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# Glaucoma Early Signs: When to Get Screened in Brookline, MA

 # Glaucoma Early Signs: When to Get Screened in Brookline, MA Glaucoma is often called the silent thief of sight - early signs are subtle. At Paddy Kalish, OD - Coolidge Corner, 1296 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446 - Dr. Paddy Kalish, OD provides early glaucoma testing as part of comprehensive eye exams for adolescents and adults. **Early signs to watch:** - No signs at first - that is why screening matters - Later: peripheral vision narrowing, eye pain, headaches, halos around lights, fluctuating vision **Who is at higher risk in Brookline?** - Age over 40, family history, high eye pressure, high myopia, history of eye injury or iritis. **How we screen at paddykalish.com:** - Eye pressure measurement, optic nerve evaluation, visual field discussion, and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to measure nerve fiber layer thickness. Dr. Kalish completed residency at Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem and has 30+ years detecting early glaucoma and iritis. He customizes treatment p...
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# Contact Lenses After 60: Comfort, Safety, and Options in Brookline, MA

 # Contact Lenses After 60: Comfort, Safety, and Options in Brookline, MA Can you still wear contacts after 60? Yes - but the fitting changes. At Paddy Kalish, OD, 1296 Beacon St, Brookline, we fit adolescents and adults, including patients in their 60s, 70s, and beyond in Coolidge Corner and surrounding Boston neighborhoods. **What changes after 60:** - Tear film becomes less stable = need more breathable lenses - Presbyopia = may need multifocal contacts or monovision strategy - Dry eye and medications affect comfort **Dr. Paddy Kalish's Approach:** As an OD with 30+ years of contact lens fitting, he evaluates visual acuity, corneal health, tear film, and lifestyle. He provides guidance on proper contact lens care, cleaning, and wear schedule to maintain optimal eye health. We carry a variety of contacts and eyeglass frames in-office, and customize treatment for dry eyes that can interfere with lens wear. **Tips from Brookline patients:** - Daily disposable lenses reduce infectio...
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# OCT Eye Scan vs Regular Eye Exam: What Brookline Patients Need to Know

 # OCT Eye Scan vs Regular Eye Exam: What Brookline Patients Need to Know A regular eye exam checks your prescription. An OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scan shows what is happening *under* the surface of your retina and optic nerve. At Paddy Kalish, OD in Coolidge Corner, 1296 Beacon St, Brookline, Dr. Paddy Kalish uses in-office OCT to identify early refractive issues, glaucoma risk, and retinal changes long before symptoms. **Regular Eye Exam includes:** - Visual acuity, eyeglasses and contact lens prescription, eye pressure check, front-of-eye health. **OCT adds:** - Cross-sectional imaging of retina layers (like an MRI for the eye) - Early detection of glaucoma, macular changes, and optic nerve swelling - Baseline for tracking changes year over year **Who should consider OCT in Brookline?** - Adults over 40, family history of glaucoma, high myopia, diabetes, persistent headaches or eye pain. With 30+ years experience, residencies at Healthcare America Medical Group (Florid...
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# Dry Eye in Boston Winters: Why It Happens and How We Treat It in Brookline

 # Dry Eye in Boston Winters: Why It Happens and How We Treat It in Brookline If you live in Coolidge Corner or Brookline, you know winter dry eye is real. Indoor heating, wind on Beacon Street, and low humidity irritate the tear film. At Paddy Kalish, OD - 1296 Beacon St Main Level, Brookline, MA 02446 - we see dry eye daily in adolescents and adults. Dr. Paddy Kalish, OD, with 30+ years in Brookline, takes an integrative, one-on-one approach. **Why Boston makes it worse:** - Forced-air heat reduces indoor humidity to 20-30% - Cold wind increases tear evaporation - Screen time at work reduces blink rate **What we do differently:** 1. **Comprehensive evaluation:** Visual acuity, tear film assessment, and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) when needed to rule out surface damage. 2. **Personalized plan:** Not just artificial tears. We tailor lid hygiene, warm compress protocol, contact lens modifications, and prescription options for inflammation. 3. **Prevention:** Guidance on humid...
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Sciatica

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  Sciatica is a common condition characterized by nerve pain that radiates down the leg, often caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. This nerve originates in the lower back and travels down the buttock and leg. Sciatica can be triggered by various factors, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or injury.     Symptoms: Pain: A sharp, burning, or shooting pain that radiates down the leg, often starting in the lower back or buttock.     Tingling or numbness: A prickling or loss of sensation in the leg or foot.     Weakness: A feeling of weakness in the leg or foot, especially when walking or running.     Worsening with activity: The pain may worsen with prolonged sitting, standing, or certain movements.     Causes: Herniated discs: When a disc in the spine bulges or ruptures, it can press on th...
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Syncope

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 Syncope  is a synonym for fainting or passing out. Someone is considered to have syncope if they become unconscious and go limp, then soon recover. Anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 of all people will experience at least one syncopal episode during their lifetime. Additionally, 1%-3% of all emergency department visits are related to syncope. Even if the cause of an episode is benign, syncope can result in injury from falls, motor vehicle accidents, and other mechanisms. According to the Cardiology guidelines, the diagnosis and management of syncope, primary autonomic failure falls under the category of syncope due to orthostatic hypotension, specifically neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. Examples of syncope-inducing conditions include Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple system atrophy. Syncope has a range of etiologies and can be a symptom of serious conditions. Causation: The cause of fainting can be as simple (and temporary) as anxiety that causes hyperv...
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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)

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  Traumatic Brain Injury ( TBI ) and Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) are closely related, with DAI being a significant pathological feature of TBI. Definition and Pathophysiology : TBI :  Traumatic Brain Injury  is an injury to the brain caused by an external force, which can result in temporary or permanent impairment of cognitive, physical, and psychosocial functions. DAI : Diffuse Axonal Injury is a type of  brain injury  characterized by widespread lesions in the white matter tracts. It occurs when the brain rapidly shifts inside the skull as an injury is occurring, leading to shearing forces that damage axons. Mechanism : DAI is typically caused by high-speed acceleration-deceleration forces, such as those experienced in car accidents or  falls . These forces stretch and tear axons, disrupting communication between neurons. Clinical Presentation : Patients with DAI often present with a range of symptoms from mild confusion to  coma , depending on the...
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