Issue 35.10

Richens Eye Center has relocated their Ophthalmology practice into the St. George historic downtown area. The new address is 161 West 200 North.

Dr. Sharon Richens’ passion to create an environmentally green building, shows, as its architecture share’s the charm, beauty and spirit of this beautiful city. Even though the architecture looks to the past Dr. Richens offers a vision for the future, providing front line technology and expertise that surpasses her patient’s expectations.  Being a true green building means it is designed and built to qualify for a LEEDS rating.  LEEDS stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and this is the national organization that sets the standards for design, operation and construction of high performance green buildings. For Dr. Richens it makes sense, both from a fiscal point of view and from an environmental perspective.  This building will be less expensive to keep, healthy to work in and overall very comfortable.  This project has gained most of the LEED certification points in the water savings, exterior features and site selection. By tapping into the city’s recycled water system, there is a 100% reduction in landscape water usage.  The interior design of the building will provide a 50% reduction in potable water usage. Even the parking lot will achieve a high solar index reflective rating by using concrete instead of asphalt and by including covered parking with a white reflective roof. 

The site selection was critical for Dr. Richens. “St. George has such a sense of character and I wanted our new building to have a sense of place, to be within walking distance of the downtown.”  The location has accomplished this with easy access to other downtown businesses. In addition, by incorporating the residential and historical design features of the downtown area into the building, it connects to and compliments the community. 

Sharon Richens, MD, FACS, FAAO shares her practice with Reed Gibb, OD,  Kristin Tarbet, MD, FACS, FAAO, and Joshua Terry, OD.  As a team, these doctors provide full service, compassionate eye care, providing surgical services, disease diagnosis and treatment, general thorough eye exams for all ages and all other eye care needs. 

For more information about Richens Eye Center visit www.richenseyecenter.com or call 435-986-2020.

Issue 30.10

“ F A C S ” “F A A O” What do those letters really mean? 

“Fellow of the American College of Surgeons”

“Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology”   

Dr. Sharon Richens, one of only ten Ophthalmologist’s in the State of Utah and the only Ophthalmologist in Southern Utah who has earned Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.*

Members of the American College of Surgeons are referred to as “Fellows.” The letters FACS  after a surgeon’s name mean that the surgeon’s education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by the College. The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice.

“ F A A O “Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology

Dr. Richens met the requirements to be called “Fellow of The American Academy of Ophthalmology.  The academy is an association of Eye Medical Doctors (M.D.) dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for every individual they treat by helping each to see his or her best and by protecting their patients’ vision and eye health throughout life. Academy members are committed to responding compassionately to their patients’ individual needs and to advancing the highest standards of comprehensive eye care.

To learn more about Dr. Richens or the qualifications for the American College of Surgeons or the American Academy of Ophthalmology visit www.richenseyecenter.com www.facs.org or www.faao.org. You may also call Richens Eye Center at 435-986-2020 to schedule an appointment.

*report based on surgeon search on www.facs.org as of 7-14-2010.

Issue 21.10

If you had to choose one thing, what would you say is the most beautiful thing in the world?

Each one of us sees the world and the things in it differently. A sunrise on the beach, a view from a mountain top or a tiny desert flower just as it blooms. What about the ten tiny toes of a newborn baby, your daughters face as she’s ready to walk down the aisle or your tiny sons’ eyelashes on his cheek as he drifts off to sleep. So many things to consider, how could you ever choose?

Maybe it’s your golf ball as it rolls into the cup for a hole in one, the baseball as it flies over the left field fence to score the winning run or the yellow tape tightly strung across the road at the end of the race. Whatever you choose there is one thing you should know. Vision is a precious sense that you should never take for granted. As we look out through our eyes our Ophthalmologist or Optometrist is looking in.  They may say that one of the most beautiful things in the world is something they see through the bright light of their microscope. They can see the most amazing things. They see the iris and the intricate array of colors that make up, hazel, blue, green, brown and yellow. They see the beautiful orange reflex of light on the Retina and the tiny delicate blood vessels that supply the eye its blood and oxygen. They see the bright white circular Optic nerve that sends the information to our brain and with each eye exam they carefully look at every microscopic detail to make sure its all is as it should be.

Dr. Sharon Richens, Dr. Reed Gibb. Dr. Jim Beson and Dr. Kristin Tarbet, all practicing at the Richens Eye Center deserve a pat on the back. Their knowledge and expertise is evident.  I watch each day as they examine, diagnose, or perform surgery. They treat each patient as a person and not just “a patient”. I see their concern for those with severe eye problems and I see their excitement for those who have gained their vision again either by treatment or surgery.  Our community is lucky to have these great doctors to help us continue to see the world as we should.

So go ahead, you can choose more than one beautiful thing, your vision should be endless.

Valerie Parkinson is the Surgical Coordinator at Richens Eye Center and can be contacted at 619 S. Bluff St. 1B St. George, Utah 84770, or by calling 435-652-4040.

Issue 38.09

Last month Dr. Richens discussed the ARMD study on Macular degeneration.  This week she continues with the second phase.

The second stage was designed to assess further information about the lutein and zeaxanthin and omega -on the development of AMD.

Enrollment concluded in June 2008 and participants will be followed between five and six years. 

We won’t know the full results of AREDS 2 for a number of years.  But in the meantime, it makes good sense to keep eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables for antioxidant nutrients, especially dark green leafy veggies which are good sources of lutein, and to eat fish at least 2-3 times weekly for their heart-healthy omega-3 fats.  If your eye doctor has recommended that you take supplements of the AREDS nutrients, be sure to follow that advice.  There are some macular degeneration patients that may need the amount of certain vitamins and minerals adjusted according to their certain circumstance. 

The right vitamins can make a big difference in your risk of getting macular degeneration.  If you already have macular drusen or advanced macular degeneration, the right vitamins can still slow the progression of the disease, and slow or prevent vision loss.

The studies showed clearly that vitamins do make a difference.  Vitamins, minerals and herbs are drugs.  The right amount is good medicine, more is NOT better and too much can be toxic.  Do not exceed the recommended doses of Vitamin A, D or E.  If you smoke, or quit smoking less than ten years ago, you should take preserVision, for smokers or I-Caps Multi-Vitamin, not Oculair.  If you have kidney failure you should not take any Vitamin A.  Vitamins need to be taken with food, after beginning or finishing a meal, not on an empty stomach.  Be sure your meal includes a little fat.  It doesn’t matter if it’s olive oil, dairy or meat, but you need a little fat in your tummy for all vitamins to be absorbed properly.  It’s imperative that you discuss this with your eye doctor before starting any new supplement, they can cause side effects especially those containing more than 80 mg. of zinc.  Also, vitamins and minerals are not monitored by the FDA and can very greatly in the quality of the product.  Biosyntrx ® is a high quality brand, but again please talk to your eye doctor before starting any new supplements.

For more information please call Richens Eye Center at 435-652-4040.

Issue 35.09

Macular degeneration is a medical condition usually of older adults that results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina.  It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms.  It is a major cause of blindness in the elderly.  Macular degeneration can make it difficult or impossible to read or recognize faces, although enough peripheral vision can remain to allow other activities of daily life.

The inner layer of the eye is the retina, which contains nerves that communicate sight, and behind the retina is the choroid, which contains the blood supply to the retina.  In the dry form, cellular debris called drusen accumulates between the retina and the choroid, and the retina can become detached.  In the wet form, which is more severe, blood vessels grow up from the choroid behind the retina, and the retina can also become detached.  It can be treated with laser, and with medication that stops and sometimes reverses the growth of blood vessels.

Vitamins are very important to our eyes but how do we know what to take?  As the average lifespan continues to increase, we can expect to see more cases of eye disease related to the older population, namely age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.  Both conditions already are significant causes of visual loss in the United States, and they have become major public health issues in the rest of the world.  More than 13 million Americans older than age 40 show signs of Age related Macular Degeneration,

(ARMD).  The National Eye Institute completed the first stage of a study called Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS).  The first stage of AREDS was designed to:

§  learn more about the natural history and risk factors of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract

§  evaluate the effect of high doses of antioxidants and zinc on the progression of AMD and cataract

Results from the AREDS 1 study showed that high levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its associated vision loss.  These same nutrients had no significant effect on the development or progression of cataract.

For more information please call Richens Eye Center at 435-652-4040.

Issue 30.09

Richens Eye Center corrects Astigmatism along with cataract surgery.  

Astigmatism is a common form of visual impairment in which an image is blurred, due to an irregularity in the curvature of the front surface of the eye, called the cornea.  With astigmatism the curve of the cornea is shaped more like a football rather than a spherical basketball.  When the light rays pass through a cornea with astigmatism, it scatters the light, causing blurred vision at distance and near.  

Astigmatism may be so slight that it causes no problems, but almost everyone has some degree of astigmatism.  If there is a significant amount of astigmatism it can be corrected by using an Intra-Ocular Lens Implant that is used during cataract surgery.  A cataract is a “clouding” of the eye’s natural lens that is removed during cataract surgery.  An Intra Ocular Lens implant is used to replace the patient’s natural lens that has been removed.  These lens implants have a prescription in them just like a pair of glasses, but until recently have not had the capability of correcting the astigmatism portion, only the nearsightedness and the farsightedness.  

“The vision results from using this lens have been undeniably impressive.  The AcroSof IQ TORIC lens is designed to help patients achieve the best possible vision, and it’s doing exactly that,” states Valerie Parkinson, surgical counselor and ophthalmic assistant and Richens Eye Center.  For more information about cataract surgery or the TORIC astigmatism correcting lens call Richens Eye Center at 435-652-4040.

Issue 21.09

An Eye M.D. is an Ophthalmologist — a Medical Doctor or Doctor of Ophthalmology, who specializes in eye and vision care.  Eye M.D.s are specially trained in all aspects of eye care, including diagnosis, management, and surgery of ocular diseases and disorders.

Read below to see when you and your family should visit an Eye M.D. for a complete eye examination.  Early detection and treatment of eye problems, along with protecting your eyes from accidental injury, are the best ways to take care of your vision throughout life.

If you have any of these risk factors for eye problems, you may need to see your Eye M.D. more often than recommended below:

·  family history of eye problems

·  African American over age 40

·  diabetes

·  history of eye injury

Before Age 3

Since it is possible for your child to have a serious vision problem without being aware of it, your child should have his or her eyes screened during regular pediatric appointments.  Vision testing is recommended for all children starting around 3 years of age.

If there is a family history of vision problems or if your child appears to have any of the following conditions speak to your Eye M.D. promptly about when and how often your child’s eyes should be examined:

·  strabismus (crossed eyes)

·  amblyopia (lazy eye)

·  ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid)

Age 3 to Puberty

·  Evaluated every two years

Age Puberty to 40

Most young adults have healthy eyes, but they still need to take care of their vision by wearing protective eyewear when playing sports, doing yard work, working with chemicals, or taking part in other activities that could cause an eye injury.  After an initial comprehensive eye examination is performed by an ophthalmologist, individuals from the age of puberty to age 40 needs to be examined again only if ocular symptoms, visual changes or injury occur.  The exception is for young adults who are at risk of developing significant ocular disease in this interval because of risk factors.

See an Eye M.D. if you experience any eye conditions, such as:

·  visual changes or pain

·  flashes of light

·  seeing spots or ghost-like images

·  lines appear distorted or wavy

·  dry eyes with itching and burning

Age 40 to 64

The Academy now recommends that adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline eye disease screening at age 40 — the time when early signs of disease and changes in vision may start to occur.  Based on the results of the initial screening, an ophthalmologist will prescribe the necessary intervals for follow-up exams.

For individuals at any age with symptoms of or at risk for eye disease, such as those with a family history of eye disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, the Academy recommends that individuals see their ophthalmologist to determine how frequently their eyes should be examined.

Age 65 and Over

Individuals age 65 and over should have complete eye exams by their Eye M.D. every one to two years to check for cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions.

Article Written by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Submitted by Sharon Richens, M.D. and Jim Beson, M.D. from Richens Eye Center. Both are proud members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. For more information about eye health visit www.medem.com

Cataracts affect almost everyone, sooner or later.  The natural crystalline lens of the eye is made mostly of water and protein.  Sometime in a person’s 60s, 70s or 80s, some of the protein will clump together, causing the eye’s natural lens to become discolored and clouded.  This clouding of the natural lens is called a cataract.  When this occurs, light rays passing through the eye become scattered and unfocused.  The result is that all objects, whether near or far, become blurry.  If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness, although this is very uncommon in the United States.  

When a cataract is removed, your surgeon will implant a tiny lens replacement into your eye where your cataract was removed.  These implants have a vision prescription in them much like a pair of glasses.  Typically the lens implant corrects for distance vision only, leaving you to need reading glasses.  Now there are implants that can correct for distance, intermediate, and near vision.    

All lens implants are not created equal.  Unlike conventional single-vision (monofocal) lens implants, state-of-the-art ReZoom^TM lenses have been specially designed with multifocal zones that provide good vision across the spectrum of varying distances and light conditions.  So you can see well anywhere and anytime, be it near, far or in between.  Patients no longer have to settle for monofocal lenses that only provide good distance vision with limited ability to see objects that are near without glasses.  The ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lens is a clear, foldable implant made of a high-refractive-index acrylic material.  This new technology multifocal lens is designed to provide a full range of vision - near, distance and intermediate - after cataract treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Rezoom^TM  Multifocal Lens And The Procedure 

Q: Will I still need to wear glasses if my surgeon recommends a ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lens? 

A: The results will vary depending upon your vision, lifestyle and the anatomy of your eyes.  Most people find that they need glasses to read small type or drive at night.  Most people, however, can go to the store or conduct many of their day’s activities without depending on glasses.  In a clinical study, 92% of those who received the technology in ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lenses “never” or only “occasionally” needed to wear glasses. 

Q: How does the ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lens replace the cataract?

A: The natural lens inside the eye is gently removed through a tiny incision in the periphery of your eye’s cornea.  The cataract-impaired lens is then removed through this incision and the lens implant is inserted in its place to permanently replace it.  The procedure usually takes about 15 to 45 minutes and vision is usually improved immediately. 

Q: How long after surgery until I see my best? 

A: Like most procedures, this depends upon the overall health of your eye.  For most people, vision is noticeably better immediately and continues to improve during the first few weeks after the procedure.  

Q: Are there any risks of having the ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lens procedure?

A: As with any surgical procedure there are risks.  The biggest risk with any cataract procedure is infection.  Fewer than 1% of patients having a lens implant procedure ever get an infection and most are treated successfully with medications.  Infections, however, can cause a severe or total loss of vision, risk with any cataract procedure is vision. 

Dr. Sharon Richens at the Richens Eye Center is a ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lens Certified Physician.  For additional information or if you have been told that  you have a cataract and would like to schedule an appointment to determine if the ReZoom^TM Multifocal Lens  is a good option for you, please call Richens Eye Center at 435-652-4040 or toll free 888-556-2020.  Information provided by Valerie Parkinson Surgical Coordinator at Richens Eye Center.  Some information used is from www.rezoomiol.com