Blind Woman Sees Shapes Thanks to Scientists

 

A team of researchers from the University Miguel Hernandez (Spain), the Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience (Netherlands), and the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah (USA) recently published details about how they were able to successfully restore vision in a woman using a brain implant.

The scientists oversaw a series of tests with the blind volunteer to eventually recreate her vision. First, a neurosurgeon implanted a microelectrode array into her visual cortex, which was composed of 100 microneedles intended to stimulate neurons near the electrodes. The woman wore eyeglasses outfitted with a mini video camera which translated the data collected and sent to the brains electrodes. Finally, the brain simulated the image by surrounding neurons to produce white areas of light known as “phosphenes.”

A former science teacher, the woman had been blind for 16 years. No complications were seen post-op, and scientists concluded the implant did not affect brain function. 

Lines, shapes, and letters were visible to the blind woman. The researchers developed a game to help her strengthen and recognize the different phosphene shapes. Because of her extensive involvement and unique insight, the woman became a co-author of the study.

Professor Eduardo Fernandez said, “These results are very exciting because they demonstrate both safety and efficacy and could help to achieve a long-held dream of many scientists, which is the transfer information from the outside world directly to the visual cortex of blind individuals, thereby restoring a rudimentary form of sight. Although these preliminary results are very encouraging, we should be aware that there are still a number of important unanswered questions and that many problems have to be solved before a cortical visual prosthesis can be considered a viable clinical therapy.”

Professor R. A. Normann, a study co-author, said, “It could allow them to identify a person, doorways, or cars. It could increase independence and safety. That’s what we’re working toward.”

Professor P. Roelfsema, a co-author in the study, said, “This new study provides proof-of-principle and demonstrates that our previous findings in monkey experiments can be translated to humans. This work is likely to become a milestone for the development of new technologies that could transform the treatment of blindness.”

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Research Proves LASIK Adverse Events are Rare

 

Ophthalmology is a scientific field that is continuously performing research and studies based on the human eye. LASIK eye surgery is an imperative aspect of ophthalmology that presents patients with more benefits than risks.

A recent study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology outlined researchers’ data analysis from roughly 37,000 laser vision correction patients who underwent either LASIK (31,921) or PRK (5,016) between July 2014 and June 2016. Data analyzed included eye examinations prior to the surgery, procedure reports, and follow-up exams.

Data on adverse events were also recorded, such as those that negatively impacted patients’ visual outcomes. Out of 37,000 patients, 34 experienced adverse side effects; 70 percent were characterized as severe. With less than one percent of patients experiencing a significant unfavorable result, each procedure showed:

-          LASIK (31,921 patients): 0.4 percent of patients experienced unfavorable results

-          PRK (5,016 patients): 0.7 percent of patients experienced unfavorable results

Of those with serious adverse effects, roughly 80 percent still achieved 20/20 (or higher) vision without glasses or contacts.

With over 20 million procedures performed throughout the United States over 20 years, research papers number greater than 7,000. Experts study vision correction effects in-depth to ensure they are safe and effective for patients. Based on the large number of patients country-wide, LASIK and PRK are excellent, viable options to improve vision for suitable candidates. 

To improve your vision through LASIK, contact the ophthalmology experts at Rohr Eye & Laser Center today.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

 

Five Most Common LASIK Questions

 

Laser vision correction is a viable option for many people struggling with dry eyes, foggy glasses when wearing masks, contact lens fatigue from too much screen time, and plain ol’ aging. These issues are a nuisance and can be easily remediated with LASIK.

Before most people make the jump, they ask whether LASIK is safe. The answer is simple: yes, LASIK is safe. Over 7,000 clinical studies have investigated – and verified – its safety and effectiveness. Continue reading to discover more questions and answers to the most common questions.

 

How does LASIK work? LASIK essentially sculpts a contact lens onto the eye’s surface, giving the patient vision as if they are looking through a contact lens without the uncomfortable feeling of a lens.

What does LASIK correct? LASIK has corrected vision conditions, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.

Am I a good candidate? The best way to discover whether you are a good candidate for LASIK is to have a complete examination.

How many patients have 20/20 vision after LASIK? Many published studies show that roughly 96 to 99 percent of patients attain 20/20 vision or better after a laser procedure.

How long does LASIK last? Typically, the vision correction outlasts the patient. However, since eyes age with age, it might fluctuate a bit.

 

To learn more about how LASIK can improve your vision, contact the experts at Rohr today.

 

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

What’s the Best Age to Get LASIK?

 

How old do you have to be to get LASIK? The short answer: Laser vision correction procedures such as LASIK are approved for people 18-years-old and above. For an in-depth examination of the reasoning behind this, keep reading.

First, we need to examine ocular maturity and what that means regarding development. The eyes are one of the last organs to fully mature; in some people, it can take up to age 20, but for most, they are fully grown by 13. This feat, known as “achieving ocular maturity,” is considered when a patient’s eyeglass prescription remains stable for a year or more. With a consistent prescription, the likelihood of nearsightedness or farsightedness progressing is low.

Second, your vision correction options can be gauged based on how your experience with glasses or contacts has been. Most eye care professionals want to ensure you make the right decision and prefer to personally analyze you based on your habits, compromises, and vision goals. Annual eye exams are imperative to understanding whether LASIK is right for you.

Finally, it’s essential to understand that LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea, the surface of your eye. For this reason, LASIK procedures are done on people over the age of 18. The treatment has a better chance of success throughout the years if the eyes are fully developed before the procedure.

The aging process never ceases, however. While LASIK is effective for younger candidates, when people reach the age of 40, a condition called presbyopia occurs. This is categorized by a loss of flexibility in the natural lens inside your eye and can be corrected with another procedure or by simply wearing reading glasses.

While LASIK lasts for years – decades, even – it’s essential to keep up with annual visits and connect with your doctor when necessary. If your eyes aren’t mature, it’s a good idea to have a thorough evaluation to determine when you are a good candidate. If you are over 18 and have a stable prescription, your eye care professional will help you ascertain whether you are a good candidate for LASIK.

To learn more about how LASIK can improve your life by easing the stress of wearing contacts or glasses, contact the eye care professionals at Rohr Eye & Laser Center today.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Maintaining Senior Eye Health

 

Aging affects every part of your body, even your eyes. Age-related farsightedness, or presbyopia, occurs when the lens inside your eye begins to harden. Books and other close objects become challenging to read or see clearly. Some other age-related disorders include:

-          Age-related Macular Degeneration

-          Cataracts

-          Glaucoma

-          Diabetic Retinopathy

-          Dry Eye

-          Floaters

-          Changes to Peripheral Vision

Roughly half of all age-related visual loss can be managed through early diagnosis and treatment. Ensure you get routine eye exams to help prevent some of the complications listed above. Additionally, there are plenty of things you can do at home to protect your eye sight. 

Diet: Well-balanced eating habits help your body in more ways than one. Your eyes are significantly affected by the foods you choose to eat. The following nutritious foods can help avert vision loss:

-          Vitamin A: Carrots, spinach, kale, egg yolks, dairy

-          Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, juices, broccoli, potatoes, green peppers

-          Vitamin E: Whole grains, eggs, sunflower seeds, avocado

-          Fatty Acids: Coldwater fish (mackerel, rainbow trout, salmon, etc.), corn oil, sunflower oil

-          Lutein: Kale, spinach, broccoli, brussels sprouts, corn

-          Zinc: Poultry, red meat, fish, dairy, whole grains

Quit smoking: The sooner, the better. Besides causing a plethora of cardiovascular and lung-related diseases, smoking greatly increases the chances of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy.

Exercise: All you need is at least 20 minutes a day to stimulate your entire body by increasing blood flow. The optic nerve and retina are included in this circulatory invigoration.

Sunglasses: Ultraviolet rays emitted from the sun can cause cataracts, retina damage, and skin cancer near your eyes. Always wear sunglasses when outside.

To schedule an eye exam or learn about LASIK for seniors, contact the professionals at Rohr Eye & Laser Center today.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Glaucoma Patients See Clearer with Quantum-Dot LEDs

 

A study published in BMC Ophthalmology showed certain lights are better than others for people with glaucoma. Researchers in South Korea monitored visual acuity, black-and-white contrast sensitivity, and color vision tests on 36 glaucoma patients. The study subjects were situated under three different lights, all displaying various color wavelengths: a three-band fluorescent lamp, a white LED, and a quantum-dot LED. The luminescence was set to the same brightness on all lights.

Visual acuity or black-and-white contrast sensitivity did not change among the three lights; however, patients under quantum-dot LEDs were able to distinguish color better than under the other lights.

According to the researchers, “This finding is very important for glaucoma patients because it is strongly associated with vision-related quality of life in glaucoma patients. Thus, a more high-quality light system could increase the ability of color distinction and may increase quality of life in glaucoma patients because the relationship between ability of color distinction and quality of life has been closed.”

Previous studies showed that glaucoma patients have a lower quality of life because of visual impairment.

Glaucoma patients who take multiple antiglaucoma pharmaceuticals could also benefit from quantum-dot LEDs, as the most commonly-used method for distinguishing the different drugs is bottle cap color.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

 

Why Blue Eyes are More Sensitive to Light

 

Brighter days in summertime bring lots of ultraviolet (UV) rays with them. All eyes should be protected from UV light, which can contribute to the formation of both short and long-term conditions like corneal sunburn and macular degeneration.

To avoid sunlight damage, ensure you protect your eyes with high-quality 100 percent UV-blocking sunglasses. While you’re at it, a hat doesn’t hurt, either. People of all ages can benefit from sunlight protection, but children are especially susceptible as they tend to spend much more time outdoors. Research shows that up to 80 percent of an average person’s total lifetime exposure to UV rays takes place during the first 18 years of life. The same research suggests that roughly 70 percent of Americans do not protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays.

Lighter-colored eyes such as blue, hazel, and green, have less melanin than brown eyes. This pigment helps protect the retina from UV damage along with blue light, which is emitted from electrical devices. Because of the decreased melanin, those with blue eyes have a higher risk of developing UV-related eye damage.

People with blue eyes might feel uncomfortable in highly-lit areas or on a bright, sunny day. It’s imperative to grab your shades as you head outside to mitigate your chances of developing eye disease or other complications.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.