Blog

During a recent retinal consultation, I encountered a case in which the end result was the diagnosis of a large choroidal melanoma.  The past ocular history was reviewed and was significant for a “suspicious choroidal nevus” identified approximately 1.5 years ago by a local optometrist. Unfortunately, the patient did not return for follow-up to his… Read More

Pediatric Blepharokeratoconjunctivitis Pediatric blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (BKC) winds up in my chair way more than I would have predicted when I left optometry school. Our clinic sees this so much, we even have a drop-down phrase in our electronic record system for diagnosis and plan that we can adjust. This condition is a chronic inflammatory disease stemming… Read More

The importance of managing dry eye prior to cataract surgery We’ve all had the patient with uncorrected 20/20 acuity after cataract surgery, yet they are still expressing “20/unhappy” frustration with their day-to-day vision. Often one of the most  unrecognized causes of patient dissatisfaction postoperatively is dry eye disease.1 According to the Prospective Health Assessment of… Read More

  Northwest Eye Surgeons and Whatcom Eye Surgeons have recently begun offering the latest in cataract surgery technology, the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) from RxSight. LALs are made of a special photosensitive material that allows the surgeon to shift the shape, and therefore power, of the lens after cataract surgery, using a UV Light Delivering… Read More

2022 arrived on a wave of headlines, and I’m sure we all await a year where COVID isn’t the number one news story. In the midst of our dark winter days, I know some who continue to cope by extending the “happy holiday season” well into the new year. I would like to revisit an… Read More

Any doctor who treats patients with ocular inflammation knows the usefulness of corticosteroids to calm an inflamed eye. Should inflammation extend to the macula, vision loss follows and if not promptly treated can lead to permanent visual disability. While mild, uncomplicated macular edema can be managed with topical steroids, macular edema caused by posterior disease processes such… Read More

   Figure 1: Peripheral Corneal Ulcer One of the joys of living in the Pacific Northwest is the easy access to fresh water lakes, mountains, hiking and biking trails, and world class rock climbing.  However, with the beauty, thrills, and jealousy inducing social media posts, come eye injuries filled with dirt, grime, and microbes.  As… Read More

While no ocular fountain of youth exists and not all eye conditions are preventable, one of our most important roles as eye clinicians is helping the public maintain their vision and ocular health as they age.  Unfortunately, there is still the idea among the public that if one has good vision, then they don’t need… Read More

Finding disc edema on one of your patients presents clinical challenges on its own, but this is exacerbated even further when you have a pediatric patient to manage. Although pediatric disc edema is less common than in adults, every provider should have a well-established plan of action to address any possible cases that are in… Read More

  Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune condition affecting the ocular tissues. It occurs in up to 25% of patients with Graves’ disease. It is most common in patients who have hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease), however, it can also occur under eurthyroid (10%) or autoimmune mediated hypothyroid conditions. Thyroid eye disease is more common in women,… Read More