Early Detection and Treatment Leads to Healthy Eyesight

T his holiday season is a time for family, fun and celebration, but also a time to think about safety.  During December’s Safe Toys and Celebrations Month we encourage everyone to take a number of steps before purchasing toys, sports equipment, opening a bottle of champagne, and even going near the Christmas tree.    Every year we see many eye injuries that seemingly safe and innocent toys can cause.  That is why we are urging patients to purchase safe toys and gifts this holiday season and all year long.  Before a toy is purchased one must check toy labels for age recommendations and select only those gifts that are suitable for the child’s age and maturity level.  We recommend that toys or games with sharp, protruding or projectile parts not be purchased.   Every year 40,000 sports related eye injuries occur.  Most accidents occur this time of year.  Sports equipment may cause permanent vision damage and most of the victims are children.  We recommend that protective gear, s

    H urry in to see our Opticians at Woodbury Eyewear.  They are having a raffle for the months of November, December and January to win a pair of prescription eyeglasses.  There is a winner every month and the winner can claim their prize which is valued at $500*!  No purchase is necessary, just stop in and enter your name, phone number and email.  Who knows, you could be the next winner!  Good Luck! *May not be redeemed for cash or combined with any insurance plan or discount.  Only one ticket entry per person per month.

N ovember is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month and we are observing this month and urging all diabetics to have a dilated eye exam every year.  Do you know if you are at risk for blindness due to diabetes?  Here are some facts to know about diabetes and diabetic eye disease: There are 29 million Americans that have diabetes. 10 million of those who have diabetes are at risk for vision loss because they do not know they have the disease. Diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma all affect those with diabetes. 5.3 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among working-age Americans. Many patients diagnosed with diabetes do not comply with vision care guidelines.  The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk for diabetic eye disease.  Patients can develop diabetic retinopathy, get cataracts at a younger age, and chances  of developing glaucoma are doubled.  Because November is Diabe

Are your lashes changing as you get older? Ask yourself: • Have my lashes lost their fullness? • Do my lashes appear shorter? • Are my lashes lighter in color? • Do I have inadequate lashes? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions,  you’re not alone. Ask Dr. Friedberg if LATISSE® is right for you.   Lashes change over the years.   With LATISSE® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%,  you can grow fuller, longer, darker lashes! Visit their website or call today for more information: (856) 845-7968. At week 16, without mascara. Lashes not retouched. Results may vary. LATISSE® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% is a prescription treatment for Hypotrichosis used to grow eyelashes, making  them longer, thicker, and darker.   Eyelash hypotrichosis is another name for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes. SAFETY INFORMATION: If you’re considering LATISSE® (bimatoprost opthalmic solution)  0.03%, it’s important to get all the facts fir

OCTOBER IS EYE INJURY PREVENTION MONTH , and it is our job as Eye M.D.’s  to promote good eye health and also increase awareness of accidental eye injury.  Accidental eye injury is the leading cause of visual impairment in the United States.  About one million people suffer from eye injuries and ninety percent of these accidents can be prevented.  Eye injuries can occur whether you are in the house, workshop, garden, workplace, around the car, and even at play or in a sport. Everyone should take simple safety measures to prevent serious injuries to the eye.  For example, if you are in the house working with cleaning products or using chemicals you should always read the instructions carefully and WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES .  Many products you use to clean with are very dangerous and can cause blindness or permanent damage to your eyes.  You should have a bottle of eye irrigating solution available at all times. In the workshop you should always protect your eyes with protective eyewear

Millions of people who work on computers for long periods of time suffer from Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).  This is caused by long sessions of near or intermediate viewing.  CVS manifests itself through headaches, neck or back pain, itching, red eyes and visual stress.  Our optical shop offers a comfortable lens for those who spend most of their day at the computer.  It improves contrast, sharpens vision, reduces eye fatigue and stress.  It will require no adaption and can easily be used for alternative reading. Who fits the profile for this lens? Computer users First time with presbyopia Wearers of single vision readers Single vision wearers who want enhanced near and intermediate vision Patients suffering symptoms of Computer vision Syndrome Fell free to stop in and talk to our opticians today! 

What is Chronic Dry Eye? Dry Eye affects an estimated 21 million people in the United States. Dry Eye is a medical condition that can result from the eyes' reduced ability to produce tears due to chronic inflammation. Without enough tears, the film protecting the eye can break down, creating dry spots on the cornea. If left untreated, over time inflammation and reduced tear production can damage the surface of the eye and exacerbate the eye. Eyes need a healthy tear film to maintain and protect the ocular surface. Symptoms of Dry Eye include: Stinging or burning eyes Scratchiness Foreign body sensation Irritation and sensitivity to light Eye irritation from smoke or wind Excess tearing Blurred vision Difficulty wearing contact lenses Dry eye can impact daily activities such as: computer use, reading, driving, watching television, etc.  Excess tearing from "Dry Eye" sounds illogical, but if the tears responsible for maintenance lubrication do not keep th

      S eptember is children's Eye Health and Safety Month and we recommend screening infants for common eye problems at their regular pediatric appointments, as well as vision screenings for all children starting at approximately three years of age.  Some vision problems can be corrected and the effects reversed if detected and treated early.  Some vision problems can be corrected and the effects reversed if detected early.  If visual symptoms or other risk factors are found during a vision screening, the child should then be referred to our Pediatric Ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam. Eye conditions that may affect children include: Amblyopia Strabismus Ptosis Refractive Errors Congenital abnormalities Tumors Amblyopia occurs when one eye develops good vision while the other does not.  It can be prevented or reversed if detected early usually before the age of 6, but the sooner, the better.  The treatment first requires attention to the underlying cau

T here is a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that can help you answer many of the toughest questions you may have about Medicare.  The service is free and confidential to New Jersey Medicare beneficiaries.  SHIP counselors are ready and willing to help you answer the following questions: What is the difference between Original Medicare and the Medicare Advantage Plans? What do I need to know about Medicare Prescription Drug coverage Part D and how do I choose a plan? What are the "gaps" in original Medicare coverage? How do I fill them? What do I do if Medicare denies payment for a claim? Whom do I call if I have a question about a claim? Does Medicare pay for nursing home care? What are the different Medigap plans? What is Long-Term Care insurance? To get your answers to these questions and more, call the local SHIP office at: Gloucester County College 1400 Tanyard Road Instructional Center-Room 418 Sewell, NJ 08080 Telephone: (856) 4

More than 20 million Americans over the age of 40 have cataracts and nearly three million patients have cataract surgery in the US annually.  Technological advances have made cataract surgery safer, more comfortable and more effective. A cataract is a gradual clouding of the clear lens in the eye, the part that focuses light and produces clear images.  As old cells die they become trapped.  As time passes, more cells die and accumulate causing the lens to cloud, making vision blurred and dim.  Cataracts form slowly and painlessly, but can eventually lead to blindness. Cataracts can be caused by metabolic diseases such as diabetes, an injury to the eye, medications, long-term exposure to the sun, eye surgery, congenital defects or aging. Please refer patients if they are experiencing any of the following: Blurry vision, with no pain Glare, or sensitivity to light Double vision in one eye The need to read with brighter light Poor night vision Dull or yellowed image

I t's almost Summer time and most of us are outdoors at work or at play not realizing the potential risks we are putting our eyes through. Accidental eye injury is the leading cause of visual impairment in the United States. About one million people suffer from eye injuries and 90% of these accidents can be prevented.  Everyone should take simple safety measures to prevent serious injuries to the eye.  Protective eye wear should be worn at all times when you are: Cleaning - While working with cleaning products or using chemicals you should always read the instructions carefully.  Many products you use to clean are very dangerous and can cause blindness or permanent damage to your eyes. Working - Objects can fly into your eyes unexpectedly, you should always use precaution.  While working on a car battery acid or sparks from the battery can damage your eyes. Gardening - Harsh chemicals can accidentally splash into the eyes causing damage.  When operating lawn equipment

June is UV Safety Month , and we are reminding patients of the importance of protecting eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.  Sunglasses and a brimmed hat can help protect eyes from UVA and UVB rays.  Long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to long term damage and vision loss.  All patients are at risk, even children. A number of studies show that exposure to bright sunlight  may increase the risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration, and benign or malignant growths on or inside the eye.  Like skin, eyes never recover from UV exposure. Sunwear is available to help protect patients from UV exposure.  Polarized lenses, which block sun glare, non prescription and prescription sunglasses, and baby banz protection collection are all available in our optical shop.    We recommend sunglasses that block 100 percent of  UVA and UVB rays to be worn anytime you are outside.  Sunglasses should also wrap all the way around the temples, so the sun’s rays cannot ent

M any eye diseases and disorders become more common as we age.  Advances in Ophthalmology allow most people to maintain good vision as they grow older.  Many eye problems can be prevented or corrected if detected in their early stages.  The following are problems commonly experienced by older people: Presbyopia - When you are young, the lens in your eye is flexible and changes shape easily, allowing you to focus on objects both close and far away.  As you grow older, your lens becomes less flexible.  By about age 40, the lens cannot change shape as easily as it once did and reading becomes difficult.  This normal condition is presbyopia.  You will need glasses or bifocals to help your eyes focus.  The lens continues to harden, so you will need to change prescriptions as you grow older. Floaters - You may sometimes see small specks or webs moving in your field of vision.  They are called floaters.  Floaters are actually tiny clumps of gel or cells within the vitreous  gel-like flui

May is Healthy Vision Month , and we are reminding patients that eye care is for everyone. Preventative eye care can help ensure that everyone has good vision throughout life.   Eye conditions and diseases can strike at any time in life, destroying healthy vision.   Infants and toddlers should be screened for common childhood eye problems, such as strabismus and amblyopia, during their regular pediatric appointments.  Vision testing is recommended for all children starting at around 3 years of age.  Some warning signs in children include wandering or crossed eyes, family history of childhood vision problems, redness, discharge, a disinterest in reading,  viewing distant objects closing one eye when outside, or excessive blinking. Young adults and middle-aged patients can be affected by eye problems also.  Those at risk for disease include people with diabetes, those over age 60,  African-Americans over age 40,  patients who wear contact lenses and those with a family history of

S easonal allergies affect more than 35 million Americans each year and can have a tremendously negative impact on an individual’s quality of life. Tree pollens in April and May, grass pollens in June and July and mold spores and weed pollens in July and August add up to a five-month barrage of eye-irritating allergens. Triggered by the same allergens that cause intermittent allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is the most commonly occurring ocular allergy. A part of a wide array of allergic conditions that involve inflammation of the conjunctiva, seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is characterized by a combination of ocular itching, inflammation, watering and redness. If seasonal conjunctivitis is bothering you, here are some tips that can help: Study your geography . You can monitor tree, grass, weed and mold spore counts for your particular geographic area. That way you can determine when it might be best to stay indoors, thus minimizing exposure to irritating

W e have three licensed and knowledgeable opticians with a combined experience of over 30 years.   Marisol, Stephanie and Kathleen are dedicated to helping you select the proper frames and lenses that suits your lifestyle and needs .   FINDING THE PERFECT FIT Before selecting and purchasing eye wear  there are few things to consider - all of which will help us recommend products that best fit your lifestyle.   What you do on a daily basis? Where you work, how you work and how you spend your leisure time may have an impact  on your choice.  We would like to know if you use a computer, spend a lot of time driving,  traveling, play sports, work outdoors or are around hazards.  Is this your first time purchasing eye wear or do you currently wear glasses? When you visit the Optical shop, we will inquire about these things.  If you currently wear g lasses we want to know if there is something you like or don't like about them. OUR RECOMMENDATIONS The following spe

T his April we are acknowledging sports eye safety.  We are informing and urging athletes to wear protective eye wear when playing a sport.  Sports provide good exercise for maintaining proper weight, improve strength and coordination, and helps build lifelong healthy habits and attitude.  But, there are health risks in playing sports including eye injuries; the vast majority of which are preventable. About 42,000 sports eye injuries occur every year.  The majority of  the victims are children.  Injuries include corneal abrasions, eyelid bruises, and internal eye injuries, such as retinal detachments and internal bleeding.  many of these injuries lead to vision loss and permanent blindness.  For young athletes, baseball and basketball account for the largest number of injuries.  Little league pitchers may throw the ball up to 70 mph, which is fast enough to break bones and do serious damage to the eye.  In basketball, you cannot prevent contact with flying elbows or fingers.  Many o

A lot of our patients ask if we provide LASIK surgery.  When it comes to something as important as your eyes and your vision you want to see a surgeon you can trust.  We care about where we refer our patients and we care about proper follow up.  That is why we work closely with Kremer Eye Center . We refer our patients to Kremer because we know you’ll benefit from the expertise of some of the most renowned surgeons and specialists in the region. They have over 30 years of experience, experience you can rely on.   Friedberg Eye Associates will co-manage your laser vision correction procedure and see you for a pre-op and post-ops to ensure you receive the finest care. If you would like to learn more about LASIK you can j oin Kremer Eye Center on Tuesday, April 2nd at five convenient locations, to learn everything you want to know, and how the new iFS BLADELESS laser can dramatically improve your LASIK outcome.  This December, Kremer was the FIRST in the region to integrate iFS blade

T his March we are urging patients to know the risk factors involved with Age-Related Macular Degeneration, which is the most common eye disease. Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a progressive, painless disease that affects the macula and destroys central vision. Driving, reading, writing and recognizing faces will be difficult for those who have this disease, but peripheral vision stays intact. Thus, ARMD does not lead to total blindness.  Although the exact cause of macular degeneration is unknown, several studies have shown the following patients are more at risk: Patients age 50 and older Patients with hypertension Patients who smoke Patients with a family history of ARMD If you experience changes in vision, such as straight lines appearing wavy, an inability to see details, dark or empty spots in the center of their vision, or decreased ability to distinguish colors then you should see an ophthalmologist promptly. An annual eye exam will ensure ARMD and