Eye Health Risks at High Altitude

While most of us don’t spend too much time at very high altitudes there are situations worth mentioning as some patients who spend a great deal of time in high altitudes-skiing, mountain climbing or even just touring-may be concerned about the effects on their eyes, especially if they are at risk for eye problems or diseases related to hypoxia or not enough oxygen.

Researchers from the Tübingen High Altitude Ophthalmology (THAO) reporting in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science examined the effect of high altitude on the cornea and on the drainage angle of the eye-a key anatomical landmark for predicting narrow angle glaucoma risk. Using the advanced imaging technique of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) they studied corneal thickness changes and the depth and shape of the “anterior chamber angle” to determine the effects of high altitude. In normal healthy eyes, they found that a significant degree of reversible corneal swelling occurred with increasing altitude but no effect was noted on the size or shape of the eye fluid drainage angle. Since the corneal swelling was reversible it was not damaging. However, for patients with corneal dystrophy problems such as Fuchs Dystrophy, any endothelial dystrophy or compromise there may be some delay in the deswelling of the cornea. For patients who might be at risk for narrow angle glaucoma, the researchers reported that no change in angle depth or shape occurred at the higher altitudes-and thus there was no increase in angle closure glaucoma risk.

If you or someone you know has a question about the potential for eye problems at high altitude please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

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

With locations at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Patients Lack Understanding of Diabetic Retinopathy

At The Eye Care & Surgery Center we work to educate patients about their eye problems, conditions, diseases and treatment options as we believe having a solid understanding is important for their eye health and vision. Understanding diabetic retinopathy poses a particular challenge for a great number of patents. A recent study exploring patients’ understanding of the risk factors, cause and controllability of their own diabeticretinopathy revealed considerable misunderstanding, gaps in knowledge and potentially damaging beliefs about the cause and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR), nearly half of whom had severe proliferative DR-a serious complication. Most of these patients had also undergone laser treatment. At the conclusion of the study, patients were found to have had a reasonable understanding of the basic risk factors for DR, such as diabetes control, but they were less clear about specific risk factors such as blood pressure and lipid control. Most patients attributed their DR either to poor diabetes control or to failings of the health care system, rather than having a basic understanding of the small blood vessel disease including circulatory and oxygen deprivation that results from the damaged blood vessels in the retina. Some patients believed that their DR was a result of health aspects beyond their control or environmental factors, whereas others were unsure about the cause.

Improving patients' understanding of the major risk factors for DR as well as helping them have a better understanding of the causes of diabetic retinopathy and being able to grasp expectations of realistic outcomes of laser treatment may improve patients' coping mechanisms, adaption to disease and ocular outcomes.

If you or someone you know has a question about the risks or treatment of diabeticretinopathy, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

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

With locations at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Bright Red Eye: What Could It Be?

Sometimes patients call The EyeCare & Surgery Center very concerned because they look in the mirror or someone tells them that they have a “bright red eye” or “bleeding eye”. Typically, it seems to start with a cough or a sneeze-or with some heavy lifting-or for no reason at all-and has no pain, blurry vision or discharge. What could it be? We will of course ask you to come in so we can evaluate the problem, but it is possible that it is a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

Subconjunctivalhemorrhage is a benign disorder that is a common cause of acute ocular redness or “bright red eye”. The major risk factors include trauma and contact lens usage in younger patients, whereas among the elderly, systemic vascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis are more common. In patients in whom subconjunctival hemorrhage is recurrent or persistent, further evaluation, including a workup for systemic hypertension, bleeding disorders, systemic and ocular malignancies and drug side effects, is warranted.

If you or someone you know experiences a “bright red eye” please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

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

With locations at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

LASIK for a CEO, Husband & Father

Dear Dr. Confino & Crew:

I spent a long time thinking about the type of letter I wanted to write to you and the staff and after browsing through the "praise" book located in your lobby. I felt the best letter I could write is one speaking to the person who will ultimately read this...the patient. So…

Dear Potential Patient,

While you sit there looking around, keeping yourself busy and now reading this letter, let me introduce myself, I am Sean and like you found myself, filled with excitement and fear, continually challenging my thinking of having LASIK. I am writing this to you to help put some of your thoughts at ease (well as much as a letter can). While I am happy now and will continue to get happier with healing, you owe yourself a reality check on probably the most important decision you will make in your lifetime. This is not like choosing a new car or outfit....let's be honest, it's your eyes. First let me tell you that as I write this letter to you I have 20/15 vision (better than 20/20) but it comes with patience! This is something I want you to continue to remember. I am sure you did as I had and asked all your friends, read as much as you can online and spoke to family about LASIK. Being informed is great but don't get yourself crazy because this is where the seat you choose is most important.
You are sitting in what you may find to be a busy office and please do not take the amount of people as a bad thing. Take it as a compliment to the people and staff you will eventually meet and at some point feel as though are family. The staff in this relationship is what makes the LASIK process great and their attentive nature. In my treatment, I did come upon some complications (not going to lie since we will become LASIK buddies one day). I am not mentioning this to you to put any more fear in your decision but rather make you feel that if you enter into an elective surgery your hope is that IF anything were to happen you get the attention and knowledge you need. It’s not fair for me or you to say that we would/should expect this because no one EXPECTS to have issues. Remember, I am writing to you with great vision now and again PATIENCE is the key. This is a process and the people who will guide you through this process.

Will you be happy? Yes. Is this something that happens overnight? No. But these are the things you will come to learn in your time with the Doctor. What I wanted to impress on you, again as someone just like you, is that you are choosing the right place. Beyond the coffee and donuts it's about the people and their ability to support your needs and be responsive. Take this step knowing again that you are in such hands here.
Best and good luck,
Sean B.

Eating Fish Can Decrease AMD Risk

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of vision loss in seniors and others with certain risk factors, but the risk can be decreased by a diet rich in fish! Recently, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found that AMD may be associated with a high dietary fat intake. The results of their study found that eating fish, such as tuna, four times a week, may reduce the risk of macular degeneration. The subjects of the study were participants in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study who did not have AMD at when the study commenced. After 12 years of follow-up, 567 people with a visual loss of 20/30 or worse were identified. Fat intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. The study found:

·         Those patients whose total dietary fat intake was in the highest quintile had over one and a half times the risk of AMD as those whose fat intake was in the lowest quintile,

·         Linolenic acid consumption was directly associated with the risk of AMD,

·         High intake of docosahexaenoic acid was associated with a modest reduction in the risk of AMD.

·         Those who ate four or more servings of fish a week were at a 35% lower risk of AMD when compared to those who ate fewer than three servings of fish a week.

The researchers concluded that dietary fat intake was associated with an increased risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD) and that this may have been due to the presence of Linolenic acid in the fat. They added that a high intake of fish, a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid, may reduce this risk.

If you or someone you know has a family history of age related macular degeneration or wishes to learn more about their risk of AMD and how to reduce the risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD) by eating fish, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

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

With locations at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Be Aware of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

The Eye Care & Surgery Center wishes to acknowledge National Macular Degeneration Awareness month by sharing information that seniors and others at risk for AMD should be aware of in order to help avoid vision loss.

About Vision Loss from Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age Related Macular Degeneration or AMD causes a loss of central vision but leaves peripheral or side vision intact. There are two types of AMD-Dry AMD & Wet AMD, each of which as a different effect on vision loss. Dry AMD accounts for some 85-90% of the cases of macular degeneration and causes a slow, progressive dimming or blurring of vision. Wet AMD is characterized by formation of new fragile unhealthy blood vessels under the center of the retina-called the macula. These blood vessels are quite susceptible to breaking and bleeding which leads to scarring and irreversible damage to macula-often with quick or sudden catastrophic vision loss. The key to avoiding vision loss from age related macular degeneration is early detection, diagnosis and treatment-and thus the need for regular eye exams.

Protecting & Preserving Vision from Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Patients can often reduce their risk of developing AMD 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, limiting alcohol consultation where possible, avoiding aspirin, exercising and controlling blood pressure and weight. In addition, once you are over 50, it becomes increasingly important to have a thorough, comprehensive dilated eye exam every one to two years-and even more often if you have any family history of AMD or at the recommendation of your eye doctor. The key to preventing vision loss from AMD is clearly early detection, quick diagnosis and then immediate access to treatment with vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGF) injections such as Lucentis® & Eylea®.

If you or someone you know has a question about age related macular degeneration (AMD) the risks of AMD or how to avoid vision loss from AMD, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

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

With locations at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Glaucoma Risk Increases with Early Menopause

The Eye Care & Surgery wishes to share information about the increase in the risk of developing glaucoma among women who enter menopause at an early age. According to a study at the Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute in Amsterdam women who go through menopause early may be at greater risk of developing glaucoma. In a study of more than 3,000 women, those who went through a natural menopause before the age of 45 were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma as women who went through menopause at age 50 or older. The results indicate that female hormones may be protective against open-angle glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness.  Of interest is that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is thought to reduce fluid pressure inside the eye. Similarly, as hormone levels rise during pregnancy, fluid pressure inside the eye decreases significantly, the researchers noted. This is the first study to examine the relationship between female sex hormones, as indicated by age of menopause, and open-angle glaucoma.

If you or someone you know has a question about their risk of glaucoma, early menopause or sex hormones and their protective nature against glaucoma, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

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

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a leading New Jersey eye care practice with offices at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830

.