Vision Quality with LASIK vs. Ortho-K Contact Lenses

Recently researchers reporting in the journal Cornea compared the differences in visual performance between LASIK and Orthokeratology or Ortho-K Contact Lenses. The results in this study suggest that LASIK provides better visual quality outcomes-especially in low contrast or dim lighting conditions-than Ortho-K Contact Lenses for the treatment of low-to-moderate myopia or nearsightedness.

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a type of laser eye surgery that provides a method of vision correction to help people with common vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism see clearly at distance without being dependent on glasses or contact lenses.

What is Ortho-K?

Ortho-K or Orthokeratology is a method of contact lens fitting used to temporarily reshape the cornea to allow people to see at distance and be independent of eyeglasses and contacts for periods of time throughout the day.

If you or someone you know has questions about vision quality with LASIK or would like to 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 forSight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island. 

Risk Factors Increase Fuchs Dystrophy Severity

Fuchs’ Endothelial  Corneal Dystrophy is a type of corneal disease that affects the inner most layer of the cornea-the endothelium. Fuchs’ Dystrophy progresses slowly. It can be found in both eyes and is slightly more common in women than men. While it is possible to observe Fuchs’ Dystrophy in people in their 30’s and 40’s, it usually does not compromise vision until people are in their 50’s or 60’s.

About the Cornea & Fuchs Dystrophy

The corneal endothelial cells are responsible for pumping water out of the deeper layers of the cornea and helping to maintain the corneal transparency or clarity. While the reason is poorly understood, in Fuchs’ Dystrophy, the endothelial cells die, making the endothelium less efficient in its pumping function. This results in the cornea swelling and distorting vision.

Risk Factors Increase Severity of Fuchs Dystrophy

Researchers reporting in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science studied the several risk factors, including smoking, on the development of advanced Fuchs' EndothelialCorneal Dystrophy (FECD) and on central corneal thickness (CCT)-an indication of corneal swelling and poor corneal health. As predicted, being female increased the odds of developing advanced Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) by 34% and smoking increased the odds by 30%. Besides reporting that smoking was associated with an increased risk of developing advanced FECD, diabetes was also associated with increased in corneal thickness-reflecting greater risk of corneal swelling.

If you or someone you know has questions about risk factors that increase the severity of Fuchs Endothelia Corneal Dystrophy (FECD), 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 at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island. 

BOTOX® Action May Help with Type 2 Diabetes

What do BOTOX® and Type 2 Diabetes have to do with each other you ask?  A new study reports that it appears a better understanding of the proteins affected by injections of the wrinkle relaxer BOTOX® could help scientists develop new ways to treat Type 2 Diabetes.

About BOTOX® Cosmetic

 BOTOX® Cosmetic is best known as an injection for helping patient smooth fine lines and wrinkles in order to look their best. BOTOX® is also used as treatment for a number of medical conditions including migraine, urinary incontinence, profuse sweating and crossed eyes, among others. In each of these cases, BOTOX® works because it has a paralyzing effect- it relaxes specific muscles, which then provides the desired effect. BOTOX® accomplishes this effect by blocking certain proteins called SNARE (Soluble NSF Attachment Protein Receptor) proteins.   Xeomin®, an laternative to Botox, also works in a similar fashion.

About Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes is characterized by an insulin deficiency by the pancreas as well as overall insulin resistance. It turns out that SNARE proteins also exist in the beta cells of the pancreas and are involved in insulin secretion in the pancreas. Understanding this mechanism will hopefully provide researchers with new ways to diagnose and treat Type 2 Diabetes in the future.

If you or someone you know has questions about how the mechanism of action of BOTOX® may help diagnose and treat Type 2 Diabetes,  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 at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.