Fall River Senior Eyes Have Better Vision

“Aging eyes have better vision-seniors should be pleased,” stated Fall River Ophthalmologist Gregory Hofeldt, M.D. of Center for Sight. According to a study published in Ophthalmology-the official publication of the American Academy of Ophthalmology the prevalence of activity-limiting visual impairment is decreasing and has been decreasing-and this is really great news for seniors. “While the study wasn’t terribly specific, I believe that better cataract surgery and lens implants, better diabetes treatment and control and a sharp decrease in smoking all play a role in why seniors now have better overall chances of preserving their eye health and vision,” Dr. Hofeldt stated.

Modern cataract surgery-with advanced technology lens implants has become routine and complications are pretty rare. Years ago, people waited until a cataract was so bad that even a poor surgical result was better than living with a cataract. Today, when the presence of a cataract impairs either the quality of vision or the quality of life, the techniques and procedures allow for safe and effective cataract surgery to be performed.

• Today, only 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. smoke cigarettes as compared to 1 in 3 in the 1980s.
• Smoking is a major risk factor for macular degeneration, which is one of the most common vision impairing eye diseases in seniors. 
• Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness and age and obesity are leading risk factors for diabetes.
• Even though diabetes rates in the U.S. continue to climb, better therapies are now available to prevent and treat diabetes-related eye health vision problems.

To some extent, seniors have helped preserve eye health and vision by taking the step of having regular eye exams which are quite important for everyone as they age, especially people with diabetes and other health conditions that can lead to vision loss.

If you wish to learn more about aging eye problems and senior vision problems please feel free to call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, visit www.center-for-sight.com or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment.

Center for Sight is conveniently located for patients wishing to learn more about aging eye problems and senior vision problems in Massachusetts or Rhode Island from Attleboro, Fairhaven, Fall River, Franklin, Mansfield, Marion, Mattapoisett, Medfield, Milford, New Bedford, North Attleboro, North Dartmouth, Norton, Oxford, Rehobeth, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton, Walpole, Whitinsville, Woonsocket, Providence, Smithfield, Westport, Lakeville, Dighton, Little Compton and Tiverton.

Fall River Seniors & Macular Degeneration Awareness

Robert Kelly, M.D.
Fall River Retina Specialist

Fall River seniors are alerted to increase their awareness of the risks and symptomsof Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) as February is National Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month.

Types of Age Related MacularDegeneration (AMD)

There are two types of AMD, a “Dry” form and a “Wet” form. It is estimated that 85-90% of people with AMD have the Dry form, which results in a gradual vision loss whereby the central vision begins to blur or dim-but leaves the peripheral vision intact. Fortunately, only 10 percent of people with AMD have the Wet form which progresses much quicker and can cause catastrophic vision loss as a result of fluid leakage, bleeding and scarring in the retina.

Symptoms of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Drymacular degeneration causes patients to complain of a slow, progressive dimming of central vision that may also cause colors to fade. Wet macular degeneration causes patients to first notice a distortion or bending of their central field vision, which may quickly and suddenly progress to a central blind spot. Both dry and wet AMD leave the peripheral or side vision intact.

Reducing Risk of Vision Loss from AgeRelated Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Once you are over 50, it becomes increasingly important to have a thorough, dilated eye exam every one to two years-and even more often if you have any family history of AMD or at the recommendation of your eye doctor. The key to preventing vision loss from AMD is early detection, quick diagnosis, then immediate treatment with vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGF) injections such as Lucentis® or Eylea®.

Patients can often reduce their risk of developing AMD by not smoking as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables, avoiding foods with Trans fats, limiting alcohol consumption, exercising, and controlling blood pressure and weight. Further a special nutritional supplement called “AREDS Formulation” may helpful for some patients - but only with the express recommendation of their doctor.

If you or someone you know has questions about Age RelatedMacular Degeneration (AMD) please feel free to call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, visit www.center-for-sight.com 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 in Fall River

“As we begin 2014, we are making raising awareness about glaucoma a priority,” stated Fall River eye doctor Gregory Hofeldt, M.D.,  an eye physician and surgeon at Center for Sight. “Our eye doctors and staff are taking a moment to put in a little extra effort to remind patients and their families to make regular eye exams with glaucoma screenings part of their “to do “list for January,” said Dr. Hofeldt.  According to recent statistical data provided by Prevent Blindness America, almost 3 million people age 40 and older have open-angle glaucoma, which reflects a 22 percent increase over 2000-a 22% increase.

Prevent Blindness America has designated January as National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Patients should be particularly sensitive to the fact that in African-American and Hispanic populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness. Additional glaucoma risk factors include any family history-especially among siblings-of glaucoma, certain diseases such as diabetes and an increase is risk as patients transcend through their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.

“The key step in preventing vision loss from glaucoma is early detection, diagnosis and treatment,” said Dr. Hofeldt. “This is why we want raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision especially for our aging population. We strongly recommend that siblings of glaucoma patients be screened each and every year as their risk of developing glaucoma is some 5 times higher than the typical population.”

If you or someone you know has questions about glaucoma or needs to schedule a glaucoma eye exam, please feel free to call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, visit www.center-for-sight.com or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment.

Center for Sight is conveniently located for patients wishing to learn more about glaucoma in Massachusetts or Rhode Island from Attleboro, Fairhaven, Fall River, Franklin, Mansfield, Marion, Mattapoisett, Medfield, Milford, New Bedford, North Attleboro, North Dartmouth, Norton, Oxford, Rehobeth, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton, Walpole, Whitinsville, Woonsocket, Providence, Smithfield, Westport, Lakeville, Dighton, Little Compton and Tiverton.

LASIK in Fall River with Flex Plans

“Now is the time for patients who want LASIK in Fall River to use any Flex Plan funds that might be available to them,” commented Marie Urfer, Practice Administrator at Fall River, Massachusetts eye care practice Center for Sight. “January is a popular month for New Year’s resolutions which often includes self improvements like LASIK. If you or a family member has Flex Plan funds to use, this is a good time to make LASIK affordable.”

Many employers offer Flex Plans-Flexible Spending Accounts or FSA’s. These plans allow you to have money taken out of your paycheck over time to pay for LASIK. What is even more appealing about Flex Plans is that money is withheld in Pre-Tax dollars allowing you to get extra tax savings.

 

If you or someone you know has questions about Flex Plans or flexible spending accounts or would like to learn more about LASIK or even schedule a Free LASIK Consultation please feel free to call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, visit www.center-for-sight.com or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment.

 

Center for Sight is conveniently located for patients wishing to learn more about LASIK in Massachusetts or Rhode Island from Attleboro, Fairhaven, Fall River, Franklin, Mansfield, Marion, Mattapoisett, Medfield, Milford, New Bedford, North Attleboro, North Dartmouth, Norton, Oxford, Rehobeth, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton, Walpole, Whitinsville, Woonsocket, Providence, Smithfield, Westport, Lakeville, Dighton, Little Compton and Tiverton.

Eyelid Inflammation, Infection & Blepharitis

“Eyelid inflammation, called blepharitis is a common and ongoing condition where the eyelids become inflamed and swollen, with oily particles and bacteria coating the eyelid margin near the base of the eyelashes,” explained Center for Sight Ophthalmologist Gregory Hofeldt, M.D. “This eyelid condition is a problem and annoying because it causes irritation, itchiness, redness, and stinging or burning of the eyes,” Dr. Hofeldt shared. While the underlying causes of blepharitis aren't completely understood, it can be associated with a bacterial eye infection, symptoms of dry eyes or certain types of skin conditions such as acne rosacea. Blepharitis is often a chronic, or ongoing, condition, but it can be controlled with one of more types of treatment that may include warm compresses, eyelid scrubs, antibiotic ointment, nutritional therapy and good overall eyebrow, scalp and hair hygiene.

If you or someone you know suffers from eyelid inflammation, infection or blepharitis please feel free to call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, or visiting www.center-for-sight.com 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. 

Fall River LASIK Surgeon on Astigmatism

“LASIK for Astigmatism is not only possible-but we use it all the time as an excellent way to correct vision”, said Fall River LASIK Surgeon Keegan Johnson, M.D. of Center for Sight.. “Astigmatism correction can be confusing to patients. A number of people are under the incorrect impression that having astigmatism means you can’t have Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK to correct your vision,” commented Dr. Johnson.

Here is what you need to know about LASIK and astigmatism. First, astigmatism is one of the common types of refractive problems that cause blurry vision. Common refractive-or eye focus problems-include nearsightedness or myopia, farsightedness or hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia.

Astigmatism usually results from an unequal curvature of the cornea-the outermost clear dome in the front of the eye-that causes the eye to have two different curvatures and thus two different focal points. This can make images look more blurry at a specific orientation so that things horizontally are blurred or things vertically are blurred, depending on the direction of the astigmatism. Astigmatism can be very annoying visually and can even cause headaches and many visual symptoms apart from the blurriness itself. The visual distortions caused by astigmatism in healthy eyes are correctable with eyeglasses, contact lenses and Laser Vision Correction such as LASIK. Astigmatism has been correctable with Laser Eye Surgery for more than 15 years in the United States. “Today, as LASIK surgeons, we are able to accurately measure and treat all types of astigmatism with high degrees of precision and predictability”, said Dr. Johnson.

If you or someone you know has astigmatism and would like to be less dependent or possibly even free from the hassle of glasses and contact lenses for seeing at distance, please call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, or visit www.center-for-sight.com or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment for a Free Evaluation for Laser Eye Surgery for the Laser Vision Correction of astigmatism.

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

Cataracts & Night Driving Problems in Fall River

Corneal Specialist & Cataract Surgeon Keegan Johnson, M.D. of Center for Sight in Fall River offered some thoughts about night driving and cataracts. “Patients often tell me that one of the most troubling things about their vision with cataracts is how disturbed they are while driving at night,” said Dr. Johnson. “Driving at night is already difficult enough as reduced lighting can cause you to misjudge distances and boundaries like the edge of the road as well as simply causing an overall dimming of your vision,” Dr. Johnson further explained. “So, if have been told that you have the beginning of a cataract and you are becoming fearful of night driving  with cataracts, it might well be time to consider whether cataract surgery might be a good option to help you regain your night driving comfort level,” Dr. Johnson recommended.

If you or someone you know feels they have night driving problems that might be related to cataracts or has a question about cataracts, cataract surgery or lens implants please feel free to schedule an eye exam by calling Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, visiting www.center-for-sight.com 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.