Mass Eye and Ear is celebrating its 200th anniversary, and the Focus blog each month will have stories on the hospital’s past, present and future. In April, Focus is spotlighting the rich history of Mass Eye and Ear’s Dietary Department, which continues to be a hub for healthy nourishment and fulfilling interactions for staff, patients and their families. Ethel Hargrove reaches for a tray as she prepares dessert in the cafeteria, 1979. “It has always been the policy of the Infirmary to afford its patients the very best treatment known to surgical science.” Massachusetts Charitable Eye and Ea ..read more

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be seen over North America. Retina specialist Jason Comander, MD, PhD, explains how to best enjoy the unique experience while keeping your eyes safe. A homemade pinhole eclipse projector using the Mass Eye and Ear initials. Pinhole projectors capture light from the sun through holes that project the sun’s shape during a solar eclipse. When it comes to viewing the upcoming total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, Jason Comander, MD, PhD, director of the Inherited Retinal Disorders Service at Mass Eye and Ear, is all in. “I’m excited! I’m driving to B ..read more

Mass Eye and Ear is celebrating its 200th anniversary, and the Focus blog each month will have stories on the hospital’s past, present and future. In March, Focus is spotlighting some of the otolaryngology—head and neck surgery department’s most significant achievements in clinical care, research and education. Over the past 200 years, the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery at Mass Eye and Ear has dramatically transformed and developed into the robust department that the world knows today. The hospital has made remarkable strides in patient care, research and education through ..read more

When a bump on the eyelid is cancerous, a patient usually requires surgery to have it removed, which leaves behind a hole. Oculoplastic surgeons like Natalie Wolkow, MD, PhD, rely on specialized surgical techniques to reconstruct the eyelid to ensure the health of the eye and to leave it looking as cosmetically normal as possible.   Natalie from Wellesley, MA, was at her dermatologist’s office for a routine appointment last summer when the physician’s assistant (PA) raised concern about a bump on her eyelid. Despite having this bump for years and not thinking much of it, the PA sugg ..read more

Casey Finigan decided to turn to advocacy and raising funds for research after learning her father Willie was diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Since The Willie Fund launched last year, it has raised over $70,000 for head and neck cancer research. The Finigan Family. From L to R, mom Courtney, daughters Chloe, Casey and Carly, and dad Willie. Finding out your loved one has cancer is an unsettling feeling. It’s not uncommon to hear stories about people losing their parents to this awful disease, but it’s hard to imagine it happening to you and your family—until it does. Life changed forever ..read more

The decision to undergo laser vision correction is not an easy one. Once a patient does decide to pursue this course, there are several options he or she might be presented with during a consultation. Focus asked one patient to share his story, why he ultimately made the choice to undergo the procedure, and how he decided which procedure to pick. Coming into focus Professional photographer J. Kiely Jr., a 51-year-old from Dedham, MA, had worn contact lenses every day since he was in third grade. It had become a well-engrained part of his daily routine and he didn’t mind it much. But over the ..read more

For years, insurance providers have hesitated to consider voice and speech modification a medical necessity for transgender individuals. Through its Transgender Voice and Speech Modification Program, physicians at Mass Eye and Ear have begun blazing a trail to change that narrative. For members of the transgender community, there has never been a more dangerous time to live in the United States. Human Rights Watch, an international non-government organization, reported 2021 as the nation’s deadliest year for anti-transgender violence. A recent rise in verbal and physical attacks has paralyzed ..read more

People considering laser vision correction have several options to choose from: PRK, LASIK and SMILE. How can you decide what’s best for you? Specialist Nandini Venkateswaran, MD, weighs in. When people want better vision without having to rely on glasses or contact lenses, they might seek out laser vision correction surgery, also known as corneal refractive surgery. During a consultation, patients will hear about their different options, including PRK, LASIK and SMILE. The outcomes are excellent for all these procedures, explained Nandini Venkateswaran, MD, a member of the Cornea and Refract ..read more

In the face of physical illness, it’s crucial to also recognize mental health needs of patients. Mass Eye and Ear’s Social Work Department is committed to helping patients get through challenging times while connecting them with the resources needed to help them reacclimate to daily life.  Mass Eye and Ear’s Social Work Department is dedicated to providing patients and their families with psychosocial support and resources to help them manage the challenges of both acute and chronic illnesses in the hospital setting. While meeting with patients and families, social workers iden ..read more

A bump on the eyelid that pops out of nowhere can be concerning. Sometimes these growths, which might be a stye or a chalazion, can go away on their own, but other times they require medical attention. Focus spoke with Prashant Yadav, MD, director of the Chalazion Clinic at Mass Eye and Ear, to learn more about what causes these growths, how they can prevented and treated, and when to seek help. What exactly is a chalazion? We have numerous oil glands in our eyelids that produce secretions that lubricate the eye’s surface, which allows tears to spread over the eyeball. These glands, called me ..read more