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.

UV Index & Eye Protection

D’Ambrosio Eye Care asks patients to become familiar with the UV Index as a means of helping them avoid the risks of UV and sunlight exposure that might otherwise expose them to eye injury and damage. The UV Index actually varies day to day and depends on weather and location. By taking a minute each day to look at the UV Index, it can remind patients to use properly selected and fit sunglasses and UV protecting eyewear in order to prevent eye injury. A convenient place to find the UV Index is the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SunWise web site information page as well as downloading the UV Index free mobile app.

If you or someone you know wishes to learn more about UV protecting eyewear or sunglasses please visit or call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care 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.

LASIK Patient Comments.....

“My contacts were expensive. I would forget to take them out at night, and I would wake up with dry, itchy eyes. Glasses were always in the way…I didn’t like the way they looked or felt.  I play volleyball and participate in CrossFit workouts and found glasses were inconvenient for these sports.

 
Before the surgery, I was a bit nervous, but I felt like the procedure would be safe and effective.  My questions were answered in appropriate detail, from the procedure itself to the financing options.  I was very excited.  I had heard nothing but positive comments from friends who had had the procedure themselves, so my nervousness was assuaged by the time we were ready to begin.

I was a little anxious during the surgery, but the doctor was quite helpful in explaining each step and what I may expect.  The worst part, strangely enough, was a slight odor that I could smell after the laser-work had begun.  I was pleasantly surprised at the quick pace of the surgery. I felt no pain and was able to get right up and walk to the waiting room when we'd finished.

After the surgery, I felt a little sleepy, but I was very excited as I could actually see better than I had without my glasses previously.  In the days after, I was very excited my continuously improving vision. The staff went over all of the follow-up information that was necessary for me, and I felt confident in going home and taking care of my eyes post-op.  Now, months after the surgery, my vision is better than ever, and I continue to revel in my 20/20 vision.

After LASIK, I save time in the morning getting ready.  It’s a small thing, but to be able to just get up and go is wonderful.  I absolutely LOVE being able to see my clock without putting my glasses on in the morning. Also, not needing to switch out of my glasses or wear contacts when I am tired is great, especially in early morning CrossFit sessions or late-night volleyball matches. J”

Stacy Y.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about LASIK or schedule a Free LASIK Consultation, schedule an appointment 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 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.

Sun & UV Eye Protection for LASIK & Cataract Surgery Patients

Many of our patients at D’Ambrosio Eye Care have had LASIK or cataract surgery, and because they no longer wear glasses, often forget to wear proper UV protecting eyewear or sunglasses. For patients who have had eye surgery such as LASIK or cataract surgery, it is important to remember to wear UV protecting eyewear and sunglasses as you enjoy more outdoor time in the nicer spring and summer weather. This is the time of year many patients make the transition to outdoor activities and are going to be exposed to a good amount of UV from the sun. This is especially true for patients near the seacoast or water, as they tend to underestimate their risk of sun and UV damage to their eyes. For anyone, but certainly patients who have had any type of eye surgery we want avoid the risk of “sun burnt eyes” or photokeratitis, which is also called ultraviolet keratitis. This is not only uncomfortable-it can be threatening to vision.

Sunglasses for UV eye protection should be considered more than simply a fashion accessory. Eye protection from UV needs to be complete but doesn’t have to be overly expensive. High quality sunglasses should block out 99-100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about UV eye protection, sunglasses and eye surgery please contact 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 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.