Cataract Surgery Astigmatism Lens Implants

Satisfaction with Cataract Surgery Astigmatism Lens Implants

Good news for patients with astigmatism who are having cataract surgery! When your cataract is removed and replaced with a lens implant to correct your vision, patients who have astigmatism will be pleased to know that satisfaction with cataract lens implants for astigmatism is extremely high. A recent study presented in the American Journal of Ophthalmology compared using toric astigmatism correcting lens implants to a manual incisional procedure for correcting astigmatism, called corneal relaxing incisions. Although both methods of astigmatism correction resulted in good vision for the cataract patients, the astigmatism correcting toric lens implants gave patients a better overall satisfaction with their vision as reported in quality of life questionnaire 12 months after their cataract surgery with cataract lens implants that corrected the astigmatism. Patients were particularly pleased to be able to wear non- prescription sunglasses and be independent of eyeglasses for seeing clearly at distance.

If you or some you know is experiencing cataract symptoms such as cloudy foggy vision, glare or difficult night driving and would like to learn more about cataract surgery & lens implants please call Center for Sight 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.

Exercise Effect on Eye Health & Physiology

Physical exercise has been known to be one of the most important factors in preventing cardiovascular disorders and may even help prevent some neurodegenerative diseases. A recent review of clinical studies compared the results of various reports regarding the effects of physical exercises on intraocular pressure (IOP), myopia (nearsightedness) and eye circulation and blood flow.

Eye Pressure or Intraocular Pressure (IOP)

Exercises that involve movement, called dynamic exercises, are known to reduce IOP for a brief period after participating. However, certain isometric exercises such a Yoga in “downward” positions may increase IOP.

Myopia or Nearsightedness

There is a solid connection between the time being spent outdoor and reduction in the odds of developing myopia-in fact 2% less odds for every hour spent outdoors!

Eye Circulation

Physical exercises increase retinal blood flow up to 140%, thus providing more blood to retina and stimulating better circulation.

The message is clear-staying fit and active throughout life can be of great long-term benefit to your eyes!

Choices for Your Eye Health & Vision

Making Good Choices for Your Eye Health & Vision

A little bit of knowledge can go a long way in helping you make good choices for preserving your eye health and vision throughout your life.  Did you know that some 37 million adults in the United States alone have age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma-all of which can cause visual impairment or blindness! We know-and want to share the information with you-from recent studies that tell us that making healthy choices and getting regular eye exams can help reduce a person’s risk of vision loss.

About Healthy Choices for Preventing Vision Loss & Eye Problems

Live a healthy lifestyle. Eating a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking can lower your risk of eye disease. Foods that boost eye health include dark green leafy greens, cold water fish and citrus fruits. A diet rich in vitamin C can cut the risk of cataract progression by nearly almost 30%. We know for certain that smoking doubles the risk of the eye disease age-related macular degeneration, is linked to cataracts, and worsens dry eye. If you smoke-STOP! If you don’t smoke, DON’T START!

Know your family history. Certain eye diseases can be inherited or may have a strong predisposition among family members. If you have a close relative with macular degeneration, you have a 50 percent chance of developing the condition. In addition, a family history of glaucoma increases your chances of developing the condition by four to nine times. So talk to your family members about what eye conditions they have. It can help you and your eye doctor evaluate whether you may be at higher risk.

Get a dilated eye exam. Many eye diseases may have no symptoms in their early stages. A dilated eye exam is the best way to detect eye diseases so they can be treated as soon as possible to help prevent vision loss. All adults should have a baseline comprehensive dilated eye exam by the time they turn 40. This is when age-related eye changes often begin to occur. People who are 65 and older should get an eye exam every one to two years. Those with chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure or known eye diseases may need to go earlier and more often at the recommendation of their eye doctor.

Wear sunglasses. Over time, exposure to UV rays from the sun can increase your risk of cataracts, certain cancers and growths in or around the eyes. When choosing sunglasses, pick ones that block out at least 99 percent of UV rays. A wide-brimmed hat offers great additional protection as well.

Use protective eyewear to prevent injuries. Roughly a third of all emergency room visits for eye-related issues stem from traumatic eye injuries, according to a recent study in the journal Ophthalmology. To help prevent these injuries, wear the right protective eyewear when doing activities that could cause eye injuries, such as home repair, garden work and sports.

If you or someone you know needs to schedule an eye exam please call Center for Sight 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.

Sports Eye Injuries: Which Sports Are Most Likely?

Sports eye injuries are most likely to occur in kids playing basketball, baseball and participating in cycling according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology. Of the 30,000 annual emergency room visits for sports related eye injuries the majority happens to kids under the age of 18. Basketball and cycling were the two sports most likely to cause eye injuries, while 21 percent of baseball and softball injuries resulted in actual fractures of the bones around the eye, which often require surgery to repair. Research has shown that wearing sports appropriate protective eyewear can significantly reduce the incidence of sports-related eye injuries. We have witnessed that when appropriate eyewear is available-even if not mandatory-top-performing athletes frequently choose to wear it. Wear protective eyewear! The message is clear for sports participants, parents and sports program organizers.

If you or someone you know plays sports recreationally or competitively, take the time to select proper sports protective eyewear to avoid the risk of sports eye injury. Please call Center for Sight 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight, Google+ or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver  to schedule an appointment.

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

Eye Drops May Treat Macular Degeneration in Future

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) can cause people to lose central vision and is a leading cause of vision loss in seniors. The prompt treatment of “Wet” Macular Degeneration is very helpful in preventing catastrophic vision loss for most patients. The “Wet” form of AMD is currently treated by repeated injections into the eye of drugs called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) inhibitors-that stop, reverse and prevent new blood vessel growth. The most common VEGF inhibitors include Lucentis®, Eylea® and Avastin® and often require monthly injections to be effective. Researchers from the University of Birmingham (UK) Institute Inflammation and Aging reporting in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science have developed a method of delivering the AMD treatment drugs via an eye drop rather than by injection. The eye drop uses a molecule called a cell–penetrating peptide (CPP) to deliver the drug to the relevant part of the eye and hold future promise for treating Age Relater Macular Degeneration (AMD) with eye drops rather than injections.

If you or someone you know has a family history of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and is over 50 years of age or is a senior who has not had regular eye exams, please schedule and eye exam to help us help you avoid vision loss. Please call Center for Sight 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.

AMD & Physical Activity

Does Physical Activity Help Protect Against Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

The benefits of staying active throughout life are constantly being reviewed and communicated to people of all ages-but especially seniors. The benefits include joint and muscle health as well as cognitive processes, mood and cardiovascular health to name a few. Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the main cause of irreversible severe vision loss in seniors.  A recent review article presented in the American Journal of Ophthalmology  suggested that physical activity is associated with lower odds of early and late AMD in Caucasians. These findings have important implications for staying active throughout life. However, the authors also felt that additional studies were needed to confirm and further characterize an actual protective effect of physical activity on the onset and/or progression of AMD.

If you or someone you know has a family history of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and is over 50 years of age or is a senior who has not had regular eye exams, please schedule and eye exam to help us help you avoid vision loss. Please call Center for Sight 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.

Undiagnosed Age Related Macular Degeneration

With the benefit of early diagnosis and treatment, seniors can manage their risk of vision loss from Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and protect their sight and lifestyle. The key is early detection and diagnosis by having regular eye exams as recommended by your eye doctor. Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision impairment in older adults in the United States, yet little is known about whether AMD is appropriately diagnosed in primary eye care. Many seniors visit their primary care physicians for various health issues and then assume that everything is fine when the primary care physician looks into their eyes with the bright light and doesn’t remark or comment about any problems. Unfortunately, results of a recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology suggest that a large number of cases of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are going undetected and undiagnosed even with the observation of primary care physicians. According to the study, by examining patients and comparing the eye exams to their primary care health records, 320 of 1288 eyes had AMD despite no diagnosis of AMD in the primary eye care medical record!  This study strongly indicates that under diagnosis of AMD can easily occur. If early AMD treatment is to be useful, seniors need to be sure to have regular dilated eye exams to help us help you avoid central vision loss.

If you or someone you know has a family history of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and is over 50 years of age or is a senior who has not had regular eye exams, please schedule and eye exam to help us help you avoid vision loss. Please call Center for Sight 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.