Dr. Stefano's Blog

The American Diabetes Association (ADA), an advocacy group for diabetes research and awareness, is a leading resource when it comes to diabetes information.  In a recent article, the ADA outlined some important eye care tips for those suffering from this far-too-common condition.  While some of these tips will be obvious to any diabetes patient—keep blood sugar levels in check, manage high blood pressure, etc.—one tip stood out as particularly important to me.  “See your eye care professional at least once a year for a dilated eye exam,” the ADA article suggests. “Having your regular doctor look at your eyes is not enough.”

So, why are eye exams so important for those living with diabetes?  The answer is simple.  Those with the condition are at an increased risk of developing eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness.  These conditions include cataracts and glaucoma.  Read on to learn a bit more about these serious eye conditions and how they’re treated today.

Common Eye Conditions Among Diabetes Patients

Diabetes patients are at higher risk for a host of different ailments, and eye conditions are no exception.  Here are two common and treatable eye conditions that are particularly common among those living with diabetes.

Those with diabetes are at higher risk for:

• Cataracts: A cataract is characterized by a clouding of the eye’s lens.  Ultimately, this affects one’s ability to see clearly.  While cataracts are typically associated with aging, those with diabetes are particularly at risk.  For those who develop this condition, Cataract Surgery is often the best option.  During the procedure, your eye’s natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens, known as an Intraocular Lens (IOL).
• Glaucoma: Essentially, glaucoma is a disease where the optic nerve becomes damaged, typically as a result of increased pressure in the eye.  Ultimately, this causes vision loss or even blindness.  Glaucoma Treatment is often achieved through the use of eye drops and medications.  In some cases, we treat the condition with lasers or surgery.  It’s important to remember that when it comes to glaucoma, early detection is key.  This is why those with diabetes need to be even more vigilant.  Make an appointment today.

Don’t Hesitate.  Schedule Your Eye Exam Today

Diabetic Eye Care is a must.  We encourage you to contact us today and schedule an Eye Exam.  Our offices are located in Winchester, serving Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Book your appointment at (540) 722-6200.

If you’re in your 40s, 50s or 60s, you may think you’re too old to undergo LASIK surgery.  Think again!  WebMD, a leading source in medical news, reports on one study demonstrating the effectiveness of laser eye surgery in older patients.  Citing research from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, the article suggests that “laser surgery corrects vision for patients in [their] 40s, 50s and 60s.”

The study looked at 424 LASIK patients between the ages of 40 and 69.  According to the article, following their surgery, “20/30 vision … was restored in 86% to 100% of eyes corrected for nearsightedness and 80% to 84% of eyes corrected for farsightedness.”  Even those in their 60s?  Yes, WebMD goes on to explain that “Patients in their 60s were just as likely to have good outcomes as those in their 40s and 50s.”

Is LASIK Right for You?

This study brings up an interesting question: Who is a good candidate for LASIK surgery?  While there is no single formula for determining a good LASIK candidate, here are some general guidelines.

A good LASIK candidate:

• …is in good general health.
• …has good eye health and is free of eye conditions such as cataracts, chronic corneal infections or keratoconus.
• …is of a certain age, typically 21 years old.
• …has a cornea of appropriate shape and thickness.

There are several other factors that need to be discussed before choosing laser vision correction.  The only way to do that is to schedule a consultation with a qualified LASIK surgeon.

Considering LASIK?  Learn More Today

To learn more about Laser Eye Surgery, contact us today. Together, we can find the best treatment options for you. Our offices are located in Winchester, serving Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Book your appointment at (540) 722-6200.

The American Health Assistance Foundation, a nonprofit that deals with age-related diseases, is reporting a startling statistic on the prevalence of macular degeneration in America.  The foundation reports that “as many as 11 million people in the United States have some form of age-related macular degeneration.”

Essentially, macular degeneration is a condition characterized by a loss of vision in the macula—the middle portion of the visual field.  Macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in those aged 55 and older, is caused by a deterioration of the retina.  Individuals who suffer from macular degeneration often find it reduces their ability to read, drive and recognize faces.  While there is no cure for macular degeneration, there are often treatments available.  The key is early detection.

The Importance of a Macular Degeneration Evaluation

During a macular degeneration screening, we conduct a series of tests including a dilated eye exam to look for signs of the condition.  If we do find evidence that you’re suffering from macular degeneration, we can work together to find the best course of treatment for you.  Our goal is to preserve your vision and hopefully slow the effects of the condition.

It’s important also to learn the warning signs of macular degeneration.  Common symptoms of the condition include:

• Shadowy areas in the center of your visual field
• Fuzzy vision
• Distorted vision

Schedule Your Macular Degeneration Evaluation Today

If you suspect you’re experiencing Macular Degeneration, contact us today and schedule an evaluation.  We can work together to find the best treatment options for you.  Our offices are located in Winchester, serving Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland.  Book your appointment at (540) 722-6200.

It’s no secret that our eyes say a lot about us.  So, what are your eyes saying about you?  If you’re one of the thousands of Americans who experience drooping and sagging eyelids, yours may be saying the wrong thing.

As we age, the eyelids tend to loosen and sag.  Although this is a normal part of the aging process, many woman and men become distressed as their eyelids lose their youthful tone and shape.  For others, this problem can be more than simply cosmetic.  Sagging eyelids can often interfere with a person’s visual field, causing reduced peripheral vision.  Thankfully, there’s blepharoplasty to combat these issues.  Never heard of blepharoplasty?  Read on to learn more about this common and time-tested surgery.

So, What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty—also known as an eyelid lift—is a surgery used to correct drooping eyelids by removing excess skin, fat and muscle.  This is an outpatient procedure, performed under local anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout.

While not everyone is a candidate for eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty is often the best option for patients suffering from:

• Folded, sagging or loose eyelids
• Eyelids that are interfering with vision
• Bags under the eyes
• Fat deposits in the upper eyelids

Eyelid surgery is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures.  According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, eyelid surgery ranked as the third most common plastic surgery in America, with over 200,000 blepharoplasty procedures performed in 2010 alone.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Don’t let drooping eyelids age you prematurely or interfere with your vision.  You can do something about it.  Contact us today and learn more about Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery).  Our offices are located in Winchester, serving Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Book your appointment at (540) 722-6200.

The most obvious goal of LASIK surgery is to improve vision and reduce the need for eyeglasses and contact lenses. The procedure, which uses a laser to reshape the cornea, is used every day to combat the effects of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. However, people also have personal reasons for choosing this well-established surgery. Continue reading to find out why patients are choosing LASIK today.

Top Reasons for Choosing LASIK

The Eye Surgery Education Council (ESEC) has released a list of main reasons people opt for LASIK surgery. Taking inspiration from that report, here are our top reasons why patients choose LASIK eye surgery today.

Top reasons for choosing LASIK:

• Appearance: In today’s world, looks can mean a lot—and so can confidence. Many people who rely daily on eyeglasses feel embarrassed or insecure about their appearance. LASIK surgery can often eliminate the need for corrective lenses, and for many people, that can mean a boost in self-esteem.

• Convenience: Anyone who has worn contact lenses knows how inconvenient they can be. Caring for contact lenses and taking them in and out daily can be far too time-consuming for many people. With laser eye surgery, contact lenses often become a thing of the past.

• Comfort: In the end, comfort matters. Some people are simply unhappy with the way glasses and contact lenses feel, especially after they’ve been worn for several hours. Because LASIK can often reduce or eliminate the need for glasses and contacts, many patients enjoy the benefits of more focused vision without the discomfort often associated with corrective lenses.

Learn More About LASIK Today

To learn more about Laser Eye Surgery, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Together, we can find the best treatment options for you. Our offices are located in Winchester, serving Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Book your appointment at (540) 722-6200.

Medscape News is reporting on a recent study on the benefits of twice-a-year glaucoma testing over that of once-a-year testing.  According to the report, undergoing visual field testing twice per year is more effective in terms of early detection of glaucoma as well as monitoring disease progression.

Field testing is a means of measuring a person’s visual field.  That is, it measures how much peripheral or “side vision” a person has.  The test is painless and done without the need for eye drops.  Although this exam is only one part of a glaucoma testing, it is often a vital first step in the detection and treatment of this common disease.

What is Glaucoma?  How is it Treated?

In essence, glaucoma is a disease where the optic nerve becomes damaged, usually as a result of increased pressure in the eye.  Ultimately, this damaging of the optic nerve causes gradual but serious vision loss.  Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States, which emphasizes the vital importance of testing and treatment.

For those who have been diagnosed with glaucoma, there are several treatment options available, and we can work together to find the best care suited to your needs.  Often, we can control glaucoma through the use of eye drops and medications.  In some cases, the condition is treated through the use of lasers or surgery.  Glaucoma is a common and treatable condition, and early detection is key.

Make an Appointment Today

If you would like to learn more about the Glaucoma Treatment and other services we offer such as LASIK and Cataract Surgery, contact us today.  Our offices are located in Winchester, serving Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland.  Book your appointment at (540) 722-6200.

Chronic dry eye is a common and treatable condition.  Also known as “dry eye syndrome,” this condition is characterized by insufficient tears.  Tears are vitally important to eye health, and their function is twofold: to clean the eye and to lubricate the eye.  Chronic dry eye results from either an inadequate amount of tears or a lack of quality tears.  There are a multitude of symptoms associated with this condition.

Symptoms of chronic dry eye include:
•    Itching
•    Redness
•    A “gritty” feeling
•    Pain
•    Sensitivity to light
•    Blurred vision

Treatment of Dry Eye

Before beginning treatment, we will first determine if you are, in fact, suffering from dry eye syndrome.  We do this by measuring your volume of tears and/or using a test to determine the quality of your tears.  If you are a candidate for dry eye treatment, we will sit down to discuss your options.  A common treatment option for those whose dry eye is a result of inflammation is Restasis.

Restasis is a twice-daily prescription eye drop used to increase tear production.  Although it’s not an overnight fix, your eyes may start producing more of their own tears after a month of treatment.  Often, patients will use “artificial tears” in conjunction with their Restasis treatment.  Although results vary from patient to patient, you may have to use artificial tears less frequently as you produce more of your own tears.  Restasis is not for everyone, but for many it can mean an end to their uncomfortable dry-eye symptoms.

Besides Restasis, there are other options available to sufferers of chronic dry eye.

Some treatments include:

•    Prescription drugs for eyelid inflammation
•    Eye inserts that lubricate the eye similarly to artificial tears
•    Silicone plugs applied to tear ducts

Looking for Chronic Dry Eye Treatment?

If you feel you’re experiencing Chronic Dry Eye, and would like more information on treatment, we encourage you to contact us today.  Dry eye is a common condition, and we can work together to find the best treatment options for you.  Our offices are located in Winchester, serving Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland.  We can be reached at (540) 722-6200.  Call today to make an appointment.

LASIK is often the focus of much media attention. As a result, there are a lot of myths and mistruths surrounding the procedure. In an attempt to clear some of these up, here are a few facts about laser eye surgery.

A few common myths about LASIK today:

1. LASIK is a high-risk procedure. As with any surgery, there are some risks associated with LASIK. However, the risk of a vision-reducing complication is extremely low.
2. Choosing the right LASIK surgeon is not that important. When it comes to LASIK, your number one concern should be the level of experience and care of your surgeon.
3. Everyone is a good candidate for LASIK. All LASIK candidates receive a thorough screening prior the procedure, and a reputable provider will reject anyone not eligible for the surgery.
4. · LASIK seems like it would be painful. Pain is often mistakenly associated with the procedure. Numbing eye drops are administered to the patient before surgery. This is intended to keep the patient comfortable and relaxed throughout.
5. · All patients have serious “glare and halos” following the surgery. Under the care of an experienced surgeon, and when proper LASIK procedures are adhered to, it is uncommon for patients to experience significant glare and halos following the surgery.

Learn More About LASIK Surgery

Now that we’ve cleared up a few myths of LASIK, contact us for more information, and find out whether you’re a candidate for the procedure. LASIK eye surgery could be the right answer for you. Our offices are located in Winchester, VA, and we can be reached at (540) 722-6200.  Call today to make an appointment.

Chronic Dry Eye Syndrome may sound like it is accompanied by self-explanatory symptoms, but there is more to it than that. There are a variety of different symptoms that can characterize this common eye condition, including:

• Red eyes
• Burning or itching around the eyes
• Blurry vision
• Feelings of eye sensitivity in bright light
• Increased dryness after reading or staring at the computer for many hours
• Excessive tearing as the eyes try to compensate for the dryness
• Changes in weather conditions worsen the symptoms of dry eye. For example, windy weather, hold weather and low-humidity climates

Treating Chronic Dry Eye

A number of factors can contribute to the issue of chronic dry eye. However, the underlying cause is always reduced tear production. Treatment is available if you contact us.

Sun protection is essential at this time of year when UV rays are at their highest. The strong sunlight during the summer months is linked to a variety of harmful effects, and the eyes are not spared from them. There are a number of eye conditions that may surface as a result of sun exposure.

Harmful Effects of the Sun on the Eyes

Some conditions that may occur as a result of UV exposure include:

• Cataracts
• Macular degeneration
• Skin cancer that occurs around the eyes
• A sunburned cornea

Some of these conditions are treatable, however, prevention is the better option.

Preventing Eye Damage from the Sun

In order to prevent eye damage from the sun, ensure that you wear sunglasses with appropriate UVA and UVB protection. In bright sunlight, a hat can also lend additional shade and protect the eyes. Of course, sunscreen should also be applied to the skin around the eyes. Sensitive formulas for the face are available to ensure irritation does not occur.

Reversing Sun Damage

For conditions like cataracts that may be treatable, please contact us.