Critical Retina Exam before Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgeon Francis D’Ambrosio, Jr. M.D. advised patients with cataracts and thinking about cataract surgery and lens implants to have a thorough and critical retinal exam in order to carefully correlate the degree of vision loss with the density and position of the cataract. “When our cataract patients tell us about a decrease in vision, we carefully try to correlate their visual symptoms and visual acuity to the degree of cataract present so we can help counsel them on their likely benefit,” said Dr. D’Ambrosio Jr. “As we deal with an aging population-a cataract population- a careful examination of the retina can reveal underlying pathology such as epiretinal membranes, retinal wrinkling or macular pucker with edema that may impact the results of the cataract surgery-we want to know this up front and advise patients”, he explained.

Current research studies report a prevalence of epiretinal membranes in 7% of patients older than 60 years and in 20% of patients aged 75 years or more-the prime demographic for cataract surgery. Therefore, before you have cataract surgery expect to have whatever level of examination and testing your cataract surgeon requests in order to help you get the best results.

If you or someone you know is concerned about cataracts and thinking about cataract surgery and les implants you 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.

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. 

iPad, Kindle & Nook May Help Glaucoma Patients

The vision loss from glaucoma can create difficulties for patients when it comes to reading. Adults with glaucoma read slower when reading silently for long periods of time and are more likely to have their reading speed decrease over time, possibly as a result of reading fatigue. The common technology of e-readers may offer some help in that patients with glaucoma may benefit from using e-readers such as iPads, Nooks and Kindle devices according to a recent study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. Fortunately, these studies suggest that iPads, Nooks and Kindle devices along with the apps that are developed for them may very well help glaucoma patients read more comfortably, over longer periods of time and with better overall ease.

If you or someone you know is concerned about vision loss from glaucoma and wishes to learn how e-readers like the iPad, Nook and Kindle might help 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.

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.

Freedom after Lens Implant Surgery

I needed glasses mostly for reading.  I had a pair in every room in the house, in the car and at the office.  The worst part was forgetting glasses when I went shopping or to a restaurant.  I was totally non-functional without glasses. 

I felt fine before the surgery - not nervous at all. I was very excited about having my eyesight corrected. During the surgery, I felt totally comfortable.   I did not feel a thing and even chatted with everyone in the O.R. during the procedure!  Everyone at the surgical center in Gardner was wonderful. 

After the surgery I felt just a little strange for the first few hours that I needed to leave the band aid on my “surgery” eye.  Seeing double made me a little nauseous for the few hours after the band aid came off.  I just napped for a few hours and everything was fine after that.  I was able to read without glasses for the first time that same night!

Mostly my work has been affected because I had prescription glasses for my computer work and prescription glasses for regular reading.  I do a lot of both throughout my work day so it was frustrating before surgery.  Not anymore!!!  FREEDOM!  I can’t wait to see if it improves my golf game in the spring!!! 

The staff, at both Dr. D’Ambrosio’s office and the surgical center, was the best.  Total professionalism, compassion and understanding in all of the prep appointments, the day of surgery and my post op visits.  I would highly recommend every single person that I encountered throughout this procedure!

Catherine F. 

Use Proper Sports Eye Protection to Prevent Injury

D’Ambrosio Eye Care reminded patients of the need to use proper sports eye protection to prevent a range of potential eye injuries. Aprilis Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month and the American Academy of Ophthalmology asks eye doctors to remind our community that 40,000 people suffer from eye injuries related to sports every year.

“Sometimes athletes overlook the potential risks that so many sports create for eye injuries. These can be of a wide range of eye problems including abrasions of the cornea, bruises of the eyelids, retinal detachments and internal bleeding,” said Rachel Robbins, M.D., a Massachusetts Ophthalmologist. “Unfortunately some of the most serious risks involve permanent vision loss along with infection and can be catastrophic to not only vision, but to everyday functioning-lifelong,” she further explained.

What patients need to know is that 90 percent of serious eye injuries are preventable through use of appropriate protective eyewear. Make sure the level of eye protection you or others in your family use is appropriate for the type of activity. Regular eyeglasses do not offer proper eye protection. Athletes need to wear appropriate, sport-specific protective eyewear properly fitted by an eye care professional. Lenses made from polycarbonate materials provide the highest level of impact protection; they can withstand a ball or other projectile traveling at 90 miles per hour.

If you or someone you know has questions or would like help in selecting, fitting or choosing sports protective eyeglasses, please schedule an eye examination at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio EyeCare 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.

Contact Lens Specialist on Dry Eyes, Contact Lenses & Birth Control Pills

Michael Fu, O.D.
Massachusetts Contact Lens Specialist

Massachusetts Optometrist and Contact Lens Specialist, Dr. Michael Fu posed the question for patients, “What does having dry eyes have to do with wearing contact lenses and birth control pills?” As it turns out there actually is a relationship between dry eye symptoms in woman using oral contraceptives who wear contact lenses. A study published in the journal Cornea examined the relationship among oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use, contact lens wear and dry eye signs and symptoms in healthy young women. As it turned out, there were no differences in dry eyes between the phases of the menstrual cycle and no evidence that tear osmolarity-or saltiness-was affected by OCP or contact lens use in the young women. However, the study found that the combination of OCP use and contact lens wear together may increase the severity of dry eye symptoms.

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.

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.