Beware Coffeeholics: Increased Coffee Consumption Can Lead to Greater Risk of Developing a Particular Type of Glaucoma

Posted on: by Marketing

coffee-glaucoma

A new study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, suggests coffee drinkers may need to reconsider their coffee intake to decrease their probability of developing vision loss or blindness. Scandinavian populations have the highest frequencies of exfoliation syndrome and glaucoma. They also have the highest consumption of caffeinated coffee in the world. The investigators had previously found that greater caffeinated coffee intake was associated with increased risk of primary open-angle glaucoma.

Researchers used surveys to acquire and verify the consumption of beverages that included caffeine and analyzed medical records to find incident cases of exfoliation glaucoma, which encourages elevated pressure enough to damage the optic nerve, or presumed exfoliation glaucoma that may have done slight damage to the optic nerve.

Results

Findings of the meta-analysis showed that compared with people who abstain from caffeinated coffee, participants who drank three or more cups daily, were at an increased risk of developing glaucoma exfoliation or glaucoma suspect. Investigators did not find any correlations with consumption of other caffeinated products, such as, tea, soda, chocolate, or decaffeinated coffee. Outcomes also showed women with a family history of glaucoma had an elevated risk.

Dr Ashraf points out that this is by no means a reason to stop drinking coffee. He does point out that anyone with a family history of glaucoma should have regular eye exams by an ophthalmologist.

Learn More About Dr. Ashraf on Google+

Don’t Drive While Drowsy – New Car Technology Can Monitor You

Posted on: by Marketing

safety-features-in-cars

Drowsiness can lead to many automobile accidents, some of which can be fatal. Recently, car makers have incorporated technologies to monitor driving alertness. These early-warning systems can reduce workplace, road and other accidents by alerting operators and drivers to their level of alertness before sleepiness impinges on their behavior.

The speed and degree to which the pupil of the eye responds is a standard test for alertness. It has also been used to assess how sleepy or exhausted a person is. Now, research to be published in the International Journal of Bioinformatics Research and Applications suggests that measuring pupil response alone is not enough and that a person’s rate of blinking should also be incorporated to obtain a more precise measure of alertness. It might also be automated and ultimately used to automatically monitor patients, drivers, pilots, machine operators or others.

Minoru Nakayama of the Tokyo Institute of Technology and colleagues at Aichi Medical University point out that how the pupil of the eye dilates and contracts can be a useful way to measure alertness, but tests have demonstrated that the precise response of the pupil does not correlate well with the actual degree of sleepiness before any other signs become apparent. They point out that blinking subtly affects pupil response and have now developed a new approach that combines pupillography with blinking assessment.

Learn More About Dr. Ashraf on Google+

What To Expect On Surgery Day

Posted on: by Marketing

lasik-surgery-process

On the day of getting LASIK surgery with Dr. Ashraf here, you should expect the following:

  • You will be walked through the entire process and will receive a thorough consultation by one of our staff members. At this time you will also sign some additional paperwork. Make sure you wear comfortable clothing and remove your contact lenses/eye glasses prior to the surgery.
  • You will meet with Dr. Ashraf and he will reiterate what to expect during the surgery. This will be a great time to go over any questions/concerns you may have. He will then numb your eyes with drops so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort throughout the surgery.
  • You will be guided into a room where the surgery with Dr. Ashraf will occur. The procedure takes about 10 minutes per eye.
  • When the surgery is over, you will be walked into a waiting room where you should be greeted by someone you know who can drive you home.

Learn More About Dr. Ashraf on Google+

Atlanta Vision Institute is Thankful for its Patients

Posted on: by Marketing

facebook

 

The Atlanta Vision Institute Facebook page has received multiple comments from patients regarding their LASIK surgery performed by Dr. Ashraf. Each comment was written to thank Dr. Ashraf and his staff of the Atlanta Vision Institute. We at the Atlanta Vision Institute were incredibly moved by the kindness of these comments and the notion that we have changed peoples’ lives for the better. Knowing that our services are making a difference makes our job that much more rewarding. We have so much to be thankful for this holiday season!

Learn More About Dr. Ashraf on Google+

People with These Job Descriptions May Be Good Candidates for LASIK

Posted on: by Marketing

good-candidates-for-lasik

If you have poor vision and require contact lenses and/or glasses to see clearly, you may be a good candidate for LASIK surgery if your job description includes any of the following:

Excessive reading or working on the computer.

Many ophthalmologists have found that vision can worsen for people who read or work on the computer consistently. In addition, squinting to focus on a screen or small font for long periods of time can lead to eye strain and even headaches. Rather than having to rely on contacts or glasses, LASIK can be a great fix for this problem completely.

Sports and/or construction work.

For people involved with sports or physically demanding jobs, wearing glasses is next to impossible; even contact lenses can become a hassle in these situations. LASIK is a great way to help the more active professionals see clearly in a convenient way.

Dry environments.

People who work in a dry environment, such as an airplane, are great candidates for LASIK if they have to wear contact lenses everyday. For example, most flight attendants who wear contact lenses tend to experience dry eyes and require the use of eye drops regularly. LASIK can help these professionals to see without the hassle of keeping their contact lenses from drying out.

Learn More About Dr. Ashraf on Google+