Choosing the right IOL when considering cataract surgery
April 6, 2023
What’s the difference between Diffractive and non-diffractive EDOF IOLs?
Future is officially here! Optos is the modern diagnostic equipment for systemic and ocular retinal diseases. With the assistance of Optos, ophthalmologist can take a fundus photo and see the rear of the eye for potential retinal tears.
No, this isn’t about the forgotten Greek god of sight, although close – Optos is a machine. But let’s start from the beginning.
It was a rare occasion when I visited BEI as a patient. Sitting in the waiting room, which always reminds me of the spaceship entrance in Return from the Stars, I took a look around – other patients, some luxurious eyeglasses under a glass panel, beautiful ladies at the front desk, an epic view of LA (it’s on the 7thstory, and on the unprotected border between West Hollywood and Beverly Hills) – and intermittently read a spare novel, whose 92-year-old heroine had been gifted a hearing trumpet.
Despite having personal acquaintances (I know everyone there), I was not accepted before those who came in earlier, so I had to wait like everyone else – about 17 minutes bell-to-bell.
The atmosphere they have there is so nice, and the color and light is such that it’s therapeutic; I could sit still, even on a Friday. But there was a lovely lady ahead of me (turns out she was 92, also, much like the heroine of the novel) who came back in and had a conversation with the doctor:
And at that point they called me in. Don’t worry; I won’t describe everything. Let’s just talk about this amazing thing called Optos. It has what ophthalmologists, both past and present, couldn’t have dreamed of in other machines. There’s something cosmic about it…including the astronomical price, which almost made me pass out. But here’s the story of its origin:
The five-year-old son of Scottish billionaire Douglas Anderson was blinded in one eye after a sudden retinal detachment. The boy had previously seen ophthalmologists, but they overlooked the problem, so then Anderson contracted a team of engineers to build a miracle machine that would not overlook it.
My own long-suffering retina was examined using this very machine, the Optos Optomap, which has a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. It allows for examining the fundus at a viewing angle of 182’ (out of a possible 200) and reveals even the smallest holes in the retina, any ruptures, possibility of detachment, symptoms of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration. All of these are dangerous things. Well, technically it isn’t the machine that reveals anything, but rather the doctor who interprets the pictures it takes.
Furthermore, Optos can see things that you’d think are inexpressible – for example, the floaters that swim around in your eyes.
Dr. Benjamin was true to himself and explained or showed everything to the smallest detail. To many, it seems that there’s no hurry when it comes to the eyes, but that’s a misconception. They also cannot wait, so don’t make them do so. For example, half of the people with glaucoma are not even aware they have it. And on that note, my short and convincing sermon is over.
It’s time to not waste time!
What’s the difference between Diffractive and non-diffractive EDOF IOLs?
We will open up about whether there is at least something beautiful behind these magic words – macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. What kind of unpleasant disease lies under such an interesting "keratoconus" and what is the connection with the cone?
Despite the fact that Macular Degeneration considered as a disease of kings, now it affects and leads to blindness not only to a privileged society. The light of hope was received from a group of American ophthalmologists who saved four patients from blindness with a new method that’s described in the Journal of Translational
Medicine.
For the first time in history, a robot called PRECEYES participated in an operation. The task was to dissect a specific membrane in the macula, a yellow spot of patients with macular degeneration. Results from six patients, operated on by robots, were compared with six others operated on by humans, but in terms of speed, you might be surprised that man won. Humans 1.5 minutes against robots 5.
The retina is a portal to your brain. According to new data, Alzheimer’s can show itself through some eye diseases that affect the retina. If problems begin in retina, it could be a symptom of physiological abnormalities in the brain. Also, retinal problems can indicate such diseases as diabetes, atherosclerosis. etc.
Researchers observed a sizable population for 15 years, which demonstrated that the probability of developing macular degeneration was 60% lower in orange lovers than in orange haters. Flavonoids, according to the study's author, are most likely what cause this impact. Numerous authors adore the word "flavonoids" because it is so lovely. However, what are they?
Genentech has created a new delivery method for medications needed to prevent age related macular degeneration (AMD) called Port Delivery System. It resembles a small grain of rice that goes directly into your eye and time-releases medication. Genius!
Finally, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel in the treatment of macular degeneration (MD). Scientists have discovered that the main culprit is an enzyme and trying to determine the level of them in the patient's eyes. This enzyme plays an important role in the destruction of retinal cells and ultimately blindness. But does it mean it's time to throw our hats in the air?
