UAB Excellence Award to Marc Michelson, M.D.

The UAB National Alumni Society honored Marc Michelson, M.D. with the UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 Class of 2015 Award. Dr. Michelson is the Founder and Medical Director of Michelson LaserVision, Inc. and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, P.C., located at UAB Highlands on the medical center campus.

“On behalf of myself and my staff who work to make every patient visit, every LASIK treatment, and every laser cataract surgery and lens implant procedure a pleasant experience with great clinical results, we want to say thank you,” shared Dr. Michelson. “UAB has been an integral part of the fabric and culture of the eye care we have provided in Birmingham for more than 30 years. Being part of the UAB community started with being educated and trained right here as a medical student, then an ophthalmology resident and continuing as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the UAB School of Medicine. I have thoroughly enjoyed not only the patient care, but also the opportunity to participate in resident teaching, research, and implementation of new and innovative technologies. These opportunities have motivated me to continually bring advanced eye surgery techniques and technology for vision correction, such as Bladeless LASIK and laser cataract surgery, right into our facilities at Alabama Eye and Cataract Center, P.C. and Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. at UAB Highlands,” explained Dr. Michelson.

The UAB National Alumni Society has chosen Dr. Michelson to receive the UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 Class of 2015 award.  This award program is designed to identify, recognize, and celebrate the success of the top 25 UAB alumni-owned or UAB alumni-operated businesses.

To learn more please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center at 205-930-0930, or Michelson laser Vision at 205-969-8100 or visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or Michelson Laser Vision or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center and Michelson Laser Vision in Birmingham are located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Visors Help Avoid Hockey Eye Injury

Hockey is a popular sport among those who like to watch sports and is even more popular among middle school, high school and college athletes. Eye injury is a series risk among hockey players and it requires that parents and players take some precautions based on research presented at Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The researchers found that wearing visors could cause a four-fold decrease in the risk of eye injuries. The researchers, based at the University of Toronto and Harvard Medical School, examined data from The Sports Network (TSN) and The Hockey News annual visor survey over the last 10 seasons from 2002 to 2013 in the NHL. The data clearly demonstrated that the risk of eye injury is 4.23 times higher for players who do not wear a visor.

The study also found that the majority of eye injuries are caused by being hit by the puck (37%) or struck by a high stick (28%) or by a fight or scrum (18%), while the researchers could not identify the cause of injury for 17%. Interesting, players without visors had a more aggressive style of play, measured by penalty minutes, hits and fights in a case-control study. There was also a weak, but positive correlation between eye injuries and penalty minutes.

As hockey players develop, grow and get stronger their games and playing style become faster and more intense, and the risks continue to increase-thus it is important to maximize protection. Since the majority of hockey injuries are accidental in nature, it is not good enough for players to try to be more cautious. This study strongly supports the common sense notion that wearing visors goes a long way to decreasing injuries among hockey players.

If you or someone you know plays hockey please share this information with them to help them decrease their risk of hockey eye injury, or please feel free to contact  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 Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists Marc Michelson, M.D. and Tyler Hall, M.D.

Eye Infection: What You Should Know!

Almost everyone has experienced red, itchy eyes and wondered what it was. It can be confusing because the symptom of allergies or dry eyes or a more serious condition, such as an eye infection can be similar. Here is an overview of allergies and dry eye as compared to an eye infection.

About Allergies & Dry Eyes

Symptoms of Allergies or Dry Eye

• If you work at a computer for an extended time or have allergies to products or airborne substances, you may experience dry, red or irritated eyes. 
• Generally allergies and dry eye affects both eyes.
• Treatment options usually include resting your eyes or using over-the-counter or prescription eye drops, as would be recommended by your eye doctor. 

About Eye Infections

Symptoms of Eye Infections

• Eye infections occur when bacteria, fungi or viruses attack any part of your eye, including the surface, the membrane lining of the outer eye and inner eyelid or interior portions or the soft tissue of the eyelid.
• Infections inside the eye or in the soft tissue of the eyelid are the most dangerous and if left untreated, the condition may spread throughout the eye.
• Symptoms usually include redness, pain, discharge, watering and sensitivity to light which usually occurs only in one eye. If you experience these symptoms you should immediately contact Alabama Eye & cataract Center at 205-930-0930 and schedule an appointment.

Types of Eye Infections

• Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) is a common infection that is highly contagious.
• Viral Keratitis can be simply related to a respiratory virus or cold or more serious infection such as Ocular Herpes that occurs when exposed to the Herpes Simplex Virus.
• Fungal Keratitis is a corneal infection from a fungus commonly found in organic matter such as soil, leaves or branches of a tree.
• Acanthamoeba Keratitis is a corneal infection caused by a parasite that attacks the eye more often in individuals wearing contact lenses and swimming in pools, lakes, ponds, hot tubs or streams who are at increased risk for contracting this infection.
• Trachoma is not something we see in Birmingham but is found in underdeveloped countries. Typically Trachoma infects the inner eyelid along with eyelashes touching the area can infect the cornea and cause permanent blindness.
• Endophthalmitis is a serious infection inside the eye due to a penetrating eye injury or complication following eye surgery and if left untreated, may lead to blindness.

Preventing Eye Infections

• If you experience symptoms associated with an eye infection, contact Alabama Eye & Cataract Center immediately. Prompt treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of permanent blindness.
• To avoid eye infections, wash your hands throughout the day, especially if you are near an individual with a red eye or other signs of infection. Contact lens wearers should follow care and handling instructions provided by their eye doctor.

If you or someone you know is concerned about having an eye infection of any type of experiences symptoms of an eye infection schedule an appointment 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 Ophthalmologists Marc Michelson, M.D. and Tyler Hall, M.D.

Eye Safety to Prevent Injury

Being aware of some practical eye safety information can be very helpful in preventing eye injury. Prevent Blindness America reports that 2.4 million eye injuries occur each year, with nearly 1 million resulting in some degree of vision loss. About 90 percent of these injuries are avoidable, when the right eye protection is worn, reports the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

The most common eye injuries are:

• Cuts or scrapes from flying objects, such as metal and wood chips, that become embedded in the eye
• Burns from steam, infrared light or splashes of chemicals, grease or oil
• Infections from contaminated substances, such as splashes of blood or respiratory droplets or other products on fingers that are used to touch or rub the eyes

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires workers to use eye and face protection whenever there is a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented with proper equipment, such as goggles, face shields or safety glasses. The best way to avoid eye injury in the workplace or from household chores, activities and tasks is to wear proper protective eyewear. If you have questions or need assistance with protective eyewear selection or fitting please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center at 205-930-0930. Should you or someone you know have the misfortune of experiencing an eye injury please visit the nearest emergency room where the physician can call our office as we always have a doctor on call for emergencies.

If you or someone you know wishes to learn more about how to prevent eye injury, 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.

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

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.