Retinitis Pigmentosa Help

About Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a progressive inherited disease of the eye, in which the light-sensitive photoreceptor cells located in the retina degenerate. This results first in the loss of night and peripheral vision, eventually progressing to the loss of central vision and total blindness. It is the leading cause of inherited blindness in the developed world.

The disease, which affects approximately 1.5 million people in the world, has no cure, but thanks to research done at the University of California-Santa Barbara, a new stem cell therapy may soon be available that protects photoreceptor cells from the damaging effects of the gene mutation. So far, only a small number of legally blind patients with RP have begun a trial. The trial is the first attempt to use stem cells to prevent the loss of vision from RP. An experimental injection of retinal stem cells is placed in the eye with the hope that the growth factors from these cells will protect the retinal cells and prevent them from dying, thus preserving the patient’s remaining vision.

If you, a family member or someone you know would like to learn more about Retinitis Pigmentosa or many new stem therapies being developed for diseases of the retina, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located 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, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Rheumatoid Arthritis & Your Eyes

Eye Problems & Rheumatoid Arthritis
What does arthritis have to do with your eyes? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease characterized by swelling and irritation. The inflammation of RA occurs when your body's defense system (immune system) attacks your own body tissues instead of foreign invaders like viruses or bacteria. Most of these attacks occur in your joints, but RA inflammation can also affect other parts of your body, including your eyes. In fact, your eyes are especially vulnerable. Some of the more common eye complications of rheumatoid arthritis include dry eyes, scleritis-an inflammation of the “white” of your eye-which is uncomfortable and even painful, iritis-an inflammation of the colored part of the eye or the iris, or uveitis, an inflammation of the middle lining inside the eye that supplies blood to other internal structures.

Any of these rheumatoid arthritis complications can requirement treatment to avoid at a minimum discomfort and more seriously vision loss. So, if you have been told you have rheumatoid arthritis and experience dry eyes, redness, pain, or changes in your vision, you should make sure to see us for a diagnosis and treatment if needed.

If you or someone you know wishes to learn more about how rheumatoid arthritis can cause eye problems, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located 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, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Michele’s LASIK Story

Since the age of eight, eyeglasses shielded my eyes and corrected my vision. Initially, I started out merely needing them for distance. As a young child, accommodations were made. Teachers would place me in the front of their classrooms to ensure I could see the chalkboard. As time progressed, I began to wear them not just for distance. Through the years my prescription continued to change and I found myself wearing them constantly. I was never inclined to use contacts and grew accustomed to my glasses being a permanent fixture on my face. Being a visual artist, I viewed my glasses as art in their own right. They were a “Michelle accessory”, synonymous with jewelry, fashion, or any other form of expression. I traveled far and wide to obtain “funky frames”, ones that matched my eclectic artsy style. I acquired quite the collection, from various colors to rhinestones. As an artist and teacher, students took notice of Ms. H’s “art teacher glasses”. Despite the joy I had waking up each morning and picking out a pair of glasses to wear I still struggled with my eyesight. My challenges included; bumping into things in the middle of the night (I bruise easily), misreading shampoo and conditioner labels in the shower, and on one occasion thinking the bottle on my vanity was make-up remover (it was in fact, nail polish remover, a mistake I would be sure NEVER to repeat). Finally, at the age of 23 my eyes had reached stability. During my most recent eye exam this past summer of 2015, my ophthalmologist confirmed this fact. He recommended that if I desired, I could go for a consultation at The Eye Care and Surgery Center in Westfield. They would be able to determine if I was a viable candidate for LASIK. 

After convincing my mother, who replied at first with the phrase, “why on earth would you, an artist, ever want to mess with your eyes”, I decided to go in for my consultation. Following this, I was given thorough eye exams to determine if my eyes were “LASIK material”. The results ultimately came back that I “passed” and Dr. Confino informed me that I could proceed with the procedure. My surgery date was booked and I promptly went home and researched the entire procedure ad nauseam. I didn’t want to leave any “stone left unturned”. As a patient getting elective surgery I wanted to know exactly what I was getting into. Luckily, the staff at The Eye Care and Surgery Center in Westfield is extremely caring and courteous. Everyone understood my concerns and instructed me on exactly what to do before and after the surgery. They were quick to answer any questions I had, and I had quite a few. When the day of my LASIK procedure finally came I was glad to have trusted such a wonderful and competent surgeon as well as his staff with my eyes. My results were astounding and the next day I could automatically see. My new and improved vision left me with a surreal feeling. Each morning I awoke to the new day with awe that my eyes had not returned to their “normal” blurriness. Since that pivotal day I have returned to work. I have gone back to making art in the studio as well as teaching my classes. I no longer have the black outline of a frame blocking my peripheral vision, I don’t need windshield wipers when it rains, nor do I need a defogger when the weather changes. My eyes are free! During my most recent follow-up appointment in October, it was confirmed that my eyesight was 20/15, better than 20/20! I often joke around with friends and family and say, “if I thought I was a decent artist when I wore glasses, can you imagine the works I will be able to create now that I can see unencumbered?” Hindsight being 20/15 (not 20/20), I am glad I decided to pursue LASIK. I am ecstatic with my results and cannot begin to thank Dr. Confino and his staff at The Eye Care and Surgery Center enough for their time and patience in guiding my family and me through this process.”

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about Bladeless LASIK or Schedule a Free LASIK Consultation please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located 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, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Blueberries Help Night Vision?

Everyone has heard that carrots are good for your eyes. Many folks are probably even aware that eating green leafy vegetables is helpful for those at risk for age related macular degeneration (AMD). But, have you ever heard that blueberries are good for your night vision? Blueberries are considered “super stars” among health food advocates, who tout the fruit for not only promoting heart health, better memory and digestion, but also for improving night vision. Now, scientists have taken a closer look at this and have found reason to doubt that the popular berry helps most healthy people see better in the dark. Their report appears in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry. Blueberries were thought to be possibly be helpful for your night vision because they contain anthocyanins, which are pigment molecules in blueberries and other plants, that promote the regeneration of key molecules in the eye involved in perceiving light. But reviews of the earlier clinical research that tested the effect of blueberries on night vision in human subjects revealed that the studies were poorly controlled. The researchers found that a blueberry-supplemented diet did not improve sight in the dark, but they did help subjects recover normal vision after exposure to a bright light. The enhancement, however, was small and not likely noticeable to most healthy people, the researchers concluded. So, if you like blueberries feel free to eat and enjoy them, but don’t wait for your night vision to improve.

If you or someone you know has problems with night vision, it is important to have a thorough eye exam to rule out the possibility of cataracts or other eye problem, condition or disease that may affect the retina or optic nerve. Please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located 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, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Contact Lens Eye Problems: Avoid Risky Behaviors

Contact Lens Safety
Eye health and vision problems from contacts lenses can be prevented by avoiding known risky behaviors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention almost all of the 41 million estimated contact lens wearers in the United States may be engaging in at least one behavior known to increase their risk of eye infections. Nearly one-third of contact lens wearers who participated in a national survey reported going to the eye doctor for red or painful eyes related to wearing contact lenses. More than 99 percent of survey respondents reported at least one risky behavior. The majority of wearers reported:

• Keeping their contact lens cases for longer than recommended (82.3 %)
• "Topping off” solution in the case by adding new solution to the existing solution instead of emptying the case out fully before adding new solution (55.1%)
• Wearing their lenses while sleeping (50.2 %)

Each of these behaviors has been reported in previous studies to raise the risk of eye infections by five times or more!

An online survey was administered to a sample of contact lens wearers to determine how often contact lens wearers engaged in behaviors that could put them at risk for an eye infection. CDC collaborated with the Contact Lens Assessment in Youth (CLAY) group, a multi-university group of researchers, to conduct the survey. A separate survey was used to estimate the number of contact lens wearers – about 41 million adults. Taken together, the survey results indicate that millions of Americans could be at risk for serious eye infections because of poor contact lens hygiene behaviors.

We know that contact lenses can be worn safely if wearers are mindful of using good hygiene. To prevent eye infections, contact lens wearers should:

• Wash hands with soap and water and dry them well before touching contact lenses
• Take contacts out before sleeping, showering or swimming
• Rub and rinse contacts in disinfecting solution each time they remove them
• Rub and rinse the case with contact lens solution, dry with a clean tissue and store it upside down with the caps off after each use
• Replace contact lens cases at least once every three months
• Avoid “topping off” solution in lens case (adding fresh solution to old solution)
• Carry a backup pair of glasses in case contact lenses have to be taken out

If you or someone you know have questions about contact lens care, hygiene, safety and how to avoid eye infections from contact lens wear, or wish to have a contact lens consultation or fitting, please call please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located 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, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Protect Children from HEV Blue Light

By: Lynette Cababa

Protect your vision and protect your child’s vision from today’s increasing HEV Blue Light Exposure. Why is HEV Blue Light protection more important today than in years past? Because we are being bombarded by this HEV Blue Light more than ever and it is only going to increase.

Sources of HEV Blue Light:

• Digital screens including TVs, computers, laptops, smartphones, video games, electronic devices
• Fluorescent lighting
• LED lighting
• Sunlight

Adults are being exposed to this blue light more than ever but our children are being exposed to a higher degree of it beginning at a younger age than we did and to a much greater degree. TheraBlue UV HEV lenses provide this important protection from the dangers of UV rays and HEV blue light. Dermatologists have been highly successful in pointing out the dangers of UV and the need for skin protection. Don’t your critically important eyes and your children’s eyes deserve protection? This bad blue light can contribute to tired eyes, poorer night vision, loss of sharp, contrast vision, light sensitivity and glare. Studies are also showing it can contribute to risk of onset cataracts, macular degeneration, problematic sleep patterns, headaches,
focus and behavioral issues.

If you or someone you know has a question about TheraBlue UV HEV or needs help with eyeglass frame selection or lens fitting, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located 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, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Help for Childrens’ Tear Duct Problems

About Childrens’ Tear Duct Problems

Normally, tears drain through tiny opening in corners of the upper and lower eyelids call “puncta,” then enter the nose through the nasolacrimal duct. Sometimes the nasolacrimal duct or tear duct can become blocked or obstructed making it impossible for the tears to drain normally. This can cause the eyes to run water or even produce a discharge. Often, the tears well up on the surface of the eye and overflow onto the eyelashes, eyelids, and down the cheek. This usually occurs within the first days or weeks of life. Sometimes, the eyelids can become red and swollen, even stuck together with yellowish-green discharge since the normal eyelid bacteria are not properly "flushed" down the obstructed system. Probably the most common cause of a tear duct obstruction in kids is a failure of the membrane at the end of the tear duct opening to open fully at the time of birth. Generally we see this happening in some 5-10% of newborn infants where one or both eyes is affected with a tear duct obstruction-BUT some 90% clear without any treatment with the first 12 months after birth.

Treatment of Kids’ Tear Duct Obstruction

As most of the time the obstruction will clear on its own, we don’t always have to treat it. But, if it persists and causes the welling up of tears or the sticking or redness of the eyelids we can suggest a gentle massage as a first step and prescribe antibiotic eye drops if necessary. Sometimes we will need to do a tear duct probing to clear the blockage and in a some more difficult situations we might need to perform a tear duct dilation with a tiny balloon or even insert some microscopic tubes. We perform these types of treatments as a matter of routine and, as a parent I will make sure to thoroughly explain them and answer all of your questions if they become necessary.

If you or someone you know has questions or concerns about childrens tear duct problems or needs a kids eye exam, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located 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, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.