Taking Aspirin Makes AMD Worse?

Most seniors and other people who suffer from vascular, heart, blood clotting problems or even arthritis are well aware of the benefits of taking a daily aspirin. In fact many people have been prescribed aspirin as part of their overall care by their primary care or other specialty physicians. Seniors are also well aware that age related macular degeneration (AMD) continues to be a leading cause of vision loss. Until recently there was some confusion and disagreement regarding whether it was safe or even risky for those who have AMD to take aspirin as it could increase bleeding risk in the retina and worsen AMD. A very careful review of information was reported in the journal Retina and gave us good insight into the conclusions that overall, the types and size of studies showing the positive benefits of aspirin use for cardiovascular health were quite a bit better that the smaller limited studies showing a possible adverse effect of aspirin use in relation to AMD. The benefits of aspirin usage include preserving the duration and quality of life by decreasing stroke and heart attack risk. These benefits seem to far outweigh the theoretical risks of possibly exacerbating wet AMD, which we can now control reasonably well with anti-VEGF injection therapy with Eylea®, Lucentis® and other available medications.

If you or someone you know takes aspirin and has or has been recently diagnosed with age related macular degeneration (AMD) it appears safe and beneficial to follow your physicians prescribing instructions and not worry about any increased risk of worsening AMD. If you have questions or need to schedule an 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.          

Glaucoma Eye Drop Side Effects

Glaucoma is typically treated with one or more types of eyedrops although today laser treatment for glaucoma may be a good option for many patients to reduce or even eliminate their need for eye drops. Almost all eyedrops for glaucoma have some side effects that can include redness, changes in the color of your eyes and eyelids. In addition glaucoma eye drops can cause system side effects including changes in blood pressure, irregular pulse and changes in heart rate, becoming unable to exercise, breathing problems and even impotence in men. Some patients also report dry eyes from glaucoma eye drop medication.

Always be sure to tell your primary care physician about all of the eye medicines you take including glaucoma eye drops even if you are not experiencing any side effects. If you are experiencing any of these side effects, please be sure to schedule an appointment so that we might be able to offer alternative treatments which might include and in office laser treatment.

To learn more about glaucoma or schedule a glaucoma 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.          

Prevent Falling in Glaucoma Patients

Patients who have glaucoma, especially those with poor vision and very limited visual fields, need to be quite careful and have some preventative steps taken to avoid falling. These patients are a high risk group and are prone to have bone fractures when they do take a fall. In a recent study reported in the American Journal of Ophthalmology it was determined that most common causes of falling were tripping and slipping due to uneven flooring and poor vision. Almost 75% of falls occur in the home and more than 40% of people who fall suffer some type of injury. There are some common sense steps we can take to help prevent falling and thus prevent injury. These include:

>Clean up clutter and remove or repair any tripping hazards such as newspapers, pet items, loose rugs and damaged floorboards or tile.

>Install adequate lighting by placing stronger bulbs in fixtures to be sure hallways and rooms are very well illuminated.

>Install grab bars on stairs and in bathrooms as well as installing non slip mats in showers and tubs.

>Always wear shoes to avoid the risk of slipping and if shoes are just too uncomfortable be sure to buy non-slip socks.

>Take your time getting up from chairs or sofas and move slowly at first.

These simple fall prevention interventions, particularly those for minor home modification, should be an adequate starting point to prevent falls. If you or someone you know has glaucoma or suffers from poor vision, know that they are at greater risk for falling. Be sure they have a thorough eye exam by scheduling an appointment at 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.          

Protect Your Eyes from Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

7 Ways to Protect Your Eyes from Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) continues to be the leading cause of vision loss in seniors and those over 50 years of age. While there is no way to completely eliminate the aging process, there are some things you CAN do to prevent vision loss. The key to preventing vision loss from Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is early detection, diagnosis and treatment. There are a number of steps you can take that are helpful in preventing AMD vision loss.

Get Regular Comprehensive Medical Eye Exams. AMD often has no early warning signs, so getting regular comprehensive eye exams is critical in diagnosing and treating this eye disease in its early stages, BEFORE vision loss has occurred. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults with no signs or increased risk factors get a baseline eye disease screening at age 40 which is the time when early signs of disease and changes in vision may start to occur. Even if you have obvious eye problems, symptoms or decreased vision, by age 65, it is recommended that you have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years.

Stop Smoking. Many studies now show that smoking increases the risk of developing AMD by two times and the speed at which it progresses!

Eat a Proper Diet. Many studies demonstrate that eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and nutrient packed foods, such as salmon and nuts, may reduce the risk of AMD. Research also suggests that patients who ate fresh fish, an important source of omega-3s, were at lower risk of developing AMD.

Take the Right Macular Health Vitamins. Vitamins can delay progression of advanced AMD and help people keep their vision longer if they have intermediate AMD or advanced AMD in one eye. But make sure it’s the right combination of vitamins! A recent study found that some of the top-selling products do not contain identical ingredient dosages to eye vitamin formulas proven effective in clinical trials. 

Get Regular Exercise. Exercising three times a week can reduce the risk of developing wet AMD by 70 percent. Studies also show that physical activity may lower the odds of both early and late-stages of AMD.

Monitor Vision with an Amsler Grid. This simple, daily routine takes less than one minute and can help people with AMD save more of their vision. Using this grid is essential to finding any vision changes that are not obvious, so you can report them to your eye doctor.

Know Your Family Eye Health History. If you have a close relative with AMD, you have a 50 percent greater chance of developing the condition. You may need more frequent eye exams and specialized testing based on your family history.

Take these simple steps to help prevent Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Begin by making sure you have a comprehensive eye exam at Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, Google+ 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.