Macular Degeneration & Risk of Stroke

Massachusetts Ophthalmologist Francis D’Ambrosio, Jr., M.D., posed an important question-“What does your risk of having a stroke have to do with age related macular degeneration?” Possibly quite a bit as it turns out. Older adults with late-stage, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) may have a significantly higher risk for hemorrhagic stroke than do individuals without the eye disease, as reported from the Rotterdam Study at the International Stroke Conference. There may be a common underlying process contributing to both Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and bleeding strokes, but more research will be needed to determine if that’s the case. Researchers found that the risk for any stroke was 56% higher in participants with late-stage AMD than in individuals without AMD after they controlled for the effects of age, sex, diabetes, blood pressure, use of antihypertensive medication, smoking, cholesterol levels, carotid artery plaques, body mass index, alcohol intake, and C-reactive protein levels.

“The single most significant finding in the study was that participants with late-stage AMD-either the wet or dry forms-had six fold higher risk for intracerebral hemorrhage or stroke than did participants without AMD,” noted Dr. D’Ambrosio Jr. D’Ambrosio Eye Care with offices in Athol, Lancaster, Acton & Gardner. ”This is a critical piece of information and one we need to be responsive to and keep patients and their physicians abreast of.” 

If you or someone you know suffers from or is concerned about age related macular degeneration (AMD), especially if they are concerned about their risk of stroke or have a family history of stroke 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 plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice with office locations at 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331 and 74 Main Street,Gardner, Massachusetts 01440 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.

Glaucoma Specialist on Symptoms of Open Angle Glaucoma

“But Dr. Wu, how can I have glaucoma-I see well and I have no symptoms?” is a question that many patients have asked with great surprise at their glaucoma diagnosis,” commented Massachusetts Glaucoma Specialist Bin Wu, M.D. of D’Ambrosio Eye Care with offices in Athol, Lancaster, Acton & Gardner.

Glaucoma is a sight stealing eye disease in which the most common form-primary Open Angle Glaucoma-has no symptoms that affected patients can readily be aware of. This is especially important as among African-American and Hispanic populations glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness. Further-primary open angle glaucoma-is hereditary. The Nottingham Glaucoma Study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology evaluated the risk that siblings of glaucoma patients would themselves develop glaucoma within their lifetime. The study demonstrated that there was a strong likelihood that family members of glaucoma patients were at greater risk and that siblings were 5 times more likely to develop glaucoma by age 70. “This is why we strongly recommend that siblings of glaucoma patients and glaucoma suspects be screened for glaucoma, each and every year, said Dr. Wu.

There is a real need for regular eye examinations and glaucoma screening by an eye doctor in order to help you preserve your eye health and vision. If you or someone you know has a question about glaucoma, glaucoma symptoms, glaucoma risk or to schedule a glaucoma eye exam 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 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 (AMD) 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 with office locations at 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331 and 74 Main Street,Gardner, Massachusetts 01440 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.

Boston Eye Doctor on Contact Lens Tips for Healthy Vision

Boston eye doctor Dr. Michael Fu shared some tips for wearing contact lenses and maintaining healthy vision. “We remind patients that contact lenses are a medical device and even those worn purely for cosmetic purposes, should be prescribed and properly fit by a licensed eye care professional," explained Dr. Fu. "Too many patients forget this and end up buying and wearing contact lenses without proper medical guidance and a valid prescription. Then, often without even realizing it, they put themselves at risk for serious, even blinding eye infections."

Following the instructions given to you by your eye doctor-carefully and completely can go a long way to help avoid contact lens problems and complications. "Our experience clearly shows that by not following instructions on proper wear and care, contact lens wearers are more likely to have discomfort and may actually put themselves at greater risk for infection or other serious complications, such as microbial keratitis," said Dr. Fu. “We often find that improper storage, handling and disinfection of contact lenses really predispose patients to unnecessary risk.”

Some good contact lens care, handling and disinfection tips to follow include:

Ø  Always wash your hands with soap before inserting or removing your contact lenses.

Ø  Always empty the storage case of disinfection solution after removing your lenses, and fully refill with fresh solution before storing them.

Ø  NEVER clean your case with tap water.

Ø  REGULARLY-even daily- clean your case.

Ø  REGULARLY-at least monthly- replace your case.

If you or someone you know has questions about contact lens care, handling and disinfection 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 plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice with office locations at 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331 and 74 Main Street,Gardner, Massachusetts 01440 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.

LASIK Story to Be Free of Glasses

Dr. D’Ambrosio prescribed my first pair of glasses at age 3. My family came to the realization that I sat so close to the television as a young child because I couldn’t see it. I always wondered what it would be like to wake up in the morning and be able to see clearly. I was always frustrated that I couldn’t swim and play with my friends freely without constantly worrying about my glasses. When I was age 7, I had a terrible bike-riding accident. My mother constantly reminded me that my glasses saved my vision (after having plastic surgery and 18 stitches disturbingly close to my right eye there is probably a lot of truth to this). This made me grateful in a way to have glasses, but never changed my desire to be free of them.

I begged and pleaded with my parents to allow me to wear contact lenses as I was getting older. They had a very difficult time agreeing with me. When I turned 14, I was finally told I could try contact lenses. I was over the moon!!! The only problem was I never wanted to wear glasses after my new found freedom! There were many instances where I was instructed on proper wearing time and hygiene with contact lenses from the optometrist I followed up with. I have to admit, being a teenager I didn’t take this very seriously. There were many times when I had to take breaks from contact lenses to help improve the condition of my corneas. I always dreamed of the day that I could have refractive surgery, and finally this was an option for me! Dr. Chang informed me that I was a candidate for both PRK and LASIK. I ended up deciding to have PRK. So far in my life this has probably been the best decision I have ever made for myself. I wake up in the morning and everything is so bright and clear. I can fall asleep not worrying that I forgot to take my contact lenses out. I am able to see the clock in the morning. I can go to the beach without having a fit that my contacts are irritating me. I recommend PRK for anyone that is a candidate. I waited far too many years before going through with this and regret it. Many of those don’t know the first step to moving forward with refractive surgery. Dr. D’Ambrosio’s office has FREE consultations to let you know what your refractive options even are!! You have nothing to lose. Best of luck!

Erin C.

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 (AMD) 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 with office locations at 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331 and 74 Main Street, Gardner, Massachusetts 01440 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.

Cataract Surgery & Driving Safely in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Cataract Surgeon Francis D’Ambrosio, Jr., M.D. remarked on cataracts and the impact of cataract surgery on driving safely, particularly with regard to differences between men and women. “An interesting study on cataract surgery and driving was reported in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology whereby motor vehicle accidents involving men decreased by 15.3% in the 12 months following cataract surgery but the frequency of postoperative crashes didn't change significantly for women,” noted Dr. D’Ambrosio, Jr. D’Ambrosio Eye Care with offices in Athol, Lancaster, Acton & Gardner. “We know all too well that delaying cataract surgery often results in patients modifying their lifestyles and activities. This is especially the case as people restrict their driving in response to health and vision changes. We need to hear from patients about their driving habits and whether they have had to change them as their cataracts develop-then we can help,” said Dr. D’Ambrosio, Jr.

If you or someone you know has a question about cataract, cataract surgery, lens implants or driving 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.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice with office locations at 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331 and 74 Main Street, Gardner, Massachusetts 01440 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.