Gentler Cataract Surgery with Lasers

At Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Corneal Specialists Drs. Michelson & Hall provide cataract evaluations and consultation for patients who might need either routine or complex cataract surgery as well as for patients who have had cataract surgery elsewhere and for a number of reasons their corneas may not clear as fast as they would like or they don’t see as crisply as they would like. Generally, these people had a bit more fragile corneal tissue that could have really benefited by have the most gentle cataract procedure possible.

 

Dr. Michelson

According to researchers reporting in the Journal of Refractive Surgery, laser cataract surgery does indeed allow for a gentler cataract surgery procedure. While there is really no difference between manual cataract surgery and laser cataract surgery in uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, surgically induced astigmatism, and corneal aberrations, the laser cataract surgery was gentler on the cornea as it caused less loss of fragile endothelial cells and less corneal swelling from the cataract surgery. Also, the amount of time required for the more intense parts of the cataract surgery procedure-chopping, fragmenting and removing the cataract are significantly lower with the laser cataract surgery.

There is little doubt that laser cataract surgery gives Drs. Michelson & Hall the ability to deliver a gentler cataract surgery that is easier on the cornea and the delicate internal structures of the eye. Really, anyone with a concurrent eye condition such as diabetic retinopathy, fragile corneal tissue, glaucoma or thinning retinal tissue should have laser cataract surgery as it allows us to reduce the energy required to break apart and remove their cataract.

If you or someone you know has questions about cataracts, laser cataract surgery or lens implants, or needs a cataract evaluation, please schedule an eye exam 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 a leading eye care center located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB Medicine Corneal Specialists & Cataract Surgeons Marc Michelson, M.D. and Tyler Hall, M.D.

Obesity & Macular Degeneration Risk

Researchers reviewing the Beaver Dam Eye Study evaluated the risk of age related eye disease such as age related macular degeneration (AMD) with obesity. They discussed their review in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science where they reported the results of eye exams to evaluate the presence and severity of cataract and macular degeneration as well as measurements of height and weight, in order to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) over a 15 year period of time. Their findings show that for females who were non smokers, there was indeed and increased risk of early and late stage age related macular degeneration (AMD) with an increasing body Mass Index (BMI).

If you or someone you know is concerned about the risk of macular degeneration (AMD)  or has a high BMI or is even obese, 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.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center is a leading eye care centers in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205

Know Your Macular Degeneration Risk Factors

Knowing the risk factors associated with age related macular degeneration (AMD) is important information for seniors as this eye diseases is a leading cause of severe vision loss among Americans ages 65 and over. Besides knowing your risk factors for AMD it is also important to be aware of your family history as well as scheduling regular eye exam appointments, as these simple steps can help reduce your risks for vision loss from macular degeneration. The key to preventing vision loss from age related macular degeneration is early detection, diagnosis and treatment.

Top AMD Risks

Ø  Being over the Age of 60

Ø  Having a Family History of AMD

Ø  Cigarette Smoking

Ø  Obesity

Ø  Hypertension

If you have any two of these risk factors, and you have not already done so, you should schedule an appointment for a complete eye exam and evaluation. We may recommend certain preventive measures which can reduce your risk of vision loss from this disorder by managing certain lifestyle and health related choices you can make.

Managing Your AMD Risks

Some AMD risks can be managed by changing certain lifestyle habits such as stopping smoking, eating a low fat diet rich in green leafy vegetables and reducing alcohol consumption, whereas others such as genetic factors cannot be changed. However, knowing your family medical history is one way to learn whether you may be genetically predisposed to a disease. One way to reduce AMD risk is to quit smoking or never start. For patients at high risk for developing late stage AMD, taking a dietary supplement of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene, along with zinc, has been shown to lower the risk of AMD advancing to advanced stages by 25 percent.

Know the Symptoms of Wet AMD!

Anyone at risk for AMD should become familiar with the symptoms of Wet AMD as Wet AMD is the form most likely to cause rapid, serious and potentially catastrophic vision loss. With early detection, diagnosis and treatment it is often possible to avoid or minimize vision loss from Wet AMD.

Symptoms of AMD can include sudden, noticeable loss or distortion of vision, such as seeing “wavy” lines, “distortion”, “bending of straight lines and objects” or even a “distortion of people’s faces” or “a dark or black spot in the center of vision”. If you experience any of these symptoms, please call Alabama Eye & cataract Center right away, explain your symptoms and request an immediate appointment. Current treatments for Wet AMD such as Lucentis® Injections and Eylea® Injections provide an excellent chance of stopping vision loss and may actually restore some vision when macular degeneration develops. The earlier we diagnose Wet AMD, the better our chance of offering you a successful treatment.

If you or someone you know is concerned about senior eye problems such as age related macular degeneration (AMD), or has known risk factors for macular degeneration, please 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.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham is leading eye care center 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.