Sue Downes’ Post

Prevent Blindness has once again designated August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. This initiative aims to raise awareness among parents, caregivers, educators, and policymakers about the critical importance of vision and eye health in a child's overall development, learning capabilities, and social interactions. Read more about on www.modernretina.com/ #ophthalmology #modernretina #ophthalmologist #eyehealth #professionaleyecare

Proposed CT bill bans device reps from the OR in the name of “patient safety” If you’re wondering who to write to regarding CT SB 00276 banning medical device representatives in the Operating Room, here is a list to start with! #healthpolicy #medicaldevice #surgery #operatingroom #patientsafety

🕰️ Eye On History: October 30, 1879 🕰️ On this day, Dr. Henry Willard Williams delivered a landmark lecture at the Massachusetts Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary about the critical importance of early intervention in treating eye diseases to prevent #blindness. 👀 Why It Matters: Early detection and treatment are key to preventing vision loss. Research supports that timely intervention can prevent up to 90% of blindness caused by conditions like diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Williams' early advocacy set the stage for modern preventive eye care practices. 📊 The Impact of Vision Loss: Approximately 12 million Americans aged 40 and over currently have vision impairment, with this number expected to double by 2050. The economic burden of untreated vision loss exceeds $35 billion annually in the U.S. alone, highlighting the necessity of early detection and regular eye exams. 🤝 In what ways does your practice prioritize early detection and prevention? #eyecare #ecp #eyecareprofessionals #opthalmology

While hysterectomy may help significantly reduce pain from #endometriosis, a new study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that patients under 30 who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign disease experienced much higher rates of regret, particularly due to loss of fertility (39% vs 13.4% in older patients). Younger patients were also more likely to face postoperative complications and need further surgery. Learn more in this article from MedPage Today: https://bit.ly/3TE6QNu Visit Heranova.com to learn more about endometriosis, infertility, and how we are developing innovative, non-invasive, blood-based diagnostic tools like #HerResolve, for detection of endometriosis. #Heranova #WomensHealth

Today marks three months since a truly ✨life-changing✨ surgery and diagnosis. To everyone who has shared their endometriosis experiences with me, thank you, thank you, thank you 💛 I’m grateful for all of the strong, resilient women in my life. To those who weren’t expecting my response when I mentioned my recovery, thank you for your heartfelt curiosity. Many were unaware of endometriosis and were genuinely stunned to learn that 1 in 10 women are diagnosed with it. (“Diagnosed” is key here, as many women suffer for years without receiving the care and treatment they truly deserve so the true statistic is surely higher.) My choice to be open about my diagnosis is about raising awareness. Sharing my experience has sparked meaningful conversations, especially from those concerned about their daughters or friends, and I’m always happy to answer questions or share insights 💕 No one should feel like they’ve exhausted all options or are being dismissed time and time again when it comes to their health and wellbeing. Self advocacy is so important, and can feel so difficult , but we all know ourselves better than the GP that sees you for 10 minutes every so often. Now that the hardest parts are behind me (knock on wood) I truly feel like I have a new lease on life. I can spend hours in the garden instead of maybe 20 minutes tops on a “good” day. I can take longer walks with Edna without needing to stop and rest due to overwhelming pain—the same pain I was told was just a normal part of being in my 30s and that walking more would help (lol). And, most importantly, getting up from sitting down doesn’t feel like an Olympic sport 🏅 📸 Photo of Edna from our first walk together 2 months post-op #endometriosis #endometriosisawareness #womenshealth #healthadvocacy

🏅 Don't Forget Your Skittles - I write about why it's important to celebrate our accomplishments, recalling an interaction with one of my daughters when she was much younger. It's a 2 min read. Here's some brief context As we get older, our lives become busier and more complicated. There's more to do. There's more at stake. There's more to balance. We're always trying to catch up, and sometimes we're simply trying to be a little less far behind. Time becomes a resource to be optimized or efficiently used; checklists serve as our guide. We finish one shift, paper, or project, and move on to the next. After all, there's so much more to be done. We do this despite knowing there will always be one more shift, one more paper, or one more project... Intrigued? The full article is available free via the included link. I would love to hear your thoughts from you all and learn what you're celebrating. Society of Hospital Medicine Skittles #JournalOfHospitalMedicine Mark Shen Mark Shapiro, MD Vineet Arora MD MAPP Vineet Chopra Vineeta Mittal, MD MBA Michele Fronckiewicz Kris Rehm, MD, MMHC, SFHM Flora Kisuule Cincinnati Children's https://lnkd.in/gN3aV5wS

#Radiologists: The first responders you didn’t know about! When it comes to detecting Intimate Partner #Violence (IPV), radiologists can see the signs before victims ever disclose it! At #RSNA, Dr. Patrick Lenehan, PhD, and his team at Massachusetts General Hospital, in collaboration with Brigham and Women's Hospital Trauma #Imaging Research and #Innovation Center, presented a powerful study revealing how radiologic evidence often surfaces months or even years before IPV is reported. The Study Highlights: - Reviewed 1,322 cases from Mass General’s violence prevention support program (2013-2018). - Radiologists raised suspicion in 11.1% of IPV cases vs. 1.9% of controls. - 40.3% of cases showed radiologic evidence at least six months before self-reporting. - Key injury patterns: extremity fractures and disproportionately higher facial injuries in IPV cases. Why this matters: #Radiologists aren’t just reading scans; they’re saving lives by identifying the invisible signs of abuse and enabling earlier intervention. This study highlights their vital role in breaking cycles of abuse and improving #publichealth outcomes. Let’s empower our radiologists and #clinicians with the tools and training to recognize these critical patterns. Share this post and tag someone in healthcare whose detections save lives! A standing ovation goes out to Dr. Lenehan, Mass General Brigham, BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S/MASS GENERAL HEALTH CARE CENTE’s, and all the clinicians who impact daily. Together, we can transform imaging insights into life-saving interventions. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) American Society of Radiologic Technologists American Society of Emergency Radiology

Celebrate International Women's Day with us here at EyePACS! March 8 is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, scientific, and political achievements of women. Let's promote equity and advocate for better access to healthcare and eye care services for women. In the US: The most prevalent eye diseases in women are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. With increases in life expectancy, diabetes, and other chronic diseases, the incidence of eye diseases is expected to double by the year 2050 for everyone. Interesting fact: 58% of the patients screened in EyePACS are women, but only 49% of the patients with severe retinal disease are women. Way to go, Women! Bravo! 👏 #iwd2024 #eyecare #eyehealth #optometry #ophthalmology

Celebrating a Milestone in Global Eye Care: Overcoming Preventable Blindness 👁️ Recent reports from the World Health Organization reveal a significant reduction in cases of preventable blindness worldwide, thanks to the tireless efforts of eye care professionals, increased public awareness, and global health initiatives. 🎉 Major Achievements: Cataract Surgeries on the Rise: Cataract removal remains the most common and successful surgical procedure worldwide. Increased access to affordable surgery has transformed millions of lives, restoring vision and independence. Trachoma Nearly Eradicated: Once the leading infectious cause of blindness, trachoma is now on the verge of being eradicated in many parts of the world, due to sustained public health campaigns and improved sanitation. Expanded Access to Eye Care: With more mobile clinics and community outreach programs, underserved regions are receiving critical eye care services, including screenings and treatments for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. 💡 What’s Next?: As we celebrate these milestones, it’s important to continue the momentum. The next frontier is ensuring that eye care is truly universal, addressing disparities in access and quality of care. By investing in local healthcare infrastructure, training more eye care professionals, and fostering public-private partnerships, we can move closer to a world where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a healthy vision. Together, we can envision a world without preventable blindness. #EyeCare #PreventableBlindness #GlobalHealth #Vision2024

“Our faces are like our most visible fingerprint.” So, imagine having to have half of your face removed. That was the reality for Mark Allen after his dog, Jessie, sniffed out an aggressive cancerous tumour in his nose. The father-of-two was given just weeks to live before undergoing a 10-hour operation to remove the cancer and undergo a massive facial reconstruction. Mark had ignored symptoms for nearly 12 months, which meant the tumour had reached Stage 4 and had spread across most of the right side of his face. Without major surgery, doctors had warned Mark that he would have just weeks to live. Thankfully, the procedure was a complete success and with the help of Get A-Head funding vital equipment, the 65-year-old has been given a second chance at life. Mark now wants to ensure others don’t find themselves in the same life-threatening situation. So, today (July 27) for World Head and Neck Cancer Day 2024, he has teamed up with us here at Get A-Head to share his story and raise awareness of the risks of head and neck cancer. His message is clear: DO NOT IGNORE SYMPTOMS. If something is not right or you are suffering from any of the following symptoms, seek medical advice: • Persistent sore throat • Neck lumps • Painful or difficulty swallowing • Earache • Persistent blocked nose • Nose bleeds • Speech problems or change in the sound of your voice including hoarseness Danni Heath, Director of Get A-Head, said: “Mark’s story is inspirational. It’s one of hope and survival but also one of reality for many people. “In the UK, the number of head and neck cancer cases are increasing by 3 per cent a year and unfortunately most cases are diagnosed at either stage three or four making treatment lengthier and more invasive. "At Get A-Head, we’ve made it our mission to improve lives by funding research, education and the provision of equipment but we very much hope people will take note of Mark’s valuable advice and seek medical help should they have any symptoms they might be concerned about.” You can listen to Mark’s story here in this video https://bit.ly/3WAsVhE and learn more about how Get A-Head supported his recovery here through the link in the comments. ⬇️ #WorldHeadandNeckCancerDay