You are invited to play and/or be a sponsor at the 18th Annual Oaks Day Golf Tournament Friday May 4 at Long Run Golf Course. Up to 100 golfers will participate. There are terrific prizes! Read all about it at www.oaksdaygolf.com

70% Off Designer Frame Sale Clearance! Purchase your lenses from us and save up to 70% on fabulous designer frame selection.

How Glaucoma Eye Drops Can Grow Eyelashes

Glaucoma is a disorder of the eye in which patients can lose vision due to gradual optic nerve deterioration. The way ophthalmologists treat this is by lowering the eye pressure or intraocular pressure (IOP).

Over the past decade, the most commonly used class of eyedrops for glaucoma has been the daily-use prostaglandin analogues. The currently available medicines are latanoprost (name brand Xalatan and its generic equivalents), bimatoprost (Lumigan), travoprost (Travatan), and most recently tafluprost (Zioptan). These work on a cellular level to reduce production of fluid within the eye and increase the outflow, thereby lowering the IOP. All of these have been found to have some minor side effects, including eyelid darkening, eye redness which is often temporary, iris darkening, eye irritation and eyelash growth. Women who use these drops are often pleased by the thicker, fuller eyelashes that can result. The makers of Lumigan have created the product Latisse, which is basically the same medication packaged with a brush for placement on the eyelid skin near the lashes.

In 2008, Latisse was approved by the FDA for the treatment for eyelash hypotrichosis, meaning inadequate, sparse or insufficient eyelashes. This condition can occur as eyelashes are pulled off from repeated wearing of false eyelashes or simply breaking off. When Latisse is applied once daily to the base of the eyelashes, growth of lashes can be seen within 8 to 16 weeks, which represents the hair cycle of the eyelash.

Daily use of these glaucoma medicines has a similar effect on eyelashes; in fact, this is how it was discovered. Other adverse side-effects include eye inflammation, swelling in the retina which could affect vision, and darkening of the iris, which is not reversible. These occur very rarely, whereas eyelash growth is so common, it is expected. So here is a circumstance where one “side effect” or “adverse reaction” has yielded positive results for many women seeking to grow longer and thicker eyelashes.

- R. Scott Hoffman, M.D.

LASIK Testimonials

LASIK testimonials can help you decide whether or not LASIK is right for you. Click here to go to our new YouTube Channel where you will find five testimonials that might help you. Or go to the LASIK page on our website to learn more about LASIK by clicking here.

Glaucoma Clinic

Koby Karp Doctors Eye Institute will conduct a three month Glaucoma Clinical Trial to compare the effects of a generic solution for the treatment of Glaucoma. Patients with Glaucoma will come to our office several times over a three month period for IOP checks.

 

Clinical trials are the most effective means of comparing the benefits and risks of new eye disease treatments.  These trials are used to determine the safety and effectiveness of the drug on progressively larger numbers of people. Those who participate can be reassured that they are helping future glaucoma patients perhaps even their children and grandchildren. 

If you have glaucoma and are interested in participation, please contact Dorothy Jett at Koby Karp Doctors Eye Institute, (502)897-1604. Patients will be compensated for participation.

Cataract Surgery Testimonials

Here's a comment from Betsy Jacks of Louisville after having cataract surgery at Koby Karp Doctors Eye Institute:

"The people at Doctors Eye Institute are the kindest, most gentle people.

I'm so sorry I wasted time worrying about having the surgery beforehand because I had no idea it would be that easy. I don't have to wear my glasses and now I can see better than I ever have. I am thrilled."

And there are more:

It was the most amazing thing. I went in and had the cataract surgery and it hardly took anytime at all. I didn't feel anything and before I knew it the procedure was over. And in no time I could see much better than I have seen in years...maybe even better than I have seen in my life. It's much better than I ever dreamed it would be.. seeing this well without wearing glasses. I can't believe how beautiful the colors look.

MAJ - Shively

Well it's great not having to wear glasses after all these years. I joke that there are a few disadvantages because now I can see dust in my house that I never could see before. And my grandkids can't get use to seeing me without my glasses on. But  I look better and I don't keep blinking to try to clear my eyes.    

G.W - Louisville

Sorry I kept putting off having cataract surgery. Karp. Dr. Karp said that I would tell him when it was time. Finally, my eyesight was just too cloudy and I went ahead with it. Had I known how much it would improve my eyesight and how simple the procedure was, I would have done it much, much sooner. I never thought everything would be so clear and with no glasses!  

BWR -  Jeffersonville

What is Neuro Ophthalmology?

Neuro ophthalmology service provides a highly specialized care to patients with eye diseases which are related to various neurologic problems. Typical neuro ophthalmology problems include unexplained vision loss, loss of peripheral vision, double vision, abnormal eye movements and disorders of the eye pupil. These abnormalities could be a result of brain tumor, stroke, diabetes, arterial hypertension, multiple sclerosis or other neurologic conditions.

Are there any Neuro Ophthalmologists in Louisville?

Doctor Albert Smolyar is currently the only fellowship trained neuro ophthalmologist in Louisville and in Kentucky. He completed neuro ophthalmology fellowship training in Michigan in 1999. Doctor Smolyar joined Doctors Eye Institute in 2006 and has been providing Neuro Ophthalmology care to patients of Kentucky and Southern Indiana since. He is also involved in teaching residents at University of Louisville serving as an Assistant Clinical Professor of University of Louisville Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

Working with neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuro radiologists

Following initial evaluation of neuro ophthalmology patients, Doctor Smolyar works in accord with primary care physicians, neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuro radiologists in order to diagnose and treat neuro ophthalmic problems of his patients.For more info click here.