Safe Driving after Cataract Surgery

“Safe driving after cataract surgery is greatly improved-but not exactly as expected,” commented Cataract Specialist Marc Michelson, M.D. of Alabama Eye & Cataract Center. “An interesting study on cataract surgery and driving was reported in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology whereby motor vehicle accidents involving men decreased by 15.3% in the 12 months following cataract surgery but the frequency of postoperative crashes didn't change significantly for women,” noted Dr. Michelson. “We know all too well that delaying cataract surgery often results in patients-especially seniors-modifying their lifestyles and activities. This is especially the case as people restrict their driving in response to health and vision changes. We need to hear from patients about their driving habits and whether they have had to change them as their cataracts develop-then we can help,” said Dr. Michelson.

If you or someone you know has a question about cataracts, cataract surgery, lens implants or driving please feel free to call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

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

Cataract Surgery Reduces Hip Fracture Risk

Interesting information on how and why cataract surgery can prevent and reduce the risk of hip fracture was offered by Alabama Eye & Cataract Center Cataract Surgeons. According to a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association cataract surgery may offer patients with cataracts a distinct advantage in preventing hip fractures.

When looking at the risk of hip fracture among more than 1 million people on Medicare aged 65 with cataracts, researchers found people who had cataract surgery had a 16% lower risk of hip fracture one year after the procedure. “Visual impairment from cataracts-whether from blurry vision, glare, halos or decreased contrast-is a known risk factor for falls. Thus when we improve vision for patients with cataracts, their mobility is typically improved as well as their confidence and the safety with which they navigate,” commented Birmingham Cataract Surgeon Tyler Hall, M.D. Dr. Hall further explained, “A hip or pelvis fracture is often the tipping point that leads to a progressive decline in quality of life and can signify increased mortality and morbidity for seniors. Accidental falls and the resulting bone fractures are a major cause of disability and death among the elderly.”

“The key here is that there is a demonstrated need for timely cataract surgery for seniors in order to manage the risk of challenged mobility with resulting fractures. We are quite fortunate-and it is really rewarding-to be able to provide cataract patients with modern patient friendly cataract surgery on an outpatient basis that utilizes tiny incisions, eye drops for anesthesia and a quick visual recovery,” added Cataract Surgeon Marc Michelson, M.D.

If you or someone you know has questions about cataract, cataract surgery, lens implants or hip fracture prevention please feel free to call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision, 327 Summit Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35243 and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.

Alabama Cataract Awareness Month

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham, AL reminds patients of all ages-especially seniors-about cataracts, cataract surgery & lens implants as August is Cataract Awareness Month. The Prevent Blindness America data indicate that more than 24 million Americans over 40 now suffer from cataracts-representing a 19% increase since the year 2000. “For our Alabama senior population this is even more meaningful as more than half of those over 65 are reported to have cataracts-that’s the not so bad news. Not so bad because today with modern cataract surgery and advanced technology lens implants we can help our seniors obtain excellent vision and maintain their lifestyle and activities,” noted Birmingham Cataract Surgeon Marc Michelson, M.D.

There are still some patients who don’t fully understand that a cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens and not a film over the eye, as some believe. Most often, cataracts start out slowly and have little effect on vision at first. 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, 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.

“What many people do not realize is that the poor vision in seniors is often associated with premature or accelerated mental decline. Further, the challenges 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,” said Dr. Michelson.

“When cataracts begin to interfere with daily activities or with patient comfort, mobility and safety, they can be treated surgically. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most frequently performed surgeries in the United States. 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,”, further explained Dr. Michelson.

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

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.