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If you had to choose an eye disease ...
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In a recent blog post by optometrist Dr. Jim Owen, he raised the following scenario: if you were destined to have an eye disease like macular degeneration, cataracts or glaucoma, which would you choose? The answer is easy, according to Dr. Owen--you’d want to choose cataracts. We’re living longer now and cataract surgery has become the most common operation in the United States, with over 3.6 million procedures performed annually. And modern cataract surgery can make your sight better than it ever was.
The first part of cataract surgery is removing the cloudy lens, called a cataract extraction, and the second part of the procedure is inserting an intraocular lens (IOL), called lens ,implantation. Modern implants can correct astigmatism and presbyopia (“bifocal" implants) and the overwhelming majority of people who undergo the procedure no longer need glasses to drive a car. If you have cataracts, we at Chicopee Eyecare will monitor them annually and help you decide when and where to have cataract surgery.
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Thank you again for choosing our office. Our goal is to safeguard your eyes and help you achieve a lifetime of clear and comfortable vision.
David C. Momnie, O.D.
Camille Guzek-Latka, O.D
.
Julianne M. Rapalus, O.D.
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2017 Lasik Surgery Update
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For almost ten years, there have been about a half million Lasik procedures in the United States every year. The average patient undergoing the procedure is in his/her mid 20’s as opposed to mid 30’s ten years ago. Eye surgeons are using social media like Facebook to engage with patients of all ages, even patients above 65 years of age. And since all generations are using smart devices, patients are more likely to check out online reviews before they choose a Lasik surgeon.
Lasik vision technology has evolved greatly over the past several years and the latest procedure is called wavefront-guided (WFG) Lasik. A grid of infrared laser light is introduced into the eye and each ray of light reflected off the retina is analyzed. This wavefront technology can measure hundreds of individualized light rays and calculates the exact laser pulses necessary to reshape the cornea to give crisp 20/20 vision. In some practices, up to 98% of patients treated have 20/20 vision and some offices will even refund the cost of the procedure if 20/20 vision is not achieved.
If you’re interested in Lasik vision correction, schedule an eye exam with one of our optometrists to determine if you’re a good candidate. Furthermore, proper measurements, and good healing require a healthy ocular surface so patients with dry eyes need to be treated before undergoing Lasik.
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Eye Tattoo - not a smart idea
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Twenty-four year old Canadian model Catt Gallinger added another body art tattoo and it cost her some sight in one eye. A purple tattooing of her sclera, the white part of the eye, became complicated resulting in pain and a serious vision impairment. The young model shared her story on Facebook, hoping that others won’t undergo the procedure. The practice of tinting the white of the eye started about ten years ago and is gaining popularity around the world but according to Dr. David Flug, a New York eye surgeon who has treated several similar patients, the practice is dangerous. No disagreement from us on that statement! Gallagher wrote on her Facebook page “research who you get your procedures by as well as how the procedures should be properly done.” We optometrists at Chicopee Eyecare say don’t get the procedure done in the first place!
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Potato Chips and your Eyes
Why you can’t eat just one
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High blood pressure can damage the delicate blood vessels in the back of the eye, what is know as hypertensive retinopathy. So, as optometrists, we are always interested in your blood pressure and look for signs of hypertension when examining your retinas.
The reason we love salty foods is because they trigger the release of a chemical called dopamine that controls the brain’s pleasure center. Once the brain gets that first salt hit, it starts craving for more. When food is low-salt, it’s easier to control our food intake but when salt is added to food, those controls are out the window. So the next time you’re in the grocery store looking at potato chips, consider the low-salt variety and do your blood pressure, and your eyes, a favor!
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Case of the Month - Corneal Arcus
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Corneal Arcus, formerly called Arcus Senilis, is a whitish ring around the cornea of the eye. (When looking in the mirror, the ring is at the edge of the iris, the colored part of your eye but the cornea is actually on the outside of the eye). It’s a harmless sign of aging in older adults but may be a sign of high cholesterol is people under 40. As part of an eye exam, we check for corneal arcus and also look at the blood vessels of the retina in the back of the eye. Accumulated fat deposits affect the thickness of the vessels and combined with corneal arcus may warrant a letter to the patient’s primary care provider or cardiologist.
A good guideline for all of us to reduce our risk of coronary heart disease is to decrease our intake of saturated fats, increase our intake of fruits and vegetable and fiber, exercise more and quit smoking.
Once corneal arcus appears, it will not fade or disappear, even when lowering one’s cholesterol. However ,corneal arcus never affects someone’s vision and again, for most people over forty, poses no danger to their health.
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Dr. Karol Smolczynski 1950-1967 - "Dr. Smol"
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Last month, I shared a picture of my father, Dr. Paul E. Momnie, who died fifty years ago on September 15, 1967. He practiced optometry in Chicopee from 1950-1967.
A patient recently gave Dr. Guzek-Latka a pair of glasses she bought at a flea market. “Dr. Smol”, as Dr. Karol Smolczynski was called, (he was apparently about five feet tall) practiced on Springfield Street in Chicopee (near Elms College) from approximately 1914-1950. The picture below is from 1948 when Dr. Smolczynski was president of the Western MA branch of the Polish American Congress. He’s seated in the middle.
Thanks go to Chicopee historian Steven Jendrysik who provided me with the photograph and details of Dr. Smolczynski.
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Catch up on our newsletters
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Chicopee Eyecare provides
"24/7" coverage for emergency eye care
for our patients.
We recommend that you do not go to the emergency room for an eye injury or acute eye problem unless it is very serious. Drs. Momnie, Guzek-Latka and Rapalus keep slots open for urgent care visits for new and established patients during normal office hours, and provide around-the clock emergency coverage for our established patients for after-hours and weekends.
Call 592-7777 before calling your PCP or visiting a hospital ER!
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Office Hours
We are available when you need us
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Our office and optical department are open during the following hours:
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Monday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9:00 am - 6:30pm
Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
One of our doctors is always available for emergencies on nights, weekends and holidays. Call (413) 592-7777 and our answering service will put you in touch with an on-call optometrist.
"The people in this office are committed to providing you with the highest quality of eye care and to treating you with kindness and respect.
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©2017 Chicopee Eyecare - All Rights Reserved
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Privacy is important to us at Chicopee Eyecare and we will not share your email address with anyone. At any point, you can select the link at the bottom of every email to unsubscribe.
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