Study Shows Moderate Alcohol Consumption May Prevent Cataracts and Macular Degeneration

A study involving more than 3,600 Australians has demonstrated evidence supporting the positive effects of moderate alcohol consumption in relation to cataracts and macular degeneration.

When factors such as age, smoking, and diabetes were controlled for, people who consume one to two drinks daily were 50% less likely to require cataract surgery than both heavy drinkers and non-drinkers. Similarly, evidence indicated that one glass of red wine each day can help lower the risk of macular degeneration.

Cataracts are a clouding of your eye's lens. They develop gradually over time. At first, you may not notice a substantial difference in your vision. However, as the number of cataracts in your eye increases, you will start experiencing increasingly deteriorated vision. The condition is easily treated by cataract surgery, which involves removing your eye's clouded natural lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens.

Macular degeneration is caused by deterioration of the retina. Over time, it can result in significant vision impairment. While there is no cure for the condition, it can be treated with vitamins, laser therapy, and medication.

Please contact the LASIK Directory today to find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area.

Florence Henderson Takes on Task of Cataract Awareness

Florence Henderson, best known for her role as Carol Brady on the popular sitcom "The Brady Bunch," has recently teamed up with Bausch & Lomb to spread awareness of cataracts to elderly Americans. Henderson recently had cataract surgery performed, opting for the Crystalens accommodating intraocular lens (IOL). She plans to share her experiences with others in the hopes of creating a greater awareness of the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment methods available to cataracts patients.

Crystalens is the only accommodating IOL approved by the FDA. The primary advantage of an accommodating IOL is that it corrects a full range of vision issues. As a result, the patient is substantially less likely to need glasses following cataract surgery.

More than 20 million Americans over the age of 40 suffer from cataracts. It is one of the leading causes of blindness among elderly Americans. Cataracts are essentially a clouding of the eye's lens, which results in a diminished ability to see clearly.

Ms. Henderson has been thrilled with the results of her treatment: "I didn't realize what I had been missing before I had my Crystalens surgery. The colors of everything are so much brighter and the improved sharpness and clarity of my vision are very noticeable."

Please contact the LASIK Directory today to find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area.

FDA Approves New Bimatoprost Solution for Glaucoma Treatment

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that the new bimatoprost 0.01% ophthalmic solution has received approval for use in treating increased intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients. The medication is produced by Allergan and will be sold under the name Lumigan.

Allergan has been marketing a 0.03% formulation of Lumigan for years. The new formulation will provide patients with an alternative that achieves comparable results while exposing them to one third of the dosage. A study has shown the 0.01% solution to lower intraocular pressure by up to 7.5 mm Hg from an average baseline of 23.5 mm Hg compared to an 8 mm Hg reduction achieved by the 0.03% formulation.

The primary advantage of using the new 0.01% bimatoprost solution is a significant reduction in adverse side effects including:

• Hyperemia
  
• Eyelash growth
  
• Ocular pruritus
  
• Pigmentation changes in the iris, eyelid, and eyelashes
  

The new 0.01% formulation has also been shown to improve tolerability of the treatment among patients. This is evidenced by a substantially lower discontinuation rate after one year of usage – 8.1% for 0.01% solution patients compared with 13.4% for 0.03% solution patients.

Lumigan 0.01% will be available to patients who have a valid prescription before the close of the 2010 calendar year.

Please contact the LASIK Directory today to find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area.

FDA Approves New Laser for Use in LASIK Procedures

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved a new laser for use in LASIK procedures. The Technolas Advanced Control Eyetracking (ACE) laser, produced by Bausch & Lomb, provides patients with revolutionary new technology that should dramatically improve the safety and precision of laser eye surgery procedures.

Eyetracking technology enables the laser to compensate for eye movements during the LASIK procedure. While other lasers approved by the FDA have incorporated this technology, the Technolas ACE laser is the first to be able to adjust for subtle rotations of the eye. Prior to the start of the procedure, the eyetracker locks on to the eye's unique iris pattern. When rotation of the iris pattern is detected during the procedure, the direction of laser pulses instantly gets modified to compensate for these rotations. As a result, each laser pulse during the LASIK procedure will act on its intended location on the cornea.

Approximately 2,000 LASIK procedures using this laser have been evaluated in medical studies. The results clearly show that the active, rotational eyetracking technology of the ACE laser considerably improves the safety and accuracy of LASIK outcomes. Eye rotation can result in only a partial correction of astigmatism as well as an increased likelihood of the need for an enhancement procedure. ACE technology greatly reduces these risks.

Please contact the LASIK Directory today to find an experienced laser eye surgeon in your area.

LASIK Alternatives

While LASIK is the most popular type of vision correction surgery, it is not the ideal procedure for everyone. Depending on your refractive error, overall eye health and unique corneal condition, you may be a more suitable candidate for one of the LASIK alternative procedures.

At your initial consultation, your laser eye surgeon will evaluate the condition of your eyes and recommend the appropriate procedure to meet your needs. Some of the most common alternatives to LASIK include:

• Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) – this procedure employs radio waves to correct refractive errors associated with hyperopia and presbyopia
  
• Implantable contact lenses – used to correct myopia by inserting an intraocular lens (IOL) in front of your eye's natural lens
  
• LASEK – a common alternative used when your corneal shape or thickness rules you out as a LASIK candidate
  
• Epi-LASIK – corrects myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism for patients with very thin corneas, large pupils, or dry eyes
  
• Photo-Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) – like LASIK, PRK uses an excimer laser to reshape your cornea; however, there is no corneal flap created during the PRK procedure
  

By opting for the appropriate procedure for your unique needs, you will minimize the risk of complications and increase your chances of receiving the best possible outcome.