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The leading cause of vision loss among Americans 60 years of age and older is macular degeneration. It affects 11 million people in the United States, and that number is expected to double by 2050. The disease affects the small central portion of your retina, known as the macula. This portion of your eye is responsible for our sharp, central vision. It helps us read, recognize faces, drive, and more. In macular degeneration, this spot deteriorates and leads to irreversible destruction that could dramatically change your life as you age.

Two Forms of Macular Degeneration: Dry & Wet

Dr. Carmelina Gordon, of Specialty Eye Institute, says the dry form of macular degeneration is the more stable form of the disease while the wet form is the more aggressive one. There is a 10%
chance of converting to the wet form from the dry stage. Ninety percent of legal blindness from macular degeneration is due to the wet form. The dry form is characterized by the presence of yellow deposits in the macula, while the wet form is characterized by leaking abnormal blood vessels growing underneath the macula.

Risks for Macular Degeneration

While age and family history are the most prominent factors, there are other factors that make you more susceptible to macular degeneration. They include:

• Smoking doubles the risk of developing the disease
• Diets that lack vegetables & fruits
• Women are more likely to develop the disease
• Macular degeneration is more common among whites
• High blood pressure & cholesterol

Are There Early Stage Symptoms of Macular Eye Degeneration?

The early stages of macular degeneration can be bereft of symptoms. Hence, a complete exam including a yearly dilated eye exam is recommended for people above 50 years of age.

Treating Macular Degeneration

Once diagnosed, Dr. Gordon says there are various treatment options. Vitamins containing high dose antioxidants and zinc are recommended for intermediate stage dry AMD. Your eye care professional will determine whether your macular degeneration is in the intermediate stage, and will make the recommendation to use these vitamins. The wet form is treated using intravitreal injection of anti VEGF drugs that are given every 4-8 weeks for an average of 2 years or more. These anti VEGF meds include an off label drug called Avastin, and 2 FDA approved drugs namely, Lucentis and Eylea. Numerous research studies are underway for new drugs to treat wet and dry macular degeneration. “We are constantly looking for more efficacious and permanent treatment regimen”, states Dr. Gordon, who oversees and directs the macular degeneration studies at Specialty Eye Institute.

While rarely resulting in total blindness, the potential significant visual disability caused by macular degeneration can be life altering. Its negative effect on our central vision (crucial for everyday
activities), further showcases the importance of regular exams especially as we age.

The History of the Implantable Collamer Lens

The first recorded uses of implantable lenses date back to World War II, where British air pilots would get plastic bits from airplane canopy stuck in their eyes. Doctors noticed that the body didn’t treat it as a foreign object, and eventually learned that you could place pieces of plastic into the eye to fix vision problems.Of course, today, it’s much more complicated – and safe. The Visian ICL is one of the best new lens implants you can get, and can help correct vision issues.

What is ICL Surgery?

If you’re nearsighted or have myopia, you can benefit by having a permanent lens implanted surgically. The lens is implanted inside the eye, and corrects vision by adjusting how light comes in through the eye. It’s placed behind the iris, where it works naturally with your body to provide clearer vision in both low light and daylight.

Can Anyone Get ICL Surgery?

Typically, the procedure is used with patients who are between 21 and their mid 50s. If you’re older than 50, you may consider another vision correction procedure, but it will be left to the discretion of the doctor. The Visian ICL and Toric ICL are usually used with patients who have large degrees of nearsightedness.

Some patients opt to use LASIK instead, but an ICL is ideal for patients who have thin corneas and are not eligible for LASIK surgery.

Is an ICL Surgery Risky?

No surgery is without risk. Your doctor can review the risks and complications with ICL implant surgeries with you, and you and your doctor can decide if a Visian ICL or Toric ICL is right for your vision correction needs. The risks generally associated with ICLs are the same with any surgery, like infection, but can also cause retinal detachment, problems with intraocular pressure, cataracts, loss of corneal endothelial cells, and inflammation of the eye.

What are the side effects of ICL Surgery?

After ICL Surgery, most patients do not experience side effects. There may be some temporary blurry vision or light sensitivity, but that is expected and will subside with time. Your Specialty Eye Institute doctor will review the healing process with you when you come in for a consult, and after the surgery is completed.

Does insurance pay for ICL Surgery?

Depending on your insurance plan, an ICL implant surgery may be considered an elective surgery – but they may be able to reduce the cost for you. We can help you check your costs with your insurance, and may be able to help you finance the cost of the surgery. Talk to our team during your consult about financing options and costs.

Can it correct astigmatism?

While classic ICLs cannot correct astigmatism, the Visian Toric ICL is designed to help those with astigmatism. The process of surgery may reduce it.

What Will Happen During ICL Surgery?

How Long Does an ICL Surgery Take?

The actual surgery only takes about half an hour or less, but the patient will need to stay for a few hours for pre-op and post-op recovery. You will not be able to drive after the procedure, so transportation will need to be arranged beforehand.

Can I Get ICLs in Both Eyes During the Same Procedure?

You can get implants at the same time – your doctor will review your options with you during your consult. If you need to space out the procedures, most patients will schedule two appointments, one each a few weeks away.

What Can I Expect AFTER ICL Surgery?

Post-op care changes from patient to patient, but it’s generally the same process for most. Talk with your doctor about your specific needs after an ICL surgery.

May 17, 2019 – Jackson, MI

Carmelina Gordon, M.D., a Vitreoretinal Surgeon, has been proudly serving patients at the Lansing and Jackson Specialty Eye Institute offices for over 15 years. Because retinal care is vital to a patient’s health and quality of life, Dr. Gordon maintains a strong focus on the latest technology, to assure that her patients are given the best treatment options to preserve their vision. Her dedication to research and clinical studies for retinal conditions has earned her a prestigious reputation in the medical field.

On behalf of her fellow VISTA and VIVID investigators, Dr. Carmelina Gordon presented a post hoc analysis of these 2 trials to compare the incidence of vision threatening complications due to diabetic retinopathy in patients treated with Eylea versus standard laser. The results of this analysis were presented for the first time during the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada this past week. ARVO meetings are attended by more than 11,000 U.S. and international basic and clinical vision researchers.

VISTA and VIVID Studies

The VISTA and VIVID studies are two pivotal, phase 3, randomized, multi center trials performed in the U.S. (VISTA) and the rest of the world (VIVID) that led to the FDA approval of the drug, Eylea, for treatment of diabetic macular edema.

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among working-age adults. This complication affects the retina of the eye and can lead to blindness. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the chance of developing diabetic retinopathy. People who developed diabetes during childhood are most at risk of being stricken with diabetic retinopathy.

Specialty Eye Institute began in 1978 when Paul H. Ernest, M.D., the company’s founder opened Jackson Eye Center in Jackson, Michigan. Since then, the company has grown into a multi-specialty ophthalmology practice with 23 doctors in 10 locations throughout Michigan and Ohio. We strive to provide the highest level of ophthalmic care at an affordable price.

NABR – West Michigan’s Best and Brightest

The National Association of Business Resources (NABR) will honor Specialty Eye Institute as one of the organizations awarded West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to work for at their upcoming awards banquet in May. Companies are rated based on their commitment to excellence in their human resource practices and employee enrichment.

An independent research firm evaluates companies based on an organization’s communication, work-life balance, employee education, development, diversity, recognition, and retention.

“We are honored to recognize the efforts of this year’s Best and Brightest companies,” said Jennifer Kluge, president and CEO, Best and Brightest Programs.

“These companies have created impressive organizational value and business results through their policies and best practices in human resource management. This award has become a designation sought after by hundreds of West Michigan companies and is a powerful recruitment tool in the drive to attract and retain exceptional employees.”

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® is a program that provides the business community with the opportunity to gain recognition, showcase their best practices and demonstrate why they are an ideal place for employees to work. This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole.