Laser Treatments for Glaucoma

Glaucoma is most often treated with eye drops, but today we know that laser treatment for glaucoma is regarded as a safe and effective treatment for glaucoma and may be considered as first-line therapy in early to moderate-stage open-angle glaucoma when eye pressure or IOP is less than 35 mm Hg. Recent research presented at the World Glaucoma Congress also indicated that the SLT Laser may also be useful for glaucoma induced by the use of steroids and the ALT and SLT Laser may be useful in treating pigmentary glaucoma. But, we know that laser treatments for glaucoma are not a cure and that meticulous follow up and monitoring is necessary to ensure that patients continue to do well over time in order to preserve eye health and vision.

If you or someone you know has a question or wishes to learn more about glaucoma treatment options please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser to schedule an eye exam and glaucoma evaluation.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 522 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Sleep Apnea Increases Glaucoma Risk

You might be surprised to learn that sleep apnea can increase your risk of developing glaucoma and sleep apnea is actually a risk factor for glaucoma! What do sleep apnea and your risk of developing glaucoma have in common? Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that blocks breathing during sleep for more than 100 million people worldwide. In obstructive sleep apnea, the airway becomes blocked, causing breathing to stop for up to two minutes. Symptoms include loud snoring and persistent daytime sleepiness. Glaucoma affects nearly 60 million worldwide.  If untreated, glaucoma reduces peripheral vision and eventually may cause blindness by damaging the Optic Nerve.

Researchers, reporting in the journal Ophthalmology, the official publication of the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that obstructive sleep apnea is not simply a marker for poor health, but is actually an independent risk factor for open-angle glaucoma. The relationship between the two conditions is significant, given the large numbers of people worldwide who suffer from them. Based on this finding, we want to alert obstructive sleep apnea patients of the associations between obstructive sleep apnea and open-angle glaucoma to raise the issue and encouraging treatment of those who need it.

If you or someone you know has a question about sleep apnea and your risk of glaucoma, please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 522 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Cataract Risk Reduced with Running or Walking

Your risk of developing cataracts might be reduced with either moderate exercise such as walking or more vigorous exercise such as running according to a study published in Medicine and Science in Sports by researchers at the Life Sciences Division of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. In previous studies the risk of cataracts formation was found to be lower in runners over time. In this Berkeley study when the incidence of cataracts was adjusted for sex, race, age, education, smoking, and intakes of meat, fruit and alcohol, lower cataract risk was significantly associated with both running and walking with no significant difference in risk reduction between running and walking, or between men and women. Further, the cataractrisk appears to decrease linearly with increasing exercise energy expenditure.

If you or someone you know has a question about cataracts, cataract surgery, lens implants or driving please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 522 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354. 

Inflammation Marker Helps Predict Macular Degeneration Risk

CRP or C - reactive protein blood tests are used as markers of inflammation. We now know that the risk of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is correlated with the findings of the CRP (c-reactive proteins) test. According to researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston who reported in JAMA Ophthalmology the results showed that there was a significantly increased risk of AMD for those patients with high versus low CRP levels and those with high CRP levels also had a significantly increased risk of neovascular or Wet AMD. The researchers concluded that elevated levels of CRP predict greater future risk of AMD. It is believed that this information might shed light on underlying mechanisms and could be of clinical help in the identification of persons at high risk of AMD who may benefit from increased adherence to lifestyle recommendations, eye examination schedules and therapeutic protocols.

If you or someone you know has a question about CRP inflammation marker as it predicts Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) risk, please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 522 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Help for Glaucoma Patients with iPad, Kindle & Nook

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the Optic Nerve and can result in a loss of contrast sensitivity and thus quality of vision as well a loss peripheral vision and size of the visual field along with relative blind spots in the visual field. As result, adults with glaucoma read slower when reading silently for long periods of time and are more likely to have their reading speed decrease over time, possibly as a result of reading fatigue. According to a recent study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science patients with glaucoma may benefit from using e-readers such as iPads, Nooks and Kindle devices as these devices offer enhancements to contrast, font size and background illumination. This study suggests that the   technological solutions such as e-readers along with the apps that are developed for them may very well help glaucoma patients read more comfortably.

If you or someone you know has a question how reading with glaucoma might be improved and made more comfortable with the use of e-readers such as iPads, Nooks & Kindles, please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 522 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.

Cataract Surgery Thank You to Dr. Buck

Dr. Scott Buck

I had cataract surgery last year and was very skeptical. I have always been an avid sewer and seamstress. My vision was declining and I didn’t know what to do. I came to see Dr. Buck and through his evaluation we both decided that having the ReSTOR® Lens Implant was my best option for the hobbies and activities that I do. While it was an added cost I couldn’t be happier! My vision has improved greatly and I can see far away and up close. My dependency on reading glasses is minimal and I think my sewing skill has gotten better. 

Thank you Dr. Buck!

Senior Eye Health Requires Macular Degeneration Awareness

Seniors should take the time to learn about AgeRelated Macular Degeneration (AMD) as the number of people affected by macular degeneration is continuing to climb, especially due to the aging baby boomer population. Preserving eye health in seniors has to be a priority as we know that vision loss often leads to a progressive loss of lifestyle, mental decline and overall functioning. Today, for most patients, with early detection, diagnosis and treatment, at a minimum we can prevent further vision loss from the disease.

Types of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

There are two types of AMD, a “Dry” form and a “Wet” form. It is estimated that 85-90% of people with AMD have the Dry form which results in a gradual progressive vision loss. Fortunately, only 10 percent of people with AMD have the Wet form which progresses much quicker and can cause catastrophic vision loss.

Symptoms of Age Related Macular Degeneration Vision Loss

Both Dry and Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration affects central or straight ahead vision and leaves peripheral vision intact. Dry AMD results in a blurring and general dimming of vision in a slow progressive manner. Wet AMD results from the leakage of fluid or formation of blood vessels under the Macula that results in distortion, “bubbling” or “bending” of central vision. If the blood vessels break and bleed, it is possible to have a scar form with a sudden, severe loss of central vision accompanied by a blind spot in the center of vision.

The  goal must be to provide seniors with regular eye exams and careful evaluation of the  retina-along with building awareness of these symptoms as with early diagnosis, treatment of Wet AMD with Lucentis® or Eylea® injections is often possible with excellent results in avoiding vision loss.

Preventing Vision Loss from Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Once you are over 50, it becomes increasingly important to have a thorough, comprehensive dilated eye exam every one to two years-and even more often if you have any family history of AMD or at the recommendation of your eye doctor. Patients can often reduce their risk of developing AMD by not smoking as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables, avoiding foods with Trans fats, exercising and controlling blood pressure and weight.

If you or someone you know has a question about Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), AMD symptoms and prevention of AMD,  please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 522 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.