Eye Exams & Family History in Connecticut

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Eye Exams & Family History in Connecticut

“Your need for and eye exam and the  frequency of your eye exams can be impacted by your family eye history,” commented Connecticut Ophthalmologist Leslie doctor, M.D. of Doctor & Associates with Fairfield County offices in Westport, Norwalk and Wilton, CT. There are a lot of family health problems that might be hereditary. It is important to let your ophthalmologist know about your family ocular history. It is mostly applied to family members that are closely related by blood even though a negative family history does not rule out a genetic familial propensity. Many of us really do not know the ocular status of our relatives, whereas some of us, are very well familiar with their medical conditions. Common familial disorders to look out for and discuss with your ophthalmologist are:
Ø  Glaucoma
Ø  Age Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Ø  Keratoconus
Ø  Retinitis Pigmentosa
Ø  Color Blindness
Ø  Retinoblastoma
Ø  Albinism
Ø  Sickle Cell Anemia
Ø  Diabetes

It is recommended that you have an eye examination with an ophthalmologist even without any visual complaints. Assessment of overall ocular health can be an important indicator of certain general health conditions. Some persons, because of their age, race, systemic health, or other factors, may not have existing eye problems but are at risk for developing certain eye diseases. Eye diseases may be present but exist with no noticeable symptoms until they are far advanced when treatment may be less effective; detecting a condition in its earlier stage will enhance the treatment outcome.

Young adults, 20-39 years of age, are generally at low risk for ocular problems, need to have an eye exam every 3-5 years. Asymptomatic individuals between 40 and 64 should be examined every 2 to 4 years. After age 65, an examination every year is recommended because of the variety of age-related eye conditions that may develop. Individuals with medical conditions that may affect vision, such as diabetes, should be examined more frequently.

If you or someone you know is in need an eye examination please feel free to call us for an appointment at Doctor & Associates 203-227-4113 or visit us at facebook.com/doctorandassociates where you can request an appointment as well.

Doctor & Associates is a leading Fairfield County Connecticut eye care practice providing 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, diagnosis and management of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses and optical services. For those patients in need of eye surgery, as a founding member of the Wilton Surgery Center, Doctor & Associates eye surgeons are able to provide eye surgery in a convenient, close to home and cost effective ambulatory surgery center. Whatever your eye care, eye health or vision correction needs might be-Doctor & Associates can serve as a Connecticut ophthalmic consultant and will be conveniently located for patients from Fairfield County and southern Connecticut including Danbury, Stamford, Greenwich, Westport, Weston, Wilton, New Canaan, Norwalk, Fairfield, Bridgeport, Cannondale, Aspetuck, Redding, Trumbull, Shelton, Monroe, Darien, Glenbrook and Ridgefield Connecticut.