Dry Eyes from Cholesterol Medications?

 

Did you know that the lipid lowering cholesterol medications called “statins” might also cause lipid layer instability in your tear film-and lead to dry eye symptoms? Researchers reporting in the American Journal of Ophthalmology found that patients with a history of taking stains to lower their cholesterol are more often than others bothered by dry eye disease and problems.

Dry eye disease (DED) affects some 7% to 33% of the general population. The actual incidence and severity of DED increases with age and female gender but is almost always characterized by decreased tear production and/or increased evaporation and can lead to symptoms of ocular discomfort, visual disturbances, and a diminished quality of life. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the most common cause of evaporative dry eye and involves abnormalities in the quantity and/or composition of tear film lipids, including excess free cholesterol. Researchers have now identified that there is an association between MGD/DED and Dyslipidemia which is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, affecting an estimated 12% of adults.  It is most often treated with “statin” medications. So, if you are one of the millions of patients taking cholesterol medication to lower your risk of heart disease and suffer from dry eyes, grittiness, sandy feeling eyes and changing fluctuating vision, please schedule an eye exam so we can provide a proper diagnosis and help for dry eyes. Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or Facebook.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center is a leading eye care 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.

Types of Cataracts: Facts You Might Not Know

 

Did you know that there is more than one type of cataract? The most common type of cataract, typically found in people over 40, forms mainly in the center of your eye’s crystalline lens and is called a nuclear cataract. Another type of cataract is called a cortical cataract which is a wedge-shaped clouding that develops at the edge of the lens instead of the center. Yet another type, called a posterior capsular cataract generally forms at the back of the lens, blocking light rays from reaching the retina. You should know that posterior capsular cataracts usually develop faster than nuclear and cortical cataracts. But all three types can be corrected with cataract surgery to remove them, and then your vision corrected with lens implants. Your cataract surgeon can recommend different types of lens implants so that your eyeglass prescription for distance vision and astigmatism are corrected at the same time as your cataract surgery, and many people can even have their need for bifocals or reading glasses greatly reduced or eliminated with lens implants as well.

If you or someone 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 or Facebook.

Seniors, Falling & Eye Injuries from Falling

 

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury related emergency room visits among people over 65 years old? Recently researchers studied how often seniors falling resulted in eye injury-especially eye injury that might have been overlooked as part of their hospital visit. They reviewed records from 270 patient visits of patients with an average age of 81 years old. 180 patients presenting in the emergency room from this group had fallen. Of these 155 patients were found to have an orbital fracture-the boney structures around the eye! In addition there were many other serious eye injuries including eye globe ruptures, hemorrhages behind the eye and retinal detachment. The message is clear. Falls in older people may be associated with sight-threatening ocular injuries which are common and easy to miss in this population demographic. It is important to have a thorough eye exam after what might even be considered a minor fall. More important, it is critical to create safe environments for seniors and to tend to those sight threatening senior eye problems-such as cataracts-to help avoid lost mobility and increased risk of falls!

If you or someone you know is a over 65, please schedule regular eye exams for common senior eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration (AMD) so you can maintain eye health and vision-and reduce your risk of falls! Schedule an eye exam at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or Facebook.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center is a leading eye care 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.

Astigmatism Lens Implants & Laser Cataract Surgery

If you have astigmatism, and need cataract surgery, it is possible that your cataract surgeon will recommend a toric lens implant to correct your vision. A recent study reported in the Journal of Refractive Surgery suggested that the best results of astigmatism cataract lens implants was achieved by performing the cataract surgery using the femtosecond laser as a laser cataract surgery procedure. The laser procedure allowed for better marking of the axis of the astigmatism correction adding to the precision of the final results.

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 or Facebook.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center is a leading eye care 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.

Shagufta has LASIK @ Michelson Laser Vision!

 

“I opted to go to Dr. Michelson at Michelson Laser Vision in Birmingham (instead of someone in my own town) because I had heard excellent things about him. I must say that I am very happy with my decision. The entire office staff was incredibly welcoming and made me feel at ease right away. Dr. Michelson was very personable and explained things in a way that I could easily understand. The procedure was carried out quickly and efficiently and I am very pleased with the outcome. I highly recommend Michelson Laser Vision to anyone that is needing corrective eye surgery.”- Shagufta from Tuscaloosa

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, or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. 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.

AcrySof® IQ Vivity® Extended Range of Vision IOL

 

“I have had both eyes done over the last two weeks and the results are outstanding. I was fortunate to have the first Alcon AcrySof® IQ Vivity® IOL lens placed in my right eye first and then my left eye today. Dr. Michelson did an excellent job with both surgeries and the entire staff treated me so well. Teri also was excellent to work with and did a great job getting me ready with all the required paperwork. I highly recommend Alabama Eye and Cataract Center, Dr. Marc Michelson.”-from Diane E.

If you or someone 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 or Facebook.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, P.C. leading eye care 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.

Lifestyle Choices for Glaucoma Prevention

 

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide, affecting nearly 60 million people. With healthy lifestyle choices it may be possible to minimize the risk of vision loss from glaucoma. Certain habits may help minimize the risk of losing vision, beyond drugs, lasers and surgery. 

·       Exercise Regularly. A recent study showed that people who engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity appear to have a 73 percent lower risk of developing glaucoma. This is because blood flow and pressure inside the eye may change with exercise, which may affect glaucoma risk.

·       Diet. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially green, leafy ones. One study showed that people who ate more leafy vegetables have a 20 to 30 percent lower risk of developing glaucoma. Why? Nitrates in green vegetables can be converted to nitric oxide, which can improve blood flow and help regulate pressure inside the eye.

·       Drink Coffee-Better yet, Drink Tea Instead of Coffee. A study published last month showed that people who consumed at least one cup of hot tea daily had 74 percent decreased odds of having glaucoma compared with those who did not consume hot tea. A little coffee is fine, but excessive caffeine intake is not ideal.

·       Consider Taking a Magnesium Supplement. Studies suggest that an adequate intake of dietary magnesium may be beneficial for patients with glaucoma. Why? Magnesium improves circulation and seems to have a beneficial effect on glaucoma patients’ vision. 

·       Brush, Floss & Visit the Dentist Regularly. A recent study showed that tooth loss may be linked to increased glaucoma risk. This is because periodontal disease may trigger an inflammatory response that can contribute to glaucoma.

·       Don’t smoke. Studies indicate that smoking cigarettes increases the risk of glaucoma, and has an overall negative impact on eye health.

·       Maintain a healthy body weight. Studies show that people with a higher body mass index (BMI) are at increased risk for diabetes, and having diabetes puts people at risk of glaucoma. Having a too low BMI is also associated with increased glaucoma risk.

·       Avoid Inverted Postures in Yoga. Studies show head-down positions can increase eye pressure and are not recommended for glaucoma patients. There are plenty of yoga exercises that don’t have this effect

·       Avoid neckties. Researchers say that a too-tight necktie may increase the risk of glaucoma by increasing blood pressure inside the eyes.  

Get screened regularly for glaucoma, especially if you have a family history of the condition. Researchers have recently identified certain genes that increase the risk of glaucoma. Those at higher risk of glaucoma include people of African descent, people with diabetes, and those with a family history of glaucoma.

 

If you or someone you know is over 40, or has other glaucoma risk factors please schedule a glaucoma eye exam at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or Facebook.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center is a leading eye care 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.