Dry Eye after Cataract Surgery

We perform cataract surgery and lens implantation for more and more patients each year as cataracts continue to be a leading cause of decreased vision, especially in seniors. Also very common in the same age group of patients is dry eye which can be caused by ocular surface disease, eyelid problems such as meibomian gland disease and blepharitis, taking certain medications and many other systemic problems. When cataracts interfere with convenience and safety of your daily activities, cataract surgery can significantly improve your vision and comfort. We expect, and it is normal, for cataract surgery patients to sometimes complain of postoperative dry eye symptoms such as dry, foreign body sensation and short term blurriness if their tears are inadequate. From our experience, often patients may blame the surgery  for the apparently “new” development of dry eye symptoms and generally do not realize that their problem stems from ocular surface disease or other causes rather than the surgical procedure. Patients who actually do experience dry eye symptoms after cataract surgery should be reassured that it diminishes over time and we will help you be comfortable with both prescription and nonprescription eye drops as well as other treatment options if they are necessary.

If you or someone 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 schedule an appointment at 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.

Eat Chocolate for Good Vision!

Did you know that eating chocolate is good for your vision? Not just any chocolate but dark chocolate! According to a study in JAMA Ophthalmology, eating dark chocolate resulted in small improvements in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity for at least 2 hours. While this might seem kind of silly there is a reason to believe the result is due to the presence of substances called flavanols which may enhance blood flow to the central and peripheral nervous systems, and actually improve cardiovascular function. Since your eyes and in particular the retina is a highly vascular structure it is no real surprise that the flavanols could have an impact. Certainly more research needs to be done-but in the meantime keep eating that dark chocolate!

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.

Glaucoma Status Affected by Certain Medications

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma and is generally treated by eye drops, laser treatment and/or surgery to help reduce the eye pressure or intraocular pressure (IOP). Certain systemic medications that you take for anxiety or depression that are in the class called “SSRI,” such as Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa and Paxil, or blood pressure medications in the class called “calcium channel blockers,” such as Norvasc, Cadizem, Procardia and Calan may be associated with your glaucoma risk. SSRIs are strongly associated with a reduced risk of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma whereas calcium channel blockers were strongly associated with an increased risk. According to researchers reporting in Ophthalmology, the official journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, this is important and useful information to us as we assess your risk of glaucoma, but is helpful to researchers seeking new medications for the treatment of glaucoma as it might indicate novel approaches with medications used for other systemic diseases.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about glaucoma risk and systemic medications or schedule a glaucoma 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.

Closed Angle Glaucoma Diagnosis Improvements

Closed Angle Glaucoma Diagnosis with Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence

Closed Angle Glaucoma is a sight threatening medical emergency that can cause catastrophic vision loss in a short time if not treated quickly. It is possible to use a number of tests during your eye exam to determine whether you might be at risk. If you are, we can provide an in office laser treatment to easy decrease your risk of Closed Angle Glaucoma. One of these tests is Optical Coherence Tomography, also called AS-OCT short for Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography which allows us to create digital images that are cross-sectional pictures of the eye’s anterior chambers. Researchers are now developing a fully automated database for screening for AS-OCT screening for Closed Angle Glaucoma using machine learning artificial intelligence that will make the diagnosis very reliable and consistent and readily performed by our staff as part of your eye exams if you are at risk.

If you are someone you know has not had a recent eye exam and glaucoma testing please schedule an appointment at 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.

Does Glaucoma Usually Affect Both Eyes?

Dr. Keegan Johnson, M.D.

When you or someone you know is first diagnosed with glaucoma it can initially be in one eye only. When we begin treating and monitoring the glaucoma to avoid vision loss due to any progression of the disease, many patients ask us if it will occur in their other eye. This is a pretty common question and until now we have relied on our long term experience and clinical impressions to be able to predict if and when glaucoma will affect the second eye. Researchers recently performed a careful study to try and determine how likely it was that your second eye would be affected and how long it would typically take. These results were published in JAMA Ophthalmology and were based on data from the Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study (CIGS) that showed that typically within 7 years of diagnosis of glaucoma in the first eye, the second eye would need treatment-with between 65-70% of glaucoma patients needing treatment in the second eye during that time. The number who needed treatment in the second eye increased with older age, hypertension, higher intraocular pressure and greater evidence of damage to the optic nerve in the first eye.

If you or someone you know hasn’t had a recent eye exam with glaucoma testing please schedule an appointment at 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.

Glaucoma Eye Drop Side Effects

Glaucoma is typically treated with one or more types of eyedrops although today laser treatment for glaucoma may be a good option for many patients to reduce or even eliminate their need for eye drops. Almost all eyedrops for glaucoma have some side effects that can include redness, changes in the color of your eyes and eyelids. In addition glaucoma eye drops can cause system side effects including changes in blood pressure, irregular pulse and changes in heart rate, becoming unable to exercise, breathing problems and even impotence in men. Some patients also report dry eyes from glaucoma eye drop medication.

Always be sure to tell your primary care physician about all of the eye medicines you take including glaucoma eye drops even if you are not experiencing any side effects. If you are experiencing any of these side effects, please be sure to schedule an appointment so that we might be able to offer alternative treatments which might include and in office laser treatment.

To learn more about glaucoma or schedule a glaucoma 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.

Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma Awareness Month at Center for Sight

Center for Sight wants to focus patient’s attention on glaucoma this month as January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. This is an important time to spread the word about this sight-threatening disease. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Moreover, among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness overall. Of particular note is that glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians. Over 4 million Americans, and nearly 70 million people worldwide, have glaucoma.  Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision.

Our understanding of this disease, along with the ways in which we can diagnose and treat it, has improved considerably. Advanced diagnostic techniques such as in office optical coherence tomography (OCT) to study the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) make it possible for us to detect glaucoma earlier and avoid vision loss through early treatment. The availability of better treatment options including many new eye drop medications, lasers and microscopic implants help us prevent glaucoma vision loss.

If you, a relative or someone you know, is at risk for glaucoma based on age, heredity or health, please schedule an eye exam at 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.