Pink Eye Conjunctivitis & COVID-19 Coronavirus

Pink eye, known medically as conjunctivitis is an inflammation or infection of the outer membrane of the eyeball and the inner eyelid that causes redness and irritation in and around the eyes. It can be caused by allergies or a bacterial or viral infection. Conjunctivitis can be extremely contagious and is spread by contact with eye secretions from someone who is infected. The American Academy of Ophthalmology alerted us that COVID-19 Coronavirus might cause a pink eye conjunctivitis that looks like any other viral conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis is common in patients who have colds, the flu and other types of viral infection. However, our patients should keep in mind that careful evaluation of the reported information suggests that only between 1-3% of those infected with COVID-19 actually develop pink eye conjunctivitis. We are here to help!

If you, someone you know, a friend, or a relative develops eye redness and thinks they might have pink eye conjunctivitis-PLEASE CALL US-203-227-4113 and we can advise you whether to schedule a TeleEyeHealth Virtual Visit & Consultation, schedule a visit to our office where we use using social distancing and sanitary hygienic disinfecting procedures or even ask you to schedule a visit with your primary care physician if you also have a fever, cough or shortness of breath.

We look forward to seeing you soon for your regular eye exams for eye health & vision! In the meantime if you, a friend or relative should need help for a contact lens irritation, red eye or contact lens, PLEASE CALL 203-227-4113 and we can provide you with either a TeleEyeHealth Virtual Visit & Consultation or schedule an appointment for a personal visit at Doctor & Associates. Visit us at Doctor & Associates at our Eye Care Blog, or on Facebook.

TeleEyeHealth Virtual Visits for Eye Problems

TeleEyeHealth Virtual Visits

At Doctor & Associates we are often able to provide help for certain eye problems & conditions through the use of TeleEyeHealth Virtual Visits & Consultation without having to come to our office. TeleEyeHealth Virtual Visits use electronic & digital communications and software to provide clinical services to patients without an in-person visit. By using your home computer and webcam, or even your phone, we are able to visualize and evaluate urgent eye problems such as a minor eye accident, red eyes, eye pain, irritation, sensitivity to light, eye discharge, matter in eyes, eyelid redness, crusting, eyelids stuck together, excessive tearing, eyes burning, watering, feeling gritty, eyes itching, allergy eyes, eyelid swelling, eyelid lumps or eyelid bumps-and then help you, or if needed, schedule you to come in for an actual office visit. TeleEyeHealth Virtual Visits are covered by almost all insurance plans and help avoid an unnecessary trip to the emergency room or our office.

COVID Guidelines You Should Remember!

We are all dealing with the day to day issues and safety concerns created by the COVID-19 virus. As time goes on, and it appears as if we may have reached the peak, sometimes there can be a degree of relaxation of the necessary guidelines and good practices to stop the spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers these general guidelines for preventing the spread of corona virus and protecting your health:

· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
· You should especially wash your hands before eating, after using the restroom, sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose.
· If you can’t get to a sink, use a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.
· Avoid touching your face-particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth.
· If you cough or sneeze, cover your face with your elbow or a tissue. If you use a tissue, throw it away promptly. Then go wash your hands.
· Avoid close contact with sick people. If you think someone has a respiratory infection, it’s safest to stay 6 feet away.
· Stay home when you are sick.
· Regularly disinfect commonly touched surfaces and items in your house, such as doorknobs and counter tops.

We look forward to seeing you soon for your regular eye exams for eye health & vision! In the meantime if you, a friend or relative should need help for an urgent eye problem such as an eye accident, red eyes, eye pain, irritation, sensitivity to light, eye discharge, matter in eyes, eyelid redness, crusting, eyelids stuck together, excessive tearing, eyes burning, watering, feeling gritty, eyes itching, allergy eyes, eyelid swelling, eyelid lumps or eyelid bumps, PLEASE CALL 203-227-4113 and we can provide you with either a TeleEyeHealth Virtual Visit & Consultation or schedule an appointment for a personal visit at Doctor & Associates.

Visit Doctor & Associates or www.facebook.com/doctorandassociates/. Doctor & Associates offices are conveniently located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.

Christmas Plants Treat Eye Tumors?

German researchers reporting in Science Signaling have identified a compound in the berries of the Coralberry plant that appears to be able to destroy Uveal Melanoma, the most common and an aggressive type of eye cancer. The Coralberry is a very common plant we use for Christmas and holiday decorations! The leaves of the plant contain bacteria that produce a toxin that inhibits a cancer cell molecule called Gq protein and thus is destructive to the cancer. It also appears that the toxin may be effective against skin cancer as well. At this time the investigation is still in the laboratory but researchers hope to make it into a pharmaceutical in the near future.

If you notice pigmented or non-pigmented lesions or dry scaly patches on your eyelids or around your eyes please let us know at your eye exam. Schedule routine eye exams with us at Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, or visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

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

Dry Eye Disease & Migraine Headaches

What do migraine headaches have to do with dry eye disease? As it turns out researchers reporting on a large population based study in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology found that the odds of having dry eye disease with a diagnosis of migraine headaches was at least 20% higher than that of individuals without a diagnosis of migraine headaches. They also conclude that this association does not reflect a cause and effect relationship but rather identifies a risk factor that suggests we don’t overlook dry eye disease in patients complaining of migraine headaches.

If you or someone you know suffers from migraine headaches they should be evaluated for dry eye disease during their eye exam. Learn more when you schedule an eye exam at Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, or visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County, or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

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