What's Your Number?

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, chances are you have had an A1c test performed at your doctor’s office. A1c stands for hemoglobin A1c. Hemoglobin is part of the red blood cells that spend life traveling through your blood stream. Sugar (or glucose) is also traveling in your blood stream.

Think of your blood as a sugar solution. Your red blood cells spend their lives traveling throughout your body in this solution. The free sugar in your blood becomes attached to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells; the more sugar in your blood, the higher the percentage of hemoglobin with sugar attached to it. This percentage is measured by the Hemoglobin A1c test.

The body replaces your red blood cells every three months. The A1c measures your overall blood glucose level over the last 2-3 month period. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) recommends an A1c of ≤6.5%. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends an A1c goal of <7%. Keeping your A1c at these levels can help reduce your risk of long-term diabetes complications such as eye disease, heart disease and kidney disease. This is why knowing your number is so important.

Blood sugar averages come down with healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, and if necessary, medication. If you are diabetic or have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to have an annual dilated eye exam. Dr. Sean Murphy, who has special training in diabetic eye disease, works with the other doctors of the The Eye Care Institute to meet the needs of our diabetic patients. Contact us today to schedule your appointment. Also visit the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.

Introducing Dr. Mark Jaggers

Dr. Mark Jaggers used to soar high as an Air Force pilot but now he gets his highs from helping patients see better. “After I was diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago, the Air Force kind of wrote me off,” he said, despite his degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Purdue University. A doctor saved his life, he said, and he thought that was a cool job. “My family thought I was crazy,” he said of his decision to go to medical school.

He has not regretted his choice. He did change his decision about a specialty, deciding that ophthalmology fit with his desire to be able to fix something. He enjoys the immediate satisfaction of being able to see what he has done to help someone. Seeing a patient immediately after cataract surgery is like Christmas morning, he said.

When Dr. Jaggers is not helping his patients see better, he enjoys playing tennis and golf, watching his children play competitive soccer and rooting for the University of Louisville and Purdue University basketball teams.

Dr. Jaggers see patients at our Audubon office, our new Middletown office at 1937 Blankenbaker Parkway and at our Mt. Washington office on Highway 44, opening soon.

Latisse – Now In Stock at The Eye Care Institute

You may have heard about Latisse, the new eyelash growing medication that recently became FDA approved.

Latisse is actually a version of a glaucoma eye drop we have been prescribing for quite a while. During the past many years, eye doctors have noted that patients using the eye drop, called Lumigan, noticed their eyelashes were growing longer and fuller. Allergan, the company which manufactures the drug, repackaged the product into a size appropriate for a month’s worth of use for eyelash growth and added lid applicators.

When used to grow eyelashes, Latisse lengthens, thickens and darkens eyelashes. Like the hair on your head, eyelashes sprout, grow for a while and eventually fall out. Latisse extends the growth phase and increases the number of hairs that sprout.

Latisse is applied using the sterile applicators which are included in the packaging. Once applied to the top lash, it spreads across your bottom lashes as you blink. Your face must be clean and makeup-free and contact lenses must be removed.
After two months of nightly use, results are often seen. After three or four months, many doctors may recommend a treatment schedule of every two days. If you stop using Latisse, your eyelashes will gradually return to their former state.

As Latisse is a medication, it requires a prescription from a doctor. The prescription can be filled at a pharmacy or at The Eye Care Institute. We are currently offering a Latisse package which includes a comprehensive eye exam, prescription for Latisse, and the first month’s supply of Latisse for $199. After the initial exam and prescription, a dosage lasting about a month can be obtained at The Eye Care Institute for $125. To learn more about Latisse, visit www.latisse.com.