Flexible Spending Accounts for Eyeglasses

It is that time of year again when it is time to decide how to spend that unused money in your flexible spending accounts before it expires. What better way than to get yourself or someone in your family a new pair of eyeglasses, especially for all those upcoming holiday parties. We have a lot of new technology that was released throughout this year. Transitions® Lenses come in 3 colors now, the grey and brown along with a classic graphite green color. We have new lens materials available to us that include many new options for digital eyestrain and we have chosen to continue offering our NEADs lens packages. When these lens packages are purchased part of the proceeds goes directly to NEADs (National Education for Assistance Dog Services) and you also get a toy stuffed dog puppy to take home, just in time for the holidays.

So please stop in any of locations anytime to talk with our licensed Opticians about what new solutions we have to meet your visual needs. If you have questions or need assistance with eyewear selection or fitting please feel free to contact us by calling 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Optical Center, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

Eye Infection Tips

Eye Infections: What You Should Know!

If you’ve experienced red, itchy eyes, you may have wondered whether it’s a symptom of allergies or dry eyes or a more serious condition, such as an eye infection. Here is an overview of allergies and dry eye as compared to an eye infection.

About Allergies & Dry Eyes
Symptoms of Allergies or Dry Eyes

• If you work at a computer for an extended time or have allergies to products or airborne substances, you may experience dry, red or irritated eyes.
• Generally allergies and dry eyes affect both eyes.
• Treatment options usually include resting your eyes or using an over-the-counter or prescription eye drops, as recommended by your eye doctor.

About Eye Infections
Symptoms of Eye Infections

• Frequently occurs when bacteria, fungi or viruses attack any part of your eye, including the surface, membrane lining of the outer eye and inner eyelid, interior portions or the soft tissue of the eyelid.
• Infections inside the eye or in the soft tissue of the eyelid are the most dangerous and if left untreated, the condition may spread throughout the eye.
• Symptoms usually include redness, pain, discharge, watering and sensitivity to light; usually occurs only in one eye; if symptoms are detected, immediately contact your eye doctor for an evaluation

Types of Eye Infections
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) – A common infection that is highly contagious.
Viral Keratitis – Can be simply related to a respiratory virus or cold or more serious such as Ocular Herpes that occurs when exposed to the Herpes Simplex Virus.
Fungal Keratitis – A fungus commonly found in organic matter such as soil, leaves or branches of a tree.
Acanthamoeba Keratitis – A parasite that attacks the eye more often in individuals wearing contact lenses and swimming in pools, lakes, ponds, hot tubs or streams who are at increased risk for contracting this infection.
Trachoma – Usually found in underdeveloped countries. Typically infects the inner eyelid along with eyelashes touching the area can infect the cornea and cause permanent blindness.
Endophthalmitis – Occurs with a penetrating eye injury or complication following eye surgery and if left untreated, may lead to blindness.

Preventing Eye Infections

• If you experience symptoms associated with an eye infection, contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care immediately. Prompt treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of permanent blindness.
• To avoid eye infections, wash your hands throughout the day, especially if you are near an individual with a red eye or other signs of infection. Contact lens wearers should follow care and handling instructions provided by their eye doctor.

If you or someone you know is concerned about having an eye infections please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Ocular Melanoma Eye Cancer

Most people don’t realize than Ocular Melanoma (OM) is the most common form of cancer that occurs in the eye. Every year, approximately 2,500 American adults are diagnosed with ocular melanoma (OM) which is an aggressive malignant cancer that starts in the pigment cells that produce eye color and tends to occur in people with light skin pigmentation and more typically, blue or green eyes and who are over age 50. However, OM also can occur in individuals of every race and at any age. For about 50 percent of individuals diagnosed with OM, the cancer may be fatal, because it metastasizes and spreads to other parts of the body. OM is considered a silent killer. There are no early warning signs, and it is difficult to see when studying your eyes in the mirror.

Eye doctors usually detect OM during routine eye exams, reinforcing the importance of scheduling regular appointments. Once OM has developed, people may experience blurred vision, a change in the shape of the pupil, flashing lights in their vision, loss of vision in the affected eye or a dark spot on the iris. Researchers have discovered that people with OM tend to have certain gene mutations, which could suggest there is a strong genetic component to the disease. However, scientists have not concluded that these abnormalities are the cause. They believe there may be a connection between the development of OM and prolonged exposure to sunlight or artificial light, such as from tanning beds, but there is not significant research confirming this link.

If you or someone you know is concerned about the risk of Ocular melanoma (OM) please be sure to call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare and schedule an eye exam appointment.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Risk of Cataracts with Osteoporosis

Most people know that calcium is an important factor in bone health and the development of osteoporosis. It is also important to note that calcium is an important factor in cataract formation. Researchers reporting in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology shared some interesting information regarding an association between cataracts, cataract surgery and osteoporosis.

The data showed that age, female sex, higher socioeconomic class, smoking, chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases are all associated with an increased prevalence of osteoporosis. Through careful statistical modeling they also found that these factors and osteoporosis are ALL associated with an increased prevalence of cataracts. Thus, they concluded that osteoporosis is associated with the presence of cataracts which may be related to calcium imbalance, hormonal abnormalities, and even a shared genetic predisposition. If you or someone you know is concerned about osteoporosis and their risk of cataracts, please feel free to D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

VEGF Injections Best for Diabetic Macular Edema Treatment

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is a significant cause of vision loss in patients with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. According to researchers reporting in the American Journal of Ophthalmology reviewing and publishing an analysis of studies on Diabetic Maculopathy published between January 1, 1985 and July 31, 2013, although laser photocoagulation has been the standard treatment for DME for nearly 3 decades, there is increasing evidence that better outcomes can be achieved with anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (anti-VEGF) injections such as Lucentis® or Eylea®.

In fact, the number of patients with DME gaining an improvement of seeing an additional 10-15 letters on the eye chart was at least 2 times greater for those patients treated with the anti-VEGF injections as compared to being treated with laser treatments. Thus, the researchers concluded that anti-VEGF therapy is superior to laser photocoagulation for treatment of moderate to severe visual impairment caused by DME.

If you or someone you know has diabetes and is concerned about their risk of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) or Diabetic Retinopathy, it is critical that they have regular dilated eye exams.

Please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Computer Vision Syndrome Eyeglasses

20-20-20 Rule
Computer eyestrain is a hot topic right now and an estimated 70% of people suffer from one or more symptoms of CVS (computer vision syndrome). Common symptoms are tired eyes, blurred vision, headaches, dry eyes and neck and shoulder pain. It is recommended that every 20 minutes you give your eyes a break and look 20 feet away for about 20 seconds, 20-20-20. Even better is every 20 minutes taking a short walk to stretch your legs too. BUT computer eyestrain isn’t limited to adults anymore. Nowadays children spend just as much time if not more using an electronic device. We are now offering a children’s computer lens package at a discounted price just for kids!

These Lenses

Reflect HEV or “bad blue light” from computers and lighting

Reduce glare from computers and lighting

Are made in an impact resistant polycarbonate material

Reduce eye strain and fatigue

Allow more light to reach eye to improve vision

Cosmetically improve reflected lens glare

Stop by any of our locations to learn more details about this new package from our licensed Opticians. If you need computer lenses too, we have a lot of new technology available to you.

If you have questions or need assistance with CVS eyewear selection or fitting please contact us by calling 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Optical Center, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Optical Center provides eyewear, frames, lenses for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Diabetic Eye Exam Compliance is Important

The Need for Diabetic Eye Exam Compliance
We are asking and hoping that patients with diabetes will to do their part in helping to preserve their vision by being compliant with the recommendation to have regular dilated eye exams. Although there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, with careful management of risk factors such as blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, moderation of alcohol consumption and routine exercise along with regular annual dilated eye exams, the potential vision loss from diabetes and associated diabetic eye problems can be minimized.

Researchers reporting in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, studied and identified variables that predict adherence with annual eye examinations using the Compliance with Annual Diabetic Eye Exams Survey (CADEES), a new questionnaire designed to measure health beliefs related to diabetic retinopathy and annual eye examinations. A number of factors seemed to influence diabetic patient compliance with annual eye exams including beliefs concerning whether insurance covered most of the eye examination cost, whether it was difficult to schedule or physically get to an eye exam appointment, whether patients had been counseled and made obtaining an eye examination a top priority and whether they had been previously told that they had signs of diabetic retinopathy. Clinicians can also help patients with compliance with the diabetic eye exams counseling newly diagnosed patients more diligently along with those with uncontrolled blood glucose on the importance of annual eye examinations and discussing and helping patients remove perceived barriers and misconceptions.

If you or someone you know has diabetes they need to have regular annual dilated eye exams to prevent vision loss from diabetic eye diseases and problems. Please share this information with anyone you know who is diabetic and ask them to call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can schedule an appointment for a diabetic eye exam.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

LASIK Story from Benjamin

It’s not that I found the glasses bothersome; but it was a pain if you had to switch from sunglasses to regular especially if you forgot one of them. It was a hindrance to me in the aspect that I am a lineman and work outside, no matter the weather, so they were constantly fogging up and covered in rain or whatever else.

I was a little bit nervous before my surgery but calmed down when I was in the room.

The surgery was not bad; the only uncomfortable part would have been the pressure on the eyes but other than that not bad at all.

After the surgery I went home and relaxed for the day. I was able to see right away without glasses - which was awesome. My eyes had some discomfort, but nothing that was unbearable.

It’s awesome how I can just have a pair of sunglasses without having to remember to bring both pairs of glasses. Also, certain things at work were more of a challenge with glasses but now I don’t have that issue. I am able to play with the kids without worrying about breaking my glasses or anything.

Overall, I am incredibly pleased with everything that I experienced at D'Ambrosio Eye Care. I highly recommend everyone there. You all made the experience a pleasant and easy thing to have done. Lasik is awesome and I can’t believe it took me so long to have it preformed!

Benjamin A.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about LASIK or schedule a Free LASIK Consultation, please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Eye Movements Help Diagnose Early Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease represents a real healthcare challenge in the United States. In particular, the ability to make an early diagnose of Alzheimer’s Disease is important to effectively implement treatment and support as well as deal with the longer term outcome. According to researchers reporting in Investigative Ophthalmology & Vision Science a subtle change in eye movements may provide a useful diagnostic tool for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease. In general, eye movements follow a reproducible pattern during normal reading. Each eye movement ends up in a fixation point, which allows the brain to process the incoming information and to program the following movements. The researchers found that Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) produces eye movement abnormalities and disturbances in reading with those patients with early AD displaying abnormal fixation patterns. So we now know that evaluation of eye movement behavior during reading might provide a useful tool for a more precise early diagnosis of AD and for monitoring the progress or stability of Alzheimer Disease.

If you or someone you know is concerned about Alzheimer’s Disease 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, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Contact Lens Safety for Halloween

Contact lens safety is not to be taken for granted when it comes to decorative contact lenses many people like to try each Halloween. Decorative or “fashion” contacts let you change your “look” by changing eye color or even create patterns or logos on your eyes- but don’t correct vision. Decorative contact lenses really get very popular right around Halloween but require that you have a clear understanding of how to use them safely.

Facts & Tips for Halloween Contact Lens Eye Safety

• Decorative contact lenses are not cosmetics or “over the counter” merchandise. They are medical devices regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Places that advertise them as cosmetics or sell them without a prescription are breaking the law.
• They are not “one size fits all.” An eye doctor, either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, must measure each eye to properly fit the lenses and evaluate how your eye responds to contact lens wear. A poor fit can cause serious eye damage, including;

1. a scratched cornea
2. a corneal infection
3. pink eye conjunctivitis
4. decreased vision
5. blindness

• Places that sell decorative lenses without a prescription may give you few or no instructions on how to clean and care for your lenses. Failure to use the proper solution and care regimen to keep contact lenses clean and moist can lead to infections.

Where NOT to Buy Decorative Contact Lenses

• street vendors
• salons or beauty supply stores
• boutiques
• flea markets
• novelty stores
• Halloween stores
• record or video stores
• convenience stores
• beach shops
• Internet (unless the site requires a prescription)

These are not authorized distributors of contact lenses, which are prescription devices by federal law.

How to Buy Decorative Contact Lenses Safely. Get an eye exam from a licensed eye doctor, either an ophthalmologist or optometrist, even if you feel your vision is perfect to make sure your eyes are healthy enough to wear contacts. Get a valid prescription that includes the brand name, lens measurements, and an expiration date. But don’t expect your eye doctor to prescribe anime, or circle, lenses. These bigger-than-normal lenses that give the wearer a wide-eyed, doll-like look have not been approved by FDA. Buy the lenses from a seller that requires you to provide a prescription, whether you go in person or shop online. Follow directions for cleaning, disinfecting, and wearing the lenses, and visit your eye doctor for follow-up eye exams. See your eye doctor right away if you have signs of possible eye infection including:

• redness
• eye pain that doesn’t go away after a short time
• decrease in vision

The safe and effective use of contact lenses-whether decorative or not-requires proper fitting and education about their care to prevent the potential for serious eye problems from becoming a reality. If you or someone you know wishes to learn more or be fit with any type of contact lenses-including decorative contacts-please schedule an eye exam at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Home & Work Eye Safety Precautions

Taking some eye safety precautions at home and work can go a long way toward preventing eye injury. In the U.S. each and every day, more than 2,000 workers in the United States sustain job-related work injuries that require some type of medical treatment. Prevent Blindness America reports that 2.4 million eye injuries occur each year, with nearly 1 million resulting in some degree of vision loss. About 90 percent of these injuries are avoidable, when the right eye protection is worn, reports the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

The most common eye injuries are:

• Cuts or scrapes from flying objects, such as metal and wood chips, that become embedded in the eye
• Burns from steam, infrared light or splashes of chemicals, grease or oil
• Infections from contaminated substances, such as splashes of blood or respiratory droplets or other products on fingers that are used to touch or rub the eyes

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires workers to use eye and face protection whenever there is a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented with proper equipment, such as goggles, face shields or safety glasses. The best way to avoid eye injury at work or from household chores, activities and tasks is to wear proper protective eyewear. If you have questions or need assistance with protective eyewear selection or fitting please contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Minimize Hockey Eye Injury with Visors

In greater Boston and really throughout New England hockey is a popular “observer” sport, but is even more popular to play especially among middle school, high school and college athletes. Eye injury is a serious risk among hockey players but the risk can be minimized with parents and players taking some precautions based on research presented at an Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The researchers found that wearing visors could cause a four-fold decrease in the risk of eye injuries. The researchers, based at the University of Toronto and Harvard Medical School, examined data from The Sports Network (TSN) and The Hockey News annual visor survey over the last 10 seasons from 2002 to 2013 in the NHL. The data clearly demonstrated that the risk of eye injury is 4.23 times higher for players who do not wear a visor. The study also found that the majority of eye injuries are caused by being hit by the puck (37%) or struck by a high stick (28%) or by a fight or scrum (18%), while the researchers could not identify the cause of injury for 17%.

Players without visors had a more aggressive style of play, measured by penalty minutes, hits and fights in a case-control study. There was also a weak, but positive correlation between eye injuries and penalty minutes. As hockey players develop, grow and get stronger their games and playing style become faster and more intense, and the risks continue to increase-thus it is important to maximize protection. Since the majority of hockey injuries are accidental in nature, it is not good enough for players to try to be more cautious. This study pretty firmly supports the common sense notion that wearing visors goes a long way to decreasing injuries among hockey players.

If you or someone you know plays hockey please share this information with them to help them decrease their risk of hockey eye injury, or please feel free to contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Dry Eye Help with Diet Supplements

Dry eye problems are some of the most common patient complaints we hear at D’Ambrosio Eye Care. We are fortunate to be able to offer help for dry eyes that includes tiny punctual plugs, artificial tears and lubricants, prescription eye drops called Restasis and specially formulated diet supplements and vitamins.

Diet Supplements & Dry Eye Help
According to researchers reporting in Clinical Ophthalmology taking dietary supplements that contain a combination of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants can be helpful in the treatment of dry eye symptoms. A study was conducted to understand the effectiveness and tolerability of dietary supplements containing a combination of omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants for help for dry eye symptoms and complaints. The researchers wanted to know if the dry eye diet supplements helped scratchy and stinging sensation in the eyes, eye redness, grittiness, painful eyes, tired eyes, grating sensation, and blurry vision. After 12 weeks of taking the supplements all individual symptoms improved significantly from an average rating of 11.9 to 6.8 indicating that dietary supplementation with a combination of omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants was an effective treatment for dry eye.

If you or someone you know has questions or needs help with dry eye problems or symptoms, please contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Cataract Risk from High Dose Vitamins

Do you take vitamins on a regular basis? Do you take and that are in high doses because you believe they can help you prevent certain systemic and even eye diseases? Did you ever consider whether vitamins are good or bad for affecting your risk of developing cataracts?
 

Cataract Risk & High Dose Vitamins
Researchers reporting in the American Journal of Epidemiology evaluated the risks and benefits of taking high dose supplements of vitamins C and E and low-dose multivitamins with the risk of developing age related cataract. Their study looked at any associations of high-dose supplements of vitamins C and E and low dose multivitamins with the risk of age related cataract in a group of 31,120 men who ranged in age from 45–79 years of age. Their results suggest that the use of high dose-but NOT low dose-single vitamin C or E supplements may increase the risk of age-related cataract. The risk may be even higher among older men, corticosteroid users, and long-term users.

If you or someone you know takes high doses of vitamins or is concerned about their risk of cataracts please contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Get Your Eyewear Loyalty Card!

When you purchase eyeglasses at D’Ambrosio Optical you will now get and Eyewear Loyalty Card. We have always offered 30% off your future purchases within 3 months, but now we want have changed things up! For every eligible item you purchase we award you 10% off, making it possible to now get 40% off your next purchase. 

Even more exciting is you may give your loyalty card to someone else for them to use. Maybe your spouse, child, sister or even your friend needs a new pair of glasses too! Your loyalty card does expire 3 months from your purchase date so don’t forget to come in and get that other pair you may be thinking about. It is a great opportunity to get polarized sunglasses, a computer/work pair, or a night on the town pair. Even better news is you will get another loyalty card!! This gift just keeps on giving!

LASIK Instead of Contacts with Allergies

Alyssa F. wrote to us about her LASIK experience:

“For me, the worst part of wearing contacts or glasses was dealing with seasonal allergies. I was always rubbing my eyes and folding a contact or had to wear my glasses when usually I only wear them at night. I was a bit nervous before and during my LASIK treatment, but the nurses were very kind and talked me through the whole process. The recovery afterwards was quick - I took a nap and woke up feeling great after surgery, which shocked me! I could see perfectly within a day.

Getting LASIK was by far the best decision I have ever made. I have perfect vision and do not have to deal with the fuss of contacts or glasses!”

Alyssa F.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about LASIK or schedule a Free LASIK Consultation, contact us at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Early Cataracts & Cancer Risk

If you develop cataracts at an early age, it has been shown that there has been an association between the early onset of cataracts-in patients under 55 years old and the potential risk for developing cancer. This is thought to be due to the fact that early onset cataract is linked to insufficient antioxidative activity in one’s metabolism-which is also a known factor for increasing the risk of cancer. 

Researchers reporting the journal Cancer Science, the official journal of the Japanese Cancer Association investigated the risk of cancer after being diagnosed with early onset cataract. The researchers examined claims from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of patients with early onset cataract, aged 20-55 and also compared it to a group of the same age range without cataracts. By using powerful statistical analysis they found that the overall incidence rate of all cancers was 2.19-fold higher in the early onset cataract group as compared to those without cataracts.  Further they were able to analyze where these patients were at greatest risk of developing cancer and found head and neck areas highest, followed by liver cancer and then breast cancer. This study suggests that patients with early onset cataract are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with cancer in subsequent years.

If you or someone you know is concerned about early cataract development or needs a regular eye exam where do a routine cataract screening and exam, please share this information with them and ask them to call D’Ambrosio Eye Care us at 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Vision Problems & ADHD

Many children are diagnosed and treated for ADHD and parents always wonder if perhaps eye and vision problems may in part contribute to or be responsible or even associated with ADHD. Researchers studied whether there was any association between ADHD/ADD, uncorrected refractive-errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism-and visual acuity. Their study and results were reported in the journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus (AAPOS) They performed a case matched controlled study that included children with a confirmed diagnosis of ADD/ADHD and a control group of age  matched control children and then examined both groups including uncorrected visual acuity for distance and near, cycloplegic refraction-an eye test to measure uncorrected refractive error with eye drops, ocular motility or eye movement patterns, and binocular function. Their results showed that ADD/ADHD children had similar visual acuity at distance and near and refractive errors as normal subjects. Eye movement and the ability to use both eyes together as well as focusing ability were also found to be similar in both groups and thus might not contribute to ADD/ADHD.

If you or someone you know has ADHD and is concerned about any effects of vision problems, refractive errors or decreased visual acuity please visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Importance of Children’s Vision

According to the Children’s Eye Foundation 1 in 20 children are at risk for permanent vision loss. That is about 1 child in every classroom that is at risk of vision loss from disorders like amblyopia and strabismus. The sooner treatment is started for these types of disorders the more successful treatment will be.

Our government mandates that all children have a vision screening 12 months prior to entry into kindergarten but a vision screening only alert parents to the possibility of vision problems and should not take the place of a comprehensive eye exam done by an eye doctor. According to the Children’s Eye Foundation even when a concern was revealed during a screening 40% of children did not have a follow up exam with an eye doctor.  80% of learning is visual which means a child’s ability to see properly is extremely important. Even during play your child should have the ability to see; playing is an important part of their development and seeing well also aids in their ability to avoid injury.

Common refractive errors are easily corrected with eyeglasses and/or contacts. At D’Ambrosio Eye Care we care about your child’s vision and our doctors and licensed opticians work together closely to protect and enhance their vision. We offer a wide selection of frames and lens options for every budget but we also offer our unique Parents Painless Growth Program designed with you in mind, please ask any of our optical staff for more information.

If you or someone you know is concerned about children’s vision and eye health, they are encouraged to schedule an eye examination at D’Ambrosio Eye Care, 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

School Eye Exams for Kids

Eye exams for kids going back to school are an important part of back to school readiness that parents should include in their “Back to School Checklist”. Children use their eyes and vision as critical tools in their learning process.  Kids today operate in a very intense and demanding visual environment as they read, write, play sports, use computers and tablets and on and on…and it is easy to see why scheduling a Back to School eye exam is so important.

It is not uncommon for childrens’ vision to change during their school years and development. Regular eye exams can detect these changes or any eye problems that might hinder their overall well being and academic performance. The most frequent eye problems we find in school age kids are the common vision problems of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Sometimes, not having clear vision in the classroom can lead to the undeserved perception of a behavioral problem or attention problem. What we know is that kids are often unable to verbalize that they have a vision problem as they just don’t recognize it. It is important to observe children for some common behaviors that might indicate an eye or vision problem. Watch for:

·  Frequent eye rubbing or blinking

·  Short attention span

·  Avoiding reading and other close activities

·  Frequent headaches

·  Covering one eye

·  Tilting the head to one eye

·  Holding reading materials close to the face

·  An eye turning in or out

·  Seeing double

·  Losing place when reading

·  Difficulty remembering what he or she read

Dr. Oren Weisberg
Pediatric Ophthalmologist

If your child exhibits any of these please bring it to our attention. Your child should receive an eye examination at least once every two years, more frequently if specific problems or risk factors exist, or if recommended by your eye doctor. The earlier a vision problem is detected and treated, the more likely treatment will be successful.

If you or someone you know would like to schedule a Back to School Eye Exam, they should call us at D’Ambrosio Eye Care, 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Back to School Eyeglasses Benefit Dogs for NEADS

At D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Back to School Eyewear for Children means more than just good vision for kids!

This year we have partnered with NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dog Services, also known as Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans) from Princeton Massachusetts. We are offering promotional single vision lens packages starting at $29 for children (and adults), including impact resistant polycarbonate lenses with non-glare, when purchased with a frame! When you purchase any of these promotional packages a portion of the proceeds goes directly to NEADS and your child gets to take home one of these adorable stuffed dog toys. What better way to start a new school year!

We are excited to be featuring an extremely flexible and durable new frame line from nano VISTA (www.nanovista.net/en), for ages 0 and up. nano frames are manufactured with the exclusive and patented SILIFLEX™ material, a unique thermo-adjustable material is 35% lighter than acetate frames and delivers a long lasting and durable finish. The frames from the nano collections stand out from the crowd due to maximum flexibility making them "Child-Proof". With their new patented exclusive hinge "S2"-FORGET ABOUT BREAKAGES!

Super cute and worth taking a look, they will be in our Lancaster location!

If you or someone you know has questions or needs help with Back to School eyeglasses, frames and lenses contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Stop Smoking & Decrease Cataract Risk

Smoking is well known to be a major risk factor for high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke and eye diseases and problems including macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Smoking & Cataract Risk

 Researchers studying the risk of cataracts among smokers reported in JAMA Ophthalmology that stopping smoking decreases the risk of cataracts over time. The researchers followed a total of 44,371 men, 45 to 79 years old over a 10 year period and the participants filled out questionnaires on their smoking habits and lifestyles and were then matched with the Swedish National Day-Surgery Register and local records of cataract extraction.

The researchers found that smokers of more than 15 cigarettes a day had a 42% increased risk of cataract surgery compared with men who had never smoked. It also found that men who smoked an average of more than 15 cigarettes a day but had stopped smoking more than 20 years earlier had a 21% increased risk. Thus, they found a positive association between cigarette smoking and cataract surgery in men, with a significant increase of cataracts among smokers compared to those who never smoked. Also, stopping smoking was associated with a statistically significant decrease in risk with increasing time from stopping smoking. Even heavy smokers had some benefit from quitting smoking. Further, a previous study detailed the relationship between smoking cessation and cataract risk in women. In this study, they found that after cessation of smoking, cataract risk in women decreased with time. Women who smoked 6 to 10 cigarettes a day but had ceased smoking 10 years earlier, and women who smoked more than 10 cigarettes a day but had ceased smoking 20 years earlier were found to have a relative risk of cataracts not significantly different from women who had never smoked.

Smoking cessation seems to decrease the risk of cataract development and the need for cataract surgery with time, although the risk persists for decades. The higher the intensity of smoking, the longer it takes for the increased risk to decline. These findings emphasize the importance of early smoking cessation and, preferably, the avoidance of smoking altogether. The best way to avoid cataracts is not to smoke.

If you or someone you know is a smoker and is concerned about cataract risk, 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, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Postmenopausal Hormone Rx Decreases Glaucoma Risk

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type of glaucoma we see at D’Ambrosio Eye Care. Recently an interesting relationship was noted between the risk of glaucoma and taking postmenopausal hormone (PMH) treatment. According to researchers publishing in JAMA Ophthalmology  taking “estrogen only” postmenopausal hormone (PMH) treatment may help reduce the risk for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy & Glaucoma

By reviewing data from 152,163 women 50 years or older the researchers found that 1.9 percent of enrollees developed POAG. Each additional month of use of PMH containing estrogen only was associated with a 0.4 percent reduced risk for POAG whereas each additional month of use of estrogen + progesterone or estrogen + androgen hormones did not affect risk for POAG. This is interesting information and will require further prospective clinical studies to understand fully but may offer some novel treatments for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), an insidious sight threatening eye diseases and the most common type of glaucoma.

If you or someone you know is concerned about their risk of glaucoma, especially if they are using postmenopausal hormone therapy (PMH), 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, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Eye Surgery at Cataract & Laser Center

Frances C shared her experience after having cataract surgery:

“When I arrived at the Cataract and Laser Center my eye was marked and confirmed several times. I was very impressed with how thorough the staff was. I was brought into the laser room and noticed some mild pressure but it only lasted a very short time.  I was awake for the entire time but Dr. D’Ambrosio, Jr. talked to me and explained everything that was going on.  

Dr. D'Ambrosio, Jr
Laser Cataract Surgeon

After surgery was done I went home and slept for 3 hours.  Once I woke up I was watching TV and there was a woman wearing a blue dress.  I looked at the blue dress with the eye that had surgery and then the eye that hasn’t had surgery yet and the difference in the color blue was amazing. The eye that was just done earlier in the day was so vivid and bright.  The eye that still has the cataract was so dull and pale. I already noticed a big difference in driving as well. I keep telling my sister how wonderful it went and how great my vision is, I think she is getting tired of hearing about it.

I would recommend this procedure to anyone that is suffering from cataracts, even if you don’t think you are, you will be amazed. Thank you Dr. D’Ambrosio and all of your staff for helping me see so clearly again.”

If you or someone you know has cataracts and is considering cataract surgery, 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, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Obesity Increases Risk of Cataracts

Obesity, as gauged by a high Body Mass Index (BMI), is known to increase your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and a number of other systemic illnesses. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a normal weight with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5-25 kg/m², being overweight with a BMI of 25-30 kg/m², and obesity as BMI of >30 kg/m^2.

Relationship of BMI & Cataracts

A number of studies have identified several factors associated with an increased risk of age related cataracts including age, smoking, alcohol consumption and ultraviolet radiation. but any relationship between BMI and cataracts has been considered somewhat controversial. Recently, researchers conducted an extensive Meta analysis and statistical review of BMI and cataracts and found that being overweight or obese were significantly associated with an increased risk of cataracts, especially those called “posterior subcapsular cataracts” which typically cause the greatest vision decline. This relationship was independent of sex, alcohol intake, diabetes and hypertension.

If you or someone you know is concerned about their risk of cataracts or has questions about obesity, BMI and cataracts, 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, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Kodak Lens Discounts: Upgrade Your Vision!

Back to school sales don’t have to be all about the kids! 

We are offering a summer sale 

on our Kodak Unique Progressive (no-line) Lenses 

now through September 15, 2015!

Order Kodak Unique progressive lenses and upgrade your order to include 

premium non-glare and Transitions Signature™ or polarized sun lenses 

for no additional charge!

If you order 2 pairs of Kodak Unique on the same day,

 we will give you an additional 40% off one of the orders!

WOW! 

What a great chance to get your everyday pair and your outdoor polarized pair at a great price. See our licensed opticians for sale details. Offer excludes hi-index lens materials. Transitions and polarized available in grey or brown. Non-Glare included is Kodak Clean & Clear. Offer cannot be combined with any other discounts including insurance. Offer not valid on previous orders or other brands of lenses.

Cataracts Impact More than Just Senior Vision

The impact of cataracts on seniors’ quality of life goes far beyond just vision and eyesight. We routinely hear from seniors how their cataract associated vision loss impairs not only their eyesight, but their ability to maintain an independent lifestyle-reading their mail, tending to bills and financial matters, driving during the day and at night. Maintaining safe mobility and being able to move about and stay in touch with family and friends-unencumbered by vision loss and limitation from cataracts is something that is quite important. Equally as important, is that major studies demonstrated first that the risk of hip fractures was significantly reduced in patients who had had cataract surgery, compared to patients who did not undergo the procedure and second, that people with cataract related vision loss who have had cataract surgery to improve their sight are living longer than those with visual impairment who chose not to have the procedure.

 

Dr. Francis A. D'Ambrosio, Jr., M.D.
Laser Cataract Surgeon

Symptoms of Cataracts

Seniors in particular should have regular eye exams and be aware of the symptoms of cataracts which may include a clouding or blurring of vision, sensitivity to light and glare, double vision or shadowing in one eye, fading or yellowing of colors and poor night vision, sometimes with haloes around lights. We encourage anyone experiencing these symptoms not to ignore these symptoms of cataracts or vision loss as delaying diagnosis and treatment of age-related cataracts can increase seniors' risk of both physical and psychological problems.

If you or someone you know is concerned about cataracts, they are encouraged to schedule an eye exam at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937 visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Cataract Surgery Lowers Eye Pressure

There is good news for the 20% of patients with cataracts who either have somewhat high eye pressure (IOP) or actually have glaucoma. Researchers reporting in Current Opinion in Ophthalmology reviewed the effect that cataract surgery had on eye pressure-or intraocular pressure (IOP) and from their review, the data suggests that cataract surgery provides a lowering effect on IOP in the long term and the amount of the lowering is proportional to the preoperative IOP. That is, eyes with higher preoperative IOP have the greatest average lowering, whereas eyes with IOP in the lower range of statistically normal tend to have an IOP that is unchanged from before cataract surgery, or even higher following cataract surgery.

If you or someone you know has cataracts and glaucoma, and are thinking about cataract surgery, please share this information and schedule an eye exam at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

My Laser Cataract Surgery Experience

Curt S wrote to us about his Laser Cataract Surgery experience at the Cataract & Laser Center in Gardner with Dr. D’Ambrosio:

“At the Cataract and Laser Center my blood pressure was taken, an IV placed (I always have trouble getting an IV placed, and the nurse did a fantastic job), EKG pads were put on and my eye was numbed well.  I had no pain at all in the laser room or in surgery.  I had blurred vision after the laser was done, which I was told was normal to expect. The whole experience was better than I expected.  I would recommend this to all of my friends.  No patches or anything were needed once I was done and now my vision in great!"

If you or someone you know is concerned about aging eye problems such as cataracts and would like to learn more about laser cataract surgery & Lens implants, they are encouraged to schedule an eye exam and cataract evaluation at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Laser Cataract Surgery: Gentler Eye Surgery?

We have been performing cataract surgery at D’Ambrosio Eye Care for more than 30 years with excellent results. Today, when you visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care for your cataract evaluation we might suggest that we perform your cataract removal and lens implants using a laser cataract surgery procedure. Why the change, you ask?

According to researchers reporting in the Journal of Refractive Surgery, laser cataract surgery does indeed allow for a gentler cataract surgery procedure. While there is really no difference between manual cataract surgery and laser cataract surgery in uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, surgically induced astigmatism, and corneal aberrations, the laser cataract surgery is gentler on the cornea as it caused less loss of fragile endothelial cells and less corneal swelling from the cataract surgery. Also, the amount of time required for the more intense parts of the cataract surgery procedure-chopping, fragmenting and removing the cataract are significantly lower with the laser cataract surgery.

If you or someone you know has cataracts and is considering cataract surgery, 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, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Osteoporosis May Increase Cataracts Risk

Most people are aware that calcium is an important factor in bone health and the occurrence of osteoporosis. But, it is also important to note that calcium is an important factor in cataract formation. Researchers reporting in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology shared some interesting information regarding an association between cataracts, cataractsurgery and osteoporosis.

First, they found that age, female sex, higher socioeconomic class, smoking, chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases are all associated with an increased prevalence of osteoporosis. Then through careful statistical modeling also found that these factors and osteoporosis are ALL associated with an increased prevalence of cataracts. Thus, they concluded that osteoporosis is associated with the presence of cataracts which may be related to calcium imbalance, hormonal abnormalities, and even a shared genetic predisposition. If you or someone you know is concerned about osteoporosis and their risk of cataracts, please schedule an eye examination at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.

Dry Eye: Eat a Mediterranean Diet?

Eating a Mediterranean diet has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer as well as decreasing the incidence of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Recently, researchers tried to determine whether eating a Mediterranean diet could provide help for dry eyes.

Reporting in the journal Cornea, the researchers had patients fill out a Block Food Frequency Questionnaire and a Dry Eye Questionnaire, and then studied their tear film and measured its quality and quantity along with each patient’s blood level of Vitamin D.

As much as they would have liked to find that the Mediterranean diet helped dry eyes, this turned out NOT to be the case. But, they did find that higher vitamin D levels had a small but favorable effect on dry eye syndrome symptoms. So, while the Mediterranean diet itself doesn’t directly reduce dry eye symptoms, it does seem to be an eating plan that can help promote health and prevent disease for your whole family.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts 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.