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.