Happy Easter

From all of us at D'Ambrosio Eye Care.

First day of spring

FINALLY!  It's official - spring has arrived!  We've had a long, snowy, cold, windy winter and I think we've all been axiously awating the official arrival of spring!

At D'Ambrosio Eye Care, Inc. we're celebrating with a potluck lunch!  Hopefully, we've seen the last of Ol' Man Winter for awhile!

Top O' The Mornin'

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

Daylight Savings Time begins today

D'Ambrosio Eye Care wants to remind you that Daylight Savings Time begins today.  If you haven't already done so, "spring" your clock forward now! 

Unfortunately, that hour of sleep we lost won't be regained until November!  However, I think it's a small price to pay for the extended daylight hours!

S-P-R-I-N-G ahead

Tonight is the time to move your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed! 

And... I think S-P-R-I-N-G weather appears to be ahead, too!

Busy day in our refractive area!

JoAnn C. Chang, M.D.

JoAnn C. Chang, M.D. has been busy today performing laser vision correction procedures in our LASIK area.  Andrea, our Refractive Coordinator, baked some yummy treats providing a little extra TLC for our patients!

Fundraiser tonight at Friendly's Restaurant in Leominster

Come join us tonight for take out or eat in at the Friendly's Restaurant at 482 North Main Street.  Friendly's will donate a portion of all sales between 5:00pm and 8:00pm for TEAM D'AMBROSIO EYE CARE for the Greater Gardner Relay for Life.

Celebrate the warmer weather and disappearing snow with your favorite sundae! Yummmm.....

Vision screening at Concord Senior Center

Khyla Lance, O.D.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care staff was recently at the Harvey Wheeler Community Center in Concord for a vision, glaucoma and cataract screening.

Khyla Lance, O.D. was the Optometrist conducting the screening. 

D'Ambrosio Eye Care announces new Vision Plan

We are pleased to announce a new Vision Plan for our patients, and their household members, with exceptional discounts on eyewear, contact lenses and LASIK.  Please ask us about it at your next visit or call today.  Our opticians will we happy to discuss the details of the plan with you!

Prevalence of Sight Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy Considerable

According to an article published Family Practice News, published by International Medical New Group on September 1, 2010, the rate of diabetic retinopathy may be 29% in adult diabetics pointing to a high prevalence of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy in the United States.  "We are working very hard to help diabetic patients preserve their eye health and vision", said Francis A. D'Ambrosio, Jr., M.D.  "In order for us to be effective in providing advanced diagnostic testing and care for diabetic retinopathy, we need patients to help by maintaining good dietary control and their overall health." 

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provided Boston diabetic patients with complete diagnosis, treatment and management of diabetic eye problems.

By George, it's George Washington's Birthday!

Happy Birthday to President George Washington!  This is an official federal holiday with government offices and many other institutions and businesses closed.

Our Lancaster office will be open to see patients today, Acton and Gardner are closed.  The Lancaster Optical Department will not be open today, but we'll be glad to see you tomorrow!

Here's a little bit of George Washington trivia for you:  George Washington was born in Virginia on February 11, 1731, according to the then-used Julian calendar. In 1752, however, Britain and all its colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar, which placed Washington's birth on February 22, 1732.

And a little chuckle... One of the provisions of the Monday holiday act changed the observance of Washington's Birthday from February 22nd to the third Monday in February. Ironically, this guaranteed that the holiday would never be celebrated on Washington's actual birthday, as the third Monday in February cannot fall any later than February 21.

Sahana Vyas, M.D. to speak at Concord, MA Council on Aging

Sahana Vyas, M.D.

On Thursday, Dr. Sahana Vyas, Retina Specialist at D'Ambrosio Eye Care will speak, Thursday, February 17, at the Concord MA Council on Aging "Lunch & Learn" on  "Why Do I Need A Dilated Eye Exam?"  This is a great topic and I'm sure the attendees will learn quite a bit on this subject from her.

This is a great segue to the vision screening we'll be holding there the following week!  While we won't be dilating eyes, it will explain to folks why it's so important.

The speaking series and vision screenings are one way for us to give a little TLC to the communities we service!

JoAnn C. Chang presents at Health Alliance Grand Rounds

JoAnn C. Chang, M.D.

Dr. JoAnn C. Chang is presenting "Red Eye" today at at Health Alliance Hospital in Leominster Grand Rounds . 

Dr. Chang specializes in Diseases and Surgery of the Cornea, Cataract Surgery and Lens Implantation (IOLs) and Laser Vision Correction (LASIK). 

Dry Eye

When your eye doesn't produce enough tears or tears of the appropriate quality, it can cause dry eye which can be very uncomfortable.

What are some of the symptoms?
    * stinging or burning
    * scratchiness
    * stringy mucus around the eye
    * excessive eye irritation
    * excessive tearing

How is it treated?
     Typically with artifical tears - eye drops to lubricate the eye.

Are there ways to prevent or reduce dry eye?
     In winter, run a humidifier or place a pan of water on a radiator to increase moisture in your home.
     For some people, supplementing your diet with omega-3 fatty acids and flax seeds, are helpful.
    Protect yourself when out in the elements, particulary on windy days, with wrap-around glasses.

If these methods don't work, be certain to ask our eye doctors what else might be appropriate for you. 
   

February is ARMD Awareness Month



Sahana Vyas, M.D.



Prevent Blindness America has designated February 2011 as National Age Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month.  Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in Americans older than 50 and affects more than two million people. Although ARMD is incurable, there are new treatments than can, at a minimum, prevent further vision loss from the disease and in many cases actually help recover lost vision.



ARMD causes central vision to blur, but leaves peripheral vision intact.  It is progressive and painless.  There are two types of ARMD:  dry and wet.  Aoorixunatekt 90% of people with ARMD have the dry form which results in gradual vision loss.  Although only 10% of people with ARMD have the wet form, it generally progresses much quicker than the dry form.  Wet AMD is characterized by the growth of abnormal retinal blood vessels that leak blood or bluid, causing rapid and severe central vision loss.

Patients can help reduce the risk of developing ARMD by not smoking and working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables, avoiding food with trans fats, exercising and controlling blood pressure and weight.

 We are fortunate to be able to offer Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) drugs that inhibit the development of unwanted blood vessels that cause wet ARMD as these agents are effective in helping to prevent further visual loss and even improve vision.

Patients older than 50 are encouraged to have a comprehensive, dilated eye examination every one to two years to ensure that ARMD is deceted and treated early.  The key to successful treatment is early detection and intervention.  We are fortunate to have Sahana Vyas, M.D. at D'Ambrosio Eye Care in Lancaster, Acton and Gardner, Massachusetts who is fellowship-trained in Diseases & Surgery of the Retina and a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of Macular Degeneration.

Go PATRIOTS!

Today in our offices you'll find many of us wearing New England Patriot's attire to support our local team in their quest to move forward toward the Super Bowl!

Go PATS!

Eyeglass repair clinic for seniors in Clinton

The Opticians from D'Ambrosio Eye Care will be at Prescott Mill Aprartments in Clinton on Thursday, February 10 for an eyeglass repair clinic.  Residents may bring their glasses for an adjustment or a minor repair to the clinic.

Offices closed today

All D'Ambrosio Eye Care offices are closed today.  However, our on-call medical staff is available should you need emergency treatment.  Please call 978-537-3900 and our service will assist you.

We wish you and yours a happy, safe and prosperous 2011!

Glaucoma Awareness Month



Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness.  Everyone, from infants to seniors is vulnerable.  Moreover, among African-American and Hispanic populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness.

 We are fortunate to have Bin (Benjamin) Wu, M.D. on staff at D'Ambrosio Eye Care.  Dr. Wu is a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist.  Dr. Wu see patients in all three of our offices.

D'Ambrosio "Elves" making ornaments for charities

Several employees joined in to make ornaments to sell to benefit charities.   The "elves" were busy in the workshop creating several designs and styles.  There are beaded snowflakes, Merry Christmoose (Christmice?) items, candy cane reindeers, clothespin reindeers, glittery pine cones and more!  Each will be sold for $1.00 at all three offices and 100% of the proceeds will go to either Heifer International (Lancaster and Acton offices) and ..... in Gardner.

 

Stop in and check 

out

the ornaments!