Can Diet Supplements Help Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes and dry eye problems are extremely common complaints we hear from patients at Doctor & Associates. Fortunately, we are able to offer patients a wide range of treatment methods to help dry eyes including inserting tiny plugs into the eyelid drainage ducts, artificial tear and lubricants, anti-inflammatory eye drops, oral antibiotics for certain rosacea problems and even prescription eye drops called Restasis to help patients make more of their own natural tears. 

Based on research in Clinical Ophthalmology, taking dietary supplements that contain a combination of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants can be helpful in the treatment of dry eye symptoms. A study was conducted to understand the effectiveness and tolerability of dietary supplements containing a combination of omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants for help for dry eye symptoms and complaints. The researchers wanted to know if the dry eye diet supplements helped scratchy and stinging sensation in the eyes, eye redness, grittiness, painful eyes, tired eyes, grating sensation, and blurry vision. After 12 weeks of taking the supplements all individual symptoms improved significantly from an average rating of 11.9 to 6.8 with the combination supplements of omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants. Thus, this was an effective treatment for dry eye.

If you or someone you know has questions or needs help for dry eyes, please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.

Ocular or Ophthalmic Eye Migraine Headaches?

When most people think of the word “migraine” they immediately think “headache”-but eye migraine or ocular or ophthalmic migraine may actually cause you to experience something a bit different. Patients who are generally healthy come and see us for routine eye exams and share with us that that about once or twice a month they see these strange pulsing images in both eyes-both with their eyes open and closed! Sometimes they tell us that they start out small, may last 10-20 minutes and even cause their vision to become blurry. These episodes actually describe what we know to be an Ocular Migraine-a migraine without a headache! What patients are experiencing is the aura that many sufferers have before the onset of a classic migraine headache. An ocular or ophthalmic migraine often includes zigzag lines, colored lights or flashes of lights expanding to one side of your vision over perhaps 10 to 30 minutes.

If you experience these symptoms, in order to be sure that this is not a sign of a more serious problem, you should schedule an evaluation and eye exam at Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule your appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.

About Polarized Eyeglass Lenses vs. Tinted Lens By Leslie Doctor, M.D

A polarized is a lens that filters the "visual noise" reflected from horizontal surfaces such a water or streets. You have probably seen annoying glare from your horizontal dashboard reflected in your windshield. All of these glares are reduced with the use of polarized sunglasses.
 How does it work? Think of glare as a water balloon hitting a flat surface. The water splashes in all directions! It is the same with sunrays hitting a flat surface. They create reflected light in all directions: horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and every other way. This chaotic pattern of light rays creates the visual disability associated with glare. Polarized treatment to sunglasses filters this glare so that only light rays approaching the lenses in one particular orientation are allowed to pass through to the eye. Similar to watching a dog try to carry a long bone through a door that is only slightly ajar, polarized lenses block all light rays that do not have just the right orientation for the polarization. Fishermen greatly appreciate polarized sunglasses. The polarization eliminates the glare from the surface of the water and allows the user to see schools of fish underneath.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more of be fit with sunglasses or UV 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 offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.

Ultraviolet (UV) Eye Protection Awareness

As May marks Ultraviolet (UV) Eye Protection Awareness Month, we wanted to comment on UV protective eyewear and precautions people should take-especially those who have had LASIK or cataract surgery. It is pretty easy for LASIK and cataract surgery patients to simply forget about eyewear of any type-even UV protective eyewear. The great majority of patients having LASIK or cataract surgery with advanced lens implants no longer have to think about wearing eyeglasses too much after their eye surgery-thus they often neglect taking the proper precautions and using UV protecting eyewear. Some information and facts everyone should know:

Exposure to UV has been linked to many eye problems and in some instances is thought to quicken the onset of eye diseases such as Cataract, Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), certain cancers on the delicate skin around the eye, Pterygia-a growth of white tissue on the surface of the eye-and even Photokeratitis, a type of sunburn of the cornea. The effects of UV exposure are cumulative and often don’t become noticeable to patients for many years.

Tips for UV Eye Protection

• 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.

Patients visiting Doctor & Associates can speak with the Opticians at Eyewear at Willows who will be able to provide the proper counseling and fitting of UV protecting lenses and eyewear. These eye care professionals can offer a wide variety of UV blocking lenses, coatings and color changing lenses to keep you safe.

To learn more of visit, please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates or facebook.com/doctorandassociates.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.