Flashes & Floaters Need Attention

If you experience flashes or light or suddenly start seeing floaters, it’s best not to ignore these events, but rather to quickly schedule an appointment to see us, as although most of the time flashes and floaters are benign, sometimes they can be a sign of a sight threatening problem.

If you have no experienced any trauma to your eye or head, it is often the case that flashes and floaters are due to a Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD). PVD is a very common eye condition. It's caused by natural changes to the vitreous gel which takes up the space inside the eye. Although PVD causes some frustrating symptoms it doesn’t cause pain, harm the eye or cause permanent loss of vision. Sometimes, a PVD can either be accompanied by or a warning sign of retinal tears which can lead to retinal detachment and vision loss. Retinal detachment must be diagnosed and repaired quickly.

If you experience a sudden onset of flashes and floaters please call us immediately and schedule an appointment so we can examine the vitreous and retina and be sure there are no tears or risks of retinal detachment. Call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

Laurie T Shares Her Cataract Experience

Dr. Marc Michelson has been taking care of all my vision needs for many years and I'm glad it was him I chose when I first considered options for my nearsightedness. After carefully looking into the possibilities, I decided on intraocular lens implants. This means Dr. Michelson replaced my clear lens with an artificial lens with my prescription. The surgery is like cataract removal, only I didn't have cataracts. What I have now at age 63 is perfect vision; 20-20 reading and 20-15 far! Among my peers, I am the only one I know not dependent upon any glasses at any time. Having been nearsighted since age 6, so dependent that I had to feel around the bedside table for my glasses before I could get out of bed, this is still like a miracle to me. I have had my lenses for almost 10 years, and I couldn't be happier.

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.

Cataract Surgery Astigmatism Lens Implants

Satisfaction with Cataract Surgery Astigmatism Lens Implants

Good news for patients with astigmatism who are having cataract surgery! When your cataract is removed and replaced with a lens implant to correct your vision, patients who have astigmatism will be pleased to know that satisfaction with cataract lens implants for astigmatism is extremely high. A recent study presented in the American Journal of Ophthalmology compared using toric astigmatism correcting lens implants to a manual incisional procedure for correcting astigmatism, called corneal relaxing incisions. Although both methods of astigmatism correction resulted in good vision for the cataract patients, the astigmatism correcting toric lens implants gave patients a better overall satisfaction with their vision as reported in quality of life questionnaire 12 months after their cataract surgery with cataract lens implants that corrected the astigmatism. Patients were particularly pleased to be able to wear non-prescription sunglasses and be independent of eyeglasses for seeing clearly at distance.

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.

Can Eyelid Surgery Help Headaches?

What do droopy, saggy eyelids and eyelid surgery have to do with headaches? While you might think that eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is performed for cosmetic reasons to simply to help you look more youthful, in reality droopy, saggy eyelids can often be a source of chronic headaches that can be helped by eyelid surgery. According to a study reported in the journal of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery patients who have droopy saggy eyelids and have interference of their vision often must furrow their brows and forehead to see well. This chronic strain on the forehead muscles can result in chronic headaches. After having the eyelid problems corrected by blepharoplasty eyelid surgery most patients had improved headache symptoms.

If you or someone you know suffers from headaches and has droopy, saggy eyelids as well as experiences blocked vision that requires eyebrow and forehead furrows to lift the eyelids for unobstructed vision, you may be a candidate for blepharoplasty eyelid surgery.  Call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

Vision Loss is the Worst Disability

Most people would rather lose a limb than lose their eyesight, according to the results of a nationwide poll. Indeed, if given a choice, most people would prefer to lose their hearing, their memory, or their ability to speak rather than losing their vision, according to the survey results published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology.

The survey polled 2,044 Americans from across all ethnic, racial, and economic demographics. Nearly 88% of respondents viewed eye health as critical to overall health, and 47% considered vision loss to be the worst possible health condition that could happen them, even worse than Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, or AIDS/HIV. Among the possible consequences of vision loss, respondents ranked quality of life as the greatest concern, followed by loss of independence.

While 81.5% of Americans reported having an eye examination, many were not well aware of the diseases and conditions that lead to vision loss. Nearly two-thirds of respondents reported awareness of cataracts (65.8%) or glaucoma (63.4%), but only half were aware of macular degeneration, and 37.3% were aware of diabetic retinopathy. As many as 25% of all respondents weren’t aware of any eye conditions that could cause loss of vision.

If you or someone you know does not have regular eye health and vision exams, please schedule one today. Call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.

Yvonne’s LASIK Experience

“Went to Dr. Michelson for a second opinion and then decided to go ahead and do LASIK after waiting 6 years after my first consult. Had a successful procedure ON my birthday and even the machine told me HAPPY BIRTHDAY! The entire staff was wonderful and Dr. Michelson has great bedside manner, which was a relief for someone like me who dislikes doctor's visits! THANK YOU! BEST birthday present, EVER!”- Yvonne S

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.

Exercise Effect on Eye Health & Physiology

Physical exercise has been known to be one of the most important factors in preventing cardiovascular disorders and may even help prevent some neurodegenerative diseases. A recent review of clinical studies compared the results of various reports regarding the effects of physical exercises on intraocular pressure (IOP), myopia (nearsightedness) and eye circulation and blood flow.

Eye Pressure or Intraocular Pressure (IOP)
Exercises that involve movement, called dynamic exercises, are known to reduce IOP for a brief period after participating. However, certain isometric exercises such a Yoga in “downward” positions may increase IOP.

Myopia or Nearsightedness
There is a solid connection between the time being spent outdoor and reduction in the odds of developing myopia-in fact 2% less odds for every hour spent outdoors!

Eye Circulation
Physical exercises increase retinal blood flow up to 140%, thus providing more blood to retina and stimulating better circulation.

The message is clear-staying fit and active throughout life can be of great long-term benefit to your eyes! If you or someone you know wishes to know more about exercise and 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.