Eye Infection Information to Know

Having some information about the symptoms of eye infections as compared to eye allergies and dry eye can be useful for you and your family members. Here is an overview of allergies and dry eye symptoms as compared to an eye infection.

About Allergies & Dry Eyes

Symptoms of Allergies or Dry Eyes

·         If you work at a computer for an extended time or have allergies to products or airborne substances, you may experience dry, red or irritated eyes.

·         Generally allergies and dry eyes affect both eyes.

·         Treatment options usually include resting your eyes or using an over-the-counter or prescription eye drops, as recommended by your eye doctor.

About Eye Infections

Symptoms of Eye Infections

·         Frequently occurs when bacteria, fungi or viruses attack any part of your eye, including the surface, membrane lining of the outer eye and inner eyelid, interior portions or the soft tissue of the eyelid.

·         Infections inside the eye or in the soft tissue of the eyelid are the most dangerous and if left untreated, the condition may spread throughout the eye.

·         Symptoms usually include redness, pain, discharge, watering and sensitivity to light; usually occurs only in one eye; if symptoms are detected, immediately contact your eye doctor for an evaluation.

Types of Eye Infections

• Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)-A common infection that is highly contagious.
• Viral Keratitis -Can be simply related to a respiratory virus or cold or more serious such as Ocular Herpes that occurs when exposed to the Herpes Simplex Virus.
• Fungal Keratitis- A fungus commonly found in organic matter such as soil, leaves or branches of a tree.
• Acanthamoeba Keratitis- A parasite that attacks the eye more often in individuals wearing contact lenses and swimming in pools, lakes, ponds, hot tubs or streams who are at increased risk for contracting this infection.
• Trachoma - Usually found in underdeveloped countries. Typically infects the inner eyelid along with eyelashes touching the area can infect the cornea and cause permanent blindness.
• Endophthalmitis- Occurs with a penetrating eye injury or complication following eye surgery and if left untreated, may lead to blindness.

Preventing Eye Infections

·         If you experience symptoms associated with an eye infection, contact Center for Sight immediately. Prompt treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of permanent blindness. To avoid eye infections, wash your hands throughout the day, especially if you are near an individual with a red eye or other signs of infection. Contact lens wearers should follow care and handling instructions provided by their eye doctor.

If you or someone you know is concerned about having an eye infection please call us at 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver. Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island. 

Dry Eye Problems Common with Computer Screen Use

Dry eye problems are very common. But did you know that computer screens, video display terminals and even computer games can make dry eye problems even more troubling?

Research about Dry Eyes & Computer Screen Use

According to a study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, users of video display screens or computer terminals are at greater risk for symptoms of dry eyes and dry eye disease (DED). In this study a group of 672 young and middle-aged office workers who used video display terminals (VDT) completed questionnaires and underwent dry eye testing. Of the 672 workers, 76.5% had definite dry or probable dry eye disease with the percentage being higher in woman than men and higher in office workers over 30 years of age especially if they used computers more than 8 hours per day. Thus, DED is common among young to middle-aged VDT or computer screen users.

It is recommended that anyone using VDT or computer screens of any type for moderate to long periods of time or even those who notice increased dryness or grittiness should take steps to try and keep the surface of the eye moist and well lubricated. This might include using artificial tears or lubricants, taking breaks from the computer after 20 minutes or so of use and making sure to remember to blink frequently if a computer screen is a daily event.

If you or someone you know has questions about dry eyes or needs help for a dry eye problem to schedule an appointment by calling us at 508-730-2020, or visiting Center for Sight or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver.

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

Important Eye Injury Facts to Know

Preventing eye injury and vision loss from eye injuries is really not too difficult as long as you are aware of some basic information and facts. Many eye injury risks are a matter of common sense whereas others are not so obvious. But, one fact is common to almost all eye types of eye injury: Eye injuries are preventable by wearing proper protective eyewear. In fact with protective eyewear, it is possible to prevent 90 percent of those injuries! What is troubling is that according to a survey by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, only 35 percent of people say that they always wear protective eyewear when performing home repairs or maintenance and even less wear protective eyewear while playing sports.

Eye Injury Facts

·         Men are more likely to have an eye injury than women!

·         Nearly half of all eye injuries occurred in the home! In fact more than 40 percent of eye injuries were caused by projects and activities such as home repairs, yard work, cleaning and cooking. More than a third of injuries in the home occurred in living areas such as the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living or family room.

·         More than 40 percent of eye injuries every year are related to sports or recreational activities.

·         Eyes can be damaged by sun exposure, not just chemicals, dust or objects.

·         Among people who have had eye injuries, more than 78 percent of people were not wearing eyewear at the time of injury!

If you or someone you know is concerned about eye injury and wants to learn more about preventing eye injuries and protective eyewear, please feel free to call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver.

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

Facial Wrinkles: Are They All the Same?

Understanding Facial Wrinkles

Understanding a bit about facial wrinkles will allow us find the best ways to help you look your best-as facial wrinkles are not all the same! Facial wrinkles vary from fine surface lines to deeper creases and folds. Wrinkles can actually be grouped into two types: Dynamic Wrinkles, which are formed when muscles contract, or Static Wrinkles, which are lines or depressions that exist even when there is no muscle action or pull on the skin. Dynamic wrinkles are best treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport® or Xeomin® whereas static wrinkles are best treated with substances that plump up, volumize and fill out the problem lines. These substances are known medically as "dermal fillers". Fillers are easy to inject and are biodegradable and thus not permanent. The most popular dermal fillers are Radiesse®, Boletero ® and JUVÉDERM®. Depending on your areas of concern and the type of wrinkle, we may suggest just using BOTOX® Cosmetic, or Radiesse®, JUVÉDERM™ or Boletero®, or perhaps injecting a combination of the materials in order to achieve the best possible results.

 

Dr. Hofeldt

If you or someone you know would like to learn more or schedule a consultation for help with facial wrinkles or fine lines to look your best using nonsurgical treatments, please schedule a consultation with Cosmetic EyePlastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Gregory Hofeldt, M.D. by calling Centerfor Sight at 508-730-2020.

Laser Pointers May Be a Risk for Eye Injury

Although laser pointers are popular tools for lectures, classroom teaching, and presentations and are often even used as part of children’s toys, they can actually pose the risk of eye injury.

What to Know About Laser Pointer Eye Injury Risk

The key fact to know about laser pointer eye injury risk is that as the power output increases above five milliwatts, the time margin for safe exposure decreases and permanent eye and skin damage can occur quickly. The problem is that the output power of laser pointers is not immediately apparent to the user. Laser pointers often lack appropriate labeling or are mislabeled, and definitive testing of individual pointers is beyond the reach of the average consumer. What we know for sure is that even the briefest exposure to high-powered blue handheld laser products can cause serious eye injuries.

Research on Laser Pointer Eye Injury

Researchers reporting in Ophthalmology, found that if a laser with less than five milliwatts of output power is directed at someone's eye, that person can blink or turn away without suffering an eye injury. However, the natural protective mechanisms of the eye-such as the blink reflex- are ineffective against lasers with an output power greater than five milliwatts, and severe retinal damage may occur, even after momentary exposure.

Here's what the FDA advises:

• Never aim or shine a laser pointer at anyone.
• Don't buy laser pointers for your children.
• Before purchasing a laser pointer, make sure it has the following information on the label:
• 
  
  o a statement that it complies with Chapter 21 CFR (the Code of Federal Regulations);
  o the manufacturer or distributor's name and the date of manufacture;
  o a warning to avoid exposure to laser radiation; and
  o the class designation, ranging from Class I to IIIa. Class IIIb and IV products should be used only by individuals with proper training and in applications where there is a legitimate need for these high-powered products.
  

The problem is that many laser pointers lack labels or have inaccurate labels. Researchers found that 60 percent of the sampled laser pointer products that the FDA tests are overpowered compared with what the label says. Those pointers may be powered in the 10s or 100s of milliwatts!

How do you know if your laser pointer is overpowered?

The FDA says that if you have a laser pointer that isn't labeled or if you don't trust the labeling, consider the following:

•  If the pointer is small and runs on button batteries, its output probably is less than five milliwatts.
• If it's pen-sized and runs on AA or AAA batteries, it's likely to be more powerful and may exceed five milliwatts.
• If it's flashlight-sized and runs on a cluster of AA or AAA batteries or runs on lithium batteries, it likely exceeds five milliwatts.
• Pointers sold with battery chargers probably drain their batteries quickly and are likely to be overpowered.
• Some pointers are sold with a removable cap that spreads the beam into a pattern.  If used without the cap, the beam becomes a single beam that could exceed 5 milliwatts.
• Look for keywords that sellers might use to indicate a pointer is highly powered without saying that it's over five milliwatts: powerful, bright, ultra, super, military, military grade, super bright, high power, ultra bright, strong, balloon pop, burn, burning, adjustable focus, lithium battery, lithium powered.
• Look for videos or photos that show the laser burning, melting, balloon popping or show a bright, well-defined beam of light.
• Look for purchaser comments on websites that tout the brightness or power of the product.

Blue & Violet Laser Pointers Are the Most Dangerous!

Blue and Violet laser pointers are the most dangerous because the human eye actually is less sensitive to blue and violet. So, while a person would react quickly to a red or green laser, that person may not blink or turn away as fast from an equally powerful blue or violet light, creating a greater likelihood of injury.

If you or someone you know is concerned about laser pointer use and eye safety, please have them call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver.

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

About Gregory Hofeldt, M.D. at Center for Sight

Did you know that Dr.Hofeldt at Center for Sight is not only a board certified ophthalmologist, but is also a cosmetic & reconstructive eye plastic surgeon! At Center for Sight, Dr. Hofeldt not only helps you see your best and maintain your eye health and vision, but he can help you look your best too!

Dr. Gregory Hofeldt, M.D.
Cosmetic Eye Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Dr. Hofeldt sees patients for eye exams for cataract surgery & lens implants and all types of eye disease, but his training and experience in cosmetic eye plastic surgery allows him to work with patients who are interested in looking their best with both non surgical and surgical facial rejuvenation procedures and treatments. Dr. Hofeldt’s approach is to help you identify areas of concern and decide whether a single or combination non surgical treatment using BOTOX® or Xeomin®, as well as gel fillers including Boletero®, Juvéderm®, Voluma® and Radiesse® injections will provide the desired results of volumizing and working to smooth  fine lines and wrinkles. If it is necessary to help you achieve the best results, Dr. Hofeldt will explain the benefits of cosmetic eyelid plastic surgery including "eye lifts" or blepharoplasty to help patients with puffy, baggy or tired looking eyelids.

Dr. Hofeldt earned his Medical Degree at Albany Medical College then completed a Residency in Ophthalmology at Albany Medical College followed by a Fellowship in Oculoplastic Surgery.
He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about facial rejuvenation, cosmetic eyelid surgery or other non surgical treatments to help you look your best please schedule a consultation with Cosmetic Eye Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Gregory Hofeldt, M.D. by calling Center for Sight at 508-730-2020.

Prevent Hockey Eye Injury with Visors

Whether you are a fan observing a hockey game or a participant on the ice playing hockey, you have an appreciation for the fact that eye injury is a serious risk among hockey players. Avoiding hockey eye injuries requires taking precautions on the part of players, coaches and parents.

Research on Hockey Eye Injury

An interesting and helpful research paper was presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The researchers found that wearing visors could cause a four-fold decrease in the risk of eye injuries. The researchers, based at the University of Toronto and Harvard Medical School, examined data from The Sports Network (TSN) and The Hockey News annual visor survey over the last 10 NHL seasons from 2002 to 2013. The data clearly demonstrated that the risk of eye injury is 4.23 times higher for players who do not wear a visor.

The study also found that the majority of eye injuries are caused by being hit by the puck (37%) or struck by a high stick (28%) or by a fight or scrum (18%), while the researchers could not identify the cause of injury for 17%. Interesting players without visors had a more aggressive style of play, measured by penalty minutes, hits and fights in a case-control study. There was also a weak, but positive correlation between eye injuries and penalty minutes.

As hockey players develop and get stronger their games and playing style become faster and more intense, and the risks continue to increase-thus it is important to maximize protection. Since the majority of hockey injuries are accidental in nature, it is not good enough for players to try to be more cautious. This study strongly supports the common sense notion that wearing visors goes a long way to decreasing injuries among hockey players.

If you or someone you know plays hockey please share this information with them to help them decrease their risk of hockey eye injury, or please feel free to call Center for Sight with questions at 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver.

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