Cataract Surgery & Lens Implant Patient Satisfaction

If you have cataracts or are considering cataract surgery and lens implants, if you are a good candidate, it is pretty likely that your cataract surgeon will offer you the option of a multifocal lens implant in addition to the standard monofocal lens implant. The objective of using a multifocal lens implant to correct vision after cataract surgery is to help patients become less dependent or completely independent of glasses after their cataract is removed. A multifocal lens implant allows patients to see at a range of far, arms’ length and near without glasses whereas a monofocal will require the patient to still need glasses for most arms’ length or close vision tasks. Whenever we present or recommend this option to our patients they almost always ask, “Which one is better?” or “Which one will I be most satisfied with?” A multisite clinical trial was conducted and reported on in the Journal of Refractive Surgery that compared outcomes and patient satisfaction of monofocal vs. multifocal lens implants after cataract surgery. 

Results of Cataract Surgery with Monofocal vs. Multifocal Lens Implants

The results showed both monofocal and multifocal IOLs provided good clinical outcomes. More patients receiving multifocal IOLs attained better uncorrected visual acuity at a range of distances and spectacle independence compared with patients who received monofocal IOLs. Patient satisfaction was significantly better in the multifocal group.

If you or some you know suspects they have a cataract or is considering cataract surgery and lens implants and wishes to schedule a cataract and lens implant eye exam, 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.           

Contact Lenses Increase Computer Vision Syndrome

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a condition that results from prolonged focusing of your eyes on a computer or other display device for protracted, uninterrupted periods of time. Typical symptoms of CVS include headaches, blurred vision, neck pain, eye redness, fatigue, eye strain, dry eyes, irritated eyes, double vision, vertigo, dizziness and difficulty refocusing the eyes. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, computer vision syndrome affects about 90% of the people who spend three hours or more a day at a computer. We now know that CVS is actually made worse by contact lens wear. According to a study in Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics contact lens wearers are more likely to suffer CVS than non-lens wearers, with a prevalence of 65% for contact lens wearers. In particular, people who wear contact lenses and are exposed to the computer for more than 6 hours per day are more likely to suffer CVS than non-lens wearers working at the computer for the same amount of time.

If you or someone you know suffers from symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) please feel free to contact us for guidelines and help with the uncomfortable effects. 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.

Free Eye Safety Solar Eclipse Glasses from Willows Opticians

On Monday, August 21, 2017, North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun, or a “solar eclipse.” During a solar eclipse, the moon will pass between the sun and the earth, actually blocking the sun either partially or completely depending on where you are viewing it from. The blocking of the sun will last for up to three hours from beginning to end depending on your viewing location. The last time the contiguous U.S. saw a total eclipse was in 1979. This event turns day into night and makes the normally hidden solar corona-the sun’s outer atmosphere- visible! Bright stars and planets will become visible as well. This is one of nature’s most awesome sights. In the Fairfield County, Connecticut area, we will have a partial eclipse of about 67%. The start time will be approximately 1:24 pm, the maximum eclipse view will be at approximately 2:45 pm, with the end of the event occurring at 4:00 pm.

How Can You See It & Avoid Eye Safety Risk?

You never want to look directly at the sun without appropriate protection except during totality. “Retinal burns, called “solar retinitis” or “solar retinopathy” can be produced by direct gazing at the sun. This potentially serious problem is caused by the thermal effects of the visible and near infrared rays focused on the pigment layer of the retina. “We almost never see patients with solar retinopathy at other times because the normal eye only tolerates very brief glances at the sun. But, during a solar eclipse it is possible to have prolonged direct viewing of the sun that often results in retinal damage if you don’t take the precaution of wearing proper protective solar filtering glasses,” Dr. Leslie Doctor. 

The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. “To be safe to view a solar eclipse, the eclipse gasses must meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products,” explained Dr. Doctor.

You may receive a free pair of eclipse glasses, by visiting any Doctor & Associates or Willows Opticians location including 129 Kings Highway N, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 or 148 East Avenue #3e, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851. 

To learn more, please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor& Associates in Fairfield County or Google+ .

Cataracts & Vitamin D

Vitamin D Helps Cataracts?
Cataracts continue to be a leading cause of vision decline in seniors as well as aging baby boomers. Those patients who do not yet have a cataract often ask if it is possible to reduce their risk or avoid cataracts with vitamins or diet supplement. Since Vitamin D has been shown to have an antioxidant effect it might seem like a good bet to reduce cataracts. But, the data continues to be confusing with regard to Vitamin D and cataract prevention. Researchers reporting in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery studied the impact and relationship between serum levels of Vitamin D and the risk of age related cataracts. They were able to eliminate the effect of other cataract risk factors such as age, sex, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension, and sunlight exposure. The results showed that in men, but not in women, the odds of developing age-related cataracts decreased with statistical significance when the serum Vitamin D levels were in the highest 10%  as compared to the when they were in the lowest 10%. But, it wasn’t a uniform trend throughout the range-only in comparison of the top to the bottom levels of serum Vitamin D levels. This, along with no real benefit for women makes the results warrant more study for now. Fortunately cataract surgery and lens implants offer a safe, effective and predictable treatment method with excellent results.

If you or some you know is concerned about their cataract risk or needs a cataract eye exam

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.