Blog Archives | Page 15 of 21 | Specialty Eye Institute

Specialty Eye Institute Welcomes William Rhoades, M.D., Vitreoretinal Specialist

Specialty Eye Institute is pleased to welcome William Rhoades, M.D. to the practice. Dr. Rhoades is a Retina Specialist that will be accepting new patients at our Adrian, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio offices for the following services: Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration, Retina Tears and Detachments, along with other retinal conditions.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Rhoades to Specialty Eye Institute. As a fellowship trained retina specialist with years of experience, Dr. Rhoades is a highly skilled surgeon who will provide patients in the greater Toledo and Adrian areas with state-of-the-art care. Equally important, he is known for his compassionate, patient-first approach,” says Jonathan Jean-Pierre, Chief Executive Officer of Specialty Eye Institute.

Dr. Rhoades spent the last four years with Associated Retinal Consultants (ARC) in Michigan. Prior to practicing with ARC, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree, with Distinction, in History and Biochemistry from the University of Michigan and his Medical Degree from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He completed his internship at Carney Hospital in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and residency in ophthalmology at Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts. He then went to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska and completed his Vitreoretinal Fellowship.

Dr. Rhoades is an active member of multiple societies including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, American Association of Retinal Specialists, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. He has presented nationally on various topics and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications.

Founded in 1978, Specialty Eye Institute is a multispecialty ophthalmology practice with 25 doctors in 10 locations throughout Michigan and Ohio. As the premier providers of medical eye surgery and LASIK in Mid-Michigan and Northwest Ohio, our team of board-certified ophthalmologists are committed to providing the highest quality eye care service customized to your individual needs. Our specialists provide care for: cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, keratoconus, macular degeneration, retinal tears and detachments, eye infections, and laser vision correction.

Tips & Insights: When Is the Right Time to Have Cataract Surgery?

Eye Twitching Treatment Options & Eye Care Tips

Many people experience occasional eye twitching. Consistent twitching, while annoying, can also impact your daily activities. The good news is that with some minor changes to your daily routine, you can find a treatment option to relieve eye twitching. These changes will not only help alleviate your twitches but improve your overall eye health.

Treatment Options for Eye Twitching

Some types of eye twitching treatments are easier in comparison to others, but they are all important in increasing your overall wellness, in addition to reducing the frequency of eye twitches.

1. Change Your Routine

If you work in an industry where a large portion of your day requires you to sit in front of a computer or read extensively, a treatment option for eye twitching is to take a short break from your work every hour.

Frequent twitches can signal the onset of eye strain. Taking a walk around the office to relax your eyes will prevent eye strain and reduce the occurrence of eyelid spasms.

Stress and lack of sleep are common in high-stress lifestyles. Adding stress-reducing activities like yoga or meditation to your daily routine can reduce stress and increase your ability to achieve restful sleep and prevent eyelid twitches.

2. Limit Alcohol and Caffeine

While it is common to indulge in a cup of coffee or the occasional alcoholic beverage, frequent and prolonged consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated stimulants can increase the frequency of eye twitches. If you are comparing different types of eye twitching treatments, you should consider reducing your intake of these substances if you consume more than three cups of coffee or alcohol daily.

Tips & Insights: When is the Right Time to Have Cataract Surgery?

3. Schedule an Eye Exam

If you have tried to treat your eye twitches, and relief continues to elude you, schedule an appointment with your ophthalmologist. Further investigation may also reveal that you need a stronger corrective lens prescription. There are many over-the-counter and prescription eye treatments that can quickly alleviate your twitches.

What Causes Eye Twitching?

According to Mayo Clinic, most occurrences of eye twitching are not life-threatening or even cause for concern.

Here are the most common habits that cause eyelid twitches and facial spasms:

Reading too much or working long hours on the computer
Lack of sleep
Excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption
If this sounds familiar, keep reading for some simple solutions.

When Eye Twitching is Serious

If these treatment options are ineffective, your eye twitching may be a symptom of something more serious, and the ophthalmologists at Specialty Eye Institute can help.

Serious conditions like blepharitis, or clogging of the eyelash oil ducts, can be painful and should be treated with medication to prevent permanent complications. Similarly, other conditions like chronic dry eye and light sensitivity can occur at any age, and an ophthalmologist will create a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms.

Tips & Insights: Should I Receive a Vision Screening or Eye Exam?

If you experience eye twitching and headaches, your twitches increase in intensity and last for more than a few days, or treatment does not stop the condition, contact your ophthalmologist immediately because this can be a sign of a degenerative eye disease or neurological condition. Our staff offers eye care options such as keratoconus treatments, LASIK eye surgery, diabetic retinopathy treatments, cataract surgery, and presbyopia treatments. The most important rule for treating eye twitching is to monitor your overall eye health and talk with an ophthalmologist about an eye care treatment option that meets your needs.

Continue to visit your ophthalmologist every year because your eye twitching is a reminder to manage your physical health as well as your daily habits. Give our staff of doctors a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to receive assistance with an eye care issue.

TLC Welcomes Greg Seidel as VP of Finance

TLC Eyecare & Laser Centers announce Greg Seidel as Vice President of Finance. Greg is a Michigan native originally from the Lenawee County area. He attended Eastern Michigan University where he obtained his BA in Accounting & Business Administration; he continued his education at Walsh College of Business & Accountancy achieving his Masters of Science in Finance, bringing extensive experience and knowledge to the position with over 26 years of practice in the field. Greg is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he served as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant.

Read Full Press Release

5 Home Remedies For Dry Eyes

It’s that time of year again. The air is colder, nights are longer, and the thermostat is higher. Winter has arrived, and for many people, this means dry eyes. Many people experience irritation, scratchiness, and blurry vision of dry eyes during the winter months. Not only is this due to the relatively dry air outside, but the conditions inside are created by heaters. Luckily, in most cases, there are some simple home remedies that can help you with dry eyes through the winter with a little more comfort.

Keep eye drops (artificial tears) handy. One of the quickest ways to alleviate dry eyes is with the use of eye drops designed for replacing moisture in the eyes. Make sure to follow the directions on the label before applying.
Wear protective eyewear when outside. The winter wind can wreak havoc on your eyes. Finding a functional, and perhaps a fashionable, form of eye protection may help alleviate dry eyes.
Stay hydrated. Making sure your body has enough fluids to produce eye moisture is essential
Use a humidifier. The heat from your furnace can evaporate any existing moisture in the air quickly. Using humidifiers can help negate this effect.
Enjoy the comfort of a warm damp cloth over your eyes. Not only will this feel relaxing after a long day, but gently laying a compress over your eyes can help reduce the dryness. It is important to note that dry eyes may have underlying causes such as medication side effects.

If these home remedies do not relieve your symptoms or your dry eyes are chronic, it may be a good idea to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. Although rare, vision loss can occur in some cases.

Preventative Eye Care and Early Diagnosis

Eye care is evolving with the development of new technology and treatments occurring at a rapid pace. With better ways to treat vision threatening eye diseases there still remains one issue… prevention. Early detection along with prevention are the best way to combat vision loss. Many eye diseases begin with little or no symptoms and often permanent damage has occurred by the time a person notices vision changes. Dr. Kevin Lavery recently wrote an article for the June Health Issue of Scene Magazine discussing the importance of preventive eye care, early detection along with the newest treatments available for many eye diseases.

Download a copy of the full article below, page 26.

Specialty Eye Institute Welcomes William Rhoades, M.D., Vitreoretinal Specialist

Eye Twitching Treatment Options & Eye Care Tips