Fall River Eye Doctor Says Women Need Bifocals Sooner

Dr. Fatima Raposo, a Fall River eye doctor at Center for Sight shared research on why women need bifocals for correcting near vision and presbyopia sooner than men.“Researchers reporting the journal Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science (IOVS) found that women tend to need bifocals sooner to correct their near vision and the onset of presbyopia-the age related near vision focusing problem,” stated Dr. Raposo. “The studies show that presbyopia, the inability to see at a close distance that occurs with age, is more common in women. While men and women need bifocals as they age, the need is more common among women and tends to hit them at younger ages than men. It is believed that while men and women appeared to actually have the same focusing ability when looking at nearby objects, because women are generally shorter than the men, with proportionally shorter arm lengths, they needed to hold objects closer to their faces when reading and thus required the near vision presbyopia correction of bifocals, reading glasses or even bifocal contact lenses sooner.”

If you or someone you know has questions about near vision problems such as presbyopia or even need to schedule an eye exam for bifocals, please feel free to 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 near vision focusing problems and bifocals 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.

Fall River LASIK Surgeon on Contact Lenses for Swimming

Fall River LASIK Surgeon Keegan Johnson, M.D, commented on the risks and benefits of LASIK vs. contact lenses for swimming. “Wearing contact lenses while swimming is not a good idea,” stated Dr. Johnson of Center for Sight. “Clinical experience as well as the recommendation of the FDA is that contact lenses not be exposed to any form of water in order to avoid potentially devastating infections. For this reason, anyone who swims or participates in water sports or activities should give consideration to LASIK as the preferred method of vision correction today,” explained Dr. Johnson.

It is generally known that wearing contact lenses for swimming and water activities poses a risk of Acanthamoeba Keratitis, a potentially catastrophic eye infection of the cornea. Acanthamoeba Keratitis is caused by an organism present in all forms of impure water such as swimming pools, tap water, saunas, wells, and even showers.

“Contact lenses are quite safe to wear if you follow proper care guidelines and instructions. However, if water exposure such as swimming, bath tubs, and showering are part of your daily routine, you do need to keep your lenses out. Many patients-even very successful contact lens wearers-find this to be a hassle and are now interested in discussing LASIK as an option,” said Dr. Johnson.

If you or someone you know have questions about swimming or participating in water sports with contact lenses, or would like to learn more about LASIK or schedule a Free LASIK Consultation, please feel free to 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 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.

Fall River Retina Specialist & AMD Treatment Update

Robert Kelly, M.D.
Retinal Specialist

Fall River Retina Specialist Robert Kelly, M.D. of Center for Sight shared information and updates regarding the treatment of age related macular degeneration (AMD). “The treatment of Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the most active topics discussed in Ophthalmology today because of the growth of our aging population and the substantial advances we have made in treatment,” stated Dr. Kelly.

If left untreated, Wet AMD causes progressive and irreversible vision loss, often leading to legal blindness. “With the use of Vascular Endothelial Growth (VEGF) Inhibitor injections such as Lucentis® and Eyelea®, with early detection and treatment we are able halt the progression of vision loss for a great majority of patients,” explained Dr. Kelly.

Today, we are fortunate to have data from several large randomized clinical trials that provide us with evidence-based recommendations for treatment indications and assessment, re-treatment, and monitoring. “The evidence suggests that a loading phase consisting of three monthly injections of VEGF inhibitor results in a rapid visual acuity gain, mostly occurring after the first injection. The key is that the treatment should start as soon as possible after its indication and if at all possible within 2 weeks from diagnosis is ideal, whereas to wait more than 1 month seems to lead to further visual loss,” continued Dr. Kelly. A number of clinical trials showed that a maintenance phase with continued monthly injections has provided the best visual acuity outcomes. Longer re-injection intervals, such as the quarterly re-injection, resulted in less favorable outcomes after the initial treatment and loading phase. If continued monthly injections are not possible, a flexible strategy appears viable, with monthly monitoring of lesion activity recommended. Continuous careful monitoring with flexible re-treatment might help avoid vision loss to recur. In fact, some data suggest that quarterly visits are insufficient, whereas monthly monitoring with re-injections on an as-needed basis warrants better outcomes.

So, using this information we are able to help you maintain your eye health and vision and hopefully avoid the potentially devastating effects of Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). YOUR role is to be consistent in scheduling routine eye exams if you are over 50 years old or even earlier if you have a family history of AMD-and should you notice symptoms including distortion of your vision, waviness or curving of lines or straight surfaces or a sudden change or spots of any kind, please call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020 for an immediate appointment.

If you or someone you know has questions about the diagnosis or treatment of age related macular degeneration (AMD) or needs an eye exam for AMD, feel free to 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 seeking eye examinations and eye health vision exams for macular degeneration 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.

Eye Problems While Being Pregnant

What does being pregnant have to with your eyes? Sometimes quite a bit. During pregnancy your body undergoes fluctuations in hormone levels, changes in fluid retention, and even an increase in your overall blood volume. These types of changes can affect your eyes in various ways. Fortunately, eye changes due to pregnancy are usually temporary and resolve after the baby is born or after the cessation of breastfeeding. Typically vision changes are minor and don’t require a change in eyeglasses; however, there are some eye changes that do require care and attention.

“If you were thinking about having LASIK, you should delay your actual LASIK surgery until at least three months after your delivery or three months after you stop nursing,” commented Fall River Cornea, Cataract & LASIK Surgeon Keegan Johnson, M.D. of Center for Sight. Dr. Johnson further explained, “This is necessary because the thickness of your cornea may fluctuate during pregnancy, and will reduce the accuracy of the LASIK correction.”

Also, hormonal fluctuations are often the cause of dry eye. This can make your eyes uncomfortable and can certainly make wearing your contact lenses more difficult. If you experience dry eyes during pregnancy, be sure to consult your eye care provider so that “pregnancy-safe” lubricating eye drops or other alternative treatments for dry eye can be prescribed. Sometimes simply eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, flax seeds, and walnuts, may help resolve dry eye and also supports general good health.

On a more serious note, if your vision becomes noticeably blurry, it may signal high blood pressure or pregnancy-related diabetes. If you experience dry eyes, changes in vision, or especially very blurred vision during pregnancy it is important to schedule an appointment to see us at 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 seeking eye examinations and eye health vision exams 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.

Fall River Fireworks Eye Safety for July 4th

Kevin O'Brien, M.D.

Fall River Ophthalmologist Kevin O’Brien, M.D. advised us on fireworks eye safety for the July 4th holiday. “To enjoy the fireworks this July 4th, it’s best to leave their use and display to professionals. Eye safety is pretty critical with fireworks displays as we know that eye injuries are the second most frequent injury we see from the emergency room each July 4th weekend,” said Dr. O’Brien of Center for Sight in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Around the Fourth of July, fireworks and celebrations often go together. There are precautions everyone can take to prevent eye injuries. The best defense against kids suffering severe eye injuries and burns is to not let kids play with any fireworks. Do not purchase, use or store fireworks of any type. Protect yourself, your family and your friends by avoiding fireworks. Attend only authorized public fireworks displays conducted by licensed operators, but be aware that even professional displays can be dangerous. However, if an eye accident does occur, there are a few things you should know:

• Do not rub the eye.
• Do not attempt to rinse out the eye. This can be even more damaging than rubbing.
• Do not apply pressure to the eye itself-but protecting the eye from further contact with any item, including the person’s hand.
• Do not stop for medicine! Over-the-counter pain relievers will not do much to relieve pain. Aspirin (should never be given to children) and ibuprofen can thin the blood, increasing bleeding. Take the person to the emergency room at once.
• Do not apply ointments or drops. They may not be sterile and may make the area around the eye slippery and harder for the doctor to examine.

Once you are seen in the emergency room please feel free to have them call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020 as we always have an eye doctor “on call” to provide consultation and continued care for you.

If you or someone you know has questions about fireworks eye safety and eye injuries please feel free to 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 seeking eye examinations and eye health vision exams 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.