The Eye Clinic of Texas

Houston Macular Degeneration Update

atrittel — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:05:52 +0000

Galveston and Houston Ophthalmologists from The Eye Clinic of Texas remarked about Macular Degeneration (AMD) treatment. “The treatment of Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the most active topics discussed in Ophthalmology today because of the aging of society and increasing overall life expectancy. If left untreated, Wet AMD causes progressive and irreversible vision loss, often leading to legal blindness”, commented Bernard Milstein, M.D. “With the advent of intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs such as Lucentis® many advances have been made in the treatment of this disease in the past decade. Now we are even more fortunate to have data from several large randomized clinical trials that provide us with evidence-based recommendations for treatment indication and assessment, re-treatment, and monitoring.”

Evidence suggests that a loading phase consisting of three monthly injections of Lucentis® results in a rapid visual acuity gain, mostly occurring after the first injection. The key is that the treatment should start as soon as possible after its indication and if at all possible within 2 weeks from diagnosis is ideal. To wait more than 1 month seems to lead to further visual loss. A number of clinical trials showed that a maintenance phase with continued monthly injections has provided the best visual acuity outcomes. Longer re-injection intervals, such as the quarterly re-injection, resulted in less favorable outcomes after the initial treatment and loading phase. If continued monthly injections are not possible, a flexible strategy appears viable, with monthly monitoring of lesion activity recommended. Continuous careful monitoring with flexible re-treatment might help avoid vision loss to recur. In fact, some data suggest that quarterly visits are insufficient, whereas monthly monitoring with re-injections on an as-needed basis warrants better outcomes.

Data from the long term clinical trials has further shown that there is variation in patient responses to Lucentis® injections and has given us a number of diagnostic and treatment parameters that are helpful to optimize treatment and monitoring regimens. Here are some interesting things to know:

The initial visual acuity is not a good indicator for patients treated with monthly injections of Lucentis®. But, a poorer initial visual acuity seems to predict greater overall improvement.
Smaller areas of blood vessel growth seem to respond better to treatment.
If treatment begins BEFORE any hemorrhage has occurred there is usually a more favorable result.
The visual acuity found between the 3 and 5 month visit seems to predict about where the 12 month visit acuity will end up.
If there is a recurrence of subretinal fluid there is usually a negative effect on the long term visual recovery and functioning.

So, using this information we are able to help you maintain your eye health and vision and hopefully avoid the potentially devastating effects of Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). YOUR role is to be consistent in scheduling routine eye exams if you are over 50 years old or even earlier if you have a family history of AMD. Should you notice symptoms including distortion of your vision, waviness or curving of lines or straight surfaces or a sudden change or spots of any kind, please call The Eye Clinic of Texas at 800-423-3937 for an immediate appointment.

The Eye Clinic of Texas is a leading eye care practice serving the greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area that provides all aspects of general, medical, surgical, laser and optical eye care services. Our Board Certified Ophthalmologists perform Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK, Cataract Surgery & Lens Implants using advanced technology IOLs to correct complex problems such as astigmatism and near vision focusing problems including presbyopia, diagnosis and management of glaucoma, diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy, diagnosis and management of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Pediatric Ophthalmology. Texas EyeWear at The Eye Clinic of Texas provides personalized consultation and fitting of eyeglasses and eyeglass lenses for greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area patients.

LASIK for Contact Lens Problems

atrittel — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:34:51 +0000

“Contact lens problems and intolerance seem to be motivating more and more Houston patients to schedule LASIK consultations these days,” said LASIK Surgeon Bernard Milstein, M.D. of The Eye Clinic of Texas.

In fact, contact lens problems and intolerance are the reasons a great many patients seek LASIK Surgery and Laser Vision Correction. “The most common reason for contact lens intolerance that we see is a condition called Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis or GPC”, commented Dr. Da-Thuy Van who performs LASIK for greater Houston patients.

When we wear contact lenses, no matter how successfully or how diligent we are in their care and replacement, they become coated with mucous and protein from our tears. After a number of years of wearing contacts it is not uncommon to develop an allergy to the protein on the contact lens. Initially this may result in patients having some dry eye symptoms and prompt them to use lubricating eye drops. However, as the GPC contact lens problem continues to progress patients begin to notice some itch and stringy mucous type discharge from their eyes. After a while the contacts just become too uncomfortable and gritty and patients become intolerant and just can’t wear their contacts. During a severe episode of GPC, patients may be restricted from wearing their contacts in order to reduce the allergic inflammation of the lids. In some cases, patients are no longer able to wear contacts again at all. Patients with chronic GPC may decide to have LASIK to correct their vision, so that they no longer need to depend on contacts on a daily basis.

LASIK can be a great option for you to rid yourself of the hassle of contacts and allow you to continue a “glasses free” lifestyle for seeing at distance. If you or someone you know suffers from any type of contact lens problem and would like to learn more about LASIK and whether you are a good candidate please call The Eye Clinic of Texas at 800-423-3937 for a Free LASIK Consultation.

Coffee, Caffeine & Glaucoma in Houston

atrittel — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:30:43 +0000

“Houston patients concerned with drinking too much coffee or having too much caffeine if they have glaucoma need not worry”, commented Galveston and Houston Ophthalmologist Dr. Da-Thuy Van of The Eye Clinic of Texas. According to a study reported in the November 2011 issue of the journal Clinical Ophthalmology, the caffeine found in coffee really has no effect on people with Glaucoma in terms are elevating their intraocular pressure (IOP), but rather it is believed that other components that come from the coffee beans being roasted at high temperature may actually be responsible in patients whose IOP rises after drinking coffee or tea. Coffee and tea are very common nonalcoholic beverages. However, their intake, particularly that of coffee, has been suggested to increase intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with Open Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension. The causative agent has been suggested to be their caffeine content. A study was done using pure caffeine applied directly to the eyes. Administration of caffeine into the eyes of patients did not have any effect on IOP and it remained relatively unchanged. This was true in the 1-day study as well as in the 1-week study and no cumulative effect was visible. The results therefore demonstrate that caffeine has no significant effect on IOP in patients with Glaucoma and that any effects reported in coffee drinkers may therefore be related to other constituents in coffee, known to be generated by thermal degradation from endogenous constituents of coffee beans by roasting at relatively high temperature, combined with the osmotic effects imposed by adequate fluid intake, known to be common in Glaucoma patients. Elevations in intraocular pressure related to drinking coffee or tea may be related to the volume of fluid ingested, rather than what is in the fluid.

The Eye Clinic of Texas is a leading eye care practice serving the greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area that provides all aspects of general, medical, surgical, laser and optical eye care services. Our Board Certified Ophthalmologists perform Laser Vision Correction such as LASIK, Cataract Surgery & Lens Implants using advanced technology IOLs to correct complex problems such as astigmatism and near vision focusing problems including presbyopia, diagnosis and management of glaucoma, diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy, diagnosis and management of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Pediatric Ophthalmology. Texas EyeWear at The Eye Clinic of Texas provides personalized consultation and fitting of eyeglasses and eyeglass lenses for greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area patients.

If you or someone you know is concerned about the risk of Glaucoma or consuming too much coffee or caffeine please feel free to schedule an appointment at The Eye Clinic of Texas by calling 800-423-3937.

Aspirin & Macular Degeneration in Houston

MMSG — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:49:13 +0000

“Patients need to be a bit cautious regarding aspirin and macular degeneration”, commented Galveston and Houston Ophthalmologist Bernard Milstein, M.D. of The Eye Clinic of Texas. There may be a relationship between frequent aspirin use and Macular Degeneration (AMD) according to researchers from the European Eye Study who reported some interesting findings in the October 2011 publication Ophthalmology which is the official journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. They found that frequent aspirin use may be associated with an increased risk of early or late “wet age-related macular degeneration”, with an “odds ratio” that increases upon frequency of consumption. However the study is somewhat limited in that there was an unknown amount of aspirin taken, as well as the possibility that participants may have taken aspirin after experiencing visual problems. So, at this time the study is interesting but inconclusive and certainly patients taking aspirin to offset the coronary risk profile or other vascular problems should NOT discontinue taking aspirin unless they have been directed to do so by their personal physician. Patients who have question or concerns about Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) should feel free to contact The Eye Clinic of Texas at 800-423-3937 for information or to schedule an appointment.

Contact Lenses & Swimming in Houston

atrittel — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:50:16 +0000

Houston Ophthalmologist Dr. Da-Thuy Van commented, “With the hot weather in Houston, we commonly hear patient questions about wanting to wear their contacts while swimming in a pool or hot tub or even while in the shower.” “This really isn’t a good idea and can significantly increase the safety risks of contact lens wear”, said Bernard Milstein, M.D. of The Eye Clinic of Texas serving Galveston and Houston. Contact lenses really should not be worn for swimming, taking showers, in bath tubs or in hot tubs as this poses safety risks to patients. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have recommended that contact lenses not be exposed to any form of water. Although rare, a sight-threatening eye complication, Acanthamoeba Keratitis, is caused by an organism present in all forms of impure water (i.e., swimming pools, tap water, saunas, wells, and showers). Acanthamoeba, and certain forms of bacteria present in water, can become attached to the contact lenses, possibly resulting in an infection. It would be preferable to insert your contact lenses after showering. If lenses are being worn while showering, it is recommended to keep your eyes firmly closed. If you accidentally wear your contact lenses while in the bathtub or hot tub, care should be taken to avoid water being splashed into the eyes. If your eyes are exposed to water, instill a lubricating drop to help loosen the lens on the eye, remove the lens with clean, dry hands, then clean and disinfect it the lens, or preferably, discard it. Never sleep in a lens that has been exposed to water without first cleaning and disinfecting it. If lenses were removed prior to getting in a hot tub, they must be properly cleaned and disinfected before being re-inserted.

“Contact Lenses are really quite safe to wear if your follow proper care guidelines and instructions. However, if water activities, such as swimming, bath tubs and showering are part of your daily routine, you do need to keep your lenses out. Many more patients-even very successful contact lens wearers-finds this to be a hassle and are now interested in discussing LASIK as an option” said Dr. Van. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about LASIK or scheduling a Free LASIK Consultation please call The Eye Clinic of Texas at 800-423-3937.

Houston Eye & Eyelid Plastic Surgery

atrittel — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:46:55 +0000

“Cosmetic eye plastic surgery including eyelid surgery is a popular way to help our Houston patients look their best”, commented Dr. Da-Thuy Van, Houston Ophthalmologist at the Eye Clinic of Texas. Eyelid Surgery or Eyelift is known medically as blepharoplasty (blef-er-o-plasty) is actually one of the most frequently performed cosmetic plastic surgery procedures for the face. There are two types of blepharoplasty, upper eyelid blepharoplasty and lower eyelid blepharoplasty where each procedure corresponds to the area of the face where it is performed.

Your eyes are one of the most important aspects of your appearance, and one of the first areas to show signs of aging. For some, this can occur as early as your twenties to early thirties. If the eyes project a lack of energy due to overhanging skin and puffiness, you may appear tired or older. Conversely, if the eyes are more open and relatively free of creases and folds, you will probably seem more rested and youthful.

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty involves the improvement of two characteristics of the aging upper eyelid area. The first is correction of excess skin of the upper eyelid, a condition referred to as “hooding of the upper lid.” The second condition that can be corrected is the puffiness that is seen in the inner corner and middle of the eyelid as a result of the herniation (pushing forward) of fat located in these areas above the eye. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is commonly performed at the same time as lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty does not correct crow’s feet, eliminate dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows.

Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is one of the least traumatic procedures for someone to undergo. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a procedure performed to improve the appearance of the lower eyelids, which is the anatomic area that extends from the lower lid eyelashes to the bony rim of the eye socket.

If there is a herniation of fat present, there are two different surgical approaches to remove the fat. The more common technique utilizes an inconspicuous incision that runs just beneath the lash line. An alternative is to enter the fat pockets through an incision made in the inner lining of the lower eyelid. If excess skin needs to be removed, this can only be accomplished through an external approach. The procedure is long lasting and usually never has to be repeated.

You might benefit from eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty if:

Your upper eyelids appear hooded
It’s become increasingly difficult to put on eye makeup
Even after you’ve had a good night’s sleep people ask you if you’re tired
You have puffiness under your eyes that never goes away
You are developing bulges in the corners of your upper eyelids
You have trouble keeping your eyes open
Your upper eyelids always feel heavy
Your eyes appear to have become smaller
Your eye makeup smudges very easily
You’ve lost the fold of your upper eyelid
Your peripheral vision is decreased
You have excess skin and crepe like wrinkles beneath your eyes
Ever since you can remember you’ve had baggy eyes

If you or someone you know have questions about cosmetic eye plastic surgery such as eyelift or blepharoplasty feel free to call The Eye Clinic of Texas at 800-423-3937 to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Clinic of Texas is a leading eye care practice serving the greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area that provides all aspects of general, medical, surgical, laser and optical eye care services. Our Board Certified Ophthalmologists perform Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK, Cataract Surgery & Lens Implants using advanced technology IOLs to correct complex problems such as astigmatism and near vision focusing problems including presbyopia, diagnosis and management of glaucoma, diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy, diagnosis and management of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), BOTOX® Cosmetic for wrinkles and Pediatric Ophthalmology. Texas EyeWear at The Eye Clinic of Texas provides personalized consultation and fitting of eyeglasses and eyeglass lenses for greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area patients.

Houston Eye Health, Vision & Food

atrittel — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:37:34 +0000

“We want our Houston eye care patients to know about how their eye health and vision can be favorably impacted by eating properly,” stated Dr. Da-Thuy Van, Ophthalmologist at The Eye Clinic of Texas. “Most of us are aware that eating right and our diet in general are important in keeping our heart and arteries healthy. So it should come as no surprise that eating right can also potentially be beneficial for our eyes,” said Dr. Van. “Eye health and vision depend on the tiny blood vessels in the retina and other parts of the eye carrying nutrients and oxygen to the tissue-especially in the retina. Keeping those blood vessels healthy is an important part of preserving vision as we age. As part of an overall healthy diet, several key nutrients appear to be particularly important to preserving sight as we get older,” said Galveston & Houston Eye Doctor Allan Fradkin, M.D.

Vitamin C, Vitamin E & Zinc

Over 10 years ago the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) reported that people given vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene, and zinc in supplements were less likely to develop advanced age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. The combination was most effective at slowing the progression from intermediate to advanced AMD, which is one of the leading causes of age-related blindness. Because of those findings, many people diagnosed with early signs of AMD today are routinely prescribed a pill that combines these nutrients. You may or may not benefit from depending on your overall health and eye condition. PATIENTS SHOULD NOT BEGIN TAKING SUPPLEMENTS WITHOUT FIRST DISCUSSING IT WITH THEIR EYE DOCTOR AND INTERNIST OR FAMILY PHYSICIAN.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Two other nutrients-lutein and zeaxanthin-are also linked to lower risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. A 150-2008 Tufts University study of 1,802 women 50 to 79 years old found that those who consumed the most lutein and zeaxanthin in their diets were 23% less likely to develop cataracts than those who consumed the least. Rich sources of these two compounds include kale, spinach, turnip greens, romaine lettuce, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid

The newest nutrient linked to better vision with age is Omega-3 fatty acid, which is found predominantly in fish oil. In a study of 2,520 people, researchers at Johns Hopkins University reported in 2010 that people who consumed fish high in Omega-3s fatty acids often were significantly less likely to have advanced age-related macular degeneration. Omega-3s may also protect against cataracts, according to 2010 findings by researchers at the Clinical University of Navarra in Spain. Researchers don’t understand exactly why omega-3s may protect against eye diseases. One guess is that these healthy oils may reduce inflammation and thereby protect against cell damage.

Pills vs. Food

Although antioxidant supplements are routinely prescribed to people with early signs of macular degeneration, there’s little agreement on whether supplements will help otherwise healthy people preserve their vision. Most of the evidence to date is very mixed. In one recent study, for example, a multivitamin seemed to protect against some forms of cataracts but actually raise the risk of other forms. PATIENTS SHOULD NOT BEGIN TAKING SUPPLEMENTS WITHOUT FIRST DISCUSSING IT WITH THEIR EYE DOCTOR AND INTERNIST OR FAMILY PHYSICIAN.

Eating a healthy diet with healthy food choices is a good plan to help you maintain your eye health and vision as you age. For certain, eating more vegetables-including cabbage, broccoli, pepper, corn, or spinach-improved the condition of the retina in people with age-related macular degeneration.

If you or someone you know has questions about eating, diet, food, eye health and vision please feel free to call The Eye Clinic of Texas at 800-423-3937 to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Clinic of Texas is a leading eye care practice serving the greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area that provides all aspects of general, medical, surgical, laser and optical eye care services. Our Board Certified Ophthalmologists perform Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK, Cataract Surgery & Lens Implants using advanced technology IOLs to correct complex problems such as astigmatism and near vision focusing problems including presbyopia, diagnosis and management of glaucoma, diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy, diagnosis and management of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), BOTOX® Cosmetic for wrinkles and Pediatric Ophthalmology. Texas EyeWear at The Eye Clinic of Texas provides personalized consultation and fitting of eyeglasses and eyeglass lenses for greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area patients.

Eye Protection for Sports in Houston

atrittel — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:01:31 +0000

“Eye protection for playing sports is not to be taken lightly”, commented Allan Fradkin, M.D. an Ophthalmologist serving Houston and Galveston at The Eye Clinic of Texas. Protecting your eyes playing sports is an important way to help preserve your eye health and vision that sometimes gets overlooked. Tens of thousands of sports and recreation-related eye injuries occur each year. The good news is that 90 percent of serious eye injuries are preventable through use of appropriate protective eyewear. The risk of eye injury can vary depending on the activity. Make sure the level of eye protection you or others in your family use is appropriate for the type of activity. Regular eyeglasses do not offer proper eye protection.

Across all age groups, sports-related eye injuries occur most frequently in baseball, basketball and racquet sports. Further, boxing and full-contact martial arts pose an extremely high risk of serious and even blinding eye injuries and there is really no satisfactory eye protection for boxing, although thumb less gloves may reduce the number of boxing eye injuries. When playing baseball, ice hockey and men’s lacrosse, a helmet with a polycarbonate lightweight shatterproof face mask or wire shield should be worn at all times. In general, hockey face masks are approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Last protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses should be worn for sports such as basketball, racquet sports, soccer and field hockey. If you need additional information or help regarding how to select the best eyewear to protect you while playing sports please feel free to call The Eye Clinic of Texas at 800-423-3937.

Houston Vietnamese Eye & Surgery Doctor

atrittel — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:09:35 +0000

I am thankful to be able to provide eye care to the Vietnamese community in our native language”, commented Dr. Da-Thuy Van, Galveston and Houston Ophthalmologist at The Eye Clinic of Texas. While there are more than 90 languages spoken in Houston, Vietnamese is more often heard than many as more than 25% of Houston’s Asian population is of Vietnamese origin or background. In fact Houston is one of the most well-established and largest Vietnamese-American enclaves in the Unites States along with San Jose and Orange County, California.

“As an eye doctor who is an eye care specialist I often find it necessary to explain things about eye diseases and eye surgery as well as medical eye treatments-being able to do this in Vietnamese makes it much easier and comfortable for my Houston eye care patients”, said Dr. Van. “Even for routine eye exams-being able to ask questions and perform testing with the instructions being communicated in Vietnamese makes it less stressful for my patients.”

If you or someone you know is in need of an examination or consultation with an eye care specialist certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology who speaks Vietnamese please feel free to call Dr. Da-Thuy Van at The Eye Clinic of Texas at 800-423-3937 to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Clinic of Texas is a leading eye care practice serving the greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area that provides all aspects of general, medical, surgical, laser and optical eye care services. Our Board Certified Ophthalmologists perform Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK, Cataract Surgery & Lens Implants using advanced technology IOLs to correct complex problems such as astigmatism and near vision focusing problems including presbyopia, diagnosis and management of glaucoma, diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy, diagnosis and management of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), BOTOX® Cosmetic for wrinkles and Pediatric Ophthalmology. Texas EyeWear at The Eye Clinic of Texas provides personalized consultation and fitting of eyeglasses and eyeglass lenses for greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area patients.

Easter Wrinkles & Houston BOTOX®

atrittel — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:30:05 +0000

Patients with wrinkles in Houston who want to look their best for Easter might wish to consider BOTOX® Cosmetic at The Eye Clinic of Texas-so that the Easter Bunny look won’t get you down! Houston Ophthalmologist Dr. Da-Thuy Van will listen carefully as you identify your facial areas of concern and then counsel you on how she can help you smooth your fine lines and wrinkles with BOTOX® Cosmetic and Juvéderm® Gel Filler to help you look your best.

Depending on your areas of concern and the type of wrinkle, Dr. Da-Thuy Van, can customize an approach to achieve optimal results. Treatment may include using BOTOX® Cosmetic alone or a combination of BOTOX® Cosmetic with Juvéderm® to create the desired outcome.

If you or someone you know has questions about fine lines, wrinkles and how BOTOX® Cosmetic or Juvéderm® might help you to look your best, please feel free to call The Eye Clinic of Texas at 800-423-3937 to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Clinic of Texas is a leading eye care practice serving the greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area that provides all aspects of general, medical, surgical, laser and optical eye care services. Our Board Certified Ophthalmologists perform Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK, Cataract Surgery & Lens Implants using advanced technology IOLs to correct complex problems such as astigmatism and near vision focusing problems including presbyopia, diagnosis and management of glaucoma, diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy, diagnosis and management of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), BOTOX® Cosmetic for wrinkles and Pediatric Ophthalmology. Texas EyeWear at The Eye Clinic of Texas provides personalized consultation and fitting of eyeglasses and eyeglass lenses for greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area patients.