Leslie Doctor, M.D. Appointed LASIK Editorial Advisor

Leslie Doctor, M.D. a Cornea, Cataract & LASIK Surgeon in Fairfield County, Connecticut of Doctor & Associates has been appointed as an Editorial Advisor for the LASIK patient information and education web site http://www.seewithlasik.com/. As an advisory board member she will provide assistance with article review, topical guidance and clinical input regarding laser eye surgery, LASIK and new procedures and techniques for LASIK Eye Surgeries. Dr. Leslie Doctor received her medical degree with honors from The Ohio State University School of Medicine followed by a residency in ophthalmology and a Fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at The Ohio State University Medical Center. She is in private practice in Westport, Wilton and Norwalk, Connecticut and continues her dedication to the education of eye physicians and surgeons through her appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut where she teaches advanced techniques of cataract surgery & intraocular lens implantation (IOL) to new eye surgeons.

Sports Eye Safety Month

April has been designated as Sports Eye Safety Month by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Most people are aware of the importance of proper eye protection in sports such as hockey or racquetball and wear face masks or appropriate safety goggles. Unfortunately, many people are injured each year in a variety of other "less dangerous" sports which also require proper eye protection. Doctor & Associates wants to remind patients about the importance wearing protective eyewear when participating in team sports. Some facts for each and every patient to consider are:

• An estimated 40,000 sports eye injuries occur every year. The majority of those being effected by sports eye injuries are children and teenagers, too many of whom suffer permanent visual impairment.
• For young athletes, baseball and basketball account for the largest number of injuries.
• Little League pitchers may throw the ball up to 70 mph-fast enough to break bones and do serious damage to the eye.
• In basketball, you can't prevent contact with flying elbows and fingers, but the serious eye injuries they can cause can be prevented by wearing appropriate protective eyewear.
• Many other popular sports, such as tennis, soccer, football, golf, water sports and hockey, also put unprotected players at risk for serious eye injury.

Studies have shown that by wearing the right protective eyewear more than 90% of eye injuries can be prevented.

• Specific eyewear is available for just about all activities. We can recommend the appropriate eyewear for your sport.
• Most protective eyewear, including goggles, face shields and guards should be made of polycarbonate plastic.
• Protective eyewear must be properly fitted by an eye care professional.
• Regular street glasses and contacts do not offer enough protection for sports.

It's up to parents to ensure their children wear eye protection

 when they play sports.

• Many children's sports leagues, schools and teams don't require children to wear eye protection. Parents should insist that children wear eye protection every time they play and set a good example by wearing eye protection themselves whenever they play.
• One-eyed athletes need to be especially careful by wearing eye protection at all times during sport and recreational activities.
• There's no evidence that wearing eye protection hampers athletic performance. Many famous athletes have excelled in their respective sports while wearing protective eyewear.
• It’s a fact! If you play sports you can get hurt.