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by DR. RITU APARAJITA, KSC CARDIOLOGY Last month, we discussed what leads to the need for an AV fistula for hemodialysis. This month, we’ll talk about AV fistula development and an option for when a fistula doesn’t mature. Before AV fistula surgery, the surgeon may perform a vessel mapping test. Vessel mapping uses Doppler ultrasound […]

by ANISA PATAIL O.D. February is here, and Valentine’s Day is around the corner! We see red hearts everywhere as a sign for the holiday, but let’s talk about what red eyes are a sign for. There are several conditions that can cause this very common finding. Depending on the symptoms you’re experiencing, and the

Your kidneys remove excess water and waste products from your body. When the kidneys start to lose function, it is most commonly due to advancing age, long-term effects of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart issues, or a combination of these factors. Sometimes, infections and diseases that are present from birth can affect kidney function. Because

by THOMAS HEGLAND, O.D.  Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is a serious inflammatory condition that affects the lining of the arteries, particularly the temporal arteries located on either side of the head. Most commonly diagnosed in adults over the age of 50, GCA can cause a range of systemic symptoms, including

More than 25% of American seniors have diabetes and 10% to 15% of people with diabetes have leg and or foot ulcers. Simple things like managing your diabetes and performing daily foot care can help prevent ulcers, which can be difficult to treat and may eventually require amputation. More than 80% of amputations begin with

by DANIELA FERNANDEZ, O.D. I want to talk to you about something that affects millions of people: dry eye disease. If you’ve ever felt like your eyes are dry, itchy, burning, or watery, you might be dealing with this very common condition. Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears, or when the tears

by TERRANCE HAFNER, O.D. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the United States in adults. November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. Over the past several years, the incidence of diabetes has grown as well as the rate of vision loss due to the disease. Diabetes can cause many eye problems. Here are

Lymphedema is swelling caused by obstruction or reflux in the lymphatic vessels and is one of the most common conditions afflicting humans. The lymph vessels are long, thin-walled tubes that form a very intricate network in the arms and the legs. In some cases, these lymph vessels are absent or are damaged or destroyed, and

Symptoms Pelvic congestion syndrome is a clinical condition that has largely been unrecognized so far. This is most common in women of childbearing age. Pregnancy-associated hormones result in the pelvic veins becoming larger, which leads to the worsening of symptoms. Typically, large, dilated, superficial veins are seen in the pelvic, vulvar and buttock areas. There

by William Corkins, O.D. When I examine a patient who is 40-something years old and the need for bifocal or reading glasses arise, the question of bifocal or multifocal contact lenses also enters the conversation. The first thing I tell patients is that we can try a multifocal/bifocal/monovision lens, but your vision will not be