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