Monday, February 28, 2011

Ask People You Trust for Your Cataract Surgeon

One of the best sources of helping you find a top Cataract Surgeon is to ask people you trust. This should include friends, family and co-workers as well as your personal primary care physician. In addition, if you have a trusted optometrist who knows your eyes, their input is valuable as well. Consider all of these opinions together and look for common names when selecting an experienced, trusted cataract surgeon for your surgery.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Blood Glucose Measures Can Predict Diabetic Retinopathy

Researchers from Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale in Villejuif, France studied how glucose levels might predict the risk of diabetic retinopathy.The goal was to study the frequency of diabetic retinopathy in individuals 10 years after measuring baseline levels of fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1C and to evaluate whether there were certain levels of the glucose measurements that could be used to predict whether patients would develop diabetic retinopathy. A clear relationship was found between certain threshold levels of fasting blood glucose level and hemoglobin A1C level and the predisposition to develop diabetic retinopathy. This information provides useful values for physicians treating diabetic patients to strive for in order to help patients with diabetes avoid the retinal complications of diabetes.


Archives of Ophthalmology: February 2011

Macular Degeneration (ARMD) and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ARMD can be very dangerous for the Retina and about 2 million Americans above 40 years of age have some kind of ARMD. Research published in the December 2010 edition of Ophthalmology confirmed that Omega-3 Fatty Acids which are present in eye’s Retina and a diet rich in consumption of these Omega-3 Fatty Acids could go a long way in making preserving eye health and vision and help to prevent any sort of vision damage. This study has found that Omega-3 Fatty Acids help in preventing the Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) found in elderly people.


Ophthalmology: December 2010

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

How to Choose a Cataract Surgeon

Question:
I thought I needed new glasses so I went to my regular eye doctor for an exam. She told me that I had a noticeable cataract in one eye and a cataract starting in the other eye and wanted to send me to an eye surgeon she recommended. I don’t know this person and I really don’t know any eye surgeons because I never needed eye surgery. I looked in my insurance book and there is a list of eye doctors who do cataract surgery and offer cataract operations. I don’t know how to find a good cataract surgeon. Any suggestions?

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Glaucoma Risk in Women

Researchers from Rotterdam, Holland reported that women's risk of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) decreased significantly as body mass index (BMI) increased, according to data from their large cohort study. For every unit increase in body mass index, women had a 7% lower risk of glaucoma. Other lifestyle factors did not significantly influence either open-angle glaucoma or intraocular pressure (IOP) in men or women. Patients were categorized according to baseline values for socioeconomic status, education, smoking history, alcohol intake, and the measures of BMI and waist-to-hip ratio. Other studies of potentially modifiable risk factors for glaucoma have yielded mixed results, particularly with respect to obesity. Some studies have shown an inverse association between obesity and glaucoma but a positive association with IOP. The use of Goldmann applanation tonometry to assess intraocular pressure could have led to overestimation of values in obese women.
Archives of Ophthalmology:February 2011

Monday, February 14, 2011

Cataract Surgery & Dry Eyes: What You Need to Know Part I

Eye surgeons from around the world were presented some interesting information about cataract surgery at the Hawaiian Eye 2011 meeting. A report was discussed in which the results of a prospective multicenter study that assessed the prevalence of dry eye in 272 eyes that underwent cataract surgery. The study found that more than 60% of eyes had abnormal tear breakup time, 50% of eyes had central corneal staining and 21.3% of eyes had low Schirmer's test results all of which are diagnostic signs of dry eye or dry eye syndrome.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Cataract Surgery, Diabetes & Prostate Medication Update on aboutcataractsurgery.com

Medical Management Services Group
North Andover, Massachusetts, (2/11/11) Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C., managers of the cataract surgery & lens implant information and cataract surgeon directory website http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com/ has incorporated additional new informational content about diabetes and cataract surgery and the potential for complications of cataract surgery for those taking certain prostate medications for an enlarged prostate.


“Diabetes is a known risk factor for developing a cataract. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/) recently reported that an alarming of Americans has diabetes or “prediabetes”. With more than 1 in 4 Americans over the age of 65 having full blown diabetes, it is very likely that more and more diabetics will seek consultation with cataract surgeons regarding cataracts and cataract surgery,” said Katherine Carlisle, the Managing Partner of http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com/.

“In addition, we now know the incidence of problems with an enlarged prostate gland (BPH) is at least 50% for men in their fifties and about 80% for men in their eighties with about 50% of all men with BPH having some degree of urinary flow problem and 25% of all men being treated with prostate medication by the age of 80. We are aware of the potential difficulty and complications for men taking certain prostate medications before cataract surgery.”

“With the population of diabetics and those taking prostate medication growing rapidly-and those same people entering the age of cataract formation and needing cataract surgery, we thought it was timely to offer additional information to http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com/ visitors about these topics as they relate to cataract surgery,” said Ms. Carlisle.

In order to provide eye care consumers with the most unbiased information, unlike many websites offering information about cataracts, cataract surgery, cataract surgeons or intraocular lens implants (IOL), http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com/ does not accept funding, support or advertising from pharmaceutical, medical device, laser or lens implant companies.

CONTACT: Katie Carlisle, Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.
978.470.8217, or email, katie@aboutcataractsurgery.com

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Macular Degeneration (ARMD) Awareness Month in Greater Boston At D’Ambrosio Eye Care

D'Ambrosio Eye Care
Lancaster, Massachusetts (2/1/2011) D’Ambrosio Eye Care wishes to announce that Prevent Blindness America has designated February as National Age Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month.


“Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in Americans older than 50, affecting more than two million people. Although ARMD is incurable, there are new treatments that can, at a minimum, prevent further vision loss from the disease and in many cases actually help recover lost vision,” commented Francis A. D’Ambrosio, Jr., M.D., a Boston area eye physician and surgeon and Medical Director of D’Ambrosio Eye Care.

ARMD causes central vision to blur, but leaves peripheral vision intact. It is progressive and painless. There are two types of ARMD: dry and wet. Approximately 90 percent of people with ARMD have the dry form which results in gradual vision loss. Although only 10 percent of people with ARMD have the wet form, it generally progresses much quicker than the dry form. Wet AMD is characterized by the growth of abnormal retinal blood vessels that leak blood or fluid, causing rapid and severe central vision loss.

Patients can often reduce the risk of developing ARMD by not smoking as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables, avoiding foods with trans fats, exercising and controlling blood pressure and weight.

“We are fortunate to be able to offer Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) drugs that inhibit the development of unwanted blood vessels that cause wet ARMD as these agents are effective in helping to prevent further visual loss and even improve vision,” said Dr. D’Ambrosio Jr.

Patients older than 50 are encouraged to have a comprehensive, dilated eye examination every one to two years to ensure that ARMD is detected and treated early. The key to successful treatment is early detection and intervention.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading Massachusetts eye care practice with offices in Lancaster, Acton and Gardner, staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and Intraocular Lens Implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, management of eye inflammation, ocular inflammatory disease and uveitis and diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration, diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses and optical services.

Francis A. D’Ambrosio, Jr., M.D. is a founding member of the LASIK Eye Surgery Patient Information and LASIK Surgeon Directory at www.seewithlasik.com and the Cataract Surgery, Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) and Cataract Surgeon Directory at www.aboutcataractsurgery.com.

For additional information, contact Jude Seppa, D'Ambrosio Eye Care, 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, Judith.Seppa@dambrosioeyecare.com, 1.800.325.3937x345.

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) Awareness Month at Eyecare Medical Group in Portland, Maine


Eyecare Medical Group
 Portland, Maine (1/31/2011) Eyecare Medical Group in Portland, Maine wishes to announce that Prevent Blindness America has designated February as National Age Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month.

“Our patients should feel particularly confident as both Scott Steidl, M.D. and Jackie Nguyen, M.D. are fellowship trained Vitreoretinal specialists at Eyecare Medical Group. They can attend to even the most complex retinal and macular problems and needs” commented Clement Berry, Chief Executive Officer of Eyecare Medical Group.

“Age Related Macular Degeneration” (ARMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in Americans older than 50, affecting more than two million people. Although ARMD is incurable, there are new treatments that can at a minimum prevent further vision loss from the disease and in many cases actually help recover lost vision, commented Scott Steidl, M.D.

ARMD causes central vision to blur, but leaves peripheral vision intact. It is progressive and painless. There are two types of ARMD: dry and wet. Approximately 90 percent of people with ARMD have the dry form which results in gradual vision loss. Although only 10 percent of people with ARMD have the wet form, it generally progresses much quicker than the dry form. Wet AMD is characterized by the growth of abnormal retinal blood vessels that leak blood or fluid, causing rapid and severe central vision loss.

Patients can often reduce the risk of developing ARMD by not smoking as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables, avoiding foods with trans fats, exercising and controlling blood pressure and weight.

“We are fortunate to be able to offer Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) drugs that inhibit the development of unwanted blood vessels that cause wet ARMD as these agents are effective in helping to prevent further visual loss and even improve vision”, said Jackie Nguyen, M.D.

Patients older than 50 are encouraged to have a comprehensive, dilated eye examination every one to two years to ensure that ARMD is detected and treated early. The key to successful treatment is early detection and intervention.

Eyecare Medical Group is a Maine Ophthalmology practice staffed by a team of eye care specialists including Board Certified Fellowship trained Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and Intraocular lens implants, (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

To learn more about Eyecare Medical Group in Portland Maine you may visit http://www.eyecaremed.com/ or to learn more about LASIK in Maine you may visit http://www.emglasereyecenter.com/. Eyecare Medical Group is a founding member of the LASIK Eye Surgery Patient Information and LASIK Surgeon Directory at www.seewithlasik.com and the Cataract Surgery, Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) and Cataract Surgeon Directory at www.aboutcataractsurgery.com.

For additional information, contact:

Gretel Taska, Eyecare Medical Group, 53 Sewall Street, Portland, Maine 04102, gtaska@eyecaremed.com, 1.888.374.2020

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Volunteer Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Opticians Needed

Volunteer Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Opticians needed for a free medical mission in Nashville on February 19th and 20th at McGavock High School for patients without health care. The mission will include free vision services, dental services, and medical services. We expect to see around 2500 patients for free in a two day period. We'll make 400 glasses for patients each day, identify ocular disease, check for glaucoma, provide dental extractions, fillings, cleanings and provide well care and sick exams all for free. We also plan on providing free mammograms, STD testing, diabetic testing, and pap smears. You can read more about our organization at www.ramusa.org or you can watch a 12 minute video that the show 60-minutes did on our organization at http://ramusa.org/learn/media.html.

All equipment will be provided. Volunteers professionals are only requested to attend and see patients. You can donate one day or both days of service. We are especially in need of ophthalmologists.

Please contact Joe Sanfilippo at (615) 500-5880 or at joepnp@yahoo.com if interested

Sincerely,
Joe Sanfilippo APRN, BC
Remote Area Medical Nashville Mission Coordinator

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Glaucoma Awareness Month at Eyecare Medical Group in Portland, Maine

Eyecare Medical Group
Portland, Maine (1/6/2011) Eyecare Medical Group in Portland, Maine wishes to announce that Prevent Blindness America has designated January as National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Everyone, from infants to seniors is vulnerable. Moreover, among African-American and Hispanic populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness.

“Our patients should feel particularly confident as both Samuel Solish, M.D. and Robert Daly, M.D. are fellowship trained Glaucoma specialists at Eyecare Medical Group. They can attend to even the most complex Glaucoma patient problems and needs,” commented Clement Berry, Chief Executive Officer of Eyecare Medical Group.

Over 3 million Americans, and nearly 70 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. It is estimated that half of them don’t know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision.

“This is an important time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease. Our understanding of this disease along with the ways in which we can diagnose and treat it have improved considerably”, commented Dr. Daly.

The most common type of glaucoma—primary open angle glaucoma—is hereditary. The Nottingham Glaucoma Study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology evaluated the risk that siblings of Glaucoma patients would themselves develop Glaucoma within their lifetime.

“While we already knew that there was a strong likelihood that family members of glaucoma patients were at greater risk, the Nottingham Study found that siblings were 5 times more likely to develop glaucoma by age 70. “This is we strongly recommend that siblings of Glaucoma patients and Glaucoma suspects be screened for Glaucoma, each and every year, said Dr. Solish.

Eyecare Medical Group is a Maine Ophthalmology practice staffed by a team of eye care specialists including Board Certified Fellowship trained Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and Intraocular lens implants, (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

To learn more about Eyecare Medical Group in Portland Maine you may visit http://www.eyecaremed.com/ or to learn more about LASIK in Maine you may visit, http://www.emglasereyecenter.com/. Eyecare Medical Group is a founding member of the LASIK Eye Surgery Patient Information and LASIK Surgeon Directory at http://www.seewithlasik.com/and the Cataract Surgery, Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) and Cataract Surgeon Directory at http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com/.

For additional information, contact:
Gretel Taska, Eyecare Medical Group, 53 Sewall Street, Portland, Maine 04102, GTaska@eyecaremed.com, 1.888.374.2020

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.

Doctor & Associates of Fairfield County Connecticut Releases Eye Care Patient Information and Education Web Site


Westport, Connecticut (January 6, 2011) Doctor & Associates, an ophthalmology practice with offices in Westport, Wilton and Norwalk, Connecticut dedicated to providing Fairfield County and southern Connecticut eye care patients with convenient and comprehensive advanced eye health and vision care has released a new patient education website at www.doctor-and-associates.com.

“We are pleased to be able to assist patients in learning about common eye problems and conditions, types of eye surgery, as well as their treatment options,” commented Doctor & Associates Medical Director Leslie Doctor, M.D.

The new Doctor & Associates web site is designed to help educate patients so that they can play a more participative role in their eye care. Both the patient and the eye doctor are able to facilitate the entire patient care experience when patients thoroughly understand their eye conditions, treatment options and eye surgery options.

“Today, it is beneficial for patients seeking care for cataracts, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), diabetic retinopathy, corneal disease and transplants, macular degeneration, glaucoma, LASIK and even eyeglasses and contact lenses-to have access to current information and treatment options even before they attend their eye examination,” said Leslie Doctor, M.D.

Doctor & Associates is a leading Connecticut eye care practice providing eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and Intraocular Lens Implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, diagnosis and management of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses and optical services. In addition, for those patients in need of eye surgery, as a founding member of the Wilton Surgery Center, Doctor & Associates eye surgeons are able to provide eye surgery in a convenient, close to home and cost effective ambulatory surgery center.

Doctor & Associates is a founding member of the LASIK Eye Surgery Patient Information and LASIK Surgeon Directory at www.seewithlasik.com and the Cataract Surgery, Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) and Cataract Surgeon Directory at www.aboutcataractsurgery.com.

For additional information, contact Dottie Figueroa, Doctor & Associates, 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, dfigueroa@drdrgroup.com, 203.227.4113.

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Carbohydrate Intake Linked to Higher Cataract Risk in Women

According to a study from the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project and published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, women who consume higher amounts of carbohydrates appear to have a higher risk for cortical and nuclear Cataract formation. After adjusting for risk factors and multivariate analysis, women in the highest quartile of total carbohydrate consumption had a significantly risk of having a pure cortical Cataract. The researchers concluded that managing carbohydrate intake could prolong the overall health of the Crystalline Lens, however additional study is warranted.

Cataracts & Antidepressants

Canadian researchers discovered a link between an increased risk of cataracts and certain drugs used to treat depression and anxiety. The study, published in the March 2010 journal, Ophthalmology, involved more than 200,000 patients aged 65 and older. The data indicated a link between Cataracts and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors existed such that those patients using these medications had a 1.23-1.51 times greater risk of having Cataract Surgery than the control group, depending on which medication they were actually taking.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Cataract & LASIK Eye Surgery Directories Announce Blog Availability

Cataract & LASIK Eye Surgery Directories Announce Blog Availability

NORTH ANDOVER, Massachusetts, (4/22/10) Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C. developers and managers of the LASIK information, patient education and LASIK surgeon directory website www.seewithlasik.com and the Cataract Surgery information and Cataract Surgeon directory website www.aboutcataractsurgery.com is pleased to announce the availability of two new eye care blogs to assist in keeping both Cataract and LASIK patients up to date with current information as well as allow for a closer interactive internet experience. "The fields of Cataract Surgery & Intraocular Lens Implantation (IOL) as well as Laser Vision Correction such as LASIK Eye Surgery continue to take advantage of the application of new technology in order to streamline procedural steps and incrementally improve outcomes for patients-and the web is one of the first places patients seek this information, relayed Katherine Carlisle, Managing Partner of Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.

“Our current sites provide comprehensive and detailed content for visitors. At http://www-seewithlasik-com.blogspot.com and http://cataract-surgery-information.blogspot.com we can give those in need of the most current information about new eye surgery procedures, new eye care technology and eye surgeons a quick snapshot of real time information, said Katherine Carlisle, Managing Partner of Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.

In order to provide consumers with the most unbiased information, unlike many websites offering information about LASIK, neither www.seewithlasik.com
or www.aboutcataractsurgery.com , nor their associated blogs at http://www-seewithlasik-com.blogspot.com and http://cataract-surgery-information.blogspot.com accept funding, support or advertising of any kind from pharmaceutical, medical device, laser or lens implant manufacturers.