- ArthritisThere are many things that can lead to DES, including environmental conditions, eyelid disorders, systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and sarcoid, increasing age, some medications and nutritional deficiencies. There are many causes of dry eyes. Aging is certainly a factor; as people age, they secrete fewer tears, leading to dryness. Hormone depletion undoubtedly plays a role, as dry eyes are also more common in women than men, especially post-menopausal women. The tear film is made up of three layers; the lipid layer- thin and oily, the aqueous layer providing oxygen and nutrients, and the inner most layer which coats the eye with a substance called mucin that enables tears to stick to the eye’s surface.
- Pediatric CareDr. Kinley Beck was raised in Montgomery, AL. She attended Auburn University where she graduated summa cum laude in biomedical sciences with a minor in business. She earned her medical doctorate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine where she obtained honors in medicine, surgery, pediatrics and psychiatry clerkships. learn more
- Primary CareDr. Renee Lynch (formerly Dr. Theroux) practices primary care optometry at Eyesight Ophthalmic Services in the Exeter and Portsmouth locations. She has a focus in ocular surface diseases, such as dry eye, and treats moderate to advanced cases in her Ocular Surface Wellness clinic in the Exeter office. She also provides pre and post refractive surgery care at Eyesight’s sister-company, Clear Advantage Vision Correction Center.
- GlaucomaDr. McLoughlin has been with Eyesight for over 16 years and specializes not only in ocular surface wellness, but also in routine eyecare, glaucoma, and pre/post-operative refractive surgery at our sister company, Clear Advantage Vision Correction Center.
- OphthalmologyDr. Beck specializes in retina and vitreoretinal surgical procedures. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, and Texas Ophthalmological Association, to name a few.
- Macular DegenerationAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is now the leading cause of vision loss among people over 65 in North America, Europe, and Japan. Eyesight’s Macular Degeneration Center offers all available therapies, including medical, surgical and laser treatments.
- Laser Eye SurgeryThe optical department at Eyesight provides comprehensive eye care services. This is demonstrated in the large range of spectacle and sunglass frames we offer. Stop by any of our convenient locations in Portsmouth, Exeter, and Somersworth, New Hampshire and take advantage of our evening hours to browse through hundreds of frames on display including many of the leading designer styles. If you have been wearing glasses and contact lenses and are tired of the hassles, please feel free to learn about LASIK eye surgery and how this can change your lifestyle.
- CataractsIn an effort to better serve the need for ophthalmic care in the White Mountains region, Dr. Sullivan performs cataract procedures at Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, NH once a month. Appointments to see Dr. Sullivan in the White Mountain area can be done by calling the Berlin New Hampshire office at Coos Eye Care and in North Conway at Conway Eye Care.
- Cataract SurgeryBelow you will find information regarding your Cataract Surgery. Please review all sections prior to surgery. Thank you!
- Eye ExamIf AMD is suspected, a comprehensive eye examination is the first step, including a thorough history, slit lamp examination, various forms of vision testing, as well as other special tests to evaluate the macula. The latter usually includes fluorescein angiography, a photographic evaluation of the retinal circulation. In addition, other imaging studies of the retina may be helpful.
- Internal Medicine
- PsychiatryDr. Kinley Beck was raised in Montgomery, AL. She attended Auburn University where she graduated summa cum laude in biomedical sciences with a minor in business. She earned her medical doctorate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine where she obtained honors in medicine, surgery, pediatrics and psychiatry clerkships. She then left the state of Alabama for her internship in preliminary medicine in Columbus, OH and was awarded preliminary medicine intern of the year. Ophthalmology residency and retina fellowship were completed in San Antonio, TX.
- Diabetes Care
- ThyroidDr. Kavanagh is a fellowship trained specialist in Oculoplastic Surgery. She enjoys the diversity of her subspecialty which includes cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, eyebrows, and midface, as well as treatment of tearing problems, thyroid disease, eyelid and orbital tumors and facial trauma.
- Diabetic RetinopathyDiabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. As a result, these tiny blood vessels begin to swell and leak fluid and blood. They can also close off completely, not allowing blood to flow through. As the disease progresses, abnormal blood vessels begin to grow on the retina. Diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss.
- UltrasoundMost commonly the lens is removed with a technique called “phacoemulsification” using a combination of ultrasound and aspiration to remove the cloudy lens rather than a laser. Also, after some cataract surgeries, the membrane that encloses the eye’s lens may become cloudy after the lens is removed. In these cases, a laser can be used to make a clear opening in that membrane, so that vision isn’t impeded.
- Reconstructive SurgerySince completion of Ophthalmology training in 2005, she was accepted to one of the few fellowships recognized by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive surgery. This organization recognizes less than 15 physicians nationwide each year for training in this highly specialized field. She spent an additional two years training as a specialist in Oculoplastic Surgery, and during this time period alone, she participated in over 3,000 procedures.
- Eyelid Surgery
- Plastic SurgeryInjury to the eyelids often requires repair and reconstruction performed by a physician trained in Ophthalmic plastic surgery due to the intricate structure of the eyelids as well as their importance functionally for the health of the eye. If left untreated or inadequately repaired, eyelid injuries can lead to scarring, poor function or drooping of the eyelids, poor position of the eyelashes, and irritation of the eye itself. Furthermore, injuries occasionally also affect the tear drain system due to its relationship with the eyelid. Reconstruction of the eyelid by a specialist trained in these areas offers the best chance of minimizing these adverse effects of the injury.
- BlepharoplastyDrooping or sagging of one’s eyelids and/or eyebrows, if severe, can dramatically impair one’s vision by blocking out part of one’s field of vision. Often times this process has developed slowly over time such that one may not even notice this to be the case, even though up to one half of one’s vision may be missing. This loss of peripheral vision can greatly affect one’s ability to perform daily activities, such as driving. An eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) can restore one’s vision if the problem is due to eyelid drooping. Sometimes, drooping of the eyebrows can be the primary problem thereby affecting the position of one’s eyelids. In these cases, raising the eyebrows with surgery can significantly improve vision. Often times these two conditions co-exist, thereby requiring a combination of the two procedures (performed at the same surgery) for maximum improvement. In any of these scenarios, the eyelid lift and/or eyebrow lift is considered a procedure for medical indications and is therefore covered by insurance companies and medicare. In order to establish whether this could be the case, a visual field test is performed in the office. See ‘Eyelid Lift’ and ‘Eyebrow Lift’ in the Cosmetic section for further details.
- LesionsThere are numerous types of lesions which can be found around the eyes on the forehead, eyebrows, eyelids, or midface. A majority of these lesions are benign (not harmful) but they can grow to become unsightly or even impair vision depending on their location. In addition, skin cancers (harmful due to risk of spread) can affect these same areas and commonly affects patients in different ethnic groups, especially those with significant sun exposure. When skin cancers affect the eyelids, they may cause loss of eyelashes, ulceration, bleeding, or change in the natural architecture of the eyelids. Dr. Kavanagh can evaluate lesions around the eyes and recommend whether the lesion could be followed with close watch or whether a biopsy and/or removal of the lesion would be best. In severe cases, this may require reconstruction of the eyelid. The eyelids are a unique place in the body to reconstruct due to their intricate structure, function, and relationship to the overall health of the eye.