The fact that Matossian Eye Associates' staff works so well together is no accident. We put a lot of effort into teambuilding at MEA, including activities outside the office designed to build rapport among staff and doctors.  For example, earlier this summer we had a family picnic at a local park.  Soon we will have a staff outing at the Trenton Thunder baseball game.  These are great times for staff to bring family members and get to know each other in a relaxed and fun setting.  We have numerous other activities throughout the year, including potluck lunches and wine and cheese sessions when we're not on the clock.  That's why you see such a professional team when you visit MEA!

New studies suggest that individuals born after 1950 have a lower risk for developing Age Related Macular Degeneration. The study suggested that childhood exposure to contaminants in the environment such as home heating with wood or coal increased the risk in previous generations. However, cigarette smoking is still an important risk factor in the development of macular degeneration.  Even if you are a non-smoker, it is important to have your eyes checked on a regular basis by an eye care professional.

New studies show that as many as 76% of patients with mild dementia are still able to pass an on-the-road driving test.  Patients need to be reassessed at 6-month intervals since all will eventually have to give up driving.  Loss of driving privileges can result in depression, which can shorten life expectancy.   It is the physician's role to restrict or suspend driving privileges, not the family's, since family members have to live or interact with the patient every day and the ultimate decision to take away the privilege of driving can cause stress and tension.  Here are some indications to help identify unsafe driving:  

• Frequent collisions  
• Moving violations
• Trend of fewer miles driven
• Avoiding night driving

Joan Micucci, COMT

An 8-year study concluded that postmenopausal women who had used hormone replacement therapy (HRT)showed considerably higher rates of cataract removal than those who had never used HRT.

In the study, researchers at Sundsvall Hospital, Sweden, assessed 4,300 cataract surgery patients between 1997 and 2005 and verified that the rate for cataract removal increased 14% in women who had used HRT and 18% in those currently using HRT compared to women who had never used them at all.  A longer period of HRT use was linked to a higher rate of cataract surgery.    

Naturally occurring endogenous estrogen appear to protect the eye from developing a cataract along with guarding cardiovascular and other bodily systems before menopause.  Exogenous estrogens like those in HRT do not function in the same way.

Postmenopausal women who have used HRT for a time may be at an increased risk for cataract extraction.  It should be noted that use of HRT does benefit middle-aged women suffering from postmenopausal symptoms, and its use may be necessary in certain patients.  The interval of use, however, should certainly be evaluated.

This study did not identify the brand of HRT nor the variety of Cataract. 

"HRT Use Linked to Cataracts in Women." Cataract & Refractive Surgery News Volume 10, no. 6 (June 2010):10

Cynthia Matossian, MD FACS

Approximately 10 million Americans suffer from Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a devastating eye disease and a leading cause of vision loss in people 65 years or older in the United States. Although there is no cure for AMD, recent studies show that eating foods rich in antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids, beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, may reduce the risk of AMD, or slow its progression in some people. 

So, what type of foods should you eat?

• Most fruits and vegetables contain Vitamin C, including oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, papaya, green peppers and tomatoes.
• Vitamin E can be found in vegetable oils (safflower and corn oil), almonds, pecans, wheat germ and sunflower seeds.
• For beta-carotene, try deep orange or yellow fruits and vegetables such as cantaloupe, mangos, apricots, peaches, sweet potatoes and carrots.
• Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, and asparagus are the primary sources of lutein and zeaxanthin.
• Good sources of zinc include beef, pork, lamb, oysters, eggs, shellfish, milk, peanuts, whole grains and wheat germ.
• Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids are leafy green vegetables, nuts, fish, and vegetable oils such as canola, soy, and especially flaxseed.

George Saunders, CFO