iPad, Nooks and Kindle E-Readers May Help Glaucoma Patients

“Because of the visual field restrictions, relative blind spots and general slower vision processing due to the optic nerve damage, adults with glaucoma read slower when reading silently for long periods of time and are more likely to have their reading speed decrease over time, possibly as a result of reading fatigue,” noted Leslie Doctor, M.D. “I was really pleased to learn that patients with glaucoma may benefit from using e-readers such as iPads, Nooks and Kindle devices.”

According to a recent study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. the ability to adjust font size, contrast and other display screen characteristics suggest that technological solutions such as e-readers along with the apps that are developed for them may very well help glaucoma patients read more comfortably.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about iPad, Nooks and Kindle e-readers to help glaucoma patients read more comfortably please schedule an eye exam at 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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Increased Glaucoma Risk with Early Menopause

“There are a number of more common glaucoma risk factors we keep in mind all the time,” noted Connecticut Ophthalmologist Leslie Doctor, M.D. “Based on some current research we believe it may be prudent to consider an early onset of menopause a glaucoma risk factor that we watch a bit more closely,” she further explained. According to a study at the Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute in Amsterdam women who go through menopause early may be at greater risk of developing glaucoma. In a study of more than 3,000 women, those who went through a natural menopause before the age of 45 were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma as women who went through menopause at age 50 or older. The results indicate that female hormones may be protective against open-angle glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness.  Of interest is that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is thought to reduce fluid pressure inside the eye. Similarly, as hormone levels rise during pregnancy, fluid pressure inside the eye decreases significantly, the researchers noted. This is the first study to examine the relationship between female sex hormones, as indicated by age of menopause, and open-angle glaucoma.

If you or someone you know is concerned about their risk of glaucoma please schedule an eye exam at 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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Laser Treatments for Glaucoma Effective

“We really have taken steps to make glaucoma treatment more patient friendly with laser treatment rather than eye drops where possible,” commented Ophthalmologist Claudia Castiblanco, M.D. “Today Laser treatment for glaucoma is regarded as a safe and effective treatment for glaucoma and may be considered as first-line therapy in early to moderate-stage open-angle glaucoma when eye pressure or IOP is less than 35 mm Hg,” noted Dr. Castiblanco.

Recent research presented at the World Glaucoma Congress also indicated that the SLT Laser may also be useful for glaucoma induced by the use of steroids and the ALT and SLT Laser may be useful in treating pigmentary glaucoma. “I do want to caution patients about their expectations however,” emphasized Dr. Castiblanco. “There is no actual cure for glaucoma and although laser treatments can be quite effective we must provide meticulous follow up and monitoring to ensure that patients continue to do well over time in order to preserve eye health and vision.”

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about laser treatment of glaucoma please schedule an eye exam at 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.

Doctor & Associates Highlights Glaucoma Awareness Month

Prevent Blindness America has designated January as National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Patients should be particularly sensitive to the fact that in African-American and Hispanic populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness. Glaucoma risk factors include any family history-especially among siblings-of glaucoma, vascular disease, early menopause, certain diseases such as diabetes and an increase in risk as patients transcend through their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. While there is controversy about the exact nature and benefit of glaucoma screenings, we know for sure that key step in preventing vision loss from glaucoma is early detection, diagnosis and treatment. There is a clear need for regular eye exams with glaucoma testing as indicated by your risk factors and examination AND we strongly recommend that siblings of glaucoma patients be screened each and every year as their risk of developing glaucoma is some 5 times higher than the typical population.

 

If you or someone you know would like to learn more glaucoma risks please schedule an glaucoma eye exam at 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.