Why should I have an eye exam every year?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions that we receive in our office. Having your eyes examined every year is more than just checking your vision and maybe getting a new prescription for glasses and or contacts. It is a very important part of your overall preventative health screening.

What most patients don’t know is that the eye is the only organ in the body that a doctor can observe blood vessels functioning without cutting you open. These same blood vessels course through all the other organs of the body including your heart, brain, liver, and kidneys. When an eye doctor sees abnormalities in the blood vessels of your eye, it may lead to detection of other systemic diseases that would otherwise not be found until it is too late. Some systemic diseases that can show signs during an eye exam include diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, thyroid problems, multiple sclerosis, sarcoidosis, myasthenia gravis, ankylosing spondylitis, pseudotumor cerebri, and even gastrointestinal polyps/cancer.

Here is an example of what the doctor sees when looking inside the eye at the human retina.

Our doctors at Torrington Eyecare are highly trained in the detection of ocular and systemic diseases during routine exams. Many sight threatening disease processes, such as glaucoma, have absolutely no symptoms until extensive irreversible damage to your vision has been done. Only following a yearly preventative eye exam can you be sure that you do not have glaucoma. You CAN have 20/20 vision and still have glaucoma…

Although an eye exam is not a replacement for a yearly physical with your primary care physician, it is a necessary addition, and is highly recommended for patients of all ages. It is even more critical for patients over the age of 50 to have a yearly eye exam as the risk of ocular diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration increases significantly.

If it has been more than a year since your last eye exam, call our friendly staff today at (860) 482-4439 to get scheduled. You only get one set of eyes… Let us help you keep them healthy!

If you are a new patient to our practice, please feel free to learn more about us by visiting our homepage by clicking the link below:

www.torringtoneyecare.com

Prevent macular degeneration (aka age related macular degeneration, senile macular degeneration, AMD, or ARMD) by taking eye omega advantage fish oils with lutein and zeaxanthin. Recent studies have shown that you can now greatly reduce your risk of getting macular degeneration without the use of prescription medications.

You may be thinking to yourself, “that’s great, I am already taking fish oils, and i take a daily multivitamin, so I should be safe.” Although this is a good start to ensure long-lasting eye health and vision, store bought omega 3′s and multivitamins do not contain the quality ingredients or the clinically significant dosages that have been found to be helpful in numerous wet and dry AMD studies, which means you may be throwing money away on supplements that are providing you little to no ocular benefits.

Luckily, there are a few companies that are currently making prescription grade fish oils that contain the study recommended dosage of omega 3s in a triglyceride format (the triglyceride form is more easily absorbed and ultimately more available in your bloodstream for your eyes and body to use). Unfortunately fish oils alone are only one part of the equation, studies have shown that other vitamins a minerals are important when used in combination with omega 3′s. I have personally tried 4 products from 4 different companies and have come to a conclusion that the EYE OMEGA ADVANTAGE product from physician recommended nutraceuticals ranks #1. This conclusion has been based on the following criteria: appropriate levels of omega 3 fish oils in a triglyceride format per dose, pill size and quantity required, lack of fishy flavor or “fish burp”, combination of lutein and zeaxanthin levels appropriate to study formularies, and cost per month for treatment.

Most of my hundreds of dry macular degeneration patients take these supplements and we have seen a drastic decrease in the number patients converting from dry macular degeneration to wet macular degeneration over the last year. Most of my patients are also taking an AREDS vitamin (ICAPS) that provide study appropriate levels of essential vitamins. Again a multivitamin like centrum or centrum silver does not contain adequate levels of AREDS vitamins.

This regimen is not suitable for all patients however, especially smokers, because of the high levels of vitamin A in the AREDS formulation which has been shown to increase the incidence of lung cancer. Therefor no one regimen of supplements is perfect for everyone worried about developing macular degeneration. You should consult an optometrist before starting any supplement treatments, so you can be sure you are taking what is right for you!

If you are looking for advice on which supplements you should be taking based on your risk factors, please call Dr. Sirignano’s office at 860-482-4439 to set up a consult. If you have already met with him or another eye doctor and have been given the ok to start treatment, you can visit the link below for more information on the eye omega advantage neutraceuticals.

Click here for more information on eye omega advantage

As a thank you for visiting our site, here is a coupon code to receive 10% off every order you make on the physician recommended neutraceuticals site – simply enter the following code: TorEyeCare10 in the promotional code or coupon code box at checkout. Without this code the company may not ship your order to you since these supplements are only sold with a doctor’s recommendation, this code will also ensure that the company knows you are taking them as directed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office!

Longer, thicker eyelashes aren’t just for movie stars anymore. Latisse is a new medication that has been FDA approved to provide a boost to your existing eyelashes, giving you a more full and beautiful look. The active ingredient in Latisse is Bimatoprost, the same active ingredient in a popular glaucoma treatment known commerically as Lumigan. Bimatoprost has been thoroughly tested throughout the last decade and has been found to be safe if used as directed.

Please view the official Latisse commercial below for more information, then call our office at 860-482-4439 to set up your consult with Dr. Sirignano.

Please Note: Latisse is only available via prescription and should only be used under the approval of a qualified eyecare professional.

Torrington Eyecare is happy to announce the arrival of all new, state of the art diagnostic equipment. Our new technology will provide extremely accurate and detailed data to ensure that you have the most comfortable and thorough eye exam possible.

Along with a new autorefractor (which uses modern science to help find your correct eyeglass perscription) and an autokeratometer (used to safely and comfortably fit contact lenses), our office is now equipped with a GDx vcc scanning laser nerve fiber analyser (for treatment and management of glaucoma), a 15 mega pixel non-mydriatic retinal camera (gives a high detailed magnified image of the back of the eye without the help of dilation drops), and a Humphrey visual field analyser (tests peripheral vision for diagnosing and monitoring retinal and cerebral diseases).

Not all eye exams are created equal. If your current eye doctor does not have this state of the art equipment, you are not getting the most advanced exam possible… Give us a call at (860) 482-4439 to schedule your 21st century exam today.

If you are looking to find an eye doctor in CT that accepts VSP (vision service plan) in CT, you have come to the right place. Torrington Eyecare is now accepting new VSP patients! While other offices are dropping VSP insurance all together, we are increasing our availability for you. You work hard for your vision benefits and you should be able to use them. Give the office a call at (860) 482-4439 today to set up an appointment.

Torrington Eyecare is proud to announce the introduction of Coach Eyewear into the practice. A leader in quality fashion products, Coach has something for women of all ages. These fashionable frames are sure to draw the attention of everyone that passes by.

With the summer rapidly approaching, the levels of cataract and macular degeneration forming UV radiation will be increasing. Only a sunglass providing UVA, UVB, and UV 400 protection can completely eliminate the damage from these harmful rays. All coach sunglasses will block UVA, UVB, and UV400 rays…

Not only should your glasses provide exceptional eye protection, they should also say something about who you are, after all they will be a part of your daily wardrobe for at least a year. So why not stop down and check out the new collection? Treat yourself, you’re worth it!

Over the next couple weeks keep an eye out for the following article in your favorite local newspaper:

Grand Opening of Torrington Eyecare

(Torrington, Connecticut) Dr. Erick Sirignano, Optometrist, is pleased to announce the opening of Torrington Eyecare, LLC at 373 Main Street in Torrington, Connecticut, formerly the offices of Drs. D’Angelo and Pesce. The new practice will offer routine eye exams, diabetic eye exams, contact lens fittings, glaucoma treatment and a newly updated optical with hundreds of eyeglass frames. “I’m excited to take over a 50 plus year tradition of providing quality eye care to the local community and look forward to building strong relationships with both new and former patients. ”, says Dr. Sirignano. An official grand opening will be scheduled in May and will feature a meet and greet with the doctors. Dr. Mario D’Angelo and Dr. Duane Austin will also continue to see patients on a limited basis.

About Dr. Erick Sirignano:

Dr. Sirignano is a highly skilled therapeutic Optometrist.  A Connecticut native, Dr. Sirignano attended the University of Connecticut, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Physiology and Neurobiology and earned the distinction of New England Scholar. Following his undergraduate studies he attended Nova Southeastern University’s school of Optometry. At NSU he earned a second bachelor’s degree in vision science and graduated with honors while earning his Doctorate in Optometry.

Before purchasing the office of D’Angelo and Pesce in Torrington, Dr. Sirignano practiced in Newington and Avon, Connecticut, where he gained the reputation of always providing quality eye care with a smile. He is specialty trained in the detection and management of Age Related Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, and Diabetic Retinopathy and is an active member of the Connecticut Association of Optometrists.

About Torrington Eyecare:

Torrington Eyecare is a family-oriented practice that values the importance of quality patient care and an exceptional optical experience. Their friendly and courteous office staff is skilled in flexible scheduling and a patient will never wait more than five business days for an appointment. Visit www.torringtoneyecare.com or call the office at (860) 482-4439 for more information and a complete listing of operating hours. Most major insurances are accepted.

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Dr. Sirignano would like to inform his loyal patients of the Avon Lenscrafters, that he will no longer be seeing patients at 380 W. Main St.

We know that his decision to leave Lenscrafters may have you worried about your eye care, and we understand the frustration that comes along with having to start fresh with a new doctor, or having to see a different doctor each time you visit a commercial optical. The staff and doctors at Torrington Eyecare feel that continuity of care is extremely important for your eyes and vision, and for that reason we would like to take this opportunity to personally invite you and your family members into our practice.

Call us today (860) 482-4439 to set up an appointment, or stop in and say hello at 373 Main St. in downtown Torrington, it’s closer than you think!

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