If you are looking for the best eye care in the state, look no further than Matossian Eye Associates. Consumer’s Research, a national consumer research firm, recently named Dr. Ilya Rozenbaum one of America’s Top Ophthalmologists.  His selection as a Top Ophthalmologist is based on a point system established by Consumer Research and includes criteria such as experience, training and professional associations.  Dr. Rozenbaum ’s specializes in medical, laser and surgical treatment of glaucoma and cataract surgery, including the latest no-stitch, no-patch technology using the most advanced presbyopia and astigmatism-correcting intraocular lens implants.  He sees patients in Ewing, NJ and Doylestown, PA.

Japanese researchers recently examined the effects of alcohol consumption on tear function and the health of the eye’s surface.

Twenty test subjects were given 200 mL of 25% vodka then tear production and eye surface health was measured 12 hours later. At the twelve hour mark the eyes were significantly drier, the surface health was poorer, and the test subjects had a much higher rate of blinking than the control group. While this was a very small study, it seems to confirm something that many doctors and their patients have always suspected was the case.

For patients who already have dry eye, consuming excessive quantities of alcohol may greatly exacerbate symptoms. The take home message from this study is that if you have dry eyes it may be wise to limit your alcohol consumption or aggressively lubricate your eyes with artificial tears both during and after consuming alcohol.

Jennifer Viscusi, O.D.

Ilya Rozenbaum, MD, specialist in the medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma and cataracts, was the speaker for Mercer County Ophthalmology Society’s bi-annual meeting.  Mercer county ophthalmologists meet bi-annually to promote scholarly interaction between eye physicians in the area.  Dr. Rozenbaum’s lecture entitled “Detecting and Managing Glaucoma Progression – Focusing Ophthalmology on Reframing Glaucoma Evaluation” was well received.  

Vitamin D may be obtained from dietary sources such as egg yolks, sardines, salmon and mackerel as well as fortified milk, orange juice and cereals. Vitamin D supplements are available that may provide approximately 400 to 2000 IU each.

If you are concerned about low vitamin D levels, your primary care physician can order a laboratory test to check levels and then recommend appropriate supplementation if needed.

Jennifer Viscusi, O.D.

          The Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study recently showed that increased serum vitamin D levels were associated with a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in women under the age of 75. Higher vitamin D levels achieved by dietary and supplement intake seemed to be protective but there was no correlation with increased sunlight exposure.

Frequent use of aspirin is associated with early aging macular degeneration (AMD), as well as wet late AMD, and risks for those problems appear to be linked to how often aspirin is consumed.

Those findings are from a study of nearly 4700 European patients aged 65 years or older that was recently published online in Ophthalmology.   Participants were interviewed and self-reported data on a number of variables, including medical history, lifestyle factors, educational level, and socio-demographic factors.  Use of aspirin was categorized as never, monthly or less, at least once a week, or daily.

"For daily aspirin users, the [odds ratios], adjusted for potential confounders, showed a steady increase with increasing severity of AMD grades," the researchers write. "When adjustment was made for all known confounders including [cardiovascular disease] or angina, the associations did not change. However, there may be other confounders that were not measured," they write.

Link OPH, “Study investigates associations between aspirin use and AMD”

http://www.linkoph.com/2011/10/04/study-investigates-associations-between-aspirin-use-and-amd/

Michael Starrels, MD