Risk of Cataracts & Smoking

“Smokers should become aware of the increased risk of cataracts that smoking creates,” commented Gregory Hofeldt, M.D., an Ophthalmologist & CataractSurgeon in Fall River, Massachusetts at Center for Sight. “Most patients I speak to are well aware of the vascular risks of smoking and some are aware that they may be at increased risk of glaucoma and age related macular degeneration as well. But, what may be news to those who smoke is that they are also at increased risk of cataracts,” explained Dr Hofeldt.

Patients who are current smokers or who have any history of smoking are at increased risk of getting a cataract according to researchers reporting in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. The researchers found that the overall current literature suggests that smoking was associated with increased risk of age related cataract, especially nuclear cataract and to some extent posterior sub capsular cataract. They further recommended that additional efforts should be made to confirm these findings and clarify the underlying biological mechanisms. A healthy lifestyle and diet are meaningful ways of maintaining eye health and vision-whether lowering your risk of cataracts, keeping the tiny blood vessels in the eye functioning properly or minimizing the associated risks of glaucoma-it’s important to avoid smoking as a lifestyle choice.

If you or someone you know feels they are at risk for cataract development, 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, or visiting 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.

LASIK for Massachusetts Motorcycle Riders

Massachusetts motorcycle riders considering LASIK are encouraged to think about their vision correction options as spring gets closer. “This is the time of year we start to see many motorcycle riders who are interested in LASIK,” commented Fall River LASIK Surgeon & Corneal Specialist Keegan Johnson, M.D. of Center for Sight. “Contact lenses and certainly eyeglasses can be a real challenge for motorcycle riders-so many consider the option of LASIK about now. As motorcycle lovers start to think about the spring, summer and fall motorcycle riding season, I try to remind them that vision correction and eye safety should top the list of things they think about as part of their readiness checklists along with the condition of their gear and bikes,” Dr. Johnson further explained. 

It is important to recognize the need for eye protection from the sun, bugs, small rocks and pebbles and especially the wind, which can really contribute to dry eye symptoms. LASIK patients as well as other recreational motorcycle riders sometimes overlook or are just not aware of the potential for eye irritation and motorcycle dry eye caused by the wind, exhaust fumes, pollen and pollution-as well as the summer sun and heat. 

At your LASIK consultation the staff will be exploring your lifestyle needs and activities. As a potential LASIK patient we want to take the time necessary so that we can carefully counsel you in order to get the best results and help meet your expectations. Please take the time to tell us about your motorcycle riding interest as well as all of the ways in which you are hoping to benefit from LASIK.

If you or someone you know 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 LASIK Consultation.

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.

Astigmatism & Lens Implants for Cataracts

“Astigmatism is a common eye problem that needs to be corrected in order to get the best vision correction results from cataract surgery,” commented Gregory Hofeldt, M.D.,Ophthalmologist & Cataract Surgeon at Center for Sight in Fall River, Massachusetts. “Most cataract patients know from their eye exams or eyeglass prescriptions that they have some amount of astigmatism. But, sometimes cataract patients don’t realize that it is important for their cataract surgeon to correct that astigmatism in order to get the best visual results for them,” explained Dr Hofeldt.

Astigmatism is a refractive eye condition that that is most often due to an uneven curvature of the cornea. If the cornea were perfectly shaped, it would have a spherical round even shape, like a basketball. In eyes that have astigmatism, the cornea is typically curved more like an oblong, football-like shape, similar to the shape of the back of a teaspoon. “Depending on the degree and orientation of the unequal curvatures, astigmatism can cause mild or even severe blurry vision,” explained Dr. Hofeldt. 

Patients with cataracts and who are in need of cataract surgery have three choices when considering how to correct their astigmatism. First, patients can simply choose to be dependent on wearing eyeglasses after cataract surgery in order to correct astigmatism. Second, if appropriate, some patients may opt to have an additional surgical procedure called Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI) or third, patients can elect have an astigmatismcorrecting toric lens implant in which the astigmatism correction is incorporated into the lens prescription just as in eyeglasses. “Toric lensimplants are placed in the eye in exactly the same manner as ordinary lens implants at the time of cataract surgery and correct the astigmatism as part of the cataract surgery operation,” further explained Dr. Hofeldt.

If you or someone you know has cataracts or is considering cataract surgery and has astigmatism and would like to learn more about astigmatism correction after cataract surgery, please 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 cataracts, cataract surgery and toric lens implants for astigmatism 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.

Macular Degeneration Risk & Inflammation Test

Your risk of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) may be marked by a blood test for inflammation. Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston reporting in JAMA Ophthalmology found that the risk of macular degeneration (AMD) is correlated with the findings of the CRP (c-reactive proteins) test, an inflammation marker commonly used for heart disease and other inflammatory conditions. 

The pooled findings across the groups showed that there was a significantly increased risk of AMD for those patients with high versus low CRP levels and those with high CRP levels also had a significantly increased risk of neovascular or Wet AMD. The researchers concluded that elevated levels of CRP predict greater future risk of AMD. 

It is believed that this information might shed light on underlying mechanisms and could be of clinical help in the identification of persons at high risk of AMD who may benefit from increased adherence to lifestyle recommendations, eye examination schedules and therapeutic protocols.

If you or someone you know has questions about their risk of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and inflammatory markers such as the CRP test, 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.

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.