As a new year begins, new hopes, dreams, and resolutions become clear. We at Beach Eye Care vow to provide the highest level of service to our patients, our employees, our vendors, our families, and the community. The guidelines CARE, COMPASSION, and CONCERN, drive us to achieving this high level of service and communication. We have grown to see our family as a high-tech, high-touch group because that’s what we believe in, caring for our patients, and staying above the ever-changing technological curve.

It’s time to start thinking about the future…..and questions arise. What makes a patient happy? How do we continue to exceed our patients’ expectations? What’s next in our quest for the best? Why does our staff love their jobs? What more can we do for our community?

Sure all these questions have specific answers, but within rests one overall theme…Beach Eye Care CARES, and this “care” in Beach Eye Care goes beyond just eye care.

What makes patients happy? Closing in on our 100,000th patient, we strive to care for each and every individual patient, because that’s what they are, individuals. The doctors and staff marvel in the ‘relationship’: relationships with patients, relationships with referring and co-managing doctors, and relationships internally, creating a cyclical ring of lasting personal connections that last forever…

How do we continue to exceed our patients’ expectations? Improving patient service is and always will be our focus. We care…perfecting that ‘relationship’ is our goal…

How do we continue our quest for the best? We work hard to remain a digital pioneer, solidifying our place on the cutting edge of clinical technology – in order for our patients to benefit from proven technological advances. Whether it’s the adoption of the latest in laser technology, upgrading and adding diagnostic and testing devices, or streamlining our patient flow processes through electronic means, we don’t miss a beat. With the medical industry bursting towards electronic medical records, rest assured that Beach Eye Care has been practicing ‘paperless’ closing in on a decade. Bottom line…..it’s not just that we are on the cutting edge, our patients are…..and again…..High-Tech, High-Touch.

Why does our staff love their jobs? Comprised of experienced and certified ophthalmic and optometric technicians, certified contact lens specialists, licensed opticians, an excellent reception group coupled with a top-notch communication and scheduling department, our staff has one goal – improving patients’ eyesight with care. With optometry and ophthalmology as evolving sciences, our staff stays motivated to learn, stays excited to please, and stays upbeat to support one another.

What more can we do for the community? The caring doesn’t stop inside the walls of Beach Eye Care. The doctors and staff are heavily involved in the community. From national and local philanthropies to event sponsorships, Beach Eye Care and its staff jump at the chance to help. Delve into our web pages to take a glimpse of our varied community endeavors.

The point to all this is that Beach Eye Care cares about more than just your eyes. We care about providing patients the best experience possible, we care about the well-being and progression of our staff, and most importantly, we care about YOU and we care about the community. Not many practices can boast about these, so do your research and come see our family in hopes of developing that long-standing personal relationship we have to offer.

– Chris Wooldridge
Director of Information Technology and Marketing

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the United States in adults ages 20-74. During November, National Diabetes Month, members of various health care organizations nationwide are joining together in an effort to prevent blindness in Americans with diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.  There are two types of diabetes: type 1, which results from the body’s failure to produce insulin; and type 2, which results from insulin resistance or the body’s inability to produce enough insulin.

All people with diabetes–both type 1 and type 2–are at risk. That’s why everyone with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. The longer someone has diabetes, the more likely he or she will get diabetic retinopathy. Between 40 to 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have some stage of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. If you have diabetic retinopathy, we can recommend treatment to help prevent its progression.

During pregnancy, diabetic retinopathy may be a problem for women with diabetes. To protect vision, every pregnant woman with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam as soon as possible. We may recommend additional exams during your pregnancy.

We offer Optos™ retinal imaging to view 200 degrees of your retina in the dilated or undilated state to help follow and document progression of diabetes.  The Optomap® Retinal Exam is an integral first step in the clinical evaluation of every patient annually. It non-invasively generates an instantaneous, ultra-widefield digital scan of the retina, revealing important information for the comprehensive evaluation of ocular health.

In addition to technology at Beach Eye Care and utmost patient care, we are committed for fundraising to benefit the American Diabetes Association. This year, the Beach Eye Care team participated in Tour De Cure. Tour de Cure is a series of fundraising cycling events held in 43 states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association. Tour de Cure is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. This year, we raised over $2,000 and are committed again next year to help in the cause.

There are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States, or 7.8% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.7 million people (or nearly one quarter) are unaware that they have the disease (diabetes statistics-February 2009).

Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 57 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 23.6 million with diabetes.

If you have diabetes, have pre-diabetes, or need an eye exam, come visit us at one of our three locations and schedule your eye exam with Optos™ retinal imaging. This digital technology is recommended annually – and as an important first step – in every patient’s eye exam.  With baseline documentation, we can follow the progression of disease by comparing the digital images of the retina and plan our treatment accordingly.

– Vivek Jain, MD

Chinese-American diplomatic relations are alive as I accept an invitation to speak at the Daqing Eye Hospital’s 10th Anniversary celebration in the northeast Chinese province of Heilongjiang  (close to 1000 miles northeast of Beijing).  During this provincial eye symposium, I gave two presentations hosted for 180 Chinese, Russian, and US eye physicians. The opening ceremony booms with brass and drum bands, cannon salutes, and the flurry of a substantial number of pigeons released in celebration.  During the two day eye meeting, I speak on “Advanced Technology IOLs” (the Crystalens HD and Restor 3.0 intraocular implants that restore a youthful, full- range of distance, intermediate, and near vision after cataract removal).  My other topic reviews “Optos Retinal Scanning” and its value in patient education with case presentations.  (The beauty of this diagnostic testing tool is that it offers a nearly full view of the retina without dilation and the inconvenience of a day of blurred vision.)  With a population of 2 ½ million people and the world’s fourth most productive oil fields, the city of Daqing makes great strides in healthcare as well as industrialization.

Chinese Eye Care
The hospital administrator of Daqing Eye Hospital is a retired Army eye, ears, nose and throat physician (EENT); his daughter is a PhD student at ODU.  Our group from America includes three Mandarin Chinese-speaking Americans who serve as interpreters and meeting participants.   With an eye physician from St Louis’ Washington University, an engineering professor from ODU, and an intern from Georgetown  University, I welcome help from the other Americans to interpret my slide presentations and assist my family and me through the course of day-to-day life in China.

In comparing eye care in China to that in America, similarities and disparities are both evident.  Furthermore, traditional Chinese medicine remains an alternative for some Han Chinese people with its customary sessions and herbal remedies. As in America, the Chinese Resident Physicians are filled with enthusiasm and compassion for their patients and colleagues.  In contrast, though, Chinese hospitals are dedicated solely to eyes (or orthopedics, or whatever other specialty), and cataract or refractive surgery is performed routinely as an in-patient operation (with the patient remaining in the hospital for several days).  The patient’s families are invited to stay in the room with the patient.   There are no appointments – just walk-ins.  I notice the Chinese physicians have some technology the US FDA has yet to approve, however there is newer technology we use that they have chosen not to purchase.  Despite these differences, I find a common denominator between Chinese and American physicians; both hold a passion for restoring sight in the community as both work to open an eye bank for corneal transplants in Daqing.

Our need to Go Green!
When my family and I arrive in the Beijing airport to smog limiting the view of the runway to 100 yards, the importance of going green becomes even more pressing.  This is an intermittent phenomenon with the evening rain storms temporarily clearing the smog and providing variable visibility.  One source I read stated that breathing the air of Beijing is equivalent to smoking 70 cigarettes a day!  In fact, Beijing car drivers are not permitted to drive every day due to the widespread air pollution.  (Bicycling is a common mode of transportation for many.)  This industrial pollution leads to respiratory problems and significant health hazards.  In contrast, the Inner Mongolian plateau in the north where grasslands and wetlands abound near Daqing is much cleaner.  This stark difference in air quality is a constant reminder of what our future might hold if action is not taken now to decrease carbon emissions.

Chinese Cuisine
Traditional Chinese culture is fundamental to Chinese society.  Many customary values are derived from Confucianism and the Chinese government emphasizes its culture to be a vital part of its national identity.  I find traditional Chinese meals with vegetables to be served consistently three times daily. With nearly all of the meals served banquet or family style, I eat plenty of chicken, pork, beef, fish, vegetables, noodles,  and rice (to “fill the corners” of my stomach).  The lack of sugar in my diet allows me to lose four pounds!  My nutritious intake only lasts eight days.

Future Relations
During departure time from Beijing, the world’s largest airport, promises are made for future visits this fall by Daqing’s Eye Hospital Director to Beach Eye Care in an effort to share vision care “pearls”.  My intentions are to return to China to teach Intralasik all-laser vision correction as well as small incision cataract surgery with torsional phaco via the Infiniti system.  Future connections from Virginia Beach to Daqing remain bright, alive, and well.

– Dr. Neatrour

The arrival of spring and summer brings more outdoor sports and activities, which increases the exposure to the damaging rays of the sun. You know all too well the importance of protecting your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, right? Well, UV rays can damage your eyes too. Since you cannot slather sunscreen on your eyes, you have to wear sunglasses to protect them. Sunglasses should be used by everyone and are essential not only on the beach and by the pool, but are important all the time. They should be part of your daily attire since damage from UV rays can occur on cloudy days as well. Even if you are not in the sun more than a few minutes during the day, you can still be affected by dangerous UV rays.

Children are at special risk from the harmful effects of UV radiation; their eyes are not mature enough to offer protection. The amount of melanin in their eye’s iris is non-existent or not built up yet. UV rays can enter their naked eyes even easier and damage not only their outer lens but also their retina. Also given the time kids spend outside, unprotected UV exposure can build up over time and lead to increased vision problems during the adult years.

UV exposure contributes to several eye diseases. These diseases include cataracts, macular degeneration, snow-blindness, abnormal growths and skin cancer (around the eyes and on the lids) to name a few. A cataract is a hazing of the normally clear lens inside of the eye. Cataracts reduce vision and increase glare. The number one cause of blindness in the world is from cataracts. Those who have already had cataract surgery, have other retinal disorders (such as macular degeneration), or on certain medications (antibiotics, sulfa drugs, birth control pills, diuretics, tranquilizers and others) can potentially be more hypersensitive to the effects of UV rays.

Sunglass lenses come in a variety of colors and have an assortment of features. Gray lenses are considered neutral because they do not enhance contrast or distort colors. Brown lenses cause some minimal color distortion, but have contrast enhancing properties. Amber lenses have the best contrast enhancement and depth perception but cause color distortion. Polarization is a lens feature that reduces glare from reflective surfaces. This can be extremely beneficial for fishing and other water sports. Anti-reflective (AR) coating reduces glare from “bounce-back” reflections that occur when sunlight hits the back of the lens. Transition lenses darken automatically outdoors in response to UV rays (they reduce the intensity of light reaching the eye to a more comfortable level and provide 100% UV protection at the same time). Mirror coating reflects some of the light from the front of the lens before it is transmits through – making it useful in very bright conditions. Regardless of the features or color of the lens the most important factor is to make sure the sunglasses block 99-100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays or simply state, “provides 100% UV protection” or “UV400 protection.”

Need one more reason to get those sunglasses into action? Wearing sunglasses can cut down on squinting in bright light as well as offer some protection against wrinkles and the premature aging of the skin. Play it safe and protect your peepers to see well into the golden years.

Tips to Remember

• No matter the sport or activity, if the sun is out you need UV protection with sunglasses or goggles.
• Choose sunglasses with lenses that are impact-resistant and made of polycarbonate.
• Remember to outfit your kids with a good pair of properly-fitted sunglasses. They need the same protection that you do.
• Ensure the sunglasses shield the eyes from all angles to decrease exposure to reflected light and glare.
• Special features such as UV, AR, mirror coating, polarization, and transition lenses can enhance vision and protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.

– David Tang, O.D.

Your Guide to Dry Eye Syndrome

Do you find yourself blinking often because of burning, scratchy, or “end of the day” eyes? You are not alone. While certainly not life threatening, dry eyes can be bothersome and affect your quality of life.

Innumerable causes might lead to dry eyes. One reason is simply aging; as the body ages, it produces fewer tears and/or the tears may be of poorer quality. A second cause is lid gland dysfunction, perhaps a result of blepharitis. When this happens, the oil producing glands along the lid margins reduce their production and secretion of oils. Since oils mix with tears to form a mixture that evaporates slower, less oil production produces a dryer eye since the watery layer evaporates too quickly. A third reason is decreased hormone levels; women (age forty and over) tend to experience dry eyes more than men because of their decreasing levels of certain hormones. A fourth cause is drug-induced; medications like high blood pressure meds, decongestants, antihistamines, sleeping pills, some antidepressants, and birth control pills may also cause dry eyes. (Since discontinuing these meds may not be an option, replacement tears are recommended to relieve eye dryness.) A fifth reason may be environmental factors; dry or poor quality air might cause dryness of the eyes. A sixth cause might be disease, which may reduce tear production leading to dry eyes. These medical conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, leukemia, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. A seventh reason might be the result of working at a computer, driving, or reading; if you are performing a task that requires intense visual concentration, this may decrease your blink rate. (Normally, you blink at a rate of once every 12 seconds – which allows your eyelids to spread a continuous tear film across the surface of the eye.) Lastly, dry eyes may occur for no obvious reason.

The good news – dry eyes can be treated effectively with replacement tears or a minor surgical procedure. Choosing the appropriate artificial tears is imperative since some drops have preservatives that may irritate a dry eye. There are prescription and nonprescription artificial tears as well as drops with preservatives or without preservatives. Furthermore, a combination of prescription drops with artificial tears may solve the dry eye dilemma. If replacement tears are not effective, then blocking the tear drain with a plug will increase tear volume and decrease dry eye symptoms. There is no cure for dry eyes, but your comfort level can be dramatically improved by seeking the appropriate medical care. Without tears, good vision is impossible.

– Beach Eye Care Doctors 2009

Here’s His Vision Story:

Everyone who has had a need for glasses in their lifetime has their own vision story, including me.  Nearsighted since age 9, I started with glasses in fourth grade, but easily became frustrated with fogged glasses due to sweat on the tennis court and to cold temperature when skiing.  On to contact lenses at age 13 – but then when fumes from chemistry labs in college caused eye irritation with my contacts, I returned to wearing glasses.  I resumed wearing contact lenses in medical school and in my ophthalmology residency.

Shortly thereafter, I became increasing interested in having surgical vision correction.  In 1993, I first started performing radial keratotomy (RK) and thought it was the procedure for me.  But, I was too nearsighted at -5 to -7 diopters.  The dawn of laser vision correction in 1996 in Tidewater started with PRK then LASIK. I participated in FDA approved studies that led to US approval of LASIK.  Seeing the success of my study patients with their LASIK procedure (which I started at Beach Eye Care in April 1997), I was ready myself.  I underwent LASIK in Houston, Texas with my mentor, Dr. Steve Slade, in September 1997.  My wife and Dr. Lipton followed me and had their LASIK procedure performed by me that same year.  I trained many of the area surgeons in the LASIK flap creation process.

Wow! Seeing the same day without glasses or contact lenses…was life changing!  My initial 20/20 distance faded to 20/40 with healing over the first 6 months.  Needing 20/15-20/25 to be 20/happy, I underwent an enhancement in 1998 that gave me the sharp vision I needed for the next 9 years!  I opted for monovision knowing what was coming in my 40s with loss of near vision.

By 2007, 10 years later, my vision had faded to 20/30 at distance; I also realized that I did not need the real close near vision of my non-dominant left eye.  Since my corneas were too thin for any further LASIK, I underwent PRK enhancements with Dr. Jain.  The discomfort the first 4 days was tolerable, and the vision after 3 months of healing was incredible.  I was 20/15 and elated to see the blades of a helicopter turning at a distance of ¼ mile away up in the sky.

Now I am pleased with blended vision – with one eye for distance and the other for intermediate vision.  Reading glasses are still needed for fine print, but the computer and the blackberry are in focus.  And, I’m ready for seeing through the next one to two decades until I need a lens-based procedure.

– Dr. Neatrour

Did you know that our rising and current college students are candidates for laser vision correction at age 18? At Beach Eye Care as well as across the country, our youth are seeking visual freedom from glasses and contact lenses in increasing numbers. The benefit – losing the hassles of contact lens wear, red eyes on those late nights – and seeing the way to a clearer future.

Check out this story of one college student who had laser vision correction before her freshman year and is poised to graduate in 2009. Kristin had blurred 20/80 vision in just one eye and had worn a contact lens mostly for sports. She was too lazy to wear it all the time with good vision in the other eye and rarely wore glasses as most youthful contact lens wearers desire to avoid. She is pursing a premedical Biology major. She underwent Intralasik 1 month before her first semester gaining 20/15 vision and was ready for the large classrooms of the University of Virginia.

So, who is a good candidate for laser vision correction? In the 18-25 age range, stability of refraction (glasses power) is needed with only a small change since the last exam of a previous year. There is a greater chance (approximately 2%/year) of needing a future enhancement or touch-up as the eyes may continue to change. Higher degrees of nearsightedness may be better treated with surface laser vision correction (PRK) or waiting until age 21 for ICLs (implantable collamer lenses). This puts safety first to minimize the late complication of excessive corneal thinning. Dry eyes are less common at this young age.

Will laser vision correction become as common as braces and be a right of passage? Only time will tell as more of our future – our youth – seek visual freedom via laser vision correction. Beach Eye Care is here to answer any questions you may have about your vision correction options.

– Dr. Neatrour

Why we prefer IntraLASIK (IL) under a protective flap over PRK (surface treatment).

In April, I was pleased to attend and participate in the ASCRS (Amercian Society of Cateract and Refractive Surgery) Symposium in Chicago, Illinois. The ladies in the office were dismayed that I didn’t get to catch any tapings of Oprah, but I was very pleased to present the results of a year-long comparison of outcomes among patients who received two different types of procedures. Our results supported Beach Eye Care’s use of the IntraLASIK procedure over a PRK surface treatment in most cases.

Our survey of outcomes showed that patients who received IntraLASIK under a protective flap had higher overall satisfaction and more improved vision. With IntraLASIK, our patients had faster recovery times than those who had PRK. They also achieved 20/20 vision more frequently and there were more reports that vision without correction was as good as or better than it was with glasses or contacts. Another plus for IntraLASIK – fewer patients required enhancements or touch-up second procedures that are sometimes required.

PRK is preferred for some patients, specifically those with very thin corneas or those who present with abnormal curves that show up using Pentacam eye scanning technology.

So, if you’ve been leaning toward one or the other, make sure you have all the facts about the procedure that is the most appropriate for your vision needs and your eye anatomy.

– Dr. Neatrour