Lipid Lowering Medication Can Help Diabetic Retinopathy

Did you know that medications used to treat high cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood can help diabetic retinopathy? In two clinical studies, the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) study and the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) study, the medications Fenofibrate (TriCor, Lipofen, Triglide, Trilipix) and Statins (Lipitor, Crestor, Mevacor, Pravachol, Zocor) have been found, to reduce the signs of blood vessel disease in the retina from diabetic retinopathy but also to actually reduce the need for certain treatments for diabetic retinopathy.  We are hoping that additional research becomes available that helps us help patients with diabetes avoid the sight threatening complications of this terribly common disease.

If you or someone you know has diabetes please be sure to have regular eye exams in order to avoid the potentially blinding vision loss from this disease. Schedule an eye exam at Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, Google or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.          

Common Drugs & Light Colored Eyes Increase UV-Related Eye Problems

Did you know that some common drugs and light colored eyes can actually increase your risk of UV related eye problems? Even for many people who are taking certain drugs and have light-colored eyes they are unaware of the increased risk of certain eye diseases and conditions.

Studies have shown that, in addition to skin cancers, accumulated ultraviolet exposure from the sun can heighten the risk of eye diseases such eye cancer and cataracts, a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Intense UV exposure can also cause temporary blindness known as photokeratitis, while extended sun exposure is linked to growths such as pterygium, or surfer's eye. Consumer market research demonstrates that about half of the patients taking antibiotics containing tetracycline, or fluoroquinolones like Cipro, some birth control and estrogen pills and certain anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as ibuprofen Advil and naproxen sodium Aleve are unaware that these medications are “photosensitizing” and increase the risk of eye problems from UV rays. In addition, more than half-54 percent of Americans-have light-colored eyes-blue, green or hazel which are more susceptible to UV damage. While people with eyes of any color can develop UV-related eye diseases, light eyes and sun exposure are associated with an increased risk of rare eye cancers, such as iris and uveal melanomas.

While it is just common sense to wear UV eye protective sunglasses, those in the higher risk groups above should be particularly cautious about UV eye protection-particularly if you work or spend a great deal of time outdoors. To learn more call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, Google or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.          

Fitness & Exercise Reduces Glaucoma Risk

Did you know that meeting fitness guidelines can actually help reduce your risk of glaucoma? A recent clinical study reported in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the journal of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) examined if there was an association between physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness and the incidence of glaucoma. Thorough epidemiological data was reviewed and demonstrated that compared with low fitness, those patients with high levels of fitness had a significantly lower risk of glaucoma. By far the lowest risk of glaucoma was found in those patients who had both high fitness levels and met physical activity guidelines recommended by ACSM.

  

The message is clear-you can lower your risk of glaucoma by being active in accordance with the guidelines and maintaining a high level of fitness. If you or someone you know is concerned about their risk of glaucoma, please schedule an eye exam and glaucoma testing at Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, Google or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.          

Thinner Retina a Sign of Cognitive Decline

We know that people with dementia typically have a thin retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) when we test them using optical coherence tomography (OCT) during their eye exam. Researcher reporting the results of a large study in JAMA Neurology found a significant association between RNFL thickness and cognitive function even when dementia had not yet been diagnosed. In fact, they found that those people in the bottom 20% of RNFL thickness were twice as likely to suffer cognitive decline over the next three years! This is the first study to identify that a thin RNFL indicates a risk of future cognitive decline and suggests that regular eye tests could help identify those likely to get dementia at a much earlier stage, which means suitable treatments could be prescribed at a more effective time to slow or stop the onset of dementia at early stages of the disease.

If you or someone you know is concerned about their risk of cognitive decline or even dementia, please schedule an eye exam at Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, Google or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.          

Help for Keratoconus with Corneal Cross Linking

Keratoconus is a disease of the cornea in which the normally round dome like shape undergoes thinning and begins to bulge. This results in light entering the eye being irregularly focused and blurring of vision. Early on, the vision changes from keratoconus can be managed with eyeglasses and even later with contact lenses. However, keratoconus is progressive and many sufferers require cornea transplant surgery. The use of a new treatment option called Corneal Cross Linking appears to be successful in the treatment of keratoconus and stabilizes the shape of the cornea either significantly or completely halting the disease progression. 

If you or someone you know suffers from keratoconus and would like to know more about corneal cross linking, schedule an eye exam at Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, Google or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.