Eye Injections Why!

 

Intravitreal injections, also known as eye injections, are used to treat specific eye conditions. During this procedure, medication is injected into the vitreous, near the retina at the back of the eye. This allows for a higher concentration of the medicine to reach the retina.

Some common eye conditions treated with intravitreal injections are:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Macular edema
• Neovascular AMD
• RVO (retinal vein occlusions)
• Geographic atrophy in AMD
• Endophthalmitis
• Uveitis
• CMD (cystoid macular edema)

The following are some of the common medications used for intravitreal injections:

• Avastin
• Methotrexate
• Clindamycin
• Lucentis
• Eylea
• Vabysmo
• Antibiotics
• Steroids

When you undergo an injection into the eye, the procedure typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. Firstly, an antiseptic is used to numb the surface of the eyeball. Then, the antiseptic is applied to the eye and eyelids, and the eye will be kept open using a device called a speculum to prevent infection from bacteria on the eyelid. Your doctor will ask you to look in a certain direction for the injection into the vitreous.

After the injection, your eye(s) will be cleaned to remove the antiseptic. You may experience some irritation for a few hours, and there might be a spot of blood at the injection site that disappears within three days to a week. If you experience prolonged pain or discomfort in your eye, have trouble seeing, see more floaters in your vision, or have sensitivity to light, contact your eye doctor. or have sensitivity to light. If so, contact your eye doctor. This all may sound awful, but it is not as awful as losing sight.

Sources:

www.aao.org

www.medlineplus.gov

www.nei.nih.gov

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Cosmetic Procedures to Change Eye Color

 

It is possible to permanently change the color of your eyes. This can be done by adding or removing pigment, or by replacing the entire iris. It is important to note that eye color change surgery is typically an elective procedure, as the color of the iris does not affect one's vision. It is worth mentioning that the Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved any eye color procedure for cosmetic purposes.

Medical professionals are warning the public about a concerning trend on social media. Misleading information about eye color surgery is being spread online, promoting two types of surgery that are not advisable. The first type of surgery, Iris Implant Surgery is the more invasive of the two types, which involves the inserting of a prosthetic iris to cover the natural iris. An eye surgeon cuts open the cornea (the clear layer in front of your iris) and inserts a colored silicone implant. The second type is laser surgery, also known as Keratopigmentation. This involves using a needle or a laser to create a channel in the cornea itself, into which a color pigment is injected, permanently changing the cornea from clear to opaque and covering over the natural iris color inside also called “tattooing.”

Both carry serious risks for vision loss and complications. Social media only shows the positive aspects of the results of the procedures and having it done. Potential complications of cosmetic iris implant surgery include:

• Reduced vision or blindness
• Light sensitivity
• Increased pressure inside the eye can lead to a potentially blinding disease, glaucoma.
• Cataract, or clouding of the eye's naturally clear lens.
• Injury to the cornea, the clear outer area of the eye that focuses light and makes vision possible. If severe enough, a corneal transplant may be needed.
• The iris can become inflamed leading to pain, blurred vision, and tearing.

Risks with Keratopigmentation include:

• Damage to the cornea can lead to cloudiness, warping, fluid leakage, and vision loss.
• Light sensitivity
• Reactions to the dye, which the eye can become inflamed, uveitis, or blood vessel growing into the cornea.
• Bacterial or fungal infections, which can result in corneal scarring and vision loss.
• Uneven distribution of the dye.
• Leakage of the dye into the eye.
• The dye moving or leaking into the eye causing the color to fade.

The use of prescription colored contact lenses is a safer non-permanent option. Like all contacts these lenses should only be worn as prescribed, dispensed, and fitted by a qualified optometrist.

Sources:

www.scrippsnews.com

www.verywellhealth.com

www.aao.org

www.webmd.com

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2024 Solar Eclipse

 

Every year there are several Solar and Lunar eclipses. A solar eclipse happens when, at just the right moment, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth.

A partial solar eclipse is when the moon only blocks part of the sun light.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon blocks all of the sun’s light. A shadow is cast on part of the earth, by the moon blocking the sun.  The shadow cast on the earth by the moon’s shadow as the earth rotates is called the path of totality. This is where to experience the total darkness during the eclipse. It gets so dark along this path it looks like nighttime during a full moon.

We are slightly less than a month out from the historic solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Parts of western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio lay in what is known as the path of totality. Pittsburgh does not lie in the path, we will only see a partial eclipse, 97% of totality. Erie will be in totality a short drive north of Pittsburgh.

The Carnegie Science Center on the North Shore will be hosting an "Eclipse Extravaganza in Pittsburgh" with plenty of activities for the family leading up to the big event. The Science Center will have a solar telescope and live stream footage from NASA on the Buhl Planetarium Dome among other activities.

Beginning at approximately 2 PM the moon will start to move in front of the sun. The max view for Pittsburgh will occur at 3:17 PM and end at 4:30 PM.

While this eclipse is an exciting and unique experience, it is crucial to prioritize safety when viewing an eclipse.

During a solar eclipse, it is never safe to look directly at the sun without eye protection specifically designed for solar viewing. Failure to protect the eyes while looking at the sun during a solar eclipse can result in "eclipse blindness" or solar retinopathy, causing damage or destruction to the cells in the retina.

Everyday sunglasses are not safe for looking directly at the sun even very, very dark ones. Specialized solar eclipse glasses are about 100,000 times darker than regular sunglasses. Solar eclipse glasses should be labeled as IS012312–2 international standard compliant. Always inspect your eclipse viewing glasses and handheld viewers for wear If torn, scratched, or damaged in anyway, throw away the device.

When viewing the sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope using a polarizer does not offer enough protection, it is best to use a special-purpose solar filter. Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics can cause severe eye injury. By design, these lens-based devices intensify light rays, damaging both the solar filter and your eyes.

Another concern with a solar eclipse is to protect your skin from invisible UV rays. If you are viewing the eclipse, you may be in the sun for hours. Remember to apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing to prevent skin damage. Sunburn is the skin's reaction to UV radiation damage to the outermost layers of skin. When your skin gets tan it is the skin reacting to UV radiation by producing more pigmentation. The pigment known as melanin provides the skin with its color and protects the skin against the sun's rays.

Sources:

www.planetary.org

www.nasa.gov

www.aao.org

www.aas.org

www.carnegiesciencecenter.org

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Where’s Wendel

Dr. Claudia Wendel can’t be found in McKees Rocks.

Dr. Claudia Wendel can’t be found in Bridgeville.

Dr. Claudia Wendel can now be found as an Independent Doctor of Optometry at Pearle Vision - Robinson Town Center, 1450 Park Manor Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA, 15205.

Dr. Wendel is still the same caring, patient, and professional you have all come to know, just at a new location.

Call at 412.331.9696 to schedule your appointment.

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#WheresWendel

 

Properly Fitting Glasses

 

Eyeglasses are only effective in correcting vision when they are on your face. Poorly fitted glasses can cause eyestrain, headaches, and vision problems. 

Glasses must fit comfortably and make balanced contact with three points: 

• The bridge of the nose
•  At the top and/or behind the ears. 

Additionally, they should be optically aligned. Your eyes should be in the center of your lenses for optimal vision. The width of the glasses should be equal to the width of your face plus two index fingers. 

If glasses are too loose, they may slide off your face, and if they are too small or tight, they may leave red marks, and indents, or cause skin irritation. 

These guidelines also apply to well-fitting sunglasses.

Activities should be considered when choosing glasses too. Are the glasses going to be worn for sports or computer work, doing work where there is flying debris? In certain environments, you may want to consider various coatings or styles that wrap around.

So, ask yourself:

• Are my glasses too loose?
• Are my glasses too tight?
• Are my glasses right for my face?
• Am I wearing the right glasses for my activities?

If you are not happy with the answers consult with an optician who is trained to help guide, you in selecting the right glasses. 

Sources:

www.eyeandvisioncare.com

www.SportsRX.com

www.paireyewear.com

www.warbyparker.com

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Eye Can Name That Tune

 

Can you match the song title to the artist?

1. Blue eyes.

2. I only have eyes for you.

3. The night has 1000 eyes.

4. Bright Eyes.

5. Eyes without a face.

6. Green-eyed Lady.

A. The flamingos.

B. Art Garfunkel.

C. Sugar Loaf

D. Billy Idol.

E. Bobby Vee

Answers

1D

2A

3F

4B

5E

6C

 

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Kidney Health Through Eye Scans

 

Optometrists can greatly contribute to not only ocular but overall wellness of patients.

In some of my past blogs, I discussed that retinal vascular findings may reflect cardiovascular problems through the smaller veins in the eyes. The kidney and the eye are structurally and functionally similar. The diseases of these organs may present similarly and by way of common pathways. Research suggests 3D eye scans can reveal vital clues about kidney health that could help track the progression of kidney disease which could revolutionize the monitoring of kidney disease, which often progresses without symptoms in early stages. The technology has the potential to support diagnosis as current testing cannot detect the condition until kidney function is down to half.

Researchers have found highly magnified images used to detect retinal changes were a non-invasive way to track disease progression. These researchers at Edinburgh University, in the UK reported a link between the findings in the eye on Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans and renal pathology.

The research team continues to investigate the potential of using OCT imaging to reliably track kidney injury, and monitor treatment responses, As I've mentioned in some of my past blogs, optometrists can play a significant role in the overall well-being of their patients, not just the ocular health. The veins in the eyes can reflect cardiovascular problems, and research suggests that 3D eye scans can reveal vital clues about kidney health that could help monitor the progression of kidney disease, which often presents without symptoms in the early stages.

The kidney and the eye share structural and functional similarities, and diseases of these organs may present similarly and through common pathways. Current testing can't detect kidney disease until half of the kidney function is lost, but highly magnified images used to detect retinal changes can non-invasively track disease progression. Researchers at Edinburgh University in the UK discovered a link between the findings in the eye on OCT scans and renal pathology. The team looked at OCT images from 204 patients at different stages of kidney disease, including transplant patients, alongside 86 healthy volunteers. They found that patients with chronic kidney disease had thinner retinas compared with healthy volunteers.

The research team is continuing to investigate the potential of using OCT imaging to reliably track kidney injury, monitor treatment responses, and predict outcomes in future studies of patients with chronic kidney disease who do not yet require dialysis.

Sources:

www.reviewofoptometry.com

www.sciencedaily.com

www.ophthamalogytimes.com

www.ed.ac.uk

#visionsourcesouthhills

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