Penguins with IOLs

 

Let us start with what is an IOL? IOL stands for an inter-ocular lens, a tiny artificial lens for the eyes. It replaces the eye's natural lens that is removed during cataract surgery.

Just like humans, animals can develop cataracts that eventually affect their vision. Cataracts are common with aging.

Veterinarians from the Jurong bird park in Singapore noticed the cloudiness in the eyes of 6 penguins. The veterinarians also noticed the penguins were moving about as if they were not seeing things in front of them. 

Six geriatric penguins in total had cataract surgery. Of the six, three of them were king penguins, aged 20 and older and three were Humboldt penguins aged 7 to 13. The surgery was performed by a team from Mandai wildlife reserve led by Doctor Gladys Boo, a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Implants are commonly used on humans and some domestic mammals. This is the first in the world used on penguins. The lenses were created in Germany to fit each penguin's eye based on their measurements. It took two months to make these special lenses for penguins.

What made it so difficult to implant the penguins with the new lenses is that penguins have a third eyelid that protects their eyes when swimming underwater, making it hard to access the lens. 

The success of this surgery has enhanced the quality of life for the penguins almost immediately. In the two months since the surgery, the team caring for the penguins has noticed that there is an increase in activity levels and responsiveness of the penguins. They are eating more since they are more competitive with the other penguins for food. 

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Sources:

www.cnn.com

www.msn.com

www.cbsnews.com

www.dvm360.com

What you need know about the January 2023 eyedrop recall

There has been much concern and confusion about this recall as of Friday, April 7, 2023. The CDC has identified 68 patients with infections along with three deaths associated with the outbreak from the recalled eyedrops in 16 states. More than half of the cases have been found in long-term healthcare facilities. Most cases are found to have been linked to contaminated eyedrops that had been imported from India. Eight patients needed corneal transplants or had at least one eye removed. Even with recalled batches of eyedrops being removed from stores, shelves, and healthcare facilities, the CDC expects more cases to be found in the coming weeks and months. 

Many patients use daily drops to combat dryness when wearing contacts or as a treatment for other eye diseases.

The FDA released a preliminary report on Monday, April 3, 2023, from an inspection at the Global Pharma healthcare facility in India, finding problems with the manufacturing process and sterility issues. Global Pharma and the distributors of its products that are recalled include Ezri Care artificial tears, Dalsam Pharma artificial tears, and artificial Eye Ointment.

The outbreak from these eyedrops was caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, A common bacteria that is one of the most common causes of eye infections. The strain found in the recalled products has never been found in the US, until now. It turns out that this bacterium is antibiotic resistant.

The bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa is aggressive and can be found in many types of environments, including water, soil, and human waste.

Most healthy people can fight this bacterium, but for someone with corneal cell damage caused by injury, or illness, or are immunocompromised, or have chronic dry eye, the bacteria can destroy the cornea in 24 to 48 hours. 

Another danger of this infection is that with the eyes being so intricately linked to the nasal cavity, the bacteria can move into the respiratory tract leading to pneumonia. Pseudomonas aeruginosa can affect almost any tissue in the body as it travels through the bloodstream, and it can cause sepsis.

If symptoms of infection appear, seek medical care as soon as possible. The symptoms include:

• Yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye
• Eye pain or discomfort
• Redness of the eye or eyelid
• Feeling the sensation of something being in your eye
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Blurry vision

Scientists are concerned that the rare treatment-resistant bacteria found in the eyedrops can spread person-to-person and poses a risk of establishing itself as a recurrent problem in the United States. In most cases, the best way to prevent an eye infection is to use common sense hygiene practices:

• Wash your hands
• Don't rub your eyes
• Clean your contacts (again wash your hands before putting the contacts in your eyes)
• Clean your contact lens case (replace it every three months)

If you do find you have an eye infection:

• Do not reuse a washcloth after washing your face
• Launder, linens, bedding, or clothing that has come in contact with your face and eyes
• Clean surfaces someone with the infection has come in contact with, (Hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite disinfectants are more effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa).

Sources:

www.washingtonpost.com

www.UTswmed.org

www.nbcnews.com

www.cnn.com

www.cdc.gov

www.aao.org

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What is a Refraction Test

A refraction test is usually given as part of a routine eye exam to measure a person's prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. This is the test when the doctor will ask. "Which is better one or two?”. The purpose of the test is to determine whether you have a refractive error. A refractive error happens when the shape of the eye keeps light from focusing correctly on the retina. Refractive errors are the most common type of vision problem.

A refraction test can also help your doctor diagnose and treat conditions such as cataracts. Healthy adults should have a refraction test every two years, while children need them annually from age 6. People aged 60 or over should also be tested every year.

The test is performed by an eye doctor. Your doctor may use a computer called a refractor. A machine you look through measures the amount of light reflected by your retina. 

Afterward, your doctor will determine your exact prescription with a piece of equipment called a Phoropter. This device changes multiple lenses of varying power in front of your eyes. What it does is test individual lenses on each eye during the exam. 

This test will also tell the doctor if the patient has other conditions, such as:

• Astigmatism (a refractive issue based on the shape of the lens of the eye, which can cause blurry vision).
• Hyperopia (farsightedness).
• Myopia (nearsightedness).
• Presbyopia (inability of the lens of the eye to focus, related to changes in the structure of the eye usually due to aging).

Medicare and medical insurance do not pay for refractions. Most vision plans do cover refraction tests such as:

• Davis Vision
• VBA
• VSP
• Eye Med

Call our office or your vision carrier for more information.

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Sources:

www.healthline.com

www.mountsinai.org

www.sightmd.com 

Are You Joking?

 1. Why did the alien visit the optometrist before other humans?

He knew the optometrist would be OK with making contacts.

2. Why didn’t the optometrist evacuate during the hurricane?

The optometrist wanted to examine the eye

3. Where does an optometrist go on vacation?

Paradise Eye-land

4. Why don’t optometrists use tape measures?

They are really good at eyeballing it.

5. What is the optometrist’s ideal date?

Staying in and retina movie.

#eyegotcha

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