Corneal Specialist JoAnn Chang, M.D. of D’Ambrosio Eye Care

D’Ambrosio Eye Care Ophthalmologist, LASIK & Cornea Specialist, JoAnn C. Chang, M.D., diagnoses and treats patients with cataracts and diseases of the cornea.

Dr. Chang graduated from The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (with Honors) in Ohio and continued with her residency at The University of Chicago Hospitals. She then completed a Fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the University of Utah John Moran Eye Center. Dr. Chang sees patients who are interested in Laser Vision Correction, typically LASIK. She also provides medical and surgical eye care for corneal disease, including cornea transplantation. She also performs routine, as well as complex cataract evaluations and surgery, including Intraocular Lens Implantation (IOL).

Dr. Chang is also a dynamic speaker and has recently been featured as a lecturer in continuing education workshops for local Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners on “Common Eye Problems for the Primary Care Practitioner”.

Cataract & Prostate Cancer Treatment

Your risk of developing Cataracts may be higher if you are being treated for prostate cancer with Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT). The side effects of ADT such as weight gain, insulin resistance and blood lipid level problems have been linked to Cataract formation. Although further prospective study is necessary to truly understand the findings, researchers from Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit used the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Medicare database to analyze cataract formation in prostate cancer patients and found a strong correlation among those on ADT and the incidence of Cataract. If you would like to learn more about Cataracts, cataract surgery and Lens Implants please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care Toll Free at 800-325-3937.

Sunday Appointments at D’Ambrosio Eye Care

Recognizing that folks lead busy lives, with work and family commitments, D’Ambrosio Eye Care offers appointments for eye examinations on Sundays in our Lancaster, MA location and is open from 9:00am – 2:00pm.

In addition to these hours, our doctors are on call 24-hours daily, 365 days a year. If you have an after-hour emergency, call us at 1-800-325-3937 and your call will be directed to the “on call” doctor.

VIP Vision Plan at D’Ambrosio Eye Care

Did you know that D’Ambrosio Eye Care offers patients a VIP Vision Plan? The most important part of what we strive to do for our patients is provide them with superior vision care and vision solutions.

We understand eyewear can be a burden to some families and individuals, so we have designed a VIP Vision Plan to help. The cost to patients is their commitment to allow us to provide those visual solutions; because, after taking a closer look, not all eyewear provides optimal vision. Understandably, investing in optimal vision is a financial commitment, which is shy we offer above-average discounts and benefits, more than offered by most of the larger vision plans.

When you come in to any of our three locations in Lancaster, Gardner and Acton, MA you will be given a brochure detailing the discounts and benefits. Any of our Optical Departments staff can explain the details and how it may be of benefit to you.

DRIVEWEAR® Eyeglasses at D’Ambrosio Eye Care

With today’s busy lifestyles, we spend a significant amount of time both behind the wheel of a vehicle or as a passenger. Good vision has a significant impact on our driving and DriveWear® was designed to take this into consideration. DriveWear® reacts to varying light conditions both on the outside of the car and behind the windshield, it accommodates from bright sunlight causing blinding glare to overcast conditions.

DriveWear® Lenses provide glare protection through polarization and enhance and protect vision through photochromics, which respond to both visible and UV light. DriveWear® is available at any of the three locations of D’Ambrosio Eye Care in Lancaster, Gardner and Acton, MA. Stop by our Optical Departments and speak with an Optician about the best option for your lifestyle.

Children's Eye Health Month at D’Ambrosio Eye Care

D’Ambrosio Eye Care wishes to announce that August has been designated as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month by Prevent Blindness America. Eye and vision problems affect one in twenty preschoolers and one in four school aged children. Parents should be aware that it is possible for their children to have a serious vision problem without even being aware of it. Infants should be screened for common eye problems during their regular pediatric appointments and vision testing should be conducted for all children starting at around three years of age. If there is a family history of eye problems or if an eye problem is apparent, it is important to bring it to the attention of and eye doctor so that they can advise the parents about when and how often their child’s eyes should be examined.

Among the conditions an eye doctor will look for are amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid), color deficiency (color blindness) and refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism). We are fortunate to have Oren Weisberg, M.D. at D’Ambrosio Eye Care, who is a fellowship trained in Pediatric Ophthalmology and a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of children’s eye problems. Please feel free to phone D’Ambrosio Eye Care Toll Free at 800-325-3937 to schedule a consultation and examination.

Adidas and Silhouette Eyeglass Frames

D’Ambrosio Eye Care, with Optical Departments in Lancaster, Gardner and Acton, MA is happy to announce we have added two additional frame lines to the extensive selection we currently offer to our patients. These two lines are stylish and offer some great options to individuals looking for style and function in their eyeglass frames.

Our licensed Opticians, in all three Optical Departments, can assist with the proper frame selection to meet your individual needs and requirements. When discussing your needs with our Opticians, let them know about your lifestyle, work habits and activities and they can explain the different options that will best meet your needs.

Our Optical Departments are open six (6) days a week with extended evening hours on most days.

Contact Lens Wearers and Non Compliance

Recent results from two on-line surveys sponsored by VISTAKON®, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. indicate contact lens wearers are significantly non-compliant in many areas of contact lens wear and care. One survey addressed the frequency of lens replacement and the other posed questions regarding disinfection of the lenses, hygiene and the storage case replacement.

JoAnn C. Chang, M.D., Corneal Specialist at D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Inc. was not surprised by the results of these surveys. Dr. Chang states “the cornea is the window of the eyes, it must remain clean and clear for optimal vision.” Recently, Dr. Chang saw a young woman in the Lancaster office of D’Ambrosio Eye Care from over-wearing contact lenses. While Dr. Chang was able to save her patient’s eye, unfortunately this young woman has lost a significant portion of her vision in one eye. The contact lens was left in place too long and managed to mask the abrasion on her cornea and became a bacterial breading ground. The infection spread into her eye. “It is critical for contact lens patients to remove their lenses as directed by their eye care professional and to maintain proper hygiene and replaces lenses when instructed to attain good eye health” according to Dr. Chang.

Glasses after Cataract Surgery

If you wore glasses because you were nearsighted, farsighted or had astigmatism before you developed a Cataract it is possible for D’Ambrosio Eye Care Cataract Surgeons Drs. D’Ambrosio Jr. and Chang to use a carefully calculated intraocular lens implant (IOL) that can correct or even both distance and near vision so that you can decrease or even eliminate your dependence on bifocals and reading glasses after Cataract Surgery.

If you think you have a Cataract or have been told you have a Cataract and would like to be less dependent on glasses it is worthwhile to call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937 and schedule an examination so we can guide you as you learn about your possibilities and options for vision correction after Cataract Surgery.

Eye Imaging Technology at D’Ambrosio Eye Care

Recently, the Lancaster location of D’Ambrosio Eye Care acquired a new, high resolution imaging camera to help us record eye problems and conditions digitally. This camera is able to take photos of the optic nerve and optic disc through a non-dilated, 3mm pupil with great results. With the combination of optics, digital sensor and computer combined into one, it makes it easier for patient comfort and for staff. This will give D’Ambrosio Eye Care doctors greater ability to capture high resolution, non-mydriatic color images and perform fluorescein angiography with just one piece of equipment.

Meet Glaucoma Specialist Bin Wu, M.D.

D’Ambrosio Eye Care is pleased to have Dr. Bin Wu, a specialist in diseases and surgery pertaining to glaucoma. Dr. Wu attended Medical School in China at the En Shi Medical College and Tongji Medical University. Upon completion of his studies there, he performed his residence at the Interfaith Medical Center, followed by a Fellowship at the Indiana University Medical Center in glaucoma. Dr. Wu specializes in diseases and surgery of the anterior segment (inside) of the eye including the medical, laser and surgical treatment of glaucoma. Dr. Wu is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery and the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Near Vision & LASIK Monovision

LASIK-which is mainly a type of laser eye surgery for correcting distance vision, can be used for correcting near vision through a technique called monovision LASIK. Monovision corrects one eye for distance and one eye for near. Thus, the need for glasses with two different focal lengths is resolved by focusing each eye at a different focal length. Monovision LASIK can be effective for some patients with the need for mild near vision correction. Depending on the amount of close work you do at work and for how long each day, monovision LASIK may be a good alternative. One way to get a sense of how you will do with monovision LASIK is to mimic the effect with a temporary pair of contact lenses. If you would like to learn more about monovision LASIK and whether it might be right for you, JoAnn Chang, M.D., Corneal and LASIK Specialist at D’Ambrosio Eye Care would be happy to have you schedule a LASIK evaluation by calling Toll Free 800-325-3937.

Fireworks Eye Safety Awareness Month at D’Ambrosio Eye Care

D’Ambrosio Eye Care wishes to announce that Prevent Blindness America has designated July as National Fireworks Eye Safety Awareness Month. Contrary to what you might think, there is no safe way for nonprofessionals to use fireworks. It is only safe to enjoy the splendor and excitement of fireworks at a professional display. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks are involved in approximately 10,000 injuries per year that are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. Of those, 2/3 occurred during the one month period surrounding the July 4th holiday. It is important to note that

• Eyes were the Second Most Commonly Injured Part of the Body!
• Males Were Injured 3x More than Females.
• Approximately 25% of Injuries are to Children under 15.

Fireworks and celebrations go together, especially during the Fourth of July. But there are precautions parents can take to prevent these injuries. The best defense against kids suffering severe eye injuries and burns is to not let kids play with any fireworks. Do not purchase, use or store fireworks of any type. Protect yourself, your family and your friends by avoiding fireworks. Attend only authorized public fireworks displays conducted by licensed operators, but be aware that even professional displays can be dangerous. If an eye accident does occur, what should I know?
• Do not rub the eye.
• Do not attempt to rinse out the eye. This can be even more damaging than rubbing.
• Do not apply pressure to the eye itself- but protecting the eye from further contact with any item, including the child's hand.
• Do not stop for medicine! Over-the-counter pain relievers will not do much to relieve pain. Aspirin (should never be given to children) and ibuprofen can thin the blood, increasing bleeding. Take the child to the emergency room at once.
• Do not apply ointments or drops. They may not be sterile and may make the area around the eye slippery and harder for the doctor to examine.

Once you are seen in the emergency room please feel free to have them call D’Ambrosio Eye Care as we always have an eye doctor “on call” to provide consultation and continued care for you.

July 4th Eye Safety at D’Ambrosio Eye Care

Summer is now in full swing and it’s important to remember to protect your eyes. Whether we’re talking about a day at the beach or on the water to playing volleyball or catch, all of these activities require protective eyewear. Even if you’re just on the road driving, it’s important that you have the correct eyewear to reduce solar glare. Ask any of our Opticians about DriveWear polarized lenses and how it can increase your enjoyment and safety while on the road.

The Ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun can be linked to many eye problems and it’s important to control what you can with preventive measures including UV-blocking sunglasses and a cap or hat with a brim to protect your eyes and the delicate skin surrounding the eye area. In addition or protecting your eyes from harmful rays, wearing sporting protection is important, too.

D’Ambrosio Eye Care Optical Departments offer a full selection of eyewear for just the right activities to compliment your lifestyle. Stop in or call 800-325-3937 with any questions you may have.

Wishing you a happy and safe July 4th! And, don’t forget your sunscreen, too!

LASIK Safety at D’Ambrosio Eye Care

If you or someone you know is considering LASIK you will want to know that the procedure is safe and has a solid overall track record of safety so that they can overcome any fear or anxiety they might have regarding the procedure. The safety of LASIK depends on a number of factors. By far the most important factors that can affect LASIK safety are the laser and instrumentation to be used to perform the treatment and even more so, the skill and experience of the LASIK Surgeon.

Long Term Track Record
Laser Eye Surgery for the Laser Vision Correction of nearsightedness was first performed in the United States upon Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the Excimer Laser on October 20, 1995. The Excimer Laser was specifically FDA approved for LASIK in 1998. So as of 2011, Laser Eye Surgery for Laser Vision Correction has been performed for 16 years and the LASIK procedure has been performed under FDA approval for more than 13 years. It is estimated that some 20 million patients worldwide have had LASIK. LASIK is generally considered one of the most successful and safe surgical procedures of any type. In skilled hands nearsighted patients can expect to achieve 20/40 vision more than 98 percent of the time and uncorrected vision of 20/20 or 20/25 in more than 90 percent of the time. The safety record is equally as impressive with regard to any loss of best-corrected vision where vision loss to a level of worse than 20/40 is quite rare occurring in about only 3 per 1,000 cases. Serious complications such as infection or corneal damage, occur even more infrequently in fewer than 1 in 1,000 cases. There is more to safety than simply the laser itself.

Safety is the Hands of the LASIK Surgeon
FDA approval provides some assurance but FDA approval does not indicate that a LASIK Surgeon is going to provide a thorough evaluation and consultation nor does it imply that LASIK Surgeons will provide a complete review of the possible risks and complications of LASIK or even that a LASIK Surgeon will use the appropriate screening and decision criteria to be sure that a patient is in fact a good candidate for LASIK or any Laser Eye Surgery for that matter.

With regard to LASIK safety, choosing a LASIK Surgeon is the most important decision a patient makes in deciding to have LASIK and is a significant part of making LASIK a safe and effective procedure. You should not choose a LASIK Surgeon based on slick advertising or low price. You should choose a LASIK Surgeon based on training and experience, reputation in the community and the comfort and rapport established during your consultation. It is ALWAYS the skill and experience of the surgeon that contributes the most to the overall safety of Laser Eye Surgery for the correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. When you schedule a LASIK evaluation at D’Ambrosio Eye Care you will be under the care of JoAnn Chang, M.D., a Fellowship trained Corneal Specialist and LASIK Surgeon. Dr. Chang will be available to meet with you and answer your questions and help decide if LASIK is right for you. Call D’Ambrosio Eye Care Toll Free at 800-325-3937 to schedule an evaluation

Eyewear Trunk Show June 25, 2011

D’Ambrosio Eye Care is pleased to announce an upcoming EYEWEAR TRUNK SHOW on Saturday, June 25, 2011 in the Lancaster Optical Department from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

What is a trunk show? It is an event where we invite a couple of the representatives from the frame manufacturers to come in with an expanded line of frames to display for patients to look through. While our Optical Departments carry a very large selection of frames, the trunk show gives folks a chance to perhaps see frames in different colors and styles than we usually carry. In addition, during the trunk show, we offer an exceptional 35% discount on purchases (with some exceptions).

So, if you’re ready for a new pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses, stop by and take a look. In addition to terrific sale pricing, we will have refreshments, a gift with purchase and a free raffle drawing for a great prize. Come on by to see our Optical Department transformed with a summer theme.

If it’s time for an eye examination, please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care toll free at 1-800-325-3937 to schedule your appointment now so you’ll be ready for the trunk show!

Hope to see you there!

SPOTLIGHT on Sahana Vyas, M.D.

Sahana Vyas, M.D. is the Retina and Macular Degeneration Specialist at D’Ambrosio Eye Care. Dr. Vyas sees patients in their Lancaster office.

Dr. Vyas received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and graduated from Saba University School of Medicine. She did her internship at Brown University – Rhode Island Hospital and her residence at the University of Louisville (her home town) – Kentucky Lions Eye Center. She completed her fellowhip in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at the University of Virginia.

She has been with the practice nearly five years and she sees patients with diabetes, retinal vascular disease and macular degeneration. Dr. Vyas has a very gentle touch with her patients which they greatly appreciate! Her technicians are also very caring and helpful with patients.

Tired of Burning, Dry Eyes?

“We are happy to once again be participating in an FDA study to assess candidates for a future dry eye study”, said Francis A. D’Ambrosio, Jr., M.D., Medical Director of D’Ambrosio Eye Care with offices in Lancaster, Gardner and Acton, MA.

Dry eye is the most prevalent form of ocular discomfort and irritation with millions of people affected with mild to moderate dry eye. It can be related to external factors, such as the low humidity of air-conditioned offices, dry heat in the winter, windy and dusty outdoor conditions, computer use for prolonged periods of time or the wearing of contact lenses. There are also internal factors; such as hormonal imbalance, autoimmune disease, use of prescribed systemic medication, anatomical changes or trauma and aging.

These symptoms result in, at a minimum, decreased quality of life, and in severe cases, pain, light sensitivity and impaired vision. Dr. D’Ambrosio, Jr. stated “as the population in the United States ages, accompanied by increased computer use, the evidence of dry eye will only increase”.

Assessment appointments will be held at D’Ambrosio Eye Care located at 479 Old Union Turnpike in Lancaster, MA, beginning in June, 2011.

We are looking to assess individuals based on the following criteria:

* Must be age 18 or older
* Have a history of dry eye in both eyes
* Willingness to go to D’Ambrosio Eye Care in Lancaster for appointments, if selected for the study

The initial assessment appointment will be between 1 – 2 hours in Lancaster, MA and individuals will be compensated for their time. If accepted into the study, it will begin in the Fall of 2011.

To see if you may qualify for the study, or have any questions regarding this study, please contact Jenny Easton at D’Ambrosio Eye Care toll free 1-800-325-3937 x314.

Is LASIK or PRK Better?

“Both LASIK and PRK are excellent choices for the appropriate patients”, commented JoAnn C. Chang, M.D., Cornea Specialist and LASIK Surgeon at D’Ambrosio Eye Care. Here are some considerations for you to know and understand about PRK vs. LASIK. First, the long-term clinical studies comparing PRK and LASIK show that the ultimate visual results of both types of laser treatment are virtually identical. However there are some subtle differences as well as some not so subtle difference.

“Patients who have LASIK may have very slightly reduced contrast sensitivity in dim illumination”, said Dr. Chang. “May” is the operative word here. If one uses extremely sensitive clinical measuring methods they can sometimes find a slight reduction in “low contrast” vision. Often it is so slight that the patient does not notice it except in the testing conditions or in very extreme instances of reduced contrast situations such as driving at dusk in the rain. Thus it is a limited problem for most patients.

The real differences between PRK and LASIK are based on the fact that PRK is a “surface laser treatment” and LASIK is a “lamellar laser treatment”. PRK is performed on the surface of the cornea whereas LASIK is performed between the layers of the cornea. To do a LASIK it is a 2-step procedure-one to create the “layer” or “flap” and one to apply the laser. To do a PRK is a single step procedure, just applying the laser. Thus, whenever you have a multi step eye surgery procedure there can be a greater possibility of risks, complications or side effects. “Fortunately the risks, side effects and complications of LASIK are relatively few and minor if you are indeed a good candidate and under the care of a top laser surgeon”, said Dr. Chang. So, PRK does offer a safer risk profile because it is a single step procedure. However one of the not so subtle differences is that because it is a lamellar procedure, LASIK does not disturb the surface of the cornea during treatment. This provides patients with a much faster visual recovery and significantly less discomfort than PRK. This is why from a consumer perspective patients have tended to want LASIK eye surgery more than PRK. They can get back to pretty many normal activities within a couple of days without any real pain-just some mild discomfort-and with good vision. Most LASIK patients are able to pass a drivers test with 24-48 hours of their laser treatment. PRK patients often experience moderate discomfort that can last a few days and depending on the degree of their prescription can take a week or so to achieve good functional comfortable vision. The simple answer to the question “Which is better PRK or LASIK?’, is best answered by calling D’Ambrosio Eye Care for an evaluation so that we can carefully and thoroughly review your individual situation. Please call us Toll Free at 800-325-3937.

Cataract Awareness Month at D’Ambrosio Eye Care

D’Ambrosio Eye Care wishes to announce that Prevent Blindness America has designated June as National Cataract Awareness Month. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. About 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts and more than half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80.

Many patients do not actually know that a cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye preventing light rays from passing through it easily. This results in a clouding and blurring of vision. They need to understand that cataracts are not a growth or a film over the eye. For many patients cataracts start out slowly and have little effect on vision at first. But, as the cataract becomes denser, so does the impact on vision. The most common symptoms that bother patients with cataracts include:

• blurring of vision
• sensitivity to light and glare
• double vision in one eye
• poor night vision
• fading or yellowing of colors
• frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions.

When cataracts do begin to interfere with daily activities or with patient comfort and safety, they can be treated surgically. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most frequently performed surgeries in the United States. Today, at D’Ambrosio Eye Care in Lancaster, Acton and Gardner, Massachusetts Drs. D’Ambrosio Jr. and Chang provide a full range of Intraocular Lens Implants (IOL) that allow us to correct near vision as well as distance vision without requiring bifocals or reading glasses for the vast majority of patients. Please feel free to contact us with your questions about Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants by calling D’Ambrosio Eye Care Toll Free at 800-325-3937.