Takle Eye Group is proud to present our newest procedure for patients who have cataracts and are also managing glaucoma. iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass is the first microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) device to safely reduce pressure in the eye by creating a permanent opening in the drainage network around the eye (called the trabecular meshwork).

The iStent® is the smallest ever FDA-approved medical device. It’s a snorkel-like tube that’s inserted into the trabecular meshwork during cataract surgery. No additional procedure is necessary. Once inserted, iStent® helps manage the flow of aqueous humor – the fluid in your eye – so that excess pressure in the eye is reduced and the danger of permanent damage is lessened.

iStent® may also decrease the need for some glaucoma medications prescribed to you, though this is at the discretion of your doctor.

If you have glaucoma, are planning for cataract surgery, and would like to discuss iStent® as a potential treatment option, contact us for a consultation at http://www.takleeye.com/contact-us/ or by calling 770-228-3836.

For more information on glaucoma, visit our glaucoma center or read our previous article about the two kinds of glaucoma.

INDICATION FOR USE
The iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent (Models GTS100R and GTS100L) is indicated for use in conjunction with cataract surgery for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma currently treated with ocular hypotensive medication.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
The iStent is contraindicated in eyes with primary or secondary angle closure glaucoma, including neovascular glaucoma, as well as in patients with retrobulbar tumor, thyroid eye disease, Sturge-Weber Syndrome or any other type of condition that may cause elevated episcleral venous pressure.

WARNINGS
Gonioscopy should be performed prior to surgery to exclude PAS, rubeosis, and other angle abnormalities or conditions that would prohibit adequate visualization of the angle that could lead to improper placement of the stent and pose a hazard. The iStent is MR-Conditional meaning that the device is safe for use in a specified MR environment under specified conditions, please see label for details.

PRECAUTIONS
The surgeon should monitor the patient postoperatively for proper maintenance of intraocular pressure. The safety and effectiveness of the iStent has not been established as an alternative to the primary treatment of glaucoma with medications, in children, in eyes with significant prior trauma, chronic inflammation, or an abnormal anterior segment, in pseudophakic patients with glaucoma, in patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, pigmentary, and uveitic glaucoma, in patients with unmedicated IOP less than 22 mmHg or greater than 36 mmHg after ?washout? of medications, or in patients with prior glaucoma surgery of any type including argon laser trabeculoplasty, for implantation of more than a single stent, after complications during cataract surgery, and when implantation has been without concomitant cataract surgery with IOL implantation for visually significant cataract.

ADVERSE EVENTS
The most common post-operative adverse events reported in the randomized pivotal trial included early post-operative corneal edema (8%), BCVA loss of = 1 line at or after the 3 month visit (7%), posterior capsular opacification (6%), stent obstruction (4%) early post-operative anterior chamber cells (3%), and early post-operative corneal abrasion (3%). Please refer to Directions for Use for additional adverse event information.

CAUTION
Federal law restricts this device to sale by, or on the order of, a physician. Please reference the Directions for Use labeling for a complete list of contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse events.

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As a parent, you do everything in your power to make sure your children are healthy. That includes protecting them from injury, making sure their nutritional needs are met, and bringing them to the doctor’s office for the occasional checkup. But how often do you consider the health of your children’s eyes? The National Center for Children’s Eye Health reports that 9 percent of children between 5 and 17 years of age are nearsighted, and 13 percent are farsighted. Further, between 15 and 28 percent of children ages 5 to 17 have astigmatism. Uncorrected vision problems in young children (6 to 72 months of age) can affect their cognitive and visual-motor development, and visual function is a strong predictor of academic performance in school-age children.

The best way to prevent vision-related development issues in your children is to schedule regular vision screenings with your eyecare provider, so that problems can be detected early and treatment can be administered as soon as possible. Infants should have their vision checked as part of regular pediatric checkups for the first three years. Between the ages of 3 and 6, an eye exam every year is recommended. Throughout childhood and the teenage years, exams should be scheduled as necessary.

Of course, not all vision issues are genetic. Proactive protection is the best way to prevent damage to children’s eyes from common accidents and other dangers. Preventblindness.org lists the most common causes of eye injuries to children as:

• Misuse of toys
• Falls from beds, against furniture, and on stairs
• Misuse of everyday objects such as work and garden tools, kitchen utensils, knives, and pens and pencils.
• Contact with household products such as paint, detergents, glues, etc.
• Automobile crashes or accidents

Luckily, protecting your child’s eyes from injury involves some steps that you may already be taking, such as using proper occupant restraints (car seats, safety belts) in your vehicles, keeping chemicals out of reach of children, padding the corners of your furniture, and reading the warnings on packaging and toys. In addition to these steps, Prevent Blindness recommends installing locks on floor-level kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, avoiding flying or projectile-throwing toys, installing sufficient stairwell lighting and handrails, keeping BB guns away from children, and stowing or securing any loose objects while driving a vehicle. You can find the full list of recommendations on the Prevent Blindness website.

You should also consider specialized sports eye protection. Swim goggles will protect from irritants in pool or ocean water, and there are goggles and eye shields widely available in children’s sizes for almost every sport. Many sports goggles, especially those with lenses made of polycarbonate, include UV protection. UV protection is an important consideration for everyday protection as well, The Vision Council reports that children generally experience three times as much sun exposure as adults—thus their eyes are more likely to be exposed to UV rays. Protect your children’s eyes in the outdoors by shopping for a suitable pair of sunglasses with them. To be sure your child is more likely to wear their sunglasses, have them pick out a pair they like, make sure the sunglasses fit properly, and look into clip-ons if your child already wears prescription glasses. Be sure that the sunglasses are UVA/UVB protective!

Ensuring the health and safety of your children’s eyes is just one part of being a parent. Takle Eye Group can help make it easier. Call 770-228-3836 or request an appointment online to set up an examination or screening, and trust your children’s eye health to the same providers who care for your own.

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Dr. Benjamin Baumrind M.D. joined Takle Eye Group in July of 2016, as a valuable addition to our retinal surgery team. Dr. Baumrind is board certified with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Baumrind comes from a family of dentists and was on track to join the family business. One day after a pre-dentistry class in college, young Ben was removing his contacts and suffered severe corneal abrasions in both eyes. He was rushed to the ER and was unable to see for three days. During that time, Ben fully realized the pain caused by eye injury and the loss of one’s vision. This experience, combined with a suggestion from his uncle to complete a four-week clinical rotation in ophthalmology, led Ben to pursue a career in eye care.

The precision and speed with which most eye issues can be diagnosed and treated inspires Dr. Baumrind in his practice. He chalks that ease up to the straightforward construction of the eye and the power of the microscope. Often, a doctor is able to literally see what is causing the problem on or inside the eye. Having suffered himself, Dr. Baumrind finds satisfaction in being able to alleviate many eye care issues, even serious ones, often in less than an hour of office time.

Dr. Baumrind earned his bachelor’s of science degree from UGA in 2005, and his M.D. from the Medical College of Georgia in 2009. His residency was completed at the Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science in 2013. He most recently completed a two-year retinal surgery fellowship at Eye Consultants of Atlanta in 2014.

Our Griffin offices will be Dr. Baumrind’s primary practice location. He is a surgical retina specialist, treating such conditions as diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears and detachment, macular degeneration, vein occlusions, hereditary retinal issues, and more.

An Atlanta native, Dr. Baumrind is especially interested in serving the unique needs of our community. “If I can be connected to the patients down here,” he says of the region that Takle Eye Group serves, “I can use my training to do a lot of good.”

When Dr. Baumrind gets home he likes to spend time with his family, and he works hard to match the energy of his two children.

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