Advanced Retina Care

08/04/2025

08/01/2025

Eye Humor!

07/31/2025

The history of the astronaut helmet is intricately tied to the evolution of the spacesuit itself, designed to protect humans from the harsh environment of space. Early spacesuits, including their helmets, weren't specifically designed for space but were adaptations of high-altitude pressure suits used in airplanes.
Gemini Program (1965-1966): The Gemini program saw the first American spacewalks, leading to significant helmet design advancements. Astronaut Ed White's helmet, used during the Gemini 4 mission, featured fiberglass and epoxy resin construction with a plexiglass visor that could be raised and lowered, plus a gold-coated visor for filtering sunlight. These helmets were molded to fit directly into the suit's neck bearing, allowing independent head movement.
Apollo Program (1967-1972): To land astronauts on the Moon, the Apollo spacesuits and helmets required specialized designs to withstand the lunar environment. Apollo pressure helmets, such as the one worn by Buzz Aldrin on Apollo 11, included a molded polycarbonate shell bonded to an aluminum neck ring. The National Air and Space Museum notes The helmet also had a visor assembly with two visors (one thermal-coated, one gold-coated) and side sunshields for protection against impact, micrometeoroids, and various types of light.
Modern Spacesuits: Modern spacesuit helmets, used for spacewalks, remain pressure bubbles made of strong plastic. They include ventilation systems for oxygen supply, a small foam block for scratching the nose, and protective visors with specialized coatings to protect against sunlight and potential impacts. Future spacesuit designs, including those for the Artemis missions, will feature further innovations, such as elliptical shapes for improved ground visibility and quick-swap visors for planetary exploration

07/30/2025

World Friendship Day, also known as the International Day of Friendship, is a special occasion celebrated around the globe to recognise the importance of friendship between individuals, communities, and nations. This event serves as a reminder of the power of camaraderie and understanding in creating a more peaceful and connected world.

What is World Friendship Day?
World Friendship Day / International Day of Friendship 2025 is an annual event dedicated to celebrating the bonds of friendship and promoting messages of harmony and goodwill. Established by the United Nations, this day encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to foster friendships and bridge cultural divides. It is a time to appreciate old friends, make new ones, and reflect on the positive impact friendships have on our lives and societies.

07/29/2025

The Tono-Pen is a handheld device that’s shaped like a large marker. It provides a digital readout of eye pressure. Your eye doctor can use it to touch your eye and measure your eye pressure.

07/27/2025

What is Parents’ Day?
Parents’ Day is a national observance in the United States, established to recognize and promote responsible parenting and to celebrate the contributions of parents to their families and society as a whole. Signed into law in 1994 by President Bill Clinton, the day was created through a bipartisan Congressional resolution (H.Res.236), which designated the fourth Sunday of July as a day for honoring parents.

Parents’ Day is a heartfelt observance that honors and celebrates the vital role of parents in nurturing, guiding, and shaping the lives of their children. While Mother’s Day and Father’s Day recognize each parent individually, Parents’ Day offers a unified occasion to appreciate both parents—or parental figures—for their dedication, sacrifices, and enduring love. It’s a time to reflect on the importance of strong family relationships and express gratitude to those who have taken on the responsibilities of parenting.

07/26/2025

Dr. Kim in a classic pose! Our patient suggested this photo shoot of Dr. Kim, hand in pocket, eyes trained the patient's retina scan. Dr. Kim, seriously at work, helping our patients to see better, feel better, and live better!

07/25/2025

Friday Funnies! We've all felt like this at some point after being dilated!

07/24/2025

Throwback Thursday!
An Eyeball Cupcake from one of Advanced Retina Care patients!

07/23/2025

Wellness Wednesday!
Stress can affect you both physically and mentally. It can lead to headaches, sleep problems, and digestive issues, as well as increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and weakened immunity. Mentally, stress can cause anxiety, depression, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

07/22/2025

Retinal Neurons! How we see:
Photoreceptors: Light Detectors
• Rods: These are highly sensitive to light. They enable night vision and seeing shades of gray. Rods are concentrated in the outer areas of the retina.
• Cones: These detect color and are responsible for detailed vision in bright light. Cones are more concentrated in the macula, especially in the fovea, which is the center of the macula.
2. Bipolar Cells: Messengers
• These cells receive signals from the rods and cones and pass them on to the next set of neurons.
• They help separate signals for light and dark contrasts, forming "ON" and "OFF" pathways that are crucial for vision processing.
3. Ganglion Cells: Communicators
• These neurons are the retina's output channel, carrying visual information to the brain.
• Their long axons form the optic nerve, which transmits these signals to different parts of the brain for further processing.
• Some ganglion cells are also photosensitive, meaning they can detect light themselves and help regulate circadian rhythms and pupil reflexes.
4. Horizontal and Amacrine Cells: Organizers
• These cells act as "editors" of visual information, modulating how signals are passed between other cells.
• Horizontal cells help adjust to different light conditions and enhance contrast by providing feedback to photoreceptors and bipolar cells.
• Amacrine cells have various functions, including shaping how ganglion cells respond to movement and other visual stimuli.
Light enters the eye and strikes the photoreceptors, which trigger a chain reaction through bipolar, amacrine, and horizontal cells. Ultimately, ganglion cells send signals to the brain via the optic nerve. The brain interprets these signals, creating the images people perceive. This network of neurons allows people to see, process, and make sense of the world.