Eye and LASIK Care Convenient in Massachusetts

“We strive to make eye and LASIK care convenient for patients coming from central and western Massachusetts towns like Athol, Greenfield and Springfield as well as from the greater Boston area and suburbs,” commented Francis D’Ambrosio, Jr., M.D., Medical Director of D’Ambrosio Eye Care. “Our Lancaster location is really very convenient for eye and LASIK patients from Fitchburg and our Gardner office is great for eye and LASIK patients from Greenfield and Athol. To make it really convenient we have evening and Saturday appointments so patients don’t have to take time away from work if they don’t have that flexibility,” noted Dr. D’Ambrosio Jr. “No matter patients need-regular eye health and vision examinations for glasses and contacts, cataract exams, LASIK evaluations, diabetic eye exams, glaucoma care-we are happy to make it easy for them to come and see us from Athol, Greenfield and Springfield or really anywhere in central or western Massachusetts.”

Staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye care practice serving the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area including Acton, Athol, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Milford, Shelburne Falls, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Templeton, Westminster, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester, Massachusetts-You can reach us to schedule an appointment at 800-325-3937.

Lens Implants for Cataracts in Boston

Boston eye care patients with cataracts will find that choosing a lens implant for cataract surgery is an important decision. “The decision on exactly how to correct your vision after cataract surgery used to be a decision that was the sole responsibility of your cataract surgeon,” said Francis A. D'Ambrosio, Jr., M.D., Massachusetts Ophthalmologist and Medical Director of D'Ambrosio Eye Care. “As more advanced types of lens implant technology became available that could do some extra things for patients, we were able to offer our cataract patients some options for their vision correction,” said Dr. D'Ambrosio, Jr.

“While I had been participating in FDA trials of multifocal lens Implants for cataract surgery some years earlier, beginning around 2005 it became necessary for cataract surgeons to discuss lens implant options with patients so together they could choose the most appropriate lens implant for the lifestyle needs of the patient,” said Dr. D'Ambrosio Jr. “ Only after the cataract evaluation can we make a firm recommendation for each patient because the choice of lens implant really depends on several factors including the patient’s prescription, the overall health of their eyes, whether they have any other health problems such as diabetes and most importantly how they use their eyes throughout their daily routine," he further noted.

A type of lens implant called an aspheric lens implant seems to give the sharpest, most crisp vision-but only corrects distance vision and requires you to wear reading glasses or bifocals after cataract surgery. This might be fine for a truck driver who needs cataract surgery, but might not be the best choice for a sales clerk who uses his or her eyes at many distances all day. A type of lens implant called a toric lens implant is often selected for cataract patients who have correction their eyeglasses. If you have a toric lens implant to correct your vision after cataract surgery, you will still need to correct you near vision to see up close with reading glasses of some sort. For those patients who do a number of things throughout the day that require seeing far away, at arm’s length-say for the computer and also to see up close, if you are a good candidate, we can offer you a multifocal lens implant that corrects near vision and presbyopia and so it will help you see at a range of distances without being totally dependent on eyeglasses.

Choosing a lens implant is a joint effort between you and your eye surgeon. It is not your decision alone. It’s not like buying a pair of shoes or a car where you can ask your friends for a good “brand” or you can read a brochure or see a TV commercial and then you can choose. It requires the careful evaluation and recommendation of skilled and experienced cataract surgeon to help you make the best choice.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye care practice serving the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area including Acton, Athol, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Milford, Shelburne Falls, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Templeton, Westminster, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester, Massachusetts.

Staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, treatment of cataracts with cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services.

If you or someone you know has cataracts and need help with cataract surgery and lens implants information, please feel free to call D'Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Boston Insurance Copays Coinsurance & Deductibles

“Understanding insurance copays, coinsurance and deductibles is getting even more confusing for Boston patients”, commented Massachusetts Ophthalmologist Francis D'Ambrosio Jr., M.D. of D'Ambrosio Eye Care. Due to the ever-increasing cost of healthcare, many patients find themselves with higher copays, coinsurance and/or deductibles. It can be confusing to understand all of these terms but it is a very important part in understanding your medical bills.

A co-payment (or co-pay) is the flat amount the patient pays each time they see their medical provider. Your insurance establishes these fees up front and many insurance companies print this information on your insurance ID card. Coinsurance and co-payments are not the same thing. A co-payment is a set amount that you pay each time you see your medical provider. On the other hand, coinsurance is typically a certain percentage of the provider’s fee that is owed by the patient. For example, some insurance companies pay 80% and the patient is responsible for the remaining 20%. That 20% is the coinsurance that is due from the patient per the insurance company. The amount the patient owes will vary based on the fee for the service.

A deductible is a fixed amount of money that the patient must pay before the insurance company begins making payment. For example, let’s say a patient has an insurance policy with a $100 deductible. If the insurance considers $300 of the services provided as “covered” services, the patient must pay $100 and the insurance will pay the remaining $200. Deductible amounts are typically calculated yearly so that means that beginning January 1st of each new calendar year, you must meet your deductible before your insurance will issue payment. If you have any questions on your billing from D'Ambrosio Eye Care, please contact us at 800-325-3937 and we will be happy to explain in detail any charges for you

Boston Sports Require Eye Protection

“Adults and children in Boston are ready up for all kinds of outdoor sports this time of year-they need to consider the need for proper eye protection,” commented Massachusetts Ophthalmologist Francis D'Ambrosio, Jr. M.D. of D'Ambrosio Eye Care. Protecting your eyes playing sports is an important way to help preserve your eye health and vision sometimes gets overlooked. Tens of thousands of sports and recreation-related eye injuries occur each year. The good news is that 90 percent of serious eye injuries are preventable through use of appropriate protective eyewear. The risk of eye injury can vary depending on the activity. Make sure the level of eye protection you or others in your family use is appropriate for the type of activity. Regular eyeglasses do not offer proper eye protection.

Across all age groups, sports-related eye injuries occur most frequently in baseball, basketball and racquet sports. Further, boxing and full-contact martial arts pose an extremely high risk of serious and even blinding eye injuries and there is really no satisfactory eye protection for boxing, although thumbless gloves may reduce the number of boxing eye injuries. When playing baseball, ice hockey and men’s lacrosse, a helmet with a polycarbonate lightweight shatterproof face mask or wire shield should be worn at all times. In general, hockey face masks be approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Last protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses should be worn for sports such as basketball, racquet sports, soccer and field hockey.

If you need additional information, or help regarding how to select the best eyewear to protect you while playing sports, please feel free to phone D'Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Boston Doctor for Fuchs’ Dystrophy

Fuchs’ Dystrophy is a slowly progressive disease of the cornea that is typically bilateral and is slightly more common in women than men. While it is possible to observe Fuchs’ Dystrophy in people in their 30’s and 40’s, it usually does not compromise vision until people are in their 50’s or 60’s. While a precise path of genetic transmission is unclear, a familial predisposition seems to exist among those who are first degree relatives. Early in the course of Fuch's Dystrophy patients typically awaken with blurry vision that gets progressively clearer as the day passes. This phenomenon occurs because the cornea normally swells during sleep. A healthy endothelial pump is necessary in order to restore the cornea to a normal thickness. In Fuchs’ Dystrophy, the endothelium removes fluid from the cornea less efficiently. As the Fuchs’ Dystrophy disease worsens, the vision does not clear. Usually we will attempt to help reduce the corneal swelling each day by prescribing hypertonic eye drops and ointments. However, when these measures fail to provide comfort and clear vision, it may be necessary to have a corneal transplant.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about Fuchs’ Corneal Dystrophy please schedule an appointment with Massachusetts Corneal Specialist JoAnn C. Chang, M.D. at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Boston Doctors for Bulging Eyes

Eye doctors throughout Boston are quite well aware that when patients speak about having bulging eyes they are using the familiar description of the eye conditions known as Exophthalmos or Proptosis. “While patients might think that it is only a matter of being a bit odd looking, bulging eye conditions can also cause a number of problems, such as not being able to completely close your eyes during sleep or even during normal blinking, which can lead to dry eye symptoms, discomfort and ultimately damage the eye’s surface as a result of scarring. Sometimes eye bulging can restrict or interfere with normal eye movements. We need to be able to properly diagnose the difference between eyes that are simply “prominent” as compared to eyes that actually “bulging”. In instances of true bulging eyes we need to carefully determine the cause so that we can offer an appropriate treatment as necessary. Causes of bulging eyes can include Graves Disease that results in hyperthyroidism and too much thyroid hormone, inflammation of the tissue around the eye and inside the bony orbit of the eye called cellulitis, certain tumors behind, inside or around the eye, hemorrhages behind the eye and injury to the eye. If you or someone you know suffers from bulging eyes please feel free to schedule an examination at D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Contact Lenses & Swimming in Boston

Wearing contact lenses while swimming may be a problem. Boston Cornea Specialist JoAnn Chang, M.D. of D’Ambrosio Eye Care commented on the need for patients to use caution when considering wearing contact lenses while participating in water related activities, such as swimming. “Some patients-and even some eye care professionals-tend to be a little lax when it comes to directing contact lens wearers to avoid wearing their contact while swimming-or even in the shower-and especially in hot tubs or spas,” said Dr. Chang. “Contact lenses really shouldn’t be worn for swimming, taking showers, in bath tubs or in hot tubs as there is plenty of research and clinical experience that tells us that poses unnecessary safety risks to patients.”

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that contact lenses not be exposed to any form of water. Although rare, a sight-threatening eye complication, Acanthamoeba Keratitis, is caused by an organism present in all forms of impure water (i.e., swimming pools, tap water, saunas, wells, and showers). Acanthamoeba, and certain forms of bacteria present in water, can become attached to the contact lenses, possibly resulting in an infection. It would be preferable to insert your contact lenses after showering. If lenses are being worn while showering, it is recommended to keep your eyes firmly closed. If you accidentally wear your contact lenses while in the bathtub or hot tub, care should be taken to avoid water being splashed into the eyes. If your eyes are exposed to water, instill a lubricating drop to help loosen the lens on the eye, remove the lens with clean, dry hands, then clean and disinfect it the lens, or discard it. Never sleep in a lens that has been exposed to water, without first cleaning and disinfecting it. If lenses were removed prior to getting in a hot tub, they must be properly cleaned and disinfected before being re-inserted.

“Contact Lenses are really quite safe to wear if your follow proper care guidelines and instructions. However, if water restrictions such as swimming, bath tubs and showering are part of your daily routine, you do need to keep your lenses out. Many more patients-even very successful contact lens wearers-finds this to be a hassle and are now interested in discussing LASIK as an option,” said Dr. Chang.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about LASIK or scheduling a free LASIK Consultation please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Multifocal Contact Lenses in Boston

Boston contact lens wearers may want to know that Multifocal Contact Lenses are a good option for vision correction for patients with Presbyopia. Presbyopia is a condition of the eye which results in the loss of ability to focus on near objects. This happens to most people in their early to mid forties. In the past, reading glasses or bifocals were needed to allow people to read up close. Multifocal contact lenses are now available for people with presbyopia, and they can provide clear vision at all distance ranges.

There are many brands of soft multifocal contact lenses. These lenses achieve good vision at distance and near using different technologies. Some multifocal lenses have an aspheric surface which provides a range of clear vision from far to near but vision may be dependent on a person's pupil size. Other lenses have alternating rings which provide clear vision at distance or near but side effects can include halos or ghosting of images.

Multifocal designs are also available in gas permeable lenses. Gas permeable lenses can use an aspheric or translating design to provide a good range of clear vision. Translating contact lenses have a bifocal segment in the lower half of the lens like a pair of bifocal glasses. While vision is potentially very good with these lenses, stability of the lens and proper interaction with the lower eyelid is important.

Monovision is another way to treat presbyopia with contact lenses. With monovision, a distance contact lens is placed on one eye and near contact lens is placed in the other eye. With both eyes open, a greater range of clear vision is possible. However, depth perception may be affected some patients.

When fit properly, multifocal contact lenses can allow many people to meet their daily visual needs without reading glasses or bifocals. This can be determined at an eye examination with one of the eye doctors at D’Ambrosio Eye Care.

Call 800-325-3937 for more information or to schedule an appointment. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Help for Boston Corneal Infections

“For a lot of our Boston patients, spring is the time we like to get outdoors and participate in activities where corneal infections can become somewhat of a risk”, commented Boston Corneal Specialist JoAnn Chang, M.D. “I would like to remind patients that normally the cornea is very resistant to infection. However, if the outermost layer of the cornea-called the epithelium-is damaged from even mild accidents like getting a poke in the eye from a branch or a finger, a foreign body such as metal or even from a dirty or damaged contact lens, it is possible for bacteria, viruses or fungi to penetrate the cornea and cause an infection. Situations like these can cause painful inflammation and corneal infections called Keratitis,” remarked Dr. Chang.

Anyone concerned about a corneal infection should become familiar with the signs and symptoms of a Keratitis which may include redness, pain, light sensitivity, watering and even the formation of a white spot indicating the focus of the infection. In some instances this can cause a painful inflammation with a discharge, which if not treated quickly and appropriately, can lead to corneal erosion, corneal ulceration and corneal scarring which can impair vision and may require a corneal transplant. Quick diagnosis and treatment are the best way to avoid the potential for damage and vision loss from a corneal infection.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these signs or symptoms-especially if they have had any trauma to their eyes, please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937 and request an immediate appointment.

Boston Eye Care Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Boston eye care patients will have the benefits of electronic health records at D’Ambrosio Eye care. Francis A. D'Ambrosio, Jr., M.D., Medical Director, Eye Physician & Surgeon at D'Ambrosio Eye Care, explains “With our Electronic Health Records (EHR) system we are able to access patient records remotely and also can utilize mobile applications.” Dr. D’Ambrosio further explains, “This is a great advancement in technology from the days that would require us to physically go into one of our offices to review a patient chart, or transport them from office to office, for a patient visit. This is of particular advantage when one of our optometrists or specialists is on call. It provides a quicker response to the patient or the emergency room doctor, if that is where the call originated.”

D’Ambrosio Eye Care has four office locations within Central Massachusetts and by utilizing EHR, photos and examination results are available to other doctors within the practice immediately.

“It also has eliminated “missing” paper charts and significantly reduced the amount of paper generated at each location, adding to our desire to be more eco-friendly. EHR allows for a seamless transition for all departments whether it is medical eye care, eye surgery, optical and eyewear or billing,” continued Dr. D’Ambrosio, Jr.

Another benefit is the ability to send a “To Do” to another staff member regarding a patient immediately; this eliminates a time lag between taking a message and getting it to the individual who needs the information. With a team of fifteen doctors on staff, each doctor has certain preferences and requirements and this system allows that customization as well as mobile applications.

To schedule an appointment for an eye examination or have other eye care needs, please contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also visit facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare to request an appointment.

What Is Astigmatism?

"Astigmatism is a common condition which is present in many people. It is caused when there is an irregular shape to either the natural lens inside the eye or the cornea, which is the clear front surface of the eye,” explains Michael Fu, O.D., Massachusetts Optometrist at D’Ambrosio Eye Care.

Dr. Fu continues “the lens and cornea focus light on the Retina, the light-sensitive surface at the back of the eye. In astigmatism, the surface of the lens or cornea may have a different curvature in one direction compared to another. For example, someone with astigmatism usually has a cornea shaped more like a football than a basketball.” As a result, light is not focused to a single point on the back of the eye and this can lead to blurred vision.

Slight amounts of astigmatism usually do not affect vision, but larger amounts can lead to blurred vision, eyestrain, or even headaches. The most common ways of correcting astigmatism are with glasses or contact lenses. However, laser vision correction or lens replacement surgery can also reduce or eliminate astigmatism.

Some cases of astigmatism are caused by damage to the cornea from injury or from medical conditions such as keratoconus. Astigmatism from these causes can result in a type of astigmatism called irregular astigmatism. Eyeglasses usually cannot correct this type of astigmatism but technological advances now allow most types of astigmatism to be corrected with contact lenses or even refractive surgery. An eye exam by an eye care provider with experience in these technologies is needed to provide patients with all the available treatment options.

Should you have any questions or are interested in learning if you may be a candidate for laser vision correction or lens replacement surgery, please contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Eyes, Eyestrain & Boston Computer Use

"Boston computer users might wonder about why their eyes feel the way they do and why they suffer from eyestrain,"commented Francis D'Ambrosio Jr., M.D. There are some important things to know about computer and video display terminal use, your eyes and eyestrain. Staring at your computer screen, smart phone, video game or other digital devices for long periods won’t cause permanent eye damage, but your eyes may feel dry and tired. Although there are no long-term studies at this time, we do not believe there is any reason to be concerned that 3-D movies, TV or video games will damage the eyes or visual system.

Normally, you blink about 18 times a minute, but only blink half that often while using computers and other digital screen devices, whether for work or play. Reading, writing or other intensive “near work” can also cause eyestrain of a similar nature.

It is helpful in avoiding computer related eyestrain if you first position yourself about 24” from the screen you are viewing and with your eye gaze is slightly downward. It also helps to reduce glare from the screen by lighting the area properly and if possible use a screen filter if needed. It may seem silly but post a note that says “Blink!” on the computer as a reminder. Then, use the “20-20-20” rule. Every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds. It is also helpful to use artificial tears to refresh your eyes when they feel dry. Make sure that you take regular breaks from computer work, and be sure to get enough sleep at night. Now, if you wear contact lenses for the computer screen it’s important that you use and care for them properly in order to avoid eye irritation, swelling, infection and vision problems. Also, give your eyes a break and wear your glasses instead of your contacts sometime. Consider a special eyeglass prescription and lens coating for computer use to help manage eyestrain and fatigue.

If you wish to learn more about computers, vision, eyestrain and your eyes please feel free to call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Boston Eye Exams with Indirect Ophthalmoscopy

When considering and eye exam in greater Boston it is helpful to learn about the types of instruments and techniques such as indirect ophthalmoscopy that might be used as part of your visit. During an eye exam, your eye doctor may instill eye drops to dilate your pupils. Dilation is often part of a comprehensive eye examination. It allows the doctor to see inside the back part of the eye. Some of the structures that become easier to see with dilation include the crystalline lens of the eye, the optic nerve and the retina.

The indirect ophthalmoscope is an instrument usually mounted on a headset. It projects a bright light and, when used in conjunction with a hand held lens, gives your eye doctor a stereoscopic view of the central and peripheral retina, as well as the optic nerve. This allows the doctor to look for pathology such as retinal hemorrhages, tumors and edema.

If you notice symptoms in your vision such as flashing lights or floating dots, your doctor will use the indirect ophthalmoscope to rule out peripheral retinal holes or tears. Your doctor may also use a technique called scleral depression which involves using mild pressure on the eyeball with an instrument such as a Q-Tip to better visualize the peripheral retina. This technique enhances the view of subtle pathology in the peripheral retina which could potentially lead to a retinal detachment.

For more information or to schedule an eye examination, contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Boston Eye Health Risk & Smoking

Boston eye care patients should be aware of the eye health risk smoking can have on your eyes-especially in terms of your risk of Cataracts and Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Avoiding smoking, or quitting, is one of the best investments you can make in your long-term eye health. Smoking-even in your teens or twenties when your senior years seem far away-increases your future risks for Cataracts and Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The more a person smokes, the greater the risks. In general, if you quit smoking the risks of these eye diseases decreases to approximately the same level as if you never smoked at all. Keep in mind that smoking also increases your risk of cardiovascular disease which also can affect your eyes. Besides the vascular problems mentioned smoking and even being around smokers and their second hand smoke increase the likelihood of dry eye. Learn more about eye health and smoking at D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937.

You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Boston Healthy Sight Choices

Making healthy sight choices in Boston is worth the effort. In a recent report by the American Foundation for The Blind, losing sight was tied with paralysis as the health condition that would have the most negative impact, considered worse than HIV/AIDS, cancer, stroke and several other serious medical conditions. Today’s eyewear can do more than just correct vision; it helps to optimize vision for everyday activities, and plays an important role in protecting and preserving vision for the future. Patients sometimes do not always know the full importance of eyewear. Eyewear can be viewed as a commodity rather than a health care product or medical device which leaves them as a consumer considering price as their ultimate concern when making eyewear selections. At D’Ambrosio Eye Care we educate patients to the importance of eyewear and that it can restore, maintain and enhance vision to enable the greater understanding of the value of vision care and eyewear. We want patients to take steps to protect vision.

Based on the legal principles of “informed choice” we feel, at D’Ambrosio Eye Care, that all patients should be informed so they can make knowledgeable eyewear purchases. Eyewear safety is an obligation that we take seriously as licensed providers. So if you ever have any questions or concerns regarding your vision or your eyewear choices stop by any of our locations anytime and we will be happy to help you choose your next pair of eyewear.

If you have any questions, or need an eye examination, please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3927. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Eye Refractions Billing & Cost

One of the most basic parts of an eye exam is checking the refraction of your eyes or an eye refraction test. This allows us to determine what your best possible vision is at that point in time while wearing a prescription optical lens and gives us the basis for prescribing a prescription optical lens. The most common type of eye refraction is called a Manifest Refraction and is performed without the use of eye drops so that we can examine the eye in a natural state. If you have ever had an eye exam, you are probably familiar with the “which is better, one or two” test-this is a manifest refraction.

Another type of eye refraction is called a cycloplegic refraction which is performed after the instillation of eye drops to temporarily immobilize the ciliary muscle of the eye. This temporarily prevents you from accommodating or “focusing” up close and is used when there is a need for an even more precise measurement of refractive error. In addition, the eye drops will also dilate the pupil so the eye doctor can easily see the back of the eye to examine the retina, optic nerve and blood vessels in order to evaluate their health.

From an insurance standpoint, eye refractions are considered part of a routine eye exam. Because refractions are normally used to determine refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, and therefore prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses, many insurance companies, particularly Medicare and Medicaid, do not pay for them. It's important to understand that when patients are having their eye exam, refractions are a necessary part of a routine eye exam and must be paid for out of pocket.

If you have questions about the cost of your refraction, or billing questions about refraction, please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937 and we will be glad to assist.

Glaucoma Laser Treatment

“Glaucoma laser treatment has becoming one of the main modalities
for lowering eye pressure; it is safe, reliable and patient-friendly” states Bin (Benjamin) Wu, M.D., Glaucoma Specialist and Ophthalmologist at D’Ambrosio Eye Care.

“This procedure usually causes minimal discomfort, is painless and can be performed in our office. Contrary to what many people think, the “newer” version laser, Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), is becoming more popular compared to the “older” version Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) of Trabeculoplasty”, continues Dr. Wu.

The SLT laser has the advantage of utilizing very low levels of energy. The laser does not burn a hole through the eye. Instead, the eye's drainage system is changed in very subtle ways so that aqueous fluid is able to pass more easily out of the drain. It is termed "selective" since it leaves portions of the Trabecular meshwork intact. For this reason, it is believed that SLT, unlike other types of laser surgery, may be safely repeated. Dr. Wu further states “I have been treating my patients with laser since 2002 and many patients have been able to reduce the need for glaucoma drops.” Should you have any questions, or have a need for glaucoma treatment, please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care for an appointment at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

LASIK is Affordable: Easy Payments, Flex Plans & Tax Refunds

Believe it or not, LASIK is affordable for just about anyone at D’Ambrosio Eye Care! That’s because we work to find ways to work with you to help you achieve your personal vision correction goals at D’Ambrosio Eye Care. Here are a few ways lots of our patients choose when they have LASIK at D’Ambrosio Eye Care.

Easy Payment Plans
Many of our patients use our easy payment monthly payment plans. We can arrange the amount you pay each month to fit your budget-AND you do not even have to put any money down! You can have your LASIK procedure today WITH NO MONEY DOWN-and with 0% interest if you would like!

Flex Plans-Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Many employers offer Flex Plans-Flexible Spending Accounts or FSA’s. These plans allow you to have money taken out of your paycheck over time to pay for LASIK. What is even more appealing about Flex Plans is that money is withheld in Pre-Tax dollars allowing you to get extra tax savings. It is best to come in for a free consultation to find out if you are a candidate for LASIK-and then we can tell you exactly how much to have taken out of your paycheck!

Health Spending Accounts (HSA)
Health Spending Accounts are another way our patients can use Pre-Tax dollars to pay for LASIK and elective Lens Implants. If you have an HSA, it is best to come in for a free consultation to find out if you are a candidate for LASIK so we can tell you how much to allocate.

Insurance & Discount Fee for Service Plans
More and more health insurance or vision insurance plans are offering partial coverage or a discount for LASIK to their participants. We will be happy to review your plan. Even if we are not a direct provider on your plan, if you have coverage, we will make every attempt to honor your benefit allowance when you come to D’Ambrosio Eye Care.

Tax Refunds
Tax refunds often provide a nice source of unexpected cash that you can invest in yourself! If you know that you are going to be getting a tax refund, come in for a free consultation and find out if you are a candidate for LASIK. We can even use a very short term payment plan to help you get treated today and pay with your tax refund tomorrow.

Call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937 for more information. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Contact Lens Types

Contact lenses are available to correct almost any type of prescription. The most common type of prescription corrected by contact lenses is myopia, or nearsightedness. Astigmatism and hyperopia, or farsightedness, can also be corrected by contact lenses. “There are some medical conditions that affect the eye that cause distorted vision. Contact lenses may be the only way to provide clear vision to some of these patients”, stated Michael Fu, O.D., Optometrist at D’Ambrosio Eye Care.

Soft contact lenses make up the majority of contact lenses sold throughout the world. There are many varieties of soft contact lenses, including colored contacts, ultraviolet radiation blocking contacts, and aspheric contacts that potentially improve night vision. Rigid Gas Permeable contact lenses are useful in patients who demand crisp vision or who have large amounts of astigmatism. Hybrid contact lenses have a rigid center and a soft skirt surrounding it. These lenses try to combine the clarity of a rigid lens with the comfort of a soft lens.

Seeing an eye care provider familiar with all types of contact lenses will give patients the most options to correct their vision. For more information, or to schedule an eye examination to determine the appropriate lens for you, please contact D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Age Related Macular Degeneration Awareness in Massachusetts

“Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in Americans older than 50, affecting more than two million people. Although AMD is incurable, there are new treatments that can, at a minimum, prevent further vision loss from the disease and in many cases actually help recover lost vision,” commented Massachusetts Ophthalmologist Francis A. D’Ambrosio, Jr., M.D., Medical Director of D’Ambrosio Eye Care.

AMD causes central vision to blur, but leaves peripheral vision intact. It is progressive and painless. There are two types of ARMD: Dry and Wet. Approximately 90 percent of people with AMD have the dry form which results in gradual vision loss. Although only 10 percent of people with ARMD have the wet form, it generally progresses much quicker than the dry form. Wet AMD is characterized by the growth of abnormal retinal blood vessels that leak blood or fluid, causing rapid and severe central vision loss.

Patients can often reduce the risk of developing ARMD by not smoking as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables, avoiding foods with trans fats, exercising and controlling blood pressure and weight. “We are fortunate to be able to offer Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) drugs that inhibit the development of unwanted blood vessels that cause wet ARMD as these agents are effective in helping to prevent further visual loss and even improve vision,” said Dr. D’Ambrosio, Jr.

Patients older than 50 years of age are encouraged to have a comprehensive, dilated eye examination every one to two years to ensure that ARMD is detected and treated early. The key to successful treatment is early detection and intervention.

If you or someone you know is at risk for AMD please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937 to schedule and eye exam. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.