- Primary CareThe BasicMed reform for Third Class Private Pilots became a reality on May 1, 2017. A paper I recently published in the Delaware Medical Journal describes BasicMeds's applicability, and the process for both pilot and physician. As I am a specialist and not a primary care physician such as an internist or family practitioner I will not be doing BasicMed exams, however I will continue to offer the standard Third Class Medical Exam for Private Pilots.
- Emergency CareIf you have been referred from the emergency room bring in their discharge instruction sheet. If you are referred from another physician's office a note or your personal knowledge regarding the issue that is prompting your visit will often save phone calls.
- ElectrocardiogramThis allows for unexpected schedule changes, and on rare occasions the FAA web site is down during which times I cannot issue any certificates. When making an appointment please tell the scheduler if you need an EKG so extra time can be allotted.
- GlaucomaIn the front portion of the eye the cornea and lens focus light on the retina, which in the back of the eye. The retina transforms this focused light into electrical impulses. Nerve fibers accumulate these signals and merge at the back of the eye to form the optic nerve. This nerve exits the eye and goes to the brain. Where the nerve leaves the eye is a vulnerable region, and if pressure in the eye becomes too high nerve damage results. A healthy optic nerve has about 1.3 million fibers and the loss of these fibers through the above process is called glaucoma.
- OphthalmologySt, 2022 Dr. Elliott will only see new Ophthalmology patients for routine exams, and will continue to welcome his returning eye patients
- Macular DegenerationOne can liken the eye to a camera. In a camera, light is focused on film and in the eye, light is focused on the retina. Akin to camera film the retina is located in the back of the eye and takes the picture of what you are seeing. Unlike camera film only one portion of your retina is capable of sharp vision and this region is called the macula. When this portion of the retina deteriorates, the process is called macula degeneration. If the macula is diseased one can still see to the side and peripheral vision is maintained; however this portion of the retina is not capable of fine vision. Reading normal sized print, sewing, easily viewing a computer screen and seeing well enough to legally drive can become compromised if the macula is significantly diseased in both eyes. Nonetheless even when macular degeneration is advanced peripheral vision remains. An individual can become legally blind from this disease, but one does not lose all eyesight even if the degeneration is extensive. One eye is often worse than the other is, however both eyes are effected in most individuals if they have had the disease for a number of years. It is unusual for an individual with even severe macula degeneration to reach the point where they can not see well enough to get around the house, eat and dress.
- CataractsAfter surgery most individuals do well and are pleased with their decision. Relatively new intraocular lenses allow certain patients to see well for distance and read without glasses. The cataract operation as it is currently performed has a high success rate, is safe, and most patients do not associate their surgery with a significant amount of discomfort.
- Cataract SurgeryQuestions from patients about this topic most often are related to what are cataracts, when to have cataract surgery, and what is the likelihood of a good outcome.
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes Care
- Thyroid
- Diabetic RetinopathyHowever the most vision-threatening eye problems associated with diabetes are from damage to the retina. The retina is akin to the film in a camera, and so when this tissue is impaired the picture your eye takes can become compromised. In diabetes, retinal damaged can be caused by compromised blood vessels. These vessels leak fluid and blood cells into the retina and this process is called background diabetic retinopathy. When there are just a few leaks in the periphery of the retina, vision may not be perceptively affected, but when the swelling involves the macula which is the area of the retina used for seeing fine objects, distortion or blurring occurs. An individual may notice a wiggle in a straight line, see a black spot, or have difficulty reading. To precisely locate the leaks and areas of retinal swelling precise imaging is done which will help guide treatment and determine if the retinal swelling is resolving.
- Ultrasound
- MRI
- Computed Tomography