Smartphones & Dry Eyes in Kids

Symptoms of dry eyes and dry eye disease as well as ocular fatigue are known problems that can result from the excessive use of video display terminals. Kids today spend an awful lot of time texting on smartphones, playing games on smartphones and generally just engaged with various apps on smartphones. Researchers were interested in learning more about any increased risk and progression of pediatric dry eye disease that might be associated with smartphone use. Not unexpected was the conclusion that increased VDT use such as smartphones or computers in children was found to be associated with the occurrence of ocular surface symptoms of dryness and fatigue. Also somewhat expected was the clinical finding that the longer the kids used the smartphones the greater the symptoms and disturbance of the eyes’ surface. The authors then suggested being aware of excessive smartphone use in kids and educating them as to reducing their use of smartphones if they become troubled by eye fatigue or dryness symptoms.

If you have kids that are heavy users of smartphones or iPads or tablets of any type and they complain about dry eyes, grittiness, sandiness or have red burning eyes and even eye fatigue, please be aware that the VDT may be having a negative impact on the child and schedule an appointment so that we be sure there are no other eye problems. Please call Center for Sight 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight, Google+ or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment.

Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.

Glaucoma: Pregnancy, Labor & Eye Pressure

Pregnancy, Labor & Eye Pressure: What You Need to Know!

What could pregnancy, labor and your eye pressure have to do with one another?  For the clear majority of “new moms to be” the thought of their upcoming labor can cause them to voice concerns about their physical as well as emotional wellbeing. Typically, your obstetrician will be a sound source of information about what to expect in terms of pain, discomfort and how they will help you manage the physical discomfort and stress of labor. From time to time we have a patient who is pregnant and who has a family history of glaucoma or is perhaps “ocular hypertensive,” meaning that they have had a high intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement as part of their annual routine eye exam who shares their concern about the physical stress of labor and if there is any chance of eye and optic nerve damage during delivery. Fortunately, recent data from a study we reviewed in the Journal of Glaucoma showed us that eye pressure and blood flow into the optic nerve during the various stages of vaginal labor are not changed and there is no increased risk to those who have a family history of glaucoma or high eye pressure. Mom’s to be can put this fear to rest!

If you are pregnant and have a family history of glaucoma or have been told that you at risk for glaucoma due to a high eye pressure, please be reassured that labor and delivery will not expose you to greater risk. It is important however to continue your regular eye exams-even during pregnancy-and especially if you experience any changes in your vision or general eye health! Please call Center for Sight 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight, Google+ or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver  to schedule an appointment.

Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.

BOTOX® for Crossed Eyes?

Almost everyone knows that BOTOX® is a pretty popular treatment to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and help restore a youthful appearance. BOTOX® can also be helpful for migraine headaches, facial spasms, excessive sweating and a host of other problems. We also know that BOTOX® can also be helpful for treatment of crossed eyes! According to articles from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, recent studies as well as other expert reports, BOTOX® injections can indeed be a possible treatment option for certain patients with crossed eyes.

If you or a child you know has crossed eyes and wishes to learn more about treatment options, please call Center for Sight 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight, Google+ or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver  to schedule an appointment.

Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.

AMD & Low Glycemic Diet

Does a Low Glycemic Diet Help AMD?

Researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University also believe that the study, published in the journal PNAS, points to potential biomarkers of AMD. These can be used to predict when a person is at risk for this disease, which is the leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 50. Using a mouse research model, the researchers observed that a high–glycemic diet resulted in the development of many AMD features, including loss of function of cells at the back of the eye called retinal pigmented epithelial atrophy (RPE) and of the cells that capture light, called photoreceptors-both of which are precursors to Dry AMD, whereas a low–glycemic diet did not. Importantly, switching from a high–glycemic diet to a low–glycemic diet arrested damage to the retina. The authors of the study suggested that these experimental results may indicate that switching from a high–glycemic diet to a low–glycemic one is beneficial to eye health in people that are heading towards developing AMD.

If you or a someone you know would like to learn more about diet and AMD please call Center for Sight 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight, Google+ or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver  to schedule an appointment.

Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.