A large study involving U.S. military veterans with dry eye syndrome was conducted during a 5 year interval, resulting in a correlation between post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other co morbidities.

The retrospective study included 16,862 patients who visited two Veterans Affairs eye clinics; 2,056 veterans were diagnosed with dry eye syndrome, and 14,806 veterans had no dry eye.  Nineteen percent of patients with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder had a concurrent diagnosis of dry eye, compared with 11% of patients without post-traumatic stress disorder.  In addition, 17% of patients with depression and 10% of those without depression had dry eye.

Twenty-two percent of patients using antihistamines were diagnosed with dry eye, compared with 10% of non-users.  Anti-depression medications, anti-anxiety medications and anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia medications were strongly associated with dry eye syndrome.  Autoimmune conditions, non-autoimmune arthritis, thyroid disease and sleep apnea also correlated strongly with dry eye syndrome.

“Veterans with Various Co morbidities Show Increased Risk of Dry Eye Syndrome” Ocular Surgery News November 10, 2011: 22

Cynthia Matossian, MD

Cornea Bank

The small island of Sri Lanka, south of India, is a major cornea donor to the world. Over 3000 corneas leave the country each year to over 57 countries.  So many residents have agreed to donate their corneas upon death that a new internationally funded eye bank has been established there.  Buddhists believe they will go on to a better life upon reincarnation if they complete an act of giving.

George Saunders, CFO

In a recent study of contact lens wearers, patients actually admitted to using substances as varied as baby oil, beer, soft drinks, lemonade, fruit juices and even butter and petroleum jelly to wet their contact lenses!!!  The study showed that 20% of wearers admitted using "unconventional" solutions to lubricate lenses in their eye.  Many said they occasionally used tap water or saliva to wet their lenses before putting them in their eyes.  THESE ARE ALL BAD IDEAS.

Dr. Cynthia Matossian, M.D., F.A.C.S built an ophthalmology practice into a highly regarded multi-specialty group practice over a period of 25 years, with offices located in Mercer County, NJ and Bucks County, PA. She will be speaking about her work life balance challenges from her years in medical school to her experiences in establishing her private practice with pre-med students from Princeton University on February 23, 2012.

Dr. Matossian will be discussing topics including:

•    The Medical School Years
•    The Residence Years
•    The Work Years
•    Spouse and Kids Years
•    Empty Nest Years

This unique opportunity will give prospective doctors valuable insight into the careful balance of career and family.

Some patients come into our office with a complaint of decreased vision due to light sensitivity and wonder what could be causing those symptoms.  Many patients admit that they have stopped driving at night due to those “annoying headlights” and need to wear their sunglasses more frequently on sunny days. One of the main causes of light sensitivity in patients over the age of 65 is due to cataracts. The light rays passing through the lens of the eye get dispersed throughout the eye causing an increase in glare and light. This can cause a decrease in vision as patients try to focus through the light.

Testing for glare disability is quick and easy. The Ophthalmic Assistant will test the patient’s vision with their best correction, and then measure their vision again while having the patient read the eye chart with bright lights on. If the vision is decreased by two or more lines on the eye chart, then the doctor can discuss the possible causes and treatment. If glare and light sensitivity has become a nuisance to your vision, please be sure to mention this to your doctor at your next visit or simply make an appointment to have it assessed.

Deborah O’Hara, COA