Contact Lenses for Itchy Eyes

Eye allergies and itchy eyes are quite common. Many prescription and over the counter eye drops are helpful for symptomatic relief of itchy eyes on a temporary basis. Typically allergy sufferers must remove their contact lenses and even discontinue them during the peak seasonal allergy periods. Recently, a study was undertaken to determine the possibility of using a contact lens as a drug delivery system for eye allergy medication. The study was reported in the Cornea Journal in which etafilcon A (Acuvue 2) contact lenses were loaded with ketotifen-an antihistamine-to determine whether itchy eye relief could be achieved while correcting vision. The study concluded that effective ocular allergy treatment could be achieved with this antihistamine-contact lens delivery system and offers potential for contact lens wearers suffering from ocular allergies.

If you or someone you know needs a contact lens exam or suffers from itchy eyes, please schedule an eye exam at Center for Sight 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. 

Christmas Plants Treat Eye Tumors?

German researchers reporting in Science Signaling have identified a compound in the berries of the Coralberry plant that appears to be able to destroy Uveal Melanoma, the most common and an aggressive type of eye cancer. The Coralberry is a very common plant we use for Christmas and holiday decorations! The leaves of the plant contain bacteria that produce a toxin that inhibits a cancer cell molecule called Gq protein and thus is destructive to the cancer. It also appears that the toxin may be effective against skin cancer as well. At this time the investigation is still in the laboratory but researchers hope to make it into a pharmaceutical in the near future.

If you notice pigmented or non pigmented lesions or dry scaly patches on your eyelids or around your eyes please let us know when you schedule your eye exam at Center for Sight 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.

Heavy Smoking and Vision Loss

Researchers at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care reported findings of a study in Psychiatry Research demonstrating that smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day can damage your vision. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 34.3 million adults in the US currently smoke cigarettes and that more than 16 million live with a smoking-related disease, many of which affect the cardiovascular system. Cigarette smoke consists of numerous neurotoxic compounds that are harmful to health. These neurotoxic chemicals are believed to result in nerve damage to the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer resulting in a loss of color vision and contrast sensitivity. This damage is in addition to the known harmful effects of smoking which doubles the risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and hastens the yellowing of the crystalline lens of the eye where cataracts form.

If you or someone you know is a smoker-now is the time to quit! To learn more about eye health and smoking schedule an eye exam at Center for Sight 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.

Deep Learning & Macular Degeneration Risk Assessment

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in seniors. Aging is the greatest risk factor! In its most advanced stages, it can deprive an individual of his or her ability to perform basic activities such as reading, recognizing faces, and driving. Approximately 11 million individuals are affected with AMD in the United States (U.S.) alone and the prevalence of AMD in the U.S. is anticipated to increase to 22 million by the year 2050.

Early detection and treatment is critical in helping patients avoid vision loss from AMD. Recently researchers reported interesting results in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology regarding how “deep learning” (DL) or artificial intelligence (AI) might be a useful addition to the physician in the examination and monitoring process for patients at risk for AMD and its progression. Their findings suggest that using DL to grade and monitor AMD is comparable to experienced humans for estimating 5-year risk of progression to advanced AMD. This could be very helpful in assisting physicians in having a detailed risk assessment in the long term care of AMD patient.

If you want to learn more about your risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD), schedule an eye exam at Center for Sight 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.

Laser Treatment Can Be First Choice for Glaucoma

Researchers reporting in The Lancet on the LiGHT Study concluded that a change in the clinical practice pattern of how we treat glaucoma should be implemented so that glaucoma laser treatment was a first choice treatment, rather than eye drops which is the typical approach to glaucoma treatment. The LiGHT Study compared eye drops to glaucoma Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) treatment in terms of lowering intraocular pressure, health related quality of life, cost and cost effectiveness. The data was gathered and analyzed and concluded that Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) should be offered as a first-line treatment for open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, supporting a change in clinical practice.

If you or someone you know is at risk for glaucoma, has ocular hypertension or is being treated for glaucoma, please be certain you have regular eye exams with glaucoma testing to prevent vision loss. Ask your eye doctor about treatment options such as SLT for glaucoma when you schedule your exam at Center for Sight 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.

Microscopic Stents Help Lower Eye Pressure in Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and its prevalence will continue to increase as our population ages. For most patients, the initial treatment for glaucoma will begin with eye drops or laser treatment, or even both. Patients often have a difficult time adhering to a schedule of single or even multiple doses of eye drops and thus find an initial laser treatment beneficial. Sometimes even with eye drops and laser treatment for glaucoma it is not possible to lower the intraocular pressure enough to reduce the risk of vision loss. For these patients there has been the next step of complex incisional glaucoma surgery. Recent advances in Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) using microscopic stents has been shown to provide excellent results for many glaucoma patients. Reports in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery of patients who had iStent-a tiny titanium stent-implanted through a microscopic incision, had excellent pressure lowering and even were able to reduce their need for eye drops! The data shared was from a long term 5 year clinical study and offers great promise for glaucoma patients.

The best way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma is by having regular eye exams and glaucoma testing as recommended by your eye doctor. Schedule an eye exam at Center for Sight 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.

Glaucoma Risk in Migraine Sufferers

Did you know that if you suffer from migraines you are at greater risk for developing glaucoma? There are many risk factors that can influence the likelihood that you will develop glaucoma. These include factors such as high pressure in the eye, called intraocular pressure or IOP, your family history-especially if your siblings have glaucoma, smoking, sleep apnea, diabetes and other vascular diseases, race-as patients of African-American heritage and Hispanic backgrounds are at greater risk. Recently, researchers reported on a study where they found that patients who suffered from migraines had 1.68 times the risk of the average patient for developing glaucoma. When you visit us for your routine eye exam please share whether you have ever experienced a migraine and whether you currently have even an occasional migraine headache.

If you or someone you know suffers from migraine headaches it is important to have regular eye exams with glaucoma testing as migraines increase the risk of glaucoma! Schedule an eye exam at Center for Sight 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.