In response to an
increasing percentage of our population suffering from dry
eye due to disease, medications, aging, hormonal and environmental
related causes, Eye Health Vision Centers has created the
area’s first “Dry Eye Clinic”
to address this problem and appropriately integrate the new
medications forthcoming, such as RESTASIS, into the treatment
regimen. Based upon the primary medical theory that “if
you listen to the patient, they will give you the diagnosis”,
the Dry Eye Clinic believes that not only will the patient
give the diagnosis, but also the best course of treatment.
This will be accomplished by creating a close personal patient-doctor
relationship, patient education and evaluating medical conditions,
medications, lifestyle and environment.
At Eye Health’s Dry Eye Clinic...


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| “no exam is finished if you
still have questions!” |


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Eye Health Vision Centers of Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Taunton
and Middletown, RI has been appointed by the manufacturer
of “Restasis” as spokesperson for the Northeastern
United States. Restasis, the newest and most innovative
treatment for severe cases of dry eye, recently received
FDA approval.
Tear film dysfunction is generally referred to by the symptom
it creates, “dry eye”. The term “dry eye” and
the use of artificial tears tends to minimize the multiple
causes, disability and the true complexities of diagnosis
and treatment in both the minds of patients and physicians.
The tear film of the eye is made up of three layers: aqueous,
mucous and lipid. The tear film not only cleanses, moistens,
feeds and protects the eye, but it also has the greatest
effect on the light/images that pass through it for focusing
as compared to any other part of the eye. Dysfunction of
any part of the tear film can thus cause infection, pain
and discomfort and can compromise daily activity and quality
of life, including decreased vision.
The complexity of the tear film and dry eye is best understood
when one realizes that the healthy tear film is a delicate
balance of the three layers and this balance is maintained
by the interaction of the neurological, anatomic, endocrine,
immune and environmental factors influencing the body on
a moment to moment basis. Thus, “dry eye” can
be caused by disease processes of the entire body, medications,
aging changes, contact lens wear, trauma, daily activities,
etc.
Until recently, the treatment of dry eye has been solely
indirect… artificial
tears, plugging the tear film drainage mechanism, identifying
offending medicines/ lifestyle, treating infections and
improper use of artificial tears. The FDA has just approved
a medication, cyclosporine, for topical use. This product, “Restasis”,
is the first medication, in drop form, that directly affects
the immune system mechanism that can affect all the layers
of the tear film. It is the same medication used in heart,
kidney and lung transplants to fight rejection.


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“We are now, finally, able
to treat many types
of dry eye at the biochemical and cellular
level, which will not only protect and increase
tear production, but also will decrease
permanent damage to the eye associated
with certain diseases.” |


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Patients suffering from Rheumatic Disorders are particularly
susceptible to the discomfort of dry eye, including:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sjogren Syndrome
- Seronegative
- Spondyloarthopathies
- Juvenile Rheumatoid
- Arthritis
- Systemic Lupus
- Erythematosis
- Scheroderma
- Polymyositis
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- Dermatomyositis
- Relapsing Polychondritis
- Behcet Syndrome
- Polyarteritis Nodosa
- Allergic Granulomatosis
- Wegener Granulomatosis
- Giant Cell Arteritis
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica
- Takayasu Arteritis
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Appointments with Eye Health Vision Centers are available
by calling 508-994-1400.
Eye Health Vision Centers is the first practice in Southeastern
Massachusetts and Aquidneck Island, RI area to be offering
specialized treatment and dispensing of this new, precedent
setting treatment, under the auspices of its “Dry
Eye” Clinic. Eye Health’s 29 Eye Doctors are
now available at each of its clinic locations (Dartmouth,
Fairhaven, Taunton and Middletown, RI) to treat patients
suffering from the prolonged discomfort of Dry Eye.
Eye Health Vision Centers service 75,000 patient encounters
annually. Eye Health’s mission is to continue its
pre-eminent position as the Center Of Eye Care Excellence
throughout SouthEastern Massachusetts and Greater Aquidneck
Island, RI area. With 29 Ophthalmologists and Optometrists,
16 Opticians, and a full time Certified Clinical Audiologist,
Eye Health is fully vertically integrated, offering a wide
array of eyecare/eyewear products, services and treatments.
From routine eye exams to complex eye surgery, Eye Health’s
staff includes Eyecare professionals in each specialty.
Eye Health also operates its own Ambulatory SurgiCenter
and performs Laser Vision Correction at its headquarters
location on Route 6 in N. Dartmouth. Satellite offices are
serviced in Fairhaven, Taunton and Middletown, RI. Eye Health’s
motto is “Total Eyecare by Total Professionals”.
It employs Doctors in all Ophthalmic specialties, including
Retina, Cornea, Eye Exams, Contact Lenses, Refractive Surgery,
Pediatric Eye and Hearing Services, LASIK Vision Correction,
Cataract & Implant Surgery, Glaucoma therapy & Corneal
Transplantation, Diabetic, Retinal & Laser Surgery,
Lids, Lacrimal & Oculoplastic Surgery and Botox Cosmetic
Treatments. |