Diabetes and the Eye

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes then most likely your primary care doctor has instructed you to undergo a yearly eye exam. Hopefully, you are following this recommendation. Why? Because diabetes can have a significant damaging impact on eyes and subsequently your vision.
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness. It occurs when tiny blood vessels inside the retina are damaged by diabetes. The retina acts like the film in a camera. It is the part of the eye that takes the picture and passes that information on to the brain. When the retina is damaged, vision loss occurs.
Diabetic retinopathy causes vision loss in two main ways. First, fragile blood vessels grow and leak blood into the eye blurring vision. This is called proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Second, fluid can leak from compromised blood vessels into a part of the retina called the macula. This condition is called macular edema and can dramatically reduce vision. Both of these conditions can be treated if discovered soon enough. Laser treatments to the retina are the traditional way to treat both proliferative diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. However, new treatments are being studied such as injecting steroid into the eye or utilizing compounds called VEFG inhibitors which destroy the problematic abnormal blood vessels.
All people with diabetes are at risk for developing retinopathy whether or not insulin is used. In fact, 40 to 45 percent of Americans with diabetes develop diabetic retinopathy. As diabetic retinopathy begins to develop, there are often no warning signs. This is why it is so important to undergo an annual dilated eye exam if you have diabetes. Your eye physician can detect subtle changes occurring in the retina and provide education and treatment in an effort to prevent vision loss.
Diabetic retinopathy can be a disastrous disease. Fortunately, there are ways to lower your risk of developing it and treatments to minimize its damaging effects. If you have questions regarding diabetic retinopathy or other issues related to the eye, please feel free to contact me at the Saint George Eye Center.

Jason W. Hendrix, M.D. is a local Eye Physician and Surgeon who specializes in cataract surgery and diseases of the eye including the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. He is located at the St. George Eye Center, 676 South Bluff Street, Suite 208, Saint George, Utah. Contact him at 435-628-4507 or visit www.stgec.com.

November Girls Night Out

Spots are filling up quickly, conctact Janalee today to reserve your seat. (435)229-7044

Cataract Surgery

Dr. Hendrix specializes in no stitch cataract surgery.

ReStor, Crystalens, and Toric Lenses are available.

For more information about cataract surgery visit our website,

http://www.stgec.com/

or call today to schedule an appointment with

Dr. Jason W. Hendrix M.D.

(435)628-4507

Scarecrow Festival

"Seemore Clearly" the Scarecrow

This past weekend, the St. George Eye Center,
participated in the 1st Annual Scarecrow Festival
and Chili Cook-off to benefit the Dixie Care and Share.

Getting to Know Jason W. Hendrix, M.D.

Jason W. Hendrix, M.D., eye physician and surgeon, arrived in St. George 3 years ago to start the St. George Eye Center. “My goal in coming here was to provide the highest level of ophthalmic eye care available in Southern Utah and to do so in a personal and friendly way,” states Dr. Hendrix. “I have high expectations for my doctors when I am the patient and I strive to treat my patients like I expect to be treated.”

Dr. Hendrix was born in Salt Lake City. After graduating Cum Laude with a B.A. in History from Brigham Young University, he and his wife Kristyn moved to Washington D.C. where Dr. Hendrix had the privilege of attending The George Washington University School of Medicine. “I wanted to experience the culture and history of our Nation’s capital and could not pass on the special opportunity of attending George Washington University,” comments Dr. Hendrix when asked why he chose to attend school so far from home. “It was a wonderful opportunity for my wife and I, and I truly treasure the time spent there.”

Upon graduation from medical school, Dr. Hendrix moved his young family to Columbia, Missouri where he completed his Ophthalmology residency. “I chose ophthalmology because I felt it was a specialty in which I could truly make a difference in peoples’ lives. There are few things as rewarding as improving someone’s sight. It can be life changing for them. I also love being able to interact with so many different patients. We have patients as old as 98 and as young as one week.”

Dr. Hendrix states that he spent many hours contemplating how he could best serve the needs of the Southern Utah community. The end result of this brain storming process was the St. George Eye Center, a comprehensive Ophthalmology practice dedicated to providing state of the art eye care and surgery and yet maintaining that personal, friendly and caring attitude that is often missing from health care. “My patients are my friends. I am honored that they have entrusted me with the care of their eyes and I do all I can to maintain that trust.”

Dr. Hendrix and his wife have four children. Their oldest is 9 years old and their youngest is 9 months., Dr. Hendrix loves to spend time with his family, study history, play the piano and mountain bike. When asked what his favorite hobby is Dr. Hendrix responds “I love to play soccer. It is definitely my passion.” Dr. Hendrix also coaches a youth club soccer team. “It’s getting harder and harder to play so to stay involved in soccer I coach. It’s a fun and rewarding experience.”

Dr. Hendrix is a Board Certified Eye Physician and Surgeon and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, the Utah Ophthalmology Society and the Utah Medical Association. He treats a variety of eye problems including cataracts, glaucoma, pediatric eye diseases, dry eye syndrome, diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration and other retinal, corneal and general eye diseases. He also performs Lasik and other refractive eye surgeries.

Call 435-628-4507 or visit http://www.stgec.com/ for more information.

Girls Night Out ~ November 19

Join us as we "Accentuate and Celebrate Your Uniqueness" at Girls Night Out November, 19, 2009.

The evening will feature a variety of fun classes, including: Mini Massage, Laser Hair Removal, and Hair Extensions.



I will post more information as we get closer, but anyone interesed can contact Janalee to reserve your spot. Registration is limited, and filling up quickly so call today to reserve your seat



Janalee (435) 229-7044

St. George Surgical Center Presents...

Girls Night Out will be held October 15, 2009. It is going to be a really fun night. "Krumpets" is our main sponsor for the night. There will be great food and lots of prizes

Anyone interested should contact Janalee at (435)229-7044 TODAY.

There are only a few spots left, call now to reserve your spot.

LASIK Schedule for 2009

These are the remaining 2009 dates for LASIK vision correction. Anyone interested can call Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm to schedule a free LASIK screening.