Alexandra celebrated her 20 year anniversary this month as an integral part of the OAV family. Since she began as a receptionist in 1991, Alexandra has been committed to the doctors and patients of our practice. Alexandra has risen to the title of office manager at OAV, where she has done an amazing job over the past 10 years. We are grateful for her commitment, hard work, and desire to strive for excellence.
New Visioffice System
Posted by Dr. E on December 16, 2011 | No Comments »Our optical department is proud to announce the arrival of the Visioffice with Eyecode. This revolutionary system takes into consideration a patient’s natural head and eye movement to create customized lenses.
The Visioffice is a 3-D measuring system that determines head tilt, along with exact eye location, shape and movement. More importantly, it measures the two eyes individually, allowing for the most precise vision possible, no matter where you look through the lens. This all-in-one system of full-range measurements gives patients the benefit they’ve never had before: ultimate lens customization.
To learn more about this revolutionary system, click here.
Ophthalmic Migraines
Posted by Dr. E on December 16, 2011 | No Comments »Ophthalmic migraines, also known as acephalic migraines, are quite common and often painless. The term “migraine” often brings to mind a severe type of headache; however with ophthalmic migraines, patients experience visual disturbances without the painful headache.
The process is thought to be related to changes in blood flow in the brain and optic nerve. Ophthalmic migraines can be produced by the body’s neurological responses to certain triggers. Some common triggers include hormonal changes, chemcials in foods such as chocolate, peppermint or cheese, or irregular sleep patterns.
To read more about the symptoms associated with ophthalmic migraines and what to do if you experience one, click here.
Pterygium
Posted by Dr. E on December 16, 2011 | No Comments »At OAV we frequently see patients with pterygium. A pterygium is a fleshy growth over the cornea that usually occurs on the inner corner of the eye. They are very common, especially in sunny climates due to UV light exposure.
Smoke, dust, wind, and dryness are also contributing factors. Avoiding environmental irritants, wearing sunglasses, and using artificial tears are the best medical treatments.
Dr. Elkins is fairly conservative when it comes to surgical recommendations for the removal of pterygium, but has a great deal of experience in treating patients with this eye problem. For more information about Pterygium and other procedures Dr. Elkins offers to his patients, click here.
Four Tumors in Four Months
Posted by Dr. E on October 25, 2011 | No Comments »I’ve seen many patients over my career as an ophthalmologist and cataract and refractive surgeon, but recently I was challenged by four very interesting cases. Over the course of four months, I examined and diagnosed four different patients with four different types of tumors. Each patient suffered from some form of pain, loss of vision, or loss of clarity. This unusual series of cases presented several important diagnostic challenges that I’m sure you’ll find interesting. You can read my full article about this fascinating process by clicking here to view .
High Rate of ER Visits Linked to Contact Lens Injuries
Posted by Dr. E on October 25, 2011 | No Comments »A U.S. Food and Drug Administration study has “brought to light the alarming rate of emergency room visits linked to contact lens injuries such as infections and abrasions,” the American Academy of Ophthalmology stated. The study, which was published in Pediatrics, reviewed medical records from ER departments at 100 hospitals between 2004 and 2005 and estimated that nearly 34,000 cases a year were due to contact lens injury in children and teens. The majority of these contact lens injuries occurred among teenagers between the ages of 16 and 21 years, followed by children between the ages of 11 and 15 years, AAO said.
The findings support Dr. Brad Elkins’s long-standing position that contact lenses are medical devices that require a prescription, proper fitting by an eye care professional, and a commitment to proper care by the consumer. The Pediatrics study does not document whether the contact lens injuries were acquired through lenses obtained by a prescription from an eye care professional or illegally through over-the-counter or internet sales, as many decorative lenses are.
Dr. Elkins cannot stress enough the importance of proper contact lens fittings and proper care. Contact lens patients should be re-evaluated yearly for contact lens proper fit and ocular health. To find out more about our contact lens services please click on the following link.
Dr. Elkins Saved My Life
Posted by Dr. E on October 11, 2011 | No Comments »Jim Oliveri, 53, went in to Dr. Elkins’s office for a routine eye exam last week when his doctor noticed something unusual. Jim’s retinal exam showed multiple areas of dot-, blot-, and flame-shaped hemorrhages in the right eye. In addition, he had some arteriovenous crossing changes, cotton wool patches, and dilated veins. These symptoms, known to be associated with controlled hypertension, can lead to extremely high blood pressure and stroke.
According to Dr. Elkins, Jim’s out-of-control blood pressure could have caused an anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or central retinal vein occlusion
Dr. Brad Elkins immediately notified Jim about the problem and sent him to his medical doctor. By the time his medical doctor examined him, his blood pressure was 246/146. Jim was quickly sent to the emergency room. The early diagnosis allowed Jim to prevent the potential stroke from occurring. “Dr. Elkins practically saved my life during my last visit,” says Jim. “I was a walking stroke waiting to happen and thanks to Dr. Elkins we caught this issue before it got more serious.”
Dr. Elkins believes this case highlights the scary nature of hypertension and how its symptoms can be virtually unnoticeable, yet cause severe problems if left untreated. According to Elkins, Jim’s out-of-control blood pressure could have caused an anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or central retinal vein occlusion, which is Dr. Elkins’s main ophthalmologic concern. In this case, it could have been fatal.
Today, Jim has become more aware of his high blood pressure and is happy to continue going to Dr. Elkin’s office for his ophthalmology needs. “Of course, I would recommend Dr. Elkins to anyone.” Jim goes on to thank Dr. Elkins for his professionalism and “basically helping to save [his] life!”
Dr. Brad Elkins performs LASIK surgery and other vision correction procedures in his two offices located in West Hills and Encino.
Warm Letter of Thanks from a Local Optician
Posted by Dr. E on October 11, 2011 | No Comments »Dear Dr. Elkins,
A thank you note is not nearly the praise you deserve for changing my life the way you did. I really don’t know where to start; not only are you a gifted doctor, but you are compassionate, generous, and thankfully, have a sense of humor, all of which are reasons I have, without hesitation, been referring patients to you. You have a beautiful practice with an amazing team that also made me feel right at home.
With much appreciation and thanks,
Optician, Encino, CA
Visual Acuity & Baseball Players
Posted by Dr. E on August 30, 2011 | No Comments »Having exceptional vision is a key characteristic for baseball players. The earlier a player can pick up the rotating seams of the baseball the better chance of making contact. This Sports Illustrated article:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1188953/index.htm
demonstrates how baseball players have greater visual acuity than the average population, and interestingly players in the major leaguer fair better on tests than minor league players.
The average visual acuity of pro baseball players was found to be about 20–13, and only a small number of players, usually pitchers, were worse than 20–20. About 2% of players achieved results better than 20–9, approaching the theoretical limit. Some players such as Mark McGwire used contact lenses while batting that were custom tinted, allowing them to make out the white ball with with clouds in the backdrop.
Fuch’s Dystrophy
Posted by Dr. E on July 25, 2011 | No Comments »Fuch’s corneal dystrophy is the most common reason why patients require a relatively new form of corneal transplantation called DSAEK (Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty). This relatively common disease which causes swelling of the cornea and hence blurred vision has always been known to be genetic, and in a recent New England Journal of Medicine article, the strong genetic component has been established. Dr. Aizuss and Dr. Elkins have been performing DSAEK for the past 4 years with remarkable results, especially compared to the “old” full thickness corneal transplant surgery. Family members of patients with early Fuch’s Corneal Dystrophy should be screened for the disease. It is easily detected by examining the cornea in the office.
Contact us for more information about Fuch’s Dystrophy.
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