Eye Problems with Acne Medication

“One of the clinical situations we watch for is an increase in the incidence of eye problems-especially eye infections-in patients using certain acne medications,” shared Leslie Doctor, M.D., a Connecticut Ophthalmologist with Fairfield County offices in Norwalk, Westport & Wilton, CT. What do eye problems, eye infections and acne medication have to do with each other? “Recently, a study on eye infections and acne medication was presented in Archives of Dermatology where researchers collected data on nearly 15,000 teens and young adults taking isotretinoin to treat acne and compared their rates of eye infections to group that had acne but not taking the drugs and to a third group that didn't take the drugs and didn't have acne,” stated Dr. Doctor. Isotretinoin is also sold under the brand names Roaccutane, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan and Sotret.

Within a year of starting the medication, nearly 14 percent of those in the acne medication group developed an eye infection or dry eyes, compared with almost 10 percent in the group that had acne but did not take the medications and about 7 percent in the group that didn't have acne. Compared to the acne-free group, those taking isotretinoin were at 70 percent increased risk of an eye infection over the course of a year. The mean age of participants was about 16.5 years old.

“The most common problem was conjunctivitis, an inflammation or infection of the membrane lining the eye and eyelids. Other problems included hordeolum or stye which is an inflamed oil gland on the edge of the eyelid, chalazion which is a tender, swollen lump in the eyelid due to a blocked oil gland, blepharitis-an inflammation of the eyelash follicles and dry eyes,” further explained Dr. Doctor.

Isotretinoin treats acne by reducing oil production from the sebaceous glands, among other effects. But isotretinoin also disrupts function of the meibomian glands, or oil glands inside the eyelids. The meibomian glands help keep the eyes lubricated. Less lubrication may mean the eyes are irritated, itching and burning, prompting people to rub them and introduce bacteria. “The good news is that most side effects of the drugs can be prevented using artificial tears to keep the eyes lubricated,” said Dr. Doctor.

If you or someone you know has a question about acne medication, eye infections or eye problems such as dry eyes, stye, chalazion or blepharitis please feel free to 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 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.

Eye Surgeon Leslie Doctor, M.D. Named in Castle Connolly Top Doctors®

Doctor & Associates is pleased to announce that Leslie Doctor, M.D. who is a Cornea Specialist, Cataract & LASIK surgeon has been selected and included in the Castle Connolly Top Doctors® list for 2013 as one of the Top Ophthalmologists in the Nation. Less than 5% of the nation's licensed physicians are selected as Top Doctors® in their regions for their specialties. Being selected top ophthalmologist indicates that Dr. Leslie Doctor was nominated by peer physicians and selected by a panel of experts. As nominations are open to all board certified physicians, thousands are included in the selection process. The final honorees are chosen from these nominees by the Castle Connolly physician-led research team.

Leslie Doctor, M.D. is the Medical Director of Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, Connecticut. She received her Medical Degree with Honors from The Ohio State University School of Medicine followed by a Residency in Ophthalmology at The Ohio State University Medical Center. In addition she completed a Fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at The Ohio State University. She 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 to young eye surgeons. Dr. Leslie Doctor is a founding member of the Wilton Surgery Center in Wilton, Connecticut where she performs cataract Surgery & lens implants as well as and cornea surgery.

Dr. Doctor is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and has been serving the eye care needs of Fairfield County patients for more than 15 years.

To learn more about Doctor & Associates you may visit http://www.doctor-and-associates.com or http://www.facebook.com/doctorandassociates.

Doctor & Associates is 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.

Connecticut Eye Doctor on Contact Lens iPhone App

Leslie Doctor, M.D., an eye doctor and Corneal Specialist in Fairfield County, Connecticut reviewed an iPhone app to help contact lens wearers. “A new app is available for use on iPhones and iPads that provides a convenient way to keep track of how many times you have worn your reusable contact lenses. No more having to wonder if it's time to replace your contacts. This is a nice way to help keep your contact lenses safe and your eyes healthy,” commented Dr. Doctor. “Proper lens replacement is critical to your eyes' health when wearing contacts. The app is available at iTunes for contact lens wearers to have a look at.”

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about contact lenses or schedule a contact lens exam or fitting please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule 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.

Cataracts Cause Night Driving Problems

“Cataracts can cause night driving problems that are particularly uncomfortable-and potentially unsafe,” commented Fairfield County Cataract Surgeon Leslie Doctor, M.D. She shared some thoughts about night driving and cataracts as well. “Patients with cataracts often tell me that one of the most troubling things about their vision is how they see while driving at night,” said Dr. Doctor. “Driving at night is a somewhat difficult proposition with normal vision as reduced lighting can cause you to misjudge distances and boundaries like the edge of the road as well as simply causing an overall dimming of your vision,” she emphasized. “So, if you have a cataract and are noticing that you are becoming fearful of night driving or uncomfortable driving at night it might well be time to consider whether cataract surgery might be a good option,” recommended Dr. Doctor.

If you or someone you know feels they have night driving problems that might be related to cataracts or have a question about cataracts, cataract surgery or lens implants please feel free to schedule an eye exam by calling Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visiting Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule 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.

Connecticut Eye Doctor on Contact Lens iPhone App

Leslie Doctor, M.D., an eye doctor and Corneal Specialist in Fairfield County, Connecticut reviewed an iPhone app to help contact lens wearers. “A new app is available for use on iPhones and iPads that provides a convenient way to keep track of how many times you have worn your reusable contact lenses. No more having to wonder if it's time to replace your contacts. This is a nice way to help keep your contact lenses safe and your eyes healthy,” commented Dr. Doctor. “Proper lens replacement is critical to your eyes' health when wearing contacts. The app is available at iTunes for contact lens wearers to have a look at.”

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about contact lenses or schedule a contact lens exam or fitting please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule 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.