Kyle Tells His LASIK Experience

“My experience with PRK has been life changing.  Initially, I was hoping to get Lasik, but after my consultation with Dr. Confino I felt extremely confident that PRK was the right decision.  It was a journey where I had to get used to daily regimens of eye drops, but I had glasses since I was 14 and longed for the day where I could live life glasses free.

The surgery itself was quick and painless.  I had a Xanax and numbing eye drops and the procedure began.  I was alert and stared at what looked to me like a dot, but was actually the laser and before I knew it the surgery was complete!  After surgery I was driven home and got plenty of sleep.  The next week had its ups and downs, but I trusted Dr. Confino’s advice.  Out of work for a week and unable to drive, but I stayed positive. 

At the week mark I had the contacts taken out.  I remember going to sleep that night and waking up the next day in total amazement.  I was seeing better than I ever had in my years wearing glasses.  It felt like a complete miracle and I was ultra-excited!  Over the next few weeks my eyes were still building back strength.  I would go from times where my vision was incredible and then other times where my eyes seemed to be weakening.  Around 3 and ½ to 4 weeks after the surgery is when I had a moment of clarity.  I was driving home from work in pouring rain and all I could think about was how well I could see.  At that time I felt like my vision was starting to become really close to where I wanted it to be and I was extremely happy.

I continued on with follow up appointments after a month and then again after 3 months.  After 3 months I was told that I no longer needed to use drops.  As time goes on my vision remains strong and life without glasses continues to get better.  I feel more freedom in my everyday life and feel more confident than ever.  I will be forever thankful for the great work that Dr. Confino did.  For anyone considering having laser eye surgery I would say to explore your options, see if you are a candidate, and if you are I would highly recommend having the surgery.  It is quick, painless, and is one of the best decisions I have made in my life.”

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.

Loose Eyelids & Dry Eye Problems

Dry Eye Problems from Loose Eyelids

Sometimes we are surprised by the many conditions and circumstances that can cause you to have dry eye problems. We know that many common medications, including those for blood pressure and allergies can certainly cause dry eyes. We know that the hormonal changes associated with menopause can cause dry eyes as well as certain environmental conditions of dustiness, breeziness or dryness you might encounter. We also know that problems with eyelid inflammation, called blepharitis, or systemic inflammatory diseases as well as contact lens wear can contribute to dry eye symptoms. Now, according to research we reviewed in Cornea we also know that loose eyelids may also cause a disruption of the normal tear film and lead to dry eye complaints. In a study of some 138 patients, those who had loose eyelids were much more likely to suffer from sensations of grittiness, in adequate tear film quality and quantity and dry spots on their cornea-all key sign and symptoms of dry eye. The researchers concluded that eyelid laxity or looseness should be tested in anyone with dry eye complaints as it might be a source of the problem.

If you or someone you know is bothered by dry eyes 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.

Vitamin C & Cataracts

Vitamin C & Cataracts

Cataracts are a common senior eye problem that occurs naturally with age and clouds the eye’s lens, turning it opaque. Despite the advent of modern cataract removal surgery, cataracts are still something seniors need to be aware of and work to limit their risk factors if possible. The role of vitamins and supplements in cataract development has generally been a bit uncertain. Based on some new research, it is thought that eating foods high in Vitamin C can cut the risk of cataract progression by as much as a third. The research is also the first to show that diet and lifestyle may play a greater role than genetics in cataract development and severity.

Probably the most important finding in this study was that vitamin C intake from food seemed to protect against cataract progression. While we cannot totally avoid developing cataracts, we may be able to delay their onset and keep them from worsening significantly by eating a diet rich in vitamin C.

If you or someone you know is concerned about senior eye problems such as cataracts or even has a cataract, please share this information. If you need a cataract 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.

IVF & Keratoconus Progression

IVF & Keratoconus Progression

What could in vitro fertilization and Keratoconus have to do with each other? As it turns out, quite a bit! Keratoconus is a progressive degenerative disorder of the cornea whereby structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than the more normal gradual spherical shape. We carefully monitor our patients with Keratoconus because Keratoconus can cause substantial distortion of vision, with multiple images, streaking and sensitivity to light-all of which can worsen if the disease progresses quickly. Researchers reporting in the Journal of Refractive Surgery alerted us to the fact that drugs used in IVF treatment increase estrogen levels, which may affect corneal biomechanics and induce progression of Keratoconus and thus we need to be even more carefully following those patients with Keratoconus who might also be starting IVF treatments. If they are determined to be of particularly high risk for progression, then we might recommend corneal cross-linking treatment to minimize the risk of keratoconus progression before starting IVF treatment.

If you or someone you know suffers from Keratoconus and is considering IVF 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.

Ellen P. & Cataracts

“Strange as it sounds, developing cataracts at the age of 49 is one of the best things that ever happened to me! As I was also severely near-sighted (-10 prescription), by the time I turned 50 my vision was severely compromised even with correction. Dr. Stahl told me it was time for surgery and promised me it would be life-changing. As luck would have it, just a few weeks before my surgery a new lens, Symfony, was approved for use in the US (after many years of being used in Europe and Canada). Although I was very nervous about trying a new product, Dr. Stahl assured me she had a lot of confidence in it. Because I have so much confidence in her, I decided to go for it. A few days before my surgery, my insurance changed. Since it had to be pre-certified, I was afraid my procedure would have to be rescheduled. Ellen Freeman, the office's amazing surgical scheduler, saved the day, hounding the insurance company and getting my pre-certification pushed through in hours rather than weeks. Thank you, Ellen!!

It is impossible to describe the difference in my vision. For the first time ever in my life, I can see perfectly. I wake up and see the clock without fumbling for my glasses, and drive at night after years of not being able to. The sky is bluer, the grass is greener, and the leaves are more golden than I ever imagined. I am so thankful to Dr. Stahl for giving me my new eyes, and to her wonderful staff for making sure everything went smoothly. I would recommend this surgery, and the Symfony lens, to anyone!”

Ellen P.

If you or someone you know experiences cloudy, blurry vision and difficulty with night driving and faded colors you might wish to learn more about cataracts, laser cataract surgery and lens implants by scheduling a cataract eye exam at The Eye Care & Surgery Center by calling The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visiting 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.