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A new study reveals that smartphones could be used to scan eyes for early warning signs of glaucoma. Scientists at the University of Bingham have successfully experimented using soundwaves and an eye model. Their findings were published in Engineering Reports.

People at risk from glaucoma are more challenging to spot than most common eye-related diseases, making them more avoidable. For example, diabetic retinopathy is associated with individuals with diabetes. Those people are constantly monitored for tiny bulges that develop in the blood vessels of the eye.

Glaucoma is associated with elevated levels of intraocular pressure (IOP). An accurate, non-invasive way of monitoring someone’s IOP would significantly increase that person’s chances of maintaining their vision. The current method to measure IOP is tonometry, where numbing drops followed by non-toxic dye are applied to the eye. This technique has problems and measurement errors associated with it. IOP is a crucial measurement of solid vision, defined as compression created by sustained regeneration of eye fluids.

Soundwaves can be used as a mobile measurement and can detect increasing values of IOP. This early detection could prompt early diagnosis and treatment. 

Dr. Khamis Essa, co-author and Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Group at the University of Birmingham, said, “With further investigation into eye geometry and how this affects the interaction and soundwaves, it is possible to use a smartphone to accurately measure IOP from the comfort of the user’s home.” 

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve which is estimated to affect 79.6 million people worldwide. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause irreversible damage. In most cases, blindness can be prevented with preventative measures and treatment.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

A possible link between COVID-19 and endophthalmitis has been suspected for quite some time; now, researchers have established a connection between the two diseases, with a further investigation being conducted.

In only two months, three COVID-19 patients in New York’s Northwell Health Hospital succumbed to extreme vision loss from keratitis. Endophthalmitis resulted, and in one instance, a patient’s eye was removed. This occurrence of keratitis leading to endophthalmitis is exceedingly rare. Typically, cases of endophthalmitis from keratitis are associated with trauma or surgery.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology 2020 virtual conference released the findings. Researchers hope to gain more support from the medical community to conduct eye evaluations when assessing the role of anti-infectious treatments.

All three endophthalmitis patients were in their 60s, reside in the same relative area, and showed signs of the disease within a two-month period, while testing positive for COVID-19. Two were outpatients, and one was an in-patient at the time of diagnosis. One of the outpatients later passed away in a hospital. The culture results all came back from each individual with different organisms: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, and Candida parapsilosis.

A 2012 study reported that out of 9,934 eyes, only 27 throughout a 15-year period experienced endophthalmitis stemming from keratitis. Having three patients express symptoms while being diagnosed with COVID-19 is alarming, and suggests an association between the two.

Sonal S. Tuli, MD, said, “The findings do not suggest that COVID-19 causes endophthalmitis but that there is some relationship between the two. It is possible that some aspect of the health of these individuals made them more liable to get infected with COVID-19 as well as a severe infection in their eye, such as poor immune system or nutritional deficiencies. It is also possible that these findings are incidental because of the large numbers of COVID-positive patients presenting to New York hospitals during the peak of the pandemic.”

For further reading, refer to the article from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. To schedule an eye exam, contact the experts at Rohr Eye & Laser Center today.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many people to work from home or remotely. As a direct result, the use of computers, tablets, phones, and other electronic devices has risen dramatically. A condition called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) can be caused by excessive screen time. Also known as digital/computer eye strain, this phenomenon occurs when the eyes aim towards a screen for lengthy periods. Even without the pandemic, monitors, screens, smartphones, and the like can contribute to computer eye strain.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) suggests following the 20-20-20 rule: take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away. This strategy will help curb CVS symptoms, which include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain. Factors contributing to CVS are poor lighting, screen glare, improper viewing distances, poor seated posture, uncorrected vision issues, or a combination of these.

A comprehensive ocular exam will diagnose CVS. Treatment options vary; glasses, for example, are a good option for those suffering from CVS. Some lenses now come equipped with unique technology that blocks out blue light, which is thought to be emitted from digital screens. Glasses might need to be prescribed to meet the unique digital demands of computer viewing for individuals who do not otherwise have them. Eye focusing or coordination issues cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Vision therapy, a structured program of visual activities, is prescribed in those cases. The eye exercises train the eyes and brain to work together more effectively by strengthening rapid eye movement, focusing, eye teaming, and reinforcing the eye-brain connection.

Other factors, such as proper body positioning, come in to play when trying to correct CVS. Screens should be lower than eye level and be without glare (reduce lighting in the area to accomplish this or purchase an anti-glare screen.) Chairs should be comfortably padded, and feet are recommended to stay on the floor. Take frequent eye rest breaks (20-20-20 rule) and remember to blink frequently, which keeps the front surface of the eye moist.

To prevent CVS, ensure your glasses or contacts are the proper prescriptions. Minimize your exposure to blue light by purchasing blue-light blocking lenses. Adjust your work area for ultimate comfort, and take multiple breaks throughout the day. Anything that needs to be referenced from the computer screen should be placed as near as possible and at the same height.

For further information, read the original article by The AOA.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

In a new study published by the American Journal of Medicine, investigators found that a healthy lifestyle – typically associated with cardiovascular health benefits – also lowered ocular diseases, particularly diabetic retinopathy. The conclusions suggest that attempts to prevent cardiovascular diseases might potentially counteract ocular ones as well.

Nearly 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from ocular diseases. The consequences of these diseases are vision impairment and blindness. About half of these cases are preventable; the leading causes of eye issues include age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma.

“Earlier studies have observed associations between eye diseases and individual lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, or hypertension,” said lead investigator Duke Appiah, Ph.D., MPH, Department of Public Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA. “It is known that these metrics of ideal cardiovascular health do not work alone and may interact additively to result in diseases. However, prior to our research, no other studies have comprehensively evaluated the association of all of the metrics of ideal cardiovascular health with ocular diseases.”

The findings show that practicing a healthy lifestyle and implementing beneficial habits are both factors in achieving cardiovascular strength. Age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma can all be minimized by having an active, healthy lifestyle. Those with optimal cardiovascular health had 97 percent lower odds for diabetic retinopathy than individuals who did not.

“Overall, we believe that primary prevention and early detection approaches of ocular diseases are important, considering that over half of all deaths from ocular diseases and cardiovascular diseases are known to be preventable,” commented co-investigators Noah De La Cruz, MPH, and Obadeh Shabaneh, MPH, both from the Department of Public Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.

At Rohr Eye & Laser Center, we strive to provide excellent customer service. We specialize in assisting patients with ocular diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataract by means of laser vision correction. Contact us today for more information.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Glaucoma is a condition that causes buildup from fluid and pressure inside the eye. If untreated, it can eventually lead to blindness. Over 70 million people worldwide are diagnosed with glaucoma. Therapies to help remediate pressure include eye drops (which help reduce fluid produced by the eye) or surgery to unblock the eye’s drainage system.

Thanks to a study conducted by the University of Missouri School of Medicine and MU Health Care, a non-invasive treatment called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) might provide glaucoma relief. This process uses a laser to modify eye tissue and release fluid, which allows drainage to occur.

The MSM and MUHC research teams reviewed 252 SLT procedures on 198 patients diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma. Following surgery, 33.6 percent of patients achieved a 20 percent or higher reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) after two months. At six months, 38.5 percent of patients had diminished IOP. Overall, patients with a higher baseline IOP had considerable reductions in pressure.

“There’s been a lack of evidence about how well SLT works, how safe it is and the ideal candidate,” said senior author Jella An, MD, an assistant professor of ophthalmology and a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist at MU Health Care’s Mason Eye Institute. “Because so little is known about SLT, there is a lot of apprehension among specialists about using it as a first-line treatment for glaucoma. Our research findings have helped me redefine the ideal patient for this procedure.”

Rohr Eye & Laser Center specializes in eye laser treatment therapy. Our goal is to get you the best vision possible. For more information regarding laser treatment success in glaucoma patients, read this article by Science Daily.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit www.michiganlasik.com to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

NFL Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston is the latest pro athlete to undergo LASIK eye surgery. The QB said he could read license plates and street signs following the surgery. He said, “I think precision in the vision is the biggest difference.” Previously nearsighted in addition to having astigmatism, which is a curvature in the eye or lens, Winston’s vision is now corrected.

A growing number of professional athletes are choosing to undergo LASIK eye surgery. Some famous athletes include Tiger Woods, Tiki Barber, Dwayne Wade, Carson Wentz, Lindsey Vonn, Kirk Cousins, LeBron James, Wilson Ramos, Greg Maddux, Patrick Ewing, and Chris Paul.

Vision is integral to an athlete’s performance. Without strong vision, performance on the athletic field is diminished. Quarterback football players are continually shifting their eyes by calculating depth, distance, and rapidly-moving players. The quick decisions he makes based on his vision capabilities are what could win or cost the game.

Glasses or goggles can impair and even be potentially hazardous to athletes due to their susceptibility to damage and inability to protect their eyes during rain or snowstorms. LASIK eye surgery is a perfect option for athletes and other individuals who move quickly or are frequently in the elements.

Read the full article for more information about Winston’s LASIK experience.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is a type of refractive surgery to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. It was the first surgery developed for vision correction and came before the popular LASIK procedure. PRK works by reshaping the cornea using an excimer laser. It’s similar to LASIK in that they both use lasers during treatment; however, PRK surgery takes slightly longer to recover from. PRK’s are still commonly performed and, in some cases, offer advantages over LASIK eye surgery.  

Both LASIK and PRK work by reshaping the cornea using an excimer laser, allowing light to enter the eye to focus on the retina for clear vision. The main difference between PRK and LASIK is the first step of the procedure. During PRK, the thin layer of the cornea (epithelium) is removed before reshaping the underlying corneal tissue with an excimer laser. The epithelium regenerates itself (grows back over the cornea) within a few days after surgery. With LASIK, a thin flap is created on the cornea using a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. The flap is lifted to expose the underlying corneal tissue and is replaced after the cornea is reshaped with an excimer laser. 

LASEK (with an e) is essentially another version of PRK; however, this procedure entails removing the outer layer of the epithelial layer of the cornea. As with PRK, LASEK involves lifting the epithelial layer by using a trephine, a type of surgical instrument. The epithelial layer is preserved during surgery and then placed back on the eye’s surface once the procedure is complete. LASEK has decreased in popularity due to the slower recovery of vision compared with PRK. The epithelial layer that is placed back on the eye takes longer to recover in LASEK than the growth of a new layer as in PRK. 

After Surgery: 

Outcomes of PRK and LASIK are very similar. Many people can achieve 20/20 vision once they have had the procedure, and almost all patients achieve a 20/40 visual acuity or better. After PRK and LASIK surgery, complications are rare but can occur. Complications can include infection and starbursts or halos around lights at night. Reading glasses may also still be required after PRK surgery once you reach your 40s, due to an age-related loss of near vision called presbyopia. 

When it comes to corrective vision, LASIK is by far the most popular option for the majority. However, it’s essential to follow the guidance and judgment of your eye surgeon regarding whether PRK or LASIK is the best option for your individual needs. 

The human eye is an amazing organ comprised of fifteen parts, all working together so we can experience vision. Over time, our eyes start to age showing signs of lost efficiency of various functionalities. One of the main parts of the eye, the cornea, is a fascinating piece of tissue. It is comprised of five layers, all of which are designed to be optically transparent. 

The cornea provides a surface for the tear film, the layer of moisture with multiple functions, to cling to. Light is bent by the greatest degree when passing through these structures so it can be focused on point with the retina. The crystalline lens accounts for the remaining third of refractive power. 

Refractive issues appear when the power of these anatomical components – the cornea and crystalline lens is not well coordinated with the physical length of the eyeball. In hyperopia (long-sightedness), the eyeball is too short for its refractive power, and in myopia (short-sightedness), it is too long. 

Common surgeries such as LASIK and PRK have addressed this imbalance of refractive power to eyeball length by reshaping the cornea. Thin corneas can be treated with refractive procedures, and treatment suitability is also subject to other eligibility criteria such as pre-existing corneal disease and even lifestyle factors. Therefore, it is important to choose the appropriate candidates for each type of procedure.

The minimum corneal thickness required for refractive surgery is dependent on the degree of refractive error that needs to be corrected. The higher the refractive error, the higher the prescription required, and usually, the more tissue that needs to be removed. 

LASIK procedures require the creation of a flap of corneal tissue and, for those with thin corneas, make it challenging for reshaping. PRK surgery solves this issue by removing the very top layer, known as the epithelium, which leaves the rest of the corneal matter available for sculpting by laser. However, there are still requirements for patients considering PRK surgery, and sometimes other options must be considered that do not involve a laser to reshape the cornea. 

Some options include intraocular contact lenses, or implantable contact lenses (ICL). These lenses are artificial and are made of biosynthetic material that goes between the iris and the crystalline lens. However, not everyone may benefit from these lenses, and LASIK or PRK treatments may be more suitable to those who could benefit from a more permanent solution. 

Read the full article here. 

There are nearly 40 million people who have blindness and another 124 million who have low vision problems. With so many afflicted with vision issues, it’s no wonder why innovators have been long pursuing ways to restore or even augment natural eyesight into a higher-performing, more efficient, or even super-human vision. This would only be accomplished with the development of a so-call bionic eye or bionic eye implants. 

The goal of bionic eye scientists is to develop technology that’s as effective for people with little to poor vision as cochlear implants have become for those who have hearing difficulties. However, bionic eye technology is still in its infancy when compared to audio implant technology for hearing disabilities. 

Bionic Eyes are Different than Prosthetic Eyes

A bionic eye is not the same as a prosthetic eye. Prosthetic eyes sometimes called “glass eyes,” replace the physical structure and appearance of an eye that has been removed because of an accident, disease, or traumatic event.

Bionic eyes are mechanical and computational devices meant to give vision to the brain acting as a surrogate eye. Bionic eye implants, however, work on the existing eye structure to help augment vision in the damaged or impaired eye. Bionic implants are designed to achieve vision functionality over aesthetics and cosmetic reasons.

Currently, retinal implants are the only approved available bionic eyes. However, cornea transplants and cataract surgery can replace the cornea and lens if these structures are clouded or are incapable of focusing light for other reasons. 

Limitations of Bionic Eyes

Although specific bionic eye systems enable people to discern light, movement, and shapes, this technology is still limited and cannot restore sight 100%. This is mainly because the current implant has only 60 electrodes, to mimic the sight of a human eye, you would need about a million electrodes. 

The Future of Bionic Eyes

Researchers are trying to add more functionalities by increasing the number of electrodes to produce a higher quality of eyesight within bionic devices. Future implants will most likely feature a more functional vision for people who are blind. It also may be possible that bionic eyes can produce some degree of color vision. The key to higher quality vision within bionic eyes is a device that bypasses the retina and stimulates the brain directly. Read more about bionic eyesight here.

Often, as a person continues to get older, health conditions may begin to show, including cataracts. This eye condition can affect more than half the population over the age of 80. The common reasons why cataracts develop are smoking, high blood sugar, large amounts of sun exposure, eye injuries, or retina surgery. 

No matter the cause, the typical symptoms will be blurry/cloudy vision. In some cases, a stronger prescription for eyeglasses can be a short-term solution; however, the best treatment available is laser eye surgery. This article describes the differences between artificial lens types that can be customized to your vision needs, helping you see better after cataract surgery.   

To answer your personal questions about cataract surgery, schedule a consultation with your trusted Lasik surgeon today!