October Newsletter

My wife was in Mumbai, India and I remembered e-mailing her to tell her how wet it was here in Atlanta and all the rain that we needed we were getting. It wasn’t until a few news reports later that day that I began to realize how serious this was. Severe flooding, cars being swept away, loss of life and homes and schools under three stories of water. It was sobering to see what can happen in a blink of an eye and how helpless one feels when viewing this devastation.

How do you prepare for life changing events? Just ask the victims of Katrina. I don’t really think that you can. What I do know is that it is important to realize in this life that you are not in this alone. The long lasting effect that these events have on men, women, children and even animals will forever be embedded in the hearts and the minds of these individuals. The citizens in Atlanta alone have shown me that when we need to come together to heal the hearts and minds of affected individuals, we can and do just that. Once the children are back at their school, I will offer my services one afternoon to speak with the children and offer eye screenings as my contribution in giving back. Clothing and household assistance is needed now to all the victims and the Salvation Army atl.org can show you where in the seven counties you can donate or contribute. 11 Alive took such a wonderful proactive approach to assist and aid the children and their families of Clarkdale Elementary in Cobb County. SchoolBox stores and neighboring area businesses really came through to assist. Everyday heroism is rampant in Georgia. If you have gently worn children’s clothes and would like to drop them off at the office we will deliver them to the Salvation Army for you.

Atlantans have lots of heart and I am proud to live and raise a family here and be part of a conglomerate that cares so much for their fellow brethren. Remember, service is the rent we pay to reside on this earth… Eleanor Roosevelt

Eddie W. Harris, MD

Can your eyes be transplanted?
No, currently there is no way to transplant a whole eye.

Premier Eye Physicians Newsletter will become a quarterly publication after December, 2009. We will have the website current and updated for you on a daily basis, however, those same great stories that you are so use to reading will be not published monthly. Thanks to all of our loyal readers and followers for your continued support and dedication. We could not have survived as long as we did without your readership. So look for our newsletter January, April, August and December.

On another note, I’d like to take the time to extend my heartfelt condolences to the entire Fuller Family on the loss of their father, son, brother, uncle and cousin, Lonnie Fuller. Lonnie was my friend since the age of twelve and always had a smile that could brighten even the worse day. As a patient, he was always the light that shined so bright in the office, but as a friend, he was a generous and as understanding as a friend could be. Rest in Peace Lonnie. You are already missed.!!

The topic that we are featuring this month is called USHER SYNDROME. (It has nothing to do of course with the Pop, R&B singer other than it is spelled the same way).

3 out of 6% of all children who are deaf and another 3-6% of children who are hard of hearing (That would also equate to 4 out of every 100,000 births) are born with USHER SYNDROME.

What is USHER SYNDROME? It is a syndrome that affects hearing and vision. It is labeled a SYNDROME because it has more than one feature or symptom. The major symptoms are hearing loss and Retinitis Pigmentosa. If you recall in an earlier article, this condition causes night blindness and loss of peripheral vision. You will also note that persons with USHER SYNDROME have severe balance problems because only central vision remains as Retinitis Pimentosa progresses to its later stages, causing a tunnel vision effect in your eyesight if you will. There are three clinical types of Usher Syndrome, Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3, however 90-95% of most common cases account for Type 1 and Type 2 of the syndrome.

Interestingly enough, Usher Syndrome is inherited and both males and females can have the vision disorder. Great news! Genetic testing is available and if you would like to learn more about identifying the gene visit www.genetest.org.

How is it treated? Currently there is no cure for USHER SYNDROME. The best treatment is early identification so educational programs can begin early. Treatments include proper use and types of hearing aids, sign language, assistive listening devices, cochlear implants and mobility training amongst other treatments. It really depends on the severity of the hearing and vision loss.

Some Ophthalmologist believe high doses of vitamin A may slow Retinosa Pigmentosa but it will not stop its progression. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned previously in the article, call Premier Eye Physicians and Dr. Harris will be happy to do a thorough exam.

Waiting to exhale would be the way to describe our journey in creating the Premier Eye Physicians website. Friends, family, business associates, this is the moment you’ve all been waiting. We will be launching this new communication venue in just a few short weeks. It’s exciting, innovative, interesting, informative, patient interactive and easy to navigate through, but we’ll let you be the judge of that. You’ll find us at www.premiereyephysicans.com. Check it out!!

Meet Premier’s own Dr. Rena Brown. A native of Kentucky and graduate from University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, Dr. Brown, with her ever gentle nature, can do cosmetic surgery, restore your crowns and fillings and just transform your entire smile to restore your self confidence. Dr. Brown is married to the best endodontist in Georgia and that is Dr. George Brown JR. of Peachtree Endodontics located in Peachtree City. How convenient. If you have a root canal that requires special attention, after your comprehensive exam with Dr. Rena Brown, there’s no need to research any further for an endo specialist. If you are searching for a comprehensive dental facility, a friendly caring staff, convenient appointment times and most flexible dental financing options available, Give Dr. Rena Brown a call.

Smiles by Design
1275 Highway 54 W. Suite 204
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Phone: 770 461-5500

MEDICARE COVERAGE INSURANCE- PART A- Who is eligible for Medicare?

Medicare is available to persons who are 65 and older. Persons who are disable or have permanent kidney failure. Persons who have paid taxes into Medicare deducted from their paychecks for at least 10 years. Medicare Part A- This part covers costs while in a hospital, rehab facility or hospice. In some states, Medicare may pay for home care costs. Vision problems that are considered medical conditions such as eye emergencies from trauma would be covered here.

Last Year Starr’s Mill High School invited Dr. Harris to do a talk for the Health and Occupational school club.

It was the students that voted him best speaker for last year. (It helps when you bring lots of visual aids to amuse the students.) Dr. Harris wants to continue to inspire. “If I can encourage one student to join the ranks of medicine, I have succeeded in my quest to educate one to choose to keep health and healthcare in the forefront of mankind”. Dr. Harris is being bought back by popular demand and will be appearing at Starr’s Mill High School in Peachtree City in November.