Vision Eyecare Lasik Health and Medical News/Updates

Associated article at www.LifeSpa.com/BestVitaminD Vitamin D3 may be the most important supplement you can take. Learn about the benefits of taking this vitamin and risks if you aren’t. Also, why Vitamin D2 will never optimize your levels like Vitamin D3. Read the associated article to learn more about Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12, Iodine, and other deficiencies at www.LifeSpa.com/BestVitaminD Dr. John Douillard, DC received his Ayurvedic training in India and runs an Ayurvedic retreat center in Boulder, CO. www.lifespa.com

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Program Description: Sherry Aden will present a brief overview of her upcoming live program. She will touch on the human diet and the importance of good nutrition in relation to other health issues mentally ill clients may experience. Program Presenter: Sherry Aden, RD, LD, Dietitian, Missouri Department of Mental Health Ms. Aden did her undergraduate work at Southeast Missouri State University and completed her Internship at Purdue University. She has been a Registered Dietitian for 13 years and has worked in mental health for 10 years. She also taught nutrition for 3 years at Southeast Missouri State University. In addition, Ms. Aden has worked with the Eat for Health Campaign in New Madrid, Carter and Reynolds Counties in Missouri.

Associated article at www.LifeSpa.com/BestVitaminD Vitamin D3 may be the most important supplement you can take. Learn about the benefits of taking this vitamin and risks if you aren’t. Also, why Vitamin D2 will never optimize your levels like Vitamin D3. Read the associated article to learn more about Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12, Iodine, and other deficiencies at www.LifeSpa.com/BestVitaminD

pilladvised.com You are what you eat. Sure, but Why is Nutrition Important? It fuels your body And give you building blocks like amino acids for making protein and calcium and magnesium for building bones and teeth. Fatty acids for building the membranes of cells. Nutrition has been the focus of scientific research for over a hundred years. We now know that vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids are essential nutrients. Recent research has discovered exciting stuff about nutrition. The blue of blueberries, the red of cherries and tomatoes, and the orange of carrot have bioflavonoids and carotenoids that give food some of its richest colors. These antioxidants help protect us against free radical damage, important for preventing disease and staying youthful. Stay tuned for more episode as we explore the exciting research that is being done about nutrition for prevention, wellness, and staying young.

There have been five major advances in LASIK since it was first invented: 1. The use of eye trackers – The first LASIK procedures required the patient to fixate on a light and that was what was used to center the treatment. The invention of eye tracker technology allows the laser to be programmed to define the location of the pupil and when the treatment is started even if the eye moves, the laser stays centered on the pupil which gives treatments that are correctly centered over the optical portion of the eye. 2. Small spot scanning lasers – The first lasers and ones still in use today use a “broad beam” where the treatment laser beam is as large as the optical zone being treated and astigmatism is corrected by varying the shape of this beam. Although this is effective, there are limitations to the types of shapes that can be created, and the quality of the ablation is limited to the quality of the laser beam. Newer lasers use small scanning spots to shape the front of the eye, and with much lower energy per laser pulse. 3. Wavefront optimized ablations – Originally LASIK was done with a mathematical model to flatten the center of the cornea to correct the refractive error. It was learned that this creates halos, glare, and other optical aberrations that are unwanted, especially in patients with larger pupils. The newer lasers can correct the refractive error but maintain a more natural or prolate shape due to more advanced algorithms for the correction. 4. All laser LASIK – All laser LASIK was initially done using a microkeratome that employs a disposable razor blade to cut the corneal flap, which is the first step in traditional LASIK. By using a femtosecond laser, Intralase, and then others were able to create a flap using a laser which is safer, more predictable, and gives more reproducible results. The razor portion is still used by many centers today, but is the cause of most of the risks of the LASIK procedure. 5. Thin flap LASIK – Initially all LASIK was done with a flap of about 180 microns. This is about 20% of the thickness of the structural cornea (the epithelial skin not counted) in most cases and the thickness was unpredictable due to use of the blade (see reason 4 above). Sometimes the flap was over 200 microns. This can weaken the cornea and lead to complications. The all laser method can make thinner flaps, and over time doctors have moved to “thin flap LASIK” with flaps of about 100 microns and in some cases 90 microns which is half as thick as the original flaps. BONUS IMPROVEMENT: Although not technically a change in Denver LASIK itself, the diagnostic capabilities have improved since the early days of LASIK making the imaging of the cornea more robust with technologies such as OCT, Wavefront analysis, and posterior surface topography. All of these changes have contributed to making an improvement in LASIK.  Recently we have begun to look at corneal hysteresis (CH) which is a measure of corneal strength.

Proper eyecare knowledge can help you make better vision health choices for yourself and your family. Here are a few of the most important terms related to contact lens wear and vision care:

Astigmatism

 

It is a condition where the cornea is irregularly shaped that leads to distorted vision especially at near distances. Either glasses or toric contact lenses can correct astigmatism for most people. Small amounts of astigmatism may be correctable with regular GP contacts.

  

Bifocal

 

A type of spectacle or contact lens design that includes two focal areas: one for near, one for distance.

  

Cleaning solution

 

When cleaning contact lenses, the first step is often to apply a few drops of cleaning solution to the surface and rub gently for about 20 seconds. The solution and the rubbing work together to loosen any debris, which is then rinsed off with saline solution. The next step is disinfection and storage.

   Contact lens dispensing may be handled by specially trained technicians, who fit the lenses after an optometrist or ophthalmologist determines the prescription.

Contact lens technician

  

Cornea

 

Clear front eye tissue that covers iris and pupil and admits light. Contact lenses either fully or partially cover the cornea.

  

Daily wear lens

 

Worn during waking hours and removed at the end of each day for cleaning and disinfecting.

  

Disinfectant

 

Agent that inhibits the growth of or destroys harmful microorganisms such as bacteria.

  

Disinfecting/soaking solution

 

After cleaning contact lenses and rinsing them with saline, fill the chambers of your storage case with enough disinfecting solution to cover the lenses. Always use fresh disinfecting solution. Allow your lenses to soak and disinfect overnight.

  

Disposable contact lens

 

Worn for brief periods, from one day to two weeks. It is then discarded and replaced with a new lens.

  

Dry eye syndrome

 

Dry eye usually occurs when eyes don’t produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly because of environmental conditions. Contact lens wearers, computer operators, post-menopausal women, and people with allergies are most susceptible to chronic dry eye.

  

Emmetropia

 

The scientific term for normal vision. When an image is directly focused by the cornea and lens of the eye on the retina, clear vision is the result.

  

Enzyme cleaner

 

An extra-strength cleaner, typically used weekly, to remove stubborn deposits from contact lenses; it comes in versions for both soft and GP lenses.

  

Extended wear lens

 

Worn 24 hours a day, for several days up to one week.

  

Farsightedness

 

A condition where the eyeball is too short and flat, so that light rays haven’t yet focused when they reach the retina. The result is difficulty in seeing near objects clearly.

  

GP contact lens

 

Also known as a gas permeable or RGP (rigid gas permeable), this contact lens is made of breathable plastic that has been custom fit to the shape of the cornea. GP contact lenses are long-lasting, comfortable, easy to clean, and healthy for the eyes.

  

Hard contact lens

 

Made of an inflexible plastic material called PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), this was the first contact lens in wide use. Hard lenses had excellent optics, but because they refrained oxygen from reaching the cornea, they’ve become obsolete.

  

Hyperopia

 

Similar to farsightedness.

  

Iris

 

The iris is the colored portion of the eye that regulates the opening of the pupil.

  

Keratoconus

 

A condition where the cornea becomes cone-shaped, causing major vision distortion. People with keratoconus are particularly challenging to contact lens fitters, who usually must prescribe custom-made lenses for them.

LASIK

 

Abbreviation for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, a surgical procedure in which a tiny flap is cut in the top of the cornea, underlying corneal tissue is removed with an excimer laser, and the flap is put back in place. The surgery corrects vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

  

Monovision

 

This is a contact lens fitting technique that is an alternative to bifocal glasses, bifocal contacts or reading glasses. It may be used with either soft or GP contacts. One eye is fit with a contact lens for distance vision, and the other eye is fit for near vision. Although it is an effective technique, it does have disadvantages. For example, many people who use monovision report compromised depth perception.

  

Multifocal

 

A type of spectacle or contact lens design that includes more than one focal area. Bifocals and trifocals are both multifocal lens designs.

  

Myopia

 

Similar to nearsightedness.

  

Nearsightedness

 

A condition where the eyeball is too long and steep, so that light rays focus before they reach the retina. The result is difficulty in seeing distant objects clearly.

  

Ophthalmologist

 

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (M.D.s) who are eye specialists. They perform eye examinations, treat disease, and perform surgery; some also specialize in contact lenses. In some states ophthalmologists may have opticians and contact lens technicians working with them, who are specially trained to fit contact lenses.

  

Optician

 

Opticians and contact lens technicians are not doctors, but in some states they can become certified, after special training, to fit contact lenses. Some specialize in contact lenses and work in optometric or medical offices, working as a team with an O.D. or M.D. to fit contact lenses.

  

Optometrist

 

Doctors of optometry (O.D.s) complete four years of post-graduate optometry school. Optometrists examine eyes for both vision and health problems, prescribe glasses, and fit contact lenses. They can prescribe many ophthalmic medications and often participate in pre- and post-operative care.

  

Orthokeratology

 

Also known as ortho-K, this is a non-surgical procedure for changing the shape of the eye’s cornea. The procedure involves wearing a series of GP contact lenses that progressively “mold” the surface of the cornea into a shape that provides for better vision. The procedure does not have a permanent effect. Therefore, just as orthodontic retainers keep your teeth from moving back to their original positions, “retainer” contact lenses must be worn periodically to keep the cornea from regressing back to its less desirable shape.

  

Presbyopia

 

With aging, the eye’s lens becomes less able to focus incoming light. This results in blurred vision at reading distance, as well as eyestrain. Presbyopes may wear reading glasses, or multifocal contact lenses or glasses.

  

PRK

 

Abbreviation for photorefractive keratectomy, a surgical procedure in which an excimer laser removes corneal tissue to correct vision problems such as myopia.

  

Progressive addition lenses

 

Like bifocals and trifocals, progressive lenses provide clear vision at all distances: near, intermediate, and far. The difference is that the viewing zones gradually blend into each other, for lenses that are more attractive to wear.

  

Pupil

 

The small dark portion in the center of the eye, the pupil opens and closes to regulate the amount of light, and thus the amount of visual information, the retina receives.

  

Refraction

 

A measurement of the eyes to determine the level of visual acuity. Most refractions are performed by optometrists, though many ophthalmologists do them as well. Refractions often result in a prescription for glasses or contact lenses.

  

Refractive surgery

 

Any type of surgery, whether performed with a blade, laser, or waterjet, that corrects visual acuity. LASIK is one type of refractive surgery.

  

Retina

 

Thin tissue in the back of the eye that receives an image formed by the lens and converts it to electrical impulses carried by the optic nerve to the brain.

  

Rewetting solution

 

Drops that contact lens wearers can use all day if needed to keep the eye moist.

  

RGP contact lens

 

Abbreviation for rigid gas permeable lens. Same as GP (gas permeable) contact lens.

  

RK

 

Abbreviation for radial keratotomy, a surgical procedure in which cuts are made in the cornea in a radial pattern, to flatten the cornea and correct myopia.

  

Saline solution

 

Sterile salt solution used to clean and store soft contact lenses. Saline is also used to rinse both soft lenses and GP contacts.

  

Soft lens

 

Made of gel-like plastic, soft contact lenses contain varying amounts of water. They provide good initial comfort for first-time wearers but must be replaced often.

  

Toric lens

 

A contact lens design effective in correcting astigmatism.

  

Trifocal

 

A type of spectacle or contact lens design that includes three focal areas: usually a reading lens, a lens for faraway viewing, and a lens for mid-distance viewing.

  

Wetting solution

 

When placing a GP contact lens on your eye, first put a drop or two of wetting solution on the bowl of the lens. This helps the lens adhere to your eye better. Wetting solution may also be used to relieve dryness after several hours of lens wear.

Not many people know a lot about good nutrition. And I mean really know. Most teens aren’t even required to take a basic nutrition class in school. However, nutrition is the one thing in life that affects your whole life. Good or bad nutrition habits can affect your emotions, your your physical features including your skin, hair and bodyshape, and even how you treat others. Your nutrition habits will also have major effects on your health now and in the future. So how important is nutrition in your life?