Author: hanneszwarts

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Keratopigmentation – What is Eye Tattooing?

What is Keratopigmentation (Eye Tattooing)? And why is it not recommended by most Eye Care Professionals?

Achieving a change in eye colour is an aesthetic goal desired by many people, which is why, up to now, the use of contact lenses to achieve it temporarily is quite common. However, in recent years several unconventional surgical techniques have emerged without sufficient scientific evidence that offer the possibility of permanently changing eye colour, and one of them is Keratopigmentation.

Keratopigmentation is a cosmetic procedure to permanently change eye colour by inserting specially coloured pigments into a laser-created tunnel in the cornea. 

What determines the colour of the eyes?

First of all, it must be taken into account that eye colour is a genetic trait that is determined by the amount and distribution of melanin in the iris (coloured tissue found in the front part of the eye and whose central opening is the pupil). In other words, what will determine whether certain eyes are darker or lighter than others are the amount of pigment (melanin) that each person has in the iris.

Thus, people with a greater amount of melanin in the front layers of the iris have eyes between brown and black, and, conversely, the less amount of said pigment there is, the lighter the color of the eyes: blue, green or honey color.

Warnings against Eye Colour-Changing Surgeries!

There are two eye colour-changing surgeries that are trending on social media: iris implant surgery and a laser surgery that inserts pigment into the cornea. Both of these surgeries carry serious risks for vision loss and complications. Patients contemplating these procedures for cosmetic reasons alone must weigh these serious risks against the potential gain.  

Iris implants have been used for patients who are missing part or all of their iris, the coloured part of the eye, due to injury or a birth defect. Surgery involves inserting an artificial iris made of silicone through a slit that has been cut into the eye at the edge of the cornea. Then the artificial iris is unfolded inside of the eye and adjusted to cover the natural iris.

Patients who have the procedure for medical reasons also risk complications from implant surgery, but the benefits of gaining an iris may outweigh their risks. In some cases, these devices have been inappropriately adapted for cosmetic use. Instead of repairing a defect, they are placed on top of a normal, intact iris to change iris colour. Serious complications have been reported in patients receiving iris implants for cosmetic reasons, even requiring removal of the implant. 

Potential complications of cosmetic iris implant surgery include:

  • Reduced vision or blindness;
  • Light Sensitivity;
  • Elevated pressure inside the eye that can lead to glaucoma, a potentially blinding disease;
  • Cataract, or clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens;
  • Injury to the cornea,  the clear outer area of the eye that focuses light and makes vision possible. If severe enough, a corneal transplant may be needed;
  • Inflammation of the iris or areas around it, leading to pain, blurred vision and tearing.

Keratopigmentation, also referred to as eye tattooing, is surgery performed on the cornea itself. The natural cornea is crystal clear and shows the color of the iris underneath it inside the eye. Keratopigmentation involves using a needle or a laser to create space in the cornea itself, into which a colour pigment is injected, permanently changing the cornea from clear to opaque and covering over the natural iris color inside.

Possible risks include:

  • Damage to the cornea that can lead to cloudiness, warpage, fluid leakage and vision loss;
  • Light sensitivity;
  • Reaction to the dye, which can cause inflammation, uveitis or blood vessel growth into the cornea;
  • Bacterial or fungal infection, which can produce corneal scarring and vision loss;
  • Uneven distribution of the dye;
  • Leakage of the dye into the eye;
  • Color fading due to the dye moving or leaking into the eye.

No surgery is free of risk. With purely cosmetic surgeries on the eye, it’s just not worth the risk when it comes to your good vision. – JoAnn A. Giaconi, MD

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Celebrating Guide Dogs in September!

Guide Dog Awareness month let’s us celebrate these wonderful dogs and the people who train and take care of them.

You may be aware that guide dogs help those who are blind or have low vision, but do you know the most common breeds, or what they do when “off-harness”?

A guide dog is a specific type of service dog that is trained to assist people who are blind or have low vision. Guide dogs learn to stop at curbs and stairs, move around obstacles and sometimes to respond to simple commands like “Find the chair.” The dog’s handler decides where they are going and gives the commands, forming a team.

Paws on sidewalk and hand on harness, the team is ready to take on the world — together.

But remember, no matter how cute you find that furry face, you should not pet or distract a guide dog at work, or “in-harness.” For the team’s safety, working guide dogs should be left to focus on doing their job.

Now — Sit. Stay. And learn some fascinating facts about guide dogs:

  • 1. Ancient bond. A first-century mural dating from the Roman ruins of Herculaneum and  a 13th century Chinese scroll are believed to be among the earliest depictions of dogs leading people and the blind.
  • 2. On alert. Guide dogs are trained to lead around obstacles, including hazards like low branches that may be above the height of the dog but not of its owner. The dogs learn to be responsible for a space two times as wide and up to three times as tall as themselves to keep their owners safe.
  • 3. Popular pups. Labradors, golden retrievers, German shepherds and Labrador/golden crosses are common guide dog breeds, chosen for traits including size, intelligence and temperament.
  • 4. Buddies indeed. On June 11, 1928, Morris Frank, who was blind, and his German shepherd guide dog Buddy made the papers when they safely crossed a dangerous street in New York City in front of reporters. Frank and Dorothy Harrison Eustis, who bred and trained Buddy, went on to start the first guide dog school in the United States.
  • 5. Critical thinkers. Guide dogs are trained to display “intelligent disobedience” — they will actually refuse to obey an unsafe command from their owners if they see a danger their owners may have missed, such as a car that ran a red light.
  • 6. Top dogs. Not all dogs will actually graduate from guide school. Only the most qualified — some programs estimate 75 percent — will complete the rigorous training.
  • 7. Did you say, “Neil” or “heel?” Owners should choose guide dog names thoughtfully: suggestions include picking short, one- or two-syllable names that allow for faster communication and avoiding names that sound similar to a command — for example, “Kit” could be confused with “sit.”
  • 8. They’re a team. Under legal protections in many countries, including the U.S., and with very rare exceptions (like around certain zoo animals!), guide dogs are allowed access with their owners anywhere that the general public can go.
  • 9. Guide dogs let their hair — or fur — down, too. When guide dogs are “off-harness,” or not working, they can play, romp or sniff like any other dog. And just like humans, guide dogs eventually retire — usually after roughly eight to 10 years of service.

Perkins School for the Blind employee Tanja Milojevic sat down to explain why her guide dog, Nabu, is so important to her.

Source: perkins.org

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Facts and Myths about Cataracts

Most of the questions we receive on a daily basis are about Cataracts. Here are some interesting information that should answer a lot of questions:

Facts and Myths

MYTH: Only older people develop Cataracts.

FACT:While cataracts affects more people age
40 and older, cataracts can occur among young adults or children. Risk factors that may lead to getting cataracts at a younger age include:

*Eye infections

*Infection or inflammation during
pregnancy (such as measles or rubella)

*Some medicines (such as long-term steroid use,
cancer medication)

*Eye injuries

*Exposure to intense heat
or radiation

*Too much exposure to
non-visible sunlight (called UV or ultraviolet light)

*Various diseases, such as
diabetes, arthritis, or metabolic disorders

*Smoking

*Family history of cataracts

*Nearsightedness (also
called myopia)

MYTH: Taking aspirin can prevent cataracts

FACT: There are not enough facts or evidence to say whether aspirin
prevents cataract. Aspirin in large doses can be harmful. Unless your
doctor prescribes aspirin for an ailment, it’s best to avoid taking this medication on a regular basis.

MYTH: The best time to have cataract surgery done is when it is first diagnosed

FACT: Cataract removal is elective surgery, which means it is the patient’s choice when to undergo the procedure. Most people need surgery when the cataract causes
enough vision loss to interfere with work, play or other day-to-day
tasks, such as driving. Cataract surgery may also be done if the cataract is preventing treatment for
another eye disease. You and your eye doctor should decide together
when and if surgery is needed.

MYTH: Cataract can be treated with eye drops

FACT: Surgery is the only proven treatment for cataracts. Cataracts
cannot be treated with medicines.

MYTH: Cataract surgery is dangerous

FACT: Cataract surgery is a delicate operation. Yet, it is one of the safest operations done today. More than 98% of surgeries are successful. Fewer than 2% of cases have complications such as inflammation, bleeding, infection
and retinal detachment.

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April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month

History of Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month

Vision impacts all aspects of life and women have a higher risk of eye health and vision problems, that can affect their quality of life, than men.

Many eye diseases and conditions can be treated and possibly prevented if detected early. An eye doctor can also diagnose other health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes during a comprehensive eye exam. However, women often put themselves last when it comes to health care.

Prevent Blindness, a volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight, has declared April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month. This observance is designed to raise awareness about women’s eye health, the importance of regular eye exams, and what can be done to help prevent vision loss.

Why women’s eye health matters

Two-thirds of people with vision issues and blindness are women.The good news is that nearly 80% of visual impairment and 25% of blindness can be treated or prevented.

One of the main reasons women have more vision problems than men is because they typically live longer. Many vision issues occur with age.

Hormone fluctuations are another reason why women are more likely than men to develop vision issues. Hormone changes can occur during:

  • Pregnancy – Fluid retention caused by hormone changes can lead to . This and other pregnancy-related vision changes usually disappear after a woman gives birth.
  • Menopause – Women also experience significant hormonal changes during menopause. Dry eye is common among peri- and postmenopausal women.

Common eye conditions affecting women

Most eye health problems and vision issues affect both men and women equally. However, women are at a higher risk for developing some eye issues, including:

Dry eye syndrome – About 3.2 million women in the U.S. have dry eye syndrome. Symptoms include itching, burning, irritation, blurry vision and sensitivity to light. Dry eye syndrome can damage the front of the eye and lead to vision impairment.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – AMD is an eye condition that causes the loss of central vision. It’s the most common cause of vision loss in people age 50 and older.

Autoimmune diseases – Some autoimmune diseases can affect the eyes and cause eye problems, including lupus , thyroid eye disease , rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Cataracts – This clouding of the eye’s natural lens can cause hazy or blurry vision.

Glaucoma – Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve in the back of your eye. It’s often called “the silent thief of sight” because there are no symptoms in its early stages.

Low Vision – Low vision is a vision impairment that can’t be completely corrected with glasses, surgery or medical treatments.

Eye health tips for women

Making your eye health a priority is the best way to protect your vision. Here are some habits that can help maintain your eye health and lower your risk of eye disease:

Get routine comprehensive eye examinations – Women ages 18 to 64 should have an eye exam at least every two years. If you’re 65 and older, you should have an eye exam annually. Your eye doctor will tell you if need to be seen more often.

Eat a healthy diet – Eat foods that are good for eye health, such as fish, lean meats, whole grains, brightly colored fruits and dark leafy greens.

Stay active – Exercise is a good way to keep your eyes healthy because it reduces your risk of diabetes and other health problems that can affect vision.

Wear sunglasses – The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays that can damage your eyes even on cloudy days so wear sunglasses whenever you’re outside. Make sure your sunglasses block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

Quit smoking – Smoking can damage your eyes and raise your risk for eye health problems such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Women often juggle many responsibilities, including work and caretaking, along with many other activities. Getting regular eye exams can help ensure your eyes are healthy and that you can see clearly.

The investment in your health can pay off today and in the future.

Source: allaboutvision.com

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Rohto® Eye Drops – Japanese Excellence

We have recently been inundated by requests for over the counter eye drops and introduced an old stalwart of Japanese Eye Care to our practice. With their unique approach to everyday eye problems, they bring a blend of conventional ingredients with novel ingredients like sesame oils, menthol and castor oil. These benefits are well known to western medicine. The feedback from our patients has been phenomenal! We are delighted to give you a brief description of the products.

A brief history

For over 100 years, Rohto has been creating eye drops and developing new formulations and containers for everyone’s eye care needs. Whether you’re looking for dry eye relief, redness relief, or digital eye strain symptom relief, there’s a Rohto eye care product that’s right for you.

The very first Rohto eye drops were developed back in 1909, after the end of the Russo-Japanese War. The demand for eye drops was increasing fast, due to an outbreak of trachoma, an eye disease caused by bacterial infection. A growing class of teachers, doctors, and office workers were also demanding eye drops.

An option for every need

There is no need to suffer from dry, red and tired eyes. The ultra-cooling formula of these eye drops immediately clears and brightens while offering relief from irritation and redness. A unique blend containing menthol, its like a mint for the yes!

Gentle lubricating eye drop to immediately moisturize and soothe dry eyes. Assists in retaining moisture and improve quality of tears. The ideal companion for contact lens wearers.

ROHTO DRY AID is an advanced dry eye treatment claiming the relief of 8 symptoms of dry eye. The advanced formulation focuses on dry spots which appear on the surface of dry eyes. TEARSHIELD TECHNOLOGY protects, hydrates & restores the natural tear film of the eye. It breaks the dry eye cycle and offers relief for up to 12 hours.

Contact us to discuss which product suits your needs.