Fall River Retina Specialist on Diabetic Eye Disease & Problems

Robert Kelly, M.D. a Retina Specialist in Fall River, Massachusetts at Center for Sight commented on diabetic eye disease and diabetic eye problems as Prevent Blindness America has designated November as National Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month.

“What we know from the most recent Prevent Blindness America Vision Problems in the U.S. report is that diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age. According to the Centers for Disease Control, diabetes affects 25.8 million people in the United States. Although there is no cure for diabetic eye disease, annual eye exams for diabetes patients are essential to help slow the progression of the disease,” said Dr. Kelly.

The Prevent Blindness America Vision Problems in the U.S. identified that there are almost 8 million people ages 40 and older who have diabetic retinopathy. This represents an 89 percent increase between the years 2000-2012. “While it is not surprising that the incidence of some eye diseases and problems is increasing with the aging of the baby boomer population, it is terribly disturbing to see the dramatic spike in diabetic retinopathy cases, a consequence of the diabetes epidemic that this country is experiencing with no end in sight,” Dr. Kelly explained.

The vision loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented if it's caught early and treated in time. More than one third of those diagnosed with diabetes do not adhere to vision care guidelines recommending a dilated eye exam every year. As part of Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month we are urging people with diabetes to have a dilated eye exam every year. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater his or her risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. However, diabetic retinopathy does not only affect people who have had diabetes for many years, it can also appear within the first year or two after the onset of the disease.

“Blood sugar levels can weaken blood vessels causing them to break down which causes swelling, hemorrhages and lipid deposits that can ultimately lead to vision loss. More ominous is the effect of the blood vessel breakdown and oxygen deprivation in promoting fragile new blood vessel growth that can easily break resulting in vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment and catastrophic vision loss,” further explained Dr. Kelly.

In addition to having regular eye examinations and testing at the direction of your eye doctor, patients can help to reduce the risk of developing diabetic eye disease  by not smoking, controlling their cholesterol and lipid profile and blood pressure, as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables and exercising.

If you or someone you know has diabetes or even elevated blood sugar levels they should work to prevent diabetic eye disease and problems with regular eye exams by calling Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, visiting 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. 

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.