We are dedicated to providing our patient family with uncompromising quality and personal eye health care, just as we ourselves would expect to receive.
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 319.385.9534for 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.)
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.
Many eye problems can develop without you knowing. You may not even notice any change in your eyesight. But, diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal tears or detachments, and other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure can be seen with a thorough exam of the retina. Until the optomap®, the only way to evaluate the retina for these abnormalities was to dilate the eyes–which can be time consuming and uncomfortable. Now a wide retinal image can be captured quickly and painlessly. Convenient for patients, while providing critical eye health information–that’s why we were the first in Iowa to introduce the technology!That’s also why optomap® technology was featured on an episode of the popular TV show “The Doctors.” (You can see the TV clip 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 .
If you haven’t already heard of them, you soon will. On July 31st spokesperson Shaquille O’Neal, better known as Shaq, will launch enlyten products into the public’s attention. We strive to stay informed about the latest technologies available. Enlyten is a new rapid-acting, side-effect-reducing way of taking a supplement. A quick-dissolving strip replaces traditional tablets or high calorie, high carb, sugary beverages.
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.
If there’s one way you can save your vision over your lifetime, it’s by wearing good quality sunglasses now. Whether it’s summer or winter, sunny or overcast, ultraviolet exposure can damage your eyes. Premature cataracts, the clouding of the lenses, and macular degeneration are the greatest concerns. UV damage has also been attributed to some eye growths and can affect the structures inside the eye.
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.
You’ve broken out the new calendar, or at least turned the page to a new year. Are you wondering where 2008 went? None of us seems immune to this syndrome, perhaps a sign of the busyness of our culture. So, it should come as no surprise that you’ve probably underestimated how long it’s been since your last eye exam.
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?”
The colored part of your eye, called the iris, is what controls the amount of light that is allowed to enter the eye. When your eyes dilate, the iris retracts and the central opening, or pupil, enlarges, letting more light in. This automatically occurs when you are in darkness, and to a limited degree, when you are relaxed and happy. Eye doctors can also provoke this response with dilation drops to get a wider view of the eye’s interior features.
Eye color is primarily determined by melanin within the iris stroma. Interestingly, just as the ultraviolet component of sunlight triggers melanin production in the skin, it can affect the iris’s melanin content and cause subtle eye color changes. Melanin is absent in the iris of a person with albinism so the iris may appear pink as blood vessels in the back of the eye are reflected through it.
Some clinical studies have examined the relationship between iris color, race, and age-related macular degeneration. There seems to be a higher prevalence of the disease in people with light-colored eyes and skin. Sunglasses with UV protection are highly recommended for everyone, but especially for those who fall into this potential risk group.
If you have green eyes, you are a rare breed. Statistically, green eyes are found in only 1 to 2 percent of all people. Brown eyes are by far the most common eye color. More than 50% of the population shares that trait. Brown is followed by hazel–a blend of brown and green or amber. Blue eyes are significantly less common than either brown or hazel, yet it is predominant in certain geographic areas.
Your eye color may have been different when you were born. Some Caucasian newborns have blue eyes that change as melanin production increases during the first year of life. Eye color often stabilizes by the time an infant is 6 months old. By the age of 3, the eyes produce and store enough melanin for the color to be fully established.
If you are not completely satisfied with the color of your eyes, there are now contact lens products that can enhance or even change them. Most enhancement tints have transparency so they work best on light-colored eyes. Opaque lenses allow even those with dark eyes to have a new look. A wide variety of both types are available in our office. (Call 319.385.9534to schedule contact lens exam.)
Theatrical contact lenses are typically opaque and create special iris effects such as the appearance of a cat-eye shaped iris, or a white iris. These are often popular with people wanting a dramatic costume effect for Halloween. Watch for an upcoming post with more information about these lenses.
Video magnifiers utilizing closed circuit television are a wonderful aid to people with low vision, but because of their large size they aren’t portable. One unique product, the “Jordy”, can be worn like glasses for portable use, and can also be placed in a stand at home or work and used with any monitor. This flexibility means you can read, write, or see no matter where you are.
Jordy contains a small, high-resolution camera that magnifies up to 30 times. Jordy’s auto-focus feature allows you to follow an object in motion–near, far or in-between. In the optional stand, it can provide 50x magnification.
“Jordy Glasses” are available for purchase at Complete EyeCare Center, along with other Enhanced Vision products including Merlin, Max, Nemo and Amigo. You can try them for yourself in our Mt. Pleasant, Iowa office. Dr. Olson is pleased to offer patients this advanced low vision technology. To learn more about Jordy and other low vision products, call our office today at 319.385.9534.
A new instrument gives Complete EyeCare Center patients a distinct health advantage. The RTVue OCT* creates ultra-high speed high resolution 3-D scans, maps and images of the eye. It can even allow Dr. Olson to visualize discrete layers of the retina. This is the first instrument to provide such high resolution capabilities.
What does this mean for Dr. Olson’s patients? Early detection, early intervention and better patient outcomes. In other words, slowing or stopping disease progression, and reducing potential vision loss.
Why is early detection important to you? Most people have no knowledge of serious eye problems in their early stages. As medical knowledge has progressed, doctors have learned that there are discreet changes taking place in the eye which can be pre-indicators of such diseases. When Dr. Olson detects these early signals, intervention can begin before your eyesight or health has been dramatically affected by serious diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or macular disease.
This instrument is the latest addition to the Mt. Pleasant, Iowa practice of Dr. Christopher Olson, Complete EyeCare Center–which has been the first to introduce technology to the state of Iowa on more than one occasion. Today OCT technology is viewed by experts as the most clinically superior way to detect and manage glaucoma and macular degeneration. Dr. Olson prefers the RTVue over other OCT instruments for several reasons, including its being 65 times faster, and having twice the resolution for significantly clearer images.
With a few months of experience with the RTVue OCT, Dr. Olson says, ”I can’t imagine going back to diagnosing or managing glaucoma without this valuable new tool. I am very thankful to be able to provide this important service to our patients and Southeast Iowa.”
Most people have heard of macular degeneration, or know of someone with the condition. It is the leading cause of blindness for those 50 and older. The macula, which is the center and most sensitive part of the retina, thins and in some cases bleeds. The result is gradual loss of central vision. Until now, there has been little that can be done to help patients prevent macular degeneration progression.
Complete EyeCare Center’s optometrist, Dr. Christopher Olson, offers his patients a product that gives new hope to victims of progressive macular degeneration–a newly developed nutritional supplement called TOZAL. A landmark study first released in the British medical journal BioMed Central Ophthalmology indicated TOZAL can stop the progression of macular degeneration and in some cases, actually reverse the symptoms. 56.7% of subjects experienced an improvement in visual acuity as a result of consistent use of TOZAL. It also helped reduce the risk factors of age-related visual decline. In the study, TOZAL even surpassed the positive benefits of the initial AREDS study–which has been widely adopted by eye-care professionals as the standard for nutritional supplementation.
Dr. Olson can determine if you would benefit from TOZAL. He has the clinical skills and instrumentation to measure macular pigmentation, which is often an early indicator of macular degeneration, and will take the time to evaluate your medical history and exam findings to make a recommendation. Call our office today at 319.385.9534 to schedule an eye health exam. If you are someone who may benefit, TOZAL can either be purchased in our Mt. Pleasant office or ordered online anytime (with representative number 24894.) As always, be sure to return for regular eye exams so your maculas and overall health can be monitored.
(Click this photo button, then click “Order Now”, “Add to Cart” and use rep# 24894 to make an online Tozal purchase.)
You’ve broken out the new calendar, or at least turned the page to a new year. Are you wondering where 2008 went? None of us seems immune to this syndrome, perhaps a sign of the busyness of our culture. So, it should come as no surprise that you’ve probably underestimated how long it’s been since your last eye exam.
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