NIH Study Commissioned to Examine Prevention of Nearsightedness with Soft Bifocal Contact Lenses

Posted on June 1, 2014 | 4 comments

Bifocal Lenses in Nearsighted Kids (BLINK) Study Begins

The National Institutes of Health awarded the University of Houston College of Optometry and the Ohio State University College of Optometry $7.5 million to study the use of soft bifocal contact lenses in the prevention of nearsightedness (myopia) in children. The Bifocal Lenses in Nearsighted Kids (BLINK) Study will follow 300 children, ages 7 to 11 years of age over a period of 3 years. The Ohio State University College of Optometry previously published the Corneal Reshaping and Myopia Study in a 2009 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology where it found that orthokeratology lenses were effective in preventing the lengthening of the eyeball in children which in turn slowed the progression of nearsightedness.

Myopia Regulation Treatment at Total Eye Care

Do you have a family history of nearsightedness? Are your kids nearsighted? Would you like to prevent the progression of myopia in your kids? Summer is a great time start Myopia Regulation Treatment. If you would like more details you can set up a free consult with Dr. Driscoll.

More information about orthokeratology can be found at the OrthoKDoctor.com website.

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Posted in children, contact lens, Eye Care, orthokeratology, Refractive issues

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Surprising Conditions That Eye Doctors Find First

Posted on April 27, 2014 | 4 comments

People often think of an eye exam as how you update your eye glass or contact lens prescription. More importantly, it is a very effective way to provide early detection of systemic conditions. Readers Digest recently published this article on conditions that are often first diagnosed by an eye doctor.

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Posted in eye

Total Eye Care is a Google Glass Preferred Provider

Posted on February 4, 2014 | 6 comments

What is Google Glass

Google Glass Thin Titanium FrameGoogle’s latest invention incorporates a video screen into an eyeglass frame; however, it is not an ordinary eyeglass frame. This pair of glasses interfaces with your cell phone allowing you to view emails, tweets, take pictures and videos, follow directions on a map, and many other cool features. Last year you may have heard how Google was inviting explorers to “test drive” the new Google Glass. google-glass-splitThe initial prototype did not provide a method to incorporate prescription ophthalmic lenses into the frame, making it of limited use for eyeglass wearers. In late 2014 Google announced Google Glass will also be available with ophthalmic lens options. Four titanium ophthalmic frames and four sunglass frames will be available as upgrades.

Total Eye Care is a Google Glass Preferred Provider

google-glass-sun-edgeThe Colleyville, Texas and the Keller, Texas Total Eye Care locations have completed the Google Glass Preferred Provider Training. Google Explorers can schedule an appointment online if they need an eye exam for either our Colleyville or Keller/Southlake location.

Using your Vision Benefit Plans

google-glass-curveGoogle glass explorers with VSP (Vision Service Plan) vision care benefits will be able to use their frame and lens benefit towards their new Google Glasses. Total Eye Care Colleyville and Total Eye Care Keller/Southlake locations are both VSP providers.

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Posted in computer, Technology

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Florida State Heisman Candidate QB Jameis Winston Gets OrthoKeratology!

Posted on November 5, 2013 | 1 comment

Jameis Winston Gets Orthokeratology Lenses

Jamies-Winston-OrthoKThe sports pages were all atwitter this weekend talking about how, the FSU quarterback, Jameis Winston doesn’t like to wear his contacts while playing football. He is afraid they will pop out. Problem solved, squinting Jameis Winston  decided to get  OrthoKeratology. The commentators of the FSU-Miami game even commented on how the Heisman candidate QB was squinting to see which play the coach was calling from the sideline. Yahoo News also shows him squinting to find a receiver downfield.

No matter how good you are you will play, and perform at a higher level with better vision. A fact not lost on Winston’s coach, Jimbo Fisher. At the post game press conference Fisher stated “imagine how good he would be if he could see.” I concur, now he will be able to see the eyes of the defender, and his receiver’s, a huge benefit for players at any level. Look out Wake Forest and Syracuse.

What is Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology allows nearsighted patients of all ages to achieve clear vision without glasses or contact lenses. OrthoKeratology has also been shown to be effective in slowing, and in some cases stopping the progression of nearsightedness in children. More information on Orthokeratology at Total Eye Care is also available on the OrthoKDoctor.com website.

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Posted in contact lens, Cornea, orthokeratology, Refractive issues, Sports Vision

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New Technology Improves Contact Lens Comfort

Posted on September 13, 2013 | 2 comments
  contact lens comfort We often hear from eyeglass wearers “oh, I tried to wear contacts but they irritated my eyes”. The most common reason patients discontinue contact lens wear is because of poor comfort. Significant advances in contact lens materials have improved contact lens related irritation for many patients. If you have not tried contact lenses in the past 18 months you may be missing out on the potential benefits experienced by successful contact lens wearers.

With better contact lens materials, better contact lens solutions, and better lens designs almost all patients can wear contact lenses. Not all contact lens comfort issues; however, can be fixed with a different contact lens. Often addressing an underlying systemic condition such as dry eye syndrome will improve contact lens wear comfort and extend wearing time.

Now is a great time to give contact lenses another chance. Most of the major contact lens companies are offering rebates, some up to $100. If you would like to see if new contact lens technology can help you please call our office or use our online scheduler.

We look forward to helping you join the ranks of other successful contact lens wearers

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Posted in contact lens, Cornea, Eye Care

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Diopsys Pattern Electroretinograph Predicts Early Glaucomatous Vision Loss

Posted on August 26, 2013 | 1 comment

Pattern Electroretinography (pERG) Gives up to 8 Years of Advanced Warning

Pattern ElectroretinographIncorporating the most advanced technology available in caring for our patients is important to the way we practice at Total Eye Care. The Diopsys® Pattern Electroretinograph is the newest addition to our suite of technology. The Pattern ERG (PERG) measures the signal strength of the retinal information being sent to the optic nerve. Studies show that a 10% decrease in this signal can be detected up to 8 years earlier with a Pattern Electroretinograph than a scanning laser ophthalmoscope.  This technology thus allows for much earlier diagnosis and treatment.

The Pattern Electroretinograph Helps Prevent Vision Loss in Glaucoma

Early detection and treatment of glaucoma is important due to the fact that nerve tissue cannot be regenerated. Twenty years ago, in the absence of a very high intra-ocular pressure, it was a common practice to wait until a visual field defect was present before initiating treatment. There is a significant amount of redundancy in the retinal nerve fibers. Studies have shown a patient must lose approximately 50% of the nerve fibers before visual field loss is detectable. The scanning laser ophthalmoscopes changed all of that allowing us to detect earlier, more subtle changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer. Now patients are treated before visual field defects become apparent.

The Diopsys® Pattern Electroretinograph is the next step in early detection. The PERG will not replace the scanning laser ophthalmoscopes such as the Zeiss Cirrus Optical Coherence Tomographer (OCT) in the diagnosis of glaucoma; however, it gives us another valuable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

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Posted in Glaucoma, Optic Nerve, Retina, Technology

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Summer – A Great Time for Orthokeratology

Posted on August 5, 2013 | Comments Off on Summer – A Great Time for Orthokeratology

I was asked what is the 60 second brief on OrthoK so here are my high points along with a video. 

Orthokeratology – or·tho·kera·tol·o·gy – a treatment for improving vision by altering the shape of the cornea through the application of corneal molds that are worn while you sleep.

Adult patients, kids, and parents alike express amazement at how we can alter or mold the shape of the cornea with a contact lens, resulting in clear vision during the day without the need for glasses. It’s not magic, the science is very well established and FDA approved.  We remold the cornea like what is done in LASIK. The difference is that Ortho-K achieves this without the use of a laser, it is reversible, and it is easily modifiable.

Check out the video below and see what patients are saying about Orthokeratology. If you want to know more about Orthokeratology call our office for a free consultation 817.416.0333 or visit www.OrthoKDoctor.com

 

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Posted in contact lens, Cornea, orthokeratology, Refractive issues

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What Does Pink Eye or Red Eye Mean?

Posted on August 2, 2013 | 1 comment

Red eye PhotoPink eye is a descriptive term indicating that the eye is inflamed for some reason. Not all pink eyes are infected or contagious. “Pink” eye is usually caused by a virus (often quite contagious), allergies, or bacteria. The most common cause of pink eye is a viral infection or allergies. Patients with pink eye should not wear contact lenses. Read more…..

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Posted in Eye Care

New Drug For Dry Eye Treatment

Posted on July 26, 2013 | Comments Off on New Drug For Dry Eye Treatment

Bausch & Lomb announced it has acquired the rights to market a new medication for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. This, yet to be named, medication will improve the quality of tears by promoting the eye’s ability to produce mucin, an essential component of our tears, that is responsible for prolonging the evaporation time.

This medication will be the first of it’s class and the first to focus on improving tear quality instead of quantity. Dosing will be twice a day. Phase 3 clinical trials are to begin by the end of 2013.

While a few years from clinical use this compound will provide a new approach to the treatment of dry eye syndrome..

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Posted in Cornea, dry eye syndrome

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Study Shows Orthokeratology Effective in Reducing the Progression of Nearsightedness in Children

Posted on May 11, 2013 | 5 comments

The study of myopia control (nearsightedness) is a hot field of study, particularly in China where the High Myopia – Partial Reduction Orthokeratology (HM-PRO) study was conducted. This study is the latest in an effort to find an effective means to slow or even stop the progression of nearsightedness in children. The HM-PRO study is unique in that it treated 18 highly myopic children (Rx over -5.75 D) between the ages of 8 and 11 with a combination of OrthoK lenses and glasses, and followed them for two years. The study participants were matched with a control group of 18 children, the same age and also with prescriptions over -5.75D.

In the HM-PRO study 18 participants and 18 control patients were followed for 2 years. 15 of the treatment patients and 13 control patients completed the study.  After two years the treated patient’s nearsightedness increased by – 0.13D and the untreated (control) patients increased their nearsightedness by -1.00D.

Myopic progression is also measured by how much the eye grows in length (called the axial length). In this case the treated patients showed a significant reduction in progression with their axial length increasing by 0.19 mm whereas the control group’s axial length increased by 0.51 mm.

The study authors concluded that orthokeratology lenses slowed axial length elongation by 63% and reduced the prescription change by 87%. It has yet to be shown that orthokeratology lenses stop the myopic progression clearly this study, like numerous other before it, show that orthokeratology is effective in markedly slowing the progression of nearsightedness in children. At Total Eye Care we have been using reverse curve orthokeratology lenses to control myopia since 1999 and have fit hundreds of kids and adults.

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Posted in children, contact lens, orthokeratology, Refractive issues

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