Jim Y. Cataract Story

“Dr. Michelson just removed a cataract from my left eye yesterday and today I can see in HD. Wonderful doctor and staff!! They were fantastic in every area. Took excellent care of me. Would refer everyone that I know to them.”- Jim Y.

If you or some you know is experiencing cataract symptoms such as cloudy foggy vision, glare or difficult night driving and would like to learn more about cataract surgery & lens implants please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

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.

Buying Tips for Eye Safe Toys this Holiday Season

We wanted to share some tips for buying “eye safe” toys as you make your list for this holiday season. Certainly the kids and the toy manufacturers know what is popular, but often they are unaware of potential safety issues-especially eye safety issues. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are typically more than 250,000 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms in annually with more than 75% affecting children under 15 years of age. A serious eye injury from a toy can ruin a family's holiday and, more seriously leave a child with permanent vision loss.

Top Five Tips for Choosing Eye Safe Toys

1.     Avoid purchasing toys with sharp, protruding or projectile parts.

2.     Make sure children have appropriate supervision when playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could cause injury.

3.     If you plan to give sports equipment, provide appropriate protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses. Check with your eye doctor to learn about protective eyewear recommended for your child's sport.

4.     Check labels for age recommendations and be sure to select gifts that are appropriate for a child's age and maturity.

5.     Keep toys that are made for older children away from younger children.

We wish you a happy holiday season. If you need help with guidance on toys or protective eyewear for children, please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

LASIK at MLV for Josh

 “Amazing LASIK experience. I see better than I have my entire life! I was seeing clearly the same day of the procedure and 20/20+ the following morning. I wish I had discovered Dr. Michelson 10 years earlier!! He and his staff are amazing. Super friendly and very easy to work with. I am super happy and would recommend them to anyone seeking out the LASIK.”-Josh

If you or some you know is tired of the hassle of glasses or contact lenses for seeing at distance and would like to find out if LASIK might be a good vision correction option, please call Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. in Birmingham at 205-969-8100, visit Michelson Laser Vision, Google+ 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 and staffed by UAB Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.

Eye Photos for High Blood Pressure

Eye photos for high blood pressure? Why? When you visit us for your comprehensive eye exam we will perform a very careful examination of the inside of your eye so that we can study the health of the blood vessels and the retina itself, as this is an indication of your overall blood vessel health. Your primary care doctor will also take the time to do a more cursory examination of the retina and blood vessels-especially if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. Recently, a phone based app was developed to help emergency room physicians quickly evaluate the retina and photograph it to help make quicker and more accurate diagnoses of high blood pressure related emergencies. Sometimes high blood pressure can result of narrowing of the retinal blood vessels, blockage of blood vessels and even bleeding or hemorrhages. If you have high blood pressure that causes changes in your retinal blood vessels we may even ask to photograph your when you have an eye exam.

If you or someone you know has high blood pressure it is important to have regular eye exams at the recommended times you doctor requests. Please schedule an eye exam. Call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

Early Detection of Juvenile Diabetic Retina Problems

Diabetic retinopathy is best treated and managed with early detection and diagnosis. This can be especially important for children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The earlier we can detect and diagnose the diabetic eye problems, the better we can prepare to help prevent vision loss. Most often diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed during a dilated exam of the retina during an eye exam. However, we also have a very sensitive non-invasive “kid friendly” imaging system in our office called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) that can help us detect the very earliest types of changes from diabetes-even before they might be visible during a dilated retinal exam.

According to a clinical study reported in the journal Ophthalmic Surgery, Laser and Imaging Retina Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus causes and degenerative effect on certain nerve cells in the retina even before the breakdown of blood vessels occurs with diabetic retinopathy. From this research, it is thought that OCT may be more useful than just a dilated retinal exam in kids with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

If you or someone you know has a child or young adult with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, please make sure they are having regular eye exams but also know that we might perform an OCT as part of their care. If you have questions or wish to schedule an appointment please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

Artificial Intelligence Can Help Prevent Diabetic Eye Problems

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness globally. Yet, many diabetic patients still do not schedule regular diabetic eye exams as requested by their physicians. Referral to an eye doctor for early diagnosis and treatment is the key to preventing vision loss in diabetics. Performing retinal screening examinations on all diabetic patients is an unmet need, and leads to many undiagnosed and untreated cases of DR. Recently researcher-clinicians reported their work to develop an artificial intelligence automated algorithm for retinal photographs that would help with referral from primary care physicians to ophthalmologists of eyes with DR for further evaluation and treatment. The study suggests that this method of screening would aid in reducing the rate of vision loss, enabling timely and accurate diagnoses.

Cataract Surgery Experience from Herbert

I just wanted to put in a good word for Dr. Michelson and his staff. I am an engineer with many years of experience in the area of camera lens and have made many pictures that I am proud of their clarity and depth of field. Therefore, I was very concerned when I was told I needed to have cataract surgery to correct my vision. It made me very apprehensive not only about the surgery but about what the outcome would be. I am writing this testimonial to let you know that Dr. Michelson and his staff are the best. Not only in the work up but also in the performance of the procedure. It has been only eight days since my surgery so you could say I'm an expert on the subject. So, have no fear, Dr. Michelson and his staff are in charge.

If you or some you know is experiencing cataract symptoms such as cloudy foggy vision, glare or difficult night driving and would like to learn more about cataract surgery & lens implants please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

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 and staffed by UAB Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.

Is LASIK Safe after 65?

LASIK is safe, effective and convenient type of laser vision correction for those wanting freedom from the hassle of glasses and contacts. But sometimes patients think they might just be too old for LASIK. While the best way to correct both distance vision and the near vision focusing problem-presbyopia, is with lens implants for vision correction, a recent study clearly supports that even at age 65, LASIK is still safe and effective. Reporting in the journal International Ophthalmology  eye surgeons found that even though elder patients may present greater LASIK restrictions due to lens cataract and other eye age-related changes, patients  65 years of age and older that were good candidates LASIK achieved safe, predictable and effective vision and eye health results.

If you or someone you know is thinking about the freedom seeing clearly without glasses or contact lenses and is concerned about whether their age might be a problem, please schedule an appointment so we can help find out if you might be a candidate for LASIK or lens implants for vision correction. Please call Michelson Laser Vision at 205-969-8100 to schedule a free consultation. 

Eye Health Tips for College Students

Going to college and perhaps living in a dormitory can be an exciting and hectic time for students. But, it’s worth mentioning some common sense tips to preserve eye health and avoid eye problems for college students. College students can be susceptible to a host of vision and eye problems such as injury, infection and increased nearsightedness that can be avoided with a little bit of “smarts” and awareness.

Don't Shower or Swim with Contact Lenses. Acanthamoeba is a parasite that lives in water and can cause a rare but serious eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis. According to the CDC, 85 percent of Acanthamoeba eye infections occur in contact lens wearers, one of the main risks being exposure of lenses to water. To avoid this dangerous infection, do not wear contact lenses in showers, hot tubs or when swimming in lakes or pools. Also, never use water to clean or store contact lenses; only use sterile contact lens disinfecting solution and a clean contact lens case. 

Get Out. We all want you to get good grades, but spending much of their time studying indoors, puts you at risk of becoming more nearsighted, or myopic. A recent study found that more than 50 percent of college graduates are nearsighted, with vision worsening for each year in school. Other research shows that spending more time outdoors can protect vision from getting worse. Take a break-get outside when possible.

Wash Your Hands. Conjunctivitis, or “pink eye” spreads really fast in schools and dorms. We know of a report where an outbreak struck more than 1,000 Ivy League college students! Avoid rubbing the eyes and wash hands with soap to avoid catching and spreading pink eye, not to mention other infections.

Give Your Eyes a Break. Dry eye from intense long hours of computer or video display terminal use can be a real problem for college students. To help avoid dry eye symptoms of burning, gritty red eyes, follow the 20-20-20 rule. Look at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds. Because dry eye can also cause painful corneal ulcers, which are open sores on the front part of the eye, blink regularly and fully to keep eyes moist.  

Don't Share Makeup. Harmless as it may seem, sharing makeup is a surefire way to spread infection such as herpes keratitis among friends. Infection-causing bacteria grow easily in creamy or liquid eye makeup. Stick to your own makeup and throw it away after three months. If you develop an eye infection, immediately toss all of your eye makeup.  

Stay in the Game. Did you know that nearly 1 in 18 college athletes will get an eye injury playing sports? Common injuries, like scratches on the eye surface and broken bones near the eye socket, happen most often in high-risk sports such as baseball, basketball and lacrosse. Athletes should consider wearing polycarbonate sports glasses to help keep stray balls and elbows from hitting their eyes.

In college, taking care of their eye health may be the last thing on your mind but we wanted to share some common sense tips. If you or someone you experiences an eye health or vision problem please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

Buying Online Internet Eyeglasses

Anyone who wears glasses and uses a computer is often presented with the availability and options of buying their eyewear online. When asked, most people say they are interested in internet eyeglass purchases because it seems to be convenient. Many others say it’s because they can get a good deal A recent study in the journal Optometry & Vision Science compared the overall quality and fit of eyeglasses bought online with eyewear purchased from from optometry practices. The study found that patients preferred spectacles bought from optometry practices rather than those bought online, in spite of lens quality and prescription accuracy being similar. A greater number of online spectacles were deemed unsafe or unacceptable because of poor spectacle frame fit, poor cosmetic appearance, and inaccurate optical centration. This appears to especially be the case for Progressive Addition Lenses (PAL) or “Progressives” as when these lenses are not fit and positioned properly they can cause a great deal of unusual distortion and discomfort.

Laser Treatment or Eye Drops for Glaucoma?

Can Laser Treatment Replace Eye Drops for Glaucoma?

Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma, which is the most common type of glaucoma, has no cure. Glaucoma is lifelong eye disease that will require you to be treated throughout your life in some manner. This may require using one or more eye drops on a daily or even more frequent basis, by having laser treatments or even surgery-or some combination of treatments, in order to maintain stability and prevent vision loss. in some manner. A recent study that might be of interest to those stable glaucoma patients who in fact use one or more eye drops each day was published in the journal Acta Ophthalmologica demonstrated that a form of glaucoma laser treatment called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty was able to complete replace the need for eyedrops in 77% of stable glaucoma patients and still maintain excellent control of intraocular pressure! In most other patients, the laser treatment was able to reduce the number of different eye drops used or the number of times a single eye drop needed to be used to maintain stable eye pressure. This is very helpful for most glaucoma patients as it reduces medication side effects and helps those who might have a tough time instilling eye drops or remembering to use them at the prescribed time each day.

If you or someone you know has glaucoma and uses eye drops each day and wishes to explore the possibility of glaucoma laser treatment or anyone concerned about their risk of glaucoma and might need to schedule an eye exam we welcome you to call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

Energy Drinks, Eye Problems & Vision Loss

Energy drinks that contain very large quantities of stimulants such as caffeine, sugar and others are often consumed by both adults and even teenagers looking for that extra energy boost. There have been concerns about and reports of headaches, blood pressure spikes, neurological and heart problems with the consumption of these drinks. Now we have seen that energy drinks may also cause retinal hemorrhages and vision loss and want to caution patients who consume them to be aware of the potential risks. A recent report cites the case of a 48 year old gentleman who had high blood pressure and consumed several cans of energy drinks. A short time later he presented in the emergency room with very high blood pressure, a very fast heart rate and a sudden loss of vision. He was examined and found to have hemorrhages within his retina that lead to his sudden vision loss. It is clear that for some people consuming energy drinks might be acceptable and even useful but for others the risks may not be worthwhile.

If you or someone you know drinks energy drinks and experiences any eye problems or vision loss please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

Great LASIK Results for Rodney

“Friendly and professional staff. ALL are very knowledgeable and answer any questions when needed. Michelson Laser Vision is by far the TOP notch for laser surgery!!! Dr. Michelson and his staff are amazing and caring and strive to give you the best vision and outcome of every procedure they provide!!! Dr. Michelson gave me my vision back of 20/15 in both eyes. I cannot thank Dr. Michelson and his staff enough!!!”-Rodney 

If you or some you know is tired of the hassle of glasses or contact lenses for seeing at distance and would like to find out if LASIK might be a good vision correction option, please call Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. in Birmingham at 205-969-8100, visit Michelson Laser Vision, Google+ 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 and staffed by UAB Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.

James M’s Cataract Surgery Experience

“I'm 77 and had terrible vision. Didn't even know that a person could get brand new lenses. I had one eye done and later the other one. Let me tell you that I had my last exam this morning and one eye tested 20/10 and the other at 20/15. How's that for an old man with new eyes like a teenager. I love that place.”- Jim

If you or some you know is experiencing cataract symptoms such as cloudy foggy vision, glare or difficult night driving and would like to learn more about cataract surgery & lens implants please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

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 and staffed by UAB Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.

Glaucoma: Pregnancy, Labor & Eye Pressure

Pregnancy, Labor & Eye Pressure: What You Need to Know!

What could pregnancy, labor and your eye pressure have to do with one another?  For the clear majority of “new moms to be” the thought of their upcoming labor can cause them to voice concerns about their physical as well as emotional wellbeing. Typically, your obstetrician will be a sound source of information about what to expect in terms of pain, discomfort and how they will help you manage the physical discomfort and stress of labor. From time to time we have a patient who is pregnant and who has a family history of glaucoma or is perhaps “ocular hypertensive,” meaning that they have had a high intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement as part of their annual routine eye exam who shares their concern about the physical stress of labor and if there is any chance of eye and optic nerve damage during delivery. Fortunately, recent data from a study we reviewed in the Journal of Glaucoma showed us that eye pressure and blood flow into the optic nerve during the various stages of vaginal labor are not changed and there is no increased risk to those who have a family history of glaucoma or high eye pressure. Mom’s to be can put this fear to rest!

If you are pregnant and have a family history of glaucoma or have been told that you at risk for glaucoma due to a high eye pressure, please be reassured that labor and delivery will not expose you to greater risk. It is important however to continue your regular eye exams-even during pregnancy-and especially if you experience any changes in your vision or general eye health! Please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

Caroline’s LASIK Experience

Caroline’s Michelson LASIK Experience

“I dreamed of having Lasik surgery for years, but had no idea what to expect. Michelson Laser Vision exceeded all of my expectations! The entire experience with Dr. Michelson and his team was wonderful. They made sure to keep me informed every step of the way, which helped me feel very prepared. The staff made me feel right at home before, during, and after the surgery - I love going back for visits! The procedure was quick, easy, and painless. I was shocked at how quickly I could see clearly. Dr. Michelson asked me to read the clock on the wall immediately after surgery. For the first time in my life I could read it without contacts or glasses. It truly was a miraculous experience that I will never forget!  Caroline

If you or some you know is tired of the hassle of glasses or contact lenses for seeing at distance and would like to find out if LASIK might be a good vision correction option, please call Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. in Birmingham at 205-969-8100, visit Michelson Laser Vision, Google+ 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 and staffed by UAB Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.

Things You Should Know About Cataracts

Cataracts seem to be a more common eye health and vision problem that we hear about today. In part this is because as patients age you are no longer willing to accept the limitations that decreased vision from cataracts can impose on your day to day activities. This, combined with ability to restore vision loss from cataracts in a safe, effective and predictable manner with cataract surgery and lens implants for vision correction motivates more patients, at early ages, to seek solutions to help us maintain an active, engaged and productive lifestyle.

About Cataracts

Approximately 25 million Americans have cataracts, which cause cloudy, blurry or dim vision and often develop with advancing age. As everyone grows older, the lenses of their eyes thicken and become cloudier. Eventually, they may find it more difficult to read street signs. Colors may seem dull. These symptoms may signal cataracts, which affect about 70 percent of people by age 75. Fortunately, cataracts can be corrected with surgery. Ophthalmologists who are cataract surgeons perform around three million cataract surgeries each year to restore vision to those patients. Here are some facts people should know about cataracts.

• Age isn’t the only risk factor for cataracts. Though most everyone will develop cataracts with age, recent studies show that lifestyle and behavior can influence when and how severely you develop cataracts. Diabetes, extensive exposure to sunlight, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and certain ethnicities have all been linked to increased risk of cataracts. Eye injuries, prior eye surgery and long-term use of steroid medication, perhaps for asthma, allergies or breathing problems or arthritis- can also result in cataracts. If you have any of these and are experiencing blurry or cloudy vision, difficulty with night vision especially glare or haloes, you should schedule an eye exam and alert your eye doctor.
• Cataracts cannot be prevented, but you can lower your risk. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and brimmed hats when outside can help. Several studies suggest that eating more vitamin C-rich foods may delay how fast cataracts form. Also, avoid smoking cigarettes, which have been shown to increase the risk of cataract development.
• Surgery may help improve more than just your vision. During the procedure, the natural clouded lens is replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens, or IOL, which should improve your vision significantly. Patients have a variety of lenses to choose from, each with different benefits. Lens implants today can correct a full range of vision and help you see clearly at far, arm’s length and near-without being dependent on eyeglasses! While this is great for many patients, studies have shown that cataract surgery can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of falling which is a potentially serious risk and problem for seniors. If you think a cataract is possibly interfering with your ability to see well you should schedule an eye exam and alert your eye doctor.

If you or some you know is experiencing cataract symptoms such as cloudy foggy vision, glare or difficult night driving and would like to learn more about cataract surgery & lens implants please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

LASIK & Soft Contact Lens Vision

Vision with Laser Vision Correction after Wearing Soft Contacts

If you wear soft contact lenses and been thinking about LASIK you know the benefit of not having to wear eyeglasses for seeing clearly at distance. But, you may wonder how well LASIK will correct your vision. Another common question is how long you may have to go without wearing your contacts before you can have LASIK, and will that change your results.  A recent

Study reported in the journal of the British Contact Lens Association, Contact Lenses & Anterior Eye compared the vision results of soft contact lens wearers with both LASIK and PRK among groups of people who had stopped wearing their soft contacts for 2 weeks before their laser vision correction, others 24 hours before laser vision correction and those who didn’t wear contact lenses at all prior to laser vision correction.

Results of Laser Vision Correction Compared to Soft Contact Lenses

The patients who had stopped wearing their contacts 2 weeks before having laser eye surgery to correct nearsightedness, vision without glasses was significantly better at one month, and at six months after having laser vision correction was even better than those who had never worn contacts, but only glasses!

If you are a soft contact lens wearer thinking about LASIK or PRK please schedule a free consultation Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. in Birmingham by calling 205-969-8100, visiting Michelson Laser Vision, Google+ or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision is a leading LASIK center in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.

Kid’s Back to School Eye Exams

Time for Kid’s Back to School Eye Exams

With back-to-school time around the corner, parents will be scrambling to buy new school supplies and clothes. As they tick off their long list of school to-dos, we are reminding moms and dads not to neglect one of the most important learning tools: their children’s eyes. Good vision and overall eye health are vital to learning. Because children are still growing, being vigilant about eye health is important.

Tips for Kids’ Healthy Eyes & Vision

Get Regular Childhood Vision Screenings - Children’s eyes change rapidly, making regular vision screenings an important step in detecting and correcting eye problems early. In addition to screenings for infants, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends further vision screening for children when they are:

>Pre-School age, between age 3 and 3 and a half

>Entering School

>Experiencing a Possible Vision Problem 

Know and Share Your Family Eye Health History - Everyone should find out whether eye conditions or diseases run in their family. Parents should share that information with the person performing the screening or eye exam when possible. Examples of common eye conditions include nearsightedness, crossed eye, known as strabismus, and lazy eye, known as amblyopia. If these are not treated in childhood, they can cause permanent vision loss in one eye.   

Watch for Signals of Eye Problems - Parents should be alert to symptoms that could indicate an eye or vision problem, such as complaints of eyestrain, headaches and squinting when reading or performing other common activities. Other symptoms to look for include a white or grayish-white coloring in the pupil, one eye that turns in or out, or eyes that do not track in sync together.

Wear Protective Eyewear When Playing Sports - Eye injuries while playing sports can cause serious damage, whether by getting smacked with an elbow during basketball or hit with a hockey stick. If your child plays racket sports, hockey, field hockey, baseball or basketball, consider having them wear goggles or other certified protective eyewear. 

If you or someone you know has a child that needs to schedule an eye exam please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

Vision Problems in Preschool Children

Vision problems and visual impairment in preschool children can lead to learning and development problems that impacts long term academic and even social success. Researchers reporting in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology studied the prevalence, demographic and geographic variations of visual impairment in kids and projected what might lie ahead.

In 2015, more than 174 000 children aged 3 to 5 years in the United States were visually impaired. Almost 121 000 of these cases (69%) arose from simple uncorrected refractive error, and 43 000 (25%) from bilateral amblyopia. The number of preschool children with visual impairment is projected to increase by 26% in 2060. Hispanic white children will account for the largest number and proportion of cases, followed by African American children.

This study suggests that the number of preschool children with visual impairment is projected to increase disproportionally, especially among minority populations. Vision screening for refractive error and related eye diseases may prevent a high proportion of preschool children from experiencing unnecessary visual impairment and associated developmental delays.

Smartphones & Dry Eyes in Kids

Symptoms of dry eyes and dry eye disease as well as ocular fatigue are known problems that can result from the excessive use of video display terminals. Kids today spend an awful lot of time texting on smartphones, playing games on smartphones and generally just engaged with various apps on smartphones. Researchers were interested in learning more about any increased risk and progression of pediatric dry eye disease that might be associated with smartphone use. Not unexpected was the conclusion that increased VDT use such as smartphones or computers in children was found to be associated with the occurrence of ocular surface symptoms of dryness and fatigue. Also somewhat expected was the clinical finding that the longer the kids used the smartphones the greater the symptoms and disturbance of the eyes’ surface. The authors then suggested being aware of excessive smartphone use in kids and educating them as to reducing their use of smartphones if they become troubled by eye fatigue or dryness symptoms.

If you have kids that are heavy users of smartphones or iPads or tablets of any type and they complain about dry eyes, grittiness, sandiness or have red burning eyes and even eye fatigue, please be aware that the VDT may be having a negative impact on the child and schedule an appointment so that we be sure there are no other eye problems. Call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

Stroke Warning: Retinal Artery Blockage!

Retinal Artery Blockage May Warn of Impending Stroke

A certain retinal vessel disease may be a warning of an impending stroke! When an artery or vein in the retina becomes blocked or “occluded” it can be a sign of more serious health issues that need to be looked-quickly! A central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a disease of the eye where the flow of blood through the central retinal artery is blocked. Patients suffering from a central artery occlusion experience a sudden, severe, painless loss of vision in one eye. While there can be several different causes of the blockage, most often a central retinal artery occlusion is caused by unhealthy carotid arteries which supply the head and neck with oxygen. Unhealthy carotid arteries are those that have atherosclerosis, are narrowed and filled with a waxy fatty substance that forms plaques that can break off and end up in the retinal circulation. Retinal artery occlusion is a significant warning of a stroke risk and indeed more than 15% of the patients having a central retinal artery occlusion experience a stroke within 4 years after the artery blockage.

A retinal artery occlusion is a medical emergency as the loss of vision is fast an irreversible.  If you or someone you know experiences a quick painless severe loss of vision in one eye, please call us immediately and relay your symptoms to the person taking your phone and request an immediate appointment. Please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

Fireworks Cause Eye Injuries

No Fireworks Are Safe, Even Innocent Sparkler Causes Thousands of Eye Injuries

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July season, but please be aware of the facts about fireworks. Fireworks injuries cause approximately 10,000 visits to the emergency department each year, most of them involve children who suffer thousands of eye injuries. Although the most disabling injuries occur with illegal firecrackers, most injuries are caused by legal fireworks parents buy for their children, such as sparklers, firecrackers, bottle rockets, and Roman candles. Every year thousands of patients need treatments who suffer a range of fireworks-related injuries, from cuts and bruises to damaged corneas and ruptured eyeballs. To help reduce the number of potentially blinding fireworks accidents this holiday, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is working to debunk common myths about fireworks injuries.

Here are five fireworks myths, debunked:

1. Sparklers are safe for young children. Sparklers burn at 1800 degrees, hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers were responsible for most of the injuries to children age 5 and younger.
2. It’s safer to view fireworks than it is to light or throw them. Bystanders are injured by fireworks as often as the operators.
3.  Consumer fireworks are safe. Sparklers and firecrackers each account for more than 1,400 injuries to the eyes.
4. It’s safe to pick up a firework after it has been lit. Even though it looks like a dud, it may not act like one.
5. It’s not the Fourth of July without consumer fireworks. The Fourth can be complete without using consumer fireworks. The safest way to view fireworks is to watch a professional show.  

If you experience a fireworks injury, we urge you to minimize the damage to the eye:

• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Do not rub the eye. Rubbing may make the injury worse.
• Do not attempt to rinse the eye.
• Do not apply pressure to the eye.
• Do not remove objects from the eye,
• Do not apply ointments or take pain medications before seeking medical help.