Our Doctors
Patricia A. Ecker, M.D.
Dr. Patricia Ecker received her ophthalmology training at Yale where she was Chief Resident. She is board certified in Ophthalmology. She also completed a cornea and anterior segment surgery fellowship at the University of Connecticut. She is a member of Sigma Xi, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the Cornea Society. She lectures and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Yale.
Alan R. Ecker, M.D.
Dr. Alan Ecker received his Ophthalmology training at Yale where he was Chief Resident. He is board certified in Ophthalmology. He has served as the Chief of Ophthalmology at the Veterans' Administration Hospital. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He lectures and teaches at Yale.
Our Practice
Alan R. Ecker, M.D. and Patricia A. Ecker, M.D.
Provide comprehensive eye care for adults and children.
Our physicians are Yale-trained ophthalmologists who diagnose and treat eye diseases and perform surgery. They also examine patients for wellness visits.
Our services include:
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New patient exams
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Emergency visits offering same day appointments
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Glaucoma diagnosis and treatment
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Diabetic eye care
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Eyewear including contact lens fitting
THE PRACTICE
The Sun, UV Radiation, & Your Eyes
Keep an Eye on Ultraviolet (UV) Safety
Too much exposure to UV light raises the risks of eye diseases, including cataract, growths on the eye, and cancer. Strong exposure to snow reflection can also quickly cause painful damage called snow blindness.
Growths on the eye, such as pterygium, can show up in our teens or twenties, especially in surfers, skiers, fishermen, farmers, or anyone who spends long hours under the mid-day sun or in the UV-intense conditions found near rivers, oceans, and mountains.
Diseases like cataract and eye cancers can take many years to develop, but each time we're out in the sun without protection, we could be adding damage that adds to our risks for these serious disorders. Babies and kids need to wear hats and sunglasses for this very reason. People of all ages should take precautions whenever they are outdoors.
Be Sun Smart! Follow These Tips to Protect Your Eyes from the Sun All Year Long
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Sun damage to eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the summertime, so be sure to wear UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats whenever you're outside.
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Don't be fooled by clouds: the sun's rays can pass through haze and thin clouds.
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Never look directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun at any time, including during aneclipse, can lead to solar retinopathy, which is damage to the eye's retina from solar radiation.
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Don't forget the kids and older family members: everyone is at risk, including children and senior citizens. Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses.
Adapted from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.