Joshua D. Stein, MD and colleagues at the Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Mich, state in a study that Asian Americans have a higher risk of developing glaucoma (6.5%) than their non-Hispanic white counterparts (5.6%) and a slightly higher risk than Latinos (6.4%).  The researchers based their conclusions on an analysis of 2.3 million eyecare recipients older than 40 who had been enrolled in a managed care network from 2001-2007,

In a news release, Ophthalmology published that narrow-angle glaucoma was most prevalent among Chinese and Vietnamese Americans.  The risk of normal-tension glaucoma was 3-10 times higher among Japanese Americans than any other Asian ethnicities and almost all Asian subgroups had a higher risk of normal-tension glaucoma then non-Asian Americans.  Among Asian Americans, open-angle glaucoma rates were highest in the Japanese subgroup (about 9.5%)

EyeWorld Weekly News, “Study: Asian Americans have Higher Glaucoma Risk”, Vol. 16, No. 12.

Cynthia Matossian, MD

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, or do not have perfect vision, you should be familiar with the vision standards required for legal driving.  Though these vary greatly state to state, below outlines the requirements for our NJ and PA patients:

New Jersey: Drivers have vision screened upon initial licensure, and may be required to have it rechecked periodically.  With or without corrective lenses, you must be at least 20/50 in one eye to drive legally.   

Pennsylvania: There is a 20/40 acuity standard upon initial licensure; if you do not meet this standard without glasses, you are referred to an eye doctor who will complete a form to be returned to the licensing center. You will be restricted to driving only with corrective lenses.  Individuals with visual acuity poorer than 20/40 with both eyes may drive with a daylight-only restriction, or certain recommendations/considerations may apply.  The horizontal field of vision must be at least 120 degrees.  

Commercial licenses may be more strict or include testing of color vision.

If you have been diagnosed with an eye disease, or are unsure whether you require glasses for driving, ask your eye doctor.  Be sure to leave your next eye appointment knowing what your vision is in each eye, with and without glasses.  

Rebecca Mueller, OD

In the world of eye care, titles and overlap between roles can be very confusing to the average person.  Understanding the three O's of eye care can help you understand where each fits into your life and eye care needs.

An Ophthalmologist is a Doctor of Medicine, an M.D., who is specialized in eye and vision care.  Ophthalmologists are trained to provide the full spectrum of eye care, from diagnosing and medically treating eye diseases, to complex and delicate eye surgeries.  An ophthalmologist has completed four years of college, 4 years of medical school, and three years of residency.  They may then spend additional years training in a subspecialty such as cornea, glaucoma, cataract, or retina.  

An Optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry, an O.D., who is licensed to provide primary eye care services.  Optometrists are health care professionals who diagnose and treat disorders of the eye and visual system through general exams. They prescribe glasses and contact lenses to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, they diagnose eye diseases such as infection, cataracts and glaucoma, and refer to ophthalmologists and other specialists when surgical or specialized treatment is needed.  Optometrists do not perform surgery.  An optometrist has completed four years of college, four years of education in a college of optometry, and some also do a residency.

An Optician is a master of lenses.  They are given a written eyeglass or contact lens prescription by an MD or OD, and then work with you to find and fit your eyeglasses to your prescription.  They are licensed by the state and requirements vary state to state.  In general, most must attend college and have apprenticeship experience.      

We at MEA are staffed with MDs and ODs.  If you are unsure as to which you require, be sure to ask when scheduling your appointment.   

Rebecca Mueller, OD

Femtosecond laser has again proven greater accuracy with regard to capsulotomy (incision in lens capsule) versus manual techniques.  In a study, 25 patients underwent bilateral (both eyes) cataract surgery, with the capsulorrhexis.  Capsulorrhexis is the surgical procedure of the front of the eye to enable removal of opaque lens removal.  One eye, the Optimedica femtosecond laser was used, while the other eye, the surgeon utilized strategic use of hand manipulated surgical instruments.

“These results show that the OptiMedica femtosecond laser system does provide a significant improvement in the reproducibility of our capsulotomy size, shape and centration when compared with experienced surgeons using the manual capsulorrhexis, “  Stephen S. Lane, MD said.

Study results showed that manual capsulorrhexis size varied by 248 µm.  Laser capsulotomy size varied by 25 µm.  The laser capsulotomies also had fewer tears and irregularities than manual capsulorrhexis, Dr. Lane said.

Ocular Surgery News, November 25, 2010 Femtosecond Laser Enhances Capsulotomy Centration, Shape. p. 31

Cynthia Matossian, MD

New data has surfaced demonstrating the effect both fish and shellfish have in protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  Wilmer Eye Institute performed a study of dietary and ophthalmologic data from a random sample.  Residents aged 65 to 84 completed a food frequency questionnaire and upon review, evidence existed that those with advanced AMD were significantly less likely to consume fish/shellfish high in omega 3 fatty acids.

Review of Ophthalmology; February 2011 pg. 64

Cynthia Matossian, MD