Fish Oil Supplements

We see patients every day with red, itchy, irritated eyes. Many self treat with allergy eyedrops. In most cases, allergy is not the cause. It is usually poor tear volume and poor tear quality. We need the tears to protect the eye surface, and often the tears are just not getting the job done. Omega-3 fatty acids can really help tear quality, and most of us do not get enough in our diet. The best foods for omega-3s are oily fish like salmon, anchovies and sardines. That was your last meal, right?! Supplements help. We see very good results from two 500 mg fish oil capsules daily. Some brands are very "fishy" so we started carrying Nordic Naturals which is high quality and "lemony".  Please stop by the office if you would like a sample.

New Macular Degeneration Test

The macula is the area of photosensitive cells responsible for central vision.  If this area breaks down, it is called macular degeneration and is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S.  There are pigmented cells in the macula that have a supportive and protective role.  If an eye has low amounts of this pigment, it is at higher risk.  We now have an instrument that can measure this macular pigment.  If it is low, we can change our diet or add a supplement to increase these cells.  Prevention is key because once the macula breaks down, there is little that can be done.  We are offering this test at no charge to our patients.  If you are interested, simply stop by and the staff can administer the test.  It is quick and easy!

Eye Allergies

Spring allergy season is here, and many struggle with itchy eyes.  Ketotifen was a very successful prescription eyedrop and is now over the counter.  It is the best OTC choice.  Common brand names include Alaway and Zaditor.  We joke that we like the OTC allergy drops because we get a big bottle for little money.  The prescription drops are big money for a little bottle, but they really do work the best.  If you try the OTC drops and still have symptoms, please call the office and we can help.

Cipro and Retinal Detachment

A recent large study suggests a link between a commonly prescribed antibiotic and retinal detachment.  If the photosensitive cells inside the eye pull loose, it is called a retinal detachment and is a true eye emergency.  Patients often describe seeing large flashes of light and a black veil or curtain in their field of view.  Oral fluoroquinolone use (Cipro is the most common) has been associated with tendon rupture.  It is thought there is interference with collagen synthesis and repair.  There appears to be a similar effect on collagen in the eye.  Patients using fluoroquinolones should be aware of the symptoms of retinal detachment, and those already at high risk might be best served with an alternate antibiotic.  High risk eyes are those that have already had a detachment in the other eye, and highly myopic or nearsighted eyes.

Best of 2012

A big thank you to everyone who voted for us!  Towne Lake Eye Associates was named a Best of 2012 winner on Kudzu, a leading source of local business information and consumer reviews. Over 5 million businesses competed across 30 categories, and winners were awarded based on the highest number of votes received on Kudzu.com. 

Shingles Vaccine

We posted in the spring that we treat the eye when there is a rash from shingles on the face. If you've had chickenpox, you can get shingles at any time. It is typically very painful. We have recently seen many patients in their 50's with shingles, and we don't want you to have to go through this. There is a vaccine for adults 50 and older to prevent shingles. We recommend pursuing the vaccine with your pharmacist or PCP.
zostavax.com

10 Years!

As of this month, both Vicki and Susan have been part of the practice for 10 years! They join Louise who passed the 10 year mark last year. Our patients have certainly benefited from their expertise and service.