Tag Archives: OPHTHAMOLOGY

Myths and Facts About Ophthalmology

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Myth

Reading in dim light is harmful to your eyes.

Fact

Although reading in dim light can make your eyes feel tired, it is not harmful.

Myth

It is not harmful to watch a welder or look at the sun if you squint, or look through narrowed eyelids.

Fact

Even if you squint, ultra-violet light still gets to your eyes, damaging the cornea, lens, and retina. Never watch welding without wearing the proper protection. Never look directly at an eclipse.

Myth

Using a computer, or video display terminal (VDT), is harmful to the eyes.

Fact

Although using a VDT is associated with eyestrain or fatigue, it is not harmful to the eyes.

Myth

If you use your eyes too much, you wear them out.

Fact

You can use your eyes as much as you wish – they do not wear out.

Myth

Wearing poorly-fit glasses damages your eyes.

Fact

Although a good fit is required for good vision with glasses, a poor fit does not damage your eyes.

Myth

Wearing poorly fit contacts does not harm your eyes.

Fact

Poorly fit contact lenses can be harmful to your cornea (the window at the front of your eye). Make certain your eyes are checked regularly by an eye doctor at our ophthalmology office if you wear contact lenses.

Myth

You do not need to have your eyes checked until you are in your 40s or 50s.

Fact

There are several asymptomatic, yet treatable, eye diseases (most notably glaucoma) that can begin prior to your 40s.

Myth

Safety goggles are more trouble than they’re worth.

Fact

Safety goggles prevent many potentially blinding injuries every year. Keep goggles handy and use them.

Myth

It’s okay to swim while wearing soft contact lenses.

Fact

Potentially blinding eye infections can result from swimming or using a hot tub while wearing contact lenses.

Myth

Children outgrow crossed eyes.

Fact

Children do not outgrow truly crossed eyes. A child whose eyes are misaligned has strabismus and can develop poor vision in one eye (a condition known as amblyopia) because the brain turns off the misaligned or “lazy” eye. The sooner crossed or misaligned eyes are treated, the less likely the child will have permanently impaired vision.

Myth

A cataract must be ripe before it can be removed.

Fact

With modern cataract surgery, a cataract does not have to ripen before it is removed. When a cataract keeps you from doing the things you like or need to do, consider having it removed.

Myth

Cataracts can be removed with lasers.

Fact

A cataract cannot be removed with a laser. The cloudy lens must be removed through a surgical incision. However, after cataract surgery, a membrane within the eye may become cloudy. This membrane can be opened with laser eye surgery.

Myth

Eyes can be transplanted.

Fact

The eye cannot be transplanted. It is connected to the brain by the optic nerve, which cannot be reconnected once it has been severed. A person can, however, undergo cornea transplant surgery to replace the cornea, the clear part of the eye. Surgeons often use plastic intraocular lens implants (IOLs) such as crystalens®, ReSTOR®, ReZoom™ or TECNIS® to replace natural lenses during cataract surgery.

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glasses-jpgBy Pure Matters

Imagine what life would be like if you couldn’t see well. Reading might be out. Watching a movie could be tough. Focusing on the face of a loved one could drive you to tears.

The number of people losing their vision is growing, yet experts say much of this vision loss could be prevented.

“We can intervene best when we identify a problem in the early stages,” says Roy S. Rubinfeld, M.D., a clinical correspondent for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). He warns against putting off regular eye exams because your eyes feel fine or you don’t wear glasses or contact lenses. Signs of some eye diseases, such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are present before you might notice symptoms.

 

 

Growing number

 

The National Eye Institute says more than 3.3 million Americans ages 40 and older have blindness or low vision. The institute projects that figure will increase markedly by the year 2020. The percentage of people more than 60 years old who suffer vision loss is growing fast, too.

 

“At 60, everyone should have an annual eye exam, even if you’re seeing very well,” Dr. Rubinfeld says.

 

Many diseases cause vision loss as we age, but AMD is the Western world’s top cause of blindness. Leading to loss of your central vision, it may cause dark spots in your sight, make straight lines appear wavy, or cause text to seem blurry. AMD, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and dry eye syndrome can all rob you of sight.

 

It’s best to see your eye doctor before trouble starts. But these signs should prompt a visit at once:

 

  • Trouble seeing objects close up or far away
  • Colors that seem faded
  • Poor night vision
  • Double or multiple vision
  • Loss of side vision
  • Poor central vision or straight objects that look wavy
  • Blurry text or type

 

Save aging eyes

 

Dr. Rubinfeld offers these recommendations:

 

Renee C. Bovelle, MD, FAAO, Represents Maryland with Entry into Renowned Publication The Leading Physicians of the World

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The Leading Physicians of the World and the International Association of Healthcare Professionals are proud to announce that Renee C. Bovelle, MD, FAAO, is being honored for her exceptional successes in the ophthalmology community.  Over 15 years practicing, Dr. Bovelle has already demonstrated the passion, dedication, and enthusiasm for patient care necessary to be considered a Top Physician in her field.

Dr. Bovelle currently maintains her own practice, Envision Eye and Laser Center, located in Glenn Dale, Maryland. Within her practice, Dr. Bovelle has performed thousands of LASIK, laser, ophthalmic, cataract and BOTOX procedures; with specific specialization in cornea and refractive surgery. Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, she offers both non-surgical and surgical treatments to enhance and rejuvenate her patients; as well as individualized treatment plans to help her patients make informed decisions about their medical, surgical, and aesthetic treatments. Her passion for the field goes beyond her practice, Dr. Bovelle’s work includes clinical research on modern devices used in modern refractive surgery; having her findings published in medical textbooks and ophthalmology journals in the United States and internationally. She also lectures across the globe. Dr. Bovelle also donates her time to the underprivileged both locally and internationally by participating in health fairs and medical mission trips including in Prince George’s County, Washington DC, Jamaica, Africa and India. Also being an advocate for continued education, Dr. Bovelle attends additional training courses in the disciplines of oculo-plastics and aesthetics; as well as, served as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Louisiana State University, and has worked at the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Bovelle’s career began in 1992, after she received her medical degree from the University of California in Los Angeles. She completed her internships at a Johns Hopkins-affiliated hospital and at the MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center.  Her residency in ophthalmology was completed at the esteemed Yale University, where she served as chief resident. Upon completion, Dr. Bovelle attended the Louisiana State University Eye Center for a Cornea and Refractive Surgery fellowship under the direction of Dr. Herbert Kaufman, one of the world’s leading corneal and refractive surgeons.

To find out more about Dr. Bovelle, please visit www.renee-bovelle.findatopdoc.com andwww.envisioneyeandlaser.com.  Be sure to look out for her upcoming publication in The Leading Physicians of the World.