May 14th, 2013
It is a common misconception that those with “color blindness” see the world in black and white. While there are extreme cases, the typical individual with this condition sees colors differently than others but mainly has trouble with hues like pastels. It is really a color deficiency rather than blindness.
The most common type of inherited color blindness affects 8% of males and is carried on the “X” chromosome. You may remember from biology that men have one X and one Y chromosome while women have 2 X chromosomes. The affected man received the gene from his mother. While she was an unaffected carrier, her father probably had issues with color perception.
Color blindness can also be acquired, meaning it can occur later in life. Possible causes include a head injury or a small stroke behind the eye. This type of problem is generally also associated with significant vision loss and usually only affects one eye.
It is not uncommon for children to be unaware they have a color problem until they have a thorough eye examination. We use a booklet with colored numbers embedded in small circles and ask the patient to read them.
Why is it important to know if you have a color deficiency? Teachers should be alerted to the issue as it may affect class work. There are some professions that require excellent color vision such as electricians and fighter pilots. Accommodations can be made for most situations but matching that tie to the pastel shirt may still take some assistance!
Dr. Mark German is an Optometrist practicing at Lakeshore Eye Care Professionals with offices in Mequon and Saukville, Wisconsin. He accepts patients of all ages into his practice and most insurance plans including Medicare Assignment.
To learn more about eye care visit www.LakeShoreVision.com or call 262-241-1919.
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May 7th, 2013
The development of cataracts and macular degeneration is associated with UV exposure. That is why we recommend good sunglasses for everyone when outside on sunny days. Most sunglasses available today offer 100% UVA and B protection. But beware of very dark older sunglasses, perhaps picked up at a secondhand store. Those older products block the brightness of sunlight but not the harmful UV rays.
What about your computer? Are you exposing yourself to harmful UV rays every day when using your computer or laptop? The answer is: “No.” Even the older CRT monitors, those large box shaped monitors that are becoming less common, release only a very low level of UV radiation. A lifetime using such a device poses no damage to your eyes. The newer LCD screens, those flat screens that are on laptops and most newer computers, emit no UV light.
So no need to wear sunglasses while working on your computer. That does not mean that computer work is without eye problems. When using a computer, we all tend to stare or blink less. This causes dryness that makes the eyes feel fatigued and can blur your vision. Taking short breaks by focusing farther away, thinking to blink more often and adding artificial tears generally is all that is needed.
Another eye-related computer problem has to do with bifocals. Using a bifocal with a computer at desk level requires that you lift your head, putting your neck in an uncomfortable position. A solution is a separate pair of glasses just for computer use. This allows you to view the screen straight ahead, relaxing your neck and you too.
Martha F. Jay, Ph.D., M.D.
Dr. Martha Jay is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist practicing at Lakeshore Eye Care Professionals with offices in Mequon and Saukville, Wisconsin. She specializes in medical and surgical eye care such as LASIK Vision Correction, small incision cataract surgery, glaucoma care, macular degeneration, dry eye treatment and more.
To learn more about Dr. Jay and eye care, visit www.LakeShoreVision.com or call 262-241-1919.
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April 30th, 2013
Summer is coming! But with the warm weather also come eye hazards. Working in the yard, tuning the car, or grinding metal all provide the potential for an eye injury. You should wear safety glasses or other protective eye wear when doing these activities. If you should get something in your eye, flush the eye with water or artificial tears immediately. If the pain does not go away or if it returns hours later, you need to be seen by an eye care professional. We have removed pieces of sand, seed pods, buckthorns, eyelashes, plastic and many other things from the eyes of grateful patients. These types of eye injuries are quite painful but rarely, with adequate care, result in sustained vision loss.
What are other sources of eye injuries? Baseball, racquetball, paint ball, tennis and even golf balls can produce severe eye injuries. The small balls used in these sports make them more dangerous. Be aware of your surroundings and wear eye protection when recommended. I have even seen a severe eye injury from a stray baseball hitting a mom watching her child’s game. A blow with a small ball to the eye can result in a fracture of the tiny bones around the eye, bleeding in the eye or even a retinal detachment. Prevention is the key but, should an injury occur, timely treatment is important.
Dr. Josephine-Liezl Cueto
So we certainly hope your summer is safe from eye injuries. If you should become injured, however, call for an immediate appointment. Although we hope we don’t see you for a problem, be aware that we are always available on an emergent basis.
Dr. Cueto is an Eye Physician and Surgeon practicing with Dr. Martha Jay and Dr. Mark German at Lakeshore Eye Care Professionals with offices in Mequon and Saukville, Wisconsin.
For more information about eye care, visit www.LakeShoreVision.com or call 262-241-1919.
Posted in Dr. Josephine-Liezl Cueto's Blogs, General Eye Care, Medical and Surgical Eye Care, Our Doctor's Blogs | No Comments »
April 23rd, 2013
You can’t see without your glasses and love your contacts so why not swim in them? WRONG! You should never swim in contact lenses as doing so increases your risks of developing eye problems from mild irritation to severe eye infections. Most contact lenses are at least 50% water. This means that chlorinated water penetrates your contacts and stays in contact with the surface of your eye for up to an hour after swimming. The result is an irritation to the surface of your eye and an increased risk of infection.
While a mild eye irritation may go away in a day or so, a severe eye infection can result in permanent eye damage. Even in the best maintained pool or spa, bacteria can be present. In lake water, a severe pathogen called acanthamoeba may be present that causes a difficult to treat corneal ulcer. This protozoa penetrates the cornea rapidly and often requires specially formulated eye drops to save the eye. Beaches may also present the possibility of a fusarium fungal infection.
Those glasses may be bulky but they are your better choice over contacts in the water! Another alternative is LASIK vision correction. That way you can free yourself of the hassles of contact lenses and glasses and still enjoy the outdoors. As you know, our Dr. Martha Jay is a leader in blade-free LASIK vision correction. There is still time to have LASIK before summer, to get started call for your free LASIK screening exam. So enjoy a safe summer by either leaving those contacts out while swimming or stepping up to LASIK.
For more eye care information, visit www.LakeShoreVision.com or call 262-241-1919.
Posted in Blade-Free LASIK Vision Correction, Contacts Lens Options, Dr. Martha Jay's Blogs, Medical and Surgical Eye Care, Our Doctor's Blogs | No Comments »
April 17th, 2013
Confused about the difference between LASIK and cataract surgery? You are not alone. This will be the topic of my “Morning Blend” TV appearance Monday, April 22nd and then later can be viewed on the WTMJ website for a week.
The purpose of LASIK is to allow you to see well without glasses or contact lenses. Generally we improve your distance vision.
With cataract surgery we remove your cloudy lens inside the eye and replace it with a clear plastic implant. If you have cataracts, LASIK is not an option for you because even if you eliminated glasses your vision would still be blurred due to the cloudy cataract.
LASIK is done at an outpatient laser center using two lasers to first make a small flap and then change the shape of the front of the eye. Cataract surgery takes place in an operating room and involves using a tiny probe to remove the cloudy lens located behind the pupil before replacing it with a clear implant.
How can you tell if LASIK is an option for you or if you have significant cataracts? The only way to tell for sure is to come in for a free LASIK screening if you are interested in that procedure. The symptoms of cataracts include blurred distance vision, especially at night, along with seeing halos around light. That would be diagnosed with a complete eye examination.
Either way, you should call us for a thorough eye examination to explore these possibilities and more. Our web site may also be helpful to further differentiate these two common eye procedures
Martha F. Jay, Ph.D., M.D.
Dr. Martha Jay is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist practicing at Lakeshore Eye Care Professionals with Dr. Mark German and Dr. Josephine-Liezl Cueto. She received her ophthalmology training at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago and founded Lakeshore Eye Care in 1992.
Posted in Blade-Free LASIK Vision Correction, Cataracts: Symptoms and Treatment, Dr. Martha Jay's Blogs, Medical and Surgical Eye Care, Our Doctor's Blogs | No Comments »
April 9th, 2013
Most women are busy taking care of their extended family and may have a tendency to neglect their own health. That is why the Prevent Blindness America agency has designated April as “Women’s Eye Health” month. Of the 4.1 million Americans age 40 and older who are visually impaired, 2.6 million of them are women.
The main reasons for severe vision problems in women include age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Why are women more affected then men? One factor is that women often live longer than men and the other is related to hormonal changes.
The best piece of advice for all women, especially for those over 40, is to be sure to have regular eye care. This means a thorough eye examination including dilating drops every one to two years. Many eye problems, if caught early, can be easily treated to preserve vision but early detection is the key.
These eye problems may cause blurred vision but some are not noticeable until they are quite advanced. For example, you can lose up to 60% of your side vision from glaucoma before you are aware of any problems. This condition is easily treated with eye drops but again early detection is the key. While symptoms of cataracts include blurred night vision, we often see patients who deny vision problems but are found to have significant cataracts. Cataract surgery is a quick procedure that can get them back in the driver’s seat in no time.
Dr. Josephine-Liezl Cueto
Have not been in for a while? Give us a call to schedule your compete eye examination. Your family depends on you, so you need to take care of yourself!
For more eye care information, visit www.LakeShoreVision.com or call 262-241-1919.
Dr. Josephine-Liezl Cueto is an eye physician and surgeon practice at Lakeshore Eye Care Professionals with offices in Mequon and Saukville, Wisconsin.
Posted in Dr. Josephine-Liezl Cueto's Blogs, General Eye Care, Medical and Surgical Eye Care, Our Doctor's Blogs | No Comments »
April 8th, 2013
Monowhat? Monovision is a way to avoid reading glasses for those who wear contact lenses or are considering LASIK Vision Correction. What we do with monovision is maximize your distance vision in one eye and your near vision in the other. Before you say: “That sounds crazy,” let me explain further.
If you have reached your mid-forties you already understand that something is happening to your near vision. You cannot see far-away and close-up with the same glasses. If you are wearing contact lenses you may be starting to wear drug store reading glasses (“cheaters”) over the contacts to read. This is called presbyopia and is really unavoidable.
One way around the reading glasses is to weaken the contact lens power in your non-dominant eye to improve your reading vision. This does not mean that you have to close one eye to see close and the other to see far-away. You just look naturally with both eyes open and most people adjust quite well. But not everyone likes monovision - the only way to tell is to give it a try.
The real advantage of monovison, whether with contacts or LASIK, is the ability to read without having to hunt down your “cheaters.” The disadvantage is a slight loss of depth perception. So it is a trade-off. Why not try it and see if it works for you and your lifestyle?
If you end up liking monovision in contacts then you might consider this for LASIK Vision Correction. Endless possibilities!
Dr. Mark German is accepting patients of all ages into his practice. His colleagues at Lakeshore Eye Care Professionals are Dr. Martha Jay and Dr. Josephine-Liezl Cueto.
For more eye care information, visit www.LakeShoreVision.com or call 262-241-1919.
Posted in Contacts Lens Options, Dr. Mark German's Blogs, General Eye Care, Medical and Surgical Eye Care, Our Doctor's Blogs | No Comments »
March 12th, 2013
Reading is a simple pleasure that we often take for granted until it is taken away by vision loss. Unfortunately, millions of American lose their central vision from eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration. Both can affect the central area of the retina which helps us see fine detail.
When treatments such as medications, surgery and eyeglasses are no longer helpful, we often advise patients to utilize low-vision aids to maximize what remaining sight they have left. Some of these low-vision aids include large lighted magnifiers that are often very inconvenient. However, we can now take advantage of the everyday new technology of digital tablets such as iPads or Kindles to our advantage.
A recent study, presented at this year’s Annual Meeting of American Academy of Ophthalmology, revealed that using digital tablets helped those individuals with moderate central vision loss regain the ability to read quickly and comfortably. The research found that people with moderate vision loss could increase their reading speed by 15 words-per-minute. Why? It is believed that the back-illuminated screen is the key to the improvement. This back-illumination aids to improve contrast sensitivity, which means being able to see an object as separate and distinct from the background. This is very important for low vision patients who lose their contrast sensitivity.
Dr. Josephine-Liezl Cueto
Sometimes older adults are reluctant to embrace new technology so they might want to try using their children or grandchildren’s iPads or Kindles first before buying one. Don’t forget to alter the brightness and/or font size to see if that helps. This could mean a return of the “simple” enjoyment of reading!
Dr. Josephine-Liezl Cueto os an eye physician and surgeon (Ophthalmologist) practicing at Lakeshore Eye Care Professionals with Dr. Martha Jay and Dr. Mark German. She specializes in medical and surgical eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, dry eyes and much more.
For more information or to schedule appointments, call 262-241-1919 or visit www.LakeShoreVision.com
Posted in Dr. Josephine-Liezl Cueto's Blogs, General Eye Care, Medical and Surgical Eye Care, Our Doctor's Blogs | No Comments »
March 5th, 2013
One of the first questions we ask our patients when we see developing cataracts is about night driving. It has long been known that the vision changes from cataracts make it harder to see at night due to glare and halos around headlights. A new study also indicates that cataracts impair a driver’s ability to see pedestrians at night.
The May 2012 edition of Investigative Ophthalmology, a well respected medical journal, reported on a driving simulation study where young adults were given glasses that mimicked cataract vision. Their vision was still at the level that would allow night driving in most states (20/40 on the eye chart) but their ability to see pedestrians was significantly impaired under night driving conditions.
Cataracts develop slowly, so often patients are not aware of the vision problem. It is only after surgery that they realize how good their vision can be. That is why a complete eye examination is suggested every one to two years to be sure there are no significant cataracts that could put the patient or others in danger while driving, especially at night.
Martha F. Jay, Ph.D., M.D.
Cataract surgery is generally a 10 to 15 minute procedure without the need for shots, patches or stitches. Do yourself and your neighbors a favor and schedule your comprehensive eye examination today. Besides cataracts, we also evaluate you for other eye conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and dry eyes along with checking your glasses prescription to optimize your vision. See you soon!
Dr. Martha Jay is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist (Eye Physician and Surgeon) practicing at Lakeshore Eye Care Professionals. They have two offices in Ozaukee County, in Mequon & Saukville. Both easily accessible from Highway 43.
For more eye care information, call 262-241-1919 or visit www.LakeShoreVision.com
Posted in Cataracts: Symptoms and Treatment, Dr. Martha Jay's Blogs, Medical and Surgical Eye Care, Our Doctor's Blogs | No Comments »
February 26th, 2013
A few months ago, one of the top storylines was “CNN newsman, Anderson Cooper, was blind for 36 hours.” He spent two hours on a boat in Portugal without sunglasses and as a result became temporarily blinded. “I wake up in the middle of the night and it feels like my eyeballs are on fire…It turns out I have sunburned my eyeballs,” he said on his show, “I had no idea you could do this.” Anderson, like many individuals, was not aware of a condition called photokeratitis or UV keratitis.
Photokeratitis is an acute syndrome that occurs after intense ultraviolet (UV) light, often reflected off water, sand or snow, burns the cornea, the transparent dome-shaped window that covers the iris. It can also occur in tanning beds as well. Unlike Cooper’s report, this condition does NOT cause blindness but can cause an intense pain that prevents people from opening their eyes. Other symptoms include a feeling of sand or grit in their eyes and blurred vision. Just like sunburn to the skin, the effects are self-limited and are temporary. UV light damages the membrane of the cells of corneal epithelium. Fortunately, these cells have the ability to regenerate and make new cells. Thus, these symptoms only last for a few days and an individual will make a complete recovery.
Dr. Josephine-Liezl Cueto
So, what can we learn from this CNN newsman? Whether you are staying in Wisconsin and exposed to the beaming reflections off the snow or escaping to warmer weather and exposed to the bright rays off the ocean, protect your eyes with sunglasses with at least 99% UV blockage. Be kind to your eyes and yourself!
Dr. Josephine-Liezl Cueto is an Ophthalmologist (Eye Physician & Surgeon) practicing at Lakeshore Eye Care Professionals in Mequon & Saukville, Wisconson.
For more eye care information call 262-241-1919 or visit www.LakeShoreVision.com
Posted in Dr. Josephine-Liezl Cueto's Blogs, General Eye Care, Medical and Surgical Eye Care, Our Doctor's Blogs | No Comments »
It is a common misconception that those with “color blindness” see the world in black and white. While there are extreme cases, the typical individual with this condition sees colors differently than others but mainly has trouble with hues like pastels. It is really a color deficiency rather than blindness.
