EYE CARE & SURGERY CENTER NEW JERSEY BLOG

About Your Eye Health Risk & Smoking

2012-02-09T13:34:00.000-05:00

Smoking can have a great effect on your eyes-especially in terms of your risk of Cataracts and Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Avoiding smoking, or quitting, is one of the best investments you can make in your long-term eye health. Smoking-even in your teens or twenties when your senior years seem far away-increases your future risks for Cataracts and Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The more a person smokes, the greater the risks. In general if you quit smoking the risks of these eye diseases decreases to approximately the same level as if you never smoked at all. Keep on mind that smoking also increases your risk of cardiovascular disease which also can affect your eyes. Besides the vascular problems mentioned smoking and even being around smokers and their second hand smoke increase the likelihood of dry eye. Learn more about eye health and smoking at The Eye Care & Surgery Center-908-789-8999.

Pre-Med: A Student’s Story

2012-02-07T10:13:00.001-05:00

A pre-med student is born the moment they accept the challenge and accompanying reward of a selfless life predicated upon helping others. While this might seem like a remarkable endeavor, it is definitely not one to be taken lightly. That being said, this individual must be certain, beyond all fathomable doubt, that this is the one and only thing that they could see them self doing for the rest of their life. If there is any inkling of desire in any other field, this person, in my opinion, should not go into medicine. There exists the common misconception that many people pursue a medical degree for the monetary rewards. This is a fallacy. Financial success can be achieved in many fields outside of medicine. Those who do in fact pursue the dream of becoming a medical doctor, do so for the underlying satisfaction that is derived from playing a pivotal role in the lives of their patients. These professionals assume a direct responsibility for the healthcare and wellbeing of those individuals. The realization unfolds during the evolution of the doctorate process, it is not the doctor who is above all, but in fact, the immeasurable compassion and desire to help that ultimately becomes larger than life.

As one of these students, I have embraced this way of life with arms wide open. For the past several years I have been working as an intern at The Eye Care & Surgery Center. The unbelievable opportunities and relationships this practice has given me will undoubtedly help me along this path. For this, appreciation could not be expressed through mere words. The schooling involved on the road to a medical degree, may feel life-consuming at times. The demands may seem daunting, especially for students that also hold down jobs while attending school. There is “required” research, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) that requires hundreds of hours of studying, as well as an exam to determine acceptance to any top tier school. These tests essentially determine if your undergraduate work and efforts put forth have been in vain.Often the question is posed, what kind of grades does prospective medical student need to attain? In today’s competitive admissions process, a “B” is a mere symbol of inadequacy. As humans, we are imperfect by nature, yet you must flirt with perfection if you want to be considered for a seat in a medical school. Regardless, as a very wise man once told me, “while all your material possessions can be removed, no one can ever take your education away.” No matter what the sacrifice, no matter how hard or painful it is at times, achieving this goal and becoming a successful surgeon is the culmination of everything I could ever dream of.

Thank you to our guest blogger: Zack Mildrum, Medical Student

Age Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month in New Jersey

2012-02-02T10:56:00.002-05:00

“Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in Americans older than 50, affecting more than two million people. Although AMD is incurable, there are new treatments that can at a minimum prevent further vision loss from the disease and in many cases actually help recover lost vision,” commented New Jersey Retinal Specialist Milton Kahn, M.D.

AMD causes central vision to blur, but leaves peripheral vision intact. It is progressive and painless. There are two types of ARMD: Dry and Wet. Approximately 90 percent of people with AMD have the dry form which results in gradual vision loss. Although only 10 percent of people with ARMD have the wet form, it generally progresses much quicker than the dry form. Wet AMD is characterized by the growth of abnormal retinal blood vessels that leak blood or fluid, causing rapid and severe central vision loss.

Patients can often reduce the risk of developing ARMD by not smoking as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables, avoiding foods with trans fats, exercising and controlling blood pressure and weight. “We are fortunate to be able to provide patient with injections of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) drugs that inhibit the development of unwanted blood vessels that cause wet ARMD as these agents are effective in helping to prevent further visual loss and even improve vision," said Dr. Kahn.

Patients older than 50 are encouraged to have a comprehensive, dilated eye examination every one to two years to ensure that ARMD is detected and treated early. The key to successful treatment is early detection and intervention. If you or someone you know is at risk for AMD please have the call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999 to schedule and eye exam.

Finding the Best Cataract Surgeons in New Jersey

2012-01-31T08:46:00.001-05:00

To find the best Cataract Surgeons requires a little bit of work and investigation but is always worth it. Finding an eye surgeon who is a Cataract Specialist can help you to be confident that you are getting the most current information, thoughts and techniques to deal with your cataracts.

Ask People You Trust for a recommendation. Ask your friends, co-workers and family-but most importantly ask you primary care physician who they would go to or who they would send a parent to for cataract surgery.

Don’t Limit Yourself to Insurance Lists. Just because a Cataract Surgeon is “in network” isn’t a reason to use them if you are able to identify a top cataract surgeon you wish to go to who isn’t listed. Paying a slightly higher co-pay or deductible may be very worthwhile to get the Cataract Surgeon of your choice. If the best Cataract Surgeon in your area happens to be in the insurance list then you are all set.

Use the Power of the Internet. Take a minute to search “cataract surgeons in (insert your town/city/state)” or “best cataract surgeon in (insert your town/city/state)”. This will at least give you a starting place to begin creating a list of eye surgeons to investigate further.

Visit the Cataract Surgeon’s Web Site. Once you have compiled a list, visit their web sites and get a feel for their practice culture and philosophy. While a web site by itself can’t tell you much about surgical skills, it can tell you about how well he or she presents information and explains detail to patients. This is important in how comfortable you may feel in that practice.

Schedule a Consultation and Meet the Cataract Surgeon. The only sure fire way to find out if you are comfortable and get a sense of trust from a cataract surgeon is to schedule a consultation and meet the surgeon personally. They should be able to clearly explain your eye health and vision as well as the cataract procedure and answer any questions you have in understandable language and terms. Whether or not you find the right cataract surgeon right off the bat it is never inappropriate to………

Get a Second Opinion. Making a decision about eye surgery is a big deal. Getting to a place where you feel confident, relaxed and comfortable is important.

If you or someone you know has a Cataract or wishes to learn more about Cataract Surgery please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center-908-789-8999.

UV and Contact Lenses

2012-01-26T09:49:00.002-05:00

Ultraviolet radiation (UV) from natural sunlight and artificial sources can cause significant damage to our skin and eyes. It is well known that UV exposure damages cells that may lead to the development of skin cancer. Ultraviolet radiation may also harm tissues in the eye that may cause or worsen conditions such as ocular cancer, pterygium, and cataracts. Sunglasses and shading of the eyes protects us from some direct UV exposure but we may be exposed to something known as diffuse solar UV radiation. Diffuse solar UV radiation is caused by scattering of UV light and surface reflection and can reach the eye in significant amounts. Some contact lenses can offer UV protection to the eye which may offer protection from some of these harmful rays that can enter the eye from around sunglasses or a brim of the hat. UV contact lenses may be beneficial to those patients who already wear contact lenses to correct their vision but will not provide protection to the skin and conjunctiva. Their role in protecting patients who do not wear contact lenses for vision correction has not been studied but it may be interesting to see how much protection they can afford. Contact lens wear, however, has intrinsic risks such as increased corneal ulceration/infection and the benefits of their UV protection should be clearly demonstrated before they are recommended for use by the general public.

Guest Blogger: Roslyn Stahl, M.D. Cataract and Glaucoma specialist at The Eye Care & Surgery Center of Westfield, Warren and Iselin, New Jersey.

Aspirin & Macular Degeneration (AMD)

2012-01-24T10:53:00.001-05:00

There may be a relationship between frequent aspirin use and Macular Degeneration (AMD) according to researchers from the European Eye Study who reported some interesting findings on the October 2011 publication Ophthalmology which is the official journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. They found that frequent aspirin use may be associated with an increased risk of early or late “wet age-related macular degeneration”, with an “odds ratio” that increases upon frequency of consumption. However the study is somewhat limited in that there was an unknown amount of aspirin taken, as well as the possibility that participants may have taken aspirin after experiencing visual problems. So, at this time the study is interesting but inconclusive and certainly patients taking aspirin to offset the coronary risk profile or other vascular problems should NOT discontinue taking aspirin unless they have been directed to do so by their personal physician. Patients who have question or concerns about Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) should feel free to contact The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999for information or to schedule an appointment.

Senior Citizen Driving Requirements

2012-01-19T09:48:00.001-05:00

In New Jersey, driving is considered a right, not a privilege. Consequently, there are certain requirements for vision that must be met. In the state of New Jersey, one needs a vision of at least 20/40 in their strongest eye for a regular driver's license. For a commercial driver’s license, one requires a minimum of 20/40 vision in both their eyes. The regulations differ from state to state. There are even some states that require the testing of a driver’s peripheral vision. Driving studies have shown an increase accident rate only when there is a visual problem with both eyes. However, there are many drivers on the road who do not meet these visual requirements, and still drive safely.

The New Jersey Academy of Ophthalmology has been actively working with the state to redefine the visual requirements for driving. One possibility that is in discussion would be to issue a limited license for people whose vision is only slightly worse than 20/40 whereby the individual would still have the ability to drive, but with limitations. Fortunately, many people already self select their driving habits, driving only during daytime hours, when environmental visibility is clear, on local roads, and avoiding bad weather. Just as teenagers have restrictions on their driving licenses, there are many elderly people who should have it as well. As an ophthalmologist, it is always a difficult discussion to have with a patient and their family, as to ‘when to take the keys to the car away’, as independence is lost. As a rule, however, it is better to discourage driving for someone visually impaired TOO SOON rather than TOO LATE.

Guest blogger: Ivan Jacobs, M.D. Founding Partner, New Jersey Cataract and Glaucoma Specialist at The Eye Care & Surgery Center.

LASIK for Contact Lens Problems & Intolerance

2012-01-17T11:16:00.002-05:00

“Contact lens problems and intolerance seem to be motivating more and more patients to schedule LASIK consultations these days,” said New Jersey Corneal Specialist Joel Confino M.D. of The Eye Care & Surgery Center.

In fact, contact lens problems and intolerance are the reasons a great many patients seek LASIK Surgery and Laser Vision Correction. “The most common reason for contact lens intolerance that we see is a condition called Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis or GPC,” commented Dr. Confino.

When we wear contact lenses, no matter how successfully or how diligent we are in their care and replacement, they become coated with mucous and protein from our tears. After a number of years of wearing contacts it is not uncommon to develop an allergy to the protein on the contact lens. Initially this may result in patients having some dry eye symptoms and prompt them to use lubricating eye drops. However, as the GPC contact lens problem continues to progress patients begin to notice some itch and stringy mucous type discharge from their eyes. After a while the contacts just become too uncomfortable and gritty and patients become intolerant and just can’t wear their contacts. During a severe episode of GPC, patients may be restricted from wearing their contacts in order to reduce the allergic inflammation of the lids. In some cases, patients are no longer able to wear contacts again at all. Patients with a chronic GPC may decide to have LASIK to correct their vision, so that they no longer need to depend on contacts on a daily basis.

LASIK can be a great option for you to rid yourself of the hassle of contacts and allow you to continue a “glasses free” lifestyle for seeing at distance. If you or someone you know suffers from any type of contact lens problem and would like to learn more about LASIK and whether they are a good candidate please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 800-504-1083 for a Free LASIK Consultation and visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter

Skin Peel Preparation and Expectations

2012-01-12T16:34:00.001-05:00

Chemical Peels are an easy and affordable way to treat patients with sun damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentary abnormalities, acne and acne scarring. One week prior to having a peel, one should avoid getting electrolysis, waxing, hair laser removal, Botox and the use of depilatory creams. Two to three days before a peel, avoid using Retina-A, Renova, Differine and Tazorac and any products containing retinol, alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) or benzoyl peroxide. Any exfoliating products that may be drying or irritating should also be avoided. Anyone who has had a medical cosmetic facial treatment or procedure, e.g. laser therapy, surgical procedures, cosmetic fillers or microdermabrasion, should wait until skin sensitivity completely resolves before receiving their treatment.

Patients who should NOT be treated with chemical peels include anyone with active cold sores, warts, open wounds, sunburn, excessive sensitive skin, dermatitis or inflammatory rosacea. Also, patients with a history of allergies (especially to salicylates like aspirin), rashes or other skin reactions, have taken Accutane within the past year, or women who are pregnant or breast feeding, should not be treated with a peel. Lastly, patients who have received chemotherapy, radiation therapy, have vitiligo or anyone with an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, multiple sclerosis should not receive a peel.

After receiving a chemical peel, it is expected that your skin will be red, possibly itchy and/or irritated. Although most people experience peeling of their facial skin, not every patient notices that their skin peels. Lack of peeling is NOT an indication that the peel was unsuccessful. If you do not notice actual peeling, please know that you are still receiving all the benefits of a peel such as stimulation of collagen, improvement of skin tone and texture and diminishment of fine lines and pigmentation.

Thank you to our Guest Blogger: Stephanie Tribel OSA, Cosmetic Services Coordinator at The Eye Care & Surgery Center in New Jersey

About Your Eyes & Being Pregnant

2012-01-10T11:13:00.002-05:00

What does being pregnant have to with your eyes? Sometimes quite a bit. During pregnancy your body undergoes fluctuations in hormone levels, changes in fluid retention and even an increase in your overall blood volume. These types of changes can result in your eyes changing in various ways. Fortunately eye changes due to pregnancy are usually temporary and resolve after the baby is born or after the cessation of breast feeding. Typically vision changes are minor and don’t require a change in eyeglasses, however there are some eye changes that do require care and attention.

If you were thinking about having LASIK you should delay your actual LASIK Surgery procedure until at least three months after your delivery or three months after you stop nursing. This is necessary because the thickness of your cornea may fluctuate during pregnancy and will reduce the accuracy of the LASIK correction. Also, hormonal fluctuations are often the cause of dry eye. This can make you uncomfortable by itself and can certainly make wearing your contact lenses more difficult. If you experience dry eyes during pregnancy be sure to consult your eye care provider so that “pregnancy-safe” lubricating eye drops or other alternative treatments for dry eye can be prescribed. Sometimes simply eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, flax seeds and walnuts, may help resolve dry eye and also supports general good health.

On a more serious note, if your vision becomes noticeably blurry, it may signal high blood pressure or pregnancy-related diabetes. If you experience dry eyes, changes in vision or especially very blurred vision during pregnancy it is important to schedule an appointment to see us at The Eye Care & Surgery Center by calling us at 908-789-8999 or requesting an appointment at facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter.

Eye Strain from Computer Use

2012-01-05T12:08:00.000-05:00

Eye strain from computer use can be a problem as living in a ‘digital’ world, we are often staring at computer screens, mobile phones, video games and reading devices. Long periods of focusing on these electronic devices will not cause permanent damage to your eyes but may likely induce dry and tired eyes. Some symptoms of dry eye may be stinging, burning, tearing and possible blurred vision.

The average human blinks one time every five seconds, dependent on activity and exposure. Most humans blink on average 12-15 times per minute. However, studies have shown we blink only 6-7 times per minute while using our computers and other digital-screen devices. When we blink we irrigate and cleanse the eye, rewetting the cornea and allowing for more hydration. Elongated staring at a computer screen diminishes the blinks per minute, depriving the cornea of moisture.

Most people cannot work less and won’t play less on their digital devices so there are some precautions that can be taken to help reduce eyestrain. When sitting at the computer, position your chair approximately 25-30 inches from the computer screen and arrange your screen so you are looking slightly downward. Screen filters may be purchased to put over your monitor and add some more light to the work area to reduce glare from the screen. In ophthalmology 20/20 is considered optimal vision. Use this correlation in vision to remind you to look away from your digital device every 20 minutes and focus on something 20 feet away. Artificial tears are also very helpful in keeping the eyes lubricated. Use a drop in each eye if you begin to experience any of the dry eye symptoms mentioned in paragraph one. Take breaks from the computer often, even if just for a few minutes and make sure you are getting plenty of sleep at night. Most of all….BLINK, BLINK, BLINK.

Guest Blogger: Ivan Jacobs, M.D. Cataract & Glaucoma Specialist at The Eye Care & Surgery Center

Glaucoma Awareness Month in New Jersey

2012-01-03T10:17:00.003-05:00

The Eye Care & Surgery Center wishes to direct patient’s attention to the fact that January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. “This is an important time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease. Our understanding of this disease along with the ways in which we can diagnose and treat it have improved considerably,” New Jersey Glaucoma Specialist Roslyn Stahl, M.D. of The Eye Care & Surgery Center.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Moreover, among African American and Latino populations, Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness overall. Of particular note is that Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians.

Over 4 million Americans, and nearly 70 million people worldwide, have Glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision.

The most common type of Glaucoma—Primary Open Angle Glaucoma—is hereditary. The Nottingham Glaucoma Study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology evaluated the risk that siblings of Glaucoma patients would themselves develop Glaucoma within their lifetime. “While we already knew that there was a strong likelihood that family members of Glaucoma patients were at greater risk, the Nottingham Study found that siblings were 5 times more likely to develop glaucoma by age 70. This is why we strongly recommend that siblings of Glaucoma patients and Glaucoma suspects be screened for Glaucoma, each and every year,” said Dr. Stahl.

If you, a relative or someone you know is at risk for Glaucoma based on their age, heredity or health please tell them to call The Eye Care & Surgery Center to schedule and eye exam and Glaucoma screening. Early diagnosis and treatment goes a long way to preserving eye health and vision.

Can a Cataract Grow Back?

2011-11-29T08:45:00.002-05:00

“The actual Cataract Surgery procedure involves removing the cloudy crystalline lens of the eye so that once a Cataract is removed, no, it cannot come back”, explained Ivan Jacobs, M.D. a Cataract Surgeon and Glaucoma Specialist at Eye Care & Surgery Center. “But what can happen that might make it seem like the Cataract has returned is a condition called “posterior capsular opacification,” commented Joel Confino, M.D. a Cataract Surgeon and Corneal Specialist at Eye Care & Surgery Center. The crystalline lens of the eye is where a Cataract forms. “The crystalline lens has a soft protein center and is surrounded by a capsule-kind of like the structure of an M&M candy,” said Dr. Confino. A Cataract forms because the protein becomes cloudy. During Cataract Surgery Drs. Jacobs and Confino use microscopic instruments to break up and remove the cloudy material as this is what blurs your vision. However, they leave the “capsule” in intact and actually place the intraocular lens implant (IOL) to correct vision inside the capsule to help correct your vision. In some patients the capsule become “opacified” some time after surgery leaving the patient’s vision cloudy and often with glare sensitivity much like the symptoms they had from the Cataract. Fortunately, using a YAG Laser, Drs. Jacobs and Confino are able to quickly, safely and effectively create an opening in the capsule along the visual axis which restores the vision almost instantly. This procedure called a “YAG Capsulotomy” takes only a few minutes and is performed using simple eye drop anesthesia without discomfort. So, while cataracts do not come back a condition called “posterior capsular opacification” can make it seem like the Cataract has returned.

Please feel free to contact us with your questions or to schedule an appointment regarding Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants by calling Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999.

Baseline Eye Screening by 40

2011-11-17T10:48:00.002-05:00

When Should You Have an Eye Exam?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that every healthy person have a baseline eye exam by age 40. An ophthalmologic evaluation can uncover abnormalities of the visual system and reveal signs of systemic disease such as high blood pressure and diabetes. This age is a time when eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataract or retinal conditions may be identifiable in their early form and treatment can have a tremendous impact.

Age 40 is also about the age when people develop presbyopia, a normal aging process where the natural lens of the eye starts to lose its ability to focus, creating the need to use magnifying glasses or bifocals to read. Patients with known diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes should have regular eye exams at the time of diagnosis to search for signs of disease in the eye. The eye doctor would then determine appropriate intervals of follow-up care.

Other diseases such as autoimmune disease (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, etc.), thyroid disease, sleep apnea, blood disorders and neurological conditions can also affect the eyes. People with a strong family history of eye diseases or blindness should call their eye doctor today to set up an evaluation.

Guest Blogger: Dr. Roslyn Stahl, M.D. Glaucoma & Cataract Specialist

How Safe Is LASIK?

2011-11-15T11:54:00.002-05:00

The safety of LASIK is a key consideration for anyone thinking about Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction. It is important to understand the solid overall long term safety record as well as a look at what might be key factors that impact LASIK safety.

By far the most important factors that can affect LASIK safety are the laser and instrumentation to be used to perform the treatment and even more so, the skill and experience of the LASIK Surgeon.

Long Term Track Record
The use of the Excimer laser for performing Laser Eye Surgery for the Laser Vision Correction of nearsightedness was first approved in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 20, 1995. The Excimer Laser was specifically FDA approved for LASIK in 1998. So as of 2011, Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction has been performed for just over 16 years and the LASIK procedure has been performed under FDA approval for just over 11 years.

It is estimated that some 22 million patients worldwide have had LASIK.

LASIK is generally considered one of the most successful and safe surgical procedures of any type. Nearsighted patients can expect to achieve 20/40 vision more than 98 percent of the time and uncorrected vision of 20/20 or 20/25 more than 90 percent of the time. With regard to any loss of vision, it is quite rare to experience a loss of vision beyond 20/40 occurring in about only 3 per 1,000 cases and with regard to serious complications such as infection or corneal damage the risk is even less occurring in fewer than 1 in 1,000 cases. While not an infinite amount of time, the availability of the various Laser Vision Correction procedures, including LASIK for this 10-15 year timeframe with these results does give us access to real world experience and data that speaks to its long term safety record. But, there is more to safety than simply the FDA approval of the laser itself.

Safety is the Hands of the LASIK Surgeon
FDA approval does not ensure that a LASIK Surgeon is going to provide a thorough evaluation and consultation, does not imply that LASIK Surgeons will provide a complete review of the possible risks and complications of LASIK-nor does it imply that a LASIK Surgeon will use the appropriate screening and decision criteria to be sure that a patient is in fact a good candidate for LASIK or any Laser Eye Surgery for that matter.

So, with regard to LASIK safety, choosing a LASIK Surgeon is the most important decision a patient makes in deciding to have LASIK and is a significant part of making LASIK a safe and effective procedure. You should not choose a LASIK Surgeon based on slick advertising or low price. You should choose a LASIK Surgeon based on reputation in the community, the length of time they have been performing LASIK and the comfort and rapport established during your consultation. While the equipment used may provide a slight advantage or disadvantage in safety, it is ALWAYS the skill and experience of the surgeon that contributes the most to the overall safety of Laser Eye Surgery for the correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

The best way for you or someone you know to really learn all they need to know about LASIK safety is to find out if they are a good candidate for LASIK by having an evaluation, examination, and consultation with Dr. Confino who is a Corneal Surgeon and LASIK specialist. Please feel free to contact us schedule an appointment by calling Eye Care & Surgery Center Toll Free at 800.504.1083.

Diabetic Eye Disease Month at Eye Care & Surgery Center

2011-11-01T09:27:00.001-04:00

Eye Care & Surgery Center wishes to announce that Prevent Blindness America has designated November as National Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. This is an important time to spread the word about this potentially blinding disease. We need to work to help patients avoid the complications of diabetic retinopathy, which blinds over 8,000 Americans each year. The vision loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented if it's caught and treated in time. A recent study found that more than one third of those diagnosed with diabetes do not adhere to vision care guidelines recommending a dilated eye exam every year.

As part of Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month we are urging people with diabetes to have a dilated eye exam every year. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater his or her risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. However, diabetic retinopathy does not only affect people who have had diabetes for many years, it can also appear within the first year or two after the onset of the disease.

Patients can help to reduce the risk of developing diabetic eye disease by not smoking, controlling their cholesterol and lipid profile and blood pressure, as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables and exercising.

The key to successful treatment of diabetic retinopathy is early detection and intervention. We are fortunate to have Milton Kahn, M.D. at Eye Care & Surgery Center, who is a fellowship trained in Diseases of the Retina and a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy. If you or someone you know has diabetes or is even prediabetic please feel free to schedule a diabetic eye examination at Eye Care & Surgery Center by phoning 908.789.8999.

Eyewear for Athletes of All Ages

2011-10-06T09:56:00.000-04:00

Protective sport eyewear is highly recommended for children and adults participating in sporting activities. Eye injuries happen to be the leading cause of blindness in children according to the NEHEP & The National Eye Institute. In the United States, emergency rooms treat a sports-related eye injury, on average, every 13 minutes, one third of which involve children.

Sport eyewear not only protects the eye but may assist athletes in achieving maximum performance levels. Almost every prescription can be placed in this specialty eyewear and lenses that adjust for sun exposure may also be used. There are many sizes and designs available to meet the needs of all athletes big and small, professional and recreational.

Sporting glasses have been successfully used for some physically challenged patients that may have difficulty keeping their eyewear in place.

Thank you to our Guest Blogger Amy Shabat, Licensed Optician in our Westfield office.

Eye Injury Prevention Month at Eye Care & Surgery Center

2011-10-04T08:50:00.000-04:00

The Eye Care & Surgery Center wishes to announce that October has been designated Eye Injury Prevention Month by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. When most people go out to mow the lawn, jump-start the car or get ready to do some spring cleaning, the last thing they think about is protecting their eyes, but it should be first on their mind. It is a good idea to think about protecting your eyes from the extraordinary damage often caused by the most ordinary of activities.

Many household chemicals, such as cleaning fluids, detergents and ammonia, are extremely hazardous and can burn the eye's delicate tissues. When using chemicals, always read instructions and labels carefully, work in a well-ventilated area and make sure spray nozzles point away from you and others before spraying. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after use.

Before using a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger, check for debris. Stones, twigs and other items can become dangerous projectiles shooting from the blades of a lawnmower, potentially injuring your eyes or those of innocent bystanders. Prevention is the first and most important step in avoiding serious eye injuries, so be sure to protect your eyes with appropriate protective eyewear.

Please feel free to contact us with your questions or to schedule an examination by calling The Eye Care & Surgery Center Toll Free at 800-504-1083.

Children’s Eye Exam: When Should My Child Have an Eye Exam?

2011-09-27T13:12:00.001-04:00

Eye examinations begin in the hospital nursery when a baby’s eyes are examined for a clear strong red reflex indicating a clear pathway for light to enter the eye. Though uncommon, blockage of the visual axis in infancy, such as with a cataract, must be addressed in the first weeks of life to avoid permanent loss of vision.

This type of assessment is repeated on follow up visits to the pediatrician for well baby care at which times testing for strabismus or eye alignment is also performed. More formal vision testing with an eye chart of picture symbols or letters is typically attempted in the three to four year old range. The recommendation is for this to occur as well in the pediatrician’s office during well child appointments. Each eye is tested individually, as poor vision in one eye may not be evident in the normal course of the child’s lifestyle. Some newer photoscreening devices can provide objective measurements of vision in preverbal children. If results are normal during this testing, examination by an eye doctor is not necessary. If any testing is abnormal or inconclusive or parents notice any vision or eye abnormalities, a referral to a Pediatric Ophthalmologist may be indicated.

Louis Furlan, M.D.
Thank you to our guest blogger: Louis Furlan, M.D., Pediatric Ophthalmologist at The Eye Care & Surgery Center

LOW VISION AIDS: Using Technology to Help You Read

2011-09-22T12:27:00.000-04:00

Many of our patients suffer with Macular Degeneration or other diseases of the eye that restrict their ability to read comfortably. With the advancements in technology, there are now options for patients with low vision that may make daily activities, such as reading the newspaper or their favorite book, possible.

Ivan Jacobs, M.D., often recommends his patients begin using a tablet computer for reading. The images are brighter, bigger and sharper. The size of the font and graphics is at the control of the user by simply dragging their fingers across the screen.

Dr. Jacobs has seen patients who had given up trying to read as a result of degeneration of their vision, now reading and researching with ease and clarity with the help of technology based instruments. As always, speak with your own ophthalmologist regarding your specific limitations and expectations.

Types of Contact Lenses: Which One is Right for Me?

2011-09-20T09:29:00.001-04:00

Contact lenses have advanced tremendously in the last decade. As a result, there are several options available to consumers. When choosing an appropriate contact lens, several factors are taken into consideration. These factors include lifestyle, expense and the type of vision correction needed. Contact lenses can be worn by people of varying ages.

There are two main types of contact lenses; rigid gas permeable contact lenses and soft contact lenses. There are subsets of each type of lens to correct refractive errors such as Toric contact lenses for the correction of Astigmatism, Bifocal lenses, and Multifocal contact lenses.

Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are made of a more rigid material and are subsequently more durable than soft contact lenses. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are often used for people with corneal irregularities.

Soft contact lenses are the most popular type of contact lens. The majority of soft contact lenses are disposable meaning they can be thrown away after a short period time. Disposable contact lenses can be replaced daily, bi-weekly, monthly or every three months. The main advantage of disposable contact lenses is that they decrease the risk of infection because there is less likelihood of protein build up.

Toric (Astigmatic) contact lenses are designed to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea has a curvature that resembles a football rather than a basketball. Toric contact lenses are available in soft and rigid gas permeable materials.

Bifocal contact lenses are designed to correct presbyopia. Presbyopia is the change in the natural lens of the eye that generally affects people in their early 40s. Bifocal contact lenses correct distance and near prescriptions simultaneously.

Multifocal contact lenses have multiple focal points that may assist in enlarging the range of vision to include some mid-range vision as well.

In conclusion, regardless of the type of contact lenses a patient wears, proper hygiene is essential in the maintenance of contact lenses to prevent infections and to obtain optimal vision. Individuals interested in contact lenses should consult an eye care professional.

Thank you to our Guest Blogger Hanifah Haamid, lead contact lens technician and A-Scan Specialist. Hanifah also has a YouTube Video on the Top 5 Contact Lens Questions.

Your LASIK Evaluation-What to Expect?

2011-09-15T17:39:00.002-04:00

The only way to confidently know whether LASIK or any type of Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction is going to safely, effectively and predictably help you achieve your personal vision correction goals is to have a thorough evaluation and consultation. The LASIK evaluation should be thorough enough to gather sufficient clinical and personal information so as to enable your LASIK Surgeon to make proper recommendations about to proceed. Your LASIK consultation should consist of a number of clinical tests including:

Measurement of your uncorrected visual acuity

Measurement of your visual acuity with your current eyeglasses or contact lenses

Optical measurement of the current prescription that you are wearing in your eyeglasses and/or a review of your current contact lens prescription

A thorough review of your medical and eye history including all prescription and non-prescription medication that you have been or are currently taking

A refraction-automated or manual-to determine your current prescription

A topography measurement to digitally map the shape of your cornea

A pachymetry measurement of the thickness of your cornea

A measurement of pupil size

A microscopic evaluation of the health of your cornea and tear film including testing for dry eyes

From this testing it can be determined whether you should proceed to the final level of testing whereby the actual preoperative measurements are taken for your treatment and a thorough examination of the Retina and Optic Nerve can be performed.

In addition to the actual clinical testing your LASIK evaluation will include a full discussion of LASIK risks, benefits and complications and a thorough analysis of the personal goals and objectives that you feel are important to your success. The best way for you or someone you know to find out if they are a good candidate for LASIK is to have an evaluation, examination, and consultation with Dr. Confino who is a Corneal Surgeon and LASIK specialist. Please feel free to contact us schedule an appointment by calling The Eye Care & Surgery Center Toll Free at 800-504-1083.

A New Solution for Presbyopia

2011-09-13T17:25:00.007-04:00

Vision Correction Surgery, both in the form of corneal laser surgery and refractive lens implant surgery, has made great advances in the treatment of near-sightedness (myopia), far-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. The “Holy Grail” of vision correction continues to be the search for a safe and effective correction of Presbyopia, or the age-related loss of reading ability. An ideal treatment would allow for enhanced reading ability without detracting from distance visual acuity, as current strategies, such as monovision, do.

A new and promising approach is the Kamra inlay. It is a synthetic disc, 3.8mm in diameter with a central 1.6mm aperture, composed of a bio-compatible material that can be safely and permanently implanted into the cornea of the “non-dominant” eye. This can be done under a corneal flap previously created during a LASIK procedure or under a newly-created laser flap. It works on the principle of “Small Aperture Optics”, or “the pinhole effect”, essentially what cameras use to get depth of focus. The central opening allows for light to be focused at near without detracting from distance visual acuity. If desired, the implant is reversible and potentially removable at any time.

Although currently classified as an “investigational device” enrolled in studies in the USA, it is approved and freely used in Europe and Asia, where it has been shown to deliver high-quality visual results. We are looking forward to it receiving official approval for use in the USA and bringing it into our office laser refractive suite to offer to our many interested patients. Our Ziemer femtosecond laser has been specially equipped with the ability to create the corneal flap for the Kamra inlay, and can be used in conjunction with LASIK procedures or as a stand-alone treatment for presbyopia.

Thank you Dr. Joel Confino, today’s guest blogger.

Cataract Risk and Celiac Disease

2011-09-07T10:12:00.000-04:00

Celiac disease is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy. The damage is due to a reaction to eating gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats. The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown. The lining of the intestines contains areas called villi, which help absorb nutrients. When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products that contain gluten, their immune system reacts by damaging these villi. This damage affects the ability to absorb nutrients properly. A person becomes malnourished, no matter how much food he or she eats.

As a result of being malnourished, Vitamin deficiencies are common in celiac disease (CD). Vitamin deficiencies are also associated with cataract formation, and a recent study confirmed that persons with Celiac disease are at increased risk of cataract. Reporting in the American Journal of Epidemiology researchers found an excess and increased risk of cataract formation in Celiac disease sufferers.

LASIK or PRK-Which One for Me?

2011-09-01T17:14:00.002-04:00

Some patients may be given the option of having either Bladeless LASIK or PRK and could have a difficult time deciding which one might be the best choice. Here is some information that may be helpful as patients go through the decision making process.

In terms of the actual vision correction outcomes, both PRK and LASIK produce almost identical visual results. However, there are some slight and other not so slight differences between LASIK and PRK.

Long Term
There are some studies that show that patients who have LASIK may have very slightly reduced contrast sensitivity in dim illumination. If one uses extremely sensitive clinical measuring methods they can sometimes find a slight reduction in “low contrast” vision such as driving at dusk or in rainy conditions. Often it is so slight that the patient doesn’t even notice it as they navigate their daily routine. This really is a limited problem for most patients.

The real differences between PRK and LASIK are based on the fact that PRK is a “surface treatment” and LASIK is a “lamellar treatment”. That is, PRK is performed on the surface of the cornea whereas LASIK is performed between the layers of the cornea. To perform Bladeless LASIK Dr. Confino first creates a “layer” or a “flap” using the femtosecond laser for greatest precision and accuracy. He then carefully folds back the “flap” and applies the excimer laser to reshape the cornea to give the right prescription for your vision correction. Then he replaces the “flap” into its original position where it “sticks” without the need for stitches or sutures. So it is really a 3-step procedure. To perform a PRK is a single step procedure, just applying the laser. Whenever you have a multi step eye surgery procedure this is always a greater risk of complications and side effects. However the risks, side effects and complications of LASIK are relatively few and minor if you are selected as a good candidate and under the care of Dr. Confino. So, PRK does offer a safer risk profile because it is a single step procedure.

One of the not so subtle differences is that because LASIK is a lamellar procedure, LASIK Surgery does not disturb the surface of the cornea during treatment. This provides patients with a much faster visual recovery and significantly less discomfort than PRK. This is why from a consumer perspective patients prefer LASIK over PRK. They can get back to pretty much normal activities within a couple of days without any real pain-just some mild discomfort-and with good vision. Most LASIK patients are able to pass a drivers test with 24-48 hours of their laser treatment. PRK patients often experience moderate discomfort that can last a few days and depending on the degree of their prescription can take a week or so to achieve good functional comfortable vision.

The best way for you or someone you know to find out if they are a good candidate for LASIK is to have an evaluation, examination, and consultation with Dr. Confino who is a Corneal Surgeon and LASIK specialist. Please feel free to contact us schedule an appointment by calling The Eye Care & Surgery Center Toll Free at 800-504-1083.

Lens Coatings for Glasses-Which Are Best for Me?

2011-08-30T10:53:00.001-04:00

There are many types of lenses and coatings available when purchasing glasses. It is sometimes difficult, if not being advised by a licensed optician, to know which coating(s) are going to provide the clearest and most effective vision. The first step in making an educated decision is to understand the different coatings/lenses and what each provides.

Polycarbonate Lenses
This lens has scratch resistant coating, is lightweight and is shatter resistant. This is a must for children and for active people playing contact sports where you can get hit.

Scratch Resistant Coating
This coating helps prevent the lenses from getting scratched easily. However it is not 100% scratch proof.

Ultra Violet Coating
Eyeglass lenses can be coated to diminish the amount of UV radiation that passes through. This coating is recommended to protect the eyes from UV rays which can cause several serious eye problems.

Anti-Reflective Coating (AR Coating)
This coating reduces distracting glare particularly to patients who have trouble with driving at night. AR coating eliminates scattering of light, thus eliminating confusion and glare especially for light sensitive patients.

Photochromic Lenses
The lens tint adjusts from clear to dark, depending on changing light conditions.
This is helpful for patients with prescription lenses who hate switching from eyeglasses to sunglasses.

Polarized Lenses
This is considered the best sunglass lens because it reduces glare and provides high contrast vision with maximum UV protection available. It is great for driving and any outdoor activity.

Lynette Cababa is the Optician in our Warren Location. We are very grateful she agreed to be our guest blogger today.

Cornea Cell Count: Why is it Important?

2011-08-26T12:21:00.001-04:00

The inner lining of the cornea is a layer of tissue called the endothelium. It consists of a layer of cells that resemble a “tile floor” under the microscope. This lining is important because it serves as a water “pump”, pumping water out of the cornea back into the eye, which is necessary to maintain the cornea’s clarity. The number of cells per unit area, or density, determines how well the cornea can perform this important function.

Using an instrument called a specular microscope, an “endothelial cell count” can be performed to look at the density, size, and shape of the cells. The density of the cells can be affected in certain diseases, such as Fuchs Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy and can be monitored. The density may also affect the decision making of related eye surgeries such as cataract surgery, where the cornea could be further damaged and de-stabilized, requiring a corneal transplant. A variation in size of cells called “pleomorphism”, can be seen in other diseases, and polymegathism, (a variation in the size of endothelial cells), can be seen in contact lens wearers and may represent a sign of disturbed metabolism. If contact lens wear is reduced or discontinued, a return to proper cell shape can be observed.

In summary, your doctor may use your cell count to document a disease process, aid in planning the treatment of a corneal disease, document the delivery of medical treatment and the response to that treatment, and for patient education.

Our Guest Blogger: Dr. Joel Confino, M.D.: Cornea Specialist at The Eye Care & Surgery Center of Westfield, Warren and Iselin New Jersey

Glaucoma and Generic Medications

2011-08-24T07:14:00.001-04:00

Brand name drug development is important in all fields of medicine. Without patent protection, pharmaceutical companies cannot spend the hundreds of millions of dollars required to develop new medications. After a period of time however, the patent on these medications expire and the medication is allowed to be manufactured in a generic equivalent formulation. As a result, the cost drops on the brand as generic manufacturers are able to produce these equivalents. Fortunately, the majority of commonly prescribed glaucoma brand medications now have generic equivalent. It is important to realize that generic equivalents are chemical copies but the clinical equivalence is not guaranteed. However, it appears presently, that the generic medications are equal in efficacy to the branded medications.

An example of some of the generics that are available currently for Glaucoma medications are: Timolol (beta blocker) the generic equivalent of Timoptic, initially developed by Merck. It is usually in an aqueous form or gel forming solution (GFS). Trusopt (topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor), also developed by Merck, is now dorzolamide. Alphagan (alpha agonist) from Allergan is now brimonidine. Xalatan (prostaglandin) from Pfizer is now latanaprost. Cosopt (timolol with dorzolamide) is now called timolol-dorzolamide.

Whether your pharmacy dispenses the branded or generic medication is usually dependent on your insurance plan’s directions. However, it is still possible to get branded medications if for some reason the generic substitution is less than adequate.

Thank you Dr. Ivan Jacobs M.D-Glaucoma Specialist: The Eye Care & Surgery Center.

Recovery from Cataract Surgery

2011-08-19T07:51:00.001-04:00

“As with any type of surgery, our patients always want to know what to expect in terms of recovery after Cataract Surgery”, said Ivan Jacobs, M.D. of The Eye Care & Surgery Center. Cataract surgery today is really quite advanced and generally pretty “patient friendly”.
Here is what Cataract patients should know and expect at The Eye Care & Surgery Center.
“If you are in good general health it is most likely that your Cataract operation will be performed in our ambulatory surgery center. This eye surgery facility is comfortable, efficient and close to home for most of our patients. Usually, your entire Cataract Surgery procedure should take only 2-3 hours from the time you check in until the time you check out”, stated Joel Confino, M.D. “Advanced Cataract Surgery today is most often performed with “topical eye drop anesthesia”-that is, for most patients the only anesthesia required are some eye drops along with a tablet to help you relax. There is really minimal if any “recovery” from the anesthesia used”, commented Dr. Jacobs.

According to Dr. Jacobs patients are usually feeling “back to normal” by the end of the day of their surgery or certainly by the next morning. Dr. Confino shared, “With the advanced Cataract Surgery technique of “small incision phacoemulsification” there is only a need to create a tiny incision-often just a few millimeters-through which the Cataract is removed and the Intraocular Lens is implanted. This tiny incision is so small so as not to require any “stitches” or sutures in many cases.” Thus the wound healing is very quick. Finally, depending on the type of lens implant that you have it is highly likely that your distance vision will be dramatically improved within 24 hours. In fact many patients actually are comfortable driving the next day after their Cataract operation. If you have a multifocal or accommodating lens implant to correct both your distance and near vision, it might take a bit longer to appreciate the full clarity of the near vision correction. So, it is pretty likely that you will be back to work in a few days and depending on your specific instructions. Generally, you should be able to resume all of your normal activities with a couple of days.

Please feel free to contact us with your questions or to schedule an appointment regarding Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants by calling The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999.

Glaucoma Medications: Compliance is Key

2011-08-16T12:15:00.002-04:00

As a glaucoma specialist I often prescribe medication to lower patients' eye pressure. Glaucoma is a disease that can lead to permanent vision loss when the pressure in the eye is too high. Most patients with glaucoma do not have any symptoms until it is very advanced. The vision loss from glaucoma occurs very slowly over the course of many years. Once treatment for glaucoma is established, the goal is to keep the disease process stable. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease but there are different treatment options available.

Often a patient will stop taking their glaucoma medication because they don’t see a difference with the treatment or feel they are getting worse with the drops. In fact, sometimes the eye drops can cause burning, redness or a transient blurring of vision causing patients to discontinue their treatment without discussing it with their eye doctor. It is essential that the patient discuss these side effects with their doctor and look for an alternate drop or treatment if they are unable to tolerate their current regimen. It is important to understand that even if you feel that the medication may not be working well to continue to treat the glaucoma.

Some patients have trouble remembering to take their medications. Using the drops once in a while can cause wide fluctuations in pressure that may be harmful for the optic nerve. The only way to prevent further damage is by using them as prescribed. If you have trouble remembering the drops then speak with your doctor so you can come up with a schedule that may be easier for you to remember.

I always ask my patients to be honest about how and when they are taking their medications. Some patients take their drops only when they go to the doctor. This can be confusing for the physician because the patient’s exam and tests may show that the glaucoma is worse but the eye pressure readings during the visit seem adequate. The doctor then may decide that the goal eye pressure should be lower and may recommend more medication, laser or surgery.

Glaucoma medications are important to save your sight but they only work if you take them. If for any reason you are having trouble taking them please discuss this with your doctor. They can help find a solution for you.

Guest Blogger: Roslyn Stahl, M.D. Glaucoma and Cataract Surgeon at The Eye Care & Surgery Center

Protecting Your Eyes While Swimming-What Precautions to Take

2011-08-11T10:01:00.003-04:00

It is recommended not to swim with your eyes open under the water and, when possible, to avoid splashes into your eyes. Pool chemicals and pH levels will affect your eyes when they are open, while you are swimming. Anyone spending an extended period of time in the water should protect their eyes by wearing goggles. If you worry about not being able to see clearly without glasses or contacts and want to see while in the pool, you may want to consider prescription goggles.

It is a common misconception that the chlorine in the pool will cause a swimmer's eyes to burn. In order for chlorine to be the cause, the chlorine level would have to be extremely high. The more likely reason people’s eyes sting or burn after swimming is the pH is not in balance. Keeping in mind that the tears produced by human eyes has a pH of 7.0, if the pH of the pool water is below that level, it will certainly cause the eyes to burn. The proper pH level for swimming pools is in the range of 7.2 to 7.8. If your pool's pH is kept within this range, burning eyes shouldn't be a problem for swimmers in your pool.

Swimming with your contact lenses on, is possible but very risky. The health risk associated is merely dependent upon the body of water you are in. When swimming on lakes and rivers, there is a huge possibility for a microorganism called acanthamoeba to adhere to your lens, causing infection and inflammation of your cornea (acanthamoeba keratitis). Swimming around pools and ocean waters on the other hand, decreases your susceptibility to microbial infection, but other problems may evolve. In the pool--eye irritation is possible when chlorine sticks on the surface of your lens; in the ocean--your contact lenses can be dislodged when you encounter large waves. You can still wear your lenses, but do so with proper precautions. Obviously keeping your head out of the water will reduce risk greatly.

Remove the contact lenses and consult an ophthalmologist immediately if you experience symptoms such as redness, pain, tearing, increased light sensitivity, blurry vision, discharge or swelling.

Thank you to our guest blogger Milton Kahn M.D, for sharing safety tips to help enjoy our summer to the fullest.

Cataract & Prostate Cancer Treatment

2011-08-09T14:02:00.001-04:00

Researchers reporting in the Annals of Epidemiology (November 2010) identified that the risk of developing Cataracts may be higher in patients being treated for prostate cancer with Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT). The side effects of ADT such as weight gain, insulin resistance and blood lipid level problems have been linked to Cataract formation. Although further prospective study is necessary to truly understand the findings, researchers from Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit used the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Medicare database to analyze cataract formation in prostate cancer patients and concluded that a significantly greater risk was presented when patient being treated for prostate cancer were on ADT.

Please feel free to contact us with your questions about Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants by calling Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999.

Children's Eye Health Month

2011-08-02T10:52:00.002-04:00

Eye Care & Surgery Center wishes to announce that August has been designated as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month by Prevent Blindness America. “Eye and vision problems affect one in twenty preschoolers and one in four school aged children”, said New Jersey Pediatric Ophthalmologist Louis Furlan, M.D. at Eye Care & Surgery Center. “Parents should be aware that it is possible for their children to have a serious vision problem without even being aware of it.”

Infants should be screened for common eye problems during their regular pediatric appointments and vision testing should be conducted for all children starting at around three years of age. If there is a family history of eye problems or if an eye problem is apparent, it is important to bring it to the attention of and eye doctor so that they can advise the parents about when and how often their child’s eyes should be examined.

Among the conditions an eye doctor will look for are amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid), color deficiency (color blindness) and refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism). We are fortunate to have Louis Furlan, M.D. at Eye Care & Surgery Center who is a fellowship trained in Pediatric Ophthalmology and a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of children’s eye problems.

Lucentis for Diabetic Eye Disease

2011-07-15T06:32:00.002-04:00

“Clinical results from the two-year study of the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug Lucentis were quite positive when used to treat Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), which is a cause of significant vision loss in patients with diabetes”, commented Milton Kahn, M.D. a New Jersey Retinal Specialist at Eye Care & Surgery Center. “Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy in the form of DME who received the drug experienced rapid and sustained improvement in vision compared to those who received a placebo injection.”

Diabetic Macular Edema or DME is the swelling of retina in people with diabetic eye disease called Diabetic Retinopathy, which causes damage to the blood vessels of retina. The DME patients suffer fluid leak from the damaged blood vessel to the central portion of retina, causing it to swell leading to blurred vision, severe vision loss and blindness.

Of the 26 million U.S. people with diabetes, a portion of up to 10 percent tends to develop DME during their lifetime, and up to 75,000 new cases of DME are estimated to develop each year. Currently, DME patients are treated with laser surgery that helps seal the leaky blood vessels to slow the leakage of fluid and reduce the amount of fluid in the retina.

Lucentis is approved for use by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of “Wet” Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and for Macular Edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion. In 2011, Lucentis was approved for treatment of visual impairment due to DME in Europe.

If you or someone you know suffers from diabetes or is even prediabetic they should have regular eye exams in order to protect their eye health and vision. Significant vision loss from Diabetic Retinopathy can often be prevented by early detection, diagnosis and treatment. Please call Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999 to schedule an appointment.

How Do Skin Peels Work?

2011-07-12T19:08:00.002-04:00

As an Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon, I see many patients searching for the best way to reverse the aging process and erase the damage that has been done to their skin. There are several methods available to accomplish different degrees of correction.

For my patients looking for a non-surgical method, I discuss skin treatments to address their challenging areas. One treatment in particular has proven to provide an overall rejuvenation of the skin; a full line of skin treatments from eyelid creams to medical grade chemical peels.

Then choosing a peel, it is best to discuss your objectives, skin sensitivities, past skin conditions and your daily activities with your clinician in order for them to make an informed recommendation on the proper peel regime for you. Though there are several chemical peels available, I have chosen a multi-tiered package for my patients that allow me to truly customize their treatment and results. The chemical peel package offers three levels of peels for treatment of fine lines and wrinkles in patients. The Level 1 or Illuminize peel is for patients with sensitive skin types or those that have skin that is more at risk for hyperpigmentation. The Level 2 and Level 3 peels (Vitalize and Rejuvenize) are stronger peels that have a longer and deeper effect. All sets of peels have no downtime but patients can expect to have mild skin peeling approximately 48 hours after the peel is administered. During that period, the old skin layer is flaked off to expose the newer skin layer underneath. The contents in the peeling solution are Alcohol, Salicyclic Acid, Resorcinol, Lactic Acid, Panthenol, Isoceteth-20. Additionally retinoic acid is used to pretreat the skin before treatment. This combination is used to increase skin glow and radiance and improve skin color, clarity and texture by increasing cell turnover in the skin. Most patients receive a treatment every 2 months.

All peels work differently. Discuss all your options with your clinical skin advisor before making any decisions and ask to see before and after photographs of their treated patients.

Thank you to Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Chris Thiagarajah, for being our guest blogger today.

Fireworks Eye Safety Awareness Month

2011-07-05T10:20:00.001-04:00

Eye Care & Surgery Center wishes to announce that Prevent Blindness America has designated July as National Fireworks Eye Safety Awareness Month.

Contrary to what you might think, there is no safe way for nonprofessionals to use fireworks. It is only safe to enjoy the splendor and excitement of fireworks at a professional display. 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 I 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 Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908.789.8999 as we always have an eye doctor “on call” to provide consultation and continued care for you.

Blepharitis–What is it?

2011-07-01T11:00:00.001-04:00

Blepharitis is the most common inflammation of the eyelids. It may be asymptomatic or can cause irritation, burning, and redness of the lids or conjunctiva. People with a tendency towards dandruff, oily skin, acne rosacea or dry eyes are more frequently affected. Blepharitis can begin early in life affecting children and continue throughout life as a chronic condition or it can manifest itself later in life.

Each person has normal bacteria present on the surface of their skin and most people will never be bothered by it. This same bacteria, on certain individuals, tends to thrive at the base of the eyelashes. Irritation may result from an abnormality or over-activity of the nearby oil glands (meibomian glands) causing scales and particles to form along the lashes and eyelid margins.

The effects of blepharitis are different for each person. Some people are affected with only minor irritation and itching from the scales or bacteria, but others may be affected with redness and/or a burning sensation. An allergic response to the scales or bacteria that surround them may develop.

Treatment - Caring for Blepharitis
Treating blepharitis is more controlling the symptoms than curing the condition. Often times blepharitis cannot be cured, but it is possible to control the condition by following the instructions below:

1. Using a warm, moist washcloth, place it over the closed eyelids for a several minutes at least twice a day. It may be necessary to remoisten it as it cools down. This will be helpful to soften and loosen scales and other particles on the eyelids. This treatment also helps to prevent the development of a chalazion, which is an inflamed lump within an eyelid oil gland.
2. It is important to gently rub the base of the lashes about 15 seconds per lid with a cloth-covered finger, cotton swab or commercial lint-free pad.
3. If your doctor has prescribed an antibiotic ointment, apply a small amount at the base of the lashes using a cotton swab or fingertip. This is generally done at bedtime.

If the blepharitis is not able to be controlled by the above measures, it may be necessary to add one or all of the following medications:

1. Artificial tears may be helpful to relieve dry eye symptoms. These eye drops are available without a prescription.
2. Steroids may be used to decrease inflammation short-term.
3. Antibiotics will be helpful at decreasing bacterial content of the eyelids. In severe cases it may be necessary for long-term use of tetracycline. This medication is taken orally and is routinely used by patients with a skin condition called rosacea.

REMEMBER: To control blepharitis, it is necessary for the patient to actively cleanse the lashes daily by applying warm compresses as described and remembering that medications alone are not adequate.

Thank you to Dr. Ivan Jacobs, our guest blogger today, for sharing his insights and knowledge with us.

About Eye Focusing Problems

2011-06-28T16:05:00.001-04:00

MYOPIA (NEAR-SIGHTEDNESS)
Myopia is the medical term for near-sightedness, and occurs when light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Individuals with myopia typically see objects that are close well, but have difficulty seeing objects that are far away. It is caused by a cornea that is steeper, or an eye that is longer, than a normal eye. Approximately 30% of people in the United States are near-sighted. Myopia typically starts to appear between ages 8-12, often progresses over childhood, and stabilizes by adulthood.

HYPEROPIA (FAR-SIGHTEDNESS)
Hyperopia is the medical term for far-sightedness, and occurs when light entering the eye focuses behind the retina, instead of directly on it. Individuals with hyperopia usually have trouble seeing up close, but may also have difficulty seeing objects far away as well. It is caused by a cornea that is flatter, or an eye that is shorter, than a normal eye. Because young people with mild to moderate hyperopia can often focus their eyes to see clearly, hyperopia is often undetected until later in life, when the eye begins to lose its ability to accommodate.

ASTIGMATISM
Astigmatism refers to the shape of the cornea of the eye. A cornea without astigmatism has a spherical shape, like a basketball. A cornea that has astigmatism has a more oval shape, similar to a football. Most astigmatic corneas have two curves – a steeper curve and a flatter curve. This curve causes light to focus on more than one point in the eye, resulting in blurred vision at distance and near. Astigmatism often occurs along with myopia or hyperopia.

PRESBYOPIA
Presbyopia is a term that is used to describe an eye in which the natural lens can no longer accommodate. Accommodation is the eye’s way of changing its focusing distance: the lens thickens during accommodation, thereby increasing its focusing power and its ability to see up close. As we age, the lens begins to lose some of its elasticity. This is a gradual process, although to many it appears to occur suddenly (typically around the age of 40). Most people first notice difficulty reading very fine print such as the phone book, a medicine bottle, or the stock market page. They may also have difficulty adjusting their focus from near to far. At first, holding reading material further away helps many patients, but eventually, correction is needed in the form of reading glasses, bifocals or contact lenses. Near-sighted individuals may simply be able to take their glasses off to read.

Options: There are four main options for correcting these refractive errors. These are glasses, contact lenses, refractive surgery or lens implantation. Feel free to discuss any or all of these options with your eye care professional to find out which one may be best for you.

Thank you to Dr. Ivan Jacobs, our guest blogger today, for sharing his insights and knowledge with us.

Eyelid Spasms–What Causes This?

2011-06-23T18:36:00.002-04:00

Are there different types of eyelid spasms?
Yes. The three most common types of eyelid spasms are eyelid twitch (or tic), essential blepharospasm, and hemifacial spasm.

What causes minor eyelid spasms?
The cause of minor eyelid twitching is unknown. A slight spasm of the lower eyelid or even both eyelids is common and of no concern. Minor eyelid twitches require no treatment as they usually resolve spontaneously. Reducing stress, using warm soaks, or correction of any refractive error may help.

What is essential blepharospasm?
Essential blepharospasm is an involuntary condition usually involving both eyes, where the eyelids and, sometimes, the eyebrows close involuntarily. In advanced cases, muscles of the mouth or neck are sometimes involved in these spasms. When these spasms occur, temporary inability to see may result because of the involuntary eyelid closure. These spasms are rare but very troublesome, and often incapacitating.

What causes blepharospasm?
Blepharospasm is caused by abnormal nerve impulses, which produce muscle spasm. It is almost never a psychiatric disease.

How can blepharospasm be treated?
Blepharospasm can be treated with medications, biofeedback, injection of botulinum and surgery. Medications and biofeedback are rarely successful in managing blepharospasm, but may be advised in mild cases or cases not responding to other treatment.

Botulinum injections are now the most commonly recommended treatment for blepharospasm. Injection of botulinum (botulism toxin) in very small quantities into the muscles around the eyes relaxes the spasm. The injection works for several months, but will slowly wear off and usually needs to be repeated.

The treatment is very successful with few side effects. Drooping of the eyelids, double vision or dryness of the eye are possible side effects, but occur rarely and will subside as the injection wears off.

Surgery may also be recommended by your ophthalmologist. The surgeon removes either the nerve causing the spasm or the spastic muscles themselves. The surgical results are generally permanent and any side effects are also usually permanent.

What is hemifacial spasm?
Hemifacial spasm is a condition which involves the eyelid muscles and usually the muscles around the mouth on only one side of the face. Hemifacial spasm is usually caused by an artery pressing on the nerve to the facial muscles, causing the face to twitch. Botulinum injections may be beneficial in relieving the eyelid spasms in patients with hemifacial spasm.

A neurosurgical procedure for hemifacial spasm may relieve the pressure of the artery on the nerve. While it is generally successful, it is a major neurosurgical operation and serious complications are possible.

Thank you to Dr. Milton Kahn, our guest blogger today, for sharing his insights and knowledge with us.

About Intraocular Lens Implants (IOL)

2011-06-21T13:44:00.001-04:00

Intraocular Lens Implants which are also referred to as Intraocular Lenses or IOLs are tiny artificial lenses that are used to correct vision as part of the Cataract Surgery procedure. IOLs can also be used for certain patients who suffer from presbyopia, a condition in which the crystalline lens of the eye becomes less flexible thus losing its ability to focus on near objects.

Monofocal Lens Implants vs. Multifocal Lens Implants
The traditional lens implants that were used for some 25 years were of a type called Monofocal Lens Implants. As the name implies, Monofocal Lens Implants can only offer patients clear vision at one set distance-usually far away. Today we are able to offer patients vision correction after Cataract Surgery with Multifocal or Accommodating Lens Implants that allow patients to see at a range of distances. This technology allows us to replace the eye’s natural lens with a new, artificial lens that can help restore visual clarity for near, intermediate and distance vision with reduced dependence on eyeglasses and often not requiring them at all.

Astigmatism Correcting Toric Lens Implants
For patients who wore eyeglasses to correct astigmatism before their Cataract Surgery they may still experience blurred and distorted vision after traditional Cataract Surgery because a Monofocal IOL cannot correct astigmatism. To achieve the best quality of distance vision with a traditional IOL may still require glasses, contact lens or further surgery. If freedom from glasses for distance vision is important to you, you now have a better option. “We are now able to implant a special lens implant design called an astigmatism correcting toric lens implant making it possible to reduce or eliminate astigmatism and significantly improve uncorrected distance vision”, said Joel Confino, M.D. “Toric IOLs provide significantly improved distance vision and reduce the need for corrective lenses compared to a traditional Monofocal IOL.”

Aspheric Lens Implants
“Most people do not realize that their eyes have optical distortions-called aberrations-that can cause vision problems”, said Ivan Jacobs, M.D. of Eye Care & Surgery Center.
One type of common aberration is called spherical aberration and is generally associated with vision disturbances including:
• Blurriness
• Halos
• Loss of contrast
• Poor night vision

Today at The Eye Care & Surgery Center we can implant aspheric lens implants that are designed to reduce spherical aberration resulting in increased contrast sensitivity, enhanced clarity and improved image quality especially in dim illumination or low contrast environments such as driving at dusk or on rainy foggy conditions.

Please feel free to contact us with your questions about Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants by calling Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908.789.8999.

Medical Insurance – What to Know?

2011-06-17T09:20:00.003-04:00

In today’s world of big insurance companies and small employer groups, understanding your health benefits can be a tough task. I think most of us can agree that deductibles, co-pays and premiums are higher than they have ever been. In order for employers and insurance companies to save money, out of pocket expenses have been passed on to the policy holder.

It is important for patients to understand that their insurance policy is an agreement between the patient and their insurance carrier.

Call them and ask the questions you would like the answers to:

Is the doctor I’m seeing in network?
Do I have any type of deductible?
Do I need a referral for a specialist?
Is this a covered benefit?

These questions can help you avoid unexpected out of pocket expenses. They can also help you utilize your insurance coverage to ensure you get the most from your benefit package. The call should not take too much of your time and it may save you lot of aggravation in the future. Insurance companies have made it easy for patients to find out their coverage. There should be a member services phone number on your insurance card. Ask for the benefit department and they should be able to review your individual policy and give you the answers you are looking for.

From a physician’s office point of view, practices have patients coming in and out all day and see many different insurance cards. They cannot possibly know or be held accountable for every patient’s individual insurance benefits.

A physician’s office will usually submit a claim on your behalf but at the end of the day the patient is the person that will be held accountable for any outstanding balances and non covered services. Make the call, know your insurance and be your own advocate. In the long run you will be glad you did.

Thank you to Judy McCann, Director of Billing at The Eye Care & Surgery Center, our guest blogger today, for sharing her insights and knowledge with us.

Chalazia and Styes: Symptoms and Treatment

2011-06-15T07:28:00.007-04:00

The term Chalazion comes from a Greek word meaning a small lump. It refers to a swelling in the eyelid caused by inflammation of one of the small oil producing glands (meibomian glands) located in the upper and lower eyelids.

A chalazion is sometimes confused with a stye, which also appears as a lump in the eyelid. A stye is an infection of a lash follicle that forms a red, sore lump near the edge of the eyelid. A chalazion is an inflammatory reaction to trapped oil secretions. It is not caused by bacteria, although the site can become infected by bacteria.
Chalazia tend to occur farther from the edge of the eyelid than styes and tend to "point" toward the inside of the eyelid. Sometimes a chalazion can cause the entire eyelid to swell suddenly, but usually there is a definite tender point. When a chalazion is small and without symptoms, it may disappear on its own. If the chalazion is large, it may cause blurred vision.
Chalazia are treated with any or a combination of the following methods:
1. Warm Compresses and Massage. Warm compresses can be applied in a variety of ways. The simplest way is to hold a clean washcloth, soaked in hot water, against the closed lid. Do this for five to ten minutes, three or four times a day. Repeatedly soak the washcloth in hot water to maintain adequate heat. The majority of chalazia will disappear within a few weeks. An alternative to a moist washcloth, which can get cold too rapidly, is to place a moist paper towel in a zip lock bag, or heat a baked potato, bag of rice, or bag of beans in the microwave oven to heat it, and then wrap a washcloth around the heated object. This is then placed over the affected eyelid after which the chalazion is to be massaged in the direction of the eyelashes.
2. Steroid Injections can be useful after soaks have been tried and a small lump remains.
3. Surgical Incision or Excision of large chalazia, which do not respond to other treatments, can be surgically opened after the early inflammation is reduced.
Chalazia usually respond well to treatment, although some people are prone to recurrences. If a chalazion recurs in the same place, your ophthalmologist may suggest a biopsy to rule out more serious problems.

Thank you to Dr. Chris Thiagarajah, Cosmetic Eye Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon at The Eye Care & Surgery Center, for sharing his insights and knowledge with us.

Glaucoma with Cataracts: Can I Treat Both?

2011-06-09T18:22:00.003-04:00

Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) & Cataract Surgery
The treatment of coexisting cataract and glaucoma is a complex issue. For some patients who have this combined problem, cataract extraction combined with ECP is our procedure of choice.

Safe
Simultaneous Cataract and ECP Surgery could allow you to improve your vision while reducing, or completely eliminating your dependence on Glaucoma medications. Each of these surgical procedures lasts only a few minutes, using highly refined, minimally invasive, surgical techniques and state of the art instrumentation. ECP is a surgical technique that inhibits the production of aqueous in the eye, typically resulting in a decrease in intraocular pressure and the reduction or elimination of a patient's dependence on glaucoma medications. Simultaneous Cataract & ECP Glaucoma Surgery is also convenient, typically reducing the frequency, number and costs of glaucoma medications for patients, and requiring no more follow-up visits than for cataract surgery alone.

Effective
The ECP procedure is performed using a state-of-the art laser microendoscope. Endoscopy, which allows surgeons to view and treat internal structures through a small incision, (as in Arthroscopic knee surgery for example), has revolutionized minimally invasive surgery, affording patients quicker and more comfortable recoveries along with improved and more predictable outcomes. The microendoscope chosen for our facility is a unique instrument. It is about the diameter of a small paper clip, the smallest medical endoscope developed to date.

It utilizes an integrated imaging and laser fiberoptic bundle to allow simultaneous viewing and highly targeted treatment of the surface cells of the ciliary processes. The ciliary processes are a series of organs located below the base of the underside of the iris which exude aqueous fluid into the eye.

Convenient
During combined cataract and ECP glaucoma surgery the laser microendoscope is introduced through a small incision already made during the cataract procedure. Both surgeries are performed under local anesthesia on an out patient basis.

While there are other surgical options to treat glaucoma, ECP is offered because it provides the following:

• Excellent Safety Record
• Predictable, Improved Outcomes
• Uncomplicated Follow-Up
• Fast Recovery

ECP can also be performed without simultaneous cataract surgery. Pre-emptive to glaucoma filtering surgery, ECP in conjunction with SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty), may be used in an attempt to better control glaucoma and improve pressure lowering of glaucoma without more invasive and dangerous surgery. However, if the ECP still fails to control the glaucoma, then standard glaucoma surgery may still be performed.

Thank you to Dr. Ivan Jacobs, our guest blogger today, for sharing his insights and knowledge with us.

New Jersey Cataract Awareness Month

2011-06-07T10:29:00.001-04:00

Eye Care and Surgery Center wishes to announce that Prevent Blindness America has designated June as National Cataract Awareness Month. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. About 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts and more than half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80.

“Many patients do not actually know that a cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye preventing light rays from passing through it easily. This results in a clouding and blurring of vision”, said Joel Confino, M.D. a Cornea, LASIK and Cataract Surgeon at Eye Care & Surgery Center. “We want them to understand that cataracts are not a growth or a film over the eye.”

For many patients cataracts start out slowly and have little effect on vision at first. But, as the cataract becomes denser, so does the impact on vision. The most common symptoms that bother patients with cataracts include:

• blurring of vision
• sensitivity to light and glare
• double vision in one eye
• poor night vision
• fading or yellowing of colors
• frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions.

When cataracts do begin to interfere with daily activities or with patient comfort and safety, they can be treated surgically. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most frequently performed surgeries in the United States. Today, at The Eye Care & Surgery Center we have a full range of Intraocular Lens Implants (IOL) available that allow us to correct near vision as well as distance vision without requiring bifocals or reading glasses for the vast majority of patients. Please feel free to contact us with your questions about Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants by calling Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908.789.8999.

Non-Surgical & Liquid Face-Lifts

2011-05-26T17:20:00.002-04:00

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a biodegradable material that has been used medically for years in many forms such as absorbable sutures, plates and screws. PLLA, under the name New Fill, has been on the market in Europe since 1999 as an injectable volumizer for improvement of facial loss in HIV patients. In the United States, PLLA gained FDA approval for treatment of HIV related facial lipoatrophy in 2004. Though initially approved for use in HIV patients with facial fat loss, PLLA treatment has been also used on an off label basis for cosmetic patients. Fat loss or redistribution is the primary reason for thinning of the face in people as they get older. In July 2009, PLLA treatment was approved by the FDA cosmetically for nasolabial folds. The cosmetic PLLA product is now marketed and available to the public.

Mechanism of Action
PLLA consists of microspheres of a synthetic polymer. The microspheres are less than one micron in diameter and create a reaction that leads to growth of collagen. Studies have shown that after injection into the soft tissue, the microspheres degrade over time into carbon dioxide and water while causing stimulation of type I collagen growth. Imaging studies have shown a threefold increase in skin thickness sustained at 96 weeks. At 9 months PLLA completely disappears and is replaced by collagen. The effects of PLLA treatment have been documented in the Vega, Westminster, Blue Pacific and Apex trials to have lasting results over 24 months. More recent studies have shown the increase in skin thickness to last up to 40 months.

Thank you to Dr. Chris Thiagarajah, our guest blogger today, for sharing his insights and knowledge with us.

LASIK: What Are The Long Term Results?

2011-05-24T09:22:00.001-04:00

Many people ask about the long-term benefit of LASIK, and how it will impact their eyes as they age. The general consensus (and my personal experience) is that most well-selected candidates with stable vision will retain their improved vision for many years. It is known that the reading vision changes with age and as patients of mine over the last 20 years have moved into their 40’s and beyond, they have required assistance with their near vision, usually in the form of reading glasses. I anticipate that there will be effective alternatives for near vision, such as the implant of a small device in the cornea to allow for reading vision while preserving distance vision. This has been introduced in Asia and Europe and looks promising.

There is also the advent of the use of multifocal lenses implanted into the eye to replace the natural lens. At The Eye Care and Surgery Center, we have had a very successful experience with this in our older patients who can become glasses-free as a result. Initially this was performed only in cataract patients, but we are now using these in selected patients in their 50’s and beyond as a valid method of vision correction.

Stay tuned for further advances!

Thank you to Dr. Joel Confino, our guest blogger today, for sharing his insights and knowledge with us.

Glasses after Cataract Surgery-Will I Need Them?

2011-05-19T17:20:00.000-04:00

Ivan Jacobs, M.D.

“As a Cataract Surgeon I have two main goals to achieve during Cataract Surgery. First, I want to remove the cloudy crystalline lens. The crystalline lens is actually an optical component of the eye that provides focusing power. Second, I want to replace the optical and focusing power that was provided by crystalline lens by implanting an intraocular lens (IOL) to provide the correct amount of focusing power to allow you to see clearly”, stated Ivan Jacobs, M.D. of The Eye Care & Surgery Center.

Joel Confino, M.D.

“Before you developed a Cataract, if you wore glasses because you were nearsighted, farsighted or had astigmatism it is now possible for us to use a carefully calculated IOL power or special IOL that can correct astigmatism so that you may not need to wear eyeglasses to see at distance after your surgery”, commented Joel Confino, M.D. “Today, it is even possible for us to select IOLs that can correct both distance and near vision so that you can decrease or even eliminate your dependence on bifocals and reading glasses after your Cataract Surgery.”

If you think you have a Cataract or have been told you have a Cataract and would like to be less dependent on glasses it is worthwhile to schedule an appointment at The Eye Care & Surgery Center to discuss advanced technology intraocular lens implants so that we can guide you as you learn about your possibilities and options for vision correction after Cataract Surgery. Please call Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908.789.8999.

Allergy Eyes & Allergic Conjunctivitis

2011-05-17T16:54:00.010-04:00

What is allergic conjunctivitis and what causes it?
A clear, thin membrane called the conjunctiva covers your eyeball and the inside of your eyelids. If something irritates this covering, your eyes may become red and swollen. Your eyes also may itch, hurt or water. This is called conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye.” Many things can cause conjunctivitis, including bacteria, viruses or allergens. Allergic conjunctivitis can affect up to 40% of the general population, 32 % of children, and it is more frequent in women than men.

When an allergen causes the irritation, the condition is called allergic conjunctivitis. This type of conjunctivitis is not contagious. Some common allergens include:

• Pollen from trees, grass and ragweed
• Animal skin and secretions such as saliva
• Perfumes
• Cosmetics
• Skin medicines
• Air pollution
• Smoke

Will allergic conjunctivitis damage my eyesight?
No. Although allergic conjunctivitis is irritating and uncomfortable, it rarely affects eyesight.

What can I do to avoid getting conjunctivitis?
Try to identify and avoid the allergens that cause your symptoms. For example, if you are allergic to pollen or mold, stay indoors when pollen and mold levels are high. You can usually find out when allergen levels are high from the weather report. Keep your doors and windows closed, and use an air conditioner during the summer months. You can also reduce your amount of allergen exposure by changing you clothes, combing your hair, or showering when coming in from the outside during high pollen days.

How is allergic conjunctivitis treated?
It may help to put a cold washcloth over your eyes for relief. Lubricating eye drops (sometimes called artificial tears) may also make your eyes feel better. Antihistamine pills (which many people take for their allergies) may also help relieve your symptoms. You can buy lubricating eye drops and many antihistamine pills such as Claritin without a prescription.

Several other types of eye drops are available to treat allergic conjunctivitis. They can help relieve itchy, watery eyes and may keep symptoms from returning. Eye drops may contain an antihistamine, a decongestant, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or a mast-cell stabilizer. Some drops contain a combination of these. Some eye drops require a prescription. OTC Visine A or Naphcon A contains both an antihistamine and decongestant. OTC Zaditor is a mast-cell stabilizer. If these drops are not effective enough, then a prescription mast-cell inhibitor or mild steroid drop is usually prescribed for relief.

Do these treatments have side effects?
Many eye drops can cause burning and stinging when you first put them in, but this usually goes away in a few minutes. It is important to remember that all medicines may potentially cause side effects, so talk with your doctor before using any medicine, including eye drops.

Can I wear my contact lenses?
It’s not a good idea to wear contacts while you have allergic conjunctivitis because the contacts may cause the conjunctivitis to get worse. Instead, wear your glasses until your eyes feel better.

Thank you to Dr. Ivan Jacobs, our guest blogger today, for sharing his insights and knowledge with us.

Glaucoma and Marijuana

2011-05-13T16:27:00.005-04:00

Thank you to Dr. Joel Confino, our guest blogger today, for sharing his insights and knowledge with us.

Alternative medicine and therapy have been increasing in popularity in recent years. One of the areas of interest has been the treatment of glaucoma with marijuana. Glaucoma is an eye disease resulting in loss of vision from damage to the optic nerve. One of the many factors that can cause this is elevated intra-ocular pressure, or IOP. There are various standard treatments for glaucoma, including eye drops, laser surgery and standard surgery.

Marijuana has been studied with regard to potential medical benefits, (in addition to the known recreational benefits!). Many states have passed medical marijuana laws so that chronic pain sufferers and others can gain relief from some of the proven, positive effects of the substance.

An initial study in the 1970’s reported lowering IOP with the use of marijuana. The active ingredient was identified and analyzed when administered in various forms, such as via smoking, oral intake or eye drops. The lowering effect upon IOP was found to be of short duration, less than that of standard treatments such as eye drops. The best effective route of administration was via smoking, followed by oral and intravenous methods. The eye drops were not effective in lowering IOP. In addition, the quantities of the drug that were required to achieve an adequate IOP lowering effect were too high, and resulted in many well-known side effects, such as red eye, increased heart rate, decreased motor coordination, memory and concentration, as well as lung disease. As a result it has not been approved for the treatment of glaucoma.

It is possible that in the future, a more effective formulation for an eye drop will be developed. There are other potential health benefits for the eye, such as the treatment of macular degeneration, which has not yet been proven but is of theoretical interest due to the anti-oxidant effect of the drug.

In summary, marijuana will not be found stocked among the eye drops in the drugstore anytime soon, but future studies and formulations of the active ingredient could potentially lead to a method of use that is safe and effective.

Meet The Eye Care & Surgery Center Managers

2011-05-10T09:48:00.014-04:00

Behind the scenes at The Eye Care & Surgery Center, is an experienced and well diversified staff. As in any organization, the whole is only as strong as the sum of its parts. Let me introduce some of the ECSC Management Team:

Director of Refractive Surgery – Jerette L. Lerner

Director of Billing – Judy McCann

Surgical Coordinator – Ellen Freeman
Longest Active Member of ECSC Family

Surgical Coordinator – Janie Ellenberger

Finance Manager – Mary LaStella

What Makes Good LASIK Candidates?

2011-05-05T11:25:00.006-04:00

“Each day I see many patients for routine eye exams who all seem to know that LASIK can potentially help them to be free of the hassle of eyeglasses or contact lenses”, said Corneal Specialist and LASIK Surgeon Joel Confino, M.D. at Eye Care & Surgery Center. “For most of them the question of whether they might be a candidate is causing them to hesitate in taking the next step.”

LASIK is not for everyone. Here are some things to think about to help you determine if you might be a good candidate for LASIK and should consider scheduling a consultation to find out for sure:

The great majority of patients who are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism are potential candidates for LASIK.

Good LASIK candidates are at least 18 years of age or older and have stable vision. This means that their eyeglass or contact lens prescription has not changed much in the last year or so. Many people do not have "stable" vision until 21 years of age, however so each person is a bit different.

Good LASIK candidates have healthy eyes that are free from retinal problems, corneal scars, and any other eye diseases. They have normal corneal shapes and thickness as well as healthy tears.

The best LASIK candidates are those with a lifestyle, activities or occupation in which they are dissatisfied with their contact lenses or glasses.

The best way for you or someone you know to find out if they are a good candidate for LASIK is to have an evaluation, examination, and consultation with Dr. Confino who is a Corneal Surgeon and LASIK specialist. Please feel free to contact us schedule an appointment by calling The Eye Care & Surgery Center Toll Free at 800.504.1083.

New Jersey UV Eye Protection Awareness Month

2011-05-03T16:13:00.002-04:00

Eye Care & Surgery Center wishes to announce that Prevent Blindness America has designated May as National Ultraviolet Eye Awareness Month. “Most people know the harmful effects that ultraviolet (UV) rays can have on the skin. But many are not aware of the damage that they can cause to the eyes”, commented Corneal Specialist Joel Confino, M.D. of The Eye Care & Surgery Center. “Possibly the most frightening aspect of UV damage is that it is cumulative, meaning the negative effects may not present themselves until years later.”

Today almost everyone is aware of the potential damage that sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause to their skin, most do not know or appreciate that ultraviolet light (UV) can also cause significant damage to eye health and vision.

“Most of us wouldn’t dream of staying outside in the sun without putting on sunscreen lotion for skin protection,” said Ivan Jacobs, M.D. Glaucoma Specialist at The Eye Care & Surgery Center. “But we also need to remember to wear UV-blocking lenses and eyewear as well as a brimmed hat to protect our eyes as well.”

At Eye Care & Surgery Center we are fortunate to be able to offer patients a full range of UV protecting eyeglass lenses available to choose from. High quality sunglasses should block out 99-100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays. “It is also important to have UV protection in your everyday eyewear. “This is readily available to our patients through our selection of a number of UV blocking eyeglass lens materials, specialized coatings and photochromic lenses in our Optical Department”, said Philip Borker, Practice Administrator.

“We know that extended exposure to UV has been linked to many eye problems, conditions and in some cases thought to hasten the onset of eye problems such as cataracts, age related macular degeneration (AMD), certain cancers on the delicate skin around the eye and even photokeratitis, a type of sunburn of the cornea”, said Milton Kahn, M.D., Retina Specialist.

Please feel free to ask any Eye Care & Surgery Center staff member questions you might have about UV protection, eye disease and the best way to protect your eyes with the proper eyewear and lens choices. The Eye Care & Surgery Center can also be reached at 908.789.8999 to help answer questions or schedule an appointment.

Talking Eyes in San Diego

2011-03-21T14:11:00.000-04:00

This week some of us are heading out to San Diego for the world-wide symposium, ASCRS (American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery). The latest and greatest all come together for a meeting of the minds introducing proven techniques and state-of-the-art technologies.
Each year we return with wonderful ideas to better the lives of our patients and bring our practice to an even higher level of performance.
I will be looking out for the Toric ICL, Presbyopia Correcting Implant(implant for reading), LASIK HD and many other exciting topics.
I will let you know what I am seeing from, hopefully, sunny San Diego.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

2011-03-08T13:56:00.000-05:00

"The Sneak Thief of Sight". Unfortunately, there are no symptoms of glaucoma. That is why it is essential to have regular eye exams and pressure checks.
The Glaucoma Research Foundation states, "some groups are at very high risk of having glaucoma. Based in well-designed research, we know that siblings of persons diagnosed with glaucoma have nearly a 10-fold increased risk of having glaucoma when compared to siblings of persons without glaucoma. This means that a 65 year old sibling of a European-derived person has about a 10% chance of having glaucoma, while a 65 year old sibling of an African-American has nearly a 20% chance of having glaucoma. Clearly brothers and sisters of patients with glaucoma can benefit from regular eye examinations with special attention to careful screening for glaucoma.

Other populations are at high risk. Recent studies in Hispanics document that in older age groups, the risk of glaucoma is nearly as high as that for African-Americans (who are known to have nearly four times the risk of European-derived persons). Some research indicates that for African-Americans and Hispanic Americans the risk of having glaucoma can approach 20% in persons over 75 years of age. Clearly these individuals should have regular evaluations for glaucoma. Medicare currently provides a screening benefit for older African-Americans for this reason."

Today's Chuckle:
The latest reports from the Internal Revenue Service shows that it has streamlined its tax form this year.
It looks like this:

A. How much did you make last year?

B How much do you have left?

C. Send B.

Sculptra Aesthetic

2011-02-24T10:09:00.000-05:00

Thursday March 24, 2011 at 6:30pm please join us for a seminar on the "liquid Face-lift". Attend the seminar and recieve your last treatment FREE!

Today's Chuckle:
Two elderly couples were enjoying friendly conversation when one of the men asked the other, "Fred, how was the memory clinic you went to last month?"

"Outstanding," Fred replied. "They taught us all the latest psychological techiniques - visualization, association - it made a huge difference for me."

"That's great! What was the name of the clinic?"

Fred went blank. He thought and thought, but couldn't remember. Then a smile broke across his face and he asked, "What do you call that red flower with the long stem and thorns?"

"You mean a rose?"

"Yes, that's it!" He turned to his wife. . ."Rose, what was the name of that clinic?"

Long, Luscious, Lashes

2011-02-16T10:12:00.000-05:00

Who needs lash extensions that you have to keep up with every few weeks as they begin to fall out. You can grow your own long lashes with Latisse.
For the month of February, when you buy one box, Latisse will send you another for FREE!

Valentine Eyes

2011-02-14T12:09:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!
I was recently asked by the husband of a patient, "what is the purpose of the Iris (the colored part of the eye?" Our Chief quickly answered "Think how many love songs wouldn't have been written without them." He's right! Brown Eyed Girl, and the host of songs about getting lost in those "baby blues". If you didn't have an iris then Elton John's lyric would have been "Black Pupils, My baby has black pupils". Just doesn't give the warm and fuzzy feeling.
The real reason is the pupil is like the hole of a donut. It requires the iris to control the expansion and contraction of the muscle which allows light into the back of the eye. As for the color, that is simply pigmentation.
Give someone a hug today and look deeply into their eyes, even it is just the family pet :-) they need love too.

Chuckle Today:
A young woman was taking an afternoon nap. After she woke up, she told her husband, "I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine's day. What do you think it means?"

"You'll know tonight," he said.
That evening, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it--only to find a book entitled "The meaning of dreams".

Diabetic Retinopathy

2011-02-10T09:35:00.000-05:00

Prevalence of Sight Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy Considerable

According to an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the rate of Diabetic Retinopathy in adults with diabetes is 29%, and the prevalence of vision-threatening Diabetic Retinopathy is 4.4% in the United States. "We are working very hard to help diabetic patients preserve their eye health and vision", said Milton Kahn, M.D. Dr. Kahn is a Retinal Specialist at The Eye Care & Surgery Center in Westfield, New Jersey where he provides New Jersey diabetic patients with diagnosis, treatment and management of diabetic eye problems.

Nutrition and Eye Health

2011-01-31T09:18:00.000-05:00

Eat Right to Help Eye Health
Our goal at Eye Care & Surgery Center is to help preserve and protect eye health and vision. Most of us are aware that our diet is important in keeping our heart and arteries healthy. So it should come as no surprise that eating right can also potentially be beneficial for our eyes. "Eye health and vision depend on the tiny blood vessels in the retina and other parts of the eye carrying nutrients and oxygen to the tissue-especially in the retina", relayed Milton Kahn, M.D., Eye Care & Surgery Center retinal specialist. "Keeping those blood vessels healthy and providing nutrients and minerals is an important part of preserving vision as we age. As part of an overall healthy diet, several key nutrients appear to be particularly important to preserving sight as we get older", said Dr. Kahn.

Vitamin C, Vitamin E & Zinc

About 10 years ago the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) reported that people given vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene, and zinc in supplements were less likely to develop advanced age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. The combination was most effective at slowing the progression from intermediate to advanced AMD, which is one of the leading causes of age-related blindness. Because of those findings, many people diagnosed with early signs of AMD today are routinely prescribed a pill that combines these nutrients. You may or may not benefit depending on your overall health and eye condition. PATIENTS SHOULD NOT BEGIN TAKING SUPPLEMENTS WITHOUT FIRST DISCUSSING IT WITH THEIR EYE DOCTOR AND INTERNIST OR FAMILY PHYSICIAN.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Two other nutrients -- lutein and zeaxanthin -- are also linked to a lower risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. A 2008 Tufts University study of 1,802 women 50 to 79 years old found that those who consumed the most lutein and zeaxanthin in their diets were 23% less likely to develop cataracts than those who consumed the least. Rich sources of these two compounds include kale, spinach, turnip greens, romaine lettuce, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

The newest nutrient linked to better vision with age is omega-3 fatty acid, which is found predominantly in fish oil. In a study of 2,520 people, researchers at Johns Hopkins University reported in 2010 that people who consumed fish high in omega-3s fatty acids often were significantly less likely to have advanced age-related macular degeneration. Omega-3s may also protect against cataracts, according to 2010 findings by researchers at the Clinical University of Navarra in Spain. Researchers don’t understand exactly why omega-3s may protect against eye diseases. One guess is that these healthy oils may reduce inflammation and thereby protect against cell damage.

Pills vs. Food

Although antioxidant supplements are routinely prescribed to people with early signs of macular degeneration, there’s little agreement on whether supplements will help otherwise healthy people preserve their vision. Most of the evidence to date is very mixed. In one recent study, for example, a multivitamin seemed to protect against some forms of cataracts but actually raise the risk of other forms. PATIENTS SHOULD NOT BEGIN TAKING SUPPLEMENTS WITHOUT FIRST DISCUSSING IT WITH THEIR EYE DOCTOR AND INTERNIST OR FAMILY PHYSICIAN.

Nonetheless, one of the most important ways to protect your vision from age-related diseases is by eating a healthy diet. Healthy food choices are good choices. The results of a 2010 study by French scientists found eating more vegetables -- including cabbage, broccoli, pepper, corn, or spinach -- improved the condition of the retina in people with age-related macular degeneration.

Should you have questions or need more information about nutrition, diet and how they impact your eye health and vision, please feel free to ask any Eye Care & Surgery Center eye physician including Drs. Kahn, Jacobs, Confino, Thiagarajah and Furlan. They are always happy to answer your questions.

Liposome Spray for Dry Eye

2011-01-28T09:20:00.000-05:00

Dry, scratchy or irritated eyes? the problem may be with your lids, not just the eye itself. New Lipsome spray with vitamins A, C and E, mist the lid and has been proven to eleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of dry eyes. They may be used with contact lenses.
Some women experience dry eyes and lids do to hormonal changes. The change in balance of the moisture throughout the body may produce an excess of oil and debris that can accumulate about the eyelids. Liposomes are microscopic molecules that have been used for years in cosmetic and drug delivery. Vital nutrients have been added to provide comfort for lids.

Implants to Correct for Reading

2011-01-27T14:11:00.000-05:00

The AcuFocus corneal inlay is an investigational device being tested for the correction on presbyopia, the natural aging of the eye causing us to require reading glasses.

Laughter Is Good For Your Health

2011-01-18T09:54:00.000-05:00

•Hormones: Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), dopamine and growth hormone. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. Laughter increases the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T cells. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress.

•Physical Release: Have you ever felt like you "have to laugh or I'll cry"? Have you experienced the cleansed feeling after a good laugh? Laughter provides a physical and emotional release.

•Internal Workout: A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed afterward. It even provides a good workout for the heart.

Today's Chuckle:

A Minnesota couple decided to vacation to Florida during the winter. They planned to stay at the very same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday. His wife would fly down the following day.

The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an e-mail to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her e-mail address, and without realizing his error, he sent the e-mail.

Meanwhile.....somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. The widow decided to check her e-mail, expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she fainted.

The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I've Arrived
Date: 16 May 2003
I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send e-mails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is not as uneventful as mine was.
P.S. Sure is hot down here!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lens Implant Cost - Cataracts

2011-01-17T13:28:00.000-05:00

We have come to the end of our Cataract journey. The question I get asked the most about the lens choices are "what will this cost me?" As cataracts are a medical condition, most insurances will pay for the surgeon fees, the facility fee,the anesthesiologist fee and the implantation of a monofocal lens. We always suggest you check with your carrier for in and out-of-network benefits. There are typically aditional out of pocket costs for the premium lens technologies that allow the patient to rid themselves of glasses or that correct for astigmatism. Not all surgeons who perform cataract surgery are trained on the implantation of this advanced technology. Question the surgeon about the best technology for your lifestyle. Costs may vary from facility to facility and surgeon experience.

Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery

2011-01-13T11:20:00.000-05:00

Cataract Surgery precision may be further improved with the use of the Femtosecond Laser. Femtosecond Laser technology is on the near term horizon to improve Cataract Surgery by phacoemulsification. The femtosecond laser has been specifically modified to help create precise corneal incisions, anterior capsulotomies (removing the front part of the Cataract), and nuclear fragmentation (dividing the Cataract into small pieces), prior to completing the operation with phacoemulsification. By using the accuracy of the laser, Cataract Surgery, Lens Replacement Surgery and Intraocular Lens Implantation (IOL) promises to be even more predictable and to have better outcomes than presently possible.

Night Vision Issues Related to Cataracts

2011-01-10T13:36:00.000-05:00

One of the chief patient complaints from people developing cataracts is an issue with glare and light sensitivity while driving at night. Some patients describe halos around light or blinding light with oncoming headlights. If night driving issues are paired with a feeling of diminished visual acuity, often times these symptoms are related to cataracts, the clouding and yellowing of the crystalline lens.

Cataracts & Astigmatism

2011-01-06T10:13:00.000-05:00

Can I have my astigmatism fixed along with my cataracts?
A common question we hear from patients. Dependent on the degree of astigmatism and what type of astigmatism (lenticular or corneal), you may have the option of correcting both with one lens implant.
Toric Lens Implants are a type of Lens Implant that can correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is an optical aberration that is caused by the cornea being shaped more like a football, than spherical like a baseball. For Cataract patients who have astigmatism, and who do not wish to wear eyeglasses to see clearly at a distance, choosing a Toric Lens Implant can help them be independent of glasses for tasks such as driving, that require clear distance vision. In addition, for those who desire the clarity provided by an Aspheric Lens Implant (IOL), there is an Aspheric Toric IOL that offers an enhanced aspheric optical zone that improves image quality and increases contrast sensitivity for Cataract patients with astigmatism.
Toric Lens Implants do not correct Presbyopia, and thus even with Toric Lens Implants to correct astigmatism after Cataract Surgery, most patients still require reading glasses to be able to comfortably perform near vision tasks such as reading.

Recovering From Cataract Surgery

2011-01-05T13:29:00.001-05:00

Welcome to day 2 of our trip through Cataractville. Today we will explore recovering from Cataract Surgery. To experience the easiest recovery after Cataract Surgery as well as to have a successful and uncomplicated Cataract Surgery, it is important to FOLLOW YOUR SURGEON’S INSTRUCTIONS.

It is completely normal for each patient’s recovery from Cataract Surgery to be slightly different. Each person is unique in their overall health, healing process and tolerance to eye surgery. However, there are some basic expectations that are pretty common for almost all people having Cataract Surgery.

With the advancements in technology and lens implants, the recovery for Cataract Surgery is very fast. The procedure is done on an "out-patient" basis. Most patients are driving themselves the next day to their post-operative visit.
Patients will prepare for surgery by taking antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops the day before their procedure and will remain on drops for three weeks post-operatively.
The patient will typically leave the surgery center wearing sun glasses that we advise to keep on if outside for one week and indoors in a brightly lit room. Some surgeons instruct their patients to sleep in an eye shield the first night to protect the eye.
The eye must remain dry for one week post-operatively. When bathing we ask that the face be washed with a wash cloth avoiding the operative eye. No make-up, moisturizers or lotions are to be used near the eye for one week as well. We suggest not washing the hair for several days after surgery.
Some patients experience grogginess as the the effects of the anti-anxiety medications given before surgery. These symptoms usually end before the patient leaves the surgery center. We ask the patient just relax for the rest of the day and allow the eye to heal.
In the days and weeks following surgery, some patients experience a ring or halo around lights. Dependant on the lens implant, this may or may not diminish over time. Usually the brain will adapt and the rings will no longer be apparent to the patient.
Try not to touch or rub your eyes for the first week after surgery. It may be necessary to be fir with new eyeglasses after surgery as your prescription will now have changed. Your surgeon will advise you.
Hopefully you have found this information helpful and somewhat comforting.

Cataract Surgery

2011-01-04T13:31:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year All! To begin 2011, i would like to address some frequently asked questions about cataracts and cataract surgery. For the next six days, I will unwrap the the mysteries surrounding 6 Main concerns when considering Cataract Procedures:

1. What complications can arise from having Cataract Surgery?
2. What is the recovery time
3. Are there lens implants that correct for Astigmatism?
4. Post-operative expectations
5. Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?
6. Lens implant cost and insurance

CATARACT SURGERY AND POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:
Cataract Surgery complications and problems after Cataract removal are generally pretty rare and are usually less than 5% in an otherwise healthy group of patients. In patients with additional eye diseases such as Glaucoma or Diabetic Retinopathy the complication rate may increase. Nonetheless the overall success rate for Cataract Surgery is generally regarded as being between 85-92% with overall patient satisfaction being in the 95% range. As with any surgery, patients should be familiar with possible complications so that they can bring any unusual symptoms or signs to the attention of their Cataract Surgeon in order to help avoid potential complications of Cataract Surgery, Cataract Surgery problems or unusual side effects after Cataract removal.
Some short term Cataract Surgery problems and complications are those that we will define as occurring during or very soon after the actual surgical procedure-perhaps within the first 24 hours after surgery.
For the vast majority of patients the tiny incision placed during Cataract Surgery is self sealing. Sometimes the Corneal incision does not seal properly and may require the surgeon to apply a contact lens or a pressure bandage or in certain cases place a stitch in order to help the incision seal.
Though quite rare as there are no blood vessels in the clear portion of the cornea where the incision is made,some slight bleeding may occur in the front of the eye at which time your surgeon can easily cauterize it and stop it immediately.
If it was necessary to use an injection around your eye in addition to or in place of anesthetic eye drops due to some factor regarding your overall health, you may experience some temporary bruising around your eye. Although unusual, it does happen from time to time.
Inner Eye Infection after Cataract Surgery is extremely rare occurring in one out of several thousand Cataract Surgery procedures. To prevent infection, Cataract Surgeons typically have patients use antibiotic eye drops a day before and for a week after surgery. Antibiotics are also administered before during and after the actual procedure.
During your Cataract Surgery the cloudy or opacified lens material is removed from your eye. The membrane that surrounds the lens is left in place to support the Intraocular Lens Implant. Occasionally it is possible that the posterior lens capsule will tear or rupture during your surgery. If this happens the surgeon will alter his placement of the lens so that the IOL can be properly set into position.
Retinal Detachment after Cataract Surgery is unusual. However if you are extremely nearsighted you may be at greater risk for Retinal Detachment in general and especially when you have any type of eye surgery including Cataract Surgery. The symptoms of Retinal Detachment include floaters, flashing lights, a shadow in your vision, a bubble or curve in your vision, a sensation that a curtain or a veil is being pulled in front of your vision and a possible loss of your vision. If you experience ANY of these symptoms after Cataract Surgery you should call your Cataract Surgeon immediately.
In general secondary Glaucoma after Cataract Surgery is very unusual. However if there is other bleeding or inflammation it can predispose you to developing secondary Glaucoma after Cataract Surgery. In most instances Secondary Glaucoma after Cataract Surgery is temporary and can be treated with eye drops, laser treatment or a combination of both.
In the event the surgeon finds it necessary to use sutures or stitches,it is possible to distort the shape of the Cornea and induce astigmatism. Sometimes swelling of the Cornea alone can cause astigmatism to be induced. If swelling alone caused the induced astigmatism then it will gradually go away as the swelling diminishes. If the astigmatism was caused by the use of stitches, then once they are removed it is likely that the Cornea will return to its original shape.

Long term Cataract Surgery problems and complications are those that we will define as occurring from one week to as long as six months after Cataract Surgery.

While it is very rare, the artificial Lens Implant (IOL) used to correct your vision after Cataract Surgery can move slightly becoming decentered or move a greater amount and become dislocated. A decentered or dislocated Lens Implant (IOL) may cause you to experience blurry vision, haloes, glare, double vision, fading vision, fluctuating and varying vision or shimmering vision. If this should occur your Cataract Surgeon will most likely reposition the Lens Implant (IOL) or replace it with a different Lens Implant.
During the first three months or so after Cataract Surgery it is possible for the Macula, the visual center of the Retina, to be susceptible to microscopic swelling. Swelling of the Macula is likely to cause you to experience a decrease or blurring of your central or straight ahead vision. This can be mild or it can be significant. In most cases, Cystoid Macular Edema is treated with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication given as an oral and/or eye drop prescription.
The most common complication of Cataract Surgery is opacification of the posterior lens capsule resulting in the formation of a Secondary or After Cataract, which occurs after as many as 30% of Cataract Surgery procedures. When this occurs you will experience a gradual blurring of your vision. Fortunately your surgeon is able to use a YAG Laser to perform a quick painless procedure called a YAG Laser Capsulotomy in which a small opening is created in the cloudy membrane allowing your vision to be restored.
Problems and complications of Cataract Surgery are unusual if not rare. The overall success rate and patient satisfaction with Cataract Surgery make it a very safe and effective treatment for Cataracts.

Which is brighter...

2010-12-20T15:36:00.000-05:00

Rudolph's nose or winter morning sun glare? Have you been blinded by the sun on morning outing to work or errands? The sun is lower and therefore more intensive to view. A few tips to help you enjoy the beauty of this season without the pain. Anti-reflective coatings on your glasses work wonders as do tinted glasses and Transition lenses. Don't stay inside just go out the right way.

Today's Chuckle:
Q: What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?
A: Frostbite.

ECSC Holiday Party

2010-12-15T15:26:00.000-05:00

"The weather outside is frightful...." but spending time with friends always warms the soul.
Last night we all enjoyed our 2010 holiday party hosted by the "Fab Four" docs. Lots of laughter, dancing and fun was had by all. Our MC for the evening was our fearless leader, Philip Borker who added the perfect mix of celebration and introspection. Happy Holidays to all.
Today's Chuckle:

If athletes get athletes foot, what do astronauts get?

Missletoe

Today's Chuckle:

2010-12-07T11:09:00.001-05:00

Three doctors were driving together to the hospital when they had an accident and all three died. They found themselves in front of the Pearly Gates, with St. Peter there shaking his head.

"Gentlemen, I'm afraid Heaven is full - we just don't have room for you here," said St. Peter. "But, St. Peter, surely you recognise me!" the first doctor exclaimed. "I developed the DNA theory, and have helped improve millions of lives through my work." St. Peter shook his head, thinking, and finally said, "You're right, we just have to let you in. Come on -- we'll make room somehow."

"And I know you recognise me, St. Peter," the second doctor said. "I developed the MRI, and because of my machine, millions of people with medical problems are helped." Again St. Peter is moved. "Yes, come on in. Surely you deserve to be here, too," he replies.

Finally, the last doctor pipes in, "St. Peter, You must also know me -- I'm the doctor who developed HMOs." To this St. Peter only hesitates a moment, and then replies, "Yes, you, too, have a place in Heaven -- but you can only stay 3 days."

Traveling and Dry Eyes

2010-11-22T11:32:00.000-05:00

Holiday Travel:
If you are flying somewhere this holiday season don't forget your rewetting drops. Air travel tends to dehydrate your skin AND your eyes. Keep a bottle of artificial tears with you and put a drop in beforeyou take off, during flight and when you land. Your eyes will thank you. Safe traveling.

Today's Chuckle:

The pro football team had just finished their daily practice session when a large turkey came strutting onto the field. While the players gazed in amazement, the turkey walked up to the head coach and demanded a tryout. Everyone stared in silence as the turkey caught pass after pass and ran right through the defensive line. When the turkey returned to the sidelines, the coach shouted, "You're terrific!!! Sign up for the season, and I'll see to it that you get a huge bonus." "Forget the bonus," the turkey said, "All I want to know is, does the season go past Thanksgiving Day?"

Protecting Your Eyes While Cooking

2010-11-19T11:57:00.002-05:00

With the holidays upon us, we prepare to gather with family and friends to celebrate and enjoy. Some of the delicious offerings will be made with onions. To protect your eyes from the tearing and burning during the preparation of this vegetable, peel, slice and chop your onion next to an open flame on your stovetop. The gases are absorbed and will not irritate your eyes. Be careful not to allow your clothing, hair or cookware near the open flame. Pleae keep children away from stove as well.
Happy Cooking!

Today's Chuckle:

An elderly man in Phoenix calls his son in New York and says, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing, forty-five years of misery is enough."

"Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams.

"We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the old man says.

"We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her," and he hangs up.

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this." She calls Phoenix immediately, and screams at the old man, "You are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?" and hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay," he says, "They're coming for Thanksgiving and paying their own fares Now what do we tell them for Christmas?

2010-11-19T11:57:00.001-05:00

Chuckle Today

2010-11-17T14:14:00.000-05:00

One Sunday morning, the priest saw little Davey staring up at the large plaque that hung in the church's foyer. The plaque was covered with names and small American flags were mounted on either side of it.

"Father Donovan," the boy asked, "what is this?

"Well, son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service," the priest explained. They stood together quietly, staring at the memorial plaque.

Little Davey softly asked, "Which service? The 9:00 or the 10:30?"

Baggy, Saggy Eyelids

2010-11-10T15:42:00.000-05:00

Your eyes are one of the most important aspects of your appearance, and one of the first areas to show signs of aging. For some, this can occur as early as your twenties to early thirties. If the eyes project a lack of energy due to overhanging skin and puffiness, you may appear tired or older. Conversely, if the eyes are more open and relatively free of creases and folds, you will probably seem more rested and youthful.

Cosmetic Facial Plastic Surgery is a popular way to help you look your best. Eyelid Surgery or Eyelift is known medically as blepharoplasty (blef-er-o-plasty) is actually one of the most frequently performed cosmetic plastic surgery procedures for the face. There are two types of blepharoplasty, upper eyelid blepharoplasty and lower eyelid blepharoplasty where each procedure corresponds to the area of the face where it is performed.

You might benefit from eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty if:

•Your upper eyelids appear hooded
•It's become increasingly difficult to put on eye makeup
•Even after you've had a good night's sleep people ask you if you're tired
•You have puffiness under your eyes that never goes away
•You are developing bulges in the corners of your upper eyelids
•You have trouble keeping your eyes open
•Your upper eyelids always feel heavy
•Your eyes appear to have become smaller
•Your eye makeup smudges very easily
•You've lost the fold of your upper eyelid
•Your peripheral vision is decreased
•You have excess skin and crepe like wrinkles beneath your eyes
•Ever since you can remember you've had baggy eyes

A Chuckle-A-Day:

There were two old guys, Abe and Sol, sitting on a bench in a park feeding pigeons and talking about baseball, just like they did every day. Abe turns to Sol and says, "Do you think there's baseball in heaven?"

Soloman thinks about it for a minute and replies, "I dunno, Abe. But let's make a deal: If I die first, I will come back and tell you, and if you die first, you come back and tell me, if there is basebal l in heaven."

They shake on it and, sadly, a few months later poor Abe passes on. One day soon afterward, Sol is sitting there feeding the pigeons by himself when he hears a voice whisper, "Sol... Sol...."

Sol responds, "Abe! Is that you?"

"Yes it is Sol," whispers the spirit of Abe.

Sol, still amazed, asks, "So, is there baseball in heaven?"

"Well," says Abe says, "I got good news and I got bad news."

"Gimme the good news first," says Sol.

Abe says, "Well... there is baseball in heaven."

Sol says, "That's great! What news could be bad enough to ruin that!?"

Abe sighs and whispers, "You're pitching on Friday."

The Liquid Facelift

2010-11-02T13:11:00.000-04:00

As we get older, it is not uncommon for many people to experience some loss of facial fat, muscle tone and even bone loss that can result in developing a haggard or hollowed out appearance. When this occurs, the youthful, taut facial skin often begins to look saggy.

In our youth, typically the cheekbones represent the widest facial area whereas the narrowest is the chin area, forming a “triangle of youth”. With aging, volume is lost under the eyes, around the cheekbones and sometimes the temples, causing sagging and widening of the jawline and jowls. Often this changes the “triangle of youth” into the “pyramid of age”.

Some patients elect to have a surgical facelift, which addresses the sagging skin-but not the loss of volume supporting the fullness of the facial features. Improving the sagging but not addressing the volume loss can result in a “tight” appearance and even a gaunt look. By using the non-surgical technique of volume replacement with Sculptra® Aesthetic injections it is often possible to help minimize or eliminate the problems of loose skin and volume loss.

Sculptra® Aesthetic helps to restore the “triangle of youth” by replacing the loss of fullness in the mid face. It actually “lifts” by lessening the redundant skin that sags to the jowels by filling the tissue space thus smoothing wrinkles and providing a firm and youthful appearance.

Depending on their individual situation and expectations, some patients may require a surgical facelift or they may actually achieve their desired results with volume replacement alone. Occasionally, it may be necessary to use a combination of a surgical facelift and volume replacement.

Volume replacement treatment, such as Sculptra®, is relatively easy to inject and is biodegradable thus not permanent. Depending on the areas of concern and personal goals, The Eye Care & Surgery Center’s Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon, Christopher Thiagarajah, M.D., may suggest just using Sculptra® Aesthetic alone or combining it with other non-surgical or surgical options to achieve optimal results.

Chris Thiagarajah, M.D. is an Ophthalmologist & Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon at The Eye Care & Surgery Center in New Jersey. As a Fellowship trained Oculofacial Surgeon Dr. Thiagarajah is a specialist in the full range of facial cosmetic procedures to help patients look their best and minimize the effects of aging. These include Eyelifts, or Blepharoplasty, Brow Lifts and Midfacial Lifts as well as non-surgical treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, Juvéderm®, Sculptra® Aesthetic and Dysport® to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

Chuckle of the Day:
A photographer from a well know national magazine was assigned to cover the fires at Yellowstone National Park. The magazine wanted to show some of the heroic work of the fire fighters as they battled the blaze.

When the photographer arrived, he realized that the smoke was so thick that it would seriously impede or make it impossible for him to photograph anything from ground level. He requested permission to rent a plane and take photos from the air. His request was approved and arrangements were made. He was told to report to a nearby airport where a plane would be waiting for him.

He arrived at the airport and saw a plane warming up near the gate. He jumped in with his bag and shouted, "Let's go!" The pilot swung the little plane into the wind, and within minutes they were in the air.

The photographer said, "Fly over the park and make two or three low passes so I can take some pictures."

"Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I am a photographer," he responded, "and photographers take photographs."

The pilot was silent for a moment; finally he stammered, "You mean you're not the flight instructor?"

A Chuckle a Day

2010-10-28T15:17:00.000-04:00

A lady is having a bad day at the tables in Vegas. Down to her last $100, completely exasperated, she cries, "What rotten luck! What in the world should I do now?"

A gent next to her, trying to calm her down a bit, calmly suggests, "I don't know... Why don't you play your age?"

He walks away. Moments later, his he is intrigued to hear a great commotion at the roulette table. Maybe, she won!

Rushing back to the table and pushing his way through the crowd, he is stunned to see the lady lying limp on the floor, with the table operator kneeling over her.

He asks, "What happened? Is she all right?"

The operator replies, "I don't know, buddy.... She put all her money on 29. When 36 came up she fainted!"

Winner of our Pie Baking Contest

2010-10-27T15:43:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to one of our technicians Brittany who was named the 2010 ECSC Pie Baking Champion for her Blackberry Pie Cobbler with leaf-shaped crust. Absolutely delicious. Our Runner-up was our Clinical Manager Elisa with her creative Key lime and Coconut Cream pie combo. The homemade crust was sinfully good. Honorable mention went to another of our outstanding technicians, Kimmy for her Coconut cream pie with toasted coconut on top and creamy as could be.

Chuckle-a-Day:
A mechanic was removing a cylinder head from the motor of a Harley motorcycle when he spotted a well-known heart surgeon in his shop. The surgeon was there waiting for the service manager to come take a look at his bike.

The mechanic shouted across the garage, "Hey Doc can I ask you a question?"

The surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over to the mechanic working on the motorcycle.

The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, "So Doc, look at this engine. I open its heart, take valves out, fix'em, put 'em back in, and when I finish, it works just like new. So how come I get such a small salary and you get the really big bucks, when you and I are doing basically the same work?

The surgeon paused, smiled and leaned over, whispering to the mechanic....."Try doing it with the engine running!"

Allergy Eyes

2010-10-22T09:22:00.000-04:00

With leaves decomposing, there are plenty of allergens in the air making your eyes feel itchy. Couple that with forced hot air and you have DRY, itchy eyes. Some people take lubricating drops to address both issues, others take allergy drops. the truth is, neither will take care of both issues. For itchy eyes you most likely will need an over-the-counter, allergy drop. However, a lot of those drops can actually dry out the eyes. So, you need the combination of allergy drops AND lubricating drops or artificial tears to take care of both situations.

Today's Humor:
During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director how do you determine whether or not a patient should be institutionalised.

Well, said the Director, we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub.

Oh, I understand, said the visitor.

A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup.

No said the Director, A normal person would pull the plug out.

Do you want a bed near the window?

Today's Humor

2010-10-20T16:43:00.000-04:00

Actual Notes on Hospital Charts (not ours).

1. The patient refused autopsy.

2. The patient has no previous history of suicides.

3. Patient has left white blood cells at another hospital.

4. Patient's medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only a 40 pound weight gain in the past three days.

5. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.

6. On the second day the knee was better and on the third day it disappeared.

7. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.

8.The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.

9. Discharge status: Alive, but without my permission.

10. Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year old male, mentally alert, but forgetful.

11. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.

12. She is numb from her toes down.

13. While in ER, she was examined, x-rated and sent home.

14. The skin was moist and dry.

15. Occasional, constant infrequent headaches.

16. Patient was alert and unresponsive.

17. I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical therapy.

18. Skin: somewhat pale. but present.

19. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities

20. When she fainted, her eyes rolled around the room

21. The patient was in his usual state of good health until his airplane ran out of gas and crashed.

22. Between you and me, we ought to be able to get this lady pregnant.

23. Patient was seen in consultation by Dr. Smith, who felt we should sit on the abdomen and I agree.

24. By the time he was admitted, his rapid heart had stopped, and he was feeling better.

Joke of the Day

2010-10-19T16:40:00.000-04:00

Start your day off with a chuckle. Check out the ECSC Blog each morning for our good humored "joke of the day". Here is today's giggle:

A bullied husband was advised by a psychiatrist to assert himself. "You don't have to let your wife bully you," she said. "Go home and show her you're the boss."

The husband decided to take the doctor's advice.

He went home, slammed the door, shook his fist in his wife's face, and growled, "From now on you're taking orders from me. I want my supper right now, and when you get it on the table, go upstairs and lay out my clothes. Tonight I am going out with the boys. You are going to stay at home where you belong. Another thing, you know who is going to tie my bow tie?"

"I certainly do," said his wife calmly, "the undertaker."

LASIK SAVES You Money

2010-10-14T13:28:00.000-04:00

The average contact lens wearer will spend between $9000 - $15,000.00 over a 20 year period of lens wear. The research was based on standard contact lenses, not specialty lenses, solutions, replacements, exams and fittings associated with contact lenses.
LASIK puts money back in your pocket. Even with the cost related to the procedure, the net result for most contact lens patients is a HUGE cost savings, not to mention the enjoyment factor of not being limited to certain activities because of your lenses.
Times are tough, why not save precious dollars where you can?

Pie Baking Contest

2010-10-07T15:51:00.000-04:00

ECSC holding it's 2nd Annual Pie Baking contest. All of our employees, management and docs are welcome to enter their most delectible dessert. Stay tuned to find out the winner on October 28th!

Flexible Spending Pays for LASIK

2010-10-01T11:50:00.001-04:00

It's FSA time.Before you fund your Flexible Spending Account, find out if you are a candidate. If you prefund and are do not qualify for LASIK, you may lose the money. Use it or lose it in FSA Land. Call for a consultation before your enrollment period closes to find out if it makes sense to fund for 2011.

Firefighter Appreciation Month

2010-09-15T13:02:00.000-04:00

September is Firefighter Apprieciation Month at ECSC. If you are or know a firefighter who has been considering Laser Vision Correction, now is the time to act! For the month of September, we have preferred pricing for the men and woman that put their lives on the line daily for our safety. Call for a free consultation.

Don't trust the school with your child's vision

2010-09-07T15:26:00.000-04:00

It's back to school time, supplies to buy, medical exams to complete. The schools typically give our children a brief vision test which they feel determines if your child is having a problem or not. Unfortunately, there are many issues that a child may be experiencing visually that a school's program is not equipped to detect. We strongly advise your child have a comprehensive exam performed by a pediatric ophthalmologist to ensure the health of their vision.

Visit our You/tube video

2010-09-01T16:42:00.000-04:00

You want to chuckle while you learn about contact lenses? Check out the new video we posted on Youtube! Laugh, learn and enjoy. www.YouTube/EyeCareSurgeryCenter.com

Contact Lenses on YouTube

2010-08-09T12:09:00.000-04:00

Look for us on YouTube in September. Instructions and top 5 questions answered on Contact Lens wear. It's a fun way for contact lens wearers or existing lens wearers, to learn more.

Dr. Thiagarajah's trip to Indonesia

2010-07-15T09:37:00.000-04:00

Click on this link to read about Dr. T's ORBIS trip to Jakarta, Indonesia.
http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/Health/Eye_Surgeon_from_The_Eye_Care_Surgery_Center_Westfield_New_Jersey_Participates_in_ORBIS_Internat_511689.html

The Eye Care & Surgery Center and The Flying Eye Hospital

2010-07-08T18:25:00.000-04:00

We are pleased to announce that Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon Chris Thiagarajah, M.D. has returned from Jakarta, Indonesia after participating in the ORBIS International Flying Eye Hospital Project. The mission brings subspecialty training to Indonesian eye care professionals to help address the country’s dire eye health needs.

The ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital program works to provide subspecialty Ophthalmology training for local Indonesian eye physicians, surgeons, nurses and other eye care professionals. As an eye surgeon specializing in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Thiagarajah was selected to provide skills transfer to more than 200 eye care professionals from local hospitals, using hands-on surgical training, live surgical demonstrations, lectures and workshops in Ocular Oncology and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery.

“While I find it rewarding using my expertise in cosmetic eye plastic surgery to help patients achieve the aesthetic results they desire, having the opportunity to utilize those skills to address and prevent blindness, in a part of the world in such desperate need, has been both fulfilling and gratifying ”, relayed Dr. Thiagarajah upon his return from Jakarta.

Blindness in Indonesia
According to the World Health Organization, South-East Asia has a disproportionately high prevalence of blindness. Of the twelve people going blind in the world every minute, four are from South- East Asia. The Indonesian Ministry of Health calculates that blindness in Indonesia affects approximately 1.3 million people – the highest among Asian countries – and studies have suggested that 3-8% of the population have some form of impaired vision.

Love Your Long Lashes

2010-06-28T17:22:00.000-04:00

With summer comes beaches and pools and very little make-up. Ladies are loving the effects of Latisse. Lashes are longer and stand out even without make-up. when the sunglasses come off be proud. It REALLY works.

Nike Eyewear

2010-06-15T11:41:00.000-04:00

Nikevision is available at ECSC. We now carry the Nike line. If you love Nike, you'll love these frames.

NON-Surgical Facelift

2010-06-07T10:22:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the New Age of Anti-Aging!The Non-surgical facelift. Join us July 15, 2010at 6:30pm for a discussion with Cosmetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Chris Thiagarajah on Facial Rejuvenation with Sculptra Aesthetic. Recently featured on the Today Show, this state-of-the-art treatment gradually replaces lost collagen and leaves you with a natural looking result that can last up to two years.
Call to reserve your spot and learn more about this amazing anti-aging technique.
908-789-8999 ext. 2028.

Doctor on Charity Mission

2010-05-27T16:56:00.000-04:00

DR. Chris Thiagarajah travels to Indonesia in June on a Medical Mission for two weeks. Dr. T is our Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon and we are very proud of his participation in this life-altering mission.

ADVANCES IN THE CORRECTION OF ASTIGMATISM

2010-05-18T14:59:00.000-04:00

JOIN US Wednesday July 14, 2010 at 6:00PM at our Westfield facility for an informal talk by Corneal Specialist Joel Confino, M.D. about The Advances in the Correction of Astigmatism. Learn what an Astigmatism is, the choices available to correct astigmatism and a free screening to check if you have an astigmatism. Adults of all ages may benefit from the information provided as there are several methods of correction for people diaganosed with astigmatism such as specialty contact lenses, glasses, laser correction and unique lens options for patients with cataracts.
Call us at 800-504-1083 to reserve your spot as space is limited!

Spectacular Summer Sunglass Sale!

2010-05-11T14:51:00.000-04:00

Summer in Style. 25% off Sunglasses, prescription and non-prescription, designer brands such as Maui Jim, Ray-Ban, Versace, Coach, Tagheuer, Fendi, and many others. Sale begins May 17, 2010 through July 30, 2010. Protect your eyes and look great doing it. Visit us in Westfield NJ, Iselin NJ, and Warren NJ.

WELCOME TO THE EYE CARE & SURGERY CENTER INFORMATION UPDATE

2010-04-26T16:12:00.001-04:00

We welcome you to learn about the latest trends, procedures, innovations in eye surgery, cataract and lens implant techniques and technology, LASIK, Cosmetic Eye Surgery such as eye lifts or blepharoplasty and treatments such as Botox, and of course updates about eyeglass lenses and fashion eyewear for the you and your family. Please visit us often and we will share our news and updates.