Sunday, May 19, 2019

Avoid Eyebrow Tweezing & Plucking Infections!



Plucking or tweezing to shape eyebrows into a flawless, face-framing arch is a common grooming process used by many people-both women and men. Did you know that eyebrow hair removal of any type-plucking, waxing, tweezing, threading or even shaving-can be a source of serious infection called “preseptal cellulitis” and should be done with care and consideration of good hygiene in order to avoid infection risk. A study reported in the journal Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery examined patients who had eyebrow infections-either preseptal cellulitis or infected cysts-and identified both the type of bacteria and the patient history and event that resulted in the infection. More than 2/3 of the patients who had eyebrow infections had actual abscesses that were caused by forms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (24%) and other very damaging bacteria. If you are going to personally have your eyebrows groomed please be aware of using good hygiene techniques including hand washing, washing and swabbing the eyebrow area before and after with alcohol, wiping and soaking all tools such as tweezers with alcohol before you use them. These are serious causes of eyebrow infection with potentially very damaging results.

If you or someone you know has an eyebrow infection or ingrown eyebrow and has been plucking, tweezing, waxing or threading please schedule and appointment 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.          

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Risky Contact Lens Behaviors



According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) there are more than 41 million contact lens wearers above 18 years of age and the majority engage in behaviors that put them at risk for serious eye infections. Further, there are more than 3.5 million adolescents 12-17 of age of which 85% admit to at least one behavior that exposes them to increased risk of a contact lens related eye infection. The clearly risky behaviors include sleeping in lenses, exposing lenses to water, not adhering to replacement schedules, and reusing disinfecting solution. Contact lens related eye infections, which can lead to serious outcomes, including blindness, are preventable with good hygiene and wearing habits such as replacing the storage case regularly, not sleeping or even napping in lenses, not swimming in lenses and especially not exposing them to lake or pond water and preferably not even tap water.

If you or someone you know is a contact lens wearer please make sure they use the necessary behaviors and care of their lenses to prevent risking an eye infection. To learn more call us 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.          

Sunday, May 5, 2019

Cataract Risk from Working Outdoors



Cataracts are a leading cause of decreased vision, especially in seniors. Patients always ask us if it is possible to prevent a cataract from forming. There has been a great deal of research that has identified your exposure to solar radiation-or sunlight-as a main risk factor for developing a cataract. This is one of the reasons we urge patients to wear proper UV absorbing eyewear when they are exposed to sunlight. Further, patients who have outdoor occupations and are exposed to long hours of sunlight on a daily basis should be especially aware of the need for UV protection as they perform their daily work activities. A recent review of 15 different cataract studies regarding the relationship between cataract risk and sunlight or solar radiation exposure confirms the increased risk, and reinforces the need to limit sunlight exposure.

If you or someone you know spends a great deal of time outdoors or is exposed to sunlight as part of each day due to your work environment please be sure to wear UV protecting eyewear. If you are concerned about developing a cataract 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.