections such as Lucentis® and Eyelea® are now considered the best treatment option for Diabetic Macular Edema. Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is a significant cause of vision loss in patients with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. According to a study in the American Journal of Ophthalmology reporting an analysis of multiple studies on Diabetic Maculopathy published between January 1, 1985 and July 31, 2013, although laser photocoagulation has been the standard treatment for DME for nearly 30 years, there is increasing evidence that better outcomes can be achieved with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Inhibitor injections. In fact, the number of patients with DME gaining an improvement of seeing an additional 10-15 letters on the eye chart was at least 2 times greater for those patients treated with the VEGF inhibitor injections as compared to being treated with laser treatments. Thus, the researchers concluded that VEGF inhibitor therapy is superior to laser photocoagulation for treatment of moderate to severe visual impairment caused by DME.

If you or someone you know has diabetes and is concerned about their risk of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) or Diabetic Retinopathy, it is critical that they have regular dilated eye exams at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or http://www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham is located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Diabetic Retinopathy Eye Exams & Tests

Eye exams for diabetic retinopathy need to be thorough dilated eye exams of the retina and when necessary include advanced testing such as retinal photography, fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in order to really document how the retina and it’s blood vessels are functioning. Depending on the severity and the risk of progression of each patient’s diabetic retinopathy we will advise them of the frequency and intervals for their exams. But, patients with diabetes need to know that it is terribly important to keep their appointments.

Vision loss from diabetes and especially catastrophic vision loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented with early detection, diagnosis and treatment. If you or someone you know has diabetes or even elevated blood sugar levels they should work to prevent diabetic eye disease and problems with regular eye exams at Alabama Eye &Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or http://www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham is located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

Prevent Blindness America has designated November as National Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. Although there is no cure for diabetic eye disease, annual dilated eye exams for diabetes patients are essential to help slow the progression of the disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age with almost 8 million people ages 40 and older who have diabetic retinopathy, a potentially blinding eye problem.

Preventing Vision Loss from Diabetic Retinopathy

Vision loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented if it's caught early and treated in time. More than one third of those diagnosed with diabetes do not adhere to vision care guidelines recommending a dilated eye exam every year. As part of Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month we are urging people with diabetes to have a dilated eye exam every year. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater his or her risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. However, diabetic retinopathy does not only affect people who have had diabetes for many years, it can also appear within the first year or two after the onset of the disease.

In addition to having regular eye examinations and testing at the direction of your eye doctor, patients can help to reduce the risk of developing diabetic eye disease by not smoking, controlling their cholesterol and lipid profile and blood pressure, restricting alcohol consumption, as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables and exercising. 

If you or someone you know has diabetes or even elevated blood sugar levels they should work to prevent diabetic eye disease and problems with regular eye exams at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or http://www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham is located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB Medicine ophthalmologists Marc Michelson, M.D. and Tyler Hall, M.D.

Improve Diabetic Eye Exam Compliance

We are hopeful that when diabetic patients understand that while there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, with careful management of risk factors such as blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, moderation of alcohol consumption and routine exercise along with regular annual dilated eye exams, the potential vision loss from diabetes and associated diabetic eye problems can be minimized. BUT-this requires that patients do their part and keep a strict schedule and compliance with their eye doctor’s recommendations for diabetic eye exams and testing.

Research on Diabetic Eye Exam Compliance

Researchers reporting in the journal Ophthalmology, identified and studied variables that help to predict adherence with annual eye examinations using the Compliance with Annual Diabetic Eye Exams Survey (CADEES). This new questionnaire was designed and structured to measure patient beliefs and understanding related to diabetic retinopathy and the need for annual eye examinations.

Factors Influencing Diabetic Eye Exam Compliance

A number of factors seemed to influence diabetic patient compliance with annual eye exams. First, patient understanding and beliefs concerning whether insurance covered most of the eye examination cost was considered very influential. Next, whether it was difficult to schedule or physically get to an eye exam appointment also had a meaningful impact on eye exam compliance. Then, whether patients had been counseled and told to make obtaining an eye examination a top priority as well as whether they had been previously told that they had signs of diabetic retinopathy were also important in whether patients attended their diabetic eyeexams. In addition, clinicians can also have a positive impact on diabetic patients compliance with eye exams counseling newly diagnosed patients as well as those with uncontrolled blood glucose more diligently on the importance of annual eye examinations and discussing and helping patients remove perceived barriers and misconceptions.

If you or someone you know has diabetes they need to have regular annual dilated eye exams to prevent vision loss from diabetic eye diseases and problems. Please share this information with anyone you know who is diabetic and ask them to contact Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or http://www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham is located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB Medicine ophthalmologists Marc Michelson, M.D. and Tyler Hall, M.D.

Use Caution with Halloween Contact Lenses

Halloween revelers that are considering making cosmetic decorative contact lenses a part of their costume need to use caution in order to avoid eye safety risks and injury.  Today, more and more people buy decorative contact lenses via over-the-counter outlets to achieve a ghoulish appearance. Although this may complete your costume and be amusing, it can also lead to serious sight threatening problems. What kind of eye health risks does wearing those decorative contact lenses for Halloween cause? To start, wearers could experience scratched corneas, eye infections like “pink eye” and even extremely serious types of blinding infections as a result of a corneal ulcer. Many people do not know that a federal law was passed in 2005, classifying all contact lenses as medical devices and requiring their distribution to licensed eye-care professionals.  Any kind of contact lenses, even cosmetic ones, according to the Food and Drug Administration, necessitate a prescription and appropriate fitting by an eye-care professional. The problem is not that people use decorative, noncorrective contact lenses but that they buy the devices without a prescription through unlicensed vendors on the Internet or at flea markets and specialty shops.

The safe and effective use of contact lenses-whether decorative or not-requires proper fitting and education about their care to prevent the potential for serious eye problems from becoming a reality. If you or a friend would like to learn more about contact lenses of any type including decorative contacts please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision to schedule an appointment.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

BOTOX® Mechanism May Help with Type 2 Diabetes

Understanding the mechanism by which BOTOX® works to smooth wrinkles may turn out to be helpful in developing new ways to treat Type 2 Diabetes. BOTOX® Cosmetic is best known as an injection for helping patients smooth fine lines and wrinkles in order to look their best. Not as widely known, is the fact that BOTOX® is also used as treatment for a number of medical conditions. 

These medical conditions include urinary incontinence, migraines, profuse sweating and crossed eyes, to name a few. How does BOTOX® help these conditions? It is effective due to its paralyzing impact on the muscle it is injected into. Specifically, certain proteins called SNARE (Soluble NSF Attachment Protein Receptor) are blocked from functioning. By stopping SNARE proteins from functioning, BOTOX® helps the pancreas secrete insulin, so that blocking these proteins could lead to insulin resistance which is the main characteristic of Type 2 Diabetes. Understanding this mechanism will hopefully provide researchers with new ways to diagnose and treat Type 2 Diabetes in the future.

If you or someone you know is concerned about the risk of diabetes and needs a diabetic eye exam they are encouraged to schedule an eyeexamination 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 located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Age of Fitting & Contact Lens Success

Parents always want their children to have a safe and successful experience with their new contacts. What do the experts recommend as the best age for fitting kids with contacts? 

Factors such as ocular health, current symptoms, compliance and adverse events occurring between successful contact lens wearers fit as children vs. as teenagers were examined in a recent study. The results, presented in Eye & Contact Lens: Science and Clinical Practice, found no significant difference in any of the above factors due to the starting age of contact lens wear. Individuals who were successful contact lens wearers as children, were no more likely to report previous contact lens–related adverse events, problems with compliance, decreased wearing time, or worse ocular health than those fit as teenagers. These results can serve as a guide to parents as they support the fact that successful and safe contact lens use is not age dependent. Rather, parents should seek the professional option of their eye doctor and have a thorough evaluation of their child.

If you or someone you know has questions regarding their children’s eye care and need a contact lens 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 www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Inflammation Marker for Macular Degeneration Risk

A commonly tested inflammation marker called CRP (c-reactive proteins) is correlated with the risk of age related macular degeneration according to researchers from Harvard Medical School Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Reported in JAMA Ophthalmology, CRP levels showed an appreciably higher danger of AMD for those patients with high versus low CRP levels. Patients with high CRP levels also had a significantly increased risk of neovascular or Wet AMD.

The net conclusion from the study demonstrated that elevated CRP levels can assist in predicting the risk of AMD. One of the primary benefits of establishing this connection between CRP and the risk of AMD is physicians being able to notify patients of their potential risk. Further, patients who are made aware of their possible risk factor can benefit from increased adherence to lifestyle recommendations, eye examination schedules and therapeutic protocols. Finally, this knowledge could also reveal other hidden mechanisms at work.

If you or someone you know is concerned about the risk of macular degeneration and need a macular degeneration 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 www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Vision Quality: LASIK vs. Ortho-K Contact lenses

Michelson Laser Vision at UAB-Highlands in Birmingham provides laser eye surgery for vision correction options to help with everyday vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. LASIK enables patients to see clearly at a distance without being dependent on glasses or contact lenses.

Another vision correction option is “Ortho-K” Contact Lenses or Orthokeratology. This option utilizes contact lenses to temporarily reshape the cornea to enable wearers to see at distance, being independent of eyeglasses and contacts for periods of time throughout the day.  Patients who need good vision often as which is a better vision correction method? Visual performance was assessed by researchers recently reporting in the journal Cornea between Orthokeratology Ortho-K contact lenses and LASIK for the treatment of low-to-moderate myopia. The results of the comparison? LASIK was determined to provide notably better vision correction results in this study vs. Ortho-K of low-to-moderate myopia.  

If you or someone you know is tired of wearing glasses to see clearly at distance, you are encouraged to schedule a Free Consultation at Michelson Laser Vision in Birmingham by calling 205-969-8100, visiting Michelson Laser Vision or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Diabetic Retinopathy Predicts Cardiovascular Problems

If you have diabetes related eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy it is important to note that there appears to be a close connection between the occurrence and severity of diabetic retinopathy and future cardiovascular (CV) events including heart attack or stroke. This correlation was analyzed in participants in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial who also participated in the ACCORD Eye Study. Participants’ diabetic retinopathy was rated if it was deteriorating and was ranked as either none, mild, moderate, or severe. Patients’ vulnerability to CV death or nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke increased by 38% for every category of change in retinopathy severity and steps of progression further raised the hazard. The net result is that two factors determine predisposition to CV outcomes:  The acuteness of retinopathy and its advancement.

If you or someone you know is concerned about cardiovascular risk such as heart attack or stroke and diabetic retinopathy they are encouraged to  schedule an eye examination at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center at UAB in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Cataract Risk Reduced by Walking & Running

Many patients wish to know how they can reduce their risk of cataracts. Cataract Surgeons at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center want patients to know that they can possibly reduce their risk of cataracts simply by exercising. And, the exercise required does not need to be vigorous! Even mild exercise such as walking is helpful, according to a study published in Medicine and Science in Sports by researchers at the Life Sciences Division of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. According to this Berkeley study, one’s cataract risk was lowered substantially with both running and walking, with your risk profile declining directly with increasing exercise energy expenditure.

If you or someone you know is concerned about the risk of cataracts and how to reduce it can learn about how exercise like running and walking can help at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center at UAB in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205. 

Glaucoma Stents with Cataract Surgery

If you are a having cataract surgery and are also being treated for glaucoma, there is a specialized glaucoma treatment option using micro-stents that might be helpful for you. Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) utilizes tiny stents to help control the eye pressure or intraocular pressure. Most patients with glaucoma are treated with eye drops to lower their pressure, have laser treatments for glaucoma ad if necessary have surgery for glaucoma treatment. The problem with eye drops for glaucoma is that patients often just don’t use their eye drops as carefully and frequently as they are supposed to. In fact, patient compliance with glaucoma eye drops may be as low as 50% after the first year of glaucoma treatment and thus additional treatment options such as laser treatment for glaucoma of MIGS might be a better way for some patients to keep their eye pressure under control.

iStent(R) by Glaukos

If you or someone you know is having cataract surgery and is also being treated for glaucoma you may wish to learn about micro-invasive glaucoma stents as an option at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205

Cataract Information for Birmingham Seniors

Birmingham seniors are reminded to take note that August marks Cataract Awareness Month. Information about cataracts, cataract surgery and lens implants is important for seniors to become familiar with in order to help preserve their eye health and vision as well as their ability to maintain an active lifestyle.

In the U.S. today more than half of all Americans over 65 have some degree of cataract formation. In fact, cataracts are a leading cause of vision loss among seniors. With modern cataract surgery and lens implants it is well within reach for most people to have their cataracts removed and achieve very good vision.

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is the clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye and is not a growth or a film over the eye. It is this clouding and blurring that impedes patients’ ability to see clearly and crisply.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Cataract development is often a slow moving process that at the beginning may have little impact on vision at all. But, as the cataract becomes denser, so does the impact on vision. The most common symptoms that bother patients with cataracts can include blurring of vision, clouding of vision, sensitivity to light and glare, double vision in one eye, poor night vision, fading or yellowing of colors and frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions.

Effect of Poor Vision for Seniors

Poor vision in seniors is often associated with premature or accelerated mental decline. Further, the challenges that reduced vision creates in terms of mobility and safety can also put patients at increased risk for orthopedic injury-especially hip fracture. So, helping seniors restore vision with cataract surgery has an important place in securing senior health, well being, mobility, safety and mental state.

When Should Seniors have Cataract Surgery?

Surgery becomes an option when cataracts begin to interfere with daily activities or with patient comfort, mobility and safety. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most frequently performed surgeries in the United States. In addition, today we have a full range of lens implants available that allow us to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and even near vision problems after cataract surgery, as well as distance vision, without requiring bifocals or reading glasses for the vast majority of patients.

If you or someone you know has questions about cataract, cataract surgery or lens implants please feel free to call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision to schedule an appointment.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205

Omega 3 Supplements & Age Related Macular Degeneration

We know that taking diet supplements with antioxidant vitamins C and E, Beta Carotene and Zinc has been shown to reduce the risk of progression to advancedage-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). In addition to this “AREDS Supplement Formulation,” some data suggests that increased dietary intake of lutein + zeaxanthin (carotenoids), omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] + eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]), or both might further reduce this risk.

Researchers from the Age Related Eye Disease 2 (AREDS) Research Group reporting in the  Journal of the  American Medical Association concluded that the addition of lutein + zeaxanthin, DHA + EPA, or both to the AREDS formulation did not further reduce risk of progression to advanced AMD but lutein + zeaxanthin could be an appropriate carotenoid substitute in the AREDS formulation for former smokers who were at risk for lung cancer.

If you or someone you know is concerned about the risk of macular degeneration or wish to learn more about diet supplements and vitamins for AMD, 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 www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & CataractCenter are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205

New Web Site from Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. & Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, P.C.

Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, P.C. have released a new patient information and education web site to provide patients with information and facts about all aspects of eye diseases and surgery and in particular includes information about vision correction procedures such as bladeless LASIK eyesurgery, laser cataract surgery and advanced technology cataract lens implantsthat correct astigmatism and near vision focusing problems after cataractsurgery so that patients can avoid the hassle of eyeglasses.

 “We felt strongly that we needed to use our web site to share information with patients who are at risk of suffering vision loss from cataracts. By understanding more about cataract surgery and lens implants, we are hopeful that patients will not allow vision loss from a cataract to interfere with their daily activities, driving, mobility and overall quality of life,” commented Marc Michelson, M.D., aCorneal Specialist, Cataract & Refractive Surgeon. “We also see a real need for patients with cataracts to have access to the latest information on lens implants we can use to correct both astigmatism and near vision focusing problems,” explained Corneal Specialist, Cataract & Refractive SurgeonTyler Hall, M.D.

“We know that patients like to use the web to learn about the different types of LASIK surgery such as bladeless LASIK,” commented Dr. Michelson. “We also know is that it is important for them have information about the corneal diseases, conditions and problems that might preclude them from being good LASIK candidates-so we provide this on our new web site,” explained Dr. Hall. “We encourage patients to read and learn as much as they can on the web by visiting our new site –but we also strongly encourage them to come in and have a free consultation so we can help determine whether they are good candidates and whether LASIK is indeed a good vision correction option for them,” further explained Dr. Hall.

Dr. Michelson of Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. has been a pioneer in laser eye surgery, and was the first surgeon in the state of Alabama to provide laser vision correction in Birmingham in 1991. Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, P.C. has been providing routine and complex cataract surgery and lens implants in Birmingham since 1999. They are now both located at UAB Hospital- Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue South, Suite #501, Birmingham, AL 35205.

To learn more about Michelson Laser Vision or Alabama Eye & Cataract Center visit www.michelsonlaservision.com.

Cataract Surgery & Dry Eye Information

Birmingham Cataract Surgeons Marc Michelson, M.D. & Tyler Hall, M.D. wish to share information about dry eye for those contemplating cataract surgery. How are dry eye and cataract surgery related? Dry eye can be a temporary condition that cataract patients experience. As a cataract eye surgery patient, however, one should not be worried as developing a dry eye after cataract surgery is actually somewhat common.

A Prospective Health Assessment of Cataract Patients Ocular Surface (PHACO) studied the tear film in a cataract aged population group and found that 60-75% had a meaningful deficiency in their tear film testing BEFORE cataract surgery. What are the elements of cataract surgery that might exacerbate dry eye? First, although cataract surgery occurs inside the eye and therefore does not disrupt the cornea to a great degree, the surgery still does require an incision to be made into the cornea in order to reach the interior of the eye. This incision has the possibility of disturbing corneal nerves that signal reflex tearing and tear film production. Additionally, some of the solutions used during the cataract procedure can indeed result in a dry eye.

What are the specific symptoms of dry eye? Symptoms vary by individual, yet reported complaints range from a gritty or sandy feeling on the surface of the eye, excess tearing, drying and burning sensations which overall can combine to impact a patient’s quality of vision. Thankfully, treatment options exist to combat these symptoms, which depending upon the severity of dry eye experienced, begin with specialized artificial tear lubricants and solutions, tiny punctal plugs to help you retain tears and prescription medication that stimulates production of your own tears. If these initial steps are not successful in providing relief, there are more technological approaches, such as lasers and other methods to treating underlying blepharitis, eyelid gland problems or eyelid inflammation that can contribute to dry eye as well.

If you or someone you know is experiencing dry eye symptoms after cataract surgery, please schedule an appointment at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205

Fuchs Dystrophy Severity Risk Factors

Fuchs’ Dystrophy is a type of corneal disease that affects the inner most layer of the cornea the endothelium. Fuchs’ Dystrophy is slowly progressive and can be found in both eyes and is slightly more common in women than men. While it is possible to observe Fuchs’ Dystrophy in people in their 30’s and 40’s, it usually does not compromise vision until people are in their 50’s or 60’s.

Researchers reporting in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science studied the effects of smoking, and other risk factors, on the development of advanced Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) and on central corneal thickness (CCT). As predicted, being female increased the odds of developing advanced Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) by 34% and smoking increased the odds by 30%. Besides reporting that smoking was associated with an increased risk of developing advanced FECD, diabetes was also associated with increased in corneal thickness-reflecting greater risk of corneal swelling.

If you or someone you know is concerned about Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy and its risks 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 http://www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Cataract Surgery: Critical Retina Exam Necessary

When you visit Birmingham Cataract Surgeons Marc Michelson, M.D. and Tyler Hall, M.D. you can rest assured that you will a complete retinal exam. This is because they need to carefully correlate the degree of your current vision loss with the density and position of the cataract itself. This is a necessary step in order to understand the cause of the vision loss. In fact, a through retinal exam may reveal that you have an undiagnosed pathology, such as epiretinal membranes, retinal wrinkling or macular pucker with edema. Many of these pathologies occur in the age group of patients who are candidates for cataract surgery. The prime age range for cataract surgery—60 years old to 75 years of age—have been revealed in some studies to have a prevalence of epiretinal membranes, from 7% of patients older than 60 years and in 20% of patients aged 75 years or more. In order to ensure the best possible outcomes of your cataract surgery, we will make sure that you have the necessary examination and testing to help you get the best results from your cataract surgery.

If you or someone you know is concerned about cataracts and needs to have a cataract 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 www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Glaucoma Treatment with Vascular Diseases

Patients with certain vascular diseases may be more difficult to treat if they develop a type of glaucoma called Normal Tension Glaucoma. Normal Tension Glaucoma, although a less common eye disease, still causes optic nerve eye damage as the intraocular pressure inside the eye, although “normal”, still results in the loss of visual field vision or “side vision.” The disease is further complicated if an eye patient also has vascular disease, or if vascular diseases such as stroke, cardiovascular disease or migraines run in their family. This connection was reported by researchers at the World Glaucoma Congress. In fact, these factors related to vascular disease may indicate less effectiveness of eye pressure (IOP) treatment putting patients at greater risk.

The the Collaborative Normal Tension Glaucoma Study is the landmark study for guiding treatment-in which 65% of patients in the untreated group of that study never showed any progression during 7 years of follow-up. But, for those at greater risk due to some other vascular disease we have to be diligent in our examinations and testing to help preserve eye health and vision.

If you or someone you know has vascular disease or is concerned about their risk of glaucoma please call 205-930-0930 or visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or visit www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision to schedule and eye exam and glaucoma evaluation.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205

Eat More Fish to Lower AMD Risk

How should Birmingham residents combat Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD? Eat lots of fish! (AMD) is a common cause of vision loss in seniors. Recently, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found that the disease may be associated with a high dietary fat intake. The results of their study found that eating fish, such as tuna, four times a week, may reduce the risk of macular degeneration. The subjects of the study were participants in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study who did not have AMD at when the study commenced. After 12 years of follow-up, 567 people with a visual loss of 20/30 or worse were identified. Fat intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. 

The study found:

·         Those patients whose total dietary fat intake was in the highest quintile had over one and a half times the risk of AMD as those whose fat intake was in the lowest quintile,

·         Linolenic acid consumption was directly associated with the risk of AMD,

·         High intake of docosahexaenoic acid was associated with a modest reduction in the risk of AMD.

·         Those who ate four or more servings of fish a week were at a 35% lower risk of AMD when compared to those who ate fewer than three servings of fish a week.

They added that a high intake of fish, a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid, may reduce this risk. Thus, the researchers concluded that dietary fat intake was associated with an increased risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD) and that this may have been due to the presence of Linolenic acid in the fat.

If you or someone you know has a family history of age related macular degeneration or wishes to learn more about their risk of AMD, please call 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205

Hordeolum Eyelid Lump: What is It?

“Eyelid lumps and bumps are something we see patients for Alabama Eye & Cataract Center on a pretty frequent basis,” remarked Birmingham Ophthalmologist Tyler Hall, M.D. One type of common eyelid problems is called a Hordeolum. Hordeolum is a painful inflammation of the eyelid caused because a lump forms in the oil glands of the eyelid and swells, forming a tender bump. Most of the time, the infected lump drains and heals on its own, without treatment. Other times, the infection spreads, clogging other glands and becomes more difficult to get rid of.

Where can a Hordeolum form? The bacterial infection can occur on the inside of the eyelid, known as an internal Hordeolum. However, the infection can also occur on the outside of your eyelid, near the eyelashes and when that happens, it is known as a stye. Unfortunately, Hordeolum also can be acute and appear suddenly and heal in a short time, or be chronic in nature and long lasting. What can you do to get rid of a Hordeolum? Common treatments for Hordeolum include warm compresses applied at home, prescription and non prescription lid scrubs, antibiotics, steroids, lid massages and others types of treatment.

If you or someone you know suffers from eyelid lumps or bumps 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 www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205

Dry Eyes, Contact Lenses & Birth Control Pills

Birmingham contact lens wearers may be interested to learn about the relationship between having dry eyes, wearing contact lenses and birth control pills.  Many of you may not have known that there is indeed a relationship between dry eye symptoms in women using oral contraceptives who wear contact lenses. This correlation was outlined in a study published in the journal Cornea. The study found that dry eye signs and symptoms in healthy young women were common among oral contraceptive pill (OCP) users who were contact lens wearers,. As it turned out, there were no differences in dry eyes between the phases of the menstrual cycle and no evidence that tear osmolarity-or saltiness-was affected by OCP or contact lens use in the young women. However, the study found that the combination of OCP use and contact lens wear together may increase the severity of dry eye symptoms.

If you or someone you know is bothered by dry eye symptoms and is a contact lens wearer and take oral contraceptive birth control pills, you 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 www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205

Protect Eyes from UV Damage

Birmingham Ophthalmologist Marc Michelson, M.D. commented on the need to us proper UV eye protection to prevent damage from the intense sunlight we experience this time of year.  “May marks Ultraviolet (UV) Eye Protection Awareness Month and is a good time to remind our community of the need to wear UV protective eyewear and sunglasses as well as how to avoid UV eye damage by taking some simple precautions,” commented Dr. Michelson.

It is easy to forget the damage that UV from sunlight can cause to one’s eyes. Unlike the damage that can be caused to your skin which shows up as a sunburn, wrinkles and/or sun spots, UV eye injury can happen over a long period of time and can cause significant damage to eye health and vision. What kind of damage occurs? Without protection, exposure to UV has been linked to many eye problems. In some cases, it is thought to speed up such eye diseases such as cataract, age related macular degeneration (AMD), certain cancers on the delicate skin around the eye, Pterygia-a growth of white tissue on the surface of the eye-and even Photokeratitis, a type of sunburn of the cornea. “One of the most concerning aspects of UV eye damage and injury is that it is cumulative and often doesn’t become noticeable to patients for many years,” noted Dr. Michelson.

Some precautions regarding UV eye protection include:

·         Always wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses without UV protection may shade the eyes but actually cause the pupils to dilate, allowing in even more harmful rays.

·         Wear a brimmed hat along with sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

·         Choose wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eyes and the skin around the eyes.

·         Be aware that although some contact lenses may offer UV protection, they cannot protect the entire eye and the skin around it.

·         Choose sunglasses made of unbreakable polycarbonate, especially for children and for those who lead active lifestyles.

·         Be sure to ask your doctor about the photosensitizing side effects of any medications that you might take.

·         Always wear eye protection when using a tanning bed. According the American Academy of Ophthalmology, tanning beds can produce UV levels up to 100 times more than the sun, which can cause serious damage to the external and internal structures of the eye and eyelids.

In our optical shop, we have a wide range of sunglasses with UV protection lenses for your selection. Effective UV protection should block out about 99-100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation and it doesn’t have to be expensive. In addition, your everyday eyewear should have UV protection as well. Our optical shop uses a number of UV blocking eyeglass lens materials, photochromic lenses and specialized coatings. Patients visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center can speak with our staff who will be able to provide the proper counseling and fitting of UV protecting lenses and eyewear. Our eye care professionals can offer a wide variety of UV blocking lenses, coatings and color changing lenses to keep you safe.

If you or someone you know has a question or concerns about ultraviolet (UV) eye damage and injury and how to select protective eyewear please feel free to call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision is a leading Birmingham eye care practice with offices located with Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, at the UAB Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S., Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Genetic Testing for AMD Macular Degeneration

How much health information is too much and when? Many eye disorders, like age related macular degeneration (AMD) are now detectable with genetic testing prior to their causing symptoms, problems and complaints about vision.  So, should you get genetic testing in order to be aware of your likelihood of developing AMD? Or, should you avoid the genetic testing as it can cause anxiety and potentially impact your insurability and/or employability? Consider the fact that while your genes may reflect a greater chance of developing macular degeneration, your genes can’t predict how you will respond to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Inhibitor injections, which treat AMD.

If you or someone you know wishes to learn more about genetic testing for age related macular degeneration (AMD) 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 www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205

Glaucoma Risk with Early Menopause

The ophthalmologists at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center want women to know that unfortunately, early menopause can also expose them to a greater risk of developing glaucoma. This is according to a study of more than 3,000 women at the Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute in Amsterdam that identified women who go through menopause early to be at greater risk of developing. Going through menopause is considered early if it occurs before the age of 45 and those women were two times more likely to develop open-angle glaucoma as those who experienced menopause at age 50 or later. What does this mean for women? The findings reveal that female hormones may be protective against open-angle glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness.  Interestingly, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is thought to reduce fluid pressure inside the eye due to the fact that as hormone levels rise during pregnancy, fluid pressure inside the eye decreases significantly, the researchers noted. This is the first study to examine the relationship between female sex hormones, as indicated by age of menopause, and open-angle glaucoma.

Please schedule an eye examination with us if you, or someone you know, is concerned about the risk of glaucoma and need a glaucoma eye exam. You can reach us at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, or visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or http://www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision is a leading Birmingham eye care practice with offices located with Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, at the UAB Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S., Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Sleep Apnea & Glaucoma Risk

Did you know that there is a significant relationship between glaucoma and sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that blocks breathing during sleep for more than 100 million people worldwide. In obstructive sleep apnea, the airway becomes blocked, causing breathing to stop for up to two minutes. Symptoms include loud snoring and persistent daytime sleepiness. Glaucoma affects nearly 60 million worldwide.  If untreated, glaucoma reduces peripheral vision and eventually may cause blindness by damaging the optic nerve. Only half of the people who have glaucoma are aware of it because the disease is painless and vision loss is typically gradual.

Researchers, reporting in the journal Ophthalmology, the official publication of the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that obstructive sleep apnea is not simply a marker for poor health, but is actually an independent risk factor for open-angle glaucoma. Based on this finding, we want to alert obstructive sleep apnea patients of the associations between obstructive sleep apnea and open-angle glaucoma to raise the issue and encouraging treatment of those who need it.

If you or someone you know has sleep apnea and they are 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 www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision is a leading Birmingham eye care practice with offices located with Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, at the UAB Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S., Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Aspirin & Macular Degeneration (AMD) Risk

Regular use of aspirin may increase your risk of developing age related macular degeneration (AMD). Aspirin is an often used over-the-counter medication due to its anticoagulant properties, it is effectiveness for headaches, body aches, fever, and reducing high risk of heart attack.  

However, in a 20 year long study of 5,000 patients published in December 2012 (Beaver Dam Eye Study), researchers gave participants eye examinations every five years. Results showed:

·         512 cases of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

·         117 cases of late AMD

Researchers found that regular aspirin-2 or more times per week-use 10 years prior to eye examination was associated with late AMD, with estimated incidence of 1.76 percent, compared to 1.03 percent in non-aspirin users. Researchers concluded that these associations, though small, were statistically significant. Interestingly, regular aspirin use 10 years prior to eye examination was significantly associated with the “wet” form of AMD, which accounts for the majority of functional blindness attributed to the disease. Further, in a more recent Australian study 24.5 percent, regular aspirin users developed wet AMD—even after adjusting for other risk factors like age, sex, smoking, history of heart disease and body mass index, regular aspirin users still had a higher risk of developing wet AMD. Researchers concluded, “Regular aspirin use is associated with increased risk of incident neovascular [Wet] AMD, independent of history of cardiovascular disease and smoking.”

Alternatives to Aspirin

You should determine your AMD status as soon as possible through a complete eye exam, particularly if you are a regular aspirin user. To schedule an eye examination at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by call 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision is a leading Birmingham eye care practice with offices located with Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, at the UAB Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S., Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Cataract & Vision Correction Laser Eye Care at UAB Highlands

Laser eye care for cataract surgery and vision correction is now available under one roof at UAB Hospital-Highlands.  Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, P.C. are now located together at UAB Hospital-Highlands in the medical center district in Birmingham. “We brought these two practices together under one roof in order to give patients more convenient access to the full range of advanced laser eye surgery technology and procedures available for vision correction in one location. That includes the laser vision correction procedures such as LASIK for common vision problems such as nearsightedness and astigmatism, but also laser cataract surgery,” explained Marc Michelson, M.D.  “Today, our patients want the precision and reproducibility of surgeon controlled laser eye surgery whether it be for cataracts or nearsightedness,” noted Tyler Hall, M.D. “World class eye care requires being able to deliver the gentle precision achieved with lasers whether it be for common vision problems or age related problems such as for cataract surgery and lens implants,” further explained Dr. Hall.

Dr. Michelson of Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. has been a pioneer in laser eye surgery, and was the first surgeon in the state of Alabama to provide laser vision correction in Birmingham in 1991. Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, P.C. has been providing routine and complex cataract surgery and lens implants in Birmingham since 1999. “By combining the collective 38 years of surgeon and organizational expertise, experience and reputation into one clinical operation we are working to highlight that patients can have the confidence and trust that they have world class laser eye care for their vision correction needs-right here in Birmingham,” said Dr. Michelson.

Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Inc. are located at UAB Hospital-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue South, Suite #501, Birmingham, AL 35205.

To learn more about Michelson Laser Vision or Alabama Eye & Cataract Center visit www.michelsonvision.com or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision at UAB Highlands Campus

LASIK at UAB is now available at Michelson Laser Vision, Inc., located on the UAB campus at UAB Hospital-Highlands in the medical center district in Birmingham. “The UAB campus and in particular the Birmingham medical center district is a real hub of activity and development. Having been an ophthalmology resident at UAB and having a clinical appointment as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the UAB School of Medicine for many years, this consolidation offers a unique opportunity for our patients as well as facilitating resident teaching, research, and implementation of new and innovative technologies,” explained Marc Michelson, M.D. “Relocating Michelson Laser Vision to UAB Highlands on the UAB campus is an exciting endeavor,” further commented Dr. Michelson.  “We will now be able to offer both LASIK refractive surgery as well as other types of laser eye surgery including laser cataract surgery at one location.”

“Free consultations are available to determine if you may be a candidate for LASIK and if LASIK is the right choice for you,” noted Aundriano Capers, Refractive Surgery Coordinator at Michelson Laser Vision. “Our location at 1201 11th Avenue South, Suite #501, in Birmingham is convenient with plenty of free parking adjacent to the building.  We are easy to find and it’s easy to park.” 

To learn more about Michelson Laser Vision or schedule a Free LASIK Consultation, please call 205-969-8100, visit www.michelsonvision.com or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Macular Degeneration Awareness for Alabama Residents

It is estimated that more than 2 million people age 50 and older have late Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) which represents a 25 percent increase over the past decade. “It’s no surprise that the number of people affected by macular degeneration is continuing to climb, especially due to the aging baby boomer population,” said Marc Michelson, M.D. of Alabama Eye &Cataract Center in Birmingham. “In the past, we were pretty much only able to give patients with Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) bad news about their vision and prognosis. Today, for most patients, with early detection, diagnosis and treatment, at a minimum we can prevent further vision loss from the disease and in many cases we can actually help recover lost vision,” said Dr. Michelson. 

“The key to preventing vision loss from AMD is early detection, quick diagnosis and then immediate access to treatment with vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGF) injections such as Lucentis® and Eylea®. What patients need to be aware of is that once you are over 50, it becomes increasingly important to have a thorough, comprehensive dilated eye exam every one to two years-and even more often if you have any family history of AMD or at the recommendation of your eye doctor,” summarized Dr. Michelson.

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 www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye &Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

E-Readers May Help Glaucoma Patients

What do e-readers like iPad, Kindle and Nook have to do with glaucoma? Alabama Eye & Cataract Center wants patients with glaucoma to know that they may benefit from using e-readers such as iPads, Nooks and Kindle devices, according to a recent study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

Adults with glaucoma read slower when reading silently for long periods of time and are more likely to have their reading speed decrease over time, possibly as a result of reading fatigue. Fortunately, recent studies suggest that technological solutions such as e-readers along with the apps that are developed for them may very well help glaucoma patients read more comfortably.

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 www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading Birmingham eye practices, located at 1201 11th Avenue S., Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Laser Treatments for Glaucoma

Marc Michelson, M.D., Founder and Medical Director of Alabama Eye & Cataract Center states that laser treatment for glaucoma is regarded as a safe and effective treatment for glaucoma. Recent research presented at the World Glaucoma Congress also indicated that the SLT Laser may also be useful for glaucoma induced by the use of steroids and the ALT and SLT Laser may be useful in treating pigmentary glaucoma. But, the researchers cautioned that the laser treatments are not a cure and that meticulous follow up and monitoring is necessary to ensure that patients continue to do well over time in order to preserve eye health and vision. It may be considered as first-line therapy in early to moderate-stage open-angle glaucoma when eye pressure or IOP is less than 35 mm Hg.

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 www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision is a leading Birmingham eye care practice with offices at 327 Summit Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35243, and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, 1201 11th Avenue S., Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.