Cataracts can cause blindness. If you have cataracts, please know it is much more challenging to remove them to restore sight if they go untreated, making a commonplace surgery much more difficult. Early detection and treatment are vital to preserving your vision. Cataract Awareness Month is a great time to schedule a visit with your ophthalmologist. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan for an appointment today.
Do you see an array of colors when you look at bright lights? Do you have trouble driving at night due to glare from oncoming headlights? If so, it is time to get your eyes checked. When patients struggle with glare and rainbows, it is often because the light coming into their eyes is not being focused correctly. The two main parts of the eye that are responsible for focusing light are the cornea and the lens. The cornea is the clear front of the eye and provides approximately 67% of the eyes ability to focus light. The lens, which is embedded deep in the eye, provides the remaining refractive power.
When the cornea is scratched, swollen, or overly dry it is unable to focus light as efficiently as it normally would, which can result in patient’s seeing rainbows around lights. More commonly, the cause of glare and rainbows stems from cataracts. A cataract is an aging change in which the lens of the eye becomes yellow and cloudy. As the cataract worsens, the lens becomes less able to focus light and glare is often one of the first symptoms people notice. The vast majority of people will develop cataracts at some point in their lifetime. There is currently no known method of prevention. Fortunately, cataract surgery is a quick, safe, and relatively straightforward procedure that boasts a 98% success rate.
If you’ve noticed changes in your vision and think you may have a cataract, schedule an appointment with Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians in Bloomfield Hills to have your eyes evaluated.
Grosinger, Spigelman, and Grey Eye Surgeons (“GSG”) specializes in refractive cataract surgery. We carefully evaluate each eligible case and offer the latest technologies available to improve our patients’ lives. Since FDA approval in August of 2019, we have been offering the Alcon Panoptix trifocal lens to patients interested in increasing their independence from glasses after cataract surgery, and our patients have been enjoying excellent results and much more freedom from glasses following surgery.
Before the Panoptix lens was available, reducing a patient’s reliance on glasses after cataract surgery involved certain compromises. We needed to determine which of the three available “distances of vision” were a priority to the patient, then we would choose a lens to fill that need. Our best options were to either choose a lens for both far away vision (road signs) and intermediate vision (computer monitors), or a lens optimized for far away vision and for near vision (phones). At the time, we could only offer lenses that helped reduce glasses dependence in two out of these three distances of vision. Since we started using the Panoptix lens, our patients have been able to enjoy the full range of distances without needing to make those compromises.
It is important to remember, however, that while Panoptix represents a major step forward in our ability to help patients obtain independence from glasses for most of their lives, there is no technology currently available that will restore the vision we all enjoyed in our youth. We always tell patients that even if they choose the Panoptix lens, they should expect to be glasses free for only approximately 80-90% of their lives, and to still expect some reliance on low powered readers in specific situations, for example, reading small print on medication bottles.
Like all our premium lens options, for these technologies to work optimally, patients will need careful evaluations to ensure that they are good candidates. At GSG, every cataract patient undergoes a thorough eye exam and many forms of testing prior to being considered for cataract surgery, sometimes requiring multiple rounds of measurements in order to maximize accuracy in determining which lens is the right choice for that particular patient. GSG takes pride in achieving the best possible results for all our patients and want to do everything in our power to help our patients see better.
The feedback GSG has received in 2020 alone suggest that our patients have been extremely satisfied with the Panoptix lens thus far, and as a result, our practice has become one of the leading users of Panoptix lenses in the Midwest. For those interested in maximizing their freedom from glasses after cataract surgery, we have found this lens to be a great option. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey for an appointment to see if you are a candidate.
Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. The longer left untreated, the more challenging it can be to successfully remove cataracts to restore sight. Early detection and treatment of cataracts is key to preserving vision. We understand many people are concerned about venturing out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your safety is and always has been of upmost importance to us. We want you to feel safe as we meet and treat your eye care needs. Schedule an appointment with one of our leading ophthalmologists.
Cataract surgery is a routine procedure these days. While it’s not uncommon, it can still be intimidating for some of our patients. Most already know that having cataracts removed can improve their vision. However, there are other benefits that you may not have expected. Getting rid of your cataracts can improve your life in other ways.
Falls can be very dangerous, especially as we age. Vision loss is a significant contributing factor in falling incidents. For some, a severe fall can be deadly.
A study of Medicare beneficiaries was published in 2012. The data revealed that cataract removal decreased the risk of a hip fracture by 16%. For patients with severe cataracts, the risk was lowered by 23%.
Cataract removal can improve your quality of life. Vision is needed to complete many everyday tasks. It can determine a person’s ability to live independently. Those who feel less independent also have a higher risk of becoming socially withdrawn, which can lead to depression.
A 2013 study concluded that people who had cataract surgery experienced a 36% quality of life improvement when compared to those who did not have surgery.
A long-term study was released in 2013 that found a connection between cataract removal and longevity. People who had the surgery had a 40% reduction in their mortality risk. Being able to see improves your odds of enjoying a longer life.
If you have cataracts or other vision concerns, we can help. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey’s Bloomfield Hills office today to schedule an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists.
Our patients are stunned by their improved sight after cataract surgery. Now there is another reason why not to put off surgery and keep your independence longer.
Australian research found that driving performance increases after cataract surgery. Read article by SciTechDaily.
Most people think that you would see better when your eyes are open wider. This sounds logical. Your eye is getting a broader view of the world, and more light is accessible to produce a clearer image. However, in practice, many people find that the opposite is true.
When we squint, we can often see things a little clearer. That’s why we squint to see the alarm clock when we wake up at 2 am. What is it about squinting that helps us see better than when our eyes are wide open?
What Does Squinting Do to Your Eye?
Even though it doesn’t feel much different, squinting does three things to our eyes that lead to slightly clearer vision.
Why Do I Have to Squint So Much?
Occasional squinting is normal, even for people with healthy eyes and clear vision. If you are over the age of 40 and have never had to wear prescription glasses, then this is likely normal.
If you find yourself squinting a lot, then you may need to talk to an eye doctor. This could be a sign of eye strain or fatigue. You may need glasses if you also experience:
Other symptoms, like feeling pressure in the eye, seeing halos, and decreased night vision could indicate a developing problem. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey to schedule an ophthalmologist appointment for a comprehensive eye exam to find out if you need glasses and assure that your eyes are healthy.
The first public museum strictly to address vision is set to up in 2020. Learn more.
Eye dilation is an important part of your exam. This is usually done using eye drops that keep the eyes dilated for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Patients with lighter color eyes may experience a longer duration before the effect wears off. Once applied, the drops cause the pupils to open fully.
Getting a Good Look Inside Your Eye
Dilated eyes allow your ophthalmologist to get a better look at what’s going on in your eye. They can identify problems that, if left untreated, could cause blindness, like a tumor or detached retina. They can also look for signs of eye diseases, including:
What Can I Do While My Eyes Are Dilated?
Dilated eyes don’t usually affect your ability to see at a distance. However, your pupils cannot control how much light enters your eye, which can make glare a problem. This may mean it is unsafe to drive unless you wear sunglasses to help manage the glare.
You may not be able to return to work right away if you need to see things that are close to your face, so it is best to schedule your appointment accordingly.
Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey located in Bloomfield Hills to book an appointment with one of our top ophthalmologists.
Is LASIK Right for Me?
The LASIK procedure was developed for ophthalmic use in the early 80s and was approved by the FDA in 1995. A lot has changed since then. Is LASIK a safe way to correct your vision?
LASIK Has a High Patient Satisfaction Rate
Over 19 million LASIK surgeries have been performed in the United States. The procedure maintains a very high patient satisfaction rate. According to clinical data, over 95% of patients reported a positive response to the surgery. The rate of complications was under 1%, making it extremely safe for the majority of patients.
Different factors can affect results, which is why a medical professional should be consulted before undergoing LASIK. Your ophthalmologist can advise you on possible complications or if a preexisting condition could affect results.
LASIK May Be Safer Than Wearing Contacts
Did you know that LASIK surgery may be safer than wearing contact lenses? The procedure has been scrutinized through FDA clinical trials consisting of over 9,000 patients between 1993 and 2005. There are over 7,000 peer-reviewed studies that were published, all confirming that the surgery is safe and effective.
A recent analysis was performed that compared rates of infection between LASIK and soft contact lenses. There were three times more cases of microbial keratitis in patients who wore contacts compared to those who underwent LASIK.
Is LASIK the Best Choice for Me?
LASIK surgery works for many, but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Make sure you choose a treatment that is ideal for you based on health status and vision needs. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey located in Bloomfield Hills to schedule a LASIK consultation.
