Stony Point Surgery Center

Drew -Prevent Blindness America

Four-year-old Drew participated in a free vision screening at his preschool conducted by Telephone Pioneers, a group of retirees who provide screenings as volunteers of Prevent Blindness America affiliate Prevent Blindness Iowa. Drew’s mom, Amy, had not noticed any vision problems, but Drew was unable to pass the vision screening. He was referred for a complete eye exam by an eye doctor who diagnosed Drew with amblyopia (lazy eye)—a disease that can cause permanent loss of vision if not diagnosed and treated early. Amy explains “I am thankful that it was caught [early] because had we not had the screening, I can’t imagine what would have happened.” Drew is now wearing glasses and will see the eye doctor regularly to monitor his vision. Thanks to the early detection of his vision problem by Prevent Blindness Iowa, Drew will be able to play t-ball, watch movies, and participate in school with two healthy eyes! Last year, Prevent Blindness America and its affiliates
across the country screened more than 2.1 million children for potential eye problems. More than 219,000 children were referred to eye doctors for complete eye exams, eyeglasses, and treatments for conditions such as amblyopia and strabismus.

Richmond Eye
and Ear Foundation, proud partner and donor of Prevent Blindness America

Edwin Wortham, V, M.D., Pediatric Ophthalmology

As energy levels soar during the summer months, our children engage life with vigor. As parents, we are ready for them to fly. Whenever possible, I like to advise some level of caution where the eyes are concerned, yet strike a balance, as children need to be children. So,  here are some simple reminders. An eye injury can occur at any time, in any place. Adequate prevention is important and could eliminate most eye injuries. Nearly half of eye injuries occur in sports and recreational activities – more often in children and teens than in any other age group.  Sports with high velocity ball action are potentially the most dangerous: racquetball, squash, tennis, soccer, golf, baseball, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, water polo, and hockey. Protective glasses or face shields are recommended for these sports. The best protective eyewear is a sports frame (not daily wear glasses) with polycarbonate lenses. If a child has a need for better vision with glasses, this prescription can be placed in the sports glasses. Although many athletes wear contact lenses, they do not provide protection against eye injury. If a child has poor vision in one eye, they should wear glasses for protection at all times. As children run through the yard playing, those low hanging branches, their favorite pirate sword or a simple stick can quickly become dangerous. Paint ball, pellet guns, and BB guns can cause very serious injuries. Numerous household items fit this profile, as well. Oh, the list goes on, and I think parents get the idea. We want our children to enjoy their childhood, but we can’t protect them from everything. So it is important to know what to do when something does happen. With regard to injuries, if a chemical is involved immediate irrigation with water is critical. Flush the eyes and face with any available source of water for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Follow up immediately with a trip to the emergency room or ophthalmologist. If a sharp object has penetrated the eye (like a fishing hook), do not pull it take the child to the emergency room as soon as possible. Other blunt or sharp injuries should be examined by an ophthalmologist, since the serious nature of the injury may not be readily apparent. With quick and appropriate care, eye injuries can be treated.

For those children too young for usual outdoor sports, signs of an eye injury can include severe pain, inability to open an eye, persistent tearing and redness, and lack of interest in eating. Pediatric ophthalmologists are trained to detect such injuries and should be the first stop should a concern arise.

Here in central Virginia, any column on eye safety would be incomplete without talk of sunglasses. Given that there is some evidence that long-term exposure to the sun can lead to corneal burns, eyelid tumors, and even cataracts, gently encouraging our children to wear sunglasses I recommend glasses with 99 to 100 percent blockage of UV-A and UV-B ultraviolet light  for all members of the family. They cost little, can be found most anywhere, and should be clearly labeled.

Ed Wortham V, MD, is a pediatric ophthalmologist and also a father. He has been helping children in Richmond see better, and their parents feel better about eye care.

Stony Point Surgery
Center (SPSC) ended 2008 with yet another
major accomplishment: Its safety record for the year
far exceeded national norms, with an outstanding
0.00007% post-operative infection rate (1 in 14,875
cases). SPSC is a healthy environment to begin with—
there are no sick patients coughing in the corridors.
The average surgery time is typically shorter and the
surgical site exposure is less compared to a traditional,
inpatient procedure. Patients themselves are healthier
when they arrive, and SPSC wants them to leave that way.
This year, the center, which is Virginia’s largest
and busiest multispecialty surgery center, successfully
completed a rigorous Accreditation Association
for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) review and scored
among the highest in the nation for patient satisfaction,
with 99% of patients saying they were extremely satisfied
with their care. “Ambulatory surgery
centers are some of the most highly regulated health
care providers in the country. In addition to AAAHC
reviews, our record of safety and quality is carefully
evaluated by Medicare and the Virginia state licensing
board,” explains Michael Armstrong Jr., M.D., chief
of the SPSC medical staff. “While we are very pleased
with the positive remarks we received from official reviewers
this year, nothing is more important than providing
high-quality healthcare.” Patients also give high
scores to SPSC for comfort, care, safety and privacy.
“Our facility was designed with these key elements in mind
and equipped with advanced technology, effective anesthetics
and less invasive techniques to serve patients whose surgical
needs do not require an overnight stay,” says Dr. Armstrong.
“Personalized care is what we provide. Everyone here, from the
front desk staff to the nurses and technicians in the ORs and
recovery areas, is highly skilled and focused on patient care.
Physicians are able to schedule procedures conveniently,
assemble teams of specially trained staff, and ensure the equipment
and supplies being used are best suited to their techniques. Warm,
personalized attention is extended to family members and other care
providers as well.” SPSC also gets high marks for efficiency. Because
the center is freestanding, not a part of an inpatient hospital, each patient
is the priority of the day.  Appointments can be arranged at convenient
times with fewer delays and disruptions from emergencies.
The average time spent at SPSC is much shorter and more comfortable
than at most hospitals, and patients typically return rapidly to work,
school and normal activities.