Fuchs’ Dystrophy is a slowly progressive disease of the cornea that is typically bilateral and is slightly more common in women than men. While it is possible to observe Fuchs’ Dystrophy in people in their 30’s and 40’s, it usually does not compromise vision until people are in their 50’s or 60’s. While a precise path of genetic transmission is unclear, a familial predisposition seems to exist among those who are first degree relatives. Early in the course of Fuch's Dystrophy patients typically awaken with blurry vision that gets progressively clearer as the day passes. This phenomenon occurs because the cornea normally swells during sleep. A healthy endothelial pump is necessary in order to restore the cornea to a normal thickness. In Fuchs’ Dystrophy, the endothelium removes fluid from the cornea less efficiently. As the Fuchs’ Dystrophy disease worsens, the vision does not clear. Usually we will attempt to help reduce the corneal swelling each day by prescribing hypertonic eye drops and ointments. However, when these measures fail to provide comfort and clear vision, it may be necessary to have a corneal transplant.
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about Fuchs’ Corneal Dystrophy please schedule an appointment with Massachusetts Corneal Specialist JoAnn C. Chang, M.D. at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.
D’Ambrosio Eye Care Boston-Eye Exams for LASIK, Laser Cataract Surgery, Lens Implants, Eyeglasses, Glaucoma, Diabetic Eye Problems & AMD.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Boston Doctors for Bulging Eyes
Eye doctors throughout Boston are quite well aware that when patients speak about having bulging eyes they are using the familiar description of the eye conditions known as Exophthalmos or Proptosis. “While patients might think that it is only a matter of being a bit odd looking, bulging eye conditions can also cause a number of problems, such as not being able to completely close your eyes during sleep or even during normal blinking, which can lead to dry eye symptoms, discomfort and ultimately damage the eye’s surface as a result of scarring. Sometimes eye bulging can restrict or interfere with normal eye movements. We need to be able to properly diagnose the difference between eyes that are simply “prominent” as compared to eyes that actually “bulging”. In instances of true bulging eyes we need to carefully determine the cause so that we can offer an appropriate treatment as necessary. Causes of bulging eyes can include Graves Disease that results in hyperthyroidism and too much thyroid hormone, inflammation of the tissue around the eye and inside the bony orbit of the eye called cellulitis, certain tumors behind, inside or around the eye, hemorrhages behind the eye and injury to the eye. If you or someone you know suffers from bulging eyes please feel free to schedule an examination at D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Contact Lenses & Swimming in Boston
Wearing contact lenses while swimming may be a problem. Boston Cornea Specialist JoAnn Chang, M.D. of D’Ambrosio Eye Care commented on the need for patients to use caution when considering wearing contact lenses while participating in water related activities, such as swimming. “Some patients-and even some eye care professionals-tend to be a little lax when it comes to directing contact lens wearers to avoid wearing their contact while swimming-or even in the shower-and especially in hot tubs or spas,” said Dr. Chang. “Contact lenses really shouldn’t be worn for swimming, taking showers, in bath tubs or in hot tubs as there is plenty of research and clinical experience that tells us that poses unnecessary safety risks to patients.”
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that contact lenses not be exposed to any form of water. Although rare, a sight-threatening eye complication, Acanthamoeba Keratitis, is caused by an organism present in all forms of impure water (i.e., swimming pools, tap water, saunas, wells, and showers). Acanthamoeba, and certain forms of bacteria present in water, can become attached to the contact lenses, possibly resulting in an infection. It would be preferable to insert your contact lenses after showering. If lenses are being worn while showering, it is recommended to keep your eyes firmly closed. If you accidentally wear your contact lenses while in the bathtub or hot tub, care should be taken to avoid water being splashed into the eyes. If your eyes are exposed to water, instill a lubricating drop to help loosen the lens on the eye, remove the lens with clean, dry hands, then clean and disinfect it the lens, or discard it. Never sleep in a lens that has been exposed to water, without first cleaning and disinfecting it. If lenses were removed prior to getting in a hot tub, they must be properly cleaned and disinfected before being re-inserted.
“Contact Lenses are really quite safe to wear if your follow proper care guidelines and instructions. However, if water restrictions such as swimming, bath tubs and showering are part of your daily routine, you do need to keep your lenses out. Many more patients-even very successful contact lens wearers-finds this to be a hassle and are now interested in discussing LASIK as an option,” said Dr. Chang.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about LASIK or scheduling a free LASIK Consultation please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that contact lenses not be exposed to any form of water. Although rare, a sight-threatening eye complication, Acanthamoeba Keratitis, is caused by an organism present in all forms of impure water (i.e., swimming pools, tap water, saunas, wells, and showers). Acanthamoeba, and certain forms of bacteria present in water, can become attached to the contact lenses, possibly resulting in an infection. It would be preferable to insert your contact lenses after showering. If lenses are being worn while showering, it is recommended to keep your eyes firmly closed. If you accidentally wear your contact lenses while in the bathtub or hot tub, care should be taken to avoid water being splashed into the eyes. If your eyes are exposed to water, instill a lubricating drop to help loosen the lens on the eye, remove the lens with clean, dry hands, then clean and disinfect it the lens, or discard it. Never sleep in a lens that has been exposed to water, without first cleaning and disinfecting it. If lenses were removed prior to getting in a hot tub, they must be properly cleaned and disinfected before being re-inserted.
“Contact Lenses are really quite safe to wear if your follow proper care guidelines and instructions. However, if water restrictions such as swimming, bath tubs and showering are part of your daily routine, you do need to keep your lenses out. Many more patients-even very successful contact lens wearers-finds this to be a hassle and are now interested in discussing LASIK as an option,” said Dr. Chang.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about LASIK or scheduling a free LASIK Consultation please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Multifocal Contact Lenses in Boston
Boston contact lens wearers may want to know that Multifocal Contact Lenses are a good option for vision correction for patients with Presbyopia. Presbyopia is a condition of the eye which results in the loss of ability to focus on near objects. This happens to most people in their early to mid forties. In the past, reading glasses or bifocals were needed to allow people to read up close. Multifocal contact lenses are now available for people with presbyopia, and they can provide clear vision at all distance ranges.
There are many brands of soft multifocal contact lenses. These lenses achieve good vision at distance and near using different technologies. Some multifocal lenses have an aspheric surface which provides a range of clear vision from far to near but vision may be dependent on a person's pupil size. Other lenses have alternating rings which provide clear vision at distance or near but side effects can include halos or ghosting of images.
Multifocal designs are also available in gas permeable lenses. Gas permeable lenses can use an aspheric or translating design to provide a good range of clear vision. Translating contact lenses have a bifocal segment in the lower half of the lens like a pair of bifocal glasses. While vision is potentially very good with these lenses, stability of the lens and proper interaction with the lower eyelid is important.
Monovision is another way to treat presbyopia with contact lenses. With monovision, a distance contact lens is placed on one eye and near contact lens is placed in the other eye. With both eyes open, a greater range of clear vision is possible. However, depth perception may be affected some patients.
When fit properly, multifocal contact lenses can allow many people to meet their daily visual needs without reading glasses or bifocals. This can be determined at an eye examination with one of the eye doctors at D’Ambrosio Eye Care.
Call 800-325-3937 for more information or to schedule an appointment. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.
There are many brands of soft multifocal contact lenses. These lenses achieve good vision at distance and near using different technologies. Some multifocal lenses have an aspheric surface which provides a range of clear vision from far to near but vision may be dependent on a person's pupil size. Other lenses have alternating rings which provide clear vision at distance or near but side effects can include halos or ghosting of images.
Multifocal designs are also available in gas permeable lenses. Gas permeable lenses can use an aspheric or translating design to provide a good range of clear vision. Translating contact lenses have a bifocal segment in the lower half of the lens like a pair of bifocal glasses. While vision is potentially very good with these lenses, stability of the lens and proper interaction with the lower eyelid is important.
Monovision is another way to treat presbyopia with contact lenses. With monovision, a distance contact lens is placed on one eye and near contact lens is placed in the other eye. With both eyes open, a greater range of clear vision is possible. However, depth perception may be affected some patients.
When fit properly, multifocal contact lenses can allow many people to meet their daily visual needs without reading glasses or bifocals. This can be determined at an eye examination with one of the eye doctors at D’Ambrosio Eye Care.
Call 800-325-3937 for more information or to schedule an appointment. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Help for Boston Corneal Infections
“For a lot of our Boston patients, spring is the time we like to get outdoors and participate in activities where corneal infections can become somewhat of a risk”, commented Boston Corneal Specialist JoAnn Chang, M.D. “I would like to remind patients that normally the cornea is very resistant to infection. However, if the outermost layer of the cornea-called the epithelium-is damaged from even mild accidents like getting a poke in the eye from a branch or a finger, a foreign body such as metal or even from a dirty or damaged contact lens, it is possible for bacteria, viruses or fungi to penetrate the cornea and cause an infection. Situations like these can cause painful inflammation and corneal infections called Keratitis,” remarked Dr. Chang.
Anyone concerned about a corneal infection should become familiar with the signs and symptoms of a Keratitis which may include redness, pain, light sensitivity, watering and even the formation of a white spot indicating the focus of the infection. In some instances this can cause a painful inflammation with a discharge, which if not treated quickly and appropriately, can lead to corneal erosion, corneal ulceration and corneal scarring which can impair vision and may require a corneal transplant. Quick diagnosis and treatment are the best way to avoid the potential for damage and vision loss from a corneal infection.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these signs or symptoms-especially if they have had any trauma to their eyes, please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937 and request an immediate appointment.
Anyone concerned about a corneal infection should become familiar with the signs and symptoms of a Keratitis which may include redness, pain, light sensitivity, watering and even the formation of a white spot indicating the focus of the infection. In some instances this can cause a painful inflammation with a discharge, which if not treated quickly and appropriately, can lead to corneal erosion, corneal ulceration and corneal scarring which can impair vision and may require a corneal transplant. Quick diagnosis and treatment are the best way to avoid the potential for damage and vision loss from a corneal infection.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these signs or symptoms-especially if they have had any trauma to their eyes, please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937 and request an immediate appointment.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Boston Eye Care Electronic Health Records (EHR)
Boston eye care patients will have the benefits of electronic health records at D’Ambrosio Eye care. Francis A. D'Ambrosio, Jr., M.D., Medical Director, Eye Physician & Surgeon at D'Ambrosio Eye Care, explains “With our Electronic Health Records (EHR) system we are able to access patient records remotely and also can utilize mobile applications.” Dr. D’Ambrosio further explains, “This is a great advancement in technology from the days that would require us to physically go into one of our offices to review a patient chart, or transport them from office to office, for a patient visit. This is of particular advantage when one of our optometrists or specialists is on call. It provides a quicker response to the patient or the emergency room doctor, if that is where the call originated.”
D’Ambrosio Eye Care has four office locations within Central Massachusetts and by utilizing EHR, photos and examination results are available to other doctors within the practice immediately.
“It also has eliminated “missing” paper charts and significantly reduced the amount of paper generated at each location, adding to our desire to be more eco-friendly. EHR allows for a seamless transition for all departments whether it is medical eye care, eye surgery, optical and eyewear or billing,” continued Dr. D’Ambrosio, Jr.
Another benefit is the ability to send a “To Do” to another staff member regarding a patient immediately; this eliminates a time lag between taking a message and getting it to the individual who needs the information. With a team of fifteen doctors on staff, each doctor has certain preferences and requirements and this system allows that customization as well as mobile applications.
To schedule an appointment for an eye examination or have other eye care needs, please contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also visit facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare to request an appointment.
D’Ambrosio Eye Care has four office locations within Central Massachusetts and by utilizing EHR, photos and examination results are available to other doctors within the practice immediately.
“It also has eliminated “missing” paper charts and significantly reduced the amount of paper generated at each location, adding to our desire to be more eco-friendly. EHR allows for a seamless transition for all departments whether it is medical eye care, eye surgery, optical and eyewear or billing,” continued Dr. D’Ambrosio, Jr.
Another benefit is the ability to send a “To Do” to another staff member regarding a patient immediately; this eliminates a time lag between taking a message and getting it to the individual who needs the information. With a team of fifteen doctors on staff, each doctor has certain preferences and requirements and this system allows that customization as well as mobile applications.
To schedule an appointment for an eye examination or have other eye care needs, please contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also visit facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare to request an appointment.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
What Is Astigmatism?
"Astigmatism is a common condition which is present in many people. It is caused when there is an irregular shape to either the natural lens inside the eye or the cornea, which is the clear front surface of the eye,” explains Michael Fu, O.D., Massachusetts Optometrist at D’Ambrosio Eye Care.
Dr. Fu continues “the lens and cornea focus light on the Retina, the light-sensitive surface at the back of the eye. In astigmatism, the surface of the lens or cornea may have a different curvature in one direction compared to another. For example, someone with astigmatism usually has a cornea shaped more like a football than a basketball.” As a result, light is not focused to a single point on the back of the eye and this can lead to blurred vision.
Slight amounts of astigmatism usually do not affect vision, but larger amounts can lead to blurred vision, eyestrain, or even headaches. The most common ways of correcting astigmatism are with glasses or contact lenses. However, laser vision correction or lens replacement surgery can also reduce or eliminate astigmatism.
Some cases of astigmatism are caused by damage to the cornea from injury or from medical conditions such as keratoconus. Astigmatism from these causes can result in a type of astigmatism called irregular astigmatism. Eyeglasses usually cannot correct this type of astigmatism but technological advances now allow most types of astigmatism to be corrected with contact lenses or even refractive surgery. An eye exam by an eye care provider with experience in these technologies is needed to provide patients with all the available treatment options.
Should you have any questions or are interested in learning if you may be a candidate for laser vision correction or lens replacement surgery, please contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.
Slight amounts of astigmatism usually do not affect vision, but larger amounts can lead to blurred vision, eyestrain, or even headaches. The most common ways of correcting astigmatism are with glasses or contact lenses. However, laser vision correction or lens replacement surgery can also reduce or eliminate astigmatism.
Some cases of astigmatism are caused by damage to the cornea from injury or from medical conditions such as keratoconus. Astigmatism from these causes can result in a type of astigmatism called irregular astigmatism. Eyeglasses usually cannot correct this type of astigmatism but technological advances now allow most types of astigmatism to be corrected with contact lenses or even refractive surgery. An eye exam by an eye care provider with experience in these technologies is needed to provide patients with all the available treatment options.
Should you have any questions or are interested in learning if you may be a candidate for laser vision correction or lens replacement surgery, please contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Eyes, Eyestrain & Boston Computer Use
"Boston computer users might wonder about why their eyes feel the way they do and why they suffer from eyestrain,"commented Francis D'Ambrosio Jr., M.D. There are some important things to know about computer and video display terminal use, your eyes and eyestrain. Staring at your computer screen, smart phone, video game or other digital devices for long periods won’t cause permanent eye damage, but your eyes may feel dry and tired. Although there are no long-term studies at this time, we do not believe there is any reason to be concerned that 3-D movies, TV or video games will damage the eyes or visual system.
Normally, you blink about 18 times a minute, but only blink half that often while using computers and other digital screen devices, whether for work or play. Reading, writing or other intensive “near work” can also cause eyestrain of a similar nature.
It is helpful in avoiding computer related eyestrain if you first position yourself about 24” from the screen you are viewing and with your eye gaze is slightly downward. It also helps to reduce glare from the screen by lighting the area properly and if possible use a screen filter if needed. It may seem silly but post a note that says “Blink!” on the computer as a reminder. Then, use the “20-20-20” rule. Every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds. It is also helpful to use artificial tears to refresh your eyes when they feel dry. Make sure that you take regular breaks from computer work, and be sure to get enough sleep at night. Now, if you wear contact lenses for the computer screen it’s important that you use and care for them properly in order to avoid eye irritation, swelling, infection and vision problems. Also, give your eyes a break and wear your glasses instead of your contacts sometime. Consider a special eyeglass prescription and lens coating for computer use to help manage eyestrain and fatigue.
If you wish to learn more about computers, vision, eyestrain and your eyes please feel free to call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.
Normally, you blink about 18 times a minute, but only blink half that often while using computers and other digital screen devices, whether for work or play. Reading, writing or other intensive “near work” can also cause eyestrain of a similar nature.
It is helpful in avoiding computer related eyestrain if you first position yourself about 24” from the screen you are viewing and with your eye gaze is slightly downward. It also helps to reduce glare from the screen by lighting the area properly and if possible use a screen filter if needed. It may seem silly but post a note that says “Blink!” on the computer as a reminder. Then, use the “20-20-20” rule. Every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds. It is also helpful to use artificial tears to refresh your eyes when they feel dry. Make sure that you take regular breaks from computer work, and be sure to get enough sleep at night. Now, if you wear contact lenses for the computer screen it’s important that you use and care for them properly in order to avoid eye irritation, swelling, infection and vision problems. Also, give your eyes a break and wear your glasses instead of your contacts sometime. Consider a special eyeglass prescription and lens coating for computer use to help manage eyestrain and fatigue.
If you wish to learn more about computers, vision, eyestrain and your eyes please feel free to call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.
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