Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy C. Stephen Foster, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.C.R. Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, and, indeed, in all developed countries. Sixteen million Americans have diabetes; only about half are aware that they have it. One type, Type 1, has its onset in childhood or young adulthood, and […]
New Boston Office Focusing on the Retina and Vitreous Eye Care
ABOUT US Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI) is pleased to announce our second practice for retina care located at 10 Hawthorne Place in Boston, MA. As of July 1st, 2018, Vitreoretinal Specialist, Peter L. Lou, MD will join Peter. Y Chang, MD to provide every patient with the best quality care and individualized […]
Dry Eye
Dry Eye C. Stephen Foster, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.C.R. Dry Eye or Keratoconjunctivitis sicca syndrome (KCS or dry eye) is a problem of major epidemiologic importance. It affects literally millions of people around the globe, with women dramatically over represented, particularly those women who have entered menopause. The problem may accompany dry mouth, and may be […]
Episcleritis
Episcleritis C. Stephen Foster, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.C.R. What is episcleritis? Episcleritis is inflammation of the episclera, which is the thin vascular outer coating of the eye wall, the sclera. Episclera lies underneath the more superficial layers of conjunctiva and other connective tissues. Unlike the more severe disease scleritis, episcleritis is a benign condition and is […]
Herpes and the Eye
Herpes and the Eye C. Stephen Foster, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.C.R. Herpes! The first thought in most people’s mind is venereal disease, sexual transmitted disease (STD). But, in fact most instances of herpes, at least those affecting the eye, are not sexually transmitted, and are not even the type of herpes that is usually associated with […]
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Uveitis: What is it and what is its effect on the eye?
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Uveitis C. Stephen Foster, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.C.R. Uveitis is a serious complication of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Approximately 6% of all cases of uveitis occur in children, and up to 80% of all cases of anterior uveitis in childhood are associated with JIA. Although remarkable progress has been made in the […]
Keratitis
Keratitis C. Stephen Foster, M.D., F.A.C.S, F.A.C.R, Stephen D. Anesi, M.D., F.A.C.S What is keratitis? Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea, the clear window of the front of the eye. The cornea is an incredibly unique tissue in the body, in that it is perfectly transparent, and allows light to pass through to help us […]
Ocular Autoimmune Disease: An Introduction
Ocular Autoimmune Disease: An Introduction C. Stephen Foster, M.D., F.A.C.S, F.A.C.R The immune system, ordinarily in the “business” of protecting us from harm, generally protecting us from germs and cancer cells, can become deranged, disregulated, with the result being an immune attack on part of our own body. This state of affairs is termed autoimmunity, […]
Scleritis
Scleritis C. Stephen Foster, M.D., F.A.C.S, F.A.C.R Scleritis What is scleritis? Scleritis is inflammation of the tough, white structural wall of the eyeball, the sclera. The sclera is made of collagen and is continuous with the cornea, the clear window through which we see that makes up the front wall of the eye. Blood vessels […]
Support groups and their role in caring for patients with ocular inflammatory disease
This article describes our experience with a self-help group for patients with uveitis that was founded in 1996 by Dr. C. Stephen, Foster, Frances Foster MS, NP, CS and John Hurley LICSW. Our experience with this process, and the success of the group, confirms other reports about the important role of self-help groups for patients […]