Eating Fish Can Reduce AMD Risk

It might sound “fishy”, but eating a diet rich in fish may help you reduce your risk of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)! Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found that the AMD may be associated with a high dietary fat intake. The results of their study found that eating fish, such as tuna, four times a week, may reduce the risk of macular degeneration. The subjects of the study were participants in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study who did not have AMD at when the study commenced. After 12 years of follow-up, 567 people with a visual loss of 20/30 or worse were identified. Fat intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. The study found:

·         Those patients whose total dietary fat intake was in the highest quintile had over one and a half times the risk of AMD as those whose fat intake was in the lowest quintile,

·         Linolenic acid consumption was directly associated with the risk of AMD,

·         High intake of docosahexaenoic acid was associated with a modest reduction in the risk of AMD.

·         Those who ate four or more servings of fish a week were at a 35% lower risk of AMD when compared to those who ate fewer than three servings of fish a week.

The researchers concluded that dietary fat intake was associated with an increased risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD) and that this may have been due to the presence of Linolenic acid in the fat. They added that a high intake of fish, a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid, may reduce this risk.

If you or someone you know has a family history of age related macular degeneration or wishes to learn more about their risk of AMD and how eating fish might reduce their risk of AMD, please contact Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

What Causes a Bright Red Eye?

Waking up with or just looking in the mirror and realizing that you have a bright red eye can be alarming! Patients sometimes call our practice complaining of a “bright red eye” or “bleeding eye” that may have come on with a cough or a sneeze-or sometimes with some heavy lifting-or for no reason at all-and has no pain, blurry vision or discharge. What could it be? We will of course ask you to come in so we can evaluate the problem, but it is possible that it is a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

What is a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage?

Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a benign disorder that is a common cause of acute eye redness or “bright red eye”. The major risk factors include trauma and contact lens usage in younger patients, whereas among the elderly, systemic vascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis are more common. In patients in whom subconjunctival hemorrhage is recurrent or persistent, further evaluation, including a workup for systemic hypertension, bleeding disorders, systemic and ocular malignancies and drug side effects, is warranted.

If you or someone you know experiences a “bright red eye” please contact Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Better Patient Understanding of Diabetic Retinopathy Needed

Diabetic Retinopathy is a major cause of new blindness in the U.S. it is of concern that patients do not have a better understanding of diabetic eye disease and its risk factors. A recent study exploring patients’ understanding of the risk factors, cause and controllability of their own Diabetic Retinopathy revealed considerable misunderstanding, gaps in knowledge and potentially damaging beliefs about the cause and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy Patient Understanding Study

Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 57 patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR), nearly half of whom had severe proliferative DR-a serious complication. Most of these patients had also undergone laser treatment. At the conclusion of the study, patients were found to have had a reasonable understanding of the basic risk factors for DR, such as diabetes control, but they were less clear about specific risk factors such as blood pressure and lipid control. Most patients attributed their DR either to poor diabetes control or to failings of the health care system, rather than having a basic understanding of the small blood vessel disease including circulatory and oxygen deprivation that results from the damaged blood vessels in the retina. Some patients believed that their DR was a result of health aspects beyond their control or environmental factors, whereas others were unsure about the cause.

Improving patients' understanding of the major risk factors for DR as well as helping them have a better understanding of the causes of diabetic retinopathy and being able to grasp expectations of realistic outcomes of laser treatment may improve patients' coping mechanisms, adaption to disease and ocular outcomes.

If you or someone you know has questions about Diabetic Retinopathy or needs an eye exam for diabetic Eye Disease, please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Risk Factors Increase Severity of Fuchs Dystrophy

For patients with Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy (FECD) it is important to have some knowledge of the risk factors that can lead to or predict an increased severity of the disease process.

What is Fuchs Dystrophy?

Fuchs’ Dystrophy is a type of corneal disease that affects the inner most layer of the cornea-the endothelium. In general, it is slowly progressive and can be found in both eyes and is slightly more common in women than men. While it is possible to observe Fuchs’ Dystrophy in people in their 30’s and 40’s, it usually does not compromise vision until people are in their 50’s or 60’s.

How Does Fuchs Dystrophy Affect the Cornea?

The corneal endothelial cells are responsible for pumping water out of the cornea and helping to maintain the corneal transparency. While the reason is poorly understood, in Fuchs’ Dystrophy, the endothelial cells die, which make the endothelium less efficient in its pumping activity. This results in the cornea swelling and distorting vision.

Risk Factors Affect Severity of Fuchs Dystrophy

Researchers reporting in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science studied the effects of smoking, and other risk factors, on the development of advanced Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) and on central corneal thickness (CCT). As predicted, being female increased the odds of developing advanced Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) by 34% and smoking increased the odds by 30%. Besides reporting that smoking was associated with an increased risk of developing advanced FECD, diabetes was also associated with increased in corneal thickness-reflecting greater risk of corneal swelling.

If you or someone you know has questions about Fuchs Dystrophy the risk factors that affect severity of  the disease, please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Injections for Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

The duration of the course and frequency of injections of Lucentis® or Eyelea® to treat Diabetic Macular Edema is important in getting patients the best possible results. Researchers reporting in the British Journal of Ophthalmology shared helpful information about the importance of the VEGF inhibitor injection frequency in the treatment of diabetic macular edema. Diabetic Macular Edema is a common cause of vision loss in diabetics suffering from the effects of diabetic retinopathy. The study confirmed that patients need to be patient as their ophthalmologists and retina specialists plan and schedule their examinations, testing and visits as sometime the best results can only be achieved multiple injections over some period of time. In general good long term results are achieved by about 4 months of injection treatment, but 20% of patients with persistent Diabetic Macular Edema at 12 months achieved a dry macula with considerable restoration of vision with sustained treatment through 24 months suggesting that persistent Diabetic Macular Edema at 4-12 months should not be used as a stopping criterion for treatment.

If you or someone you know has questions about injections for treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema or needs an eye exam for Diabetic Retinopathy, please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Seniors Need Greater Cataract Awareness

Seniors need a greater awareness of cataracts and their impact on overall functioning because poor vision in seniors is often associated with premature or accelerated mental decline as well as creating challenges to safe mobility that can put patients at increased risk for orthopedic injury-especially hip fracture. So, cataract awareness and helping seniors restore vision with cataract surgery has an important place in securing senior health, well being, mobility, safety and mental state.

What is a Cataract & How Does it Affect Vision?

A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye preventing light rays from passing through it easily. This results in a clouding and blurring of vision. Patients should understand that cataracts are not a growth or a film over the eye. For many patients cataracts start out slowly and have little effect on vision at first. But, as the cataract becomes denser, so does the impact on vision.

Symptoms of Cataracts

The most common symptoms that bother patients with cataracts can include blurring of vision, sensitivity to light and glare, double vision in one eye, poor night vision, fading or yellowing of colors and the need for frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions.

When cataracts begin to interfere with daily activities or with patient comfort, mobility and safety, they can be treated with cataract surgery and lens implants. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most frequently performed surgeries in the United States. Today, at seeta Eye center we use the technology of laser cataract surgery to deliver a safe, precise cataractsurgery procedure along with advanced technology lens implants that allow us to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and even near vision problems after cataract surgery, as well as distance vision, without requiring bifocals or reading glasses for the vast majority of patients.

If you or someone you know has questions about cataract, laser cataractsurgery or lens implants please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Diet Supplements to Reduce Risk of Macular Degeneration

The Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) showed that taking diet supplements with antioxidant vitamins C and E, Beta Carotene and Zinc can reduce the risk of progression to advanced Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).  In addition to this “AREDS Supplement Formulation”, some data suggests that increased dietary intake of lutein + zeaxanthin (carotenoids), omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] + eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]), or both might further reduce this risk.

Researchers from the Age Related Eye Disease 2 (AREDS) Research Group reporting in the  Journal of the  American Medical Association concluded that the addition of lutein + zeaxanthin, DHA + EPA, or both to the AREDS Supplement Formulation did not further reduce risk of progression to advanced AMD but lutein + zeaxanthin could be an appropriate carotenoid substitute in the AREDS formulation for former smokers who were at risk for lung cancer.

If you or someone you know has questions about diet supplements for Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) or needs an eye exam for macular degeneration, please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Do Vitamins & Antioxidants Reduce Cataract Risk?

According to researcher reporting in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition there may be an association between your intake of vitamins and antioxidants and your risk of cataracts. Generally, studies have been inconsistent regarding the association between blood antioxidants or vitamins and risk of age-related cataract. By performing a meta analysis of 13 different studies researchers found the  lower the  level of vitamin E, α-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, the  greater the  risk of age-related cataract in Asian populations but not in Western populations, whereas β-Carotene, lycopene, and β-cryptoxanthin  had no significant association with risk of cataract.

While these results look somewhat interesting, the question remains whether increasing intake through dietary supplements actually have any role in decreasing the risk of cataract formation.

If you or someone you know has questions about risk of cataracts, cataract prevention, laser cataract surgery or lens implants, please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, 969 Main Street, Cecilwood Health Center, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512.

Aspirin Increases Macular Degeneration Risk

Regular aspirin use may increase your risk of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Aspirin is one of the most widely used over-the-counter medications that is an effective remedy for headaches, body aches, fever and even people at high risk of heart attack due to atherosclerosis use daily aspirin therapy as a preventative measure, thanks to aspirin’s anticoagulant properties.

In the Beaver Dam Eye Study researchers found that regular aspirin use 10 years prior to eye examination was associated with late AMD, with estimated incidence of 1.76 percent, compared to 1.03 percent in non-aspirin users. While seemingly small, the researchers concluded that these associations were statistically significant. More importantly, use of aspirin 10 years prior to eye examination was significantly associated with the “wet” form of AMD, which accounts for 10 percent of all AMD cases, but is responsible for the majority of catastrophic vision loss from AMD.

In another Australian study, participants completed a detailed questionnaire that assessed aspirin use, heart disease status and AMD risk factors. After analyzing data, regular aspirin users developed wet AMD-an astounding 24.5 percent. Even after adjusting for other risk factors like age, sex, smoking, history of heart disease and body mass index, regular aspirin users still had a higher risk of developing wet AMD. The Australian researchers concluded, “Regular aspirin use is associated with increased risk of incident neovascular [Wet] AMD, independent of history of cardiovascular disease and smoking.”

If you’re a regular aspirin user, you should get a thorough eye exam as soon as possible to determine your AMD status. This is extremely important because AMD often doesn’t show any symptoms until well after the condition has taken hold. If you or someone you know has questions or needs an eye exam, please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Normal Tension Glaucoma Treatment Difficult

Normal Tension Glaucoma may be more difficult to treat in patients who have other vascular diseases. Normal Tension Glaucoma is a less frequently found-but important type of glaucoma-that is characterized by patients having “normal” intraocular pressure but still experiencing eye damage such as loss of their visual field or “side vision” and optic nerve damage.

Normal Tension Glaucoma & Vascular Disease

Researchers at the World Glaucoma Congress reported that certain patients who suffer from Normal Tension Glaucoma who also have vascular disease or even a predisposition to vascular disease such as a family history of stroke, the presence of cardiovascular disease or migraine may not be as easy to treat in avoiding the progression of Normal Tension Glaucoma. In fact, these factors related to vascular disease may indicate less effectiveness of eye pressure (IOP) treatment putting patients at greater risk. The the Collaborative Normal Tension Glaucoma Study is the landmark study for guiding treatment-in which 65% of patients in the untreated group of that study never showed any progression during 7 years of follow-up. But, for those at greater risk due to some other vascular disease we have to be diligent in our examinations and testing to help preserve eye health and vision.

If you or someone you know has questions about Normal tension Glaucoma, glaucoma risk and vascular disease or needs an eye exam for glaucoma, please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Watch Laser Cataract Surgery

If you have been told that you have cataracts and are thinking about having cataract surgery and lens implants you might wonder what the experience might be like. Now you can watch Dr. Modi perform Laser Cataract Surgery! Take a moment and learn about the experience. Then schedule your consultation and we will be happy to answer all your questions.

Contact Lenses, Birth Control Pills & Dry Eye Problems

What does having dry eyes have to do with wearing contact lenses and birth control pills? As it turns out there is indeed a relationship between dry eye symptoms in woman using oral contraceptives who wear contact lenses. A study published in the journal Cornea examined the relationship among oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use, contact lens wear and dry eye signs and symptoms in healthy young women. As it turned out, there were no differences in dry eyes between the phases of the menstrual cycle and no evidence that tear osmolarity-or saltiness-was affected by OCP or contact lens use in the young women. However, the study found that the combination of OCP use and contact lens wear together may increase the severity of dry eye symptoms.

Seeta Eye Centers is an accredited TearLab Dry Eye Center and provides the full range of dry eye diagnosis, consultation and treatment. If you or someone you know has questions or needs an help for dry eyes, please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Best Functioning with Cataract Surgery in Both Eyes

In seeking the best results from cataract surgery, it is important to know that while having cataract surgery in one is likely to improve vision and visual functioning-the greatest improvements in visual functioning, daily activities and lifestyle are found in patients who undergo second eye cataract surgery. Having a cataract in one or both eyes often causes blurry, cloudy or dimming of vision but more importantly it can cause a meaningful decrease in visual functioning that not only impacts daily activities and lifestyle, it also can lead to premature cognitive decline, limited mobility and risk of orthopedic injury such as hip fracture.

Researchers reporting in the journal Ophthalmology studied the impact that cataract and cataract surgery have on clinical measurements of vision, reading speed, objective mobility performance and subjective visual functioning. In this study, 29 participants had cataract surgery on both eyes, 90 participants had cataract surgery in one eye and 1620 participants had no cataract surgery. The results showed that patients who had the cataract surgery in both eyes demonstrated better visual performance, better mobility-based task performance and even scored better on the Activities of Daily Vision Scale (ADVS). Thus, even though patients might find a great improvement after having cataract surgery in only one eye, the data indicate that having cataract surgery on both eyes provides the best visual functioning.

If you or someone you know has questions about cataracts, laser cataract surgery or lens implants, please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

BOTOX® Mechanism May Help with Type 2 Diabetes

Dynamic Wrinkles that can be treated
with BOTOX Cosmetic

What do BOTOX® and Type 2 Diabetes have to do with each other you ask?  A new study reports that it appears a better understanding of the proteins affected by injections of the wrinkle relaxer BOTOX® could help scientists develop new ways to treat Type 2 Diabetes. BOTOX® Cosmetic is best known as an injection for helping patient smooth fine lines and wrinkles in order to look their best. BOTOX® is also used as treatment for a number of medical conditions including migraine, urinary incontinence, profuse sweating and crossed eyes, among others. In each of these cases, BOTOX® works because it has a paralyzing effect: that is, it relaxes specific muscles, which then provides the desired effect. BOTOX® accomplishes this effect by blocking certain proteins called SNARE (Soluble NSF Attachment Protein Receptor) proteins. It turns out that SNARE proteins in the beta cells of the pancreas help the pancreas secrete insulin, thus blocking these proteins in the pancreas could lead to insulin resistance which is the hallmark of Type 2 Diabetes. Understanding this mechanism will hopefully provide researchers with new ways to diagnose and treat Type 2 Diabetes in the future.

If you or someone you know has questions about BOTOX® and Type 2 Diabetes, please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, 969 Main Street, Cecilwood Health Center, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512.

Pinguecula Laser Treatment

A Pinguecula is a common, non-cancerous growth of the clear, thin tissue covering the eye called the conjunctiva that is raised slightly from the surface of the white part of the eye called sclera. While the exact cause is unknown long-term sunlight exposure and eye irritation may be factors. Welding is a major job-related risk. Usually no treatment is needed however keeping the eye moist with artificial tears may help prevent the area from becoming inflamed. Sometimes the temporary use of mild steroid eye drops can also be helpful. Occasionally the growth may need to be removed for comfort or for cosmetic reasons especially if it grows over the cornea and impairs vision. Laser treatment for Pinguecula may be an option where other types of treatment have not been satisfactory according to researchers reporting in the journal Cornea. When this happens, the growth is called a pterygium.

The researchers treated patient’s Pinguecula with argon laser photocoagulation. Each patient and surgeon graded the cosmetic outcome on a 5 point-grading scale with 5 being excellent, 4 being good, 3 acceptable, 2 poor and 1 very poor and th surgeons evaluation of treatment outcome was based on objective findings of anterior segment photography and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT). The overall cosmetic results were excellent or good in 90.5% of laser-treated cases and the laser treated cases had minimal scarring or hemorrhage. They concluded that argon laser photocoagulation is an effective and safe method for removing a Pinguecula for cosmetic purposes and the laser method facilitates control of the extent and depth of removal and thus minimizes conjunctival defects and other complications.

If you or someone you know has a question about Pinguecula laser treatment or needs an eye exam, please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Running & Walking Can Reduce Cataract Risk

It might be possible to reduce your risk of cataracts by participating in either walking or running according to a study published in Medicine and Science in Sports. In previous studies the risk of cataracts formation was found to be lower in runners over time. In this Berkeley study when the incidence of cataracts was adjusted for sex, race, age, education, smoking, and intakes of meat, fruit and alcohol, lower cataract risk was significantly associated with both running and walking with no significant difference in risk reduction between running and walking, or between men and women. Further, the cataract risk appears to decrease linearly with increasing exercise energy expenditure.

If you or someone you know has questions about their risk of cataracts or needs a cataract eye exam, laser cataract surgery or lens implants please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Should You Have Genetic Testing for Macular Degeneration?

With the increase in availability of genetic testing, patients sometimes wonder whether they should have genetic testing for Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). While the presence of specific genes may indicate a increased risk for Age Related Macular Degeneration, according to researchers commenting in Ophthalmology routine genetic testing to predict the development of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) does not really predict how a person would respond to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Inhibitor injections and thus the genetic testing is not recommended. Further, the downside of routine genetic testing at present is that it can cause unnecessary anxiety, it can leave patients with promises that are not fulfilled and it may impact insurability and employability.

If you or someone you know has questions about genetic testing for MacularDegeneration or needs an eye exam for macular Degeneration please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Early Menopause & Glaucoma Risk

Seeta Eye Centers alerted women who experience an early onset of menopause that they may be at greater risk of developing glaucoma according to a study at the Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute in Amsterdam. In this study of more than 3,000 women, those who went through a natural menopause before the age of 45 were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma as women who went through menopause at age 50 or older.

The results indicate that female hormones may be protective against open-angle glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. Of interest is that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is thought to reduce fluid pressure inside the eye. Similarly, as hormone levels rise during pregnancy, fluid pressure inside the eye decreases significantly, the researchers noted. This is the first study to examine the relationship between female sex hormones, as indicated by age of menopause, and open-angle glaucoma.

If you or someone you know has questions about early menopause and glaucoma risk or needs an eye exam for glaucoma please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Inflammation Marker Indicates Macular Degeneration Risk

A blood test that marks inflammation, called CRP (c-reactive proteins) appears to be a useful indicator of your risk of Age Related MacularDegeneration (AMD). Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston reporting in JAMA Ophthalmology that the risk of macular degeneration (AMD) is directly correlated with the findings of the CRP (c-reactive proteins) test in men and women. The study findings across the groups showed that there was a significantly increased risk of AMD for those patients with high versus low CRP levels and those with high CRP levels also had a significantly increased risk of neovascular or Wet AMD which is responsible for instances of catastrophic vision loss.

The researchers concluded that elevated levels of CRP predict greater future risk of AMD. It is believed that this information might shed light on underlying mechanisms and could be of clinical help in the identification of persons at high risk of AMD who may benefit from increased adherence to lifestyle recommendations, eye examination schedules and therapeutic protocols.

If you or someone you know has questions about inflammation markers such as CRP and the risk of Age Related MacularDegeneration (AMD) please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Seniors Need Better Macular Degeneration Awareness

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in seniors and in fact it is estimated that more than 2 million people age 50 and older have late AMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration), a cause of potentially catastrophic vision loss. With early detection, diagnosis and treatment, at a minimum we can prevent further vision loss from the disease and in many cases we can actually help recover lost vision.

About Age Related Macular Degeneration(AMD)
Vision loss from AMD is progressive and painless typically causing a loss of central vision but leaving peripheral vision intact. There are two types of AMD, a “Dry” form and a “Wet” form. It is estimated that 85-90% of people with AMD have the Dry form which results in a gradual vision loss, whereas only 10 percent of people with AMD have the Wet form which progresses much quicker and can cause catastrophic vision loss.

Symptoms of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Wet AMD is characterized by the growth of abnormal retinal blood vessels that leak blood or fluid under and into the Retina. Leaking or bleeding vessels leads to swelling and bleeding in the Macula-the center of the Retina, causing visual distortions or decreased vision. Over time, this can lead to scarring in the Macula and create damage that may result in the loss of central vision.

Preventing Age Related Macular Degeneration(AMD)
Patients can often reduce their risk of developing AMD by not smoking as well as eating a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables, avoiding foods with Trans fats, limiting alcohol consumption, exercising and controlling blood pressure and weight.

What patients need to be aware of is that once you are over 50, it becomes increasingly important to have a thorough, comprehensive dilated eye exam every one to two years-and even more often if you have any family history of AMD or at the recommendation of your eye doctor. The key to preventing vision loss from AMD is clearly early detection, quick diagnosis and then immediate access to treatment with vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGF) injections such as Lucentis® or Eylea®.

If you or someone you know has questions about their risk of agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) or needs an eye exam for AMD please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Best Cataract Surgery Results Require Critical Retina Exam

At Seeta Eye Centers we are always driven to achieve the best possible results for patients having cataractsurgery and lens implants. We are constantly incorporating advanced technology such as laser cataract surgery and specialized lens implants into our procedures-and we routinely utilize advanced technology such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to perform meticulous critical retina examinations before cataract surgery. Sometimes patients want to know why we go to such painstaking extremes.

Retina

We perform a thorough and critical retinal exam in order to carefully correlate the degree of vision loss with the density and position of the cataract. When cataract patients report a decrease in vision, it is important for us to correlate the visual symptoms and visual acuity to the degree of cataract present. If you have a considerable amount of vision loss but only mild cataracts, the actual cause of the vision loss must be identified. In many cases, a careful examination of the retina can reveal underlying pathology such as epiretinal membranes, retinal wrinkling or macular pucker with edema. In fact, some studies report a prevalence of epiretinal membranes in 7% of patients older than 60 years and in 20% of patients aged 75 years or more-the prime demographic for cataract surgery. Before you have cataract surgery with Drs. Modi or Wolter you can expect to have whatever level of examination and testing is required in order to help you get the best results.

If you or someone you know has questions or needs an eye exam for cataracts, laser cataract surgery or lens implants please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centersis conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, 969 Main Street, Cecilwood Health Center, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512.

Make Glaucoma Awareness a Priority!

Seeta Eye Centers encourages patients from throughout the Hudson Valley region of NY to make their awareness of glaucoma a priority this January. Prevent Blindness America has designated January as National Glaucoma Awareness Month and we to remind patients and their families about the need for regular eye exams with glaucoma evaluations as the current data suggests almost 3 million people age 40 and older have open-angle glaucoma, which reflects a considerable increase and ongoing trend. Patients should be particularly sensitive to the fact that in African-American and Hispanic populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness and that other risk factors include diabetes, vascular disease, early onset of menopause and especially a family history of glaucoma-particularly among siblings.

The key step in preventing vision loss from glaucoma is early detection, diagnosis and treatment. This is why we want raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision especially for our senior aging population since increasing age is also a predisposing risk factor. We strongly recommend that siblings of glaucoma patients be screened each and every year as their risk of developing glaucoma is some 5 times higher than the typical population.

If you or someone you know has questions glaucoma risk factors or needs an eye exam for glaucoma please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.

Is LASIK Your New Year’s Resolution?

Having LASIK is a very popular New Year’s resolution we hear at Seeta Eye Centers. And for many patients using their Flex Plan is a great way to get LASIK and fulfill a New Year’s resolution! Focusing on self improvement-like eliminating the hassle of eyeglasses and contacts for seeing clearly at distance is a common theme for many people in January and February when they look at how to fulfill their New Year’s resolutions which often include LASIK. If you or a family member has Flex Plan funds to use, this is a good time to make LASIK affordable. Many employers offer Flex Plans-Flexible Spending Accounts or FSA’s. These plans allow you to have money taken out of your paycheck over time to pay for LASIK. What is even more appealing about Flex Plans is that money is withheld in Pre-Tax dollars allowing you to get extra tax savings.

 

You can learn more about LASIK, Flex Plans for LASIK or how we can make LASIK affordable at Seeta Eye Centers and schedule a Free LASIK Consultation by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters.

 

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located at 23 Davis Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603, Cecilwood Health Center, 969 Main Street, Fishkill, New York 12524 and 664 Stoneleigh Avenue, Suite 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County.