Columbus Ophthalmology Welcomes Two New Surgeons To Our COA Family!

 Brandon C. Cho, M.D., M.S.

            
Columbus Ophthalmology Associates proudly welcomes Brandon C. Cho, M.D. to our COA Family.  
Dr. Cho received his medical school degree from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, South Carolina.  He recently completed his fellowship in ophthalmic plastic and orbital surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Ophthalmic Specialty

• Eyelid &Orbital Reconstructive Surgery
• Cosmetic Eyelid & Brow Surgery
• Treatment & Surgery of the Thyroid Eye Disease
• Tumors of the Eyelids and Orbit
• Adult and Pediatric Tearing
• Treating Adult and Pediatric Patients

He is married with two sons and enjoys martial arts, ice hockey, and golf.

Thomas C. Litzinger, M.D.

Columbus Ophthalmology Associates also proudly welcomes Thomas Litzinger, M.D. to our COA family. Dr. Litzinger received his medical school degree from The Ohio State University and completed his ophthalmology residency at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, California.  He recently completed his corneal transplant fellowship at Duke University.

Ophthalmic Specialty

• Corneal Transplant Surgery
• Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK)
• LASIK Laser Vision Correction
• Intacs® & Surgical Teatment for Keratoconus
• Management of Acute Corneal Disease
• Advanced Cataract Surgery

Dr. Litzinger has been involved in several mission trips. He enjoys sports and exercise, photography, art and spending time with family and friends.

Seasonal Eye Allergies

What are eye allergies?
Allergies affect about 20% of the world’s population. Allergies can affect the eye in about one third of this group. An eye allergy can be the eye’s overreaction to a substance that it thinks will do harm. The most common symptoms of this disease are itching accompanied by redness and watering of the eyes. Sometimes a thin, mucous discharge is present.

What causes eye allergies?
Seasonal ocular allergies are due to a response on the surface of the eye to an antigen (pollen, dust, and mold). A series of events causes the release of histamines. Histamine is the chemical responsible for the symptoms that patients may experience with seasonal ocular allergies.

What type of therapy is used for an eye allergy?
Therapy for allergic conjunctivitis has evolved a great deal in the past several years. Initially, patients were treated by decongestants or vasoconstrictors, as well as antihistamines, or a combination of products. In severe cases topical steroids have been used to decrease the inflammation on the eye. A new agent known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit the synthesis of chemicals known as prostaglandins. These medications are not steroids, but are an alternative and when administered by mouth can help relieve pain and inflammation in the joints. Ibuprofen is a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug. These drugs are now available in drops and are used in combination with, or in place of, steroids to treat and relieve ocular itching due to seasonal allergies. Mast cell stabilizers are another medication used by your eye care specialist to reduce ocular allergy symptoms and recurrence. These drugs are often used as maintenance therapy and need to be taken regularly for them to be most effective.

Prolonged Computer Use Can Affect The Eyes

A variety of eye symptoms are associated with prolonged use of a computer terminal. Most patients experience dryness and itchiness of the eye as well as fatigue. In most cases, some simple remedies will alleviate these symptoms.

Most computers are a little farther away than normal reading distance. Therefore, an adjustment in the design of glasses may help. There are special ‘desktop glasses’ that specifically aid for mid-range and near tasks and have been beneficial to many patients.

Periodic breaks are very important. You should stare off into the distance about 4-5 minutes during the work day to prevent what is known as accommodative spasm. When we look close, our eyes have to accommodate to change focus. Prolonged accommodation can result in the eyes “locking in” at the closer distance. This can cause headaches and may lead to blurred vision in the distance or difficulty changing focus from one visual point to another.

The use of an ocular lubricant will keep the ocular surface moist and clean. This reduces the red, watery and itchy symptoms that occur with computer use.

Many of the eye symptoms associated with the prolonged use of computers can be decreased by updating your glasses prescription, periodic rest breaks and the use of ocular lubricants.