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Visionary Eye Doctors Announces Groundbreaking Patient-Centered Research on Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

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Visionary Eye Doctors is excited to announce the successful completion of a groundbreaking study led by our very own Dr. Sandra Cremers, focusing on Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). This study, supported by a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) grant, has developed a comprehensive research roadmap aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of these prevalent conditions.

Background of the Study

Affecting an estimated 35% of the population, Dry Eye and MGD are often misdiagnosed and misunderstood within the medical community. Under the leadership of Dr. Cremers, the study convened patients, caregivers, and a multi-disciplinary team of experts to address these challenges through a patient-centered approach. Over two days of virtual workshops, the team worked to identify significant gaps in current research and treatment protocols, proposing new avenues for future studies.

Key Outcomes

The convening led to the development of over 80 patient-centered research questions, which have been compiled into a proposed roadmap that prioritizes patient needs and experiences. “This study is not just about understanding Dry Eye and MGD more deeply; it’s about reorienting our approach to ensure that patient experiences drive our research and treatment strategies,” said Dr. Sandra Cremers.

Future Implications

The results from this study promise to transform the landscape of Dry Eye and MGD treatment. By focusing on patient-reported outcomes, Visionary Eye Doctors aim to lead the charge in developing more effective, empathetic, and targeted therapies. The research roadmap will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, educators, and clinicians worldwide, guiding future studies and interventions.

For more information on these findings, read the full study published by Dr. Cremers.

About Visionary Eye Doctors

Visionary Eye Doctors is committed to excellence in eye care, offering a range of services from routine eye exams to advanced surgical interventions. Led by a team of expert ophthalmologists and optometrists, Visionary Eye Doctors is dedicated to enhancing patient quality of life through innovative research and comprehensive care.

For more information, please contact Visionary Eye Doctors at (301) 591-1763.

November Continuing Education Event

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Updates in COVID-19 and the Eyes, Cataract, Pterygium, Cornea and Glaucoma

Thank you to all of our partner physicians that attended our event. Please find the recording and presentations below:

 

 

Dr. Martinez, Updates in Pterygium Surgery

 

Dr. Allen, Updates in Glaucoma

 

Dr. Cremers, Updates in COVID and the Eyes

 

Dr. Sarezky, Updates in Keratoconus

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Martinez’s Visionary Foundation – Healing Hands for the Blind

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August 23 – 28, 2018

A very successful surgical mission was carried out by Visionary Foundation and Alberto Martinez, MD from August 23 to August 28, 2018 at “Fundación de Servicios Medicos Voluntarios” (FSMV) Hospital Leonardo Martinez, San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

FSMV, a charity clinic led by Marcos Fajardo, MD, serves the impoverished population of San Pedro Sula. Dr. Fajardo provided the logistic support and infrastructure that allowed us to provide free surgical eye care. The patients who received surgery were pre-screened by Dr. Fajardo. Pre-surgical screening consisted of a complete eye exam, diagnosis and plan. Once the need for surgery was determined, appropriate testing such as axial eye length measurement, corneal topography and B-Scan ultra-sonography were performed.

This year, Dr. Martinez spent time training local ophthalmologist Edgar Maldonado following the principle of “When you give a fish to a man, you feed him for a day. When you teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime”. The principal focus of training was clinical cornea, cataract and corneal transplant surgeries.

A total of 54 eye surgeries were performed:

  • 11 corneal transplants (1 Penetrating, 7 Partial or DSAEK, and 3 DMEK)
  • 40 cataract surgeries (32 phaco + 8 extra capsular)
  • Multiple clinical consultations and examinations of general ophthalmology, cornea and external eye diseases and pre and post op evaluations

Patients were seen on their first postoperative day.  Cornea patients were seen again three days later, at the end of the surgical mission. All medications needed for postoperative care were provided for free.  Postoperative care of these transplants will continue via telemedicine with the by using the app WhatsApp, by means of high quality photography and descriptions.

 

 

Surgical Complications:

  • 1 DSAEK successfully re-bubbled

We plan to return in August 2019, this time with 2 surgeons. One surgeon may focus exclusively on transplants the other on cataract surgery. Thus, we hope to have a larger surgical impact. One of the most difficult parts of the mission was the heart wrenching process of turning down many people who direly needed a corneal transplant because we did not have enough cornea tissue.

We are thankful to the numerous individuals and organizations that helped us with the success of this mission:

  • Alcon Laboratories
  • SightLife Tissue Bank
  • Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc
  • New World Medical
  • Allergan
  • Vanessa Lemus
  • Dan Lawson and the staff and physicians at Palisades Eye Surgery Center
  • Loretta Scrub Technician and the OR staff at the Washington, DC Hospital Center
  • Toufic Melki
  • Kevin Smith
  • Berny Kreutz

In addition to the surgical mission, Anna Pigotti with the support of Visionary Foundation provided funds to help maintain the infrastructure of the facility where 80+ girls of all ages reside at the orphanage “Hogar San Jose” directed by Sister Thelma. Future plans in this area include visiting the orphanage in October 2019 and providing cash donations to cover a few of the many basic needs.

Once again, thank you for your generous help. You have literally shone light into the life of our fellow human beings.

May your contribution become a light of kindness filling your heart with joy!

Summer, 2018 Newsletter

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Visionary Eye Doctors Newsletter
Summer, 2018
In This Issue

  • Meet our new Cornea and External Disease Specialist, Dr. Sarezky
  • Even Non-Surfers can get Surfer’s Eye – Pterygium/Carnosidad
  • It’s Back to School Time and We Have Some Great Promotions 
We are excited to welcome Dan Sarezky, MD!
Cornea and External Diseases Specialist

Cataract and Refractive Surgery

Comprehensive Ophthalmology 

Meet Dr. Sarezky

Book an appointment with Dr. Sarezky in our Rockville or DC office.

 Even Non-Surfers Can Get Surfer’s Eye! 

Pterygium | Carnosidad

If you spend a lot of time working or playing outdoors, you run the risk of developing a pterygium/carnosidad, commonly referred to as Surfer’s Eye. Despite the name you do not need to be anywhere near the ocean to acquire surfer’s eye; you just need excessive exposure to UV radiation or dry, dusty environments.

Pterygiums/Carnosidads are most common in people between the ages of 20 and 50 years and are more common in men. Also, Pterygia (plural for Pterygium) often occur in multiple members of families thereby indicating a genetic predisposition. People who live or are from tropical climates, occupations such as, landscapers and other outdoor workers, people who participate in sports such as soccer, sailors, surfers, golfers and skiers who are subjected to a lot of reflected UV light and populations living where there is ozone layer depletion, have a higher incidence. People who tend to suffer from dry eyes may also be more prone to developing a pterygium particularly if they spend a great deal of their time outdoors.

Surfer’s Eye: The Good News

The Good news is that if you have been diagnosed with a pterygium/carnosidad, you have access to one of the leading pterygium surgeons in the world, right here at Visionary Eye Doctors that can help treat your pterygium and has one of the lowest recurrence rates in the world, less than 1%.

Dr. J. Alberto Martinez has a true passion for patients affected by Pterygium, and he is completely empathetic in your journey – as he too has a personal story with Pterygium that you may read here.

Prevention is Always Preferable

If your job or lifestyle put you at high risk for surfer’s eye or carnosidad, you can take measures to prevent this unsightly growth:

  • Regularly wear UV 400 rated sunglasses when outdoors in sunny weather
  • Wear sunglasses with a wrap-around design
  • Wear a hat with a wide brim

Your eyes are often the first thing that people notice about you. We can help!

For more information, please go to www.eyewhitemd.com and request a free pterygium/carnosidad screening!
Bark to School Specials – School Style, Solved
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Schedule your kids (and yours too) Back to School Comprehensive Eye Exam Today – We Hope to See the Entire Family!
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Contact Us (301) 591-1782
www.voeyedr.com
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Glasses with the Washington Monument in sight through the lenses

Visionary Eye Doctors Newsletter – April 2018

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In This Issue:

  • 2 Reasons Eye Exams Are Important
  • Relief for Symptoms of Dry Eye
  • Spring Promotions – Sunglasses and BOTOX®

2 Reasons Eye Exams Are Important

People often take their vision for granted, especially if they don’t need to wear corrective lenses. Even those who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism might become complacent about eye exams if their vision is stable.

Regular eye exams are just as important as regular doctor visits. Here are 2 reasons why:

1. Identify Silent, Sight-Robbing Conditions

Eye exams can detect vision problems that you may be completely unaware of and allow for the earliest treatment possible, which may just save your sight!

One of our wonderful optometrists, Dr. Lorena Riveros, recently had a couple of patients that reported prior to their vision exams, their eyes and vision felt okay. However, during their exam, Dr. Riveros discovered large retinal holes that could have resulted in retinal detachment. Unfortunately, retinal holes are asymptomatic and fortunately, thanks to their eye exam with Dr. Riveros, they were able to get treatment and potentially save their eye sight!

Regular eye exams can provide early detection of eye issues and gives you the opportunity to consider a wider range of treatment options.

2. Alert You to Potentially Serious Health Problems

Your eye doctor can also identify underlying health problems just by looking at your eye health. In some cases, conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and other medical conditions can be identified during regular eye exams.

Adult Eye Exam Recommendations

  • Adults, ages 18 to 60: A comprehensive eye exam every 1 to 2 years
  • Ages 61 and above: Annual comprehensive exams

At risk adults should have more frequent exams. Risk factors include:

  • Family history of eye disease (glaucoma, macular degeneration, keratoconous)
  • Diabetes or high blood pressure
  • A visually demanding occupation or one that may pose a hazard to your eyes
  • Taking prescription or OTC drugs that may have eye-related side effects
  • Previous eye injuries or eye surgery
  • Contact Lens wearers – Annual eye exams

If you have any family history of eye disease or vision problems, you should schedule eye exams more frequently.

Think about it, when was the last time you had an eye exam? Don’t put it off another year. Schedule your eye exam with us today!

Relief for Symptoms of Dry Eye

Dry eye symptoms are the worst! Itching, watering, redness, sensitivity…It’s bad enough when these symptoms appear during allergy season. But when you have chronic symptoms that don’t go away, it might be time to seek professional relief.

Not all dry eye is the same therefore, not all dry eye treatment is the same. There are two basic types of dry eye:

1. Evaporative Dry Eye –

This is caused by blockage to the glands in the eyelid (the Meibomian glands) which leads to a shortage of oil on the surface of the tears and quicker than normal tear evaporation. This type of dry eye accounts for most of all dry eye cases.

2. Aqueous Dry Eye –

This occurs when the lacrimal glands do not produce enough tears.

As a Dry Eye Center of Excellence, led by Dr. Sandra Lora Cremers, we use the most advanced technologies and techniques to diagnose and completely understand your dry eye and then treat it so you can get back to comfort and normalcy. Dr. Cremers is one of the top dry eye specialists in the United States. Patients from all over the world have sought her out for leading-edge treatments, including stem cell therapy and PRP injections to the Meibomian glands for those with severe, painful, treatment resistant dry eye.

If and when it will be appropriate and effective, one of the more common treatment options for Evaporative Dry Eye is the LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System. LipiFlow has been shown to improve Evaporative Dry Eye symptoms in 79% of patients within just four weeks of treatments.

How LipiFlow Works

LipiFlow unblocks the eyelid glands through the application of controlled heat to the inner eyelid. This heat allows the glands to stimulate the production of complex natural oils for your tear film.

Can LipiFlow Provide Relief for You?

The first step is to determine the root cause of your dry eye symptoms. One of the tools we use is the non-invasive LipiView® diagnostic test to assess your tear film and the Meibomian Glands Evlauator to examine the quantity and quality of the oils. Once armed with the facts about your eyes, we can discuss your treatment options.

Now offering special pricing on LipiFlow, if you are interested please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. We are here to get you relief! For more info on dry eye, visit www.eyedrymd.com.

Meet our Dry Eye Specialist:

Sandra Lora Cremers, MD, FACS

Eyes on Spring – Need New Shades?

Spring Promotions

INVU Ultra Polarized Sunglasses

Outdoor lovers, rejoice! The biggest names in polarized sunglasses—Costa, Maui Jim, and Oakley—are offered at higher price points, and though by most accounts they are worth the cost, our Dr. Babak Hosseini felt we needed a comparable, affordable alternative – INVU Ultra Polarized sunglasses from Swiss Eyewear Group, personally field tested and endorsed by Dr. Hosseini and many, many others who spend time in the great outdoors. The INVU sunglasses have not one, not two, but 9 layers of ultra- polarization to deliver the ultimate in glare-free vision.

INVU Special Price, $99.95 Through May, 2018!

Designer Sunglasses – Special

30% off through May 31st, 2018

Spring into BOTOX® with our Dr. Nima Moainie

Get $50 off 20 units of BOTOX® or $100 off 40 units of BOTOX®*

* 20-unit minimum. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer valid through 06.30.18.

Call (301) 591-1763 for a complimentary BOTOX consultation today and mention the special pricing offer when you schedule!

*Results may vary. Risks, benefits and alternatives will be discussed during your consultation.  Full prescribing information and important safety information will be provided during your consultation.

Thank you for the privilege of caring for your eyes!

Stay Connected with Us

Contact Us

(301) 591-1763
www.voeyedr.com
11300 Rockville Pike Suite 1202 & 1208
Rockville, Maryland 20852