Tuesday, July 31, 2012

CT Doctor on Cataracts & Lens Implants

Connecticut Cataract Surgeon Leslie Doctor, M.D. of Doctor & Associates shared some information on cataracts, cataract surgery, lens implants and vision correction. “Advances in lens implants for cataracts provide patients with some real benefits for their vision correction after cataract surgery that translate into a more hassle free and positive lifestyle,” remarked Dr. Leslie Doctor, M.D. of Doctor & Associates with offices located throughout Fairfield County in Westport, Norwalk and Wilton. 

While most people have a pretty solid awareness of what a cataract is, many do not realize the very widespread incidence of cataracts across the world nor do they realize the options and beneficial lifestyle that can be achieved with lens implants for vision correction after cataract surgery. 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. A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye preventing light rays from passing through it easily resulting in a clouding and blurring of vision. 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 blurry or cloudy vision, sensitivity to light and glare, double vision in one eye, poor night vision, sometimes with haloes around lights, fading or yellowing of colors and often a need for frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions. 

“When the time comes that a cataract begins to alter your ability to live your desired lifestyle by limiting your daily activities-especially your ability to move around safely and comfortably-then it is time to have cataract surgery and lens implants. To correct vision after cataract surgery we use advanced technology permanent lens implants (IOL) to provide sharper vision in dim lighting conditions, toric lens implants to correct astigmatism and even lens implants that correct near vision, arm’s length vision as well as distance vision without requiring bifocals or reading glasses for the vast majority of patients”, said Dr. Leslie Doctor. 

If you or someone you know is bothered by the symptoms of cataracts or has questions or concerns about having a cataract, cataract surgery or a lens implant please call Doctor & Associates at 203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates

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.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

CT Surgeon on Cataract Surgery & Diabetes

Fairfield County CT Cataract Surgeon Leslie Doctor, M.D. of Norwalk, Westport & Wilton commented on diabetes, cataracts, cataract surgery and lens implants. “I routinely counsel patients with diabetes seeing me for eye exams about the increased risk of cataracts with diabetes. Generally, they know that diabetes causes abnormal carbohydrate and sugar metabolism, but are unaware that the sugars and metabolic by products damage the crystalline lens of the eye and often form a cataract,” explained Dr. Leslie Doctor. “I also explain that the increased risk of cataracts often means that diabetic patients will need cataract surgery and lens implants-often at an earlier age-than non diabetic patients. But, I also reassure them that using a modern cataract surgery technique-with a very tiny incision-we are able to perform cataract surgery and lens implantation for patients with diabetes with good success.”

It is important that diabetics considering cataract surgery have a careful evaluation of the retina-especially the macula-using ocular coherence tomography (OCT) to identify the presence of diabetic macular edema (DME), a known finding in diabetic retinopathy that can cause less then optimal results after cataract surgery. In addition, in certain situations it might be necessary to take an added precaution of placing an injection of VEGF inhibitor such as Avastin™ or Lucentis™ into the vitreous of the eye to prevent new blood vessel growth. Other than these considerations diabetic cataract surgery can offer patients good results.

Early diagnosis and treatment is the key to preserving eye health and vision with diabetes. See your eye doctor regularly as he or she requests. If you or someone you know has questions about diabetes and cataract surgery, please feel free to call Doctor & Associates at 203-227-4113 to schedule an appointment, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates.

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.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Connecticut Eye Sun Damage

Fairfield County Connecticut Cornea Specialist Leslie Doctor, M.D. commented on the potential for sun damage to your eyes as well as the need to protect your eyes from sun damage. “So often in conversation with my patients I find that they don’t realize the many ways and the degree to which the sun can damage their eyes and the surrounding tissue. These potential problems can include situations like too much UV light can affect the surface of the cornea and actually cause an “eye sunburn” or “photokeratitis” which is uncomfortable and may temporarily impact vision. Inside the eye UV light can damage the crystalline lens turning it yellow and actually hastening the formation of cataracts. Further, if excessive sunlight reaches the retina, UV light can also cause varying types of “solar retinitis” and increase the risk of macular degeneration both of which can be sight threatening,” shared Connecticut Ophthalmologist Dr. Leslie Doctor of Doctor & Associates with offices in Norwalk, Westport and Wilton, CT.

She further explained, “All of us are susceptible to eye and eyelid cancers and other types of eye damage from the sun. Even though the eyelid is designed to protect the eye itself from the sun, eyelid skin is very thin and fragile and can be easily damaged by the sun. The number and types of eyelid cancers are many and a cause for concern among everyone.”
Thus, we should ALL take simple but effective precautions to protect our eyes and the structures inside and around our eyes:

Wear a Brimmed Hat
Use Sunscreen
Wear Proper UV Protecting Sunglasses
Using some common sense precautions goes a long way to protecting your eye health and vision. If you or someone you know has questions about eyes and sunlight or proper UV and sun protection for eyes, please feel free to call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates.

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.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Connecticut Fireworks Eye Safety

Fairfield County Connecticut Ophthalmologist Leslie Doctor, M.D. provided some thoughts regarding fireworks eye safety and precautions for preventing eye injury as we approach the July 4th holiday celebrations and activities. “We stress to our patients that fireworks eye safety and prevention of eye injuries can really only be accomplished when fireworks displays and demonstrations are left to the trained professionals. Otherwise, it is just too tricky for others to use fireworks without unnecessary risk of eye injury-sometimes even catastrophic eye injury,” commented Dr. Leslie Doctor, a Connecticut Corneal Specialist at Doctor & Associates with offices in Norwalk, Westport & Wilton, CT. 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 you 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 Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113 as we always have an eye doctor “on call” to provide consultation and continued care for you.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about eye safety, fireworks injury and prevention you can reach us at Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates.

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.