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Ophthalmology
Ophthalmologists are specialists that focus on systemic illnesses and condi-tions
that involve the eye, which, as we age, can mean cataracts or macular
degeneration and, throughout life, can include retinal problems, alignment
issues and corneal disease. “We are guardians of eyesight,” explains Dr. Scott W.
Tunis. “Sight is a very precious sense, and one of the most important — 25 percent
of all information passing in and out of the brain is visual.” Dr. Tunis says that pro-tecting
vision is critical to quality of life. Fortunately, rapidly advancing technology is
making it easier than ever to do just that.
“At the beginning of my training I would never have imagined we would be able
to do the things technology allows us to do today,” says Dr. Tunis. “I can’t imag-ine
what we’ll be doing in another ten years.” He mentions “HD vision,” available
through the use of lasers and the treatment of degenerative and corneal diseases
with oral medications. On the horizon, Dr. Tunis sees the implantation of silicone
camera chips in the eye.
Dr. Tunis adds that new research is being conducted to better understand the
role that UV light plays in cataract formation and that nutrition plays in eyesight.
For now, it can’t hurt to keep wearing sunglasses and take a nutritional supplement
of antioxidants geared toward ocular health.
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM
Andracchi, Susan
Susan Andracchi, MD, PA
202-1067
New York University, New York Eye & Ear
Infirmary, 1996, 1997
Brownlow Jr., Robert
Cape Fear Retinal Associates
332-3560
Cornell University Medical Center, 1994
Chiavetta III, Stephen
Coastal Carolina Eye Clinic
763-7316
Duke University, 2002
Escaravage Jr., George
Coastal Carolina Eye Clinic
763-7316
University of North Carolina, 2009
Johnson, David
Eye Associates of Wilmington
763-3601
Children’s National Medical Center, 1991
Van Rens, Erik
Retina of Coastal Carolina
254-2023
Eye Hospital Rotterdam, Alton Ochsner
Foundation, 1988, 1992
Westra, Igor
Retina of Coastal Carolina
254-2023
Oregon Health Sciences Univ, 1993
Fellowship in Ophthalmology