UV Light and Protecting Children

Wearing sunglasses that protect your eyes from harmful UV rays is as important as wearing sunscreen; and this habit should start as early as infancy.  80% of the UV rays absorbed during a lifetime are absorbed before the age 18.  Harmful UV rays can contribute to the development of age-related cataracts, pterygium, photo dermatitis and cancer around the eye as well as age related macular degeneration.

Sand, snow, concrete and water reflect sunlight, intensifying exposure.  Parents should advise and reinforce the importance of sun protection by teaching children to always take protective measures while outdoors.  Children should wear sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, stay in shaded areas and minimize exposure between 10am and 4pm.

If your child wears prescription eyeglass all day they are most likely wearing a polycarbonate or Trivex® material which protects their eyes from harmful UV rays, but if your child does not need corrective lenses, they should still wear protective sunglasses while outdoors.  It is recommended that all children, including infants, wear protective sunglasses while outdoors.  Sunglasses that block 99%-100% of UV rays. Be wary of non-specific labels like ‘blocks harmful UV’ vs. ‘blocks 99%-100% of UV’.  Not all lenses will block the recommended amount of UV.  Children should also always wear polycarbonate or Trivex® lens material as it is impact resistant.

If you or someone you know has questions about UV eye protection for children, 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.

Laser Treatment for Pinguecula

Laser treatment for Pinguecula may be an option where other types of treatment have not been satisfactory according to researchers reporting in the journal Cornea..A Pinguecula is a common, non-cancerous growth of the clear, thin tissue covering the eye called the conjunctiva. The growth is raised slightly from the surface of the white part of the eye called sclera. While the exact cause is unknown long-term sunlight exposure and eye irritation may be factors. Welding is a major job-related risk.

Usually no treatment is needed however keeping the eye moist with artificial tears may help prevent the area from becoming inflamed. Sometimes the temporary use of mild steroid eye drops can also be helpful. Occasionally the growth may need to be removed for comfort or for cosmetic reasons especially if it grows over the cornea and impairs vision. When this happens, the growth is called a pterygium.

The researchers reporting in the journal Cornea evaluated 15 eyes in 21 patients and treated their Pinguecula with laser treatment using argon laser photocoagulation. The overall cosmetic results were excellent or good in 90.5% of laser-treated cases and the laser treated cases had minimal scarring or hemorrhage. They concluded that argon laser photocoagulation is an effective and safe method for removing a Pinguecula for cosmetic purposes and the laser method facilitates control of the extent and depth of removal and thus minimizes conjunctival defects and other complications.

If you or someone you know is concerned about Pinguecula and would like to learn more about laser treatment for Pinguecula, 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. 

Childrens’ Eyeglasses & Eyewear Sale at D’Ambrosio Eye Care

As parents are getting their children ready for the “Back to School” season, D’Ambrosio Eye care is pleased to offer a great sale on children’s eyewear and eyeglasses through September 30, 2014.

Choose ANY Frame and get Single Vision Polycarbonate Lenses with Non Glare FREE!

Or

Choose ANY Lens and Get 25% off the Complete Pair of Eyeglasses!

To schedule an eye exam or eyeglass selection and fitting, please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help schedule an appointment.

What Patients Understand About Diabetic Retinopathy

We are concerned that patients with diabetes really don’t understand as much as they should about their eyes and diabetic retinopathy. A recent study exploring patients’ understanding of the risk factors, cause and controllability of their own diabetic retinopathy revealed considerable misunderstanding, gaps in knowledge and potentially damaging beliefs about the cause and treatment of diabeticretinopathy.

Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 57 patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR), nearly half of whom had severe proliferative DR-a serious complication. Most of these patients had also undergone laser treatment. At the conclusion of the study, patients were found to have had a reasonable understanding of the basic risk factors for DR, such as diabetes control, but they were less clear about specific risk factors such as blood pressure and lipid control.

Most patients attributed their DR either to poor diabetes control or to failings of the health care system, rather than having a basic understanding of the small blood vessel disease including circulatory and oxygen deprivation that results from the damaged blood vessels in the retina. Some patients believed that their DR was a result of health aspects beyond their control or environmental factors, whereas others were unsure about the cause. Improving patients' understanding of the major risk factors for DR as well as helping them have a better understanding of the causes of diabetic retinopathy and being able to grasp expectations of realistic outcomes of laser treatment may improve patients' coping mechanisms, adaption to disease and ocular outcomes.

If you or someone you know is concerned about diabetic retinopathy, 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.