Optical Physics May Help Macular Degeneration Distortion

The application of optical physics might be helpful to patients with visual distortion caused by macular degeneration (AMD).  Even as our ability to quickly detect, diagnose and treat macular degeneration advances, there are still some patients who experience a disturbing distortion and twisting of their vision resulting from macular degeneration.

Nobel Laureate Walter Kohn described a potential application of what is a dynamic “translator” for the particular distortion a patient experiences either in handheld computers or an optical corrective lens. We routinely use the Amsler Grid, a graph-paper-like pattern to diagnose AMD-Dr. Kohn suggested that the Amsler grid could also be used to develop an optical correction.

When people with healthy eyes look at the Amsler Grid, they see its straight horizontal and vertical lines, with a dot at center.  Patients with AMD, however, often perceive a distortion about two or three centimeters in diameter in the center.

Dr. Kohn has initiated the development of software that lets an AMD patient, using a mouse, pull the virtual lines until he or she perceives the grid as “perfect,” yielding reversal of the specific distortion a person experiences. Dr. Kohn then uses these results to create a correction for that patient. In one experimental device, a handheld computer scans the printed page, using software to perform dynamic compensation, distorting the text to make it readable for patients. In addition, Dr. Kohn uses of a slab of optical material to fabricate the visual correction so that AMD patients could hold the optical slab of refractive material over text, pictures or reading material, just like the magnifying glass people use for seeing small type—only the surface of Kohn’s slab resembles ocean currents or waves that reverse the distortion. These are very exciting ideas and offer promise to help us deal with the visual distortion caused by macular degeneration.

Patients who wish to who wish to learn more about macular degeneration should feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination at 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Predictors of Macular Degeneration Risk

Recent research on the risk of macular degeneration progression is quite useful for patients to understand. Researchers reporting in Ophthalmology evaluated the factors of age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, genetic variations, pre-existing retinal disease and drusen size to establish an algorithm for predicting the risk of patients in progressing to the move visually disabling advanced age related macular degeneration. What we now know for sure is that the increased risk of progression is correlated with age, lower educational level, being a current or former smoker and having a higher body mass index (BMI) than those who did not progress. This is helpful in how we counsel, evaluate and follow patients at risk for macular degeneration.

If you are over 50 years old or even earlier if you have a family history of AMD or any of the risk factors mentioned, you should please call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

NY Surgeon on Cataract Eye Surgery Innovation

N.Y. Cataract Surgeon Satish Modi, M.D. shared experiences in advances in eye surgery with other eye surgeons attending this year’s American Academy of Ophthalmology Meeting in New Orleans. “I was pleased to have been invited to help other cataract surgeons learn about The Cataract Refractive Suite - we have been using the LenSx® Femtosecond Laser at Dutchess Ambulatory Surgery Center in Poughkeepsie for some two years. We take pride in bringing advanced eye surgery technology to the Hudson Valley. For me personally, it is a mission of passion to find, integrate and share innovations in eye surgery to help patients get the best possible results,” said Dr. Modi.

Dr. Modi introduced laser cataract surgery to the Hudson Valley in 2012 and has been dedicating time to host eye surgeons from throughout the U.S. at Dutchess Ambulatory Surgery Center and teach them how to use innovative cataract surgery techniques and technology such as LenSx® Femtosecond Cataract Laser.

If you or someone you know has questions about cataracts lens implants or laser cataract surgery please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination at 845-454-1025, visit Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

YAG PI for Narrow Angle Glaucoma

“A YAG PI is the abbreviated name for a YAG Laser Peripheral Iridotomy procedure we use to prevent or treat narrow angle glaucoma,” explained eye surgeon Andreas Wolter, M.D. of Seeta Eye Centers serving the Hudson valley with offices in Poughkeepsie, Fishkill and Carmel, New York. This type of laser eye surgery procedure uses the YAG Laser to create a small opening in the Iris-the colored part of your eye-so that fluid can properly drain from the eye in order to be absorbed by surrounding eye tissue.  The eye continuously produces fluid in order to maintain healthy pressure in the eye. Old fluid drains through the Trabecular Meshwork as new fluid is made. For some patients, this drainage system can become blocked, leading to a rise in Intraocular Pressure or IOP.  If left untreated the increased pressure can cause permanent vision loss.  The YAG Laser is used to precisely create the tiny opening in the Iris which functions as a "back up drain" in the event of a blockage.  The microscopic opening is usually made in the Iris under the upper eyelid and is not even visible to the casual observer. The opening itself is called a Peripheral Iridotomy and is less than 1mm in diameter. This tiny hole helps maintain a normal flow of fluid through the eye thus preventing visual loss due to a rise in Intraocular Pressure.

At Seeta Eye Centers a YAG PI procedure typically takes less than 5 minutes. We will numb the eye with anesthetic eye drops so you are comfortable. Dilation is not necessary. When a Peripheral Iridotomy (PI) is indicated for both eyes, the procedures are usually done at least a week apart. Prescription steroid eye drops are required for five to seven days following the procedure.  Patient recovery is very quick; generally 2-3 days, although some sensitivity to light can be present for up to a week after treatment. 

If you have questions about a YAG PI should feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination at 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centersis conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, 969 Main Street, Cecilwood Health Center, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512.