Do Nearsighted Parents Have Nearsighted Kids?

Whenever we see children who need eyeglasses-especially those who need correction for nearsightedness to see clearly at distance for the first time-parents always want to know if the prescription will get worse, and if the parent wears eyeglasses, did this cause the child to need glasses. We have always known that there seems to be a familial predisposition so that children of myopic parents tend to become myopic or nearsighted and need glasses. According to research published in the journal of the Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation where a 22-year long study evaluated the parental influence on nearsightedness and its progression, there is no meaningful influence of the parent’s nearsightedness on boys, but there is a clear statistical influence on both the prevalence of nearsightedness and its progression among girls. Further, the cause of the nearsightedness seems to be related to corneal anatomy and its refractive power rather than the length of the eye.

It is important for all children to have regular eye heath and vision exams. Vision problems in kids can contribute to literacy problems and delays, overall learning problems and even the perception of attention and behavioral problems. Please call us at 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. 

Eyeliner Tips for Healthy Eyes

Eyeliner can be applied to create a new look, or enhance natural eye appearance. But our eye doctors want to share some tips and alert eyeliner wearer to watch when and where eyeliner is applied. Three tips for safe application:

When to Apply-If you’re running late to work, school or an appointment, you may be tempted to grab your makeup and apply it in the car. But don’t use eyeliner when the car is moving, you could injure or poke your eye. A better idea is to wait until you are safely parked.

Keep It Clean-Eyeliner pencils periodically need sharpening for easy application. Use a makeup sharpener, not a kitchen or pocket knife, or a sharpener used for pencils or crayons. Prevent spreading germs to your eyes by washing your hands before using eyeliner, and don’t borrow or share eyeliner products with others. This includes liquid and cream eyeliners as well.

Watch the Location-Applying eyeliner along the inside edge of the eyelid, called the waterline, can enhance the look of your eyes. But it also may increase the risk for contamination and vision problems. Studies show that flecks from eyeliner, especially those with glitter, may drop into the eye and collect in tear film. Vision may become blurry, and eyes may become red and irritated. A bacterial infection also may develop. This is a problem, especially for those who wear contacts or have dry, sensitive eyes.

If you or someone you know has a question about how to use eyeliner safely and protect eye health, please call us at 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. 

Cataract Surgery & Lens Implant Patient Satisfaction

Cataract Surgery Patient Satisfaction

If you have cataracts or are considering cataract surgery and lens implants, if you are a good candidate, it is pretty likely that your cataract surgeon will offer you the option of a multifocal lens implant in addition to the standard monofocal lens implant. The objective of using a multifocal lens implant to correct vision after cataract surgery is to help patients become less dependent or completely independent of glasses after their cataract is removed. A multifocal lens implant allows patients to see at a range of far, arms’ length and near without glasses whereas a monofocal will require the patient to still need glasses for most arms’ length or close vision tasks. Whenever we present or recommend this option to our patients they almost always ask, “Which one is better?” or “Which one will I be most satisfied with?” A multisite clinical trial was conducted and reported on in the Journal of Refractive Surgery that compared outcomes and patient satisfaction of monofocal vs. multifocal lens implants after cataract surgery. 

Results of Cataract Surgery with Monofocal vs. Multifocal Lens Implants

The results showed both monofocal and multifocal IOLs provided good clinical outcomes. More patients receiving multifocal IOLs attained better uncorrected visual acuity at a range of distances and spectacle independence compared with patients who received monofocal IOLs. Patient satisfaction was significantly better in the multifocal group.

If you or some you know suspects they have a cataract or is considering cataract surgery and lens implants and wishes to schedule a cataract and lens implant eye exam, please call us at 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. 

Retinoblastoma Eye Cancer in Children

Retinoblastoma is a rare but potentially catastrophic eye cancer that is found in children during a routine eye exam. We encourage all parents or caregivers of children to be sure that at least their primary care doctor or pediatrician is performing a simple “red reflex” test especially under the age of two years to quickly identify children at risk. This is especially important in less affluent or lower socioeconomic areas as there are a noticeable disparity in outcomes for children with retinoblastoma who have limited access to routine pediatric care. Researchers from Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center report in a study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics found that although virtually all the children in the study survived, Hispanic children and children who lived in disadvantaged areas were more likely to lose an eye due to late diagnosis. White children and children who live in areas with a higher socioeconomic status were more likely to have been diagnosed early enough that physicians could preserve their eye and vision.  The study found: 

·        At the time of diagnosis, the disease had spread beyond the eye in 33 percent of Hispanic children, compared with 20 percent of non-Hispanic children.

·        At diagnosis, disease had spread beyond the eye in 28 percent of children from high-poverty areas, compared with 20 percent of other children. Similar disparities were found in other measures of socio-economic status.

·        Three-quarters (74.5 percent) of Hispanic children had the diseased eye surgically removed, compared with two-thirds (67.5 percent) of non-Hispanic children and less than two thirds (63 percent) of non-Hispanic white children. Among non-Hispanic black and Asian children, 74 percent had their eye removed.

·        Three-quarters (76 percent) of children living in disadvantaged counties had their eye removed, compared to less than two-thirds (64 percent) who lived in advantaged counties.

As with many eye problems, conditions and diseases, retinoblastoma eye cancer can be best addressed with early detection, diagnosis and treatment.

If you or someone you know is concerned about a child being at risk for retinoblastoma or any children’s eye problem please call us at 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. 

Stroke Recovery Takes Time

It is not uncommon for us to see patients who experience vision and eye problems from having suffered a stroke. These can often include double vision, loss of peripheral vision and even loss of sections of their visual field which can affect safe comfortable mobility, and sometimes just reduced vision. It is important, and we tell patients, that recovering from a stroke doesn’t end with the first weeks of acute care and the period of functional rehabilitation that follows. Negative effects of a stroke can present themselves well past the initial event. In healthy older adults, exercise training and a social network that allows both intellectual and social engagement have been shown to be effective measures for helping recovery from a stroke. Using your eyes and vision may be fatiguing even for normal recreational activities but is very important to recovery.

If you or someone you know has had a stroke and needs an eye exam we are happy to help. Please call us at 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. 

Contact Lenses Increase Computer Vision Syndrome

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a condition that results from prolonged focusing of your eyes on a computer or other display device for protracted, uninterrupted periods of time. Typical symptoms of CVS include headaches, blurred vision, neck pain, eye redness, fatigue, eye strain, dry eyes, irritated eyes, double vision, vertigo, dizziness and difficulty refocusing the eyes. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, computer vision syndrome affects about 90% of the people who spend three hours or more a day at a computer. We now know that CVS is actually made worse by contact lens wear. According to a study in Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics contact lens wearers are more likely to suffer CVS than non-lens wearers, with a prevalence of 65% for contact lens wearers. In particular, people who wear contact lenses and are exposed to the computer for more than 6 hours per day are more likely to suffer CVS than non-lens wearers working at the computer for the same amount of time.

If you or someone you know suffers from symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) please feel free to contact us for guidelines and help with the uncomfortable effects. Please call us at 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 Impacts Driving Safety

Driving Safety with Glaucoma

Moderate or advanced glaucoma can affect driving safety according to research noted in the American Journal of Ophthalmology. Patients with bilateral moderate or advanced glaucoma are at risk for unsafe driving. For this reason we now suggest a very careful evaluation for those glaucoma patients who might be at risk so that we can evaluate driving safety of these patients. Glaucoma, especially in more advanced stages can reduce peripheral vision as well as contrast and make driving particularly difficult-especially in dim illumination. Our goal is to help all patients avoid vision loss from glaucoma by asking that you schedule regular eye examinations with glaucoma testing as often your eye doctor suggests. This will depend on the overall health of your eyes, your family history, your general health and many other glaucoma risk factors your eye doctor may identify. The key to preventing vision loss from glaucoma is early detection, diagnoses and treatment.

Please call us at 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.