Risk of Cataracts & Smoking

“Smokers should become aware of the increased risk of cataracts that smoking creates,” commented Gregory Hofeldt, M.D., an Ophthalmologist & CataractSurgeon in Fall River, Massachusetts at Center for Sight. “Most patients I speak to are well aware of the vascular risks of smoking and some are aware that they may be at increased risk of glaucoma and age related macular degeneration as well. But, what may be news to those who smoke is that they are also at increased risk of cataracts,” explained Dr Hofeldt.

Patients who are current smokers or who have any history of smoking are at increased risk of getting a cataract according to researchers reporting in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. The researchers found that the overall current literature suggests that smoking was associated with increased risk of age related cataract, especially nuclear cataract and to some extent posterior sub capsular cataract. They further recommended that additional efforts should be made to confirm these findings and clarify the underlying biological mechanisms. A healthy lifestyle and diet are meaningful ways of maintaining eye health and vision-whether lowering your risk of cataracts, keeping the tiny blood vessels in the eye functioning properly or minimizing the associated risks of glaucoma-it’s important to avoid smoking as a lifestyle choice.

If you or someone you know feels they are at risk for cataract development, has a question about cataracts, cataract surgery or lens implants please feel free to schedule an eye exam by calling Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, or visiting www.center-for-sight.com or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment.

Center for Sight is conveniently located for patients wishing to learn more about LASIK in Massachusetts or Rhode Island from Attleboro, Fairhaven, Fall River, Franklin, Mansfield, Marion, Mattapoisett, Medfield, Milford, New Bedford, North Attleboro, North Dartmouth, Norton, Oxford, Rehobeth, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton, Walpole, Whitinsville, Woonsocket, Providence, Smithfield, Westport, Lakeville, Dighton, Little Compton and Tiverton.

LASIK for Massachusetts Motorcycle Riders

Massachusetts motorcycle riders considering LASIK are encouraged to think about their vision correction options as spring gets closer. “This is the time of year we start to see many motorcycle riders who are interested in LASIK,” commented Fall River LASIK Surgeon & Corneal Specialist Keegan Johnson, M.D. of Center for Sight. “Contact lenses and certainly eyeglasses can be a real challenge for motorcycle riders-so many consider the option of LASIK about now. As motorcycle lovers start to think about the spring, summer and fall motorcycle riding season, I try to remind them that vision correction and eye safety should top the list of things they think about as part of their readiness checklists along with the condition of their gear and bikes,” Dr. Johnson further explained. 

It is important to recognize the need for eye protection from the sun, bugs, small rocks and pebbles and especially the wind, which can really contribute to dry eye symptoms. LASIK patients as well as other recreational motorcycle riders sometimes overlook or are just not aware of the potential for eye irritation and motorcycle dry eye caused by the wind, exhaust fumes, pollen and pollution-as well as the summer sun and heat. 

At your LASIK consultation the staff will be exploring your lifestyle needs and activities. As a potential LASIK patient we want to take the time necessary so that we can carefully counsel you in order to get the best results and help meet your expectations. Please take the time to tell us about your motorcycle riding interest as well as all of the ways in which you are hoping to benefit from LASIK.

If you or someone you know would like to be less dependent or possibly even free from the hassle of glasses and contact lenses for seeing at distance, please call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, or visit www.center-for-sight.com or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment for a Free LASIK Consultation.

Center for Sight is conveniently located for patients wishing to learn more about LASIK in Massachusetts or Rhode Island from Attleboro, Fairhaven, Fall River, Franklin, Mansfield, Marion, Mattapoisett, Medfield, Milford, New Bedford, North Attleboro, North Dartmouth, Norton, Oxford, Rehobeth, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton, Walpole, Whitinsville, Woonsocket, Providence, Smithfield, Westport, Lakeville, Dighton, Little Compton and Tiverton.

Astigmatism & Lens Implants for Cataracts

“Astigmatism is a common eye problem that needs to be corrected in order to get the best vision correction results from cataract surgery,” commented Gregory Hofeldt, M.D.,Ophthalmologist & Cataract Surgeon at Center for Sight in Fall River, Massachusetts. “Most cataract patients know from their eye exams or eyeglass prescriptions that they have some amount of astigmatism. But, sometimes cataract patients don’t realize that it is important for their cataract surgeon to correct that astigmatism in order to get the best visual results for them,” explained Dr Hofeldt.

Astigmatism is a refractive eye condition that that is most often due to an uneven curvature of the cornea. If the cornea were perfectly shaped, it would have a spherical round even shape, like a basketball. In eyes that have astigmatism, the cornea is typically curved more like an oblong, football-like shape, similar to the shape of the back of a teaspoon. “Depending on the degree and orientation of the unequal curvatures, astigmatism can cause mild or even severe blurry vision,” explained Dr. Hofeldt. 

Patients with cataracts and who are in need of cataract surgery have three choices when considering how to correct their astigmatism. First, patients can simply choose to be dependent on wearing eyeglasses after cataract surgery in order to correct astigmatism. Second, if appropriate, some patients may opt to have an additional surgical procedure called Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI) or third, patients can elect have an astigmatismcorrecting toric lens implant in which the astigmatism correction is incorporated into the lens prescription just as in eyeglasses. “Toric lensimplants are placed in the eye in exactly the same manner as ordinary lens implants at the time of cataract surgery and correct the astigmatism as part of the cataract surgery operation,” further explained Dr. Hofeldt.

If you or someone you know has cataracts or is considering cataract surgery and has astigmatism and would like to learn more about astigmatism correction after cataract surgery, please call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, visit www.center-for-sight.com or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment.

Center for Sight is conveniently located for patients wishing to learn more about cataracts, cataract surgery and toric lens implants for astigmatism in Massachusetts or Rhode Island from Attleboro, Fairhaven, Fall River, Franklin, Mansfield, Marion, Mattapoisett, Medfield, Milford, New Bedford, North Attleboro, North Dartmouth, Norton, Oxford, Rehobeth, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton, Walpole, Whitinsville, Woonsocket, Providence, Smithfield, Westport, Lakeville, Dighton, Little Compton and Tiverton.