What is macular degeneration? “AMD is a condition in which the macula, a highly sensitive area of the retina responsible for central and detail vision (about the size of this “O”), is damaged. There are two forms of AMD. Both cause loss of central or straightahead vision (as needed for driving a car, reading fine [...]

By Cheryl L. Dejewski Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S., especially for African-Americans. In fact, black Americans have a 6-8 times higher risk of developing glaucoma than whites, and a recent study found that one in five black Americans age 75 and older has glaucoma. What exactly is glaucoma? It’s an [...]

Diabetes is being diagnosed in unprecedented numbers across all ages and races. This increased incidence means a corresponding increase in health complications related to the disease, including sight-robbing “diabetic retinopathy”—now the leading cause of blindness in Americans. And, if you are black, you have a three times greater risk of losing vision to diabetes than [...]

If you live long enough, you will probably develop one. In fact, six out of 10 people over age 60, and almost everyone over age 80 has one. Has what? A cataract. Despite this prevalence, most people don’t know the facts about cataracts until they come “eye-toeye” with one. Don’t let poor vision cloud your [...]

Eye Care Specialists utilize breakthrough procedure to save vision When Lois Rose, 80, of Racine was referred by her optometrist to Eye Care Specialists ophthalmology practice in the Milwaukee area, she had already been coping with “dry” age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in both eyes for a number of years. “The macular degeneration was a gradual [...]

By Cheryl L. Dejewski & Carolyn Vescio Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S., especially for African- Americans. In fact, black Americans have a 6-8 times higher risk of developing glaucoma than whites, and a recent study found that one in five black Americans age 75 and older has glaucoma. If you [...]

Diabetic patients tell how local MDs protect their vision with laser & injection treatments With the burgeoning diabetes epidemic in our nation, chances are you know at least one of the more than 329,000 Wisconsinites living with the disease. Perhaps you are one of them. Or, you may become one. If so, take note. Diabetes [...]

Diabetes is being diagnosed in huge numbers across all ages and races. Saturated fats, simple sugars, super-sized portions, bulging waistlines, and lack of exercise are some of the known culprits. Whatever the causes, the increased incidence of diabetes means a corresponding increase in health problems related to the disease, including the sight-robbing complication of “diabetic [...]

by Cheryl L. Dejewski If you live long enough, you will probably develop one. Six out of 10 people over age 60, and almost everyone over age 80 has one. Has what? A cataract. Despite this prevalence, most people don’t know the facts about cataracts until they’re “eye-to-eye” with one. Now is the time to [...]

Arnold “Alex” Luessi, 80, has a colorful life story that spans time and geographical boundaries, including immigration to the United States from Switzerland in 1952 onboard the Queen Elizabeth. But, more recently, his ability to reflect on pictures of past adventures was threatened by two increasingly common eye disorders. In 2003, Luessi’s family doctor recommended [...]