Despite all of the technology that we have today, most people, including doctors, do not realize that sugar control does not prevent diabetic retinopathy. While sugar may affect the severity of diabetic retinopathy, the number of years that one is diabetic is the single most predictive variable. Over the years, I have found it very difficult to get this message to the … [Read more...]
glargine Insulin Does Not Cause More Diabetic Retinopathy
July 17, 2009 By 2 Comments
A five year prospective study reveals that insulin glargine is as safe as NPH insulin with regard to developing diabetic retinopathy. Patients placed on insulin glargine are no more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy than Type II diabetics on NPH insulin. The study also found that the severity of the diabetic retinopathy was similar in the two groups. Read the … [Read more...]
New Screening Methods for Retinopathy Using Cameras
July 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Recent studies are defining new strategy for screening diabetic retinopathy. The study used a non-mydriatic (pictures of the retina are taken without dilating drops) camera, a technician trained at looking at retinal photos and a retinal specialist. During the study, a population of diabetics, with no or little insurance, were screened by obtaining a retinal photo. … [Read more...]
Top 10 Comments About Macular Degeneration
July 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Macular degeneration, or ARMD, is one of the more common diseases seen by a retina specialist. It is usually a disease of the elderly, and with the "baby-boomers" aging, the prevalence continues to rise. There is a lot of "misinformation" regarding macular degeneration. So, here goes; 1. There are two types; so called "wet" and "dry." Wet, or exudative … [Read more...]
White Coat Syndrome Hurts Sales
July 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Most of what I do all day is see patients. To many, I examine, diagnose and patients with retina problems. I have found, that I am actually a bit of a salesman....I have to sell myself. That is, I have to gain the trust of my patients in order for them to let me treat them, be it medications or surgery. I have a short time to sell myself to the patient. In many ways, … [Read more...]
Visual Hallucinations and Charles Bonnet Syndrome
July 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Patients that once had excellent vision sometimes report seeing crystal clear images of nature, faces and other objects. Most of these patients have experienced severe loss of vision in both eye; usually from a disease such as macular degeneration. They have lost the ability to read and many are worse than legally blind. What is happening? These visual hallucinations … [Read more...]
Retinal Vein Occlusions – New Hope on the Horizon
July 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment
There are two types of retinal vein occlusions (RVO), branch retinal vein occlusions (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). In both of these scenarios, the central vein that drains blood from the retina becomes occluded partially (as in the case of BRVO) or completely (as in the case of CRVO). The mainstay of treatment for either has been treatment with an … [Read more...]
I Am Blind and I Can Not See
July 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I hear this daily. A patient comes in for examination and is asked how his/her vision has been. "Horrible, I am worse than legally blind." "But with your glasses or contacts, do you see well?" "Absolutely!" Maybe I should amend my question, but I ask it as a test question and await the answer. It serves as a type of barometer, it gives me a clue as to the … [Read more...]
