Eye Didn't Know!

Steroid for Glaucoma?

Did you know? It may be possible to lower eye pressure in glaucoma with injections of a steroid called anecortave acetate. Although most steroids have to potential to raise eye pressure, this steroid has been shown in a number of studies to lower eye pressure. Researchers at Johns Hopkins, in Baltimore, injected a small amount of medicine or placebo just under the surface of the eye in 85 patients. After three months, the patients receiving the medicine had a pressure reduction of 7.4 mm Hg compared with 1.4 mm Hg in the placebo group. Read more here.

Did you also know? Many patients have enormous difficulty taking their glaucoma eyedrops properly. If it becomes possible to control eye pressure with a painless injection under the eye every three, six, or twelve months, that would give us a very important additional measure to preserve vision in glaucoma.

Happy Holidays!

I would like to wish all of my patients, readers, visitors, family and friends a wonderful holiday season!

BOTOX®: No Sweat!

Did you know? BOTOX® is well-known for its ability to decrease wrinkles and give a more relaxed appearance to the face. Few people know that BOTOX® is used for dozens of medical conditions, as well. BOTOX® works by decreasing the release of a substance called acetylcholine from nerves. This substance causes muscles to contract, which is why treatment with BOTOX® relaxes the muscles which are responsible for some wrinkles.

Acetylcholine is also responsible for sweat gland activity. There are some patients who are disabled by severe underarm sweating. For this condition, called hyperhidrosis, treatment with BOTOX® in the armpit can markedly improve symptoms. There is a society for those with severe sweating, whose website is located here.

Did you also know? Some insurance companies will pay for treatment of hyperhidrosis.

Custom BOTOX®, Not Cookbook BOTOX©

Did you know? As the holiday season gets into full swing, I am performing more and more BOTOX© Cosmetic procedures, as patients wish to look their best. My patients are pleased that I customize their BOTOX© treatments to their individual faces. I give each patient a mirror, and we talk about areas that can be treated. Sometimes I point out areas to avoid or treat only lightly to avoid side effects like a droopy eyebrow. I then customize the treatment to their unique needs. Rarely do two faces receive the same treatment.

Most patients are aware that BOTOX© can treat frown lines, forehead wrinkles and crow's feet. Few are aware, however, that an experienced physician can use BOTOX© to give a non–surgical eyebrow lift, soften "bunny–lines" in the nose, smooth out fine lines around the lips, smooth a dimpled chin, raise a downturned smile, and soften neck bands.

Did you also know? BOTOX© was originally used by ophthalmologists to treat spasms around the eyes and crossed eyes. It was soon noted that it could relax wrinkles, and a new industry was born!

I started using BOTOX© over ten years ago to treat spasms around the eyes. My staff asked me to treat their wrinkles, told my patients of their results, and soon I found myself performing BOTOX© cosmetic treatments. I find it to be very gratifying.