Massachusetts Ophthalmologist Says Aging Eyes Have Better Vision

Massachusetts Ophthalmologist Francis D’Ambrosio, Jr. M.D. remarked “Aging eyes have better vision these days-seniors should be very pleased.” There has been a significant decrease is vision loss in older Americans according to a study published in the   journal 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,” said Dr. D’Ambrosio, Jr. of D’Ambrosio Eye Care with offices in Athol, Lancaster, Acton & Gardner.

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 or someone you know is concerned about aging eye problems or senior eye problems please feel free to schedule an eye examination at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear  and optical services.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice in Athol, Lancaster, Gardner and Acton that serves the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area including Acton, Athol, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Milford, Shelburne Falls, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Templeton, Westminster, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester, Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Glaucoma Specialist on Eye Drop iPhone App





Massachusetts Glaucoma Specialist Bin Wu, M.D shared information about a free smartphone app to remind glaucoma patients to take their eye drops and medications. “One of our greatest challenges in the treatment of glaucoma is when patients don’t remember to use their glaucoma eye drops or take their other medications,” explained Dr. Wu of D’Ambrosio Eye Care with offices in Athol, Lancaster, Acton & Gardner. “The free smartphone EyeDROPS app should help us get better patient compliance and consistency with their glaucoma medications and thus hopefully better control of the eye disease.”

The EyeDROPS app prompts users to enter information about the eye drops they are taking, including dosages and schedules. The app then alerts patients via their phones when it’s time to put in their eye drops. The app keeps a record of medication usage and informs the patient of the next scheduled dosing time. The free EyeDROPS app even allows patients to take a photo of each bottle to avoid confusion when taking more than one kind of eye drop. The EyeDROPS app is available for Android phones through Google Play and for the Apple iPhone through the App Store. “Early detection, diagnosis and consistent treatment is the name of the game in preventing vision loss from glaucoma,” said Dr. Wu.

If you or someone you know has glaucoma and would like more information about the EyeDROPS app they are encouraged to contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice in Athol, Lancaster, Gardner and Acton that serves the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area including Acton, Athol, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Milford, Shelburne Falls, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Templeton, Westminster, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester, Massachusetts.

LASIK Flex Plans in Massachusetts-Now is the Time!

Cindy Ogilvie, Practice Administrator of D’Ambrosio Eye Care with offices in Athol, Lancaster, Acton & Gardner, Massachusetts commented, “Now is the time for patients who want LASIK to use any Flex Plan funds that might be available to them. 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 way 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 is interested in LASIK they are encouraged to schedule

Free Consultation at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help determine whether you are a good candidate.

Staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear  and optical services.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice serving Athol, Acton, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Milford, Shelburne Falls, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Templeton, Westminster, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester, Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Eye Doctor on Glaucoma Eye Exams & Screenings

Massachusetts eye doctor Francis D’Ambrosio, Jr., M.D. reviewed what you should know about glaucoma eye exams and screenings. “Early detection, diagnosis and treatment are the keys to preventing vision loss from glaucoma. This is why proper glaucoma eye exams and screenings are so important-especially if any family member has a history of high eye pressure or a diagnosis of glaucoma,” commented Dr. D’Ambrosio of D’Ambrosio Eye Care with offices in Athol, Lancaster, Acton & Gardner.

Eye exams for glaucoma should begin by checking your visual acuity with and without your eyeglasses or contact lenses. Then, the tonometry test should be performed. This is a method of measuring your Intraocular Pressure (IOP) and gives the eye doctors the first piece of important information in determining whether you might have glaucoma. Ophthalmoscopy is another examination procedure used to detect and diagnose glaucoma. Ophthalmoscopy is a method of carefully examining the inside of the eye-especially the optic nerve-in order to detect glaucoma. It is necessary to have some eye drops placed in your eyes in order to dilate your pupils so that the eye doctors can make a clear and direct observation of the optic nerve.

If either the Intraocular Pressure (IOP) is elevated or the optic nerve appears unusual, additional tests will be necessary in order to complete the glaucoma examination. These may include Visual Field Perimetry, Gonioscopy, Optic Nerve Computer Imaging and Pachymetry. Should you need any of these tests we explain them fully to you and answer your questions so that you understand how they allow us to diagnose glaucoma.

If you are under 40 years of age and do not have any family history of glaucoma or ocular hypertension-and have no other glaucoma risk factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes or being of African-American or Hispanic descent, then having a glaucoma eye examination every two years should be sufficient. If you have any glaucoma risk factors, a family history or are over 40-especially if you are of African-American or Hispanic descent, then a glaucoma eye exam each year is recommended.

If you or someone you know is concerned about glaucoma risk or has any family history of glaucoma they are encouraged to schedule an eye examination at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice in Athol, Lancaster, Gardner and Acton that serves the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area including Acton, Athol, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Milford, Shelburne Falls, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Templeton, Westminster, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester, Massachusetts.

My LASIK Story of Life

My LASIK story began since I had been wearing glasses since I was 7 years old and I HATED them!  I was significantly nearsighted and was mortified at how obnoxious my thick lenses were.  I remember getting ready for my Homecoming dance – trying to put mascara on behind my glasses was such a pain!  I finally tried contacts when I was 17. I was so happy to be rid of my glasses – except that I was a terrible contact lens wearer. I put myself at risk for so much – sleeping in my contacts, wearing ripped lenses, using old solutions or just plain water to store them – my eye doctor was constantly after me to be better with my eyes.  I finally decided to schedule my surgery with Dr. D’Ambrosio. I had a consultation exam that was very thorough and all my questions were answered.  My mom came to surgery with me and watched my procedure on the TV screen. I remember being told by a nurse to “look at the target light”, except that target light seemed so big and blurry without my glasses on.  As soon as the procedure was over, that target light became very clear. I sat up on the surgery bed afterwards and could see out the window to the waiting room.  My mom was crying. I asked her through the window, “Why are you crying?” She started to laugh and cry a little more.  I came out and she said, “At first, I cried because you’ve been wearing glasses for 20 years, then I cried because you could see that I was crying from the bed!”  For months after surgery, I found things that I was no longer hassled by in my day to day life.  I didn’t have to hold shampoo and conditioner bottles up to my nose to distinguish between them in the shower.  I didn’t have to pack a separate bag for my glasses, contacts, solutions and containers when traveling overnight. I could fall asleep watching Red Sox games on TV without crushing my glasses in the middle of the night. I could wear mascara – and SEE to put it on!!  Most importantly, as my parents pointed out, I was safer.  It wasn’t until after my surgery that my mother told me how, if there was ever a fire or something in the middle of the night, she worried about me being able to see to get out of the house safely. Because my vision had been like that my whole life, I never thought of it that way. LASIK surgery was easily one of the best decisions I made for myself.

Jenny E.

Massachusetts Specialist on Glaucoma Awareness Month



Massachusetts Glaucoma Specialist Bin Wu, M.D. commented, “As we begin 2013, we are making raising awareness about glaucoma a priority”, stated Dr. Wu. “We all need to take an extra step to remind patients and their families about the need for regular eye exams with glaucoma screenings,” emphasized Dr. Wu of D’Ambrosio Eye Care with offices in Athol, Lancaster, Acton & Gardner.

According to the most recent statistical data provided by Prevent Blindness America in 2012, 2,719,379 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.

Dr. Wu continued, “Patients should be particularly sensitive to the fact that in African-American and Hispanic populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness. Further, other glaucoma risk factors include any family history-especially among siblings-of glaucoma, certain diseases such as diabetes and an increase in glaucoma 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. Wu. “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 is concerned about glaucoma risk or has any family history of glaucoma they are encouraged to schedule an eye examination at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear  and optical services.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice in Athol, Lancaster, Gardner and Acton that serves the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area including Acton, Athol, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Milford, Shelburne Falls, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Templeton, Westminster, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester, Massachusetts.