Tozal is one supplement for Macular Degeneration approved by Dr. Olson

June is Vision Research Month.  The American Optometric Association website features an excellent summary of one of the most important vision research findings in recent years.  Because of the AREDS studies Dr. Olson recommends supplements to certain at-risk patients.  The AOA article follows:

In the last 20 years, eye health research has linked diet and nutrition with a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A major clinical study of older adults concluded that taking an antioxidant vitamin or mineral supplement significantly reduced the risk of advanced AMD progression in some people. Additionally, today there is significant evidence that vitamin D plays a role in preventing AMD.

AREDS Made it Clear

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was a major clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute. It enrolled 3640 subjects, age 55 to 80, and was released in October 2001. This landmark study provided evidence that nutritional intervention in the form of supplements could delay the progression of AMD. The study concluded that taking an antioxidant vitamin or mineral supplement reduced the risk of advanced AMD progression by about 25 percent and showed a 19 percent reduction in visual acuity loss in some of the subjects.

The Case for Lutein and Zeaxanthin

It was not clear in the original AREDS report which vitamin, mineral or combination of nutrients was responsible for reducing the risk of AMD. When the study was planned, the lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids that constitute the macular pigment were not assessed because they were not commercially available. Since then, several studies have provided growing evidence specific to the beneficial role of lutein and zeaxanthin intake, and their positive effect on eye health and AMD risk reduction. The AREDS Report No. 22 published in 2007 described the relationship between dietary intake of various nutrients and AMD among the AREDS subjects. This report concluded that high dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin is associated with a reduction in the risk of geographic atrophy, advanced AMD, and large or extensive intermediate drusen, the waste byproducts of cellular metabolism (activity).

New Study Builds on Long Term Nutrient Benefits

A follow up to the original AREDS trial, AREDS2, began in June 2008. This multi-centered, five-year study builds on a multitude of existing science supporting lutein and zeaxanthin’s role in maintaining healthy eyes. It is the largest human clinical trial to evaluate lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids supplementation, and includes 4,000 patients at high risk for AMD. The study is focusing on the protective effects lutein (10 mg/day), zeaxanthin (2 mg/day) , and omega-3 fatty acids (1 g/day) have against AMD, as well as the link between nutrition and macular pigment optical density, cataract development and visual function.

Vitamin supplements selected by Dr. Olson for appropriate content and quality are available through Complete EyeCare Center–either in stock or direct-shipped to your home.  Call 319.385.9534 for an evaluation with Dr. Olson, or to inquire about whether you may benefit from these products.

• Tozal Eye Health Formula (To order Tozal online click the link and use rep# 24894 to complete your purchase.)
• Omega Max
• Total Focus Superior Omega 3
• Viteyes
• Viteyes Advanced Formula
• Viteyes AREDS Companion
• Viteyes Smokers Formula
• EyePromise Restore

Has your child had a comprehensive eye exam?

Does your child…

…have a short attention span?

…find it hard to concentrate on reading?

…get headaches or blurred vision when using the computer?

…avoid homework?

…tire easily when reading?

…suffer eyestrain?

…get car sick?

…get labeled as an “underachiever”?

The answers to these questions may indicate the need not only for vision correction in the form of eyeglasses or contacts, but the need for improved  visual skills such as eye teaming, convergence, fixation, accommodation, or tracking.  So much of learning is done visually, so a vision impairment can directly affect a child’s behavior and academic success.

Dr. Olson evaluates vision, eye health, and visual skills during a comprehensive eye exam.  If he finds visual skill deficiency, vision therapy may help the patient with vision-related problems affecting learning.

Our office offers an in-home vision therapy program from HTS.  After receiving instruction on how to use the program, parents have their child use their home computer to do therapy “games” approximately 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week.  After 2-3 months they return for the doctor to review the results.  This is often a sufficient amount of time to retrain the eye muscles to work properly.

We have heard success stories from many of our vision therapy patients.  For more information, learn why 20/20 vision isn’t enough at the HTS website or call Complete EyeCare Center at 319.395.9534 for an appointment with Dr. Olson.

Complete EyeCare Center utilizes quality diagnostic instrumentation like the award winning Optovue RTVue

The RTVue visualizes the retina and underlying nerve fiber layers

When it was featured on Good Morning America in May 2007, the Optovue RTVue spectral OCT  was one of only 100 worldwide.  As soon as May 2008, Dr. Olson was introducing that same instrument to his patients in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, at Complete EyeCare Center.

The GMA reporter was “able to get access to one”, and you have that same benefit without traveling to a metropolitan center or university.  Spectral OCT with the Optovue RTVue is a new generation of Optical Coherence Tomography for detection, classification, and management of ocular diseases and pathology.

Why should that interest you?  Because this exciting tool has the ability to help Dr. Olson detect and treat progressive eye diseases at a much earlier stage.  Slowing or stopping  disease progression early means less likelihood of vision loss or blindness, and better health for you.

Several eye diseases, like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy have no symptoms in their early stages.  But a skilled eye doctor using the RTVue can detect and manage them.  Painless and quick, the ultra-high speed and high resolution features of the RTVue enable Dr. Olson to visualize retinal, anterior segment, and corneal tissue with ultra-high clarity.

Watch this interesting Good Morning America segment by clicking here.

An optomap® Retinal Exam provides:

• A scan to show a healthy eye or detect disease.
• A view of the retina, giving Dr. Olson a more detailed view than he can get by other means.
• The opportunity for you to view and discuss the optomap® image of your eye with Dr. Olson at the time of your exam.
• A permanent record for your file, which allows the doctor to view your images each year to look for changes.

The optomap® Retinal Exam is fast, easy, and comfortable for all ages.  To have the exam, you simply look into the device one eye at a time and you will see a comfortable flash of light to let you know the image of your retina has been taken.  Your optomap® is immediately captured so Dr. Olson can evaluate and review it with you on a computer screen during your exam.  Click here to see a video demonstration of the optomap experience.

Please schedule your annual optomap® Retinal Exam today by calling our office at  319.385.9534 .

Antioxidants tend to draw the attention of eye doctors because of research linking them to a reduction of macular cell damage.   The reduction of free radicals is known to have multiple health benefits, including benefits to some age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients and those who have the potential for it.  For adults who have difficulty taking pills, the enlyten antioxidant dissolving strip is an alternative to consider.

Being health minded, Dr. Olson has also noted the benefits of enlyten’s electrolyte plus product.  This no-calorie, no-carb, no-sugar alternative for electrolyte replacement has great benefits over typical sport drinks.  If you’re an exercise or sports enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to check it out.

You can learn more about enlyten products by clicking this link.  If you’re ready to purchase Enlyten, click here to buy enlyten strips now.

I’ll let you in on a little known fact.  We have an expanded selection of great sunwear right here in Mt. Pleasant, in our eyewear gallery.  Why not stop in and try some on during your lunch break today?  If you’re interested in prescription sunwear, we have that too.  (In fact, this Saturday you can save $50 on a pair of prescription sunglasses, during our annual Fashion & Eyewear Event!)

Hope you can get outside and enjoy the weather!

When choosing sunglasses, cheaper is not better.  Dark colored lenses without adequate UV protection can dilate your eyes allowing even more harmful light into the eye through your enlarged pupil.  So don’t skimp on eye protection, especially for children, whose eyes are more sensitive.  (Some studies estimate that 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs before age 18.)   Sunglasses found on discount store racks may claim UV protection, but the triacetate material many of them are made of only absorbs about 40% of UV rays, and they often distort the light passing through them which can negatively impact vision and performance.  We can show you the superiority of the optical quality polycarbonate and polarized sunglass lenses with 100% UV protection.

This March, during Save Your Vision Month, we’re encouraging you to upgrade your sunglasses.  We’ve expanded our sunwear selection just as the weather begins to beckon us outside.  So consider a new look and new protection for your eyes this year.  It could save you from compromised vision or costly surgery in the future.

Not all people need a comprehensive eye health exam every year.  Every two years can be adequate for people who are not considered “at risk”.  Having said that, children and students may need more frequent care since their eyes are growing and changing quite rapidly.  That’s why it’s important for parents and teachers be educated to recognize signs of vision problems in children.

So who needs to been seen at least annually?  Those over age 60, contact lens wearers, anyone who has had eye surgery, people who take prescription or non-prescription drugs that can have ocular side effects, diabetics, anyone with high blood pressure, those who have a family history of ocular disease (such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc.), those who work in occupations that are visually demanding or with eye hazards, children with a high refractive error, an eye turn, or eyes with unequal refractive power,  children born prematurely, with low weight, or through difficult or assisted labor, children who received oxygen as newborns, children with family history of certain diseases, and people with other health concerns or conditions.  (Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list, and some conditions require more frequent monitoring.)

After examining and talking with you, Dr. Olson will make a recommendation about how long it should be until you have your next eye health exam.  Our first concern is your health, so we help you keep on track with convenient scheduling and reminders tailor-made to your situation.  But we won’t be surprised if your response is, “Has it really been a year?”

Lens sharing is a temptation with theatrical lenses, but infectious keratitis can be transmitted by doing this.  It can also begin when a particle under a contact lens scratches the eye, lenses are improperly cleaned, or worn too long.  Keratitis causes eye pain, redness, decreased vision and sensitivity to light.  Untreated, it can develop into a corneal ulcer–an open sore on the cornea.  This requires emergency medical treatment because corneal ulcers may spread and can lead to partial or complete blindness in a short period of time.

Theatrical contacts can be a fun part of your Halloween costume, when properly prescribed and worn.  Just remember it’s not worth it to sacrifice your eye health for the momentary effect.  We can fit you with these unique lenses, and provide training on proper care and wear regimens so you have a safe and comfortable Halloween.  Wild Eyes™ lenses from Complete EyeCare Center include the following designs: Jaguar, Zebra, Cateye, Knockout, Black-out, White-Out, Red Hot, Wildfire, Zoomin’, Icefire, and Hypnotica.