Early Detection and Treatment Leads to Healthy Eyesight

This 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 do not recommend purchasing toys or games with sharp, protruding or projectile parts.  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, such as helmets,

There are two main forms of Dry Eye disease. Are you treating the right one? Tears are necessary for your overall eye health. Dry Eye occurs when the eyes do not produce sufficient tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. Without proper treatment, inadequate tears can make daily activities frustrating, affecting your personal and professional life, from reading to watching TV, to driving or working on the computer.  The most common form of Dry Eye is Evaporative Dry Eye, which affects 9 out of 10 (86%) Dry Eye cases. 1  This form results from a shortage of oil in your tears caused by a blockage in your eyelid (Meibomian) glands, leading tears to evaporate faster than normal. This lack of tear oil is often referred to as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).   Now, with the breakthrough LipiFlow® technology, it’s possible to directly treat the root cause of Evaporative Dry Eye. If you think you suffer from  Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) call us today to have your

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 Diab

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

To avoid a real-life Halloween horror story – going blind because of a costume accessory – the American Academy of Ophthalmology is warning the public against wearing costume contact lenses purchased without a prescription. These illegally sold cosmetic lenses may not be sterile and can cause a host of serious eye problems capable of morphing a fun Halloween night into a nightmare. Tiger eyes, checkered pupils: non-prescription decorative lenses also called cosmetic, costume or plano contact lenses come in many different patterns and colors. In 2005, after reports of them causing eye injuries and infections, the Federal Drug Administration classified all contact lenses as medical devices and restricted their distribution to licensed eye care professionals, effectively banning sales of non-prescription contact lenses. Despite that, these items remain available on the internet, in convenience stores and at flea markets. Below are four frightening ways that non-prescription deco

According to a national survey released by the American Academy of Ophthalmology , nearly two out of three American adults report having eye or vision problems. A significant percentage of them, however, fail to seek medical attention in the form of regular, sight-saving eye exams. In observance of Healthy Aging Month in September, Friedberg Eye Associates joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in emphasizing the importance of having regular eye exams to maintain healthy eyes and vision. Some of the more common age-related eye diseases include age-related macular degeneration , cataract, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Early detection and treatment of these conditions can help to save sight before vision loss occurs. Ophthalmologists recommend a dilated comprehensive eye exam as the best way to prevent these conditions from becoming debilitating. U.S. Adults Do Not Get Eye Exams as Often as Recommended The survey results emphasize a need for more education about the importanc

Approximately 37 million adults in America have age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma, all of which can cause visual impairment or blindness. However, recent studies show that making healthy choices and getting regular eye exams can help reduce a person’s risk of vision loss. In support of NEI’s Healthy Vision Month , Friedberg Eye Associates and the American Academy of Ophthalmology are encouraging everyone to take charge of their eye health and preserve their sight by following some simple tips. Live a healthy lifestyle. Eating a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking can lower your risk of eye disease. Foods that boost eye health include dark green leafy greens, cold water fish and citrus fruits. A study recently published in the journal Ophthalmology showed that a diet rich in vitamin C can cut the risk of cataract progression by nearly a third. Other research shows that smoking doubles the risk of the eye disease age

With back-to-school time around the corner, parents will be scrambling to buy new school supplies and clothes. As they check off their long list of school to-dos, ophthalmologists are reminding moms and dads not to neglect one of the most important learning tools: their children’s eyes. Good vision and overall eye health are vital to learning. Friedberg Eye Associates joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in emphasizing the importance of healthy vision to academic success during Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month in August. Because children are still growing, being vigilant about eye health is important. The earlier problems are identified; the sooner they can be addressed. For healthy eyes and vision throughout the school year, Friedberg Eye Associates and the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommend the following four tips: 1. Get regular childhood vision screenings – Children’s eyes change rapidly, making regular vision screenings an important step in detecting

Some people do not produce enough tears to keep the eye comfortable.  This is known as dry eye. Tears are produced by two different methods.  One method produces tears at a slow, steady rate and is responsible for normal eye lubrication.  The other method produces large quantities of tears in response to eye irritation or emotions.  Tears that lubricate are constantly produced by a healthy eye.  Excessive tears occur when the eye is irritated by a foreign body or when a person cries. Tear production normally decreases as we age.  Although dry eye can occur in both men and women at any age, women are most often affected.  This is especially true after menopause. Dry eye can also be associated with arthritis and accompanied by a dry mouth.  People with dry eyes, dry mouth and arthritis are said to have Sjogren's syndrome. Symptoms of Dry Eye Include: - Stinging or burning eyes - Scratchiness - Stringy mucus in or around the eyes - Eye irritation from smoke or wind - Excess

Forget your sunglasses – no big deal, right?  Think again.  Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a known culprit for painful sunburns and melanoma, yet few adults associate it with serious vision problems. But unprotected exposure to UV rays can have very serious eye consequences – especially over the lifetime. A study by The Vision Council found that 40 percent of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses outside, increasing unfiltered exposure to the sun. This statistic is troubling but the good news is that wearing UV-protective sunglasses can prevent damage and reduce the onset of vision diseases. Here’s a look at the benefits of wearing sunglasses every day:  The Good:   Sunglasses Reduces UV-related eye damage:   UV-protective sunglasses block dangerous UV rays from reaching the eye.  A host of vision problems can occur from UV exposure,  so limiting eyes’ vulnerability to the sun can mean healthy eyes and vision well into adulthood. Protects eyes and eyelids:  Wrap-around sunglasses prov

Fireworks sales will be blazing across the country from now through the Fourth of July. As retailers begin their promotions, Friedberg Eye Associates joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in shining a light on this explosive fact: the number of eye injuries caused by fireworks has more than doubled in recent years. Fireworks injuries cause approximately 10,000 visits to the emergency each year, according to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.i Injuries largely occurred in the weeks before and after the Fourth of July. The CPSC’s most recent fireworks report showed that about 1,300 eye injuries related to fireworks were treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2014, up from 600 reported in 2011. This is why some ophthalmologists – physicians that specialize in medical and surgical eye care – have to keep operating rooms on call to treat these injuries each year. To help prevent these injuries, the Academy is debunking four myths about consumer fireworks risks: 1.  S

CATARACT M ore than 20 million Americans over the age of 40 have cataracts.   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. If you experience any of the following schedule an exam: 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 Family history of cataracts Medical problems, such as diabetes High salt intake Long-term, unprotected exposure to sunlight Eye Injuries Long term pre

Sunglasses make it easier to see on a sunny day, whether out on the road or the water. However, wearing the right sunglasses is also a great defense against ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause short- and long-term eye damage. These are the most important factors to consider when purchasing sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun: Make it 100 percent.   The single most important thing to look for when buying sunglasses to protect your eyes is a sticker or tag indicating that they block 100 percent of UV rays. However, fewer than half of people buying sunglasses bother to check whether the lenses protect the eyes from ultraviolet light, according to the Academy's 2014 national sun safety survey . Bigger is better.   The more coverage from sunglasses, the less sun damage inflicted on the eyes. Consider buying oversized glasses or wraparound-style glasses, which help cut down on UV entering the eye from the side. Darker lenses don't protect better.   While very dark

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 alle

Take  Simple Steps to Protect Your Sight   Approximately  37  million  adults in America have age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma, all of which can  cause visual impairment or blindness, acc ording to the National Eye Institute (NEI). i  However, recent studies show that making healthy choices and getting regular eye exams can help reduce a person’s risk of vision loss. In support of NEI’s  Healthy Vision Month  in May, Friedberg Eye Associates  and  the American Academy of Ophthalmology are encouraging everyone to take charge of their eye health and preserve their sight by following some simple tips.    Live a healthy lifestyle . Eating a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking can lower your risk of eye disease.  Foods that boost eye health  include dark green leafy greens, cold water fish and citrus fruits. A study recently published in the journal  Ophthalmology  showed that a diet rich in vitamin C c