Archive for May, 2009

Dear Readers,

I have been been asked by COVD to help find submissions for  a cover picture for their internationally-read vision science journal, Optometry and Vision Development. They are looking for a quality child or adult strabimsus photo. This will highlight an essay on Sue Barry’s excellent new book “Fixing My Gaze”

If you would like to see yourself or your child on the cover of a journal, submit a high-quality photo showing strabismus (eye turn) to me at natebw@gmail.com.

Thanks!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

This is very exciting news. It is one of those stories that is so beautiful in its utter simplicity.

Researchers from Australia’s University of New South Wales “have used contact lenses coated in stem cells to restore sight to patients suffering a blinding disease,” with the “groundbreaking operation” bringing “significant improvements in vision within a matter of weeks.” The new “procedure uses a person’s own cells to heal damage to the cornea — the transparent outermost layer of the eye,” and is “carried out under local anesthetic, with patients returning home within two hours of surgery, removing the need for expensive hospital stays.”

The three patients who have been “treated so far had very poor vision caused by corneal disease — the fourth most common form of blindness, affecting around 10 million worldwide.” Corneal blindness “is caused by genetics, surgery, burns, infection or chemotherapy, and treatments usually include grafts and transplants, and drugs, such as steroids.”(Via AOA’s First Look)

You can read more in the Mail Online, here.

Be Well!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

Note: Earlier on, I posted my own vision therapy story. The story below is shared by the Vision Therapist at Bright Eyes, Edna Moore. It is an excellent example of the power of vision therapy and what inspired Edna to pursue it.

-Dr. B.

I couldn’t believe that it had already been more than one month since James was accidentally hit in the face with a soccer ball during recess at school.  He had started experiencing double vision and said that things would become blurry, then clear again.  But he didn’t start having headaches until a few weeks later. That is when we started searching for a cure for all of his symptoms.  But after seeing so many specialists, I was not very hopeful in finding relief for James.

“I’m sorry, but your son will have to live with these headaches for the rest of his life.  There is nothing else we can do for him.“

These were the exact words that the pediatric neurologist told me after putting my 10-year-old son, James, through a battery of tests for his headaches, dizziness, and double vision.  He had endured a CAT scan, an MRI, a spinal tap, and electric nodes secured into his head to find the cause of his double vision and unrelenting headaches that would not be relieved even with medication.  After a month of seeing the pediatrician, an optometrist, and ophthalmologist, and now this neurologist, I was hoping to finally find the real cause of his symptoms.  Instead, I was told that my son was going to have to suffer with this pain for the rest of his life.  I wept silently inside again, as I had done many times before, so that James wouldn’t see me crying while we walked slowly out of the hospital that day.  I thought to myself, “No one should ever have to hear that he would have to suffer in pain for the rest of his life, especially a 10-year-old child.  You just don’t say that to a child who is hurting so much.“  He had become so depressed and withdrawn from everyone because of this pain that he even stopped drawing altogether, which was his most favorite hobby.  I would often find him lying on the sofa by himself, weeping silently.  When I would ask him what was wrong, he would say that it was of no use to tell me since it was always the same thing – that his head hurt so badly, and no one could make the pain go away.  One of the most difficult times for a parent is when you helplessly witness your child’s pain and realize that you cannot take the pain away for him. So I swore to myself that I would do whatever it took to give James some relief from his headaches, dizziness, and double vision.

During our follow-up with our pediatrician, I reported what the pediatric neurologist had told me.  I was so glad to hear that my pediatrician was not going to give up trying to find out what was causing James’ headaches for this long.  This time, he sent us to see the Head of USF’s Department of Balance Disorders.  James went through more testing, and still we had no answers to his symptoms.  But just as we were about to leave, the Dean told me in passing that it was interesting that James’ symptoms were very much like those of victims of whiplash or strokes, and to maybe see an optometrist who specialized in helping those patients with vision therapy.  I was skeptical at first, since James had 20/20 vision.  I didn’t understand how an eye doctor could get rid of his painful headaches, especially if no one else could at this point.  But we had nothing to lose by seeing him, so we went.

Michael Phillips, O.D., was one of a handful of optometrists who had training in Vision Therapy in Florida during this time.  Luckily for us, his practice was located in St. Petersburg.  After examining James’ vision, Dr. Phillips diagnosed him with Visual Midline Shift Syndrome in which a patient experiences a shift in his visual midline.  We immediately began in-office vision therapy sessions three times a week for 45 minutes each.   James also had to wear a pair of yoked prism glasses everyday in order to correctly shift what he was seeing back to his central line of vision.  His vision therapy lasted for 3 months, and James’ symptoms slowly decreased.   Eventually his headaches, double vision, and dizziness all stopped.  After the therapy was completed, Dr. Phillips re-evaluated James and discovered that the midline shift had been successfully brought back to the center of his vision.   Soon James’ depressed moods had lifted, and he was returning back to his old self.

If it had not been for Dr. Phillips and his expertise in vision therapy, our son would still be suffering with those symptoms, and his life would have turned out very differently for him.  My husband and I are very grateful to Michael Phillips, O.D.,  Nathan Bonilla-Warford, O.D., and other optometrists who have dedicated themselves in treating patients with vision therapy, which ultimately changes their lives forever.

Edna Moore

Vision Therapist
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
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From National Eye Institute Press Release – May 18, 2009

National Eye Institute Celebrates Healthy Vision Month

Nearly 14 million Americans experience vision problems, ranging from the need for glasses to blindness. The National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, supports vision research that leads to sight-saving treatments for these conditions. During Healthy Vision Month this May, NEI unveils three online resources for the public to get an inside look at the research process and its impact on public health.

Online Newsmagazine – www.nei.nih.gov/EYEonNEI

Eye on NEI will feature in-depth stories, interviews with researchers, vision science images, and answers to eye health questions. The first biweekly edition includes a profile of Erik Weihenmayer, the only blind man to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Weihenmayer recounts his experiences with testing a breakthrough vision device known as BrainPort. The device, developed with NEI support, allows visually impaired people to “see” objects and words by relaying electrical signals from the tongue to the brain.

Multimedia Timeline – www.nei.nih.gov/lca/nei_timeline

This interactive timeline details the research path toward gene therapy treatment for Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a blinding genetic condition that affects the eye’s retinal tissue. In a recent NEI-supported study, three young adults with LCA experienced improvements in day and night vision after undergoing gene therapy. The timeline incorporates video interviews with researchers, scientists, and medical experts to trace the scientific process from the laboratory bench to the patient’s bedside.

Vodcast and Podcast – www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes

Many vision problems can go undetected without regular, comprehensive dilated eye exams. In vodcast and podcast interviews for the new Healthy Eyes Web page, NEI’s Dr. Janine Austin Clayton explains that nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia are common vision problems that are easily corrected once diagnosed. Visitors can also use the Web page to send free e-cards to encourage family and friends to get their vision checked.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation’s Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

Full Press Release can be found here.

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

My colleague and fellow blogger,  Dr. Shaune Wallace, addresses the question: Why do we need yearly contact lens exams?

The whole article is worth reading, but here is is core issue:

“A thorough exam by an optometrist can identify potential problems before they occur. Careful selection of appropriate lens material and design followed by evaluation of the movement can help to prevent many of these problems. Yearly examination can then identify issues before they become serious.”

As I always say, it is easier to prevent problems than treat them. If you wear contact lenses and it has been awhile since your last contact  lens evaluation, don’t put it off any longer.

Be Well!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

It used to be that when people had cataracts, they waited until they were almost blind before getting surgery. When they could no longer do things like read, drive, watch TV, or cook dinner, then it was time for cataract surgery.

Times have certainly changed! Not only is the procedure much more advanced and safer, but the new hi-tech lens implants can allow for glasses-free vision (both distance and up close!) for many patients.

From the New York Times:

Patients can now choose from a wide range of artificial lenses. The most common are monofocal lenses, which focus vision at a single distance, the way a pair of standard glasses does. Before surgery, ophthalmologists test the eyes to choose the best prescription for the artificial lens, based on whether patients are nearsighted or farsighted or have normal vision.

Multifocal lenses, designed to focus both up close and at a distance, are a newer option. They are particularly appealing because by the time people develop cataracts, usually starting in their 60s, most suffer from presbyopia and require reading glasses. Presbyopia occurs when the body’s natural lens stiffens with age and eye muscles can no longer focus it for close vision.

If you have concerns about your vision and you are worried about cataracts, the first step is to get an comprehensive eye exam. Then, if it turns out you do have cataracts, we can discuss surgery.Here in Tampa Bay, we are lucky. we have several world-class surgeons who perform excellent cataract surgery. I can help you find the surgeon that is right for you.

Be Well!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

I like new technology, especially information technology.  Bright Eyes isn’t the only eyecare facility in Tampa Bay that has a Facebook account, but we were the first.  I now regularly  “tweet” (write posts on Twitter) under the Twitter screen name “BrightEyesTampa” for the office.  I connect with numerous eye and health experts on Twitter from around the globe to bring you the most up to date and cutting edge information in eye and health care news.

When you follow @BrightEyesTampa on Twitter you will always find interesting “tweets” about eye health care, eye health tips, inspiring quotes, health news, any new blog posts that were recently posted on our blog.

Twitter is the FASTEST growing social network in history. According to Mashable – The Social Media Guide (@Mashable), Twitter has grown a staggering 1382% in the past year.  In January 2009 alone, Twitter grew 50% in ONE month.  Wow.  This is a POWERFUL social media platform for those who understand how to harness its power.

Some people have the perception that Twitter is for people tweeting about what they ate for breakfast….this is NOT what Twitter is all about.  You can connect with people in your local community or all around the globe who are experts in fields that you may be interested in learning about.  People like Robert Kiyosaki (@TheRealKiyosaki), Donald Trump (@DonaldJTrump), Senator John McCain (@SenJohnMacain) Oprah (@Oprah), Larry King (@kingsthings) and more…all tweet regularly.  Its truly a wealth of knowledge.

If you’ve never checked out Twitter….check it out.  Maybe you will even decide to jump in, give it a try and start Tweeting – its a lot of fun and very educational!

Be Well!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

Like many Optometrists, I provide visual care to infants. I support the effort in Michigan to get the word out about this important program

“(Dr. Daniel) Mosser, Dr. Robert Barnett II, Dr. Carolyn Ormes and Dr. Barry Morrisson are Martinsburg-based optometrists who will be participating in the clinic program, which was set in motion after Gov. Joe Manchin declared May 4 through May 16 InfantSEE Week.

This week, more than 50 eye doctors statewide will be providing free comprehensive eye and vision assessments for babies between 6 and 12 months of age, by appointments only.

Br. Bonilla-Warford participates in InfantSEE. If you have a little one who is 6 to 12 months of age, bring her or him to Bright Eyes for a no-cost visual assessment because it’s easier to prevent a visual problem than treat one!

Be Well!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.

Nora

Celebrating Nora’s 2nd birthday. Taking some time off from work!

I have been telling my patients for quite some time that omega-3 fatty acids are good for the eyes. These essential fatty acids can help people with dry eye disease.

A recent study also shows that it can reduce the risk of sight-stealing macular degeneration, too:

Two studies released this week in the Archives of Ophthalmology show adults who followed a Mediterranean-style diet high in omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, nuts, and olive oil and low in the trans fats found in baked and processed foods have a much lower risk of developing the sight-robbing disease.

This is one more reason to pay attention to your diet and talking to your doctors about omega-3 supplements if you think you don’t get enough.

Eat well!

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Located in the Westchase area of Tampa.