Eye Care & Surgery Center NJ Bladeless LASIK Laser Cataract Surgeon Blog

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Bladeless LASIK & Astigmatism in NJ

New Jersey LASIK Surgeon & Corneal Specialist Joel Confino, M.D. reviewed how Bladeless LASIK can be used to treat astigmatism and correct vision. “Astigmatism is something that is often confusing to patients. In addition to being confused by what astigmatism is, a lot of people are under the incorrect impression that having astigmatism means you can’t have Laser Eye Surgery such as Bladeless LASIK to correct your vision”, said NJ LASIK Surgeon Joel Confino, M.D. of The Eye Care & Surgery Center with offices in Westfield, Warren and Iselin. “Bladeless LASIK for astigmatism is not only possible-but we use it all the time as an excellent way to correct vision,” commented Dr. Confino. 

Here is what you need to know about LASIK and astigmatism. First, astigmatism is one of the common types of refractive problems that cause blurry vision. Common refractive-or eye focus problems-include nearsightedness or myopia, farsightedness or hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia. Astigmatism usually results from an unequal curvature of the cornea-the outermost clear dome in the front of the eye-that causes the eye to have two different curvatures and thus two different focal points. This can make images look more blurry at a specific orientation so that things horizontally are blurred or things vertically are blurred, depending on the direction of the astigmatism. Astigmatism can be very annoying visually and can even cause headaches and many visual symptoms apart from the blurriness itself. The visual distortions caused by astigmatism in healthy eyes are correctable with eyeglasses, contact lenses and Laser Vision Correction such as Bladeless LASIK. “Today, as LASIK surgeons, we are able to accurately measure and treat all types of astigmatism with high degrees of precision and predictability,” said Dr. Confino. 

If you or someone you know has astigmatism and would like to be less dependent or possibly even be free from the hassle of glasses and contact lenses for seeing at distance, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center for a Free Evaluation for Laser Eye Surgery for the Laser Vision Correction of astigmatism at 800-504-1083, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is staffed by a team of Board Certified NJ Ophthalmologists who are subspecialty Fellowship trained New Jersey eye surgeons, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, surgery for cataracts, intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration (AMD) and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, reconstructive and cosmetic facial surgery including eyelid surgery and facial and skin rejuvenation as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services. 

With locations in Westfield and Warren and Iselin, The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice serving the central and northern New Jersey including Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Sayreville, Milltown, North Brunswick, Kendall Park, Somerset, Dunellen, Bridgewater, Manville, Bound Brook, Raritan, Edison, Colonia, Woodbridge, Metuchen, Avenel, Carteret, Piscataway, Middlesex, Somerville, South Plainfield, North Plainfield, Roselle Park, Garwood, Clark, Kenilworth, Cranford, Gillette, Berkeley Heights, Stirling, Scotch Plains, Summit, Chatham, Watchung, Pluckemin, Rahway, Plainfield, Mountainside, Springfield, New Providence, Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Millington, Union, Elizabeth, Linden, Jersey City, Irvington, Orange, West Orange, Livingston, Short Hills, Florham Park, Madison, Bloomfield, Montclair, Clifton, Garfield, Wayne, Parsippany, Troy Hills and Paramus, New Jersey.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

NJ Surgeon on Cataract & Ovarian Cancer Risk

NJ Cataract Surgeon Roslyn Stahl, M.D. of The Eye Care & Surgery Center reviewed a recent publication regarding the relationship between cataracts and ovarian cancer risk. “Sometimes we lose track of the fact that there are many relationships between eye health and systemic health-and even women’s health,” noted Dr. Stahl. “An interesting study identified that there may actually be a relationship whereby women who develop cataracts are less prone to developing ovarian cancer,” she further explained. “It is widely recognized and accepted that the major health benefit of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun is the production of Vitamin D, which is helpful in protection against several human cancers, including Ovarian Carcinoma. On the other hand, prolonged and excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a recognized risk factor for cataract development.” 

Researchers reporting in the November 2011 publication Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention studied 709 women with primary invasive ovarian carcinoma and 1101 controls to examine the association of Ovarian Carcinoma risk with a history of Cataract. Some interesting findings were that older age, a history of Type 2 Diabetes and skin cancer were significant risk factors for developing a Cataract. Further, a history of Cataract was reported by 14% of cases and 17% of controls and was significantly associated with a reduced Ovarian Carcinoma risk. These findings add indirect evidence to the hypothesis that lifetime Vitamin D exposure may be inversely associated with risk of Ovarian Carcinoma. Additional studies are needed to further investigate the potential behavioral and biological factors that might influence association of cataract with ovarian cancer. 

If you have questions or need an appointment to learn more about cataracts, cataract surgery and risk of ovarian cancer please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is staffed by a team of Board Certified NJ Ophthalmologists who are subspecialty Fellowship trained New Jersey eye surgeons, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, surgery for cataracts, intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration (AMD) and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, reconstructive and cosmetic facial surgery including eyelid surgery and facial and skin rejuvenation as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services. 

With locations in Westfield and Warren and Iselin, The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice serving the central and northern New Jersey including Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Sayreville, Milltown, North Brunswick, Kendall Park, Somerset, Dunellen, Bridgewater, Manville, Bound Brook, Raritan, Edison, Colonia, Woodbridge, Metuchen, Avenel, Carteret, Piscataway, Middlesex, Somerville, South Plainfield, North Plainfield, Roselle Park, Garwood, Clark, Kenilworth, Cranford, Gillette, Berkeley Heights, Stirling, Scotch Plains, Summit, Chatham, Watchung, Pluckemin, Rahway, Plainfield, Mountainside, Springfield, New Providence, Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Millington, Union, Elizabeth, Linden, Jersey City, Irvington, Orange, West Orange, Livingston, Short Hills, Florham Park, Madison, Bloomfield, Montclair, Clifton, Garfield, Wayne, Parsippany, Troy Hills and Paramus, New Jersey.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

NJ Ophthalmologist on Eyes, UV & Sun Damage

NJ Ophthalmologist Joel Confino, M.D. reviewed the need for awareness regarding eyes, UV exposure and sun damage. “It is easy to forget that the sun and UV light can damage your eyes and the surrounding tissue. Too much UV light can affect the surface of the cornea and actually cause an “eye sunburn” or “photokeratitis” which is uncomfortable and may temporarily impact vision. Inside the eye UV light can injure the crystalline lens turning it yellow and actually hasten the formation of cataracts. Further, if too much sunlight reaches the retina, UV actually cause a type of “solar retinitis” and increase the risk of macular degeneration,” commented Dr. Confino of The Eye Care & Surgery Center with offices in Westfield, warren and Iselin, New Jersey. “In addition, we are all susceptible to eye and eyelid cancers. Even though the eyelid is designed to protect the eye itself from the sun, eyelid skin is very thin and fragile and can be easily damaged by the sun,” he further explained. 

Thus, we should ALL take simple but effective precautions to protect our eyes and the structures inside and around our eyes: 

Wear a Brimmed Hat 

Use Sunscreen 

Wear Proper UV Protecting Sunglasses 

Using some common sense precautions goes a long way to protecting your eye health and vision. If you or someone you know has questions about eyes and sunlight or proper UV and sun protection for eyes, please feel free to call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter and schedule an appointment so we can help. 

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is staffed by a team of Board Certified NJ Ophthalmologists who are subspecialty Fellowship trained New Jersey eye surgeons, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, surgery for cataracts, intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration (AMD) and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, reconstructive and cosmetic facial surgery including eyelid surgery and facial and skin rejuvenation as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services. 

With locations in Westfield and Warren and Iselin, The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice serving the central and northern New Jersey including Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Sayreville, Milltown, North Brunswick, Kendall Park, Somerset, Dunellen, Bridgewater, Manville, Bound Brook, Raritan, Edison, Colonia, Woodbridge, Metuchen, Avenel, Carteret, Piscataway, Middlesex, Somerville, South Plainfield, North Plainfield, Roselle Park, Garwood, Clark, Kenilworth, Cranford, Gillette, Berkeley Heights, Stirling, Scotch Plains, Summit, Chatham, Watchung, Pluckemin, Rahway, Plainfield, Mountainside, Springfield, New Providence, Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Millington, Union, Elizabeth, Linden, Jersey City, Irvington, Orange, West Orange, Livingston, Short Hills, Florham Park, Madison, Bloomfield, Montclair, Clifton, Garfield, Wayne, Parsippany, Troy Hills and Paramus, New Jersey.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Mobile Web Site from Eye Care & Surgery Center

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is pleased to announce the launch of its new mobile web site. LASIK patients, cosmetic eye plastic surgery and BOTOX® patients and to a lesser but still significant extent cataract and lens implant patients-want to be able to find us on their smartphone and mobile devices today,” stated Jerette Lerner of The Eye Care & Surgery Center. “Our patients who use an iPhone or Android-really any mobile smartphone or computer tablets like an iPad and need to schedule eye exams, LASIK evaluations, those looking for eyeglasses and eyewear and even cataract and lens implant patients-will be able to easily find and contact us on their mobile devices today,” stated Philip Borker, Practice Administrator. “It’s really very easy to reach us on your smartphone-just search Eye Care & Surgery Center on your smartphone you can click right through to see it!” 

If you are at a desktop computer and want to use a regular phone to schedule an appointment reach us at 908-789-8999 or for greater detail and more in depth information visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or to just be social come see us at facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter

Thursday, July 12, 2012

NJ Surgeon on Cataracts & Diabetes

NJ Cataract Surgeon Joel Confino, M.D. commented about diabetes, cataracts and cataract surgery. “Diabetes is a well known risk factor for developing cataracts-as well as diabetic retinopathy. Generally speaking we believe that the disturbances in carbohydrate and sugar metabolism with diabetes cause the sugars and metabolic byproducts to damage the crystalline lens of the eye and form a cataract,” explained Dr. Confino. “Also, it is not unusual for diabetic patients to need cataract surgery and lens implants at an earlier point in their lives than non diabetic patients. In the hands of experienced cataract surgeons, using small incision cataract surgery and modern techniques, cataract surgery can be typically be quite successful for patients with diabetes.”

“It is important that diabetics considering cataract surgery have a careful evaluation of the retina-especially the macula-using ocular coherence tomography (OCT) to identify the presence of diabetic macular edema (DME), a known finding in diabetic retinopathy that can cause less then optimal results after Cataract Surgery. In addition, in certain situations one might consider taking an added precaution of placing an injection of VEGF inhibitor such as Avastin™ or Lucentis™ into the vitreous of the eye to prevent new blood vessel growth. Other than these considerations diabetic cataract surgery can offer patients good results,” shared NJ Retina Specialist Milton Kahn, M.D. of The Eye Care & Surgery Center.

Early diagnosis and treatment is the key to preserving eye health and vision with diabetes. If you or someone you know has questions about diabetes and cataract surgery or would like to schedule an appointment, please feel free to call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is staffed by a team of Board Certified NJ Ophthalmologists who are subspecialty Fellowship trained New Jersey eye surgeons, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, surgery for cataracts, intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration (AMD) and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, reconstructive and cosmetic facial surgery including eyelid surgery and facial and skin rejuvenation as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services.

With locations in Westfield and Warren and Iselin, The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice serving the central and northern New Jersey including Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Sayreville, Milltown, North Brunswick, Kendall Park, Somerset, Dunellen, Bridgewater, Manville, Bound Brook, Raritan, Edison, Colonia, Woodbridge, Metuchen, Avenel, Carteret, Piscataway, Middlesex, Somerville, South Plainfield, North Plainfield, Roselle Park, Garwood, Clark, Kenilworth, Cranford, Gillette, Berkeley Heights, Stirling, Scotch Plains, Summit, Chatham, Watchung, Pluckemin, Rahway, Plainfield, Mountainside, Springfield, New Providence, Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Millington, Union, Elizabeth, Linden, Jersey City, Irvington, Orange, West Orange, Livingston, Short Hills, Florham Park, Madison, Bloomfield, Montclair, Clifton, Garfield, Wayne, Parsippany, Troy Hills and Paramus, New Jersey.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

NJ Fireworks Eye Safety & Injury Prevention

NJ Ophthalmologist & Corneal Specialist Joel Confino, M.D. reminded patients about considerations for fireworks eye safety and eye injury prevention as we plan to enjoy the July 4th festivities. “To prevent eye injury, fireworks eye safety needs to be taken seriously. Usually this means leaving the preparation and execution of fireworks displays to trained professionals who are well versed in all aspects of eye safety rather than arranging those activities yourself,” noted Dr. Confino of The Eye Care & Surgery Center in New Jersey. “There is simply too much that can go astray and put people at risk of eye injury.”

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks are involved in approximately 10,000 injuries per year that are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. Of those, 2/3 occurred during the one month period surrounding the July 4th holiday. It is important to note that:
· Eyes were the Second Most Commonly Injured Part of the Body!
· Males Were Injured 3x More than Females.
· Approximately 25% of Injuries are to Children under 15.

Fireworks and celebrations go together, especially during the Fourth of July. But there are precautions parents can take to prevent these injuries. The best defense against kids suffering severe eye injuries and burns is to not let kids play with any fireworks. Do not purchase, use or store fireworks of any type. Protect yourself, your family and your friends by avoiding fireworks. Attend only authorized public fireworks displays conducted by licensed operators, but be aware that even professional displays can be dangerous.

If an eye accident does occur, what should you know?
· Do not rub the eye.
· Do not attempt to rinse out the eye. This can be even more damaging than rubbing.
· Do not apply pressure to the eye itself-but protecting the eye from further contact with any item, including the child's hand.
· Do not stop for medicine! Over-the-counter pain relievers will not do much to relieve pain. Aspirin (should never be given to children) and ibuprofen can thin the blood, increasing bleeding. Take the child to the emergency room at once.
· Do not apply ointments or drops. They may not be sterile and may make the area around the eye slippery and harder for the doctor to examine.
Once you are seen in the emergency room please feel free to have them call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999 as we always have an Ophthalmologist “on call” to provide consultation and continued care for you.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about eye safety, fireworks injury and prevention you can reach us at The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is staffed by a team of Board Certified NJ Ophthalmologists who are subspecialty Fellowship trained New Jersey eye surgeons, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, surgery for cataracts, intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration (AMD) and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, reconstructive and cosmetic facial surgery including eyelid surgery and facial and skin rejuvenation as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services.
With locations in Westfield and Warren and Iselin, The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice serving the central and northern New Jersey including Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Sayreville, Milltown, North Brunswick, Kendall Park, Somerset, Dunellen, Bridgewater, Manville, Bound Brook, Raritan, Edison, Colonia, Woodbridge, Metuchen, Avenel, Carteret, Piscataway, Middlesex, Somerville, South Plainfield, North Plainfield, Roselle Park, Garwood, Clark, Kenilworth, Cranford, Gillette, Berkeley Heights, Stirling, Scotch Plains, Summit, Chatham, Watchung, Pluckemin, Rahway, Plainfield, Mountainside, Springfield, New Providence, Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Millington, Union, Elizabeth, Linden, Jersey City, Irvington, Orange, West Orange, Livingston, Short Hills, Florham Park, Madison, Bloomfield, Montclair, Clifton, Garfield, Wayne, Parsippany, Troy Hills and Paramus, New Jersey.