Genetic Testing for Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Genetic test for age related macular degeneration (AMD) has gotten a great deal of attention in the recent past. While the presence of specific genes may indicate a increased risk for age related macular degeneration (AMD), according to researchers commenting in the Ophthalmology routine genetic testing to predict the development of age related macular degeneration (AMD) does not really predict how a person would respond to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Inhibitor injections and thus the genetic testing is not recommended. Further, the downside of routine genetic testing at present is that it can cause unnecessary anxiety, it can leave patients with promises that are not fulfilled and it may impact insurability and employability.

If you or someone you know is concerned about age related macular degeneration (AMD) risk or has any family history of AMD they are encouraged to schedule regular eye examinations 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 is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.

Join Us on June 22 for Family FUN-Day!

CRP Proteins Indicate Risk of Macular Degeneration

We are always looking for ways to predict the risk that patients have of various eye diseases. We now know that the risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD) is correlated with the findings of the CRP (c-reactive proteins) test in men and women according to researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston who reported in JAMA Ophthalmology.

The findings of this study showed that there was a significantly increased risk of AMD for those patients with high versus low CRP levels and those with high CRP levels also had a significantly increased risk of neovascular or Wet AMD-a potential cause of catastrophic vision loss. The researchers concluded that elevated levels of CRP predict greater future risk of AMD. It is believed that this information might shed light on underlying mechanisms and could be of clinical help in the identification of persons at high risk of AMD who may benefit from increased adherence to lifestyle recommendations, eye examination schedules and therapeutic protocols.

If you or someone you know is concerned about age related macular degeneration (AMD) risk or has any family history of AMD they are encouraged to schedule regular eye examinations 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 is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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: Best Results when Both Eyes Done

The best results from cataract surgery are generally achieved when both eyes have cataract surgery. It is also important to know that having cataract surgery in one eye is likely to improve vision and visual functioning, however the most significant improvements are found in patients who undergo second eye cataract surgery. Francis D’Ambrosio Jr., M.D. commented, “Having a cataract in one or both eyes often causes blurry, cloudy or dimming of vision but more importantly it can cause a real decrease in overall visual functioning that impacts daily activities and lifestyle-especially mobility and navigating safely.” In general it is well known that the presence of a cataract negatively affects both subjective quality of life and objective performance measures.

Researchers reporting in the journal Ophthalmology studied the impact that cataract and cataract surgery have on clinical measurements of vision, reading speed, objective mobility performance and subjective visual functioning. In this study, 29 participants had cataract surgery on both eyes, 90 participants had cataract surgery in one eye and 1620 participants had no cataract surgery. The results showed that patients who had the cataract surgery in both eyes demonstrated better visual performance, better mobility-based task performance and even scored better on the Activities of Daily Vision Scale (ADVS). Thus, even though patients might find a great improvement after having cataract surgery in only one eye, the data indicate that having cataract surgery on both eyes provides the best visual functioning.

If you or someone you know is concerned cataracts or has questions about cataracts, cataract surgery and lens implants 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 or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area. 

Transitions® Vantage™ Lenses

Transitions® brand lenses have been leading the industry for years with their photochromic lenses, changing from clear indoors to dark grey or brown tint outdoors. Many patients find it cost-effective to try and get as many of the needed features in one pair of glasses vs. having multiple pair.  Transitions® lenses offer a dark tint outdoors but they are not polarized, so you may not have to squint when you go outside but you are not eliminating blinding glare.  Glare that prohibits you from seeing true colors, fish underwater, and the glare that reflects off other objects, creating blind spots in vision.  A newer addition to the Transitions® family, Transitions® Vantage™, resolves that issue. These lenses are virtually clear indoors and not polarized, so you can still see your computer screens and cell phones clearly but when you go outdoors as the lenses darken they also become polarized. This is very exciting technology for the wearer that wants to get the most out of their primary pair of glasses.

Here at D’Ambrosio Eye Care we still find it important that everyone have at least one pair of everyday glasses but also a pair of polarized safety driving glasses.  Polarized lenses can protect you as you drive by eliminating the dangerous blinding glare while enhancing the contrast between objects, making them easier to see more quickly.Transitions® Vantage™ does not change behind the windshield of a car as it needs UV light to darken.  A good alternative is to purchase a polarized clip to use while driving or a separate pair of sunglasses.

Patients Cautioned to Use Proper UV Eye Protection

Especially as we enter the spring and summer months in New England, D’Ambrosio Eye Care wishes to highlight Ultraviolet (UV) Eye Protection Awareness Month by providing some useful tips for UV eye protection.

Common sense ways to protect yourself from the potential eye injury and damage from UV include:

• Always wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses without UV protection may shade the eyes but actually cause the pupils to dilate, allowing in even more harmful rays.

• Wear a brimmed hat along with sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

• Choose wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eyes and the skin around the eyes.

• Be aware that although some contact lenses may offer UV protection, they cannot protect the entire eye and the skin around it.

• Choose sunglasses made of unbreakable polycarbonate, especially for children and for those who lead active lifestyles.

• Be sure to ask your family doctor or internist about the photosensitizing side effects of any medications that you might take.

• Always wear eye protection when using a tanning bed. According the American Academy of Ophthalmology, tanning beds can produce UV levels up to 100 times more than the sun, which can cause serious damage to the external and internal structures of the eye and eyelids.

At D’Ambrosio Eye Care we offer a wide range of UV protecting eyeglass lenses as well as sunglass lenses. 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. It is also important to have UV protection in everyday eyewear, which is readily available with a number of UV blocking eyeglass lens materials, specialized coatings and photochromic lenses.

Patients visiting us can speak with our staff who will be able to provide the proper counseling and fitting of UV protecting lenses and eyewear. These eye care professionals can offer a wide variety of UV blocking lenses, coatings and color changing lenses to keep you safe.

If you or someone you know has a question or concerns about ultraviolet (UV) eye damage and injury and how to select protective eyewear please feel free to 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 is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.

Critical Retina Exam before Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgeon Francis D’Ambrosio, Jr. M.D. advised patients with cataracts and thinking about cataract surgery and lens implants to have a thorough and critical retinal exam in order to carefully correlate the degree of vision loss with the density and position of the cataract. “When our cataract patients tell us about a decrease in vision, we carefully try to correlate their visual symptoms and visual acuity to the degree of cataract present so we can help counsel them on their likely benefit,” said Dr. D’Ambrosio Jr. “As we deal with an aging population-a cataract population- a careful examination of the retina can reveal underlying pathology such as epiretinal membranes, retinal wrinkling or macular pucker with edema that may impact the results of the cataract surgery-we want to know this up front and advise patients”, he explained.

Current research studies report a prevalence of epiretinal membranes in 7% of patients older than 60 years and in 20% of patients aged 75 years or more-the prime demographic for cataract surgery. Therefore, before you have cataract surgery expect to have whatever level of examination and testing your cataract surgeon requests in order to help you get the best results.

If you or someone you know is concerned about cataracts and thinking about cataract surgery and les implants you are encouraged to schedule an eye examination 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 is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area. 

iPad, Kindle & Nook May Help Glaucoma Patients

The vision loss from glaucoma can create difficulties for patients when it comes to reading. Adults with glaucoma read slower when reading silently for long periods of time and are more likely to have their reading speed decrease over time, possibly as a result of reading fatigue. The common technology of e-readers may offer some help in that patients with glaucoma may benefit from using e-readers such as iPads, Nooks and Kindle devices according to a recent study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. Fortunately, these studies suggest that iPads, Nooks and Kindle devices along with the apps that are developed for them may very well help glaucoma patients read more comfortably, over longer periods of time and with better overall ease.

If you or someone you know is concerned about vision loss from glaucoma and wishes to learn how e-readers like the iPad, Nook and Kindle might help are encouraged to schedule an eye examination 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 is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts.

Freedom after Lens Implant Surgery

I needed glasses mostly for reading.  I had a pair in every room in the house, in the car and at the office.  The worst part was forgetting glasses when I went shopping or to a restaurant.  I was totally non-functional without glasses. 

I felt fine before the surgery - not nervous at all. I was very excited about having my eyesight corrected. During the surgery, I felt totally comfortable.   I did not feel a thing and even chatted with everyone in the O.R. during the procedure!  Everyone at the surgical center in Gardner was wonderful. 

After the surgery I felt just a little strange for the first few hours that I needed to leave the band aid on my “surgery” eye.  Seeing double made me a little nauseous for the few hours after the band aid came off.  I just napped for a few hours and everything was fine after that.  I was able to read without glasses for the first time that same night!

Mostly my work has been affected because I had prescription glasses for my computer work and prescription glasses for regular reading.  I do a lot of both throughout my work day so it was frustrating before surgery.  Not anymore!!!  FREEDOM!  I can’t wait to see if it improves my golf game in the spring!!! 

The staff, at both Dr. D’Ambrosio’s office and the surgical center, was the best.  Total professionalism, compassion and understanding in all of the prep appointments, the day of surgery and my post op visits.  I would highly recommend every single person that I encountered throughout this procedure!

Catherine F. 

Use Proper Sports Eye Protection to Prevent Injury

D’Ambrosio Eye Care reminded patients of the need to use proper sports eye protection to prevent a range of potential eye injuries. Aprilis Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month and the American Academy of Ophthalmology asks eye doctors to remind our community that 40,000 people suffer from eye injuries related to sports every year.

“Sometimes athletes overlook the potential risks that so many sports create for eye injuries. These can be of a wide range of eye problems including abrasions of the cornea, bruises of the eyelids, retinal detachments and internal bleeding,” said Rachel Robbins, M.D., a Massachusetts Ophthalmologist. “Unfortunately some of the most serious risks involve permanent vision loss along with infection and can be catastrophic to not only vision, but to everyday functioning-lifelong,” she further explained.

What patients need to know is that 90 percent of serious eye injuries are preventable through use of appropriate protective eyewear. 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. Athletes need to wear appropriate, sport-specific protective eyewear properly fitted by an eye care professional. Lenses made from polycarbonate materials provide the highest level of impact protection; they can withstand a ball or other projectile traveling at 90 miles per hour.

If you or someone you know has questions or would like help in selecting, fitting or choosing sports protective eyeglasses, please schedule an eye examination at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio EyeCare or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.

Contact Lens Specialist on Dry Eyes, Contact Lenses & Birth Control Pills

Michael Fu, O.D.
Massachusetts Contact Lens Specialist

Massachusetts Optometrist and Contact Lens Specialist, Dr. Michael Fu posed the question for patients, “What does having dry eyes have to do with wearing contact lenses and birth control pills?” As it turns out there actually is a relationship between dry eye symptoms in woman using oral contraceptives who wear contact lenses. A study published in the journal Cornea examined the relationship among oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use, contact lens wear and dry eye signs and symptoms in healthy young women. As it turned out, there were no differences in dry eyes between the phases of the menstrual cycle and no evidence that tear osmolarity-or saltiness-was affected by OCP or contact lens use in the young women. However, the study found that the combination of OCP use and contact lens wear together may increase the severity of dry eye symptoms.

If you or someone you know is concerned about glaucoma risk or has any family history of glaucoma 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 or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.

What is a Pterygium?

A pterygium is a fleshy growth which starts on the conjunctiva and grows across part of the cornea.  It typically develops in individuals who live in hot climates and spend a lot of time outdoors.  It likely represents a response to chronic dryness and ultraviolet exposure.  When a pterygium becomes red or irritated, eye drops or ointments may be used to help reduce the inflammation.  If these traditional treatments are not sufficient to reduce symptoms or if the pterygium is large enough to threaten sight, it can be removed by surgical excision.  After the pterygium is excised there is still a chance of regrowth.  To reduce the chance of regrowth there are several techniques that have been successful.  Conjunctival auto-grafting is a technique that uses tissue from a different part of the patient’s own eye to cover the area of the excised pterygium and amniotic membrane transplantation uses tissue acquired from the innermost layer of a human placenta.  In addition to these treatment options, recurrence rates can be further reduced by protecting the eyes from sunlight with the proper ultraviolet protection and using lubrication when exposed to dry conditions.

Help for Glaucoma with Micro Stents During Cataract Surgery

Massachusetts Cataract Surgeon Francis D’Ambrosio Jr., explained how patients with cataract and glaucoma can actually have their glaucoma treated during cataract surgery with tiny implantable micro stents. “In the U.S., over 20% of patients undergoing cataract surgery have a concurrent diagnosis of glaucoma, which represents approximately 700,000 patients each year,” explained Dr. D’Ambrosio Jr. “If you are being treated for glaucoma, have cataracts and might need cataract surgery there is an additional glaucoma treatment option called Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) that utilizes tiny stents to help control the eye pressure or intraocular pressure,” he further explained. Most patients with glaucoma are treated with eye drops to lower their pressure, have laser treatments for glaucoma ad if necessary have surgery for glaucoma treatment. The problem with eye drops for glaucoma is that patient compliance is often not consistent and may be as low as 50% after the first year-thus additional treatment options such as laser treatment for glaucoma of MIGS might be a better way for some patients to keep their eye pressure under control.

If you or someone you know has cataracts and glaucoma and is considering cataract surgery, you might wish to learn more about Microinvasive glaucoma surgery with stents by scheduling an eye examination 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 is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.

Macular Degeneration (AMD) Risk Taking Aspirin

“Your risk of developing age related macular degeneration (AMD) may increase by taking aspirin,” noted Massachusetts Retina Specialist Sreeni Basa, M.D.”Aspirin is a very useful medication. In fact aspirin is one of the most widely used over-the-counter medications, with an estimated 120 billion tablets taken each year for headaches, body aches and fever-and millions of people at high risk of heart attack due to atherosclerosis use daily aspirin therapy as a preventative measure, thanks to aspirin’s anticoagulant properties,” explained Dr. Basa.

In a study published in December 2012, researchers followed nearly 5,000 participants (aged 43 to 86 years) for more than 20 years. These participants, part of the Beaver Dam Eye Study, received eye examinations every five years. Results showed 512 cases of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and 117 cases of late AMD over the course of the study.

Additionally, at each exam, participants were asked if they had regularly used aspirin at least twice a week for more than three months. Researchers found that regular aspirin use 10 years prior to eye examination was associated with late AMD, with estimated incidence of 1.76 percent, compared to 1.03 percent in non-aspirin users. Researchers concluded that these associations, though small, were statistically significant.

Interestingly, regular aspirin use 10 years prior to eye examination was significantly associated with the “wet” form of AMD, which accounts for 10 percent of all AMD cases, but is responsible for the majority of functional blindness attributed to the disease. An even more recent study published in January 2013 confirmed this aspirin/AMD link. In this study, researchers analyzed data from a 15-year Australian population-based cohort. At the beginning of the study, 2,389 participants completed a detailed questionnaire that assessed aspirin use, heart disease status and AMD risk factors. In addition, they received four eye examinations during the 15-year study period.

After analyzing data, 63 (out of 257) regular aspirin users developed wet AMD—an astounding 24.5 percent. Even after adjusting for other risk factors like age, sex, smoking, history of heart disease and body mass index, regular aspirin users still had a higher risk of developing wet AMD. Researchers concluded, “Regular aspirin use is associated with increased risk of incident neovascular [Wet] AMD, independent of history of cardiovascular disease and smoking.”

Alternatives to Aspirin
If you’re a regular aspirin user, you should get a thorough eye exam as soon as possible to determine your AMD status. This is extremely important because AMD often doesn’t show any symptoms until well after the condition has taken hold.

If you or someone you know is concerned about glaucoma risk or has any family history of glaucoma 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 or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.

LASIK is Affordable with Flex Plans-Now is the Time!

LASIK is affordable with FlexPlans. Now is the time for patients who want LASIK to use any Flex Plan funds that might be available to them. February is a popular month for New Year’s resolutions which often includes self improvements like LASIK. If you or a family member has Flex Plan funds to use, this is a good time to make LASIKaffordable.

Many employers offer Flex Plans-Flexible SpendingAccounts 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.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about LASIK or find out if they are a good candidate for LASIK atD’Ambrosio Eye Care, they can schedule a Free LASIK Consultation 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 is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area. 

Raising Awareness Macular Degeneration (AMD)

February marks National Age Related MacularDegeneration (AMD) Awareness Month. As our populations ages-especially baby boomers-the number of people affected by macular degeneration is continuing to climb. It is estimated that more than 2 million people age 50 and older have late AMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration). Today, for most patients, with early detection, diagnosis and treatment, at a minimum we can prevent further vision loss from the AMD.

Sreeni Basa, M.D.
Massachusetts Retina Specialist

Massachusetts RetinaSpecialist, Sreeni Basa, M.D. noted “We want patients to know that once you are over 50, it becomes increasingly important to have a thorough, comprehensive dilated eye exam every one to two years-and even more often if you have any family history of AMD or at the recommendation of your eye doctor. The key to preventing vision loss from AMD is clearly early detection, quick diagnosis and then immediate access to treatment with vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGF) injections such as Lucentis® & Eylea®.”

If you or someone you know is concerned about the risk of age related maculardegeneration (AMD) or has any family history of macular degeneration 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 or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.

Glaucoma Risk with Early Menopause

What do early menopause and your risk of glaucoma have in common? According to a study at the Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute in Amsterdam women who go through menopause early may be at risk of developing glaucoma-a leading cause of blindness. In a study of more than 3,000 women, those who went through a natural menopause before the age of 45 were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma as women who went through menopause at age 50 or older. The results indicate that female hormones may be protective against open-angle glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness.  Of interest is that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is thought to reduce fluid pressure inside the eye. Similarly, as hormone levels rise during pregnancy, fluid pressure inside the eye decreases significantly, the researchers noted. This is the first study to examine the relationship between female sex hormones, as indicated by age of menopause, and open-angle glaucoma.

If you or someone you know is concerned about glaucoma risk with early menopause 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 or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK carepractice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area. 

Vascular Diseases Can Limit Glaucoma Treatment

Certain vascular diseases may limit the effective treatment of low tension glaucoma according to recent reports. Normal Tension Glaucoma is a less frequently found-but important type of glaucoma-that is characterized by patients having “normal” intraocular pressure (IOP) but still experiencing eye damage such as loss of their visual field or “side vision” and optic nerve damage. Researchers at the World Glaucoma Congress reported that certain patients who suffer from Normal Tension Glaucoma who also have vascular disease or even a predisposition to vascular disease such as a family history of stroke, the presence of cardiovascular disease or migraine may not be as easy to treat in avoiding the progression of Normal Tension Glaucoma. In fact, these factors related to vascular disease may indicate less effectiveness of eye pressure (IOP) treatment putting patients at greater risk. The the Collaborative Normal Tension Glaucoma Study is the landmark study for guiding treatment-in which 65% of patients in the untreated group of that study never showed any progression during 7 years of follow-up. But, for those at greater risk due to some other vascular disease we have to be diligent in our examinations and testing to help preserve eye health and vision.

If you or someone you know is concerned about glaucoma risk, has any family history of glaucoma or suffers from low tension glaucoma 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 or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.

Massachusetts Glaucoma Specialist on Laser Treatments

Bin Wu, M.D., Glaucoma Specialist at D’Ambrosio Eye Care provided information about laser treatment for glaucoma. “Laser treatment for glaucoma is regarded as a safe and effective treatment for glaucoma and may be considered as first-line therapy for many patients as an alternative to eye drops,” said Dr. Wu. “Especially for patients with early to moderate-stage open-angle glaucoma when eye pressure or IOP is less than 35 mm Hg, SLT laser treatment is particularly helpful,” he further explained. Recent research presented at the World Glaucoma Congress also indicated that the SLT Laser may also be useful for glaucoma induced by the use of steroids and the ALT and SLT Laser may be useful in treating pigmentary glaucoma. “I do want to stress that laser treatments are not a cure and that meticulous follow up and monitoring is necessary to ensure that patients continue to do well over time in order to preserve eye health and vision,” stressed Dr. Wu.

If you or someone you know is concerned about glaucoma risk, has any family history of glaucoma or would like to learn more about glaucoma laser treatments 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 or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area. 

Making Glaucoma Awareness a Priority

“While we stress the importance of regular eye exams with glaucoma evaluations all year long, as we begin 2014, at D’Ambrosio Eye Care we are making raising awareness about glaucoma a priority as Prevent Blindness America has designated January as National Glaucoma Awareness Month.”, said Francis D’Ambrosio Jr., M.D. “We want patients to be aware of the need for regular eye exams with glaucoma screenings, especially if there is any family history of glaucoma and especially in African-American and Hispanic populations, where glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness.” Dr. D’Ambrosio Jr. further explained, “As patients pass through their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s routine eye exams to preserve eye health and vision become increasingly important-especially for our seniors.”

If you or someone you know is concerned about glaucoma risk or has any family history of glaucoma 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 or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice 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 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.