How Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum Affects the Retina

An experienced ophthalmologist in Missouri, Dr. David D. Kim was instrumental in implementing an ophthalmology program at Prevea Health System in Wisconsin. An expert in ophthalmology, Dr. David D. Kim has written over 5 medical publications, including “Findings in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum.”

A hereditary disorder, pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) causes the elastic tissues in the body to lose their elastic properties. Elastic tissues are certain tissues, found in various parts of the body, with the ability to stretch up to 1.5 times their original length and return to their original length when relaxed. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) primarily affects elastic tissues in the eyes, blood vessels, and skin. According to a report published in the Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, PXE has a slight female predominance.

In the eye, PXE causes an elastic fiber in the retina layer, called Bruch’s membrane, to lose elasticity. This loss of elasticity, accompanied by an increased deposit of calcium within the Bruch’s membrane, results in cracks. These cracks are called angioid streaks. Through the angioid streaks, abnormal blood vessels from the vascular layer below the retina sprout into the layers of the retina over time, causing thickening, swelling, and bleeding within the retina which gradually weakens vision.

About the Refractive Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

A cataract surgeon and expert in ophthalmology, Dr. David D. Kim works in collaboration with other eye care specialists in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Through his ophthalmology practice, Dr. David D. Kim provides treatment for different eye conditions, including glaucoma and cataract.

Also known as Refractive Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (ReLACS), laser cataract surgery is a three-step procedure that involves removing cloudy lens from a patient’s eye, and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) with an added level of precision compared to the traditional cataract surgery. During the procedure, an ultrasound device or camera collects the patient’s lens information and relays the information to a computer. With the received information, the computer programs the laser, with exact location, depth, and size for incisions. A surgeon makes an incision in the patient’s cornea with the laser. Once the cornea is open, an ultrasound probe breaks the cloudy lens and suction into pieces and removes them. The surgeon replaces the removed lens with an artificial IOL and closes the corneal incision with a special liquid.

Laser cataract surgery is the recommended option for patients who want astigmatism corrected during surgery. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is more curved in one meridian than others. Often, this causes distorted vision and eyestrain. If not corrected, the patient will require prescription eyeglasses.

Symptoms of Ocular Migraine

Throughout his career in ophthalmology, Dr. David D. Kim has delivered care in eye clinics across several states. A member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Glaucoma Society, Dr. David D. Kim is highly experienced in diagnosing conditions associated with floaters and flashing lights, such as ocular migraines.

Approximately 20 percent of migraine sufferers will experience visual symptoms. These are known as ocular migraines and can result in temporary vision loss or flashing lights or other patterns. These symptoms usually affect both eyes simultaneously. Ocular migraines may be accompanied by a persistent headache, light sensitivity, or nausea.

In some cases, visual symptoms, known as auras, appear before the migraine pain begins. Aura migraines can cause physical or mental symptoms, including cognitive dysfunction, tingling in some body parts, and dysfunctional sense of taste or smell. Some people experience visual disturbances without pain. Visual symptoms may last anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour.

Understanding the Key Differences Between Eye Care Professionals

An expert in the field of ophthalmology, Dr. David D. Kim works with Eye Care Specialists in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Prior to this position, Dr. David D. Kim worked with Prevea Health System, where he helped to establish an ophthalmology program.

There are different types of eye care specialists, such as optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians. While all professions provide eye care, they are also different in terms of main functions:

1. Optometrists are eye doctors capable of examining, diagnosing, and providing treatment for your eyes. For your primary eye care needs, like annual examinations and contact or glasses prescriptions, an optometrist is a good fit. However, they cannot always treat more serious eye conditions that involve surgery.

2. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors with a specialization in surgical eye procedures. They are required to complete more medical training and can perform surgery on your eyes in any procedure they are trained in. You can visit ophthalmologists for routine eye care as well, just as you would an optometrist, but they have added specialization that allows them to perform surgical procedures for conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and others.

3. An optician is not a medical doctor, but a customer service representative that works in an eye doctor’s office. Typically, they can refill prescriptions, answer questions, and adjust or fit your eyeglass frames. Because they are not medical doctors, opticians cannot perform eye exams, diagnose, or offer any treatment.

Three Types of Cataracts

Affiliated with the American Glaucoma Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. David D. Kim possesses three decades of experience working in eye clinics. As the founder of the ophthalmology program and staff medical doctor at Prevea Health Systems, Dr. David D. Kim evaluated and treated patients with progressive eye conditions such as cataracts.

Cataracts diminish the clarity of the lens, the part of the eye that focuses light on the retina. Cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision loss and can be categorized into three types:

1. Nuclear cataract – The most common form of cataract is caused by aging. The lens hardens over time and develops a yellow or brown tint. Vision damage occurs over years with a brief period of improved sight.

2. Posterior subcapsular cataracts – This type of cataract develops behind the lens. They can impact vision within a few months of forming. People with certain conditions such as diabetes or diseases treated with steroids are more susceptible to this type of cataract.

3. Cortical cataracts – These triangle-shaped areas develop at the edge of the lens and create a spoke-like pattern over the eye. As these cataracts grow, they can cause excessive glare and make it difficult to distinguish between objects from afar.

Study Indicates Potential of Gene Editing Approach to Glaucoma

Active with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. David D. Kim is board-certified in his field and performs surgeries for a range of eye conditions. One of the health issues that Dr. David D. Kim assists ophthalmology patients with is glaucoma. He follows research developments on a disease that involves damage to the optic nerve.

Published in Molecular Therapy, a recent study by Bristol Medical School researchers in the UK brought focus to a single gene therapy injection as a potential treatment for glaucoma. Using a mouse model, the treatment focused on the ciliary body, which generates a fluid that helps the eye maintain correct pressure levels.

Employing next-generation CRISPR gene-editing tools, the gene Aquaporin 1 within the ciliary body was inactivated, which decreased pressure in the eye. With present treatments including surgery, laser, and eye drops, the hope is that this approach will overcome the limitations of these approaches, while providing a minimally invasive way of improving eye condition. The plan is to undertake additional laboratory work that will expedite a pathway toward clinical trials.

Key Things to Know about Glaucoma

Ophthalmologist man examining young woman eyes in clinic.

Dr. David Kim is certified and recertified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Glaucoma Society. A former resident of Tucson, AZ, Dr. David Kim is a glaucoma specialist with expertise in performing glaucoma surgery.

Glaucoma is a poorly understood group of eye conditions that affect the optic nerve and a major cause of blindness, especially when left untreated. Damage to the optic nerve occurs when the pressure in the eye reaches an abnormally high level. Glaucoma can affect anyone at any stage of life, although people over the age of 60 are at a greater risk for developing the condition.

The most common form of the condition is open-angle glaucoma, which can occur with nearly no symptoms at all. However, experiencing disrupted peripheral or central vision is a symptom as is seeing in tunnel vision when the condition is advanced. Acute angle-closure glaucoma occurs with symptoms including headaches, nausea, seeing halos, eye pain, and eye redness.

Glaucoma cannot be cured although its progression can be slowed or stopped with the use of medication and surgical intervention. Once a patient is diagnosed with the condition, treatment is typically required for the remainder of their life. Therefore, receiving regular eye assessments and proper care and treatment is essential to preserving vision loss due to glaucoma.

An Overview of Retinal Injections

David Kim, MD, has treated patients at Arizona Eye Consultants in Tucson, AZ, and is a glaucoma specialist. Prior to this role, Dr. David Kim served at Prevea Health System, where he started an ophthalmology program and performed procedures including cataract and glaucoma surgery, laser cataract surgery, and retinal injections.

Retinal injections are typically indicated in patients with conditions including wet age-related macular degeneration, vascular occlusions, tumors, and diabetic retinopathy, among others. This procedure is painless, completed in seconds, and involves the administration of an anesthetic prior to performing an injection into the vitreous part of the eye (through the white of the eye) using a very small needle.

A key advantage of using direct injections rather than drops to administer medication into the eye is that injection enables a concentrated dose of medicine to reach the retina. The injected medication can also have a long-lasting effect in the retina.

To reduce the risk of infection after having a retinal injection, patients are instructed to avoid coming into contact with water and dust for up to two days. However, patients are not required to wear an eye patch, can resume work on the same day, and can carry out all of their regular activities.

Administering Retinal Injections

Dr. David Kim is an ophthalmologist who treats patients with chronic eye conditions. Working at Arizona Eye Consultants in Tucson, AZ, Dr. David Kim performs restorative surgeries and administers retinal injections.

Retinal injections deliver medicine to the retina in the back of the eye using a tiny needle to stop issues such as blood vessel swelling, leakiness, and bleeding. These are caused by age- or diabetes-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, and blood vessel growth as a result of inflammation.

Retinal injections are treated as an outpatient procedure. On the day of the injection, a patient arrives at the clinic, is directed to the surgery room, and is directed to lie on his or her back. Drops are placed in the eyes to dilate the pupils, and anesthesia gel is applied for numbing, and then the eye and eyelids are cleaned to kill bacteria.

Afterward, the ophthalmologist places an eyelid speculum to keep the eyelids open and injects the medicine through the white part of the eye. The patient may be asked to look in a certain direction depending on where the doctor wishes to direct the medicine. In all, the procedure takes about 15 – 30 minutes. Complications arising from retinal injections are rare. The medicine works well when administered through the course of several injections so the doctor may prescribe follow up appointments.

What Are Cataracts and How Can They Be Corrected?

Ophthalmologist Dr. David Kim has worked as a specialist in restorative surgeries at medical centers and eye clinics throughout Iowa and Wisconsin. He also previously taught a number of courses as an associate professor. Currently, Dr. David Kim works with patients at Arizona Eye Consultants in Tucson, AZ, treating various chronic eye conditions, including cataracts.

Cataracts are most often a normal consequence of the aging process. As we age, the lenses of our eyes become cloudy and sometimes require surgery to improve the quality of vision. If you are diagnosed with cataracts, you will likely meet with a patient care counselor who will help you understand what to expect during surgery. Cataract surgeries often result in excellent vision.

In the surgery, a small opening is made in the eye, through which the lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. Because of the many advancements in cataract surgery over the years, patients have a choice between an advanced technology lens or a basic lens. Basic lenses generally correct simply for distance vision. Advanced technology lenses, on the other hand, can help with both reading and distance, without the patient needing bifocals or reading glasses. Your doctor will help you decide which option is right for you.