Ophthalmology / 17.10.2024

More than 150 million Americans wear corrective spectacles and lenses. This eyewear helps Americans compensate for refractive errors. The most common of them are nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. When do errors arise? They happen when an eye does not refract the light to concentrate on the retina. This occurs because of the cornea’s form. If you wear lenses or glasses, understanding LASIK vs SMILE surgery is for you. 

LASIK Eye Surgery

About

Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis is what stands behind LASIK. In the USA alone, this is the top sought-after surgical intervention. The procedure is 100% bladeless and involves a laser beam for cornea reshaping.    The procedure has been FDA-approved for 20 years. Since then, it has revolutionized the domain. There is more than one type of LASIK surgery. (more…)
Ophthalmology / 12.06.2024

Maintaining sound eye health requires knowledge of common eye disorders. Hyperopia (farsightedness) and myopia (nearsightedness) affect our ability to see close things. Another common problem is astigmatism, which results in blurry vision because of unevenly shaped corneas. The age-related disorder, presbyopia, affects one's capacity to focus on near objects. Older persons frequently get cataracts, which cloud the eye's lens, while glaucoma causes elevated eye pressure that may cause vision loss. For early identification and treatment, as well as to maintain overall eye health and vision, routine eye exams are crucial. Regular Eye Check-Ups Regular eye check-ups are among the most critical steps in maintaining optimal vision. These visits help detect potential eye problems early and ensure your eyes are healthy. Consulting with eye doctors in Newtown, PA, can provide personalized care and recommendations for your vision needs. Eye check-ups often include tests measuring visual acuity, depth perception, eye alignment, and movement. These tests are designed to detect abnormalities early, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Catching these conditions in their initial stages can be crucial for effective treatment and preventing long-term damage. For instance, detecting glaucoma early can allow for treatments that reduce intraocular pressure and prevent further optic nerve damage. (more…)
Author Interviews, CMAJ, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics / 20.07.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Mayu Nishimura Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences Director of Research Kindergarten Vision Screening Program  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? child-looking-vision Response: Children's visual problems are difficult to identify without formal tests but most parents do not realize the importance of early eye checks nor are they aware that well-child visits to the family doctor/pediatrician are not enough. We are researchers at McMaster University (Hamilton, ON) and SickKids Hospital (Toronto, ON) who examined if it is possible to implement a vision screening program for kindergartners in diverse Ontario communities. Below are the main findings:
  • We screened nearly 5000 kindergarten children in 15 communities and found that 11% of screened children had a visual problem, with 2/3 of the children being identified for the first time.
  • There was great support for the program from the children, parents, teachers, and optometrists.
  • Screening required 15-20 minutes per child and cost $10/child.
  • When parents received a letter permitting them to opt out of screening, 4% did so. When parents were required to return a signed letter to opt in, 30% did not.
  • Referral rates varied across schools but were higher for children in junior kindergarten (average 53%) than children in senior kindergarten (average 34%).
  • Successful treatment depends on the parents’ awareness of the importance of eye exams and glasses, and access to optometrists and glasses without worrying about costs.
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Accidents & Violence, Author Interviews, Ophthalmology / 18.10.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Jonathon Ng MD Clinical Senior Lecturer Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Population and Public Health University of Western Australia MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: This study was a part of a programme of research into cataract surgery and motor vehicle accidents spanning a decade. The older population is the fastest growing group of drivers and continuing to drive is an important part of maintaining independence. However, ageing also leads to a variety of conditions, including eye diseases such as cataract which affects vision and driving ability. We conducted this current study to try and better understand driving performance in people having cataract surgery. This was prompted by our earlier work 10 years ago that found decreased motor vehicle accidents after cataract surgery in a study of 28,000 people using linked health and administrative data.  (more…)
Author Interviews, Geriatrics, JAMA, Ophthalmology, University of Michigan / 21.06.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Joshua R. Ehrlich, MD, MPH Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Kellogg Eye Center Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of Michigan  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?   Response: This study came out of data collected as part of the National Poll on Healthy Aging (NPHA). The NPHA is funded by AARP and the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation at the University of Michigan to inform the public, healthcare providers, and policymakers on a variety issues related to health. The vision survey, conducted in March 2018, was just one of many NPHA surveys. Due to aging of the population, the number of older U.S. adults with blindness and vision impairment is expected to double over the next 30 years. Thus, this study was designed to provide crucial data  on contemporary data on patterns of eye care utilization in older adults. (more…)
Aging, Alzheimer's - Dementia, Author Interviews, JAMA, Ophthalmology / 29.06.2018

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: “Old Eyeglasses” by Leyram Odacrem is licensed under CC BY 2.0Diane Zheng MS NEI F-31 Research Fellow and a Ph.D. candidate in Epidemiology Department of Public Health Sciences University of Miami MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Worsening vision and declining cognitive function are common conditions among older people. Understanding the association between them could be beneficial to alleviate age related cognitive decline. (more…)