In most states, you only need one eye to maintain a driver's license. Most states require one eye to have at least 20/40. In addition, a certain degree of peripheral vision, or continuous field of vision, is required to qualify for an unrestricted license. A restricted license may still be obtained with slightly lower requirements. Please check your own state laws. Can I Drive? … [Read more...]
Shot in the Eye: Safe and…..Painless
November 25, 2009 By 9 Comments
Intraocular injections are given all the time. They don't hurt. Intraocular injections of anti-VEGF medications (e.g. Avastin®, Lucentis ®and Macugen®) are given for the treatment of macular degeneration and also, sometimes, diabetic retinopathy. A retinal specialist sees a variety of patients with retina disease, but most of the patients have either macular degeneration or diabetic … [Read more...]
The Cornea and How We See
November 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The cornea is the clear tissue at the front of the eye. A contact lens rests on the cornea. It is normally crystal clear, focuses light and permits light to be focused on to the retina. A healthy retina absorbs light, transmits this information to our brain........and voila.........it gives us vision. The Cornea and Focusing Power of the Eye The cornea is more than just a clear window … [Read more...]
Cataracts are Like Grey Hair! Everyone Gets Them.
November 17, 2009 By 2 Comments
Everyone gets a cataract. Just as grey hair, some people get cataracts at an early age and some people get them at a later age. Patients with diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration aren't spared either. What is a cataract? A cataract is the clouding of the natural lens in the eye. Very advanced cataracts actually are white, hence the name "cataract" to compare to the whiteness seen … [Read more...]
It’s Not About Your Vision, It’s About Quality of Life
November 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Decreased vision impacts your quality of life. Macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are the two leading causes of loss of vision in adults. Macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy can impact your quality of life. Your quality of life , besides visual acuity, is also used to measure the outcome, or success, of a treatment. There are many ways to "measure" visual acuity, but … [Read more...]
Visual Acuity – How We Measure Your Vision
October 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Image via Wikipedia When you go to your eye doctor, we check your "vision," but there are several ways to actually monitor or evaluate your vision. Basically, almost all vision testing is designed to measure the function of your macula. Macular vision is your central vision. It is our most useful vision. When we are 20/20, we are testing central vision only. "The Eye Chart" measures … [Read more...]
Laser Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Still The Best: True Cases
September 24, 2009 By 1 Comment
I saw two patients (RJ and JR) yesterday that have the same "problem." They both are patients with diabetes and both have advanced, or proliferative, diabetic retinopathy. Both have had diabetes for over 20 years, are on insulin and have been treated with pan-retinal photocoagulation to control the proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Both still have 20/20 vision. Neither have ever … [Read more...]
Cataract Surgery May Worsen Diabetic Retinopathy
August 29, 2009 By 3 Comments
This post will be short and is written as follow-up to "Diabetics Get Cataracts". There is a study just published in the journal Ophthalmology where patients with diabetes underwent cataract surgery. The incidence of diabetic retinopathy was then followed for at least 12 months. Patients with both Type I and Type II diabetes were followed. Overall, there was an increased incidence of … [Read more...]
