Laser Cataract Surgery Information

Patients often ask us whether we use the laser for cataract surgery. In fact, for many patients we are able to perform laser cataract surgery and lens implants using the Alcon® LenSx® Femtosecond Laser in order to provide exquisite reproducibility, precision, safety and a gentler cataract surgery procedure. At Doctor & Associates, cataract surgery is one of the most frequent types of eye surgery procedures we perform-and, typically with excellent results. However, it is technically complex and requires considerable surgical skill in order to perform the great number of manually delivered steps required.

Dr. Leslie Doctor commented, “Using the laser for cataract surgery allows me to create "perfect" incisions, without using a blade or knife, in terms of size, position and architecture. This is important in order to have self-sealing, “sutureless” incisions without the use of stitches, and to help in preventing infection. Also, the laser helps me create a perfectly centered and sized "capsulotomy", which is the opening I prepare in the front of the crystalline lens where the cloudy lens material is removed and is critical in the centering of the lens implant to provide the best uncorrected vision. Laser cataract surgery also is quite helpful when I liquefy and soften the crystalline lens where the cataract has formed because I can use less energy to remove the cataract, which is gentler on the eye.”

If you or someone you know has cataracts or is considering cataract surgery and would like to learn more about laser cataract surgery, please call Doctor & Associates at 203-227-4113 to schedule an appointment.

Corneal Specialist on Dry Eyes, Contact Lenses & Birth Control Pills

“What does having dry eyes have to do with wearing contact lenses and birth control pills?” asked Fairfield County CornealSpecialist Leslie Doctor, M.D.  As it turns out there is indeed a relationship between dry eye symptoms in woman using oral contraceptives who wear contact lenses. A study published in the journal Cornea examined the relationship among oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use, contact lens wear and dry eye signs and symptoms in healthy young women. “As it turned out, there were no differences in dry eyes between the phases of the menstrual cycle and no evidence that tear osmolarity-or saltiness-was affected by OCP or contact lens use in the young women. However, the study found that the combination of OCP use and contact lens wear together may increase the severity of dry eye symptoms,” noted Dr. Leslie Doctor.

If you or someone you know has questions or concerns about dry eyes, contact lenses and oral contraceptive birth control pills please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment. 

Doctor & Associates is a leading Fairfield County Connecticut eye care practice with offices at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.

What Causes an Eyelid Lump?

There are a number of types of lumps and bumps that can form in your eyelids. A common cause of an eyelid lump is called hordeolum which is a painful inflammation of the eyelid that is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Hordeolum results from an infection of the oil glands in the eyelid and results in a lump. Often, the infected lump drains and heals by itself with no treatment. Sometimes, the infection can sometimes spread to other glands in the eyes and can become long lasting or it can also turn into a cyst which is called a chalazion. Hordeolum can be internal, on the inside of the eyelid, or external, on the outside of the eyelid near the eyelashes where it would also be called a stye. Sometimes hordeolum can be acute and appear suddenly and heal in a short time, or chronic and long lasting and occurring over time. Common treatments for hordeolum include warm compresses applied at home, prescription and non prescription lid scrubs, antibiotics, steroids, lid massages and others types of treatment.

If you or someone you know has questions or concerns about eyelid lumps, bumps, chalazia, styes or hordeolum please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates is a leading Fairfield County Connecticut eye care practice with offices at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.

Difficulty with Progressive Lenses?

Have you been struggling with progressive lenses? Do you feel that you cannot get used to them and that your vision is not satisfactory? The Opticians at Eyewear at Willows might have an answer for you. We now offer a new progressive lens design called Nikon DigiLife that offers outstanding intermediate vision while still preserving balanced all-day, all-distance performance. Nikon DigiLife is personalized to each patient's prescription, unique fitting parameters and designed for the visual demands of today's lifestyle. DigiLife provides progressive wearers with a completely new visual experience and level of satisfaction. Choosing the right kind of progressive lens is crucial. Your lifestyle and occupation play a big role at making final decision. Make sure to get the right frame for your prescription. The frame should fit your face comfortably and not slide down as well as sit correctly on your nose bridge. Correct fit, the right frame selection, accurate lens design and updated prescription should help you to be able to wear your progressives more successfully.

To learn more about NikonDigiLife, please visit us at Eyewear at Willows or call us at 203-227-9380 to ask questions about progressive lenses.

UV Eye Protection for Eye Health

UV or ultraviolet light from the sun is well known as a cause of skin damage-but UV may also cause considerable risk to eye health and vision. Especially in the summer months, patients need to use a little caution as they exposed to greater amounts of UV with outdoor activities.

A number of eye problems, conditions and diseases that can be caused by or accelerated by UV exposure includes cataracts, age related macular degeneration (AMD), facial and eyelid skin cancer, photokeratitis or “eye sunburn” and even a tissue growth on the surface of the eye called pterygium. Of great concern is that UV eye damage is cumulative and often doesn’t become noticeable to patients for many years after being exposed.

Some easy precautions you can take to protect your eyes from UV include:

• Always wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses without UV protection may shade the eyes but actually cause the pupils to dilate, allowing in even more harmful rays.

• Wear a brimmed hat along with sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

• Choose wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eyes and the skin around the eyes.

• Be aware that although some contact lenses may offer UV protection, they cannot protect the entire eye and the skin around it.

• Choose sunglasses made of unbreakable polycarbonate, especially for children and for those who lead active lifestyles.

• Be sure to ask your doctor about the photosensitizing side effects of any medications that you might take.

• Always wear eye protection when using a tanning bed. According the American Academy of Ophthalmology, tanning beds can produce UV levels up to 100 times more than the sun, which can cause serious damage to the external and internal structures of the eye and eyelids.

At Doctor & Associates we have wide range of UV protecting eyeglass lenses available to choose from. Eye protection from UV needs to be complete but doesn’t have to be overly expensive. High quality sunglasses should block out 99-100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation. It is also important to have UV protection in everyday eyewear, which is readily available with a number of UV blocking eyeglass lens materials, specialized coatings and photochromic lenses.

If you or someone you know has a question or concerns about ultraviolet (UV) eye damage and injury and how to select protective eyewear please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates is a leading Fairfield County Connecticut eye care practice with offices at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851

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