MDNews - Minnesota

++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + ++++++++++++++++++++++++ OPHTHALMOLOGY +++ +++ Eyeing Visual Rejuvenation FOR PATIENTS AT RISK OF DEVELOPING CONDITIONS OF THE ANTERIOR SEGMENT OF THE EYE, TIMELY REFERRAL TO A SPECIALIST WELL-VERSED IN DIAGNOSTICS AND AVAILABLE TREATMENTS CAN LEAD TO THE MAINTENANCE, AND EVEN REJUVENATION, OF EYESIGHT. A CCORDING TO Y. RALPH CHU, M.D., founder and Medical Director of Chu Vision Institute and adjunct associate professor of ophthalmology at University of Minnesota, one of the keys to early detection of eye disease is regular examination. "Patients older than 50 need a dilated eye exam once a year," says Dr. Chu. "Until then, we typically say every two years, but when somebody reaches age 50, it's definitely once a year. A lot of these processes, such as glaucoma, cataracts, even dry eye, are silent to the patient in the early stages, so there's no pain, discomfort or even significant vision loss in the early stages. They can only be detected by an eye exam." When a primary eye care physician detects issues related to the eye's anterior seg- ment, Chu Vision Institute — which specializes in these conditions — can determine the level of damage, if any, and create an individualized treatment plan for patients suffering from dry eyes, cataracts, corneal disease, glaucoma and other related issues. Although vision degeneration has long been accepted as a consequence of older age, Dr. Chu points to several advances in alternative treatments that allow specialists to not only manage eye diseases, but also reinvigorate patients' vision. "We're trying to help them rejuvenate their vision," says Dr. Chu. "We are able to take people who are 70 years old with cataracts and potentially give them back some of their reading vision — like it was when they were 40 to 45 years old. We're able to not only cure their medical conditions — for example, take the cataracts out so they can see better — but we're able to improve their function, as well." To treat dry eyes, for example, Dr. Chu utilizes intense pulsed light therapy, an outpatient treatment that involves light application to the skin of the face. Chu Vision Institute was among the first clinics in the country to offer this therapy for treatment of dry eye. Dr. Chu has also observed marked improvement in the types of lens implants for patients undergoing cataract surgery and expects glaucoma surgeries to become less invasive and offer patients speedier recoveries and better vision outcomes in the future. Involvement in more than 50 clinical trials has provided the team of doctors at the Chu Vision Institute a unique perspective on the future of eye disease treatment, and this knowledge enhances the patient-centered care it delivers. "Our focus is to improve function, as well as treat the medical condition," Dr. Chu says. "What sets us apart is the personalized way we try to help patients turn back the clock." To learn more about Chu Vision Institute or to refer a patient, visit www.ChuVision.com or call (952) 835-1235. s

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