Halloween Contact Lenses in Connecticut

“As a an ophthalmologist who is also a corneal specialist, I am a bit cautious when it comes to using unprescribed decorative contact lenses as part of a Halloween costume,” stated Fairfield County Connecticut Ophthalmologist Leslie Doctor, M.D. “It can be a real fun time when people turn their eyes from blue to some far out appearance or ghoulish look by using over-the-counter, decorative contact lenses that may enhance holiday fun, but this can also lead to serious vision-threatening problems,” Dr. Doctor remarked. According to the Food and Drug Administration, all contact lenses are regulated medical devices that require a prescription and proper fitting by an eye-care professional. “Even someone with perfect vision would still require an eye exam and a prescription in order to wear any kind of contacts, including cosmetic lenses.”

Some websites advertise decorative contacts as if they were fashion accessories or toys with fanciful, playful packaging in order to attract teens and young adults, especially girls. The problem is not that people use decorative, noncorrosive lenses-sometimes called Plano-or zero-powered lenses, but that they buy the devices without a prescription through unlicensed vendors on the Internet or at flea markets and specialty shops.

The buyer of these over-the-counter contact lenses faces a huge risk including scratched corneas, pink eye and more serious types of blinding infection as a result of a corneal ulcer.

In 2005, a federal law was passed that classified all contact lenses as medical devices and restricted their distribution to licensed eye-care professionals. Illegal sale of contacts can result in civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation.
 

The safe and effective use of contact lenses-whether decorative or not-requires proper fitting and education about their care to prevent the potential for serious eye  problems from becoming a reality. If you or a friend would like to learn more about contact lenses of any type including decorative contacts please schedule an appointment at Doctor & Associates by calling 203-227-4113, visiting Doctor & Associates or facebook.com/doctorandassociates.

Norwalk Eye Doctor on Glaucoma Risk & Metabolic Syndrome

Norwalk Ophthalmologist Leslie Doctor, M.D. shared information about the risk of glaucoma when patients suffer from metabolic syndrome. “I am particularly diligent about watching for glaucoma in patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia or high cholesterol and triglycerides and obesity as the current research suggests that they have elevated risks of developing open angle glaucoma,” remarked Dr. Leslie Doctor of Doctor & Associates with Fairfield County offices in Norwalk, Westport and Wilton, Connecticut.

Reporting in the publication Ophthalmology, the official journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, researchers suggested that the risk of developing open angle glaucoma (OAG) may be increased if you suffer from Metabolic Syndrome. “This is of particular concern as some one-fifth of the U.S. population has metabolic syndrome and both metabolic syndrome and open angle glaucoma increase in prevalence with age so that as the U.S. population ages, the disease burden of OAG may increase in the coming years," shared Dr. Doctor. The authors performed statistical analysis to determine patients' risk of developing OAG in conjunction with individual and combined types of metabolic syndrome. Data were adjusted for social and demographic factors, systemic medical conditions and other ocular diseases. The adjusted data showed that subjects with diabetes alone had a 35% increased risk of developing OAG, and those with hypertension alone had a 17% increased risk. Those with diabetes and hypertension combined had a 48% risk. Those with hyperlipidemia alone had a 5% decreased risk. Obese subjects had a 14% increased risk. Patients with diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension combined had a 26% increased risk and the risk of developing OAG were higher in African Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans than in Caucasians, the authors reported.

If you have any questions or concerns about glaucoma or suffer from metabolic syndrome including diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension or high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia or high cholesterol and triglycerides or obesity please schedule an appointment at Doctor & Associates by calling 203-227-4113, visiting Doctor & Associates 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.

Norwalk Doctor on Eye Injury Prevention

“Understanding the potential for eye injury from common household activities would be beneficial for so many Norwalk area patients we see in the emergency room as well as in my practice,” commented Norwalk Ophthalmologist Leslie Doctor, M.D. ”Prevention of eye injuries and vision loss really begins with thinking about how to protect your eyes when you head out to mow the lawn, do that garage cleanup project or jump start the care on a cold day-think about wearing protective eyewear,” she advised.

As October has been designated Eye Injury Prevention Month by the American Academy of Ophthalmology here are some things to consider. Many household chemicals, such as cleaning fluids, detergents and ammonia, are extremely hazardous and can burn the eye's delicate tissues. When using chemicals, always read instructions and labels carefully, work in a well-ventilated area and make sure spray nozzles point away from you and others before spraying. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after use.

Before using a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger, check for debris. Stones, twigs and other items can become dangerous projectiles shooting from the blades of a lawnmower, potentially injuring your eyes or those of innocent bystanders. Prevention is the first and most important step in avoiding serious eye injuries, so be sure to protect your eyes with appropriate protective eyewear.

If you have any questions or concerns or suffer an eye injury please feel free to call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates for an appointment.

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.

Nearsighted Risk in Connecticut Children

Norwalk, Connecticut Ophthalmologist Leslie Doctor, M.D. shared information about the risk of nearsightedness or myopia in children and how to possibly decrease the risk. “In our practice we see many families where the parents suffer from varying degrees of nearsightedness. Pretty often they ask about or express concern about the potential for their children to also become nearsighted,” stated Dr. Leslie Doctor. She further explained, “According to researchers who reported at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology last year the risk of nearsightedness or myopia in children was reduced with increased time spent in natural light and viewing distant objects during childhood activities.”

A review of data of 10,400 participants showed that for each additional hour outdoors per week, the chance of developing myopia dropped by about 2%, according to a presentation at the annual meeting of the 2011. It was reported that myopic or nearsighted children included in the study tended to spend about 3.7 fewer hours per week outdoors than children with normal vision or hyperopia. Furthermore, increasing outdoor time might reduce the chances of myopia worsening, according to the study.

If you or someone you know have questions about children’s eye health and vision, their risk of nearsightedness or myopia or wish to schedule an eye examination for children of any age please feel free to contact 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.

Find a Top Connecticut LASIK Surgeon

“Working to find a top Connecticut LASIK surgeon is well worth the effort-as it is the key to getting the best LASIK results”, commented Connecticut Corneal Specialist and LASIK Surgeon Leslie Doctor, M.D. of Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, CT.  But what makes a top LASIK surgeon? For sure, top LASIK surgeons have the skill, expertise and experience to perform LASIK surgery in a safe, effective and predictable manner. But they also have some other characteristics that set them apart from the rest.

Top LASIK Surgeons are easy to trust because they are empathic-they hear and appreciate what you say and they connect with you and your personal goals.

Top LASIK Surgeons take care and time to consider every aspect of your eye health and vision during your evaluation and consultation.

Top LASIK Surgeons say NO! if you are not a good candidate.

Top LASIK Surgeons insist that you return for proper follow-up care even if YOU think you are doing just fine.

Top LASIK Surgeons want to hear your questions-and are happy to answer them in simple understandable language.

Top LASIK Surgeons fully discuss the risks, benefits, possible complications and side effects in a balanced manner.

Top LASIK Surgeons can be counted on to effectively manage your eye surgery when things are going perfectly as well and when things a bit off track.

Choosing a LASIK surgeon is the single most important decision you will make. Do the research, meet the surgeon and determine your comfort level. If it feels right, move ahead. If not, schedule another consultation. At Doctor & Associates, our patients regularly tell us that Leslie Doctor, M.D. is a “Top LASIK Surgeon”. You can find out for yourself by calling Doctor & Associates at 203-227-4113, visiting Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates and scheduling a Free LASIK Evaluation!

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.