Sunday, April 24, 2016
Spring & Pollen Means Itchy, Watery Eye Allergies
Spring is beautiful, except for pollen and itchy eyes! While many people enjoy the spring, millions of others live with hatred of those times when the trees, grass and weeds begin to pollinate. People who are sensitive to these allergens experience seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, the most common type of eye allergy. Allergic conjunctivitis-which causes red, itchy, watery eyes-results in the conjunctiva, the clear membrane like skin that covers the eye, becoming inflamed when triggered by an allergen. It is estimated that in the United States, some 20 percent of the population suffers from eye allergies making them anything but unusual. Further, the incidence appears to be on the rise. Some researchers believe that our increasingly clean, modern society which no longer requires our bodies to fight off multiple childhood infections has caused our immune systems to shift from an infection-fighting stance to more of an allergic stance. When the body's immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to substances such as seasonal pollens and pet allergens, an allergic reaction can occur whenever they come in contact with your eyes.
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Quality of Life after Cataract Surgery
When we think of the impact that cataracts have on people, it is pretty easy to identify that vision decline or loss comes mainly from the blurry cloudy vision that cataracts cause, but also the night vision problems from the glare and haloes associated with cataracts. What is much more important than the vision loss itself is the negative impact on patient’s quality of life. Recent research published in Acta Ophthalmologica studied the effect of patient quality before and after having cataract surgery. The researchers compared patients with no known cataracts of the same age, health and lifestyle to those who had cataracts before and after cataract surgery. When compared with the general population, cataract patients had much lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than those without cataracts as measured by five dimensions: seeing, moving, hearing, performing their usual activities and general discomfort and symptoms. Then at 12 months after cataract surgery there was significant improvement in the quality of life index (HRQoL) across these same dimensions. While this seems obvious, it is a reminder that cataracts and vision loss affect more than just vision and reason to avoid suffering if you feel that your vision might be impacting your quality of life.
If you or someone you know suspects or has been told they have a cataract and would like to learn more about cataract surgery and lens implants, please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, Google+ 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.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Eye Problems from ADHD Medication
If you, your child or someone you know takes ADHD medication it is
important to understand the possible side effects that might impact eyes, cause
eye problems and alter vision. The most common prescription medication we
see children and even adults taking for treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is
methylphenidate which has a number of trade names such as Ritalin, Concerta,
Adderall, Methylin and Daytrana. While the common side effects of loss of
appetite, nervousness and difficulty sleeping are easily recognized,
researchers reporting in the Journal
of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus raised some concern that this
treatment may be associated with increased risk of angle closure glaucoma and a
disturbance of eye refraction and optical prescriptions. They initiated a study
to investigate the effects of methylphenidate treatment on refraction,
intraocular pressure (IOP), and the anterior chamber in children with ADHD.
This was a pilot study where children diagnosed with ADHD were examined before
the start of methylphenidate treatment and again 3 and 9 months after the start
of treatment. Their examinations included an eye exam with ordinary as well as
cycloplegic refraction-one performed with eye drops and high resolution imaging
study of the anterior chamber of the eye where the delicate structures related
to glaucoma could be viewed and measured.
ADHD Medication Eye
Study Conclusions
The researchers found that methylphenidate does not seem to affect refraction, or
optical prescription in most children with ADHD. But, after 9 months of
treatment there was a reduction in the eye anterior chamber depth, which has
been described as a powerful predictor of angle closure glaucoma. As this was a
pilot study more work is needed to really understand any increased risk.
What You Need to Know
and Do
If you, your child or someone you know is taking
methylphenidate of any type for ADHD, it would be worthwhile scheduling a
routine eye examination so that we can measure the refraction, the intraocular
pressure (IOP) and anterior chamber angle and depth. We do this regularly
during your eye exam. BE SURE TO TELL US
YOU ARE TAKING METHYLPHENIDATE. If your eye exam is normal we will most
likely ask you to have a repeat exam in a year. BUT, if at any time there s a
change in your vision, pain, redness, glare or light sensitivity we want you to
call right away and schedule an immediate appointment for that day.
If you or someone you know is being treated for ADHD with
methylphenidate medications such as Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Methylin and
Daytrana, it is important to have a routine eye exam to avoid any risk of eye
problems please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in
Fairfield County, Google+ 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.
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